3rd Sunday of Advent
December 12, 2021
| Pastor: Ralph Wrightstone | Bulletin . Insert . Photos | Music Director: Travis Oaks |
On this 3rd Sunday of Advent we are lighting the Peace Candle and noting that God's choice of the Manger for the birth of His Son is an appropriately peaceful setting for the Prince of Peace. Click on the graphic at the top of this page to find more about the meaning of Peace in the Bible.
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 12/12/21 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 . (04:58)
- Opening Hymn
. Verses - "Angels We Have Heard on High" . (UMH 238)
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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 - Lighting the Third Advent candle
- . Slides - Call to Worship, Apostle's Creed and Gloria Patria . (02:28)
- . OT Scripture Reading: "Isaiah 12:2-6" . (02:04)
......consider following along with a favored translation of your own. - Special Music
This music special from the Christmas Eve Service in 2017 recalls that peaceful setting at the manger:
- "Away in a Manger"
- . Slides - Pastor's Thoughts, Prayers and Lord's Prayer . (08:48)
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: "The Art of Fruit" .
. (18:06)
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 Luke 3:7-18 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 - "Silent Night" . (UMH 239)
- 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