SONG SERVICE SUNDAY
May 17, 2026
Liturgist: Bro. Sanville Vernon
Media Team: Tynisa Caesar, Sanville Vernon, Barnet Moriah
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: Easter people, in this season of Eastertide, we remember the blessings God gives us—the blessings of Resurrection, salvation, and new life in Christ.
People: We come to praise God for the blessings of Easter!
Liturgist: We recall the blessings of creation—of clean air and water, of food and shelter, of beauty and awe.
People: We come to praise God for the blessings of creation!
Liturgist: We share in the blessings of community—of family and friends, of church and home, of help that is given and received.
People: We come to praise God for the blessings of community!
Liturgist: Easter people, we gather today to remember Christ’s Ascension, when Jesus was taken up into heaven while blessing his disciples, marking not the end but the next chapter of God’s salvific work among us.
People: We come to bless God with our praise as God continues to bless us with all that we need to live as God’s Resurrection people. Thanks be to God! Amen.
OPENING HYMN: “Amazing Grace” UMH# 378
OPENING PRAYER:
Today, Jesus, we are faced with a wonderful truth to proclaim, but also an awesome and uncomfortable responsibility. We praise you and celebrate you as Ascended Lord; we recognise that you have authority over all things, but we live in a world where greed and power and violence seem to be in control. And so, as you call us, we pray:
Come as Lord, Jesus, and set the world to rights.
We praise you and celebrate you as the Way, Truth, and Life; we recognise that in you our life is made whole and full; but we live in a world where death, brokenness, and need appear to be everywhere. And so, as you call us, we pray:
Come as Lord, Jesus, and set the world to rights.
We praise you and celebrate you as God among us; we receive your invitation to live God’s dream; but we live in a world where dreams and hearts are broken daily, and hope seems all but lost. And so, as you call us, we pray:
Come as Lord, Jesus, and set the world to rights.
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.
Amen.
PRAISE and WORSHIP: Because of Who You Are, I really Love the Lord, Agnus Dei
MISSION STATEMENT:
As Disciples of Jesus Christ, our Mission is to be:
Demonstrators of His Love,
Messengers of His Gospel,
and Sharers of His Teachings.
WELCOME OF VISITORS AND PASSING THE PEACE:
CHURCH NOTICES
HAPPY BIRTHDAY/WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES
PRESENTATION: Sis. Cynella Simon
HYMN: “I Need Thee Every Hour” UMH# 397
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: “Woke Up This Mornin” AAHH# 566
DOXOLOGY: “Thank You, Lord” UMH# 531
PRAYER OF DEDICATION:
Blessing God of Presence, even as Christ ascended, you did not leave us alone. While he was blessing them, you were preparing us to carry the story forward, to be your witnesses, to live in hope and power. In this sacred act of giving, we return a portion of what you have entrusted to us. May these gifts be a blessing to others, as Christ has been to us. Clothe us with courage. Remind us that your Spirit goes with us. And send us, renewed and ready, to be your church in the world. Amen.
PRESENTATION: Sis. Suginia Jones
HYMN: “Here I Am, Lord” UMH# 593
SCRIPTURE READINGS:
Old Testament: Isaiah 45:1-7
New Testament: John 17:1-11
The word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.
GLORIA PATRI: “Alleluia” UMH# 186
PRESENTATION: Bro. Thayne Clarke
HYMN: “It Is Well with My Soul” UMH# 377
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER: Bro. Sanville Vernon
Holy and Faithful God,
We come before You with hearts full from the songs we have sung and the stories we have heard. Today, You reminded us that every hymn carries a testimony, every melody carries a memory, and every lyric carries a legacy of faith that stretches across generations. We thank You for the saints who wrote these hymns— for the ones who penned words of hope while standing in grief,
for the ones who found courage in the midst of fear, for the ones who turned their trials into praise, and for the ones who dared to believe that their song could strengthen the church for years to come. As we sang Amazing Grace, we remembered that grace still finds us. As we lifted Blessed Assurance, we felt Your Spirit confirming again that we belong to You. As we declared It Is Well, we stood in the truth that peace is not the absence of storms but the presence of Christ within them. As we rejoiced in Great Is Thy Faithfulness, we testified that morning by morning, new mercies still appear. Lord, let the stories behind these hymns become stories within us. Let the faith that carried our ancestors carry us. Let the courage that shaped their words shape our walk. Let the hope that filled their songs fill our homes, our families, our ministries, and our community. Make us a singing people— not because life is easy, but because You are worthy. Not because we have all the answers, but because You have never failed us. Not because we avoid suffering, but because You redeem it. And now, God, as we prepare to leave this moment of worship, let the music linger in our spirits. Let the truths we sang take root in our hearts. Let the testimonies behind the hymns remind us that You are still writing our story, and the same God who inspired their song is the God who sustains our praise. We seal this prayer in the name of Jesus— our Redeemer, our Strength, and the One who gives us a song in the night. Amen.
