Ascension Sunday
Memorial Day Sunday
May 29, 2022
| Pastor: Ralph Wrightstone | Bulletin Insert Photos | Music Director: Travis Oaks |
Welcome to Bethel's online service for this Seventh Sunday of Easter. This comes after the
end of the 40 day period (including Easter) that Jesus spent with the apostles and a growing
body of disciples, when he returned to his home on the day we call
Ascension Day, (last Thursday).
But unlike the sense of
"loss" and despair that they must have felt when Jesus was taken from them on that Black Friday,
the scriptures say that after his ascension they "returned to Jerusalem filled with great
joy...spending all of their time in the Temple, praising God" and waiting for the promised gift
from their departed savior.
Tomorrow is also Memorial
Day making this Memorial Sunday. Though this "civil holiday" is not a formal
date on the church calendar, the remembrance of those whose lives were lost in battle for the
defense of our country and freedoms, and the hope of a future reunion with loved ones among them
are proper subjects for those gathered in churches on this day. The Resource Page for this service
has several items relating to Memorial Day.
for links to some Resource materials for today's service.
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 05/22/22 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.
symbol to play the audio file under a separate browser tab or in a new window. Then select the
"Bethel 05/22/22 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"
In a return to Pre-Covid practice, acolytes are bringing light to the candles on the altar to open this time of Worship. - . Slides -
Welcome and Announcements . (03:17)
- Opening Hymn
. Verses - "Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)" . (W&S 3104)
:
Other Hymns for you::
This Charles Wesley hymn was written for Ascension Day in 1739: . Verses - "Hail the Day that Sees Him Rise"
(UMH 312)
:
There are several hymns for Memorial Day in the article for that day on the Resource Page. This is one of them, recalling the 1950 congressional resolution that Memorial Day be "a day of prayer for perpetual peace": . Verses -
"O God of Every Nation" (UMH 435)
- . Slides - Call to Worship & Affirmation of Faith . (03:35)
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 47" . (01:19)
......consider following along with a favored translation of your own. - . Slides - Pastor's Thoughts, Prayers and Lord's Prayer .
(14:13)
The slides here include a list of those for whom prayers have been requested. - . Special Music: "Precious Memories", sung by
Travis at last week's Heritage Sunday service at Bethel Pond but it is also appropriate on this
Memorial Day Weekend
- . Message: "Unbound" . (17:08)
The scripture referenced for today's message is Luke 24:44-53. You may wish to follow it 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 - "He
Is Exalted" . (TFWS 2070)
- 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