Second Sunday of Easter
April 11, 2021

Pastor: Ralph Wrightstone Bulletin . Insert . Photos Music Director: Travis Oaks

Happy Easter!...again...or still. Easter, like Christmas, is not just a day but the beginning of a Season called "Eastertide". It is 50 days, 7 weeks: including the 40 days that Christ remained on earth from Easter to His Ascension, and the 10 days that His followers waited for the promised "gift". And these are not "empty days" of waiting, much happens as Jesus continues to prepare the disciples for the future. Today's Gospel Reading recalls the story of Doubting Thomas, an event in the early days of that first Eastertide which has reassuring words for us today.
Click on the "Bethel United Methodist Church" script above
for links to some Resource material for this service.

We are also having a service at 11:00 this morning in Bethel's sanctuary. An insert to the bulletin, provided by a link above, presents Bethel UMC's policy regarding these gatherings during the time of COVID-19 restrictions.
:
For those unable to attend the 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 04/11/21 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"
    During normal times...acolytes would bring light to the candles on the altar, followed by the pastor and other worship leaders...today, it simply provides an opening for this time of Worship.

  • . Slides - Welcome and Announcements . (03:33)

  • Opening Hymn
    . Verses - "Your Grace is Enough" . (W&S 3106)
    :
    Other Hymns
    These hymns provide some relevance to us of the story of Doubting Thomas:
    . Verses - "Here, O Lord, Your Servants Gather" . (UMH 552)
    . Verses - "When Our Confidence is Shaken" . (UMH 505)
    . Verses - "We Walk by Faith" . (TFWS 2196)
    :
    (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)

  • . OT Scripture Reading: Psalm 133 & 134 . (03:14)
    ......consider following along with a favored translation of your own.

  • . Slides - Pastor's Thoughts, Prayers and Lord's Prayer . (09:57)
    :
    Please continue to include this prayer for the youth among your prayers for Bethel at this time.

  • . "Youth" Message: "I Doubt It" . (09:03)
    Though addressed to the "Youth", whom we truly miss seeing on Sundays, this message is for all of us. You may wish to follow the reading of John 20:19-31 in your own Bible. (The "Church" message on this day will be on the "Sermons" page of Bethel's web site later this week.)

  • Closing Hymn:
    . Verses - "God is So Good" . (TFWS 2056)

  • 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