Sunday, October 11, 2026
Liturgist: Bro. Sanville Vernon
Media Team: Tynisa Caesar, Sanville Vernon, Barnet Moriah
David Thomas, Noah Thomas
Praise Team: Alana Chang, LaTanya Davis, Hugh Fletcher
Organist: L. Daniel Jean /Drummer: Maurice Facey
Pastor: Dr. Andrea Smith
PRELUDE: Organist Daniel Jean
WELCOME: Bro. Sanville Vernon
*CALL TO WORSHIP:
Liturgist: Beloved, God’s never-ending love spills out all around us, drawing us together in beloved community with God, neighbor, and all creation.
People: Rejoice in the Lord always, and again we say, rejoice!
Liturgist: God’s always-present grace surrounds us, enlivening us to love ourselves and our neighbors just as Christ loves us.
People: Rejoice in the Lord always, and again we say, rejoice!
Liturgist: God’s persistent peace sweeps through us, guarding our hearts and empowering us to live as agents of God’s mercy and justice wherever we go.
People: Rejoice in the Lord always, and again we say, rejoice!
Liturgist: May our rejoicing overflow into our families, neighborhoods, and the whole earth that through our living, working, resting, and playing, God may be glorified.
All: Rejoice in the Lord always, and again we say, rejoice!
OPENING HYMN: “There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy ” UMH# 121
OPENING PRAYER:
This world would deny you, Lord, and rely on human wisdom in their search for answers to questions they have yet to ask, but we will praise you, and exalt your name, for we know that you are Alpha, the beginning of all things, and Omega, the end, and all that is between. We have known your healing. We have known your provision. We have known your victory. Our sorrow has turned into dancing and our tears to songs of joy. We shall praise you ever more. Amen
PRAISE and WORSHIP
WELCOME OF VISITORS AND PASSING THE PEACE:
CHURCH NOTICES
HAPPY BIRTHDAY/WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES
TIME OF GIVING:
We welcome your Tithes and Offerings today as we honor the Lord through our giving. Offerings can be given through various ways: give to an Usher, deposit in the offering basket, drop off in the church mailbox, or through PayPal or Zelle. If you are using Zelle, please enter bethanyunitedbklyn@gmail.com to find us.
OFFERTORY: (MARCHING) Follow the Ushers’ directions.
OFFERTORY HYMN: “We are Marching in the Light of God” AAHH# 164
DOXOLOGY: “Glory Be to the Father” AAHH# 654
PRAYER OF DEDICATION:
Steadfast Joy, when “always” feels larger than our capacity, you remain near. In gratitude, we bring these gifts, signs of love learned from you. Quiet our anxious hearts and turn our attention toward what is true, honorable, and worthy of praise. Shape us into a people whose generosity is gentleness made visible, whose offerings declare we are on the side of our neighbors. Receive what we place in your hands and let it become courage, welcome, and hope. Guard us with your peace as we press on in Christ. Amen.
MISSION STATEMENT: (please remain standing)
As Disciples of Jesus Christ, our Mission is to be:
Demonstrators of His Love,
Messengers of His Gospel,
and Sharers of His Teachings.
SCRIPTURE READINGS:
Old Testament: Ex. 32:1-14
New Testament: Matt. 22:1-14
The word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.
GLORIA PATRI: “Bless the Lord, O My Soul” AHH# 105
HYMN: “Now Thank We All Our God” UMH# 102
SERMON: Dr. Andrea Smith, Pastor
HYMN: “Amazing Grace” UMH# 378
PASTORAL PRAYER: Dr. Andrea Smith, Pastor
CLOSING HYMN: “O Jesus, I Have Promised ” UMH# 396
BENEDICTION: Dr. Andrea Smith, Pastor
Beloved, as you go from this place, may the peace of God that surpasses all understanding surround you, centering your minds on whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, pleasing, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise and empowering you to press on toward the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. Amen.
POSTLUDE
Lectionary Scriptures Reading for the Week:
Exodus 32:1-14
Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23
Philippians 4:1-9
Matthew 22:1-14
Prayer Point for this Week…the schools in our community
Announcements
From the Pastor’s Desk:
Our Charge Conference is HERE, TODAY at 1:30 pm.
The Pastor will be on a flexible work schedule between Bethany and Union during the week. If you need to speak to her, please call the office to make an appointment.
There will be NO joint services in October and November. We will have joint service here at Bethany for December Communion.
Join us as Union UMC celebrates its Church Anniversary with a Luncheon on Saturday, October 17, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $80. The event will be held at Union Fellowship Hall. Please let the Pastor know if you want to attend so we can secure your ticket.
Bible Study has resumed on Wednesdays. There is a daytime session from 12:30- 2 p.m. or an evening session from 7:30-9 p.m. We are using the book “The Women of the Bible Speak” by Shannon Bream. Both studies will be conducted via Zoom. Zoom Information: Meeting ID: 843 3420 6486; Passcode: 099590; One tap mobile: +16465588656.
