Bethlehem News - October 31, 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.
Trunk ‘R Treat Recap
What an awesome time we had at Trunk ‘R Treat! Thank you to all who generously hosted a trunk! We had 18 super fun trunks, which meant a lot of candy and conversations! This is always a great time to welcome the community to Bethlehem and invite them to come again.
Mark Your Calendar
Some of the things that you can mark on your calendars and be inviting people to include:
Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Packing Party - All ages are invited to come help Sunday afternoon, November 16 at 4:30, in the Old Sanctuary. The kids have worked hard to make 400 school kits, jump ropes, and more. Georgeann McCoy has once again outdone herself, making 400 colorful Frisbees. We've been given lots of stuffed animals. . . and it's time to pack them into gifts that will bring joy and hope to children in need all over the world! It's awesome and humbling to consider that we can make a difference in so many lives. You can still bring small toys, clothing items, and empty shoeboxes.
Bethlehem Thanksgiving Dinner - Bring a dish or 2 to share, November 16 at 6:00 p.m. in the Gym. Following shoebox packing, stay for dinner! Meat, dressing and drinks provided.
Breakfast with St. Nick. We'll have food, crafts, games, and picture opportunities on Saturday, December 6 from 9:30 – 11:00. Join us in the Banquet Hall for free family fun!
You won't want to miss our Family friendly Christmas Eve service at 4:30 on December 24. All kids are invited to come to the Old Sanctuary at 4:15 to find a costume. They will then take their place on stage as we share the Story of Jesus' birth. If your child would like a reading part, let April know by December 15.
As the days start to darken, may we take time to draw near to the Light.
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 everyone is staying dry and finding some brightness in these damp, gray days!
I wanted to share a quick update about this Sunday. I’ll be out on vacation, but our youth ministry plans are in great hands!
Sunday School will meet at 9:00 a.m. as we continue our series Fathom on the Book of Genesis, exploring the story of creation, God’s promises, and what it means to be made in His image.
Youth Group will meet from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. as we wrap up our series on John Wesley’s Three Simple Rules: Do No Harm, Do Good, and Stay in Love with God. This fall, we’ve talked about how these simple yet powerful principles can shape our everyday lives, helping us think before we act, look for ways to serve others, and stay grounded in our relationship with God. This week, we’ll focus on what it really means to “stay in love with God” through prayer, worship, and daily habits that draw us closer to Him.
We’ll also enjoy pizza and games. Please bring $5 (cash, check, or Venmo) to help cover dinner.
A big thank you to Jen McQuiston for holding down the fort while I’m away, to Amy Everhart for assisting with Sunday School, and to our very own Rev. Dr. Mary Beth Bernheisel for stepping in for Youth Group. We’re so grateful for their leadership and support!
Harvest at Camp Widji-November 21–23.
Our annual Fall Retreat, Harvest is coming up next month and we couldn’t be more excited! Register 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.
Autumn Prayer
God of all seasons, we thank you for Autumn.
We thank you
for the touch of coolness in the air that gives us a new burst of energy,
for the coloring of trees that shows the creativity of the Divine Artist,
for the falling leaves that reveal the strength of the branches,
for the hues of fields that bring peace to our souls,
for the smiles on pumpkins that bring joy to children,
for the fall harvest which that brings us gratitude for the bounty of our land,
for this change of seasons that reveals the circle of life.
God of all seasons, as you transform the earth, transform us by your Spirit.
Amen. — Rev. Doug Leonhardt, S.J.
In faith and partnership,
Alison Bocking+
Director of Youth Ministries
Upcoming Events:
Looking ahead:
· November 2 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., Youth Group 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
· November 9 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., Youth Group 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
· November 16 – Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Packing & Church-Wide Thanksgiving Dinner, 4:30 PM/6:00 p.m.
· November 23 – Harvest! NO Sunday School or Youth Group
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, November 9, when we will collect canned goods for Share the Feast. Please plan to bring your canned goods 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.
Room in the Inn Needs YOU
Bethlehem welcomes 10 homeless men every Saturday night from November through March. Please sign up to help. For the next date 11-1-25 we need a Saturday driver. You only have 20 more opportunities to enjoy this ministry. Please contact Mike Loring (mloring@live.com or 615-596-0985) with any questions. If you are interested in participating in this ministry for other dates, sign-up sheets are in the Narthex and Gathering Space or by using this Sign-Up Genius link: http://www.bethlehemumc.com/riti
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Issues of the November/December 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.com or 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.