Bethlehem News - November 21, 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.
Upcoming Opportunities
We had an amazing turnout of gifts and people to help pack Operation Christmas Child boxes. This year, because of your help, 412 boxes are going all over the world to share the love of Jesus! Our kids learn to think of others as they pack needed items like bowls and toothbrushes. They learn to share joy as they pack new toys that they choose to give, instead of keeping for themselves. They learn that they are part of a serving church family, as they pass the boxes from one person to another, filling the truck with hope-filled boxes. Thank you! A huge Thank You to all who brought in shoeboxes throughout the year, brought toys, donated money, sorted and set up, wrapped boxes, packed boxes, carried boxes, quality controlled and prayed for each child who will receive a gift. Special thanks to Margo Woodruff and Amy Bynum for their help behind the scenes and to Georgeann McCoy and the Garden Angels for their beautiