Our Annual “Christmas in a Barn” with Holy Communion worship service will be held for the first time on our campus at Bethel in our Bethel Park. It will begin at 3:00pm. Bethel is located at 2077 N. Frederick Pike.
Our Candlelight Communion Service will take place in our sanctuary at 7:00pm.
We hope that you will be able to join us this year!
Join us on Wednesday evenings during Advent at 6:30pm for a contemplative worship and a sermon series on the Four Advent Candles with Pastor Dave and our Bethel Preaching Team.
December 1 – Prophecy Candle symbolizing Hope (Pastor Dave preaching)
December 8 – Bethlehem Candle symbolizing Love (Bruce Lothrop preaching)
December 15 – Shepherds Candle symbolizing Joy (Michelle Young preaching)
December 22 – Angels Candle symbolizing Peace (Melissa Siebert preaching).
All services will be “livestreamed” on Facebook and YouTube.
Begin with this video: Soon and Very Soon (Andrae Crouch, Jessy Dixon)
SHARE
Share your “highs” and your “lows” for the past week with each other.
READ
7John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 9Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” 10And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” 11In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” 12Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” 13He said to them, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.” 14Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what should we do?” He said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.”
15As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 16John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” 18So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.
TALK
What images or words or phrases speak particularly to you in this reading? When have your received “tough love” in your life? How was it helpful? Why was it helpful? In what ways does John’s “tough love” words echo those we have heard in our lives? What is the role of the “law” (i.e. tough love) for our lives of faith? How is it helpful? Why is it helpful?
Special prayer requests: Pray for our nation and our world during this unprecedented time of Covid-19, especially those who have been affected and who are ill.
BLESS
Bless each other by making the sign of the cross on each one’s forehead.
TALK
What images or words or phrases speak particularly to you in this reading? What/who is a winner? What/who is a loser? Martin Luther wrote in his treatise “Freedom of a Christian” that a Christian is a “perfectly free Lord of all, subject to none” and that a Christian is a “dutiful servant of all, subject to all.” These paradoxical claims actually perfectly incapsulate what it means to follow Jesus. We are set “free” to live a life of “service” toward others. How might you consider your a life that is “free to serve”?
PRAY
Special prayer requests: Pray for our nation and our world during this unprecedented time of Covid-19, especially those who have been affected and who are ill.
BLESS
Bless each other by making the sign of the cross on each one’s forehead.
Begin with this video: Soon and Very Soon (Andrae Crouch, Jessy Dixon)
SHARE
Share your “highs” and your “lows” for the past week with each other.
READ
3In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, 2during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, 4as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 5Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; 6and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”
TALK
What images or words or phrases speak particularly to you in this reading? How do you prepare yourself for the encounter of God? In what ways do you “prepare” your heart to hear what God has to say to you? Who helps you to get “prepared” for knowing, following, and sharing Jesus?
Special prayer requests: Pray for our nation and our world during this unprecedented time of Covid-19, especially those who have been affected and who are ill.
BLESS
Bless each other by making the sign of the cross on each one’s forehead.
TALK
What images or words or phrases speak particularly to you in this reading? What/who is a winner? What/who is a loser? Martin Luther wrote in his treatise “Freedom of a Christian” that a Christian is a “perfectly free Lord of all, subject to none” and that a Christian is a “dutiful servant of all, subject to all.” These paradoxical claims actually perfectly incapsulate what it means to follow Jesus. We are set “free” to live a life of “service” toward others. How might you consider your a life that is “free to serve”?
PRAY
Special prayer requests: Pray for our nation and our world during this unprecedented time of Covid-19, especially those who have been affected and who are ill.
BLESS
Bless each other by making the sign of the cross on each one’s forehead.
Begin with this video: Soon and Very Soon (Andrae Crouch, Jessy Dixon)
SHARE
Share your “highs” and your “lows” for the past week with each other.
READ
25“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. 28Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
29Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; 30as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 34“Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, 35like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
TALK
What images or words or phrases speak particularly to you in this reading? Where is God in our world today? Where do you “see” God’s activity at work in the world? When Jesus calls us to “be alert”, he is calling us to recognize that “the Son of Man” is always coming near. It is what the “son of Man” does. Be on the lookout for Jesus’ activity in and around you. And remember, it will likely happen in places and people and experiences where you least expect it to happen. Because that is also who the “son of Man” has proven to be.
Special prayer requests: Pray for our nation and our world during this unprecedented time of Covid-19, especially those who have been affected and who are ill.
BLESS
Bless each other by making the sign of the cross on each one’s forehead.
TALK
What images or words or phrases speak particularly to you in this reading? What/who is a winner? What/who is a loser? Martin Luther wrote in his treatise “Freedom of a Christian” that a Christian is a “perfectly free Lord of all, subject to none” and that a Christian is a “dutiful servant of all, subject to all.” These paradoxical claims actually perfectly incapsulate what it means to follow Jesus. We are set “free” to live a life of “service” toward others. How might you consider your a life that is “free to serve”?
PRAY
Special prayer requests: Pray for our nation and our world during this unprecedented time of Covid-19, especially those who have been affected and who are ill.
BLESS
Bless each other by making the sign of the cross on each one’s forehead.
Our week to serve at WATTS (Winchester Area Temporary Thermal Shelter) is December 4-11. You can sign up below to volunteer in the shelter or to bring supplies and food.
