Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 24, 2023
Christmas Eve
| Pastor: Ralph Wrightstone | Bulletin Insert Photos | Music Director: Travis Oaks |
This Fourth Sunday of Advent brings the Advent Season to a close as it is also
Christmas Eve. The unfolding of the Christmas Story of God's advent into this
world concludes with the babe's arrival during this night. But it brings a new Season
of Christmas into our calendar extending for 12 days, from Christmas Day, tomorrow,
to January 6, the
Epiphany.
Our Season of Advent will end tonight with the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
beginning at 5:00 pm at the church. We hope to see you there.
for links to some Resource materials for today's service.
---------------------------------------------
Because Christmas is tomorrow and it will be a whole week before our "First Sunday of Christmas"
the grapics at the top of this page provide links to information and activities of interest for this time.
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 12/24/23 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 12/24/23 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 . (02:42)
- Opening Hymn
.
Verses .
"O Come, All Ye Faithful" . (UMH 234,vs1,3,6)
:
(Let us know if you have a favorite hymn that you would like to have included in an online service.) -
.
Slides - Lighting of Fourth Candle on the Advent Wreath - Love ...
by the McCoy family in the 2022 4th Sunday of Advent church service
-
.
Slides - Call to Worship, Affirmation of Faith and Gloria Patria .
(02:39)
We hope that you will participate privately or communally in this responsive reading as part of your worship service. - . Old Testament Reading:
Psalm 89:1-5 .
(01:55)
......consider following along with a favored translation of your own. - Pastor's Thoughts - The Christmas Story
.
Scripture: Luke 2:1-7 .
(01:15)
. A Personal Account .
(09:41)
. Other Thoughts .
Prayer Concerns .
(03:21)
-
. Special Music:
"Tiny Little Manger",
sung by Travis in the 2022 Christmas Eve Service.
- The Message
. Scripture:
Luke 1:26-38 .
(02:06)
You may wish to follow the reading of the scripture in your own Bible.
:
. 
.
Message: "Wrapped in a Cloud!" . (14:27)
(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 .
"Away in a Manger" . (UMH 217)
- 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