Bethlehem News - August 21, 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 give flowers for worship services, please let Dana Smyth (dsmyth@bethlehemumc.com or 615-794-6721) know the date (or dates) 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.
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
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 is settling into the rhythm of the new school year! We had so much fun at our Back-to-School Kickoff last week, so much fun, in fact, that we forgot to take a single photo!
This fall, we’re planning our Sunday nights around three areas of focus: serving others, having fun and growing in our faith. This week, we’ll focus on serving through an activity called the Undivided Table as we move toward September and Hunger Action Month. We’ll also have dinner and plenty of time for games. Please bring $5 to help offset the cost of dinner.
Sunday School continues at 9:00 a.m. as we wrap up our four-week series on the Minor Prophets with a lesson called “A Holy Kind of Stubborn.” As always, we’ll start with cinnamon rolls and conversation in the Banquet Hall kitchen to kick things off.
Our fall calendar is now available to download: (https://mcusercontent.com/616f5a0b85d4305540051b1b2/files/49640f5c-b737-31ae-d44b-9329241d7d80/Fall2026Calendar.pdf). We encourage you to print a copy and put it on your refrigerator or bulletin board so you can keep up with everything happening this semester. We will have copies available for our youth on Sunday night.
If you have a sixth grader and haven’t completed our Youth Ministry Registration Form, please take a few minutes to complete it. Youth Ministry Registration Form: (https://form.jotform.com/abocks/youth-ministry-registration--medica). 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.
We can’t wait to see everyone Sunday!
UMYF Benediction
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. Amen.
(Numbers 6:24–26)
Peace,
Alison Bocking+
Director of Youth Ministries
Looking ahead:
· 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
· September 13 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., Youth Group, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
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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September Communion Offering
The communion offering on September 6 will be directed to Miriam's Promise, which is supported by the United Methodist Church. This organization is a Nashville-based nonprofit that walks alongside expectant parents facing unplanned pregnancy, offering compassionate counseling, practical support, and ethical adoption services. For more than 40 years, Miriam's Promise has helped families navigate difficult decisions with dignity, ensuring that every child and every parent is treated with care and respect. Through education, counseling, and lifelong support for birth and adoptive families, Miriam's Promise works to create stable, loving futures for children and families in our community. You may bring your offering to the altar rail during communion or donate online and designate for Miriam’s Promise. Learn more, volunteer, or support this work at miriamspromise.org
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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Issues of the September/October 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.