Bethlehem News - May 23, 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.
VBS Orientation
It's almost time to trek into the great North and explore what it means to trust Jesus in a wild world! What an amazing setting to help kids discover the awesome love and power of Jesus! We're going to "pack" this week full of Bible-learning experiences, team building games, sciency fun experiences, creative play, and songs that will speak truth to us long after the week is over! Plus, we'll help kids discover how to see evidence of God in everyday life! Let's all get together and make sure that we are ready to go! Please plan to attend ONE of these fun orientation meetings:
•Wednesday, May 28 at 10 a.m. in the Old Sanctuary (your kids can come too!)
•Sunday, June 1 at 9:00 a.m. in the old Sanctuary (your kids can come too!)
Registration is CLOSING. If you need to register a child who is coming with you — do it by Sunday! This is such a fun and important theme. The prayer is that we all have an awesome time and come away closer to God and closer to one another. Wherever He Leads Us!
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 June and July. 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,
It’s almost sweet summertime! We are praying for each one of you as you wrap up this school year and look ahead to what comes next. We’re excited to share that Elizabeth McQuiston will be interning with us this summer. Elizabeth is the daughter of Jen McQuiston. She went through the youth program at Bethlehem and currently studies at Purdue University in Indiana. Welcome, Elizabeth!
We’re looking forward to kicking off our summer schedule in June with VBS, our trip to Hinton Rural Life Center and more! If you’re interested in volunteering with VBS, please reach out to Mrs. April (ajackson@bethlehemumc.com). The youth have traditionally volunteered with VBS then gone out to lunch after the close of each VBS day.
Sunday school will meet 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 off this weekend for the Memorial Day holiday and will resume on June 1.
A Prayer for Graduates
by The Rev. Timothy J.S. Seamans
God of journeys, endings, and new beginnings, through the highs and lows, the twists and turns, we have faith that your love has guided these young people from the moment they began up to graduation day. We give you thanks and praise for the goodness that shines in the relationships formed, knowledge learned, and memories made through this school. Bless the body, mind, and soul of every graduate, that they may celebrate your glory in themselves and all creation, and use their education to build your kingdom of peace. Amen.
Peace,
Alison Bocking+
Director of Youth Ministries
Looking ahead:
· • 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.
• June 15 – 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.