Important Upcoming Events - April 10, 2026
Sunday Schedule
Bethlehem’s Sunday schedule for April 12 is Worship at 9:00 a.m. and then we will go into the community as the hands and feet of Jesus as Church Has Left the Building. If you have a Fish Fry T-Shirt, please wear it on Sunday.
Easter Story Walk (Outside)
What a perfect week to take a peaceful walk around the church grounds! Come when it works best for your family and stay as long as you like! The colorful pinwheels will help you find the starting point. Invite friends, bring a picnic, and enjoy looking for signs of new life! Easter Story walk will be available until April 13.
Next Steps at Bethlehem – POSTPONED
Our Next Steps at Bethlehem experience has been postponed! Please be on the lookout for our rescheduled date!
Cookie Delivery Help Needed
Want to feel like a rock star? Sign up to deliver cookies made during Church Has Left the Building to faculty and staff at area schools. Deliveries need to be made on Monday, April 13. The link to sign up is www.bethlehemumc.com/cookies
Safe Spaces Training – April 26
It’s more than Safe Spaces, it’s a required training for all who serve in ministry. We will discuss best practices, policy and procedures, and recommendations to help the church be a safe space for children, youth, vulnerable persons and all who serve in ministry. Important training to help keep ministries safe for all people will be held on Sunday, April 26 from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. in the Old Sanctuary. Lunch provided at 11:30 a.m. Please RSVP to Dana Smyth (dsmyth@bethlehemumc.com) by Thursday, April 23 at noon to have a lunch.
May Communion Offering
The communion offering on May 3 will be directed to Project Transformation. You may bring your offering to the altar rail during communion or donate online and designate for Project Transformation.
Project Transformation
Bethlehem is once again serving children outside our community through Project Transformation. PT helps children improve their literacy by being better readers, their social and emotional health and their nutrition during summer months when those things might be difficult for working families. They also hire college-aged young adults to engage in purposeful leadership and connect churches with their communities. How can you be a part of this? Here are some ways:
1. Sign up to be a reading volunteer. We’ll go to Antioch UMC four days in June to work with children on their reading skills. Hours are 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
2. Cook dinner for 15 interns twice in June. A team of Bethlehem volunteers will provide a taco bar or fried chicken or another tasty meal for this group at Scarritt Bennett center.
3. Provide books, snacks and supplies for the summer program. You can click this link: https://a.co/0802NaI9 to go directly to their Amazon wish list.
4. Pray for the program. Prayer guides are available in the church office.
Prayer Warriors Next Meeting April 21 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 21.
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 paint a fence and porch rail, 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, insert in Sunday’s bulletin and online using this link: https://www.bethlehemumc.com/chlb
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
We will now be using Freeman Florist for our Sunday arrangements. Beginning in May arrangements will be $60.00 each. If you would like to have flowers for worship services, please let Dana Smyth (dsmyth@bethlehemumc.com) know the date that you would like or sign-up from the church’s website: bethlehemumc.com/flowers
Just a Few Bethlehem Ball Caps Left!
Our Youth Ministry is selling ball caps for $20 each! 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
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
Until April 13 — Easter Story Walk (Outside)
April 19 - May 3 — Next Steps at Bethlehem Classes (Sundays) —POSTPONED
April 26 — Safe Spaces Training Class
May 3 — Trivia Night
May 10 — Monthly Mission — Peanut Butter and Jelly
May 14 — PreK Graduation
June 8 - 12 — VBS
June 14 — Monthly Mission — Beans and Rice
June 21 - 26 — Youth Mission Trip to Hinton, NC
July 12 — Monthly Mission — Pasta and Pasta Sauce
July 17 — Fish Fry