
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
February 1, 2026
On this Fourth Sunday after Epiphany, Tallahassee is experiencing a frigid morning with temperatures in the teens. The church is heated and should be a comfortable 68-70 degrees for the service but for those who do not want to venture out or are otherwise unable to come to the church, this service has been prepared for you to worship in the same format and much the same content as in the church service...including the taking of communion at the end of the service.
In both services, pastor Ralph continues the theme: "Jesus as Friend", with the message: "Jesus, Our Trustworthy Friend", and the same hymns and responses are used in both services as well.
On the Resource Page of this service, the UDM supplied worship plan:"Glory Revealed", encourages us to look to God for an answer to the question: What is Good?.
Click on the "Bethel United Methodist Church" script above
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 02/01/26 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 . (02:15)
- Opening Hymn
. Verses . "Trust and Obey" . (UMH 467,v1,2,4)
:
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 . (02:12)
We hope that you will participate privately or communally in this responsive
reading as part of your worship service.
.
Old Testament Scripture: Numbers 14:1-12 . (02:34)
......consider following along with a favored translation of your own.
- Lesson from the Psalms
. Introduction and Reading: Psalm 86 . (02:33)
You may wish to follow the reading of the scripture in your own Bible.
. Pastor's thoughts about the Psalm . (08:25)
. Slides . Prayer Concerns and the Lord's Prayer . (03:57)
The slides here include a list of those for whom prayers have been requested.
- Hymn of Preparation
. Verses . "Let Us Break Bread Together" . (UMH 618,v1,2,3)
- The Message
. Scripture:
John 6:25-34 and commentary . (02:22)
You may wish to follow the reading of the scripture in your own Bible.
. Message:
"Jesus, Our Trustworthy Friend" . (13:18)
(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 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 . "Change My Heart, O God" . (TFWS 2152,2 rep)
- Closing Chorus & Benediction:
. Verse - "Bind
Us Together"
Thank you for coming. Our prayer will be that we will soon all gather again for worship in Bethel's Sanctuary, but until then we'll be here for you on Sunday morning.
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