Bethlehem News - October 16, 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!
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.
Invite friends to 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 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. At 6:30p.m. we will parade out from the Gym to the trunks in the back parking lot. 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,
I hope everyone is having a fantastic and restful Fall Break! As we wrap up the break, we have an exciting Sunday ahead. This Sunday is Laity Sunday, a special tradition where lay members of our church lead prayers, scripture readings, litanies and share meaningful messages during worship. We’re so proud that several of our youth will be participating and helping lead our congregation. Come out and support them as they share their gifts!
Right after worship, we’ll head out to lunch together to celebrate the end of Fall Break and catch up before school starts back up. Youth group resumes Sunday, October 25, with our Halloween GLOW Party.
Harvest Fall Retreat | November 20-22
Registration is OPEN for Harvest, our annual fall retreat 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 explore the practice of Sabbath and what it means to slow down, rest and reconnect with God while building friendships and making lasting memories. The cost is $125 per student and includes transportation, lodging, meals, an event T-shirt and camp activities like the zip line and rock wall. Friends are welcome, so invite someone to join the fun! We’re also looking for two male adults to serve as chaperones. CLICK HERE to register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScSyNVoekvt2gkPA66-Jkea8ppaF53EIdAJqCWzMQuVLXYTwQ/viewform]
Chili Cook-Off | November 1
Next up is our annual Chili Cook-Off! This is an opportunity for our youth to raise funds for missions and outreach, and we need ALL hands on deck. Click here to sign up and help! https://www.signupchurch.com/s/bumc-youth-chili-cook-off-2025-efc13bea
Autumn Prayer
As summer into autumn slips,*
O give me grace today
To rise and turn as summer’s leaves
Draw life and strength from heavenly rays.(*first line from Emily Dickinson)
Peace,
Alison Bocking
Director of Youth MinistriesImportant Dates and Reminders:
Looking ahead:
· 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
· November 8 – 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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November Communion Offering
The communion offering on November 1 will be directed to Room in the Inn. From the beginning of November until the end of March, Bethlehem hosts 10 men each Saturday evening. Guests receive dinner on Saturday night, breakfast Sunday morning and a sack lunch to take with them when they leave the church on Sunday morning. Racks of clothing are set out for guests to take at no cost. Guests also have access to a washer and dryer, showers and a warm place to sleep. Money collected from the communion offering will help cover the costs of this important ministry. You may bring your offering to the altar rail during communion or donate online and designate for Room in the Inn.
Monthly Mission
The next monthly mission will be Sunday, November 8 when we will collect canned goods for “Share the Feast.” Please plan to bring your canned goods to the altar during the designated time during the worship service.
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Issues of the November/December 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 (dsmyth@bethlehemumc.com) 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.