Bethlehem News - November 14, 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.
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,
We have a busy and meaningful week coming up in the Youth Ministry, and we’re excited for all that’s ahead! Our annual Fall Retreat, Harvest is coming up in just 10 days. Our theme is UNPLUGGED from Psalm 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God.” In a world that’s always online, it’s easy to be connected but not truly connected. Notifications, noise, and nonstop scrolling often drown out the still, small voice of God. This weekend will invite our young people to disconnect from distractions and reconnect with God, themselves, and their community. The registration deadline for Harvest is Friday at 12:00 p.m.Cost is $125. Register here: https://forms.gle/PhtMqvL7V8dz1KBeA
Here’s what’s happening this weekend:
Saturday, November 15
Share the Feast: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
We’ll be serving our community by packing food boxes with Feed America First for families experiencing food insecurity. This is a wonderful opportunity for our youth families to give back and share God’s love in a tangible way.
Sunday, November 16
Sunday School: 9:00 a.m.
Join us for our regular Sunday morning time of study and fellowship as we continue our study on Genesis. Worship at 10:15 a.m.
Operation Christmas Child: 4:30 p.m.
In the afternoon, our church will gather to pack shoeboxes to bless children around the world through Operation Christmas Child in the Old Sanctuary.
Church-Wide Thanksgiving Dinner: 6:00 p.m.
After packing shoeboxes, we’ll gather (in the Gym) with the whole church family for our annual Thanksgiving Dinner. Families are asked to bring two side dishes: a salad, vegetable or dessert. The church will provide the turkey, dressing and gravy.
This weekend is always a special time of gratitude, food, and fellowship! We hope you will join us for one or all of the events this weekend.
Download our fall/winter calendarhere: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 Word of Thanks
For health and strength and daily food; for all the joys that make life worth living; for the opportunity to help those who need us so very much, we give you thanks, O God. In Jesus’ name. Amen.-Pilgrim Prayers for Mealtime, Alexander Campbell
In faith and partnership,
Alison Bocking+
Director of Youth Ministries
Upcoming Events:
Looking ahead:
· · 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
· November 30 – Sunday School, 9:00 a.m. NO Youth Group
· December 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
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, December 14, 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 used to fill the food boxes for Share the Feast.
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 11-15-25, we need 1 Saturday driver, 1 overnight host, and someone to provide Sunday breakfast. You only have 19 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, 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.