Watch Night
December 31, 2023

Sources of Information for Today's Online Service
This page has links to information used or encountered in preparing this online service.

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Topics for Today
Wikipedia is a frequent source
for information in these articles.

Epiphany
Epiphany (holiday)
What is Epiphany?
History of Epiphany
Epiphany Season
Twelve Days of Christmas
Twelfth Night
Meet the Three Kings
Three Kings Day in Mexico
Rosca de Reyes for Three King's Day

New Year's Day
New Year's
New Year's History: Festive Facts
5 Ancient New Year's Celebrations
Things You Should Know About Chinese New Year
Lucky New Year’s Food Traditions
The History of New Year's Resolutions
How Times Square Became the Home of New Year’s Eve
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Bethel Worship Planning Documents
2023 Monthly Worship Calendar
2023 RCL 2 page Summary
Bethel Weekly Worship Planning worksheet
2023 Annual Program Planning worksheet


Guidance from UMC Discipleship Ministries

Weekly Worship Planning Series
Note: This material from UDM is not the basis for today's message
but is provided here for your personal study and reflection.

Click here for suggestions about how to use this material.

Worship Series: "Our Spirit Waits"
from Worship Planning
Advent is here, and we begin the Christian year anew with a season of waiting. As the days grow darker, we draw closer to the arrival of the Light that turns the world upside down—or right-side up! The journey toward and beyond the manger is one of reversing expectations, encountering what we thought we already knew in brand new ways, and receiving good news in unexpected places. So, with one foot in the prophets and another in the Gospels, we journey together as our spirit waits to welcome the Christ child and carry hope, peace, joy, and love as we live as disciples who anticipate the now-and-not-yet kin-dom of God.

This is the Last service of a 5 service Worship Series from the Discipleship Ministries.
The graphics at the top of this page list the topics for the services of the Series.
(Click on another graphic to see that session's resource page)

This Service's Theme: "Watch Night"
This year, the calendar gives us the opportunity to gather for Sunday worship on New Year’s Eve.
Liturgical Resources
Worship Planning Notes
Preaching Notes

Lectionary Scriptures:
Isaiah 61:10-62:3; Psalm 148; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:22-40;
Suggested Hymns . Music Notes . DM Accompaniments

Hymns Considered For this week:
202 - . Verses - "People, Look East"
196 - . Verses - "Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus"
722 - . Verses - "I Want to Be Ready"