Bethlehem News - August 15, 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.
Third Grade Bibles
Third graders are invited to receive a Bible on September 7. Bible day is a special milestone in a child's life! Students will be called up front during worship service to get their new Bible.
Please let April Jackson know:
• If your child/grandchild is able to attend on September 7
• If there is a change to the below list of how your child would like their name written in their Bible, let her know by September 1.
• If your child is able to stay for Bible Lunch and Learn from noon to 2:00. This will include lunch, getting comfortable using your Bible, and Acolyte training.
Bible Recipients September 7, 2025
1. Jayden Dementry
2. Charlie Harrison
3. Noah Jordan
4. Hudson Strong
5. Jack Williams
If one of our 3rd grade friends has been left off of this list, don't hesitate to let April know! Looking forward to this special day!
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. As we talk about God providing enough food for each day, we will wonder whether the little boy shared his lunch or was asked to give his lunch that Jesus blessed to feed over 5,000 people. When all we have is something small to offer, we can feel like it's not enough to make a difference. In our 3 minute video, we'll learn about what school life looks like for kids in Uganda and see how one of the boys shares his pencil by breaking it into 2 pieces. What do we have that God can use to bless others?
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 had an awesome time at our Back-to-School Luau — thank you to everyone who helped make it such a fun and meaningful night! It was great to fellowship, welcome our new sixth graders, and kick off the school year with energy and excitement.
We’re looking forward to getting back into our regular rhythm of Youth Group on Sunday nights from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. This is a time for our young people to build community, have fun, and grow in faith together. Each week includes food, games, conversation, and teaching that points them to the love of Jesus in a way that’s relevant to their lives. We believe this time together can be foundational in helping young people feel connected, supported, and seen. Please bring $5/per child to help offset the cost of dinner.
Also, we’re excited to fully dive into our new Sunday School series called Fathom on Sunday mornings. We’re kicking things off with "The Bible: Where It Came From and How to Read It," a great foundation for the year ahead. This Sunday, we’re thrilled to welcome Pastor Mary Beth to our Sunday School class! She’ll be visiting different classes over the next few weeks to get to know everyone, and we hope all of our young people will join us in giving her a warm welcome.
Help Us Choose the Best Dates for Our Youth Retreats! We want every family to have the chance to be part of our upcoming youth retreats, and your input is essential. 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. We know schedules can change, but your feedback will help us pick the dates that work best for the majority. So far, we’ve only received one completed survey — we’d love to hear from everyone! Please take just a moment to fill it out. Click here to pick a date: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScJ_in4fKVMG7nJpvzRsm2jXlMPde3s1M22waGh_4X7SqnlYA/viewform
Peace Within
May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be confident knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us. Amen. -Minnie Louise Haskins
Blessings,
Alison Bocking+
Director of Youth Ministries
Upcoming Events:
Looking ahead:
• 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)
· September 7 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., Youth Group: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
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 Sunday, September 14, when we will collect beans and rice. Please plan to bring your beans and rice 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.