26th Sunday After Pentecost
Christ the King Sunday
Thanksgiving Sunday
November 21, 2021
| Pastor: Ralph Wrightstone | Bulletin . Insert . Photos | Music Director: Travis Oaks |
This is the last Sunday of the "liturgical year", the last Sunday of "Ordinary Time".
Consequently it is a "special day" designated "Christ the King Sunday". The calendar of the
"Christian Year" has been designed to follow Christ's life, from the anticipation of Advent
(beginning next Sunday) through Easter, Pentecost and his life through the church during the
"Ordinary time" following Pentecost. It is then appropriate to end in heaven where we find him
"King of kings and Lord of Lords". The day was added to the Christian calendar in 1925 following
WW1, acknowledging that "the majority of men had thrust Jesus Christ and his holy law out of
their lives; that these had no place either in private affairs or in politics". This day is to
affirm His rightful place in the church and in our lives.
This is also "Thanksgiving Sunday" as we look forward to that traditional day for family
gatherings and how it can be celebrated safely at this time. But the day is really about
"Thanksgiving", which can be practiced safely and at anytime, anywhere, in the presence of
the One who is rightfully to receive our thanks.
Click on the graphics at the top of this page to find out more about these special days.
Click on the "Bethel United Methodist Church" script above
for links to some Resource material for this service
and for the 400 year history of Thanksgiving.
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 11/21/21 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.
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.
Click on the "Bethel United Methodist Church" script above
for links to some Resource material for this service
and for the 400 year history of Thanksgiving.
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 11/21/21 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 . (03:19)
- Opening Hymn
. Verses -
"We Gather Together" . (UMH 131)
:
(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 . (02:52)
- . OT Scripture Reading: "Psalm 132:1-12" . (01:59)
......consider following along with a favored translation of your own. - Special Hymn
. Verses . "Come Ye Thankful People Come" .
(UMH 694)
:
This next music special, used in last year's online Thanksgiving service, appropriately speaks about a table gathering:
- "Bring it All to the Table",
sung by Travis Oaks
- . Slides - Pastor's Thoughts, Prayers and Lord's Prayer . (12:32)
The slides here include a list of those for whom prayers have been requested.
Please continue to include this prayer for the youth among your prayers for Bethel at this time. - . "Youth" Message: "King of Nobody's Castle" . (19:27)
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 18:33-37 in your own Bible. (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:
. Verse -
"Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" . (UMH 349)
- 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