| Pastor: Ralph Wrightstone | Bulletin Insert Photos | Music Director: Travis Oaks |
This Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost brings us near the end of the "common time" between Pentecost and the beginning of the new liturgical year with the "1st Sunday of Advent", just 4 weeks away. We do encounter a few "special" days during this time, in both the church and civil calendars...the first being "Halloween", tomorrow. With an ancestry of terms including: Hallowe'en, Allhalloween, All Hallows' Eve and All Saints' Eve, it is a direct "descendant" of the Christian festival day of All Saints Day which is always celebrated on November 1. In some traditions, the three day period from Oct 31 to Nov 2 is a season called "Allhallowtide". Methodists join with others in designating the Sunday after All Saints Day as "All Saints Sunday"...that will be next Sunday.
Today does have significance on our church calendar as "Reformation Sunday", the Sunday on or before Reformation Day, commemorating the October 31,1517 date when Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, marking the beginning of The Protestant Reformation. Though Methodist and other denominations in the Anglican tradition are not part of that particular movement (see The English Reformation) we do join with them on this day to remember our separation from the restrictive access to God that the Roman church had become.
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 10/30/22
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 10/30/22
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
(03:31) Verses - "I Am Thine O
Lord"
(UMH 419) Slides - Call to
Worship & Affirmation of Faith (03:05)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 119:137-144"
(1:15)......consider following along with a favored translation of your own.
Slides - Pastor's
Thoughts, Prayers and Lord's Prayer (12:04)The slides here include a list of those for whom prayers have been requested.
Message: "To See or Be Seen" (14:20)The scripture referenced for today's message is Luke 19:1-10. 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.)
Verse - "I'm
So Glad Jesus Lifted Me" (TFWS 2151) 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