Bethel 10/18/2020 Service

Sources of Information for Today's Online Service
This page has links to information used or encountered in preparing this online service.

Laity Sunday
The History of Laity Sunday
January 1942 issue of The Methodist Layman, p2-3
History of Laity Sunday Themes

Guidance from UMC Discipleship Ministries

This is the 3rd week of a 4 week Worship Series from the Discipleship Ministries. The Series' theme is "Pressing On". The graphics at the top of this page list the topics for the weeks of the Series.

Worship Series: Pressing On
from umcdiscipleship.org

“Pressing On” seems to be our normal mode these days. We are overwhelmed with changes, overrun with failures, overruled by objections. It seems as though every step is an uphill climb. Yet, we press on. There are tasks to perform and goals to reach; there are people to lead and a kin-dom to build. Is this how we understand pressing on— checking off our lists of accomplishments? Certainly, a task-oriented approach can be fruitful in our ministry. What we do as individuals and as a church community is important. It could also be exhausting for each and for all, which is why pressing on is multidimensional. Yes, there are tasks to perform; yes, there is doing involved; but the doing grows out of being the body of Christ. We can pay attention to who we are, even as we engage in what we do. This October, you are invited to be “Pressing On.”

This Week's Theme: "Known by Name"

The word for today is presence: God’s abiding and constant presence — not a random, “force-like” presence that just is. This is an intimate presence, a personal presence, a presence that knows your name. What a proclamation to bring this week! You are known. In our over-mediated society, it is often the individual who gets lost in the mass of voices and noise that surrounds us. There are many in your congregation who can attest to feeling lonely in a crowd. This week could be an antidote to those feelings.

Worship Planning Notes
Preaching Notes

Lectionary Scriptures: