Bethlehem News - July 18, 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.
Children’s Church
Beginning this Sunday (July 20) during Children's Church, we are excited to be going through a journey to discover what it means to live from God's "enough". We will be using "Step into my Shoes" from Compassion International. Through Scripture, videos, and hands-on activities, we will walk in the footprints of children living in poverty in Uganda. "Step into my shoes" is a phrase that means coming to understand someone else's life. Caring about someone else isn't just a nice idea — it is God's idea. Jesus taught us that everything that God wants can be said by two things: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind . . . and love your neighbor as yourself." That will be our focus for this journey. Sunday, we will meet our host family (via video) and learn how to make a soccer ball using plastic bags. I hope that your kids will join us on this journey as we think about what it means to have "enough."
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:
• FISH FRY - July 18 — TODAY
• 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 (TODAY) 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
Coming up on Sunday, August 3, all families with kids are invited to Stay and Play after 10:15 service. Please RSVP by July 30 to April Jackson (ajackson@bethlehemumc.com) or contact April for more info about lunch and activities. Chicken, rolls, salad, and cookies will be provided. We'll also have legos and simple bears for the kids to build. We hope that you will join us for this relaxed time to get to know other families better.
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. You are always welcome to donate new or gently used quiet gadgets.
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,
We’re looking forward to a big weekend ahead – celebrating our 50th Annual Fish Fry on Friday! This milestone event brings our whole community together, and we’re so grateful for the ways our youth and families are jumping in to help. Whether you’re volunteering, donating desserts, or just showing up to support, your involvement makes a big difference. Thank you for being such an important part of this celebration!
Sunday school continues this week as we dive into the Bible and explore its powerful truths through key stories and lessons. We will kick off our class time with cinnamon rolls and a round of Bible trivia – sharing what we've learned along the way. Youth group will meet at 5:00 p.m. for Nashville Pizza Co. and community time. Please bring $5 to cover dinner.
We are tentatively planning a Youth Lake Day on July 27 after Backpack Sunday to conclude our summer. We are looking for a parent who might be willing to be our pontoon boat captain. Please reach out to Alison if you’re willing to serve in this way.
Heavenly Father,
We come before you with hearts filled with a collective desire to serve and uplift our community. You have called us to love our neighbors as our ourselves and to be instruments of your peace and compassion in the world.
Lord, we ask for your blessing upon our efforts to serve others at our 50th Annual Fish Fry. May our actions be guided by your love and motivated by a genuine desire to make a difference in the lives of those around us.
In your name, God, we pray for service to the community. May our hands be your hands, our feet your feet, and our hearts be your hearts as we seek to serve others in your name. Amen.
Peace,
Alison Bocking+
Director of Youth Ministries
Looking ahead:
• 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, Youth End of Summer Bash
• August 3 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., No Youth Group
• August 10 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., Back to School Kick-Off and Welcome 6th Graders
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, August 10, 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.
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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.