Bethlehem News - July 17, 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
Invite friends and plan to stay after church on August 9 for our Back to School Stay and Play Lunch. We will provide Waldo's chicken, salad, and rolls for lunch and we'll have relaxed activities for you to enjoy as a family, in the Banquet Hall. RSVP to April Jackson (ajackson@bethlehemumc.com) by August 2.
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 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 Fish Fry Eve! Just a reminder that tomorrow is our annual Fish Fry, and we can't wait to see everyone! Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to help. If you're serving, please arrive at your scheduled time, and if you're joining us to eat, come hungry and bring ALL your friends.
Sunday school will continue at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday as we kick off our new series, The Exile and Return. This study turns its focus to the prophetic proclamations offered to the people of Israel while they were in exile in foreign lands. These four lessons based on passages found in Hosea, Esther, Ezra and more will explore what it means to be in exile, and how our lives are changed when we follow a God that reminds us that we are not alone. As always, we’ll start in the Banquet Hall kitchen for conversation and cinnamon rolls.
Youth group will meet from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Sunday evening. Weather permitting, we’ll go to dinner and play mini-golf at Soar on Carothers Parkway. Bring $5 for dinner.
If you need to see upcoming dates or events, here's our calendar through September.
See you tomorrow for great food, fellowship, and a fun evening together!
A Prayer for Fish Fry
Lord Jesus,
You called ordinary people to become fishers of people. Help us to share Your love through our words, our actions, and the way we care for others. Give us courage to follow You and to invite others to experience Your grace.
In Your name we pray. 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.
· August 2 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., Kathy’s Backpacks 11:15 a.m. (in the gym) 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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August Communion Offering
The communion offering on August 2 will be directed to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). It is the humanitarian relief and disaster response arm of The United Methodist Church, providing aid to people in over 80 countries, including the U.S., affected by disasters, war, or conflict. Two examples of this aid are the cleaning and hygiene kits we have assembled at Bethlehem that are distributed through UMCOR wherever they are most needed. There are many other ways UMCOR supports and helps communities recover over the long-term. The August offering will go to support the important work of UMCOR. You may bring your offering to the altar rail during communion or donate online and designate for UMCOR.
Monthly Mission
The next monthly mission will be Sunday, August 9 when we will collect tuna and other canned meats. Please plan to bring your tuna and canned meats 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.