“Fall Back” Saturday Night
Remember to set your clocks back one hour on Saturday night since Daylight Savings Time ends at 2:00 a.m. Sunday. All activities at church will be at normal times on Sunday.
Sunday Schedule
Bethlehem’s Sunday schedule is Sunday School at 9:00 a.m. and Worship at 10:15 a.m.
All Saints Sunday
THIS SUNDAY please bring photos of the saints in your lives who have passed from this life to the next. We will place our photos in the windowsills around the Sanctuary and remember that the people we love are never far from us, even when they are eternally with God. We will also honor the saints of Bethlehem United Methodist Church by reading their names, lighting a candle, and tolling a bell. This will be a special Sunday for all of us as we give thanks to God for the saints.
Music Notes
BethleHymns for this Sunday:
1. When the Saints Go Marching In
https://youtu.be/1v3xNnPQK9o?si=vCpwnPptHeWWXKM0
2. For All the Saints - Choir Introit
https://youtu.be/vjFrhXRyi9E?si=dLTPmt8qLhMW9bQy
3. Holy Forever
https://youtu.be/IkHgxKemCRk?si=8SR4eBi3D_9r0Fho
4. To Every Generation - Choir Anthem
https://viewer.jwpepper.com/smc2/?product=10009424&preview=true
(You have to click on triangle at top left of page to listen to the song)
5. Hymn of Promise
https://youtu.be/7ooL8Lw4O7g?si=2WQoJRx4XLUyIniE
6. By Faith
https://youtu.be/LcSmJdhMzSQ?si=pD2BxpZ_8lxeE8_D
Choir and Handbells Rehearsals
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
Cantata Rehearsals
All singers (young and old) are welcome to join the choir to sing for the cantata on Sunday, December 20 at 10:15 a.m. Rehearsals will be every Wednesday (except the week of Thanksgiving) at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. You can email Dann Childers (dchilders@bethlehemumc.com) or Joe Smyth (jsmyth@bethlehemumc.com) for more information.
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.
Charge Conference — November 1
This Sunday, November 1, we will meet with Rev. BJ Brack for our annual Charge Conference.
Charge Conference is the yearly business meeting of the church where we vote on our Lay Delegates to Annual Conference, our salaries for pastors, and our slate for nominations. This year we will also be hosts for six other UMCs who will be holding their Charge Conference meetings in our Sanctuary. I am so grateful that we can provide this hospitality across our connection.
Please make plans to attend Charge Conference in the Sanctuary at 1:00 p.m. after you have eaten and voted in the Youth Chili Cook-off!
Prayer Warriors Next Meeting November 3 at 3:00 p.m.
Bethlehem has a group of Prayer Warriors that meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 3:00 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, November 3 at 3:00 p.m. in Conference Room 2.
Room in the Inn — November 7
Bethlehem welcomes 10 men experiencing homelessness every Saturday night from November through March – the first night to host is November 7. A complete description of all the jobs for Room in the Inn can be found in this newsletter. 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
Rice and Bean Packing — November 8
Please join us to pack rice and beans in the gym on Sunday, November 8 immediately after the worship service.
The Bridge — Bridging Generations. Building Community
The Bridge will meet on November 8 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.
Prayer Shawl Ministry Begins November 9
The Prayer Shawl Ministry will begin on November 9 from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. in the youth room. Everyone (women and men) is invited to join this group. Prayer shawls are given to people who need to know our church loves them during a difficult time, i.e. operation, cancer, illness, etc. Bring your needles or crochet hooks, yarn and a smile on November 9. Contact Margo Woodruff for more information at 615-417-8696.
