Bethlehem News - September 26, 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 and YouTube. 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. If you get the following error message on the All Media tab
“403. That’s an error.
We're sorry, but you do not have access to this page. That’s all we know.”
Please scroll down the page to the website info that is actually there for you to see.
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.
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,
Hello Fall! As the season officially begins, we’re kicking things off with a big Sunday full of service and fun. Right after church, our youth will join the congregation in packing rice and beans for Feed America First. This is a great opportunity for families to serve together. After that, the youth will continue their impact by packing college care packages for our college community and then head out for lunch together. Please remember to bring $5 to offset our lunch outing. You can pay with cash, check or Venmo to Bethlehem UMC.
Our Fall Retreat, Harvest at Camp Widji, is just around the corner, and we’re so excited for what’s shaping up to be a meaningful weekend for our young people. We need two male overnight chaperones to make this weekend possible. You can stay the whole weekend or just come in the evening for overnight duties. As much as we wish we could magically create them (or have AI generate them!), we can’t. We need real, breathing humans who are willing to step in and serve our young people. We can’t do this without you! If you’re willing and available to join us, please reach out.
Our Sunday School series Fathom continues on Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. In this series, we’re exploring what the Bible is, how to read it, and why it still matters today. This week, we’re back with a recap and a little Bible trivia.
Registration for Harvest Fall Retreat at Camp Widjiwagan in Nashville, November 21-23. Cost is $125. Register here: https://forms.gle/PhtMqvL7V8dz1KBeA
Download our fall/winter calendar here: https://mcusercontent.com/616f5a0b85d4305540051b1b2/files/2f3e075a-ad29-6fc8-3e1c-0f2409611dab/Fall_Winter_Calendar_25_26.pdf
If your child has an upcoming game, concert, performance, or anything else, please let us know! We’d love the chance to come and cheer them on. Drop us an email with their upcoming game or schedule.
A Prayer for the Beginning of Autumn
O God of Creation,
you have blessed us with the changing of the seasons.
As we welcome the autumn months,
may the earlier setting of the sun remind us to take time to rest.
May the brilliant colors of the leaves
remind us of the wonder of your creation.
May the steam of our breath in the cool air
remind us that it is you who gives us the breath of life.
May the harvest from the fields remind us of the abundance we have been given
and bounty we are to share with others.
May the dying of summer’s spirit remind us of your great promise
that death is temporary and life is eternal.
We praise you for your goodness forever and ever. Amen.
prayer originally found on a University of Notre Dame website
Blessings,
Alison Bocking+
Director of Youth Ministries
Upcoming Events:
Looking ahead:
· · September 28 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., Lunch & Serve-11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
· October 5 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., No Youth Group (Fall Break)
· October 12 – October 12-Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., Lunch Outing-11:30 a.m.
· October 19 – 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
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, October 12, 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.
Rice and Beans “Aganza”
Join in on the fun — be a part of the BUMC "Rice & Beans Aganza." Make plans to help re-pack TWO TONS of rice and beans after worship service on Sunday September 28 in the gym. Together we can help Feed America First get food to our hungry neighbors, having fun while sharing some of our time and treasure. Everyone is welcome to help.
Missions Bulletin Board
Have you seen the new Missions bulletin board located in the hallway by the workroom? Be sure to check it out for the latest missions news, including how to become involved in our church Cookie Ministry. Special thanks to Kim Acree for reviving the bulletin board and keeping it updated.
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Issues of the September/October 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.