5th Sunday After Epiphany
February 6, 2022
Pastor: Ralph Wrightstone Bulletin Insert Photos Music Director: Travis Oaks
On this 5th Sunday after Epiphany, the "Epiphany Event" of the past week occurred at midweek, on February 2nd, 40 days after Christmas Day, when according to Jewish tradition the baby Jesus would have been taken to the temple to be presented to God...in this case, "revealing" the Son to the Father. On the Christian Calendar, the day is called Candlemas. On a side note, that day also marked midwinter and the day on which we turn to a Ground Hog to forecast the weather for the last half of the winter season. In today's scripture we find Jesus choosing "messengers" for spreading the "Good News" to the world. What a star, angels, shepherds and foreign kings had begun, three Galilean fishermen, among others, were to carry on.
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 02/06/22 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 . (03:42)
- Opening Hymn
. Verses - "We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise" (TFWS 2031)
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Other Hymns for you (There are more at the bottom of the Resource Page)
These hymns seem appropriate as we look at Jesus' calling his first disciples:
Verses - "The Summons" (TFWS 2130)
Verses - "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus" (TFWS 2129)
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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 . (02:37)
We hope that you will participate privately or communally in this responsive reading as part of your worship service. ..and thanks again to Lexie for helping with this part of the service.- . OT Scripture Reading: "Psalm 138" . (01:32)
......consider following along with a favored translation of your own.- . Slides - Pastor's Thoughts, Prayers and Lord's Prayer . (11:03)
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.- . Message: "Deep Water" . (14:31)
You may wish to follow the reading of Luke 5:1-11 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:
. Verse . "Have Thine Own Way Lord" . (UMH 382)- 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