Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
January 31, 2021
| Pastor: Ralph Wrightstone | Bulletin . Insert . Photos | Music Director: Travis Oaks |
Last week we saw Jesus gathering his "Fishers of Men"...on this Fourth Sunday after Epiphany we find him teaching in the synagogue, early in his public ministry, and encountering an unclean spirit.
Tuesday of this week, Feb 2 on the calendar, is recognized as Groundhog Day by many of us, but it is also Candlemas, 40 days after Christmas, when baby Jesus is Presented in the Temple. This will formally end the "Epiphany Season", (and is the latest time for taking down those Christmas decorations) but "Ordinary Time" will continue right up to February 17.
for links to some Resource material for this service.
We are also having a service at 11:00 this morning in Bethel's sanctuary. An insert to the bulletin, provided by a link above, presents Bethel UMC's policy regarding these gatherings during the time of COVID-19 restrictions.
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For those unable to attend the services at the church, a new service will be available here online before 10:00 am each Sunday morning, using the same format as the on-site service. So you may "gather" here for an "Early Service" at 10:00 or the traditional service at 11:00...actually it will be available here at any time all week. We hope that you will find it a refreshing place to come into God's house.
NOTE: Each part of this online service consists of an audio file and, for most, a Link to a pdf file of "projection slides". Click on the
symbol to play the audio file under a separate browser tab or in a new window. Then select the "Bethel 01/31/21 Service" browser tab or return to this window to open the Link to the "slides". It is best to stop the playing of one Audio segment and close its tab or window before starting another.
We hope that you will fully participate in the service provided here, taking the time to raise your voice or read along with the hymns and responses, and listening to the recorded messages and songs that have been prepared for you. Realize that, though not meeting face-to-face, you are virtually gathering with many others for this time of worship, celebration and spiritual refreshment.
:
For those unable to attend the services at the church, a new service will be available here online before 10:00 am each Sunday morning, using the same format as the on-site service. So you may "gather" here for an "Early Service" at 10:00 or the traditional service at 11:00...actually it will be available here at any time all week. We hope that you will find it a refreshing place to come into God's house.
NOTE: Each part of this online service consists of an audio file and, for most, a Link to a pdf file of "projection slides". Click on the
symbol to play the audio file under a separate browser tab or in a new window. Then select the "Bethel 01/31/21 Service" browser tab or return to this window to open the Link to the "slides". It is best to stop the playing of one Audio segment and close its tab or window before starting another.
We hope that you will fully participate in the service provided here, taking the time to raise your voice or read along with the hymns and responses, and listening to the recorded messages and songs that have been prepared for you. Realize that, though not meeting face-to-face, you are virtually gathering with many others for this time of worship, celebration and spiritual refreshment.
- . Verse - Prelude/Processional - "Sing Alleluia to the Lord"
During normal times...acolytes would bring light to the candles on the altar, followed by the pastor and other worship leaders...today, it simply provides an opening for this time of Worship. - . Slides - Welcome and Announcements . (03:23)
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- listen to recordings from last week's church service featuring missionaries speaking of their work in Southern Asia.
- Opening Hymn
. Verse - "How Great is Our God" . (W&S 3003)
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Another Hymn
This may be unfamiliar but is in line with today's gospel scripture and may speak to our own troubled spirit:
.Verses - "Silence, Frenzied, Unclean Spirit" . (UMH 264)
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(Let us know if you have a favorite hymn that you would like to have included in an online service.) - . Slides - Call to Worship, Apostle's Creed and Gloria Patria
- - OT Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 18:15-20 . (02:34)
......consider following along with a favored translation of your own. - . Slides - Pastor's Thoughts, Prayers and Lord's Prayer . (07:49)
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There have been continuing expressions of concern for our youth during the prayer requests of Bethel's church service. Tina has prepared a list of youth and a prayer to place before you. We hope you will add this to your own prayers for Bethel at this time. These pages from the youth directory may help you to recall the faces that go with the names. - - "Youth" Message: "UNSANCTIFIED?" . (09:24)
Though addressed to the "Youth", whom we truly miss seeing on Sundays, this message is for all of us. You may wish to follow the reading of Mark 1:21-28 in your own Bible. (The "Church" message on this same topic will be on the "Sermons" page of Bethel's web site later this week.) - Closing Hymn:
. Verse - "He Touched Me" . (UMH 367)
- Closing Chorus & Benediction:
. Verse - "Bind Us Together"
Please let us know of any problems you have with or suggestions about this site by sending an email to "bumctlh@gmail.com". If you have any announcements or prayer concerns you would like included next week you may contact Pastor Ralph Wrightstone directly at: 850-591-9785