Bethlehem News - August 1, 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 August and September your Acolyte can serve by reminding us of the Light of Christ in our presence.
Children’s Church
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. This week we will focus on what it means to belong to a family. We are each invited to be part of God's family. How does accepting God's love change our feeling 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:
• Summer Concert Series August 3 & 10
• Blessing of your children's backpacks on August 3 at 10:15 Service
• Parent's Night Out on August 22
We will continue to have Nursery, Sunday School, and Children's Church during the summer.
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 8:50 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,
I hope this message finds you and your family well, soaking in the last bits of summer fun! As we wrap up an incredible summer season, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on all the joy, connection, and growth we experienced in our youth ministry corner. From outdoor adventures to serving God’s people at Hinton Rural Center, it was truly a time of both fun and deepening our faith together.
As we turn the page to a new school year, we’re excited to continue building on all the wonderful memories we've made this summer. We can’t wait to see what God has in store for us! We will kick-off the new school year and welcome our new sixth graders on August 10 with our Back to School Luau.
Sunday school continues this week as we wrap up our summer schedule. We’re excited to begin our new series Fathom on August 10 as we take a deep dive into the story of God. No youth group this week, we will resume on August 10.
As we plan for what’s coming up, please help us choose the best dates for our big weekends. The first is our Harvest Retreat which is an off-campus fall retreat at a local retreat center like Camp Widji. Second is Discovery Weekend, a winter retreat held at Bethlehem that includes our whole church wrapping their arms around our youth. Click here to pick a date: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScJ_in4fKVMG7nJpvzRsm2jXlMPde3s1M22waGh_4X7SqnlYA/viewform
Don’t forget Blessing of the Backpacks on Sunday. As the new school year begins, we want to surround our youth with love, support, and prayer. Come as you are, and feel the encouragement of your church family as you head into the new school year.
Prayer for a Successful School Year
Dear Lord, we pray for a successful school year for everyone involved.
May this year be filled with wisdom, knowledge, curiosity, and growth.
Help us all to stay committed to our individual callings and continue to grow in humility, confidence, and compassion.
Let us be mindful of those who are on the margins, including them in our circles and sharing generously with those in need. Amen.
Keep an eye out for more details on what’s coming up — we have a lot to look forward to!
Blessings,
Alison Bocking+
Director of Youth Ministries
Upcoming Events:
Looking ahead:
• August 3 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., No Youth Group
• August 10 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., Back to School Luau 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
• August 17 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., Youth Group: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
·• August 24 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., Youth Group: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Super Important Links:
Youth Calendar
Click here to view and subscribe to our new and improved Google Youth Calendar!
iPhone Users: Click here to subscribe to our Youth Calendar
GroupMe
Click here to join the Youth Parent's group chat on GroupMe
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.