Third Sunday of Advent
December 17, 2023

Pastor: Ralph Wrightstone Bulletin Insert Photos Music Director: Travis Oaks

This Third Sunday of Advent brings us closer to Christmas than usual. These four "weeks" of Advent comprise little more than three weeks this year as the Fourth Sunday of Advent falls on Christmas Eve. With that in mind, there are graphics at the top of this page to quickly present several topics of interest for this time.

The first calls to mind the chill in the air the past few days making it seem that "Winter" has arrived...and the second reminds us that, for many, Winter doesn't begin until the Sun says it does (on Friday). The third looks at what "Christmastime" has become in the world's view. The fourth looks at the meaning of "Peace" in the Bible...which is the theme for the Pink Candle in this week's readings for the Advent Wreath. The fifth looks at the "Second Coming" of Jesus, the other event that Advent anticipates. And the last provides a link to a Christmas Festival of Lessons and Carols similar to the earlier Advent Service of Lessons and Carols, but intended for use on Christmas Eve and the Christmas Season following.

In this season of lights, today's message hilites the most important light of the season.

Click on the "Bethel United Methodist Church" script above
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 12/10/23 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.

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.

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