Bethel 08/22/21 Service

This 13th Sunday After Pentecost finds us right in the middle of the 25 Week "Ordinary Time" between Pentecost and Advent, the "Summer Break" or "Intermission" between the Feature Attractions of the "Life of Jesus", which looks at the time between His birth, at Advent/Christmas, and His return to Home in Heaven at Pentecost. For us, this "intermission" is a time for a little "distance learning" with some of the Great Teachers of the Bible. During the last two weeks, and today, we are having a mini course in which Jesus teaches us about the significance of God's taking on Flesh and Blood to dwell among us. And also, today, Paul leads a seminar about the "dress code" or "uniform" for followers of Jesus today.

So, thank you for taking this time out from your "Summer Break" to come together for a time of Worship, Sharing and Learning.

Click on the "Bethel United Methodist Church" script above
for links to some Resource materials for today'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.
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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 08/22/21 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.

. 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 . (02:41)
Opening Hymn
. Verses - "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms" . (UMH 133)
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Another Hymn for you
This hymn of Charles Wesley speaks to those wearing Paul's "Armor of God" in our scripture today from Ephesians:
. Verses - "Soldiers of Christ, Arise" . (UMH 513)
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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 . (02:58)
Thanks to Lexie for helping with this today.
We hope that you will participate privately or communally in this responsive reading and affirmation as part of your worship service.
. OT Scripture Reading: "Psalm 84" . (02:28)
......consider following along with a favored translation of your own.
Special Music
- It's All About You Jesus, sung by Travis (from last week's "Church" service.)
. Slides - Pastor's Thoughts, Prayers and Lord's Prayer . (12:54)
The slides here include a list of those for whom prayers have been requested.
Please continue to include this prayer for the youth among your prayers for Bethel at this time.
. "Youth" Message: "Sword of the Spirit" . (12:30)
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 Ephesians 6:10-20 & John 6:56-69 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.)
Closing Hymn:
. Verses - "It is Well With My Soul" . (UMH 377)
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