Important Upcoming Events - October 31, 2025
Fall Back – Time Change
Remember that Daylight Savings Time ends at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday morning. Set your clocks back an hour Saturday night. All activities at church on Sunday will be at normal time (after the time change).
Sunday Schedule
Bethlehem’s Sunday schedule is Sunday School at 9:00 a.m. and Worship at 10:15 a.m.
Coffee with Clergy
Each Sunday until November 16, 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.
Music Notes
Click the links below to hear music we'll sing in the worship service this Sunday, November 2.
1. When the Saints Go Marching In
https://youtu.be/1v3xNnPQK9o?si=136hMo3YDrRnnzLd
2. Holy, Holy Holy
https://youtu.be/FUn2xXYx0-A?si=qutCSDZy7JQFJJXt
3. Open the Eyes of My Heart
https://youtu.be/HwKCvuorI9E?feature=shared
4. Holy Forever
https://youtu.be/IkHgxKemCRk?si=Keped2K9QwQ-j4d5
5. For All the Saints
https://youtu.be/vjFrhXRyi9E?si=pQ83d4sVnoUyMGkr
The chancel choir will also sing several selections this Sunday.
The chancel choir along with the Praise Band will present their December cantata, Love is Breathing, for the worship service on December 14. If you are interested in a short-term commitment, we are welcoming any singers that would like to participate. We rehearse on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary now until December 14. Please see Dann Childers or Joe Smyth for more information. You can also email Dann at dchilders@bethlehemumc.com for more information.
Fall Madness Music Tournament
We have begun 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, November 2 we will provide a list of the top 8 nominees in each category.
Sanctuary Cleaning Project Is Complete
Many thanks to all the people who polished the Sanctuary! Many hands make light work. We finished in two hours the first week. There will be NO more meetings to brighten the Sanctuary for Advent.
Chili Cook-Off Thanks!
We just wanted to take a moment to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who came out, cooked, tasted, and served at our annual Youth Ministry Chili Cook-Off this past Sunday. Your enthusiasm, generosity, and chili-making (and eating!) skills made it such a fun and meaningful event. We raised over $1599, our highest grossing event! Most importantly, thank you for continuing to support our youth ministry. Events like this not only build community but also help support youth missions and outreach.
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. 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, November 2, 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. 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 or via this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080A4CA4A72CA3FB6-59637840-thanksgiving#/ 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 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
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