Weekly Greeting - January 9, 2026
Happy New Year!
I pray that 2026 has started well for all of you, and that you are looking forward to seeing all the ways God will work in our lives and in our church in the coming year.
On the third Sunday in January, the United Methodist Church observes Human Relations Sunday. Inspired by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s vision of the Beloved Community, Human Relations Sunday is a call for the church to build relationships rooted in dignity, equity, and love.
Through the leading of the Holy Spirit and conversations about the ways God is calling Bethlehem UMC to serve its neighbors, your worship planning team is extending our observance of Human Relations Sunday into a four-week worship experience.
The series is titled “Beloved Community” and will follow this preaching outline
January 18 — The Belovedness of You, Me, and Us
Psalm 23:1-6 and Revelation 7:9-10; 13-17
Alison Bocking, preaching
January 25 — The Two Types of Love
Micah 6:6-8; Matthew 23:23-24
Mary Beth Bernheisel, preaching
February 1 — The Four Communities
Matthew 5:6
Terry Carty, preaching
February 8 — Together We Rise
Luke 4:14-21; Luke 9:1-2
Mary Beth Bernheisel, preaching
In addition to the worship experience in the sanctuary, we invite you to take part in a Sacred Space Prayer Experience in the Banquet Hall. Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of the Beloved Community, these prayer stations invite participants to reflect on racism, justice, and reconciliation through the lens of faith. The Beloved Community imagines a world where all people are valued, dignity is upheld, and love overcomes division. Through scripture, guided reflection, and prayer, participants are encouraged to examine their own hearts, acknowledge injustice, and seek God’s guidance for healing and change. You are invited to journey through the Sacred Space Prayer Experience with your Sunday School class, small group, or on your own. The Sacred Space Prayer Experience is made possible by a grant from the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference Anti-Racism Coalition.
We look forward to sharing this experience with you.
In grace,
Mary Beth