4th Sunday of Advent
December 19, 2021
| Pastor: Ralph Wrightstone | Bulletin . Insert . Photos | Music Director: Travis Oaks |
On this 4th Sunday of Advent we are looking forward to the end of the Season of
Advent on Friday, Christmas Eve, with our 5pm Candlelight Service in the church.
There is no online service comparable to this meaningful gathering but we do offer our Christmas Festival of Lessons and Carols for you to enjoy during
this season and the next...the Season of Christmas beginning Saturday, on Chrismas
Day and continuing for the Twelve Days of Christmas. (...and, on the topic of
Seasons, Tuesday is the Winter
Solstice beginning our almost forgotten, Season of Winter.)
The graphics at the top of this page provide links to some information and activities that may
help you to while away the time between now and Christmas. They include information about that
"other Advent" we look forward to...Jesus' Second Coming, Winter, and links to the special services
of lessons and songs for Advent and Christmas...also a link to that fun site: "The Most
Christmas Information on the Web!".
On a more somber but also joyful note, Sylvia Marsh, a member of Bethel for more than 40 years, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday at the age of 95 and a Celebration of Life service will be observed this afternoon at 2 pm at Bevis Funeral home. Click here to view her obituary from the newspaper. This also has instructions for viewing a live stream of the service if you are unable to attend.
On a more somber but also joyful note, Sylvia Marsh, a member of Bethel for more than 40 years, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday at the age of 95 and a Celebration of Life service will be observed this afternoon at 2 pm at Bevis Funeral home. Click here to view her obituary from the newspaper. This also has instructions for viewing a live stream of the service if you are unable to attend.
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.
:
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.
:
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 12/19/21 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.
symbol to play the audio file under a separate browser tab or in a new window. Then select the
"Bethel 12/19/21 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 . (05:35)
- Opening Hymn
. Verses -
"Joy to the World" . (UMH 246)
:
(Let us know if you have a favorite hymn that you would like to have included in an online service.) - . Slides - Lighting the Fourth Advent
candle
- . Slides - Call to Worship, Apostle's Creed and Gloria
Patria . (02:20)
- . OT Scripture Reading: "Micah 5:2-5a" . (01:25)
......consider following along with a favored translation of your own. - . Slides - Pastor's Thoughts, Prayers and Lord's Prayer . (13:07)
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: "Shared Promises" . (14:31)
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 1:39-45 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 .
"The First Noel" . (UMH 245)
- 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