Important Upcoming Events - October 24, 2025
Sunday Schedule
Bethlehem’s Sunday schedule is Sunday School at 9:00 a.m. and Worship at 10:15 a.m.
Trunk ‘R Treat October 25 at 4:25 p.m.
Coffee with Clergy
Beginning THIS Sunday, October 26, plan to join Rev. Dr. Mary Beth Bernheisel and Rev. Terry Carty in CLC 201 (first classroom past the elevator) at 9:00 a.m. for coffee and conversation. All are welcome for this time of casual conversation.
Youth Chili Cook-Off — October 26
Get your slow cookers fired up for a little spicy competition and join us for our annual Chili Cook-Off THIS Sunday, October 26 following worship. We’ll need chili makers, chili tasters and chili eaters to make this event a success. All proceeds will benefit Youth Missions & Outreach. Visit www.bethlehemumc.com/chili to sign-up or visit the table in the Narthex. For questions, contact Alison Bocking (abocking@bethlehemumc.com), Director of Youth Ministries.
Music Notes
Click the links below to hear music we'll sing in the worship service this Sunday, October 26.
Bethlehymns for Oct. 26 (thanks to Rebecca Little for creating this clever subtitle for our weekly songs)
1. I Could Sing of Your Love Forever
https://youtu.be/4MVxvbOZNIo?si=fTYoBPyhqVKxI_aD
2. Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
https://youtu.be/g0mD5qQFgYs?si=YSqmICxUitfVbnGQ
3. Father of Lights
https://youtu.be/GDDuPQatXu4?si=mScJRoPlr51ZzAFS
4. Every Good and Perfect Gift
https://youtu.be/mDf2M30rNMI?si=0U4a_O8nqOawbgej
The Handbell Choir will also ring 2 special music selections.
Fall Madness Music Tournament
In a few weeks we'll begin our annual stewardship season in which we'll be asking you and your family to prayerfully consider your financial gifts to the church in 2026. Our theme is "A Chorus of Generosity," and as part of the season we'll be selecting our congregation's two favorite Traditional Hymns and two favorite Contemporary Worship songs – March Madness style! On Commitment Sunday, November 16, we'll reveal the final four as we sing them together in worship.
This Sunday, October 26 we will provide a list of ALL nominees so that you can begin ranking your TOP 8 in each category.
Preschool Selling Butter Braids
Bethlehem Preschool is selling Butter Braids until 10/29/25. Delivery will be 11/18/2025. Choices and prices are: Cinnamon Roll with Cream Cheese Icing ($18.00), Apple ($18.00), Chocolate ($18.00), Strawberry & Cream Cheese ($18.00), Bavarian Crème with Chocolate Icing ($18.00) and Four Cheese & Herb ($18.00). Order form is on a table in the Narthex or you can contact Lori Foy at lfoy@bethlehemumc.com for more info. You may leave your check made payable to Bethlehem Preschool in the Preschool mailbox in the Workroom (where copier is) or scan the QR code on the order form.
Join The Path Sunday School Class
Path to Abundance Sunday School Class is relaunching with a new name — THE PATH. With the new name, we are shifting our direction. We will be exploring different spiritual themes and looking at faith from different perspectives. Together we will open ourselves to renewed awe, humility and love in our Christian walk. We are committed to finding ways to stay focused in our busy lives. The new class meets at 9:00 a.m. in CLC 205, and will lead us into the season of Advent. If you are curious — or seeking a Sunday School class that offers something different each week, please come join us! Coffee and refreshments will be provided. This Sunday, October 26 here’s what will be the lesson:
The speaker (on video): Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, The topic: Life After Death; Jesus, Judaism, and Justice. Description : Noted Jewish New Testament scholar Amy-Jill Levine examines Jesus' claim to be "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6) from an interfaith perspective. Dr. Levine lives in Nashville and is the former Professor of New Testament at Vanderbilt Divinity School. For more info, contact Don Fagan at (615) 400-1254
Prayer Warriors Next Meeting November 4 at 2:00 p.m.
Bethlehem has a group of Prayer Warriors that meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 2:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. If you have a prayer request you would like this group to lift in prayer, please contact either Betty Swilley (swilleyb@bellsouth.net) or Pat Smith (psmith@bethlehemumc.com). Everyone is invited on Tuesday, November 4.
Just a Few Bethlehem Ball Caps Left!
Our Youth Ministry is selling ball caps for $20 and we have just 7 left! Show off your Bethlehem pride in style and help our young people make a difference near and far. Whether you're running errands or grabbing coffee, wear your cap with pride and represent Bethlehem out in the community. Get yours from Alison or drop by the church office during the week to snag yours while supplies last!
