Bethlehem News - February 16, 2024
Click below to read updates from various ministries at Bethlehem United Methodist Church
-
We are worshipping in person together this Sunday at 8:15 and 10:45 a.m.
This week's worship services will be live streamed and recorded on our church website and on Facebook. Currently the worship bulletin is available on the website then by clicking on News tab, then Bulletin and Announcements tab.
The 2024 flower sign-up sheets are in the Church Office. Arrangements are $50.00 each and can be taken home after the end of the 10:45 worship service. Flowers can also be reserved using this Sign-Up Genius link (https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080A4CA4A72CA3FB6-45723586-flowers#/) and select the Sunday/Sundays you want or you may contact Dana Smyth 615-794-6721.
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:
Parent’s Night Out
Parents' Night Out (PNO) – PJs, Pancakes, Painting, Games, & a Movie!!! - March 1 from 5:30 - 8:30 for all Bethlehem kids. Please be sure to RSVP by February 25. Kids will learn how to make their own pancakes, play games, paint, and watch a movie. Kids are invited to wear their pjs and bring a game from home that they'd like to play with BUMC friends. Please contact April (ajackson@bethlehemumc.com) to reserve your spot for this fun evening.
Vacation Bible School
This summer, we're diving deep below the surface to build a strong faith! VBS Kids' Camp is June 10 - 14 from 9:00 a.m. – noon. Join us for an amazing undersea adventure where we’ll experience the ever-flowing, never-ending love of God. At Scuba VBS, kids will be immersed in the Word as they make new friends, sing & dance, play games, explore, and play! For more info or if you have questions, please contact April Jackson (ajackson@bethlehemumc.com).
Children’s Church
Please make sure that you use the Sign Up sheets in the Narthex to register your children. If possible, please sign them in before the service begins. Children's church is offered during each service.
Worship Bags
Worship bags are on the hooks in the hallway across from Pastor Craig’s office. Keep us in mind if you get tired of your Rubik's cubes or other quiet gadgets and want to donate new or lightly used items.
Nursery Available
Nursery is available for children 3 and under, on Sunday mornings from 8:10 a.m. through the end of the 10:45 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 and Youth,
This weekly email is arriving a few days late because I moved to Franklin this week! I’m looking forward to being more involved in the community and having more time to support our young people in their talents like showing up for a school play, soccer game, coffee meet, etc. In the meantime, I’ll be swimming in a sea of cardboard boxes and running on Diet Coke. Grateful!
On Saturday, February 24, we have a wonderful opportunity to serve our community. We will host a Sweet Potato Drop with Society of St. Andrew in partnership with Belle Meade UMC. The Society of St. Andrew brings people together to harvest and share healthy food, reduce food waste and build caring communities by offering nourishment to hungry neighbors. We will sort nearly 15,000 lbs. of sweet potatoes that will be sent out to community agencies for distribution. All youth, parents, siblings of all ages, friends are invited to attend. We need 25 volunteers from Bethlehem UMC of all ages to show up and sort from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. Please click this link to register:
https://www.mobilize.us/endhunger/event/605615/
A big thank you to everyone who pitched in to help make our Souper Bowl Cook-Off a success! We raised $1,117 for youth missions and outreach. Congratulations to Scott Dannemiller on taking first place! Sunday school (9:30 – 10:30 a.m.) and youth group (5:00 – 7:00 p.m.) return this Sunday, February 18. We need parent volunteers to sign up to bring a meal: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4FA4A728A1F4C61-47643726-youth#/
As we begin this season of Lent, I leave you with a few words from one of my favorite authors, Diane Butler Bass. “Lent is a bridge, a season of practice. Give, pray, fast. Sing, forgive, do justice. Love your enemies, turn the other cheek, keep Sabbath. Offer hospitality, serve the poor, care for the planet. The more we practice our faith, the more we become the person God created us to be – generous, wise, grounded in what is good and beautiful and just. A meaningful life for the sake of the world. Faith deepens. We understand more. We become givers, prayers, those content with simplicity, makers of music, merciful, agents of justice, able to embrace of all people, rested, hospitable, servants, and, stewards of this good earth, our beautiful home.”
As always, feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Peace,
Alison Bocking+
Director of Youth Ministries
This Month and Next:
• February 18 – Sunday School 9:30 - 10:30 a.m., Youth Group 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
• February 24 – 9:00 -11:00 a.m., Sweet Potato Drop at Belle Meade UMC
• February 25 - Sunday School 9:30 - 10:30 a.m., Youth Group 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
• March 3 - Sunday School 9:30 - 10:30 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
GroupMe
Click here to join the Youth Parent's group chat on the GroupMe app.
-
Monthly Mission
The next monthly mission will be March 10 when we will collect beans and rice. Please plan to bring your beans and rice to the altar during the singing of the first hymn/song to share with those less fortunate. All items collected will be given to Feed America First.
Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels has experienced an increased demand for persons needing meals. If you can spare a couple of hours once a month to help deliver meals, please contact Brenda Wilhoite (615-473-5217) for more info.
-
Issues of the March/April Upper Room are now available in the Narthex and the black mailbox just outside the Sanctuary doors. 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 email Pastor Craig Goff or Pat Smith or call them at 615-794-6721.
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.