Bethel 10/10/21 Service

You will note from the header above that this 2nd Sunday of October has been, for decades, the date for Bethel's annual Homecoming when we would all come together for worship, fellowship, food, fun and sharing family news and memories. Last year this was anything but a "traditional" day with the Covid safety restrictions at that time making close, personal, shared contact impossible. This did not keep us from coming together for "worship" using recommended safety precautions although the traditional dinner after the service was not held.

This year, with the vaccines readily available and better understanding of protocols and treatments, we are planning for the covered dish dinner after the service. Our continuing covid policy does request that masks be worn for the church services.

If you are reading this in time and are able to come to the Homecoming Service in the church, we look forward to seeing you there...otherwise we welcome you to this online service and will have photos from the church for you in our online album next week.

Click Homecoming Pictures to see pictures from earlier Homecomings.
Note: Several years' pictures have been added since last year

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 10/10/21 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 . (02:37)
Opening Hymn
. Verses - "Amazing Grace (my chains are gone)" . (W&S 3104)...youth accompaniment from October 2018
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Other Hymns for you
Here are two that have been sung at many Homecomings...there are a few more at the bottom of the Resource page:
. Verses - "How Great Thou Art" . (UMH 77)
. Verses - "Church in the Wildwood" . (CH 121)
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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 . (04:28)
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 22:1-15" . (04:28)
......consider following along with a favored translation of your own.
. Slides - Pastor's Thoughts, Prayers and Lord's Prayer . (11:33)
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: "Exposed and Expunged" . (17:03)
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 readings of Job 23:1-10 and Mark 10:17-22 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 - "O How He Loves You and Me" . (TFWS 2108)
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