CLOSING HYMN: “Blessed Assurance” UMH# 369
BENEDICTION : Bro. Sanville Vernon
May God bless you with the understanding, wisdom, and grace to follow the way of Christ, that in all things, your life may be a blessing of praise to God. Amen.
Pastor’s New Hours will be Wednesdays and Fridays from 11 am- 4 pm.
Liturgical Scriptures Reading for the Week:
Isaiah 45:1-7
Psalm 21:1-7
1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11
John 17:1-11
Announcements
Our Annual Conference will be June 11 through 14 with Worship Service being on Sunday June 14 beginning at 10am. As such our service on Sunday June 14 will begin at 10am to coincide with that service. We will be watching the service on livestream and have communion on that Sunday with our fellow United Methodist. You will see baptism, acknowledge of confirmands, ordination and hear our Bishop preach. There will be no communion on 1st Sunday in June.
Please note that the 2026 Graduation Celebration will not take place in its usual format this year. We will recognize our graduating students during the church service on Sunday, June 28, 2026. Please note that next year ‘s Graduation Celebration will honor both 2026 and 2027 graduates.
For all Bethany events, all programs must be seen and approved by Pastor.
There will be a church wide meeting with Bethany and Union on Saturday May 23 at 5pm with DS Elizbeth Abel. Encouraging all members to be in attendance. Meeting will be held at Union UMC located at 121 New York Ave.
The Tribe of Asher (September) and the Tribe of Naphtali (October) will meet on Sunday, May 24 after the service.
The Women in Faith’s next meeting will be held on May 23 at 12 PM. This early time is due to the upcoming meeting with DS Abel.
Your attendance is greatly appreciated. Thank you!
TODAY after service, Tribes Joseph (Ephraim and Manasse)/Benjamin for the months of November and December would like to have a brief meeting with members of this group. Chairpersons Sis. Mahalia Nurse and Sis. Yvette McKain. Thanking you in advance.
The Twelve Tribes Blessing Drive has begun. If you haven’t signed up with your birthday information, please see the list and sign up with your coordinator. Thank you.
The Coordinators for the Twelve Tribes Blessing Drive are:
Judah/Simeon (Jan/Feb)-GAYLENE FRANCIS
Levi/Reuben (Mar/Apr)-ALICIA GRANT
Zebulun/Issachar (May/Jun)-NORMA GRANT
Dan/Gad (Jul/Aug)—SUGINIA JONES
Asher/Naphtali (Sep/Oct)-BEATRIZ SHERWOOD
Joseph (Ephraim and Manasse) Benjamin (Nov/Dec)-MAHALIA NURSE & YVETTE DICK-MCKAIN
United Women In Faith would like to invite you to join them at The Hunterdon Playhouse Christmas Luncheon, which will be held on December 12, 2026. The cost is $185.00, which includes gratuities for the bus drivers. To guarantee your seat, please submit a $50.00 deposit NO LATER than June 1, 2026. Please see Sister Veda Drummond, Deaconess Monica Bartley, or Sister Beatriz Sherwood. Thank you for your continuous support!
Women’s Day Events
1) Tea Party/ Fashion Show – June 13
Team – Rosemary Malcolm, Colleen Barrington, Cynella Simon
2) Bethany Cruise – September 19th
an exciting brunch cruise around Manhattan on the Spirit of New York.
The cost of the cruise is $200.00 per adult and $180.00 for children under 12.
Secure your seat by making a deposit. Deposits are being taken by Sister Norma and Sister Yvette
3) Prayer Breakfast- Saturday, Oct. 24th
Team – Sis. Mayleen Frederick, Sis. Violet Thom
Sick and Shut-In
| Name | Telephone |
| Clement Holder | N/A |
| Emily Isles | 718-346-0817 |
| Eastlyn Welch | N/A |
| Grace Gyimah | 917-334-7105 |
| Sandra Dubois | 718-774-4836 |
| Jean Best | 718-778-4179 |
| Hilda Dyce | 718-251-6351 |
| Pinkney 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 |
| Nevel Burnett | Brooklyn Downtown Nursing Home 727 Classon Ave |