Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost
Reformation Sunday
October 26, 2025
| Pastor: Ralph Wrightstone |
Bulletin
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This Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost brings us near the end of the
"common time" between Pentecost and the beginning of the new liturgical year
with the "1st Sunday of Advent", just 5 weeks away (the Sunday after Thanksgiving). We do encounter a few
"special" days during this time, in both the church and civil calendars...the
first being "Halloween", on Friday. With an ancestry of terms including: Hallowe'en, Allhalloween, All
Hallows' Eve and All Saints' Eve, it is a direct "descendant" of the
Christian festival day of All Saints Day which is always celebrated on November 1. In some traditions, the three day period from Oct 31 to Nov 2 is a season called "Allhallowtide". Methodists join with others in designating the Sunday after All Saints Day as "All Saints Sunday"...that will be next Sunday.
Today does have significance on our church calendar as "Reformation Sunday", the Sunday on or before Reformation Day, commemorating the October 31,1517 date when Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, marking the beginning of The Protestant Reformation. Though Methodist and other denominations in the Anglican tradition are not part of that particular movement (see The English Reformation) we do join with them on this day to remember our separation from the restrictive access to God that the Roman church had become.--------------------------------
The Message today continues the theme, What a Friend we Have in Jesus, with "Jesus, Your Wisest Friend", the third in the series.
On the Resource page, the series of worship plans from the UMC Discipleship Services concludes the series: "Choosing Faith", with a service whose theme is: "Humble Faith"
Today does have significance on our church calendar as "Reformation Sunday", the Sunday on or before Reformation Day, commemorating the October 31,1517 date when Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, marking the beginning of The Protestant Reformation. Though Methodist and other denominations in the Anglican tradition are not part of that particular movement (see The English Reformation) we do join with them on this day to remember our separation from the restrictive access to God that the Roman church had become.
On the Resource page, the series of worship plans from the UMC Discipleship Services concludes the series: "Choosing Faith", with a service whose theme is: "Humble Faith"
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 10/26/25 Service" browser tab or return to this window to open the Link to the "slides". Use your browser's back/return arrow to come back to this page from the slides. It is best to close the tab or window of an audio file before starting to play 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 10/26/25 Service" browser tab or return to this window to open the Link to the "slides". Use your browser's back/return arrow to come back to this page from the slides. It is best to close the tab or window of an audio file before starting to play 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 . (02:20)
- Opening Hymn
. Verses . "Victory in Jesus" . (UMH 370 vs1,2,3)
:
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 . (02:29)
We hope that you will participate privately or communally in this responsive reading as part of your worship service. - .
Old Testament Scripture: Proverbs 25:1-14 and commentary . (02:34)
......consider following along with a favored translation of your own. - - Pastor's Thoughts - with a lesson from: Psalm 73 . (10:08)
- . Slides . Prayer Concerns and the Lord's Prayer . (03:12)
The slides here include a list of those for whom prayers have been requested. - Hymn of Preparation
. Verses . "I Am Thine, O Lord" . (UMH 419,vs1,4)
- The Message
. Scripture:
Colossians 1:1-14 . (02:49)
You may wish to follow the reading of the scripture in your own Bible.
. Message: "Jesus, Your Wisest Friend" . (10:56)
. Closing Prayer . (01:13)
(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 . "There's a Sweet, Sweet Spirit" . (UMH 334)
- 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