Bethlehem News - July 11, 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.
Acolytes and Liturgists Needed
Would your Acolyte like to serve as a Liturgist and read the scripture passage on one of the Sundays in August?
Also, please look at your calendars and see what Sundays in July and August your Acolyte can serve by reminding us of the Light of Christ in our presence.
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 the 10:15 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.
Stay and Play – August 3
Plan to stay after worship on August 3 for lunch, build a bear and legos. We’ll build, create and have fun together. Please RSVP by July 30 to April Jackson (ajackson@bethlehemumc.com) or contact April for more info.
Parents Night Out – August 22
Parent’s Night Out on August 22 from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. Kids will enjoy pizza, games and fun together in the gym. Please RSVP to April Jackson by August 11.
Acolytes Needed for Sunday Worship
We are looking at the calendar for the 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 July and August. 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 Mary Beth’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 hard to believe, but we’re down to just three more weeks of summer! Whether your family is squeezing in one last trip or settling back into a routine, we’re thankful for every moment we’ve had together this season. From meaningful conversations to our Hinton mission trip, it’s been a summer full of service, connection, and fun — and it’s not over yet!
We will continue with our regular schedule this week with Sunday school at 9:00 a.m. Sunday school will continue this week as we discover truths about the Bible and the story of God. We will kick off our class time with cinnamon rolls and Bible Trivia.
Youth group will meet at 5:00 p.m. for board game night. We will also help bundle pencils for Kathy’s Backpacks. We will have hot dogs and nachos for dinner. Please bring $5 to cover dinner.
We are collecting t-shirts for Ms. Cheap’s T-Shirt Drive for Room in the Inn. Here is what is wanted: clean men’s and women’s t-shirts. The shirts can be from schools, vacation destinations, charity events, brands, concerts, races etc. Please make sure they are clean with no holes or stains. Drop them off in the Youth Hall during Sunday school or youth group by Wednesday, July 16.
Fish Fry is just a week away! Don’t forget to sign-up for a volunteer shift. Click here to sign-up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080A4CA4A72CA3FB6-57105436-fish#/
Loving God,
In the face of these floods that have swept through our lands, we turn to you, seeking comfort and strength. Our hearts are heavy with the losses endured by the Texas communities — homes, sacred places, possessions, and the sense of security that comes with them. Yet, we stand firm in our faith, knowing that best of all, you are with us in every trial and tribulation.
We pray for those whose lives have been upended by the rising waters. Shelter them with your grace, provide for their needs, and surround them with your loving presence. Grant them courage and resilience as they navigate this difficult journey of grief, loss and recovery.
Bless the hands and hearts of all who are working tirelessly to provide relief and aid. Infuse their efforts with your boundless compassion and energy. May our collective actions reflect your love and bring hope to those who feel overwhelmed by despair.
Guide our leaders and decision-makers with wisdom and clarity as they address the needs of our communities. Inspire them to make choices that uplift and protect the most vulnerable among us.
As they rebuild and restore, help us all to remember that you are our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. May our faith in you fortify our spirits and unite us in service and compassion.
In the name of the One who is able to calm the raging waters, we pray. Amen. -adapted prayer by Bishop Lanette Plambeck
Peace,
Alison Bocking+
Director of Youth Ministries
Looking ahead:
• July 13 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., Youth Group, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
• July 18 – Fish Fry, 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.
• July 20 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., Youth Group, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
• July 24 – Kathy’s Backpack Setup, 1:00 p.m.
• July 27 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., Backpack Packing, 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 THIS 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.
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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). She will forward the information to the staff.