Bethlehem News - November 29, 2024
Click below to read updates from various ministries at Bethlehem United Methodist Church
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We are worshipping in person together this Sunday at 10:15 a.m. Sunday School will be at 9:00 for all ages. Remember, new worship and Sunday School schedule begins this week.
This week's worship service will be live streamed and recorded on our church website and on Facebook. 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.
The 2025 flower sign-up sheets are in the Church Office. Arrangements are $50.00 each and can be taken home after the end of the 10:15 worship service. Flowers can also be reserved using this Sign-Up Genius link (www.Bethlehemumc.com/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.
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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’s Choir to Sing in December
The Children's Choir will practice this Sunday and December 8 at 9:45 a.m. Meet in the orange room, #215 in the yellow kids' hallway (off of the Old Sanctuary). The Children's Choir will sing as part of the Music Celebration on December 15, at 10:15. Let April Jackson know if your child is interested in being a part of the choir.
Hanging of Greens Sunday
This Sunday, we will decorate the Sanctuary during our Hanging of the Greens service at 10:15. This signals the beginning of Advent, when we start preparing our hearts and our lives for the celebration of the coming of Christmas. Be sure to pick up your "Family Advent Calendar" in the Narthex. There are simple activities that you can do together around the table, or even while waiting in a drive-thru or carpool line.
New Sunday Schedule
Each Sunday in December, we will gather at 9:00 a.m. for Sunday School. We will have some simple breakfast food for your kids, as we adjust to a new schedule.
Breakfast with St. Nick – December 14
Invite friends and join in the fun of Breakfast with St. Nick on Saturday, December 14 from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. We'll have food, crafts, games, and some great picture opportunities!
Christmas Eve Planning
It's not too early to let April know if your child would like to be a reader and help tell the Christmas Story at the 4:30 Christmas Eve service. Deadline to RSVP for a reading part is December 15. On Christmas Eve, all children are invited to come to the old sanctuary at 4:00, choose a costume, and take their place on stage as the Story is told. We will sing favorite carols and end with candlelight.
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 each week.
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, every Sunday morning from 8:45 a.m. until the end of the 10:15 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 and Youth,
I’m excited to bring Discovery Weekend to Bethlehem UMC. Mark your calendars and save-the-date for January 10-12, 2025! Discovery is a powerful weekend of renewal and spiritual formation for middle school and high school students, held in the local church. That’s right, Discovery Weekend will be held at Bethlehem UMC! The model of Discovery Weekend is similar to Emmaus or other three-day weekends, but instead of being a community event, it’s for the youth and friends of our very church. The high school students are trained to serve in leadership alongside adult leaders. They are trained to share their faith, lead disciple groups, games and worship. Discovery isn’t just a weekend for youth; it’s a weekend for the entire church to support our youth.
Throughout the weekend a series of talks are presented by youth on the basics of God’s love, the joy and forgiveness of Christ and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The entire series of talks is given in a sequence that is intended to guide participants by opening an avenue of discussions to help them verbalize their faith questions in a safe environment and hopefully lead to a renewed or new relationship with Christ. Through large and small group discussions, meaningful experiences of worship and prayer, new friendships, and laughter, participants learn about the rich connection between faith and the challenges of daily life. There's also plenty of music, games, fun and great food!
Discovery Weekend is one of the most life giving weekends for young people in the local church. I hope you will consider being a part of this special experience. Registration will open on December 2. Stay tuned for more information coming in the weeks ahead.
Sunday school will meet on December 1 at 9:00 a.m. with a new Advent study, Almost Christmas. Youth group will resume on December 8 following Thanksgiving break.
St. Francis of Assisi: Make me an instrument of your peace
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
As always, feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Peace,
Alison Bocking+
Director of Youth Ministries
Upcoming Events:
Looking ahead:
• December 1 – Sunday School: 9:00 - 10:00 a.m., NO Youth Group (Thanksgiving Weekend)
• December 7 – Pick up poinsettias
• December 8 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., Youth Group: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
• December 15 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., Youth Group Progressive Dinner/Christmas Party: 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.
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 Sunday, December 8, when we will collect peanut butter and jelly. Please plan to bring your peanut butter and jelly 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.
Room in the Inn Needs YOU
It’s time to sign-up to help with Room in the Inn. Bethlehem partners with Room in the Inn (RITI) to host 10 homeless men every Saturday night from November through March. If you are interested in participating in this ministry, sign-up sheets are in the Narthex and Gathering Space or by using this Sign-Up Genius link: http://www.bethlehemumc.com/riti If you have any questions or need more info, please contact Mike Loring (mloring@live.com or 615-596-0985).
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Issues of the November/December Upper Room 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.