08/20/25/2023 Service

Sources of Information for Today's Online Service
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

Note: This material from UDM is not the basis for today's message
but is provided here for your personal study and reflection.

Click here for suggestions about how to use this material.

Worship Theme: "The Path of the Disciple"
from umcdiscipleship.org

During this lengthy Ordinary Time of the year, the UDM has chosen an overall theme: The Path of the Disciple for the "season" with several worship series of 2 or more weeks with a separate theme for each series.

A disciple is a follower. That means there must be someone to follow and that someone wants followers. Considering that, in the gospel accounts, Jesus said “follow me” more often than he said, “believe in me,” we can be confident that there is a call to follow laid upon anyone and everyone who seeks to draw closer to Christ. Yet even a cursory reading of the gospels will reveal that Jesus never undersold this call. He never tried to convince us that following was an easy or a simple thing to do.

Worship Series: "Searching For the Face of God"
from umcdiscipleship.org

Whether you call them “God-sightings” or “glory moments,” being alert to the presence of God is a fundamental requirement for the disciple. Some might even argue that it is these discovery moments that keep us going on the pathway to discipleship. Whether you are just beginning to chart your disciple-making path or you are well-versed in the ways to help church members become disciples, a vital reminder for all is that we are seeking the face of God in the world in which we live and work. At the same time, we begin to realize that for our neighbors and friends, we may become the face of God for them.

This is the Last service of a 3 service Worship Series from the Discipleship Ministries.
The graphics at the top of this page list the topics for the services of the Series.
(Click on another graphic to see that session's resource page)

This Service's Theme: "Is It Fair?"
Liturgical Resources

When we are truly seeking the face of God, we go beyond fair and move into grace manifested in love in all our relationships.

Worship Planning Notes
Preaching Notes

Lectionary Scriptures:
Genesis 45:1-15; Psalm 133; Romans 11:1-2a,29-32; Matthew 15(10-20)21-28;

Sources of Music for the following hymns are:

- UMH CD.....UDM - DM Accompaniment..... MM/DD/YY - Recorded Service

Hymns Considered For this week: