
Fourth Sunday of Lent
March 15, 2026
This is the Fourth Sunday of Lent, the 26th Day of the 40 Day Season of Lent. In both services today, pastor Ralph will continue the sermon series whose theme is "Jesus as Your Friend", this week with the cautionary message "Choosing the Wrong Friend".
Tuesday is St. Patrick's Day and there are items on the Resource page about this special day.
Also on the Resource Page of this service, the UDM supplied Lenten worship series:"Renewed in Mercy" will provide the message "Journeying in Grace", with a recommendation for an appropriate companion for the journey.
Click on the "Bethel United Methodist Church" script above
for links to some Resource materials for today's service.
For those unable to attend the 11:00 AM Sunday 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 03/15/26 Service" browser tab or return to this window to open the Link to the "slides". Use your browser's back/return arrow to come back to this page from the slides. It is best to close the tab or window of an audio file before starting to play 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 . (03:48)
- Opening Hymn
. Verses . "We've a Story to Tell to the Nations" . (UMH 569,v1,3,4)
:
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 . (02:22)
We hope that you will participate privately or communally in this responsive
reading as part of your worship service.
.
Old Testament Scripture: Proverbs 12:15-28 . (02:20)
......consider following along with a favored translation of your own.
- Lesson from the Psalms
. Introduction and Reading: Psalm 91 . (02:06)
You may wish to follow the reading of the scripture in your own Bible.
. Pastor's thoughts about the Psalm . (07:57)
. Looking ahead . (00:39)
. Slides . Prayer Concerns and the Lord's Prayer . (03:14)
The slides here include a list of those for whom prayers have been requested.
- Hymn of Preparation
. Verses . "Fairest Lord Jesus" . (UMH 289,v1,4)
-
. New Testament Scripture:
1 Corinthians 7:29-40 . (03:44)
You may wish to follow the reading of the scripture in your own Bible.
- The Message
.
"Choosing the Wrong Friend" . (12:43)
(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 . "Freely, Freely" . (UMH 389)
- Closing Chorus & Benediction:
. Verse - "Bind
Us Together"
Thank you for coming. Our prayer will be that we will soon all gather again for worship in Bethel's Sanctuary, but until then we'll be here for you on Sunday morning.
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