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 Needs You
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 at this link:
https://www.bethlehemumc.com/room-in-the-inn-descriptions 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
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
Music Notes
BethleHymns for this Sunday:
1. God So Loved
https://youtu.be/iq5URsXbKXs?si=k6sTLdGhlCE_xFsq
2. Jesus, United by Thy Grace
https://youtu.be/3CGA8TIY3sI?si=yVAzcI6PY_EVyZ7T
3. We Worship You With Our Offerings
https://youtu.be/bQenfUmL7AY?si=1gZZ5qo28Qt7GU2v
4. Goodness of God
https://youtu.be/dV0_ug6_rYQ?si=Ca-m3lsiLsMruY3d
5. Choir Anthem: God Bless Our Homes
https://youtu.be/mnWaSgCeiuA?si=tkwG0ru2DTdNvp5k
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 suggested amount to spend is $100 - $125.
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.
Churchwide Thanksgiving Dinner — November 15
The annual churchwide Thanksgiving Dinner will be November 15 at 6:00 p.m. in the gym. Everyone is invited to come share the food and fellowship. 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.
2027 Pledge Info
Merriam-Webster defines stewardship as “the careful management of something entrusted to one’s care.”
As Christians, we believe that God has entrusted to our care so much more than we deserve, including our families and friends, our planet, our neighborhoods, and our communities of faith. Part of living within a faith community is being responsible for stewarding that community.
In the United Methodist Church, we covenant with each other and with God to care for our faith community by our
· prayers (praying for one another and for God’s Holy Spirit to guide our work in the world),
· presence (showing up for each other in worship, in small groups, and in particular times of need),
· gifts (our financial resources, our time, and our talents),
· service (our hands and feet as we share God’s love with those in need), and
· witness (the way we shine the light of Christ in our corner of the world).
Over the next few weeks our worship will focus on the ways that we have cared for the ministries of the church in the last year, and we will reflect on the ways that God is calling us to care for them in the coming year. We will pay particular attention to our life together in terms of the four ministry areas of Receive (Worship), Grow (Discipleship), Connect (Fellowship), and Reach (Missions).
There are cards that have been mailed, but are also in the pews, to help you consider how you will participate in the ministries of the church in the coming year. You are invited to make this card part of your prayer life over the next few weeks, asking God to reveal how he is calling you to participate financially, as well as through the Receive, Grow, Connect, and Reach ministries of the church. If you prefer to make a pledge online, you may visit: http://www.bethlehemumc.com/pledge or scan the QR Code below.
On November 22, 2026 during our worship service we will consecrate these cards to the glory of God, trusting that God will use all of our commitments for the good of God’s Kingdom during 2027.
We are grateful for your continued love of God and God’s Kingdom through the ministries of Bethlehem United Methodist Church.
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.
The Bridge — Bridging Generations. Building Community
The Bridge will meet on November 29 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.
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.
Coffee, Tea & Thou Advent Group Starts November 22
Advent is a perfect season to prepare your spirit for Christmas. Margo Woodruff invites men and women who are available on Tuesday mornings to gather with her at Bethlehem for Coffee, Tea, and conversation at 10 a.m. in Conference Room 2 from November 24 through December 22.
We will begin by lighting Advent candles and discussing a devotional thought from the November/December The Upper Room Devotional Guide. Conversation and fellowship is sure to flow from there. This is a new small group experience that “will be what it will be.” We think it will be a great daytime opportunity to renew friendships and meet new friends.
The Upper Room Devotional Guides are available at the church or you can subscribe to the daily devotional at https://www.upperroom.org/devotionals
No pre-registration is needed. Just show up. You will be glad you did.
Lunchtime Faith – Advent Devotion Group
Busy schedule? Take a 30-minute break to reflect, connect, and prepare for Christmas! Bring your lunch and join us for Lunchtime Faith, a new small group reflection leading us toward Christmas. We'll be exploring the main themes of Advent – Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love – through the book Advent in Four Words, featuring reflections from four United Methodist bishops. Each daily devotion is 1 - 2 pages long and includes a Bible verse, a short reflection, a question to consider, and a prayer. On Tuesdays, we'll open the meeting with an Advent candle lighting and a short prayer before we reflect on that week's devotions.
The small group will meet for five weeks from 12:15 - 12:45, starting on Tuesday, November 24 in Conference Room 2. Books will be available, though everyone is welcome to purchase their own and save the expense for the church. Please pre-register here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf_oj5t9heW-ckcmdVOiUGF3lul3u-SL9OCMY_f09aGF4ovtw/viewform?usp=publish-editor so we can plan for attendance and materials or use the QR Code.
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.
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.
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.
Flower Info for 2027 Worship Services
Sign up sheets for 2027 flowers are in the Narthex. If you have question or need more information, please contact Dana Smyth (dsmyth@bethlehemumc.com) Arrangements are $60.00 each and can be taken home after the end of the worship service.
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 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 24 — Advent Devotional — Coffee, Tea & Thou, 10:00 a.m.
November 24 — Advent Devotional — Lunchtime Faith, 12:15 p.m.
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