Bethlehem News - August 8, 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 about our journey to discover what it means to live from God's "enough." We will be using "Step into my Shoes" from Compassion International. Sunday in Children's Church, as we continue to learn about "enough," we will think about what it would be like to have to walk a long way for water and we'll learn about people who don't always have enough clean water. We may get uncomfortably thirsty for a couple of minutes, as we eat goldfish and then have to wait for a drink. When it comes to Jesus, there's always more than enough; "thank you Jesus for filling everyone who believes in you with rivers of living water, the Holy Spirit." How can we help people who are living in poverty?
Summer Opportunities
Summer’s almost over! You won't want to miss:
• Summer Concert Series August 10
• 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 Monday, 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 August and September. 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,
We’re almost there — just one more day, and most of our young people will have officially made it through their first week of school! Others are still soaking up the last bit of summer before starting next week. Wherever your young person falls, we’re praying for a smooth start and a great year ahead.
This weekend, we’re kicking things off with a Back-to-School Luau on Sunday night — and it’s going to be a blast! It’s the perfect chance for celebrate community, have some fun, and meet new faces, including…
Our new sixth graders! We’re so excited to welcome them into the youth ministry family. This will be their first official Sunday with us, and we can’t wait to help them feel at home.
Event Details:
• What: Back-to-School Luau
• When: Sunday, August 10, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
• Where: Bethlehem UMC
• What to Bring: Swimsuit/towel for the water slide and/or your best Hawaiian shirt
We’re also looking for 1-2 parent volunteers to help us out with serving dinner and keeping things running smoothly. Jen will be out of town this weekend getting Elizabeth ready for her senior year of college, so if you’re able to lend a hand, it would be a huge help! If you're available, please reply to this email or shoot me a text at 615-707-5149.
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
A Prayer For Young Persons
God our Father, you see your children growing up in an unsteady and confusing world: Show them that your ways give more life than the ways of the world, and that following you is better than chasing after selfish goals. Help them to take failure, not as a measure of their worth, but as a chance for a new start. Give them strength to hold their faith in you, and to keep alive their joy in your creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. -BCP
Blessings,
Alison Bocking+
Director of Youth Ministries
Upcoming Events:
Looking ahead:
• 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.
· August 31 -- Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., NO Youth Group (Labor Day Weekend)
Super Important Links:
Youth Calendar
Click here to view andsubscribe 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 THIS 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.