Share the Feast – Saturday November 14
It's time once again to Share the Feast! Every year, BUMC partners with Feed America First to provide Thanksgiving meals for our neighbors. There are two critical ways to be involved! The first is to sponsor a turkey at a cost of $20. Our goal is to provide 400 turkeys. Place any monetary donations in the offering plate with the designation "Turkeys." The second is to pack food boxes at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 14 in the gym. If you have questions or need more information, please contact Dave Speer at meatguy453@gmail.com
Operation Christmas Child
How can you get involved with Operation Christmas Child? Every year, boys and girls all around the world experience the love of Jesus through the simple gift of a shoebox. Shoebox gifts go to the poorest children in the world; for many this is the first gift they'll ever receive. If you would like to bring items for the boxes, small items (combs, brushes, baby dolls, cars, etc.) may be brought in between now and the packing party. No liquid, breakables, soap, or food. On Sunday, November 15, all ages are invited to the Old Sanctuary at 4:30 p.m. to help pack gift boxes; we need your hands! Contact April Jackson ajackson@bethlehemumc.com if you have any questions or need more information.
Angel Tree
The Angel Tree will be in the Gathering Space beginning Sunday, November 15. Gifts are due back to the church by Sunday, December 13. Please help make Christmas special! Since 1997, Bethlehem has provided gifts in our community through the Angel Tree ministry. Angels are from Bridges Domestic Violence Center, Burns Tabernacle Primitive Baptist Church and our Room in The Inn guests on December 19. Gift ideas are provided for each Angel and the maximum is $100.
Churchwide Thanksgiving Dinner — November 15
The annual churchwide Thanksgiving Dinner will be November 15 at 6:00 p.m. in the gym. You are invited to bring a turkey, a ham, OR two side dishes (including dressing). We also need your help to set up and clean up. Sign-up sheets are in the adult Sunday School class folders and in the Narthex. You can also sign up online at http://www.bethlehem.com/dinner Contact Dana Smyth (dsmyth@bethlehemumc.com) for more information.
November/December The Upper Room
Issues of the November/December The Upper Room (daily devotional booklet) are in the black mailbox just outside the Sanctuary doors and on the tables in the Narthex. Contact Dana Smyth (dsmyth@bethlehemumc.com) if you have questions or need more info.
Advent Preparation
Please help us prepare for Hanging of the Greens. We will meet in the Narthex at 9:00 a.m. on November 23. If you have any questions or need more information, please contact Jan Speer (call or text) 615-516-9017.
Employment Opportunity
The Bethlehem UMC SPRC is seeking a Facilities Maintenance Coordinator to work 20-30 hours per week. 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
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.
Room in the Inn — Team Meal Info
Would you like to be involved with Room in the Inn, but preparing dinner for 12 – 15 people seems like a challenge. Here’s a great way to start! Sign up for a “RITI Team Meal” on December 19. There are sheets for meals in the Gathering Space where you can sign-up to bring a main dish, a side item or dessert. You can each volunteer to show up and serve the meal. Best part is you can sit down to share the meal with our guests. As an added bonus, we will teach you how to operate the dishwasher!
Gather your friends, neighbors, a Sunday School class, a Bible study group, a book club or any group you are a part of to provide dinner for our Room in the Inn guests. Arrive by 5:30 - 5:45 p.m. on Saturday in the gym/gym kitchen to set the table, warm the meal and serve our guests.
What’s needed:
1. Servers – 2 people to serve and clean-up
2. Entrée
3. Vegetable/salad
4. Starch
5. Dessert
6. Drinks
Sign-up sheets and dates available are in the Gathering Space. If you have questions or need more info, please contact Vicki Wolczyk (vicki.wol@comcast.net or 615-397-8015).
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. To read the list of full job descriptions please click here: https://www.bethlehemumc.com/room-in-the-inn-descriptions
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
November 1 — “Fall Back” for end of Daylight Savings Time, 2:00 a.m.
November 3 — Prayer Warriors at 3:00 p.m., Conference Room 2
November 7 — Room in the Inn Begins
November 8 — Monthly Mission — Bring canned goods for Share the Feast
November 8 — Pack Rice and Beans in Gym After Worship
November 8 — The Bridge, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. in Banquet Hall
November 14 — Pack Boxes for “Share the Feast”, 8:00 a.m. in Gym
November 15 — Angel Tree in Gathering Space
November 15 — Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Packing, 4:30 p.m.
November 15 — Churchwide Thanksgiving Dinner, 6:00 p.m.
November 20 - 22 — Youth Harvest Retreat
November 23 — Decorate for Advent, 9:00 a.m. in Narthex
November 29 — Hanging of Greens