Bethlehem News - May 16, 2025
Click below to read updates from various ministries at Bethlehem United Methodist Church
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We are worshipping together this Sunday at 10:15 a.m. – in the Sanctuary. 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.
Vacation Bible School (VBS)
It's May - and that means the end of school and the beginning of summer vacation! Don't wait to sign up for Vacation Bible School! Our Preschool Crew is full, but we are still accepting registrations for PreK - finishing 5th grade. Registration will close by the end of May, or earlier as Crews fill up.
TRUE NORTH VBS 2025 June 9 - 13 from 9 to noon each day! Get ready for the ultimate Alaskan adventure where northern lights glow over majestic mountains, racing rivers, and glistening glaciers. As kids trek the tundra, they’ll explore how easy it is to lose sight of what’s true in our wild world today. Pointing them toward Jesus, True North VBS shows them that Jesus is a faithful friend that we can always trust. He’s our True North!
Register your kids today or sign up to volunteer as a leader or helper. Free to kids ages 4 by 8/1/25 (and potty-trained) thru completing 5th grade. Registration will be limited to ensure the safety of all: https://vbspro.events/p/lights
We will have an Orientation for all youth and adult volunteers soon.
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 months of May and June. 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,
We hope everyone is surviving the last few weeks of school. It’s a big week at Bethlehem UMC! We will honor our 2025 Graduates on Sunday morning and welcome our Confirmands into membership of the church. We hope you can join us at 10:15 a.m. to witness this special Sunday. We will have a light reception in the Gathering Space after the conclusion of the service to celebrate.
Sunday school and Confirmation wrap-up on Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. As always, we’ll start off with cinnamon rolls and conversation in the Banquet Hall kitchen.
Youth group is back! We’re wrapping up our spring semester with bowling on Sunday night. We will meet at the church at 5:00 p.m and travel to Franklin Family Entertainment Center. The church will cover the cost of bowling and shoes, youth will need to bring money for snacks/supper at the bowling alley. RSVP here to bowl: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfGBkk7Vz-MoHEj1rea3bUB9SArUhaTC1MGh_iawTwefXRF-A/viewform
A Prayer for the Last Weeks of School
Our Father, our God of peace and power,
Give us strength for the ending of this school year.
You have led us, guided us, and cared for us.
You have been our source of joy, love, and wisdom.
You have loved us with a love beyond comprehension.
Thank You for what You have done, thank You for what You are doing, and thank You for what You will do.
Amen..
Peace,
Alison Bocking+
Director of Youth Ministries
Looking ahead:
· • May 18 – Sunday School & Confirmation: 9:00 a.m., Confirmation and 2025 Graduate Sunday, 10:15 a.m., Youth Group, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
• May 25 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., No Youth Group (Memorial Day Weekend)
• June 1 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., Youth Group, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
• June 8 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., Youth Group, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
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, June 8, 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.
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Issues of the May/June 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.