Bethlehem News - June 20, 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 Thanks
We had a week full of fun, faith, friendship & exciting experiences at True North VBS. We ended up with 21 youth helpers, 22 adult helpers & 67 campers. With the help of Dana Smyth, Robin Folks & Vicki Wolczyk our offering of over $1300 was used to purchase & have the kids put together 20 cleaning kits that will go to families who have been affected by disasters. We learned that we can trust Jesus when we have questions and wonders, when we feel alone, when we feel powerless, when we need hope & when we need help. Jesus may not change the wild world around us, but He walks with us through the highs of the mountains and the lows of the valleys. When we’re walking with Jesus, we can always trust that we are on the right path. Thank you for your donations of money, decorations, time, and for your prayers!
Summer Opportunities
We're off to a great start and there's a lot more to look forward to this summer! You won't want to miss:
• Pastor Mary Beth's first service on July 13
• FISH FRY - July 18
• Summer Concert Series July 20, 27, August 3 & 10
• Backpack packing July 27 after the10:15 Service
• Blessing of your children's backpacks on August 3 at 10:15 Service
• Parent's Night Out on August 22
Please consider helping make the Free Family Fun Zone at Fish Fry (July 18) possible by volunteering! Let April know if you would like to help with:
• Sno Cones (2 each hour)
• Craft Tent
• Game Tables
• Giant Slide Bounce
• The Fishing Booth (2 each hour)
• PreK Noah's Ark Bounce
We will continue to have Nursery, Sunday School, and Children's Church during the summer.
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 GO time! Our mission team is in the final countdown to our departure date. Today, we spent some time with Papa Cork (aka Corkey Wolczyk) learning about tools and safety measures. Next task is packing our bags!
We invite you to join us to send the team off with prayer on Sunday morning. Please gather outside the gym doors at 8:45 am to circle up and pray. Our team: Alison Bocking, Emily Castano, Oliver Castano, Evie Ells, Stacey Ells, Sean Foster, Violet Horne, Bethany Louder, Stephanie Louder, Elizabeth McQuiston, Sophie Powell, Cole Taylor, Lila Taylor, Wyatt Taylor and Corky Wolczyk.
Mission Team Prayer
Gracious God, we come before You with hearts full of gratitude and humility as we embark on this mission trip. We ask for Your divine guidance and protection over every step we take. May Your presence be felt in every interaction and every act of service.
Lord, grant us the strength and courage to face any challenges that come our way. Help us to be instruments of Your love and peace, spreading Your word and compassion to those we meet. Open our hearts and minds to the needs of others, and let us serve with humility and grace.
We pray for the communities we will visit, that they may be receptive to Your message and feel Your love through our actions. Bless our team with unity and a spirit of cooperation, so that we may work together harmoniously for Your glory. Amen.
Peace,
Alison Bocking+
Director of Youth Ministries
Looking ahead:
• June 22 – Depart for Hinton Rural Life Center 9:00 a.m. (NO Sunday School or Youth Group)
• June 29 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., Youth Group, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
• July 6 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., Youth Group, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
• July 13 – 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, July 13, when we will collect pasta and pasta sauce. Please plan to bring your pasta and pasta sauce 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.
Communion Offering – July 6
The Communion offering on Sunday, July 6 will be directed to Kathy’s Backpacks.
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Issues of the July/August 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.comor 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). Shewill forward the information to the staff.