Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost
World Communion Sunday
October 1, 2023
| Pastor: Ralph Wrightstone | Bulletin Insert Photos | Music Director: Travis Oaks |
Welcome to Bethel's online service for this Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost. The
sermon today continues the series in The Holy Spirit School, looking at the Spiritual
Gifts and how they help develop an "Assertive Posture" when attempting to Overcome the
influence of the world.
Today is the first Sunday of the month so Holy Communion will be a part of the service...but more...this is the first Sunday of October which has been set aside as World Communion Sunday when we can join with other communities around the World in recognizing, celebrating and supporting the diversity of this shared Communion.
Looking ahead, the service next Sunday, the traditional Second Sunday of October, is Bethel's Homecoming Service, recognising 189 years of ministry in this community. A covered dish dinner in the fellowship hall will follow the service. We hope that you will be able to join with us in the church service next week.
Today is the first Sunday of the month so Holy Communion will be a part of the service...but more...this is the first Sunday of October which has been set aside as World Communion Sunday when we can join with other communities around the World in recognizing, celebrating and supporting the diversity of this shared Communion.
Looking ahead, the service next Sunday, the traditional Second Sunday of October, is Bethel's Homecoming Service, recognising 189 years of ministry in this community. A covered dish dinner in the fellowship hall will follow the service. We hope that you will be able to join with us in the church service next week.
for links to some Resource materials for today's service.
We are also having a service at 11:00 this morning in Bethel's sanctuary.
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 10/01/23 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 10/01/23 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"
In a return to Pre-Covid practice, acolytes are bringing light to the candles on the altar to open this time of Worship. - . Slides -
Welcome and Announcements . (03:30)
- Opening Hymn
.
Verses . "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" . (UMH 140)
:
(Let us know if you have a favorite hymn that you would like to have included in an online service.) -
.
Slides - Call to Worship, Affirmation of Faith and Gloria Patria .
(02:26)
We hope that you will participate privately or communally in this responsive reading as part of your worship service. - . Proverb for This Week:
"Proverbs 25:11".
(00:46)
......consider following along with a favored translation of your own. - .
Slides - Pastor's Thoughts, Prayers and Lord's Prayer .
(07:43)
The slides here include a list of those for whom prayers have been requested. - The Message
. Scripture:
"1 Corinthians 12:1-11" .
(02:27)
You may wish to follow the reading of the scripture in your own Bible.
. Message: "Assertive Posture" .
(018:26)
. Closing Prayer .
(01:16)
(The "Church" message on this day, with the same topic, will be on the "Sermons" page of Bethel's web site later this week.) -
. About
- Holy Communion
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 has 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. - Closing Hymn
.
Verses .
"Give Thanks" . (TFWS 2036)
- Benediction and Closing Chorus:
. 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