Fourth Sunday of Easter
Heritage Sunday
April 26, 2026
| Pastor: Ralph Wrightstone |
Bulletin
Handout
Photos |
This Fourth Sunday of Easter is the 22nd day of "Eastertide" with just 18 days remaining for the disciples to enjoy the presence of the risen Christ and for Jesus to prepare them for his leaving them.
Today is also the day chosen for Bethel's "Heritage Sunday", a day for recalling the August 1834 "brush arbor" gathering at Bethel Pond that was the beginning of this congregation. It's natural then for it to be celebrated just down the road from the church, on the Banks of Bethel Pond...in the "Wedding Chapel" shelter there, with a covered dish dinner following the service. Of course this online service cannot provide the same experience, but it will try to provide some of the same worship elements that you would find there. In addition, the resource page here has links to information and photo album pages that may help you become familiar with this Heritage Sunday tradition.
On the resource page, the UDM supplied Easter Season worship series, "Stories That Matter", continues with the topic: "Knowing That Voice", about listening for Christ’s call to abundant life.. If you have come to this online service early and are able, we hope you will try to make this year's Heritage Sunday observance at Bethel Pond.
On the resource page, the UDM supplied Easter Season worship series, "Stories That Matter", continues with the topic: "Knowing That Voice", about listening for Christ’s call to abundant life.. If you have come to this online service early and are able, we hope you will try to make this year's Heritage Sunday observance at Bethel Pond.
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 04/26/26 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.
symbol to play the audio file under a separate browser tab or in a new window. Then select the "Bethel 04/26/26 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.
. Slides - Welcome and Announcements . (02:45)
An "Announcements" slide has information about the appointed pastor for next year.
. Verses . "It's Me, It's Me, O Lord" . (UMH 352)
:
Let us know if you have a favorite hymn that you would like to have included in an online service.
- Sharing Stories from the Past . (05:56)
Heritage Sunday provides a time for sharing of personal stories...these come from the service on May 30, 2021
. Slides - Call to Worship, Apostle's Creed and Gloria Patria . (03:13)We hope that you will participate privately or communally in this responsive reading as part of your worship service.
.
Old Testament Scripture: Isaiah 1:18-20 and commentary . (01:50)
......consider following along with a favored translation of your own.
. Introduction and Reading: Psalm 97 . (02:21) You may wish to follow the reading of the scripture in your own Bible.
. Pastor's thoughts about the Psalm . (08:26) . Verses . "Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God" . (UMH 405)
. Slides . Prayer Concerns and the Lord's Prayer . (03:36)
The slides here include a list of those for whom prayers have been requested.
. New Testament Scripture:
John 10:1-10 . (01:49) You may wish to follow the reading of the scripture in your own Bible.
. "The Gatekeeper" .(14:45) . Verses . "Church in the Wildwood" . (CH121)
. 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