Bethlehem News - August 14, 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
Updated Date: Parents' Night Out will be Saturday, August 22, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Bethlehem children ages 6 weeks through 5th grade are invited to this free event. Please RSVP to ajackson@bethlehemumc.com ASAP - We want to have staffing in place for a fun and safe evening!
Would you like to share life, grow in faith, and get to know other young Bethlehem families better? Mark your calendar for August 30 and plan to bring the whole family for dinner at 5:00 p.m.; faith and community formation from 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Nursery and children's classes will be provided from 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Watch for more details soon. Let me know if you're interested in learning more!
Third Graders Receive Bibles
Third Grader will receive a Bible during the worship service on September 13. Please let April Jackson (ajackson@bethlehemumc.com) know how you want your third grader’s name listed in the Bible by September 4.
Acolyte Training
There will be an acolyte training after worship in the Sanctuary on September 13. Contact April Jackson for more info.
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,
We hope everyone has had a smooth start to the school week! We are so excited to kick off our fall youth group schedule this Sunday and with this heat wave, the timing couldn’t be better for a water slide, games and food!
For Sunday night, youth should wear a swimsuit and bring a towel. Water shoes are optional but encouraged. And as we begin the fall, please remember to bring $5 each Sunday night to help offset the cost of dinner. Youth group meets from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
We’re also especially excited to welcome our new sixth graders to youth group! We can’t wait to have you officially join us and be part of all that’s ahead this year.
Sunday School meets each week at 9:00 a.m. We meet in the Youth Hall classrooms, located just outside the Banquet Hall on the lower level. We always begin our morning with conversation and cinnamon rolls in the Banquet Hall kitchen before heading into our lesson. Right now, we’re making our way through the Old Testament and learning about the Minor Prophets.
If you have a sixth grader, please take a few minutes to complete our Youth Ministry Registration Form. Having an up-to-date registration on file helps us care for your student, communicate with your family, and have the necessary medical and emergency contact information for all of our activities throughout the year. If you haven’t completed it yet, you can do so here: Youth Ministry Registration & Medical Release Form 2026-2027
We’re looking forward to a great fall together and can’t wait to see everyone Sunday!
A Prayer for August
Heavenly Father, as we move through the month of August, we come to You with full hearts. Thank You for Your grace, your care, and for bringing us safely through this year so far. Amen.
Peace,
Alison Bocking+
Director of Youth Ministries
Looking ahead:
· August 16 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., Back to School Kick-Off, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
· August 23 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., Youth Group, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
· August 30 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., Youth Group, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
· September 6 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., No Youth Group
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 Sunday, September 13 when we will collect beans and rice. Please plan to bring your beans and rice to the altar during the designated time during the worship service.
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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.comor 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.