Bethlehem News - July 10, 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
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 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
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
Children’s Church is for children 3rd grade and younger. Help us ensure the safety of your children by registering them for Children’s Church each week using the sheet next to the Sanctuary center doors.
Worship Bags
Worship bags are on the hooks in the main hallway. They contain quiet, hands-on items like wikki sticks, coloring pages, books, and other fidgets to keep hands busy while still allowing users to listen and learn.
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,
It’s hard to believe we’re already in the second half of summer! Our week at Hinton Rural Life Center was such a gift. We returned home with tired hands, full hearts and so many wonderful memories from serving, worshipping and growing together.
A little change to Sunday’s plans. With a 70% chance of rain and thunderstorms in the forecast, we’ve decided to postpone our Lake Day to a Sunday later in August. Since we’re unable to receive a refund if weather forces us to cancel, making the decision now seemed like the wisest choice.
Instead, we’ll gather for an evening of service from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. as we prep for Kathy’s Backpacks, enjoy a taco dinner and spend time playing games together. Sunday school will continue at 9:00 a.m. as we wrap up our series on The Promised Land. As always, we’ll start in the Banquet Hall kitchen for conversation and cinnamon rolls.
A Prayer for Summer
For more light in the day, we thank you,
For gentle mornings, we thank you,
For nighttime conversations, we thank you,
For friends and family, we thank you,
For gardens and all manner of creatures, we thank you.
Help us, Creator and lover of our souls.
Help us love this earth.
Help us dwell wholeheartedly in our lives this day.
Help us pray as we walk, work, play, rest, and create.
Amen.
Peace,
Alison Bocking+
Director of Youth Ministries
Looking ahead:
· July 12 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., Youth Group, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
· July 17 – Fish Fry, 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Sign-up to volunteer: http://www.bethlehemumc.com/ffhelp
· July 19 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., Youth Group, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
· July 26 – 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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Monthly Mission
The next monthly mission will be THIS 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 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 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.