Fifth Sunday in Lent
March 17, 2024
| Pastor: Ralph Wrightstone | Bulletin Insert Photos | Music Director: Travis Oaks |
On this Fifth Sunday in the Season of Lent we find Jesus, on his way to Jerusalem, explaining in his own words the meaning of what lies ahead. Pastor Ralph brings it to us in his message: "The Great Reveal".
Next Sunday is the last in Lent, called Palm Sunday, when Jesus and his disciples are welcomed into Jerusalem by an excited crowd to begin a 7-day period we call Holy Week...before then we will be able to observe "St. Patrick's Day" today and the official beginning of Spring on Wednesday, though we have been enjoying the earlier "Meteorological" Spring since March 1. And on this coming Saturday, March 23, Bethel will be having a special event at the church: a Community Easter Celebration. The Resource page for this service has some information about each of these.
Be sure to listen to the Welcome and Announcements in this service to hear pastor Ralph tell more about these and other coming events.
Next Sunday is the last in Lent, called Palm Sunday, when Jesus and his disciples are welcomed into Jerusalem by an excited crowd to begin a 7-day period we call Holy Week...before then we will be able to observe "St. Patrick's Day" today and the official beginning of Spring on Wednesday, though we have been enjoying the earlier "Meteorological" Spring since March 1. And on this coming Saturday, March 23, Bethel will be having a special event at the church: a Community Easter Celebration. The Resource page for this service has some information about each of these.
Be sure to listen to the Welcome and Announcements in this service to hear pastor Ralph tell more about these and other coming events.
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 03/17/24 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 03/17/24 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 bring light to the candles on the altar to open this time of Worship. - .
Slides -
Welcome and Announcements . (03:31)
- Opening Hymn
.
Verses . "Open the Eyes of My Heart" . (W&S 3008)
:
(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 .
(02:27)
We hope that you will participate privately or communally in this responsive reading as part of your worship service. - . Youth Message: "The Drawing Power of Jesus", John 12:30-32 . (05:01)
- . Old Testament Reading:
Jeremiah 31:23-34 . (02:42)
......consider following along with a favored translation of your own. - .
Slides - Pastor's Thoughts and Prayers .
(13:06)
The slides here include a list of those for whom prayers have been requested. - The Message
. Scripture:
John 12:20-36 . (03:08)
You may wish to follow the reading of the scripture in your own Bible.
. Message: "The Great Reveal" .
(17:23)
(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 .
"Surely the Presence of the Lord is in This Place" . (UMH 328)
- 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