The pastor is asking all members to please take note that when you are sick/hospitalized, or have a death in the family, please call the office and notify the church so the pastor can be made aware of it.
The Worship Committee is asking the congregation to check their immediate surroundings after the service and to pick up any candy wrappers, tissue paper, water bottles, and similar items before leaving the sanctuary.
Notices
We would like the full congregation to be in attendance at a very important meeting being held by the Board of Trustees on Sunday, October 18, 2026. This is regarding the electrical deficiencies identified and what is being done to address them. Kindly make every effort to attend.
Sister Norma
Sis. Mahalia and Sis. Yvette are asking that the members of the Tribes of Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh) and Benjamin for the months of November and December meet on Sunday, October 18th, immediately following the service. Thank you in advance.
It’s that time of year again for the purchase of calendars and other items from the African American Expressions catalog. This year they have included some lovely socks for both men and women, as well as some beautifully designed bags. As you are aware, this has been an ongoing fundraising activity for Sister Norma, who donates the proceeds of her sales to the church. Please support her worthwhile efforts.
In gratitude
Sister Norma
For information about the Bethany Travel Team’s trip to Portugal and Barcelona from August 25, 2027, to September 5, 2027, please speak with any member of the team: sisters Antoinette Anthony, Yvette Dick-McKain, Gayle Isles, Jennifer Joseph, Shelley Roberts, Diana Russell, and Amanda Wesley.
Quest For Christ, youth ages 13-18, will resume on Friday, October 16th.
They meet from 6 pm to 8:30 pm. All youth of the church and community are welcome.
Bethany choir has resumed. Their rehearsals are on Saturdays at 4 pm. All who are interested in joining are welcome.
The Saturday Program has reopened.
Members, visitors, and friends are encouraged to spread the word to children in our community. The program is designed to nurture children ages 5–13 through activities such as homework assistance, Bible study, sports, games, culinary skills, interpersonal development, recreation, social activities, children’s choir, and much more. Saturdays | 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM. Please encourage your grandchildren, family members, friends, and neighbors to have their children join us!
The Brooklyn Crown Heights Lions Club, Inc. will host its Annual Literacy Fiesta on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Bethany United Methodist Church Hall. All children and teens are invited! There will be art and crafts, storytelling, vision screening, back-to-school supplies, and much more! Children are encouraged to attend, enjoy the activities, and choose books they would love to read and take home. Spread the word and save the date!
As a reminder, the mission community projects that the committees are working on will culminate on Sunday, November 8, at the church Anniversary. At that service, all committees will share what their mission project was.
Our Harvest Sunday, November 22nd, will be the collection of our Tribal Blessings Fundraiser. On that Sunday, we will have the procession of Tribes and presentations.
We are cleaning out and renovating the nursery. If you or your committee has any items in there, please remove them promptly. Thank you
Trip to Sight & Sound
We have been able to secure tickets to see “Joshua” at Sight and Sound.
The trip is on FRIDAY, December 4th, 2026.
Ticket price is $230.00 and is payable in full by Sunday, October 25th. Payments are to be made by check or money order.
Price includes visit to Farmers Market, lunch and admission to ‘Joshua’.
There will be no refunds after October 25th
Payments can be given to Antoinette Anthony, Lavern Brown, Gayle Isles, Jennifer Joseph or Yvette McKain
Women’s Day Event
Prayer Brunch- Saturday, Oct. 24th at 11 a.m.; tickets are $40.00 and are available today. All donations are welcome, needed, and greatly appreciated.
Team – Sis. Mayleen Frederick, Sis. Violet Thom
United Women in Faith Announcement
The United Women in Faith invites you to join us for our Christmas Extravaganza at Hunterdon Hills Playhouse on Saturday, December 12, 2026.
The total cost of the trip is $185.00. (Seats are still available)
If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact Sister Beatriz Sherwood, Sister Veda, Sister Ena, or Tynisa Caesar
Please make checks payable to Bethany United Women in Faith
Please contact the Office at (718) 774-5689
Shut-In
| Name | Telephone |
| Eastlyn Welch | The Atrium |
| Grace Gyimah | 917-334-7105 |
| Sandra Dubois | 718-774-4836 |
| Jean Best | 718-778-4179 |
| Hilda Dyce | 718-251-6351 |
| Pinkey Headley | 718-342-1056 |
| Joyce Thompson | 718-649-6550 |
| Sydney Campbell | 347-204-0850 |
| Una Wickham | 718-773-8645 |
| Silvine Moore | 718-363-1091 |
| Reginald Lawrence | 347-792-0159 |
| Carmen Headley | 718-735-4189 |
| Veronica Jackson | 934-867-9373 |
| Cynthia Strachan | 347-262-1816 |
| Winsome Johnson | N/A |
| Veda Drummond | N/A |