Epiphany Sunday
First Sunday of the New Year
January 5, 2025
| Pastor: Ralph Wrightstone | Bulletin Insert Photos. | Music Director: Travis Oaks |
On this First Sunday of the New Year the world's attention is being drawn away from the Christmas Story...On the church calendar though, this is designated Epiphany Sunday as it is the Sunday closest to Epiphany, which is tomorrow, the Twelfth Day of Christmas...and by tradition, the day of the Wise Men's arrival at the manger as the Christmas story continues to unfold.
By definition, an Epiphany is a sudden revelation or sense of enlightenment or understanding. The coming of the Wise Men to the baby Jesus and their recognition of Jesus' birth as a fulfillment of prophecy before returning to their home lands is understood as a moment of revelation, or revealing (or Epiphany) to the world, of Jesus' coming.
The message today considers what this Epiphany should mean to those who follow Jesus.
By definition, an Epiphany is a sudden revelation or sense of enlightenment or understanding. The coming of the Wise Men to the baby Jesus and their recognition of Jesus' birth as a fulfillment of prophecy before returning to their home lands is understood as a moment of revelation, or revealing (or Epiphany) to the world, of Jesus' coming.
The message today considers what this Epiphany should mean to those who follow Jesus.
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 01/05/25 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 01/05/25 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"
- . Slides - Welcome and Announcements . (03:15)
......Happy New Year...revival coming on March 15...Epiphany tomorrow...and an Anniversary... - Opening Hymn
. Verses . "Shout to the Lord" . (2074)
:
Let us know if you have a favorite hymn that you would like to have included in an online service. - . Slides - Call to Worship, Apostle's Creed and Gloria Patria . (02:48)
We hope that you will participate privately or communally in this responsive reading as part of your worship service. ......and special thanks to Lexie Allen for helping with this part of the service. - . OT Scripture Reading:
Proverbs 10:15-21 . (01:05)
......consider following along with a favored translation of your own. - . Youth Message: "Twelve Days of Christmas" . (03:33)
- .
Slides - Pastor's Thoughts, Prayers and Lord's Prayer . (11:40)
The slides here include a list of those for whom prayers have been requested.
The pastor's thoughts include a lesson on the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes. Today Pastor Ralph will look at: Ecclesiastes 6:7-12. - Music Special
. "Bring it All to the Table" . sung by Travis
- The Message
. Scripture:
Matthew 2:1-12 . (03:07)
You may wish to follow the reading of the scripture in your own Bible.
. Message: "What Were the Gifts?" . (11:56)
(The "church message" on this day, with the same topic, will be on the "Sermons" page of Bethel's web site later this week.) - . About - Holy Communion (02:29)
It has been customary to use consecrated crackers and grape juice during the service but you may use other elements for the acts of remembrance as you participate. During the time of "social distancing", the church service has used individual packets for communion taken in the pews. The service is now using more traditional bread and juice for communion taken at the altar but also offers the communion packets and provides for communion to be taken in the pew.
:
The Great Thanksgiving - You may wish to follow this part of the communion ritual from the hymnal as you partake the elements. - Closing Hymn:
.
Verses . "Humble Thyself in the Sight of the Lord" . (TFWS 2131)
- 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