Photo Opportunity for Online Directory
We will be phasing out the Instant Church Directory we have been using and transitioning to using Realm for the pictorial and info directory. This Sunday, October 26, you can have your photo taken in the Gathering Space. Have someone take your photo in front of the blue screen and email it to Dana Smyth (dsmyth@bethlehemumc.com).
Room in the Inn Begins November 1
Bethlehem welcomes 10 homeless men every Saturday night from November through March. Please sign up to help. For the next date 11-1-25 we need a Saturday driver, a Sunday driver, 1 overnight host, and someone to serve dinner Saturday night. You only have 20 more opportunities to enjoy this ministry. Please contact Mike Loring (mloring@live.com or 615-596-0985) with any questions. If you are interested in participating in this ministry, sign-up sheets are in the Narthex and Gathering Space or by using this Sign-Up Genius link: http://www.bethlehemumc.com/riti
Share the Feast – Saturday November 15
Once again it’s time to plan for Share the Feast – BUMC's annual day to share food and caring with those less fortunate. This year, the goal is to provide 400 turkeys (cost of $20.00 each) for food boxes that will be packed. Increased cost of turkeys, combined with a significant growth of difficult financial circumstances make our sharing efforts even more critical this year! The other big need is for volunteers to join in the packing event. The packing will begin at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 15 in the gym. Canned goods for the boxes will be provided by area schools and other sources. If you have questions or need more info, please contact Dave Speer at djspeer@comcast.net
Church-Wide Thanksgiving Dinner — November 16
The annual Church-Wide Thanksgiving Dinner will be November 16 in the gym at 6:00 p.m. This event requires a lot of congregation participation to be a success. Sign-up sheet is on a table in the Narthex. Contact Pat Smith psmith@bethlehemumc.com for more info. The church provides the turkey, dressing and drinks. Everyone is invited to bring a salad, vegetable or dessert to share.
Want to Keep Informed?
If you would like to receive communications from Bethlehem UMC, please send an email to Pat Smith (psmith@bethlehemumc.com) asking her to add your name to the email list.
Choir and Handbells Rehearsals
Are you looking for a small group to join and you enjoy music? If so, consider our church choir and our handbell group for rehearsals on Wednesday evenings! Handbells meet in CLC202 from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir rehearses from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Reading music is not a requirement but fun and fellowship certainly is. For more information, please see any of our members or contact Joe Smyth at jsmyth@bethlehemumc.com
Additional Handicap Parking Spaces
Please reserve the Handicapped Parking Spaces near the main Sanctuary entrance for those with Handicapped placards. We have church members who can not walk a long distance and need to be able to park close to the door in order for them to attend worship.
2025 Flower Sign-Ups
Flowers are needed for the 2025 Worship Services. Arrangements are $50.00 each and can be taken home after the end of the worship service. Flowers are specifically needed for worship services on November 2, 16, 23 & 30. Contact Dana Smyth (dsmyth@bethlehemumc.com or 615-794-6721) for more info or by using this link: http://www.bethlehemumc.com/flowers.
Worship Help Needed
Each week we need several people to help lead our worship services by being Greeters/Ushers or Liturgists. Each month, we also need 4 communion servers. Please use this Sign-Up Genius link: www.bethlehemumc.com/worshiphelp or contact Dana Smyth (dsmyth@bethlehemumc.com or 615-794-6721) if you can help, have questions or need more info.
Safety & Security Measures
In an effort to provide safety for the church staff, preschool and Chesterton Academy of the Incarnation, all exterior doors will be locked during the week. If you arrive at church and the door by the Sanctuary is locked, please ring the doorbell or call the church (615-794-6721) for assistance.
Save the Date for These Important Events
October 25 — Trunk ‘R Treat
October 26 — Chili Cook-Off
November 1 – Room in the Inn Begins
November 2 — All Saints’ Day
November 9 — Monthly Mission — Canned Goods for “Share the Feast”
November 11 — Church Closed for Veteran’s Day
November 15 — Share the Feast
November 16 — Pack Operation Christmas Child Boxes
November 16 — Church-Wide Thanksgiving Dinner
November 17 — Charge Conference
November 23 – Angel Tree up in the Gathering Space
November 27 & 28 — Church Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday
November 30 — Advent Begins — Hanging of the Greens
December 6 — Breakfast with St. Nick
December 14 – Angel Tree Gifts Due