Are you looking for a small group? Do you enjoy music? If so, join our church choir and our handbell group for rehearsals on Wednesday evenings! Handbells meet in CLC 202 from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir rehearses from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. 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

Employment Opportunity

We are incredibly grateful to Jason Crow for sharing his time, gifts, expertise, and humor with Bethlehem UMC for the past two years. As he moves into his next season, the Bethlehem UMC SPRC is seeking a Facilities Maintenance Coordinator to work 20-30 hours per week. The coordinator will have experience with HVAC and handyman tasks such as minor repairs, maintenance, and painting. The full job description can be found at bethlehemumc.com/fmc If you or someone you know is interested in this position, please send a cover letter and resume to jobs@bethlehemumc.com

College Care Packages

Let’s remind our college-age students how much their church family cares about them! Please email Alison at abocking@bethlehemumc.com with your student’s current mailing address. You can help fill the care packages in two ways:

1. Donate items: Individually packaged snacks, microwave popcorn, crackers, cookies, candy, gum, water-flavor packets, Post-it Notes, lip balm, personal care items, encouraging notes or favorite Bible verses. Please place donations in the “College Care Packages” bin in the Narthex.

2. Make a monetary donation: Donations will help purchase additional items and cover mailing expenses. You may donate online or by check. Please include “College Care Packages” in the memo line

Please make all donations by September 25.

The Bridge — Bridging Generations. Building Community

The Bridge will meet again on September 27 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. in the Banquet Hall. The Bridge is a gathering designed for young and midlife adults, children, and youth to build relationships, share a meal, and grow in faith. Whether you're single, married, raising kids, or simply looking for community there's a place for you! Please RSVP at bethlehemumc.com/thebridge or using the QR code.

Are You Ready to Vote?

After worship on September 27 and October 4, you can visit the Gathering Space to find out! We will have tables in the Gathering Space where friendly faces will help you ensure that you are currently registered to vote AND help you with key voting information such as your polling place, your voting districts, and helpful telephone numbers. You will also be able to sign up for a ride to your polling place, or just to have a friend go along with you to vote. Stop by to say hello and get ready to vote!

Stephen Minister Training

Stephen Ministry is a lay caring ministry being used by thousands of congregations to increase care and outreach to hurting people. Through Stephen Ministry, congregations are able to equip and empower a team of laypeople — Stephen Ministers — who provide one-to-one, Christ-centered care to people experiencing grief, unemployment, hospitalization, divorce, financial stress, a terminal illness, or other life difficulties. If you are interested in learning more about this ministry, please contact Marlane Claxton, Cindy Sanford or Pat Smith. Training classes will begin in October.

Preschool Selling Butter Braids

Bethlehem Preschool will be selling Butter Braids October 7 - 21. Delivery is before the holidays on November 10. The Butter Braids are $18.00 each and the following flavors are being offered:

Cinnamon Roll with Cream Cheese Icing

Apple

Chocolate

Strawberry & Cream Cheese

Bavarian Crème with Chocolate Icing

Four Cheese and Herb with Marinara Sauce.

To place an order please contact Lori Foy at 615-497-1308 or lfoy@bethlehemumc.com by 10/21. Thank you for supporting our Preschool!

Love Cooks

Love Cooks is a program that allows staff and members to share with folks who might need a meal or a food “hug” during a difficult time. 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).

Soul Sisters

Soul Sisters are a group of women who meet for Bible study and to share our lives together. Our mission statement says:

Our mission is to grow closer to Christ as we grow closer to each other and to spread God’s love to other people.

We meet at 1:00 p.m. on Mondays in the Upper Banquet Hall - once a month we meet at night so working women can join us too! If you are interested in joining us, contact Liz Maden (Maden.en0625@gmail.com) or Rebecca Little (rebecca8916@gmail.com).

Small Group Leader Training — “From Wandering to Journeying”

Are you currently leading a small group, including teaching Sunday School? Or would you like to start or lead a new group? Rev. Terry Carty invites you to a special training session on Sunday, October 4, from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. in Conference Room 2. Small groups of all kinds — not just study groups — are places where people find belonging and grow spiritually. We’ll explore practical knowledge and skills for helping groups become intentional communities of discipleship. Please register by emailing Terry at tcarty@bethlehemumc.com so we can prepare enough resources. No meal will be provided, but you’re welcome to bring a snack to share!

Help Support The Bridge!

The Bridge is a gathering of young and midlife adults building community together at Bethlehem UMC. They meet twice a month at the church and their gathering begins with a shared meal, along with youth and children. If God is calling you to support The Bridge by providing a meal, you can sign up using this link (https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080A4CA4A72CA3FB6-65571438-thebridge#/) or the attached QR code.

‍ Prayer Warriors Next Meeting October 6 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 Conference Room 2. 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, October 6 at 2:00 p.m. in Conference Room 2.

Blessing of the Animals

Join us on Saturday, October 10 for a Blessing of the Animals. We will meet outside by the playground and begin at 10:10 a.m. If you have questions or need more info, please contact Pastor Mary Beth Bernheisel (mbernheisel@bethlehemumc.com)

Trunk ‘R Treat – October 24

We hope you will join us October 24 for Trunk ’R Treat! Enjoy food and activities from 4:30- 6:30 p.m. in the Gym. Trunks open outside at 6:30p.m., in the back parking lot. Mark your calendar and start inviting friends!

Everyone is encouraged to dress in costume and come for a pizza/snack dinner and lots of fun! We’ll have bounce houses, games, and crafts. Adults: plan to decorate your trunk and bring candy or treats to hand out to the kids. Prizes will be awarded to the best decorated trunks! Kids: don’t forget your treat bags. Invite your friends, family, and neighbors for a fun, FREE night for ALL ages! You won’t want to miss Trunk ’R Treat!

Youth Chili Cook-Off

Everyone is invited to make a pot of chili and join us in the gym following the worship service on Sunday, November 1. Even if you don’t make a pot of chili, you’re invited to come enjoy the food and fellowship.

Turn a Sweatshirt into Snacks!

Our youth group has 14 new sweatshirts remaining from a previous merch order and we’re turning them into an opportunity to serve! For a $10 donation, you can sponsor a sweatshirt that will be donated to Room in the Inn. Our youth will use the donations to build 50 protein-filled snack packs for Room in the Inn’s day services this winter. One gift, double the warmth. To donate, you may give online or by check. Please include “Sweatshirt” in the memo line.

Flower Info for 2026 Worship Services

If you would like to give flowers for worship services, please let Dana Smyth (dsmyth@bethlehemumc.com) know the date that you would like or use the link from the church’s website: www.bethlehemumc.com/flowers Arrangements are $60.00 each and can be taken home after the end of the worship service.

Only 2 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 and preschool, 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

September 27 — Membership Class, please RSVP by using QR code or link on back

September 27 — The Bridge, please RSVP by using QR code or link on back

October 4 — World Communion Offering for Share the Feast

October 10 — Blessing of the Animals, 10:10 a.m.

October 11 — Monthly Mission — Bring Pasta and Pasta Sauce

October 24 — Trunk ‘R Treat

November 1 — All Saints Sunday

November 1 — Youth Chili Cook-off

November 1 — Charge Conference

November 14 — “Share the Feast”

November 15 — Operation Christmas Child

November 15 — Church-Wide Thanksgiving Dinner

Bethlehem United Methodist Church

Important Upcoming Events - September 25, 2026

Along The Way (September 25 - October 1, 2026)

Bethlehem News - September 25, 2026