| Pre-School Openings
The Bethlehem Preschool has openings for the Fall 2010 session, which begins
August 31.
For more information,
contact the preschool office at
591-0501
or email the Director at
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Sunday, August 29
Church-wide
Retreat
Joe C. Davis
Outdoor Center
(Camp Widjiwagin)
Guest Speaker:
Michael Williams
will be speaking on
R E C E S S
in keeping with our
Back to School focus
Sign up in the gathering space
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TW@B Notes (This Week at Bethlehem) (click here for all the TW@B Notes)
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FINAL REMINDER: We will ONLY be having worship at 8:15 in the sanctuary. 10:45 worship will be at Camp Widjiwagan as part of our church retreat. If you would like to come for worship only, feel free to come. If you would like to come and stay the day and enjoy the pool, lake, waterslides, music, games, food, and program, you can still sign up; contact Rebecca (rlittle@bethlehemumc.com) ASAP. There are scholarships available for the registration costs and there will be group transportation if either poses a problem. Contact Rebecca for scholarship or transportation assistance.
This Sunday as we continue to go "Back to School," we are looking at Recess. The Scripture for the week are Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 and Psalm 46. The sermon title is "The Counterintuitive Nature of Play." As you prepare for this Sunday, I want you to think about what lessons you learned from "play." That applies not only to our times of play as children, but I had a fun conversation with a kindred spirit of sorts at church Sunday in which we spoke of the lessons we have learned from playing church league softball. There are still lessons for us to learn from our times of play as adults just as there are for our kids now. I also want you to think about things that are productive in your life that may run counterintuitive to what the world says. I think "play" falls into the category. The world says work, work, work; but there is a lot of benefit to finding time to play, rest, and relax.
This is appropriate to ponder as we get away as a church to "retreat" or get away from the normal routine. My prayer is that God will open our eyes to new and vital things for us to see.
I hope to see you Sunday, Ryan.
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| Upcoming Church Events—Don’t Miss Out! |
| August |
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Aug 29
8:15am
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Only one worship service at the church this Sunday (second service is at Camp Widjiwagin)
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10am- 7pm
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| Calendar of events for August, 2010 |
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| September |
| Sep 06 |
Church Office closed for Labor Day
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Sep 12
8:15 & 10:45am
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| Monthly Mission Sunday Beans & Rice to benefit Feed America First |
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Pulpit Side
(Rice)
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Lectern Side
(beans)
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| Calendar of events for September, 2010 |
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| Place these events on your calendar NOW! |
Oct 10
8:15 & 10:45am
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| Monthly Mission Sunday Pasta & Sauce to benefit Feed America First |
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Pulpit Side
(Sauce)
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Lectern Side
(Pasta)
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Nov 14
8:15 & 10:45am
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| Monthly Mission Sunday Peanut Butter & Jelly to benefit Feed America First |
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Pulpit Side
(Peanut Butter)
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Lectern Side
(Jelly)
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| Weekly Activities |
| Sunday mornings |
| 8:15- 9:15 |
Worship service |
| 9:30-10:30 |
Sunday School (all ages) |
| 10:45-11:45 |
Worship service |
| Sunday nights |
| 5:00pm |
Ladies Ensemble practice (sanctuary) |
| 6-6:30pm |
Children's choir rehearsal |
| 6:15-7pm |
Adult choir rehearsal |
| 6:30pm |
Open basketball |
Wednesday nights
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| 6:15-7pm |
Vespers and Adult handbell practice |
| 5:30-6:30pm |
Youth choir rehearsal |
| 6:30-7pm |
Youth choir dinner |
| 7-8:05pm |
Youth group |
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| Other Weekly Events |
Monday
7-8pm
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Women's Bible study (TBD) |
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7-8pm
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Men's Bible study (TBD) |
Tuesday
6:30am
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Men's Devotional (Chick-fil-A Cool Springs) |
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9am
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Garden Angel Society (church grounds); contact Georgeanne McCoy |
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7-8pm
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Women's Prayer group (TBD) |
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| Email Prayer Chain |
We are beginning a new email prayer list so persons who desire to be able to pray for situations that arise throughout the week can get information and updates so they can have more focused prayer and be responsive to the needs of those we are praying for. If you are interested in being a part of this list, please send an email to Pat Smith at  and let her know you would like to be included in all future email prayer requests and the email address where you would like the email to be sent. |
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| Ministry Opportunities |
 Justice Hyde has challenged the congregation to reduce the debt on the Christian Life Center (CLC). As many know, in 2009 we paid off the debt on the Bilyeau property, and just recently we were able to refinance the debt on the CLC to a lower interest rate and thus lower monthly payments. However, this refinance is good for only 3 years, at which time we will have to negotiate financing terms again. The are 10 people in the congregation of BUMC who have agreed to donate $100,000 IF there can be a matching gifts/pledges of an additional $100,000 that will be paid in 2010. It is known and understood that some can give more than others for various reasons, but if everyone makes a sacrificial gift, this goal can be accomplished. No amount is too large or too small in order to help share the kingdom of God. |
Meals on Wheels Need YOU!!!
