Important Upcoming Events - November 14, 2025
Room in the Inn Needs You
Bethlehem welcomes 10 homeless men every Saturday night from November through March. Please sign up to help. For the next date 11-15-25, we need 1 Saturday driver, 1 overnight host, and someone to provide Sunday breakfast. You only have 19 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. 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.
Commitment Sunday – November 16
This Sunday, November 16, is Commitment Sunday for Bethlehem’s giving for 2026. During the service, there will be a time for those present to bring their 2026 Estimate of Giving Card forward. If you will not be able to attend in person on Sunday, you may complete a card on line by clicking on this link: http://bethlehemumc.com/pledge or by visiting the church’s website (www.bethelehemumc.com) and clicking on the Pledge Card for 2026 link near the top of the page.
Charge Conference – November 17
Bethlehem’s annual Charge Conference is Monday, November 17 at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. This is when the “state of the church” reports are given. Everyone is encouraged to attend. If you would like to see the reports that have been submitted to the District Office and will be discussed on Monday evening, please contact Pat Smith (psmith@bethlehemumc.com) and she will email you a PDF of the entire package. If you want a printed copy, please let Pat know so she can print one for you.
Sunday Schedule
Bethlehem’s Sunday schedule is Sunday School at 9:00 a.m. and Worship at 10:15 a.m.
Coffee with Clergy
Only one Sunday remains of Coffee With Clergy! 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 16.
1. Open the Eyes of My Heart
https://youtu.be/HwKCvuorI9E?feature=shared
2. When In Our Music God Is Glorified
https://youtu.be/e51oIpd0eFw?si=mozTin90CyBygo76
3. How Great Thou Art
https://youtu.be/K2C_lnmBGj0?si=ld3oyZRyLVB_XmpR
4. Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)
https://youtu.be/Y-4NFvI5U9w?si=Hxwu9MHRv63AHWqe
5. Here I Am, Lord
https://youtu.be/SlpRj3xDCCU?si=MOgl8pB1_4MCm1X_
The chancel choir will also sing an offertory anthem.
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, except for November 26. Please see Dann Childers or Joe Smyth for more information. You can also email Dann at dchilders@bethlehemumc.com for more information.
October 31, 2025 Financial Info
Year to date financials for October 31, 2025 are:
Contributions and Other Income: $619,649.03
Expenses: $780,775.43
Prayer Warriors Next Meeting November 18 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 18.
Help Decorate for Advent
Plan to help prepare the Sanctuary and Narthex for the season of Advent on Monday, November 24 at 9:00 a.m. If you have questions or need more info, please contact Jan Speer (jtoli1@comcast.net).
Angel Tree
The Angel Tree mission is to provide Christmas gifts for people in our community who need help. The Angels come from Bridges Domestic Violence Center, Room In The Inn, Burns Tabernacle Primitive Baptist Church and the local community. Please consider adopting an Angel as part of your Christmas giving. Minimum suggested gift amount is $100.00 per angel. The tree will be in the Gathering Space from November 23 through December 14. For more info, please contact Lisa McIntyre at 615-210-0662.
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 16, 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).
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
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 December 7. 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.
2026 Flower Sign-ups
See the sign-up sheet in the Narthex for 2026 flower opportunities. Arrangements are $50.00 each. Contact Dana Smyth (dsmyth@bethlehemumc.com) for 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 15 — Share the Feast (8:00 a.m. in the Gym)
November 16 — Pack Operation Christmas Child Boxes (4:30 p.m. in Old Sanctuary)
November 16 — Church-Wide Thanksgiving Dinner (6:00 p.m. in Gym)
November 17 — Charge Conference (7:00 p.m. in Sanctuary)
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 — Music Celebration — Love Is Breathing
December 14 — Monthly Mission — Peanut Butter and Jelly
December 14 – Angel Tree Gifts Due
December 24 — Christmas Eve Services at 4:30, 7:00 & 11:00
December 25 & 26 — Church Closed for Christmas Holiday