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

Are You Ready to Vote?

After worship on October 4, you can visit the Gathering Space to find out! We will have a table 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!

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!

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.

Processing Loss or Grief?

Supporting each other through difficult seasons is one of the most valuable gifts that we can give each other as followers of Jesus. David Lifsey and Craig Kirchoff will be hanging out at the Coffee Shop at Second and Bridge on Thursday, October 8 at 9:00 a.m. If you are processing a season of grief or loss, you are welcome to come hang out with them for a time of sharing and support. If you can’t make it October 8 but would appreciate this type of support, feel free to contact the church office to explore additional opportunities.

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)

The Bridge — Bridging Generations. Building Community

The Bridge will meet again on October 11 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.

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!

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

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).

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.

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.

Room in the Inn — November 7

Bethlehem welcomes 10 men experiencing homelessness every Saturday night from November through March. A complete description of all the jobs for Room in the Inn can be found on the blue insert in today’s bulletin. Please contact Don Fagan (donfagan@bellsouth.net or 615-400-1254) or Vicki Wolczyk (vicki.wol@comcast.net or 615-397-8015) 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

Room in the Inn Information Fair

Please join us for an “Information Fair” for Room in the Inn in the Gathering Space after the worship service on October 11. Light refreshments will be served. Come talk with seasoned volunteers from Room in the Inn about specific opportunities. Also plan to discuss ideas and suggestions that will make each job simple and fulfilling for our guests and you.

Room in the Inn Job Descriptions

Bethlehem has participated in Room in the Inn for more than 35 years. From the beginning of November until the end of March, our church opens its gym to host 10 men each Saturday evening. Guests receive dinner on Saturday night, breakfast Sunday morning and a sack lunch to take with them when they leave the church on Sunday morning. Racks of clothing are set out for guests to take at no cost. Guests also have access to a washer and dryer, showers and a warm place to sleep. In addition, there is time for conversation and fellowship. All guests must attend an orientation led by Room in the Inn staff to participate in the program. We will begin welcoming guests this year on November 7. Volunteers are needed each week to make the program possible. Sign-up sheets are in the Narthex and Gathering Space, and you can also sign up on the church website, www.bethlehemumc.com. Volunteers are needed for the following:

Drivers

Two male drivers (over the age of 25) are needed to drive the church vans each Saturday night to pick up our guests from the Room in the Inn Campus in downtown Nashville at 705 Drexel Street. Drivers should be prepared to leave Bethlehem by 5:30 p.m. The van keys will be on a hook on the wall in the gym kitchen. Upon arriving at the Room in the Inn campus, drivers pull in the first entrance and push the call box and a staff member will let drivers in. Drivers are to pull forward as far as possible, remain in the van and guests will be escorted to the van. After returning to church, van keys should be returned to the gym kitchen.

On Sunday morning, two male drivers are needed to drive our guests back to the Room in the Campus. Drivers should be ready to leave church by 6:00 a.m. Upon returning to church, the vans should be parked in the south parking lot and keys placed on the hook in the gym kitchen. Drivers must be over the age of 25.

Overnight Hosts

Two men (over 18) are needed each week to spend the night in the church gym with our guests. Volunteers are provided with a cot but need to bring their own sleeping bag or blanket and a pillow. Overnight hosts should arrive at the gym by 5:30 p.m. to set up cots and put sheets, pillows and toiletry bags on beds. Hosts are responsible for taking clothes racks out of RITI closet and setting up a long table for books, shoes, shorts and other items. Hosts also set up four long tables and 16 chairs for dinner close to the kitchen area and place towels outside the men’s restrooms for showers. When guests arrive between 6:30 and 7:00 p.m., hosts are to welcome them, direct them to the showers and laundry facilities and have dinner with them. Showers are in both gym restrooms. The shower in the women’s restroom should not be used until all females assisting with dinner have left. Washer and dryer are outside through the door by the restrooms. Guests are welcome to watch the TV in the gym lobby. Smoking is only allowed outside. Lights are out at 10:00 p.m. Guests need to be awakened by 5:00 a.m. on Sunday. Overnight hosts are responsible for making coffee and setting out breakfast provided by volunteers. Guests leave the church at 6:00 a.m. Overnight hosts are responsible for putting away cots and placing used towels and sheets in rolling canvas bags (labeled Laundry) and putting the bags in the restroom hallway.

Saturday Night Dinner

Volunteers are needed to provide dinner and drinks for 12 men (ten overnight guests and two overnight hosts) plus those who are serving dinner. The meal should be ready to serve by 7:00 p.m. This is a great project to do as a family, Sunday School class or other small group. Those serving are encouraged to sit and have dinner with our guests. Dinner is typically set up on the counter in the gym kitchen buffet style with church members serving our guests. Drinks and desserts are usually set up on a table along the wall by the kitchen and are self-serve. Volunteers are also responsible for washing dishes and cleaning the kitchen.

Breakfast on Sunday Morning

A volunteer is needed to provide breakfast for 12 men on Sunday morning. The food should be delivered to the gym kitchen after 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. Since our guests leave Sunday morning by 6:00, cereal, donuts, pastries and frozen breakfast sandwiches that can be warmed in the microwave are good options. Our guests also enjoy juice and milk. Coffee is provided by the church.

Sack Lunches

A volunteer is needed to prepare and deliver 10 sack lunches to the gym kitchen after 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. Lunches should be placed in the gym kitchen fridge (large stainless steel fridge in area by dishwasher, not the black Parent’s Day Out fridge). Sample lunch could include a sandwich, chips, soft fruit, dessert and drink all in a disposable bag.

Laundry

A person is needed to pick up laundry in the restroom hallway in the gym Sunday after church. Clean laundry should be returned to the gym by the following Saturday. Laundry includes 10 towels, 10 wash cloths, 10 flat sheets and 10 pillow cases.

Contact Information

There is a passage that reminds us of who we serve at Room in the Inn. According to author, Sharon Brous of “The Amen Effect,” there is a nineteenth century Rabbinic Text that declares every person is accompanied, at all times, by a procession of angels crying out “Make way for an image of the Holy One is approaching!” How do we keep missing all these angels, with the trumpets and proclamations desperate to rouse us to the dignity of every human being?

Brous says “Our hardest and holiest work is not to look away.”

Come join the Room in the Inn team! We thank you for considering to participate in this important ministry. If you have any questions, please contact Don Fagan (donfagan@bellsouth.net or 615-400-1254) or Vicki Wolczyk (vicki.wol@comcast.net or 615-397-8015)

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 1 Bethlehem Ball Cap 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

October 4 — World Communion Offering for “Share the Feast”

October 4 — Small Group Leadership Make-Up Class

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

October 11 — Monthly Mission — Bring Pasta and Pasta Sauce

October 11 — The Bridge, please RSVP by using QR code or link on back

October 24 — Trunk ‘R Treat

November 1 — All Saints Sunday

November 1 — Youth Chili Cook-off

November 1 — Charge Conference

November 8 — Pack Rice and Beans in gym after worship

November 14 — “Share the Feast”

November 15 — Operation Christmas Child

November 15 — Church-Wide Thanksgiving Dinner

Bethlehem United Methodist Church

Important Upcoming Events - October 2, 2026

Along The Way (October 2 - 8, 2026)

Bethlehem News - October 2, 2026