Fifth Sunday After Easter
Heritage Sunday
Memorial Day Weekend
May 25, 2025
| Pastor: Ralph Wrightstone |
Bulletin
Insert Photos Handout at the pond |
Music Director: Travis Oaks |
This "Fifth Sunday After Easter" has several observances to note. On our denominational calendar, yesterday, May 24th, is observed as "Aldersgate Day", the day of John Wesley's "heartwarming experience" that was a significant event in the development of "Methodism". A Sunday close to this day is observed as Heritage Sunday, a day for Methodists to "honor (their) heritage by committing...to the continuing call of God known and spread by Charles and John Wesley, along with others the early Methodist movement reached".
On the civil calendar, tomorrow, the last Monday of May, is observed as Memorial Day, a day for remembering and honoring those who have given their lives in battle, making today "Memorial Sunday". Next Friday, May 30, is the traditional day for the observance, still honored by some.
On the church calendar, Thursday is observed as Ascension Day, the end of Christ's 40 days spent with the disciples after his Resurrection. Next Sunday will be observed as Ascension Sunday.
And here at Bethel, Heritage Sunday is a time for gathering near Bethel Pond where, 191 years ago, a "brush arbor" meeting was held that was the origin of Bethel Church. This is a time for sharing, worshiping and dining together.
The sermon topic of Remember is appropriate for all of these observances.
If you have come to this online service early enough, and are able, we hope that you will join in the gathering at the pond, just down the road from the church....and if not, please sit back and participate in this service prepared for you.
On the civil calendar, tomorrow, the last Monday of May, is observed as Memorial Day, a day for remembering and honoring those who have given their lives in battle, making today "Memorial Sunday". Next Friday, May 30, is the traditional day for the observance, still honored by some.
On the church calendar, Thursday is observed as Ascension Day, the end of Christ's 40 days spent with the disciples after his Resurrection. Next Sunday will be observed as Ascension Sunday.
And here at Bethel, Heritage Sunday is a time for gathering near Bethel Pond where, 191 years ago, a "brush arbor" meeting was held that was the origin of Bethel Church. This is a time for sharing, worshiping and dining together.
The sermon topic of Remember is appropriate for all of these observances.
If you have come to this online service early enough, and are able, we hope that you will join in the gathering at the pond, just down the road from the church....and if not, please sit back and participate in this service prepared for you.
for links to some Resource materials for today's service.
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 05/25/25 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 05/25/25 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"
- . Slides - Welcome and Announcements . (03:20)
- Opening Hymn
. Verses . "Standing on the Promises" . (UMH 374)
:
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 . (03:11)
We hope that you will participate privately or communally in this responsive reading as part of your worship service. . Youth Message: "A Security Blanket" . (03:37)
- Hymn for Memorial Day
There are several hymns for Memorial Day in the article for that day on the Resource Page. This is one of them:
. Verses - "America the Beautiful" (UMH 696)
- . OT Scripture Reading:
Psalm 67 and commentary . (01:27)
......consider following along with a favored translation of your own. - . Slides - Pastor's Thoughts, Prayers and Lord's Prayer . (09:48)
The slides here include a list of those for whom prayers have been requested.
The pastor's thoughts include a lesson on the Old Testament book of Psalms. Today Pastor Ralph will look at: Psalm 52. - Praise Hymn:
. Verses . "How Great Thou Art" . (UMH 077,vs1,2,4)
- The Message
. Scripture:
John 14:15-21 . (01:31)
You may wish to follow the reading of the scripture in your own Bible.
. Message: "Remember" . (15:09)
- Closing Hymn:
. Verses . "Church in the Wildwood" . (CH 121)
- Closing Chorus and 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