Important Upcoming Events - November 21, 2025
Church-Wide Thanksgiving Dinner Thank You!
It was great to see everyone at the Church-Wide Thanksgiving dinner last Sunday. Many thanks to all those who helped by providing a turkey or ham, helped slice the meats, helped decorate the tables, helped slice the desserts, helped set up tables and chairs, helped put away tables and chairs and/or helped in the kitchen. You just proved why Bethlehem UMC is such a special place!
Church Closed for Thanksgiving
The church office will close at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 26 and will be closed Thursday and Friday, November 27 & 28, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. If you have a pastoral emergency, please contact Pastor Mary Beth Bernheisel at (731) 293-8837. Normal business hours will resume Monday, December 1.
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 11-22-25, we need 1 Saturday driver and someone to provide Saturday night’s dinner. 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
Sunday Schedule
Bethlehem’s Sunday schedule is Sunday School at 9:00 a.m. and Worship at 10:15 a.m.
Music Notes
Click the links below to hear music we'll sing in the worship service this Sunday, November 23.
1. Here I Am To Worship
https://youtu.be/b_KNvkk2G-Y?si=bTCcrv5hZec97jaX
2. Rejoice the Lord Is King
https://youtu.be/99ESxokZtuM?si=2p_q3sswTjhkX0vg
3. My Tribute (To God Be the Glory)
https://youtu.be/OC_OjOGuv28?si=Lm3SQAc_v8lAQC5Q
4. Gratitude
https://youtu.be/dQdfs5S6jyA?si=8bDkFqJDLoNuugMX
5. There's Something About That Name
https://youtu.be/39mKrorHzOI?si=scM55sIUhlczGLSC
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.
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 is in the Gathering Space. Gifts are due back at the church on December 14. For more info, please contact Lisa McIntyre at 615-210-0662.
Prayer Warriors Next Meeting December 2 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, December 2.
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 23, 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
2026 Flower Sign-Ups
Flowers are needed for the 2026 Worship Services. Sign-up sheet is in the Narthex at the Welcome and Information Desk. Arrangements are $50.00 each and can be taken home after the end of the worship service. Contact Dana Smyth (dsmyth@bethlehemumc.com or 615-794-6721) for more info.
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 21 - 23 — Youth Harvest Retreat
November 23 — Angel Tree up in 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 6 — Paint for Africa
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
January 1 — Church Closed for New Year’s Day