Bethlehem News - October 9, 2026
Click below to read updates from various ministries at Bethlehem United Methodist Church
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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.
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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.
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!
Upcoming Events
October the 18th is a special Sunday that involves more people from the congregation. If your child would like to participate in some way, please let April know asap.
· Marie King, Hudson and Jackson Leake are going to be Ushers (we could use one or two more).
· Scarlett Cross is acolyting (we could use one more).
· If your child would like to have a speaking role and help teach the Children's moment, please let April know so she can work with you to make that happen!
Even as the seasons change, God continues to nourish and help us grow; giving us grace with each new day. And so we sing in praise, "Great is Thy faithfulness!"
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.
As you get ready for Fall Break, make sure to invite friends to reconnect at Trunk 'R Treat on Saturday, October 24! You can host a trunk, or just come for the fun and fellowship. Food, bounces, and crafts will be in the Gym from 4:30p.m. to 6:30 p.m. At 6:30p.m. we will parade out from the Gym to the trunks. Everyone is invited to dress in costume and come for a free family evening!
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.
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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,
Fall Break is just days away! Whether your family is traveling, spending time with loved ones or enjoying a slower week at home, we hope this break brings plenty of rest, laughter and joy.
We’re also keeping in our prayers those whose travel plans have been impacted by Hurricane Isaias, as well as those in the storm’s path who are evacuating or preparing for the storm. We pray for safe travels, protection and peace for all those affected.
Youth Group will take a break for Fall Break, but we’ll be back on October 25 for our Halloween Glow Party! Start thinking now about a costume or glow-up garb that will make you the best glow peer! We’ll have a few fun awards, including Best, Brightest and Most Creative, so bring your A-game and get ready to glow!
We’re also excited to announce that Harvest, our annual fall retreat, is November 20–22 at Camp Widjiwagan in Nashville! This year, we’re teaming up with our friends at Belle Meade UMC for a joint retreat. Our theme is Slow Club, and we’ll be taking a deep dive into Sabbath. The cost is $125 per student, stay tuned for registration and more details coming next week! We’re also looking for two male adults to serve as chaperones. Dads, we’re looking at you!
Youth and families are invited to host a trunk for Trunk R Treat on October 24. The event begins at 4:30 p.m., but trunks don’t need to be ready until 6:30 p.m., so you’ll have plenty of time to arrive and get set up. If you’re interested in hosting a trunk, please email April Jackson.
We hope you all have a wonderful, restful and joy-filled Fall Break. We can’t wait to see everyone back soon!
A Prayer for Fall
O God, Creator of all seasons, we thank you for the gift of fall’s embrace. Be near as our families embark on autumn’s adventures, and as we enter new ages and stages of life.
Help us notice the beauty of change, the gift of new beginnings and the ways you are present with us in every season.
Amen. Adapted from Every Season Sacred
Peace,
Alison Bocking+
Director of Youth Ministries
Important Dates and Reminders:
Looking ahead:
· October 11 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., NO Youth Group
· October 18 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., Lunch Outing
· October 25 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., Halloween GLOW Party, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
· November 1 – Chili Cook-Off
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, 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.
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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.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.