Sunday Schedule
Bethlehem’s Sunday schedule is Sunday School at 9:00 a.m. and Worship at 10:15 a.m.
Membership Audit Update
Bethlehem UMC Family and Friends,
We are six months into our membership audit and we need your help! Those attending Charge Conference on November 1 reviewed a list of 478 names of church members who have received a membership audit letter and have not responded.
Please visit (bethlehemumc.com/membershipaudit) to review the list of members who have not responded to the audit letter. If you are currently in contact with anyone on the list, please ask them to visit (bethlehemumc.com/membership) and fill out the audit form. If you have updated contact information for anyone on the list, please contact Dana Smyth (dsmyth@bethlehemumc.com) with that information.
Thank you for your help with this project!
Mary Beth
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
Music Notes
BethleHymns for this Sunday:
1. I Know A Name
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mummYhMYkGo&list=RDmummYhMYkGo&start_radio=1
2. Take My Life, and Let It Be
https://youtu.be/13Y3z8sQyN8?si=c-KiY4p0JygXlz2V
3. Build My Life
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZW4_8_zCBE&list=RDQZW4_8_zCBE&start_radio=1
4. Here I Am, Lord
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAwZ39mMoBk&list=RDVAwZ39mMoBk&start_radio=1
5. I Trust In God
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTcQGzpN3PA&list=RDsTcQGzpN3PA&start_radio=1
Rice and Bean Packing — November 8
Please join us to pack rice and beans in the gym Sunday, November 8 immediately after the worship service. Feed America First will take the packaged items to distribute to those experiencing food insecurity. If you have any questions or need more information, please contact Alison Bocking (abocking@bethlehemumc.com).
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. What is the Prayer Shawl Ministry? Shawls are knitted or crocheted for people in need of God’s love and to know that others care about them. Everyone (women and men) is invited to join this group. Bring your needles or crochet hooks, yarn and a smile on November 9. Contact Margo Woodruff for more information at 615-417-8696.
2027 Pledge Info
You may make a 2027 pledge to Bethlehem United Methodist Church using this link: http://bethlehemumc.com/pledge or clicking this QR Code:
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.
Prayer Warriors Next Meeting November 17 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 17 at 3:00 p.m. in Conference Room 2.
Year to date financials for October 31, 2026 are:
Contributions and Other Income: $659,073.65
Expenses: $767,767.04
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.
Hanging of Greens Help Needed
Sunday, November 29 is the first day of Advent. Bethlehem has a tradition of carrying in and hanging wreaths during the worship service. We need fourteen people to carry a wreath in at the beginning of the service, and also need fourteen (taller) people to hang them in the Sanctuary windows. Please contact Jan Speer at 615-516-9017 or janicespeer13@gmail.com if you would like to be part of the tradition.
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 5 and 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 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 — The Angel Tree in the 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, offsite
November 23 — Decorate for Advent, 9:00 a.m. in Narthex
November 29 — Hanging of Greens, 10:15 a.m. worship
November 29 — The Bridge, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. in Banquet Hall
December 12 — Breakfast with St. Nick, 9:30 a.m. in Banquet Hall
December 20 — Christmas Cantata, 10:15 a.m. worship