In 1974, the United Methodist Women at Bethlehem joined the Church Women of Franklin to start the Meals on Wheels program. Today, that program serves 120 meals every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Bethlehem is responsible for the third Monday in each month. There are two teams of delivery people, so each driver only delivers six times per year. The city is divided into six routes with each route delivering approximately 20 meals. Teams of two leave from First UMC in Franklin at 11:15-11:30 and finish between 12:30-12:45. Some people do this on their lunch hour. This ministry needs a few new drivers and a list of people willing to substitute. Most of the people that receive meals are elderly and on fixed incomes. Equally important is the opportunity to offer a friendly greeting and let these people know God's people care about them. If this sounds like a good way to spend six hours a year, contact Rebecca Little at  or 794-6721. |
Buy and Use Kroger Gift Cards to Benefit Youth
The Youth are selling Kroger Gift Cards. Each card has a beginning balance of $20.00 on it. The BEST part of using Kroger Gift Cards is all the money you add to the gift card can be used to purchase groceries; IT COSTS YOU NOTHING EXTRA! Any dollar amount can be added at the grocery store before you begin to check out. Complete instructions are available with the cards. Remember, there is no surcharge for using a Kroger Gift Card. Kroger pays us 4% on each dollar spent using a gift card. The cards may be purchased by contacting Janet at  or 591-9275.
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Need someone to talk to? Don't know who to call? Talk to one of our
Stephen Ministers
What is a Stephen Minister?
Stephen Ministers receive special training to help people in need. People talking to Stephen Ministers:
- Receive quality, Christ-centered, confidential care for their hurts and needs
- Find hope, healing, and a new sense of self-worth through the support of a Stephen Minister
- Know they are remembered and supported by their congregation in times of personal difficulty
- Receive ongoing care for continuing needs long after the onset of a crisis, when many others have forgotten about them
- Grow in a deeper relationship with their Lord as they experience God's unconditional love for them through their Stephen Minister
Contact the church office to find out how to get in touch with a Stephen Minister, 794-6721
Follow these links to find out more: Stephen Ministers train their 60,000th leader; watch the PBS video on Stephen Ministers |
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Stay Informed
of what's happening at Bethlehem by reviewing our newsletters. August 25, 2010 newsletter**
(click here for previous newsletters) |
 Would you like to visit Bethlehem UMC but don't know how to find us? "Our Location" page has downloadable instructions. (more) |
Bethlehem Youth 
Bethlehem United Methodist youth are alive in the Spirit of the risen Christ! Come visit our site and experience the spiritual growth. (more) |
 New to Bethlehem?
Check out our "Newcomers?" page and find out more information about this community and congregation. (more) |
Worship Services
Worship is at the heart of Christian community. In worship we are reminded of who we are and who's we are. Come discover the meaning and fullfillment God intended for all. (more)
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Meet the Pastor
Pastor Ryan Bennett joined the Bethlehem family in June 2009. Learn more about him here
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| * Requires player capable of playing MP3 files; ** Requires Adobe PDF Reader |
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