First Sunday of Epiphany
January 8, 2023
This page has links to information used or encountered in preparing this online service. Bethel Worship Planning Documents
2023 Monthly Worship Calendar
2023 RCL 2 page Summary
Bethel Weekly Worship Planning worksheet
2023 Annual Program Planning worksheet
Guidance from UMC Discipleship Ministries
Weekly Worship Planning Series
This is the 1st of a 7 session Worship Series from the Discipleship Ministries.
The graphics at the top of this page list the topics for the weeks of the Series.
Note: This material from UDM is not the basis for today's message
but is provided here for your personal study and reflection.
The graphics at the top of this page list the topics for the weeks of the Series.
Note: This material from UDM is not the basis for today's message
but is provided here for your personal study and reflection.
Worship Series: "Glimpses of the Kin-dom"
from umcdiscipleship.org
We are counting the weeks after Epiphany and attempting to get a glimpse of what life as the
people of God might be like. We consider some of the most famous passages of scripture to help us
shape a vision of the life we are called to live—not just a special, rise-to-the-occasion kind of
life, but an everyday life, an ordinary life that isn’t ordinary. Because we believe that followers
of Christ who live their faith day by day are anything but ordinary. They stand out; they become
models and mentors; they are examples of what life is all about. At least that is our hope and our
belief: that our lives represent the kin-dom of God. We are the evidence that our faith is true and
our God is at work in the world. In other words, we are now the epiphany, the light shining forth
for the world to see. And of course, we will fail from time to time. But how we deal with failure
is also a sign of that presence and glimpse of the kin-dom. So, this ordinary time is extra-
ordinary in the living of it. Let us embrace the call with grace and with joy.
This Week's Theme: "The Water's Fine"Liturgical Resources
The Baptism of the Lord is a perfect time to remind ourselves of the commitment to living a life
of grace and hope outwardly. If you observed Epiphany Sunday last week, then this week follows in
the usual pattern. If you focused on New Year’s last week and saved the Epiphany recognition for
this week, then you can combine the two.
Worship Planning NotesPreaching Notes
Lectionary Scriptures:
Isaiah 42:1- 9; Psalm 29 ; Acts 10:34- 43; Matthew 3:13- 17
Suggested Hymns . DM Accompaniments Sources of Music for the following hymns are:
- UMH CD.....UDM - DM Accompaniment.....
MM/DD/YY - Recorded Service
Hymns Considered For this week: