Bethlehem News - January 31, 2025
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 a.m. for all ages.
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.
Acolytes Needed for Sunday Worship
We are looking at the calendar for the new church year. Last year, we had a nearly full calendar with at least one of our Acolytes serving every Sunday! That is amazing! Let's continue strong and fill up the month of January. Let April Jackson know when your Acolyte would like to serve!
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,
The youth will be hosting dinner for our Room in the Inn guests on Saturday, February 1. We will meet in the gym at 5:30 p.m. Please RSVP here: https://forms.gle/az4rHQnBpF71zoi19 so we can know how many hands we have to help prepare the meal and offer hospitality to our guests. Friends and parents are welcome too!
Confirmation Classes will begin on February 23. Confirmation is a time set aside to teach and nurture young people in the basics of the Christian faith and understanding of that faith as United Methodists. Confirmation at Bethlehem is geared towards middle school students, but anyone in 6th grade and up who has not been confirmed is encouraged to participate. Classes will be held on Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. with an additional weekend opportunity. Classes will be led by our staff, clergy and laypersons. All are welcome! To register click here: https://forms.gle/CobDKAGrcPbaUSVj8
We will continue our new Sunday school series Everybody Always by Bob Goff on Sunday. In this five-session Everybody, Always Study, bestselling author Bob Goff shares simple and practical steps to love everybody, always, the way Jesus did – including those who are difficult to love. As always, we’ll start with cinnamon rolls in the Banquet Hall kitchen. Youth group will meet on Sunday from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Please complete our Discovery Weekend survey. We’ve had three responses so far. Your feedback and participation is crucial to our success: https://forms.gle/oEcGPLZDpmwpj2ZH7
A Prayer for Tragedy
O God, our times are in your hand. In the midst of uncertainty lead us by your never-failing grace as we seek to be agents of healing and hope. Walk with us through difficult times; watch over us in danger; and give to us a spirit of love and compassion for those who suffer and mourn. And finally remind us that you have promised never to leave us so that even in the valley of the shadow of death your love may be felt, through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
– The Rev. Lyndon Harris
As always, feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Peace,
Alison Bocking+
Director of Youth Ministries
Looking ahead:
• February 1 – Room in the Inn Dinner, 5:00 p.m.
• February 2 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., Youth Group, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
• February 9 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., Youth Group, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
• February 16 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., Youth Group, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Super Important Links:
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 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, February 9, 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
During these cold winter months, it’s important that we remember those who are less fortunate than us and help with Room in the Inn. Bethlehem partners with Room in the Inn (RITI) to host 10 homeless men every Saturday night until the end of 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 January/February 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.