Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost
October 18, 2026
Topics for Today
Wikipedia is a frequent source
for information in these articles. The Church Year/Seasons
Liturgical/Christian Year
Ordinary Time
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Bethel Worship Planning Documents
2026 Monthly Worship Calendar
2026 RCL 2 page Summary
2026 Bethel Weekly Worship Planning worksheet
2026 Bethel Annual Event 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.
This is the first Service of a Worship Series from the Discipleship Ministries.
The graphics at the top of this page list topics for other services of the Series.
(Click on another graphic to see that session's resource page)
Worship Series: "Always Give Thanks"
from umcdiscipleship.org
Gratitude is more than just another emotion, attitude, or something to be saved for certain times of year, like Thanksgiving or a finance campaign. Rather, gratitude is a foundation, a starting point in the journey of being made a disciple. Giving thanks fortifies us for the life of a follower of Jesus Christ, for the glories and the struggles. We aren’t promised an easy road in this life of faith, but we are promised presence. We are not alone, and for that we always give thanks.
This Service's Theme: "Chosen"
Liturgical Resources
Preaching Notes
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Suitable for reading/printing:
Worship Planning Notes
Liturgical Resources
Preaching Notes
Lectionary Scriptures:
Exodus 33:12-23; Psalm 99; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10; Matthew 22:15-22;
Hymns for the scriptures . Music Notes . DM Accompaniments Sources of Music for the following hymns are:
- UM CD.....UDM - DM Accompaniment.....
MM/DD/YY - Recorded Service
Hymns Suggested For this service:
Theme Hymns:
2165 - .
Verses.
"Cry of My Heart"
2036 - .
Verses.
"Give Thanks"
Service Hymns:
369 - .
Verses.
"Blessed Assurance"
529 - .
Verses.
"How Firm a Foundation"
2212 - .
Verses.
"My Life Flows On"
But the lectionary invites us to start our thanksgiving early. Before the turkey and pumpkin pie and even before the trick-or-treaters come to our doors, we have the opening salutation of Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians: “We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in…
Worship Planning NotesLiturgical Resources
Preaching Notes
-----------------------
Suitable for reading/printing:
Worship Planning Notes
Liturgical Resources
Preaching Notes
Lectionary Scriptures:
Exodus 33:12-23; Psalm 99; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10; Matthew 22:15-22;
Hymns for the scriptures . Music Notes . DM Accompaniments Sources of Music for the following hymns are:
- UM CD.....UDM - DM Accompaniment.....
MM/DD/YY - Recorded Service
Hymns Suggested For this service:Theme Hymns:
2165 -
.
Verses.
"Cry of My Heart"
2036 -
.
Verses.
"Give Thanks"
Service Hymns:
369 -
.
Verses.
"Blessed Assurance"
529 -
.
Verses.
"How Firm a Foundation"
2212 -
.
Verses.
"My Life Flows On"