Bethlehem News - October 2, 2026
Click below to read updates from various ministries at Bethlehem United Methodist Church
-
Worship News
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.
-
Please contact April Jackson, Director of Children's Ministries (ajackson@bethlehemumc.com) for more info on any of these children's activities.
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!
Trunk ‘R Treat – October 24
This is a great time to welcome people who may otherwise be hesitant to come to church. Your hospitality is a way for them to see God's grace at work.
Please consider hosting a trunk! Use your creativity to add some fun to the back of your vehicle. You could even dress up and bring treats or candy that go along with your theme. Sound like too much work? We'd love for you to come in comfy clothes and just be part of the evening!
From 4:24-6:24, everyone is welcome to join us inside the Gym for a free pizza/snack dinner, 3 bounce houses and carnival style games, and crafts.
At 6:30 - We'll parade outside to the back parking lot for Trunk 'R Treating!
Operation Christmas Child Boxes
We will be packing Operation Christmas Child gift boxes on November 15 at 4:30 p.m. in the Old Sanctuary. These gifts go to children all over the world! It is a special way of teaching our children to think of others, to help those who may not have enough, and to be generous. Thank you to Georgeann McCoy for turning yarn into 295 beautiful, hand-made frisbees. Thank you Marlaine Claxton for getting donations of sunglasses and cooling towels! Bethlehem children have been packing school kits. Adults, children, and youth have been working together to make t-shirt jump ropes. Please consider how you might like to contribute to this ministry.
Bible Verse Treasure Boxes
Bible Verse Treasure Boxes are available, if your child is interested in memorizing Bible verses. Kids can decorate their treasure box and choose which verses to memorize. We will offer these during Sunday School and also during The Bridge on Sunday evenings. If your child would like a set, but doesn't attend during those times, let April Jackson (ajackson@bethlehemumc.com) know. We will start out with 10 cards and add on from there. Our goal is not for kids to memorize words, but to remember what God's word says to them.
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.
-
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,
Well, Tennessee does what Tennessee does best! We went from a heat dome to fall practically overnight. And gosh, these temps feel dreamy!
Sunday school continues this week as we resume our lesson, “The Mountain of God.” Through Isaiah 2:2, we’ll explore the prophet’s vision of God’s holy mountain and what it teaches us about hope, peace and drawing closer to God. As always, we’ll kick things off with cinnamon rolls and conversation.
This Sunday evening is a SERVE Night! We’ll pack college care packages for our Bethlehem college students. It’s a simple way to remind our young adults that their church family is thinking about them and cheering them on from home.
We’ll mix in plenty of games, and The Bridge is providing dinner, so no need to bring $5 this week. Friends are always welcome, so bring someone along for the fun!
See you Sunday, and enjoy these dreamy temperatures while they last!
A Prayer from Mini Revolutions
Dear God,
Who laughs when we laugh and cries when we cry,
Thank you for walking through life alongside us.
Teach us to empathize with those around us
so that we might love them better each day.
Amen. -A Prayer from Illustrated Ministry
Peace,
Alison Bocking+
Director of Youth Ministries
Important Dates and Reminders:
Looking ahead:
· September 27 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., Youth Group, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
· October 4 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., Youth Group, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
· October 11 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., NO Youth Group
October 18 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., Lunch Outing
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.
-
October Communion Offering
The communion offering for October 4, will be directed to “Share the Feast.” In November, Bethlehem hosts "Share the Feast," where thousands of canned goods collected by local schools are sorted and placed in more than 600 boxes and distributed to families in need through Feed America First. Bethlehem also provides the funds to purchase turkeys to go with the food boxes. Money collected from the communion offering will go toward buying the turkeys. You may bring your offering to the altar rail during communion or donate online and designate for “Share the Feast.”
Monthly Mission
The next monthly mission will be Sunday, October 11 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.
-
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.