Bethlehem News - July 3, 2026
Click below to read updates from various ministries at Bethlehem United Methodist Church
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We are worshipping together this Sunday at 10:15 a.m. in the Sanctuary Sunday School classes will meet at 9:00 a.m.
Flower Info for 2026 Worship Services – If you would like to have flowers for worship services, please let Dana Smyth (615-794-6721 or dsmyth@bethlehemumc.com) know the date/dates that you would like or use this Sign-Up Genius link (www.Bethlehemumc.com/flowers) and select the Sunday/Sundays you want. Arrangements are $60.00 each and can be taken home following the 10:15 worship service.
This week's worship service will be live streamed and recorded on our church website and on Facebook and YouTube. Currently the worship bulletin is available on the website by clicking on the All Media tab, then the Media tab and then the Bulletin and Announcements tab.
If you get the following error message on the All Media tab
“403. That’s an error.
We're sorry, but you do not have access to this page. That’s all we know.”
Please scroll down the page to the website info that is actually there for you to see.
You may give online by going to the church website. If you have any questions about this process, please contact Ron Whitler.
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Please contact April Jackson, Director of Children's Ministries (ajackson@bethlehemumc.com) for more info on any of these children's activities.
Children and Family Updates
While we know that several of you are traveling this weekend, we WILL meet for Sunday School at 9:00 a.m. We're excited to be learning about Esther this week!
Please take this opportunity to go through your toys and stuffed animals. We need your donations to make the Fishing Booth at Fish Fry a fun and interesting activity. It's always a favorite, but part of that is you never know what you'll catch! Items can be used, as long as they are clean.
Can you help in the Family Fun Zone? You can volunteer while your kids play and craft! Here's where we have openings (You are welcome to split an hour with a friend or family member):
· Craft and Create Tent 5-6, 6-7, and 7-8
· Giant Slide 5-6 and 6-7
· PreK Ark Bounce 5-6, 6-7, and 7-8
· Game Tables 5-6, 6-7, and 7-8
· Sno Cone 7-8
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Mark your calendars and plan to stay after church on August 9 for our Back to School Stay and Play. We will provide Waldo's chicken, salad, and rolls for lunch and have relaxed activities for you to enjoy as a family. Watch for an RSVP as we get closer to time.
Other dates to add to your calendar: Parents' Night Out is planned for Friday, August 21.
All 3rd Graders are invited to receive Bibles and learn how to be an Acolyte on Sunday, September 13.
Praying that God's rest and freedom refresh you this week,
Happy Birthday Gift
May this week find you with warm hearts! If your child has an upcoming birthday, please remind them that April has a little Birthday gift for them that they can get when they come to Sunday School or Church! Birthday gifts have been kid suggested and kid approved. I'm so excited to help your child celebrate their special day in 2026 with a "Happy, Happy day" gift!
Children’s Church
Please make sure that you use the Sign Up sheets in the Narthex to register your children. If possible, please sign them in before the service begins. Children's church is offered each week.
Worship Bags
Worship bags are on the hooks in the hallway across from Pastor Mary Beth’s office. You are always welcome to donate new or gently used quiet gadgets.
Nursery Available
Nursery is available for children 3 and under, every Sunday morning from 8:45 a.m. until the end of the 10:15 a.m. worship service.
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Please contact Alison Bocking (abocking@bethlehemumc.com) for more info on any of these youth activities:
Friends and guests between 6th and 12th grade are always welcome at all of our youth events!
Dear Parents,
Our youth did such a wonderful job serving at VBS last week! We thoroughly enjoyed our post-VBS lunch adventures to Waldo’s Chicken and In-N-Out Burger. Next up is our trip to North Carolina to serve with Hinton Rural Life Center. Our team will leave on Sunday morning, and we invite you to join us at 8:30 a.m. for our prayer circle and send off. We would love our church family to surround these young people and adult leaders with prayer as they begin a week of serving, growing and learning together.
Please keep the following team members in your prayers: Alison Bocking, Emily Castaño, Oliver Castaño, Cora Ells, Evie Ells, Stacey Ells, Ari Horne, Tessa Horne, Violet Horne, Ashleigh Porter, Cole Taylor, Lila Taylor, Wyatt Taylor and Corkey Wolczyk.
Sunday school will resume on Sunday, June 28 at 9:00 a.m. as we continue our series on The Promised Land. As always, we’ll start in the Banquet Hall kitchen for conversation and cinnamon rolls. Youth group continues too on Sunday night from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
A Prayer for our Mission Team
Gracious and Holy God, we lift up our mission team as they prepare to go into the world to share Your love. Bless them with safety, health, and a spirit of unity. As they work, give them humble hearts to serve, and open eyes to see Your presence in everyone they meet. Send them forth as messengers of peace, and anchor them in Your grace. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
-adapted from Discipleship Ministries
Peace,
Alison Bocking+
Director of Youth Ministries
Looking ahead:
·· June 21 – Depart for Hinton Rural Life Center, 8:00 a.m.
· June 28 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., Youth Group, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
· July 5 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., No Youth Group
· July 12 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., Youth Group, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
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Super Important Links:
Youth Calendar
Click here to view and subscribe to our new and improved Google Youth Calendar!
iPhone Users: Click here to subscribe to our Youth Calendar
Click here to join the Youth Parent's group chat on GroupMe
Click here to pick a Calendly date
Do you have a soccer game, orchestra performance, community play you'd like Alison to attend? Or maybe a family game night? Dinner outing? Parent chat over coffee? Please sign up for a date and time. If the time exceeds one hour, please select an additional block of time.
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July Communion Offering
It’s almost backpack time at Bethlehem! For more than 30 years, Bethlehem members have given backpacks and school supplies to every school in Williamson County. This project was named after church member Kathy Harris shortly before her death. Kathy was passionate about the backpack ministry and designated funds from her estate to the ministry. On Thursday, July 30 at 1:00 p.m., we will gather in the gym to unpack, sort and set out the supplies. On Sunday, August 2 immediately following worship, we will gather in the gym to fill the backpacks with supplies. The backpacks will then be personally delivered to schools throughout the county. Besides sorting, packing and delivering backpacks, you can also support Kathy’s Backpacks by contributing financially to cover the cost of the backpacks and supplies —it costs about $30.00 to fill one backpack. July’s communion offering will be designated to Kathy’s Backpacks. You may bring your offering to the altar rail during communion or donate online and designate for Kathy’s Backpacks. We hope you will support this important ministry as we help students have a great start to the school year.
Monthly Mission
The next monthly mission will be Sunday, July 12 when we will collect pasta and pasta sauce. Please plan to bring your pasta and pasta sauce to the altar during the designated time during the worship service.
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Issues of the July/August Upper Room are in the black mailbox just outside the Sanctuary doors and on the tables in the Narthex. Contact Dana Smyth if you have questions or need more info.
If you’re moving through a particularly difficult place in life perhaps a Stephen Minister could help. We currently have Stephen Ministers available to help you through a difficult journey. Please contact Pat Smith (psmith@bethlehemumc.com or 615-794-6721) for more info.
If you have surgery planned or are ever in the hospital unexpectedly, please let the church know. You can email Dana Smyth or call the church office (615-794-6721). She will forward the information to the staff..