First Sunday of Lent
March 9, 2025
| Pastor: Ralph Wrightstone | Bulletin Insert Photos. | Music Director: Travis Oaks |
The 40-Day Season of Lent began mid-week last week, on Ash Wednesday. Oddly, today is not a part of the season as it omits all Sundays within its span. That is because the mood of the season is rather somber while every Sunday is a day for celebration of Christ's Resurrection. The first subject for reflection in this season is traditionally the Temptation of Christ when Jesus spent 40 days in the desert (the model for the 40 days of lent) fasting and praying as he was about to begin a ministry that was to lead to the cross. The responses that Jesus made to the temptations presented by the devil during that time also model responses that we should make to very human temptations in our lives.
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 03/09/25 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 03/09/25 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 . (02:29)
Click here to find out more about the Rural Church Revival being held at Bethel next Saturday. - Opening Hymn
.
Verses . "It is Well, With my Soul" . (UMH 377)
:
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 . (02:51)
We hope that you will participate privately or communally in this responsive reading as part of your worship service. - . OT Scripture Reading:
Deuteronomy 26:1-11 . (02:11)
......consider following along with a favored translation of your own. - . Youth Message: "A Scarecrow" . (03:50)
- .
Slides - Pastor's Thoughts, Prayers and Lord's Prayer . (11:08)
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 9:1-6. - The Message
. Scripture:
Luke 4:1-13 . (02:28)
You may wish to follow the reading of the scripture in your own Bible.
. Message: "Breaking Bad" . (16:16)
(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)
- Closing Chorus and 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