SUPPLIES AND FOOD SIGN UP HERE
Begin with this video: Handel’s Messiah (Hallelujah)
SHARE
Share your “highs” and your “lows” for the past week with each other.
READ
33 Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?” 35 Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” 37 Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”
TALK
What images or words or phrases speak particularly to you in this reading? When we call Jesus our “king” what does this mean to you? We don’t have “kings” in our nation and any kings that still remain are mostly figure heads, without any real power or significant influence. Is this what we think of when we call Jesus our King? How might we reimagine this term and see it for what it was meant to be, a term of acknowledging our relationship to Jesus?
Special prayer requests: Pray for our nation and our world during this unprecedented time of Covid-19, especially those who have been affected and who are ill.
BLESS
Bless each other by making the sign of the cross on each one’s forehead.
TALK
What images or words or phrases speak particularly to you in this reading? What/who is a winner? What/who is a loser? Martin Luther wrote in his treatise “Freedom of a Christian” that a Christian is a “perfectly free Lord of all, subject to none” and that a Christian is a “dutiful servant of all, subject to all.” These paradoxical claims actually perfectly incapsulate what it means to follow Jesus. We are set “free” to live a life of “service” toward others. How might you consider your a life that is “free to serve”?
PRAY
Special prayer requests: Pray for our nation and our world during this unprecedented time of Covid-19, especially those who have been affected and who are ill.
BLESS
Bless each other by making the sign of the cross on each one’s forehead.
Begin with this video: Mercy Came Running (Phillips, Craig, Dean)
SHARE
Share your “highs” and your “lows” for the past week with each other.
READ
As he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!” 2Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.”
3When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, 4“Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?” 5Then Jesus began to say to them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. 6Many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. 7When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. 8For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birthpangs.
TALK
What images or words or phrases speak particularly to you in this reading? Hyperbole. Apocalyptic language. Jesus is making a point here that is often missed when caught up in the stark alarmist language; don’t get distracted by THINGS for it is only in HIM that we can see the fullness of God’s glory and power. What “things” distract you from connecting most fully with Jesus?
Special prayer requests: Pray for our nation and our world during this unprecedented time of Covid-19, especially those who have been affected and who are ill.
BLESS
Bless each other by making the sign of the cross on each one’s forehead.
TALK
What images or words or phrases speak particularly to you in this reading? What/who is a winner? What/who is a loser? Martin Luther wrote in his treatise “Freedom of a Christian” that a Christian is a “perfectly free Lord of all, subject to none” and that a Christian is a “dutiful servant of all, subject to all.” These paradoxical claims actually perfectly incapsulate what it means to follow Jesus. We are set “free” to live a life of “service” toward others. How might you consider your a life that is “free to serve”?
PRAY
Special prayer requests: Pray for our nation and our world during this unprecedented time of Covid-19, especially those who have been affected and who are ill.
BLESS
Bless each other by making the sign of the cross on each one’s forehead.
Begin with this video: For All the Saints
SHARE
Share your “highs” and your “lows” for the past week with each other.
READ
When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus began to weep. So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upward and said, “Father, I thank you for having heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”
TALK
What images or words or phrases speak particularly to you in this reading? Have you ever prayed for a healing that did not happen? How might this story speak to that experience, even though our loved one was not healed?
PRAY
Special prayer requests: Pray for our nation and our world during this unprecedented time of Covid-19, especially those who have been affected and who are ill.
BLESS
Bless each other by making the sign of the cross on each one’s forehead.
TALK
What images or words or phrases speak particularly to you in this reading? What/who is a winner? What/who is a loser? Martin Luther wrote in his treatise “Freedom of a Christian” that a Christian is a “perfectly free Lord of all, subject to none” and that a Christian is a “dutiful servant of all, subject to all.” These paradoxical claims actually perfectly incapsulate what it means to follow Jesus. We are set “free” to live a life of “service” toward others. How might you consider your a life that is “free to serve”?
PRAY
Special prayer requests: Pray for our nation and our world during this unprecedented time of Covid-19, especially those who have been affected and who are ill.
BLESS
Bless each other by making the sign of the cross on each one’s forehead.
Begin with this video: A Mighty Fortress (Heartsong)
SHARE
Share your “highs” and your “lows” for the past week with each other.
READ
Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, ‘You will be made free’?” Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.
TALK
What images or words or phrases speak particularly to you in this reading? What does Christian freedom look like? What does it mean to be free to serve others as Luther teaches? Is freedom about you, us, or them (the other)?
PRAY
Special prayer requests: Pray for our nation and our world during this unprecedented time of Covid-19, especially those who have been affected and who are ill.
BLESS
Bless each other by making the sign of the cross on each one’s forehead.
TALK
What images or words or phrases speak particularly to you in this reading? What/who is a winner? What/who is a loser? Martin Luther wrote in his treatise “Freedom of a Christian” that a Christian is a “perfectly free Lord of all, subject to none” and that a Christian is a “dutiful servant of all, subject to all.” These paradoxical claims actually perfectly incapsulate what it means to follow Jesus. We are set “free” to live a life of “service” toward others. How might you consider your a life that is “free to serve”?
PRAY
Special prayer requests: Pray for our nation and our world during this unprecedented time of Covid-19, especially those who have been affected and who are ill.
BLESS
Bless each other by making the sign of the cross on each one’s forehead.
2077 N. Frederick Pike
Winchester, VA 22603
540-662-3245