August 30, 2026
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:
*CALL TO WORSHIP:
Liturgist: Sometimes God calls us through burning bushes, telling us to go free a whole people despite our insecurities and fears.
People: God, help us accept your call on our lives.
Liturgist: Sometimes God calls us, and we don’t understand the full meaning of the call, the ways our families, friends, and communities may resist the good news and us as messengers of it.
People: God, help us accept your call on our lives.
Liturgist: Sometimes God calls us to a path that is harder than we think we can handle, asking us to trust that God will provide what we need.
People: God, help us accept your call on our lives.
All: Beloved, God’s call takes many forms. Sometimes it feels as natural as breathing, and sometimes we want to run as far as we can. But take assurance in this: You are not alone. God is with us, and God’s call can be trusted, because no matter where it leads, God is there.
God, help us accept your call on our lives and to trust that what you equip us to do is what you call us to do as members of the Body of Christ. Thanks be to God! Amen.
OPENING HYMN: “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise” UMH# 103
OPENING PRAYER:
Pour your Light, Holy Spirit of God, into our hearts and minds. Help us to know more clearly and grasp more fully the Good News of Jesus. And help us then
to know how to share it. We ask this through Jesus Christ, who with You and the Father, are One God. 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 Climbing Jacob’s Ladder” UMH# 418
DOXOLOGY: “Now Thank We All our God (V1)” UMH# 102
PRAYER OF DEDICATION:
Holy God, you call ordinary people from unexpected places and send them into hard and holy work. As you met Moses in the fire that did not consume, and as you met Peter on the road of costly discipleship, meet us now in these gifts we bring. Shape us by your presence, not by fear; by service, not by power; by love that risks itself for the sake of others. Receive our offering as a sign that we trust your “I AM” to go with us and that we are willing to follow Christ, even when the way is demanding. Use what we give to bring freedom, healing, and hope to your world. 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. 3:1-15
New Testament: Matt. 16:21-28
The word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.
GLORIA PATRI: “Let the Church say Amen”
HYMN: “They’ll Know We are Christians”
SERMON: “The Call that Costs Everything ” Dr. Andrea Smith, Pastor
HYMN: “Where He Leads Me” UMH# 338
PASTORAL PRAYER: Dr. Andrea Smith, Pastor
CLOSING HYMN: “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” UMH# 400
BENEDICTION :
Beloved, when the path is easy and when the path is rough, when God calls through a burning bush or a still, small voice or a loving rebuke, remember: you are not alone. May God bless you with the courage and humility to accept God’s call and with the assurance that if God calls you, God will equip you. Amen.
POSTLUDE
Lectionary Scriptures Reading for the Week:
Exodus 3:1-15
Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45b
Romans 12:9-21
Matthew 16:21-28
Announcements
From the Pastor’s Desk:
Bible Study will resume on Wednesday, September 23. There will be a daytime session from 12:30- 2 p.m. or an evening session from 7:30-9 p.m. We will be using the book “The Women of the Bible Speak” by Shannon Bream.
Our Charge Conference is scheduled for Sunday, October 11 at 1:30 pm. It will be held here at Bethany. The pastor is asking all Chairpersons to meet with their committees to format their end-of-year report and review the 2027 calendar for any dates they need. Reports are due by Friday, September 25th.
The pastor is looking to start a Mentoring Program for our children and youth. Many of you have the abilities to do so, and the pastor is asking you to sign up. Please write your name on a piece of paper, with the age group and sexuality you are comfortable mentoring. Drop the paper in the Offering Box so the pastor can receive it. Mentoring Training will be done.
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.
For all Bethany events, all programs must be seen and approved by the Pastor.
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
Happy Independence Day, Trinidad and Tobago
There will be a joint Church Council meeting for the Brooklyn Heights Cooperative Parish. The meeting will be via Zoom at 7:30 pm on Thursday, September 10th. Zoom information will be provided prior to the call.
Thank you
Life Screening will be at Bethany UMC on Friday, September 11, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m, by appointment only. Please call 800-324-9458 and use code HABC001 to schedule an appointment.
On Sunday, September 13th, we will return to the 11 a.m. worship service. On that Sunday, we will have Communion.
Women’s Day Events
Women’s Day service is on Sunday, September 27th. Please invite your friends and family as we celebrate the women of Bethany who continue to serve as they are empowered by God.
In keeping with our tradition, a sacrificial offering of $200 is suggested. The offering can be made over several weeks.
Prayer Breakfast- Saturday, Oct. 24th
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. The $50.00 deposit deadline has passed, and the final payment is due by November 1, 2026.
If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact Sister Beatriz Sherwood, Sister Veda, Sister Ena, or Tynisa.
Shut-In
| Name | Telephone |
| 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 |
| Veda Drummond | N/A |