Fifth Sunday of Easter
Heritage Sunday
April 28, 2024
| Pastor: Ralph Wrightstone | Bulletin Insert Photos | Music Director: Travis Oaks |
This Fifth Sunday of Easter is the 29th day of "Eastertide" with just 11 days remaining for the disciples to enjoy the presence of the risen Christ and for Jesus to prepare them for his leaving them. One of the instructions that Jesus left for them was to "Abide in Him". Today's message looks at what it means "To Abide".
Today is also the day chosen for Bethel's "Heritage Sunday", a day for recalling the August 1834 "brush arbor" gathering at Bethel Pond that was the beginning of this congregation. It's natural then for it to be celebrated just down the road from the church, on the Banks of Bethel Pond...in the "Wedding Chapel" shelter there, with a covered dish dinner following the service. Of course this online service cannot provide the same experience, but it will try to provide some of the same worship elements that you would find there. In addition, the resource page here has links to information and photo album pages that may help you become familiar with this Heritage Sunday tradition.
If you have come to this online service early and are able, we hope you will try to make this year's Heritage Sunday observance at Bethel Pond.
for links to some Resource materials for today's service.
For those unable to attend the 11:00 AM Sunday 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 04/28/23 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 04/28/23 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 . (04:44)
- Opening Hymn
.
Verses . "Shout to the Lord" . (from Bethel's June 9,2019 service)
:
Let us know if you have a favorite hymn that you would like to have included in an online service. - Remembering some History of Bethel UMC - This set of Questions with answers presented at Bethel's 2001 Homecoming service may provide some memorable events to consider on this Heritage Sunday. (Click here for a printable list of the Questions and Answers.)
- . Slides - Call to Worship, Apostle's Creed and Gloria
Patria . (02:45)
We hope that you will participate privately or communally in this responsive reading as part of your worship service. ..and thanks to Trevor for helping with this part of the service. - . Scripture Reading:
Psalm 22:25-31 and commentary . (02:30)
......consider following along with a favored translation of your own. - .
Hymn:
Verses . "How Great Thou Art" . (from last year's Homecoming service)
- . Youth Message: "Connections in High Places" .
(03:43)
- .
Slides - Pastor's Thoughts, Prayers and Lord's Prayer . (10:51)
The slides here include a list of those for whom prayers have been requested. - . Special Music: "Precious Memories", sung by Travis at the 2022 Heritage Sunday service. (Taken from this video)
- The Message
. Scripture:
John 15:1-8 and commentary . (02:42)
You may wish to follow the reading of the scripture in your own Bible.
. Message: "To Abide" .
(18:00)
(The "pond" 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 . "The Church in the Wildwood" accompanied by Craig Zody on the piano . (CH 121)
- Closing Chorus & Benediction:
. 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