Finals season is just around the corner, and the 35 Wesley Foundation students at TSU could use a little love from us! As a part of Church Has Left the Building, we are collecting individually packaged snacks to send care packages to them as they hit the books.

Please bring donations of any individually wrapped snacks — with the specific requests for mac & cheese, granola bars, peanut butter or cheese crackers as well as peppermint candy — and place them in the collection tub in the Narthex starting Sunday for the next few weeks. The small serving sizes are important since the boxes we pack are 6 x 6 x 4 and we want to get as many snacks in as possible!

Every snack is a small reminder that they are prayed for, thought of, and cheered on by us. Thank you for helping fuel their finals!

Easter Lily Order Form

See the blue insert in Sunday’s bulletin for an Easter Lily Order Form. Lilies can be given in honor of or memory of someone to be placed in the Sanctuary on Easter Sunday, April 5. March 30 is the last day to place your order. Lilies are $20.00 each and support youth missions and outreach.

Lenten Small Groups

All studies are open to new participants and are held in Conference Room 2 (above the Banquet Hall).

· Exploring the United Methodist Social Principles, Living Faith in Community — Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. led by Rev. Terry Carty until March 26

· Prayer and Listening — Sundays at 5:00 p.m. led by Rev. Dr. Mary Beth Bernheisel until March 29

· Lunch & Lectio Divina — Imago Dei, a Bible study on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion — Wednesdays at Noon led by Alison Bocking until April 1

Blood Drive Thank You!

Bethlehem had 16 people donate blood last Monday — that means 48 lives can be saved. Many thanks to all who helped with the blood drive.

Prayer Warriors Next Meeting April 7 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, April 7.

We Are Getting Ready for Easter!

There are a lot of plastic eggs in the Narthex. Please take some, fill with candy, stickers, Bible verses, etc. Turn them in to the main office or to April Jackson by April 2.

Church Has Left the Building – April 12

Church Has Left the Building is coming soon! This event has taken place on the Sunday after Easter for more than 10 years. This year on April 12 following a brief worship service at 9:00 a.m., we will literally leave the building to become the hands and feet of Christ in our community.

Some may choose to pick up trash along Hillsboro Road, others may visit and sing to some of our homebound members, and some may want to do yard work at a residential home for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

There are other projects that take place at church but still have an impact on our community. From baking cookies that will be delivered to faculty and staff members of local schools, to packing beans and rice that will be distributed through Feed America First to help the food insecure, to putting together hygiene kits that will be distributed through the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) to those in need following disasters, there is a project for everyone.

These are only some of the projects you can choose from during Church Has Left the Building. Sign ups are in the Gathering Space, online using this link: https://www.bethlehemumc.com/chlb or by completing the insert in Sunday’s bulletin and leaving in the basket on the table in the Narthex.

The BUMC Missions Team looks forward to joining with you to make a difference in our community. Please contact Robin Folks at rhfolks@comcast.net or 615-202-3417 if you have any questions or need more information.

Love Cooks

Prior to COVID, Bethlehem members cared for one another through LOVE COOKS. We made certain there was always food in the freezer at Bethlehem that staff and members could share with folks who might need a meal and a food “hug” during a difficult time. There is no doubt that Bethlehem is filled with great cooks and generous hearts. We are revitalizing LOVE COOKS and need your help. If you like to cook, please let us know if you might provide a meal, dessert, etc., for the freezer. We are also looking for 2 more Bethlehem members to serve as a captain for one quarter helping to track food or encourage others to cook. If you are interested in helping or knowing more about LOVE COOKS, please contact Debbie Robinson (robinsondebbie555@gmail.com) or Rebecca Little (rebecca8916@gmail.com).

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.

Flower Info for 2026 Worship Services

Always in Bloom, our florist for many years, has gone out of business and is no longer able to provide flowers for our worship services. If you would like to donate an arrangement (or arrangements) for worship services, please let Dana Smyth (dsmyth@bethlehemumc.com) know the date that you will be providing flowers.

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!

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.

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

March 29 — Palm Sunday

March 29 — Easter Story Walk Begins (Outside)

April 2 — Maundy Thursday Service at 7:00 p.m.

April 3 — Good Friday Service at 7:00 p.m.

April 4 — Easter Egg Hunt and Activities at 10:00 a.m.

April 5 — Easter Sunday

Sunrise Service 7:00 a.m.

Small Groups (Sunday School) 9:00 a.m.

Worship Service 10:15 a.m.

April 5 – Communion Offering – Church Has Left the Building

April 6 — Church Closed for Easter Holiday

April 12 — Church Has Left the Building — worship at 9:00 a.m. — day of service to the community

April 12 — Monthly Mission — Tuna and Canned Meat

Bethlehem United Methodist Church

Important Upcoming Events - March 20, 2026

Along The Way (March 20 - 26, 2026)

Bethlehem News - March 20, 2026