Twenty-Fifth Sunday After Pentecost
Thanksgiving Sunday
November 19, 2023
| Pastor: Ralph Wrightstone | Bulletin Insert Photos | Music Director: Travis Oaks |
On this Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, with the Holy Spirit School concluded
and graduation certificates distributed, the message this week will look at a common problem
when entering a renewed life with the Holy Spirit: Commitment Without Fear.
This is also Thanksgiving Sunday as we look forward to that traditional day for gatherings of family and acquaintances to celebrate and share the bounty of provisions and joys that have come into their lives during the year...and to thank God for bringing them.
Next Sunday is the last one of the "liturgical year", designated Christ the King Sunday. We will be using that day to begin preparing for the Season of Advent in a traditional Chrismon Service during which the Chrismon Tree will be decorated with ornaments that are "Christian Monograms", symbols of Christ's: Nativity,Passion and Victory, in a service of scriptures and songs. We hope you will be able to join in that meaningful service.
Click on the "Bethel United Methodist Church" script above
for links to some Resource materials for today's service.
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.
This is also Thanksgiving Sunday as we look forward to that traditional day for gatherings of family and acquaintances to celebrate and share the bounty of provisions and joys that have come into their lives during the year...and to thank God for bringing them.
Next Sunday is the last one of the "liturgical year", designated Christ the King Sunday. We will be using that day to begin preparing for the Season of Advent in a traditional Chrismon Service during which the Chrismon Tree will be decorated with ornaments that are "Christian Monograms", symbols of Christ's: Nativity,Passion and Victory, in a service of scriptures and songs. We hope you will be able to join in that meaningful service.
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.
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 11/19/23 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 11/19/23 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 . (03:02)
- Opening Hymn
.
Verses .
"He Has Made Me Glad" . (TFWS 2270)
:
Another Hymn for you: .
Verses .
"We Gather Together" . (UMH 131)
:
(Let us know if you have a favorite hymn that you would like to have included in an online service.) -
.
Slides - Call to Worship, Affirmation of Faith and Gloria Patria .
(02:50)
We hope that you will participate privately or communally in this responsive reading as part of your worship service. - . Old Testament Reading:
"Psalm 123".
(00:45)
......consider following along with a favored translation of your own. -
.
Slides - Pastor's Thoughts, Prayers and Lord's Prayer .
(12:18)
The slides here include a list of those for whom prayers have been requested. -
. Special Music:
"I'm Just a Little Homesick for Home",
sung by Travis in the 2022 Thanksgiving church service.
(Introduction from that
service)
- The Message
. Scripture:
"Matthew 25:14-30" .
(04:36)
You may wish to follow the reading of the scripture in your own Bible.
:
.
Message: "Commitment Without Fear" . (15:41)
(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 .
"Give Thanks" . (TFWS 2036)
- Benediction and Closing Chorus:
. 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