6th Sunday After Pentecost
Independence Day
July 4, 2021

Pastor: Ralph Wrightstone Bulletin . Insert . Photos Music Director: Travis Oaks
This 6th Sunday after Pentecost falls on Independence Day, celebrating the 245th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The banner heading above and the links provided by clicking on the graphic images are borrowed from last year's online service for July 4th Weekend, with a few enhancements for this year. Click on the "FREEDOM" graphic to see a list of resources for that service, including many hymns and songs for the holiday. The rightmost graphic provides a 5 minute "4th of July Concert" of some of those songs. The other graphics provide links to articles relating to events of this day.

We hope that these, and the following online service, contribute to your having a
Happy 4th of July
Click on the "Bethel United Methodist Church" script above
for links to some additional Resource material for this year's 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.
:
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 July 4th 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.

  • . 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 . (05:08)

  • Opening Hymn
    . Verses - "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" . (UMH 717)
    :
    Other Hymns (from the FREEDOM hymns)
    . Verses - "This is My Song" . (UMH 437) )
    . Verses - "God of Every Nation" . (UMH 435)
    . Verses - "Lift Every Voice and Sing" . (UMH 519 vs1,3)
    :
    (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 . (02:41)

  • . OT Scripture Reading: "Psalm 48" . (02:31)
    ......consider following along with a favored translation of your own.

  • Special Music
    - America the Beautiful, sung by Travis Oaks

  • . Slides - Pastor's Thoughts, Prayers and Lord's Prayer . (10:50)
    Please continue to include this prayer for the youth among your prayers for Bethel at this time.

  • . "Youth" Message: "When We Are Weak" . (11:29)
    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 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 in your own Bible. (The "Church" message on this day, with the same topic, will be on the "Sermons" page of Bethel's web site later this week.)

  • . About - Holy Communion (02:29)
    We normally use consecrated crackers and grape juice during the service but you may use other elements for the acts of remembrance as you participate. During this time of "social distancing", the church service uses individual packets for communion taken in the pews.

  • Closing Hymn:
    . Verses - "Open Our Eyes" . (TFWS 2086)

  • Closing Chorus & Benediction:
    . Verse - "Bind Us Together"

Thank you for coming. Our prayer will be that we will soon all gather again for worship in Bethel's Sanctuary, but until then we'll be here for you on Sunday morning.
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