Third Sunday of Advent
December 17, 2023
| Pastor: Ralph Wrightstone | Bulletin Insert Photos | Music Director: Travis Oaks |
This Third Sunday of Advent brings us closer to Christmas than usual. These four "weeks"
of Advent comprise little more than three weeks this year as the Fourth Sunday of Advent falls
on Christmas Eve. With that in mind, there are graphics at the top of this page to quickly
present several topics of interest for this time.
The first calls to mind the chill in the air the past few days making it seem that "Winter" has arrived...and the second reminds us that, for many, Winter doesn't begin until the Sun says it does (on Friday). The third looks at what "Christmastime" has become in the world's view. The fourth looks at the meaning of "Peace" in the Bible...which is the theme for the Pink Candle in this week's readings for the Advent Wreath. The fifth looks at the "Second Coming" of Jesus, the other event that Advent anticipates. And the last provides a link to a Christmas Festival of Lessons and Carols similar to the earlier Advent Service of Lessons and Carols, but intended for use on Christmas Eve and the Christmas Season following.
In this season of lights, today's message hilites the most important light of the season.
The first calls to mind the chill in the air the past few days making it seem that "Winter" has arrived...and the second reminds us that, for many, Winter doesn't begin until the Sun says it does (on Friday). The third looks at what "Christmastime" has become in the world's view. The fourth looks at the meaning of "Peace" in the Bible...which is the theme for the Pink Candle in this week's readings for the Advent Wreath. The fifth looks at the "Second Coming" of Jesus, the other event that Advent anticipates. And the last provides a link to a Christmas Festival of Lessons and Carols similar to the earlier Advent Service of Lessons and Carols, but intended for use on Christmas Eve and the Christmas Season following.
In this season of lights, today's message hilites the most important light of the season.
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 12/10/23 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 12/10/23 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 . (02:03)
- Opening Hymn
.
Verses .
"Angels We Have Heard on High" . (UMH 238)
:
(Let us know if you have a favorite hymn that you would like to have included in an online service.) -
.
Slides - Lighting of Third Advent Candle - Peace ...
(01:40)
Janie Zody and Betty Brown are doing the readings for these online services. -
.
Slides - Call to Worship, Affirmation of Faith and Gloria Patria .
(02:44)
We hope that you will participate privately or communally in this responsive reading as part of your worship service. - . Old Testament Reading:
Psalm 126 .
(01:59)
......consider following along with a favored translation of your own. -
.
Slides - Pastor's Thoughts, Prayers and Lord's Prayer .
(10:46)
The slides here include a list of those for whom prayers have been requested. -
. Special Music:
"All My Hope is in Jesus",
sung by Travis in last Sunday's church service.
- The Message
. Scripture:
John 1:6-9,19-28 .
(01:59)
You may wish to follow the reading of the scripture in your own Bible.
:
.
Message: "Fear of Light or Darkness?" . (13:27)
(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 .
"The First Noel" . (UMH 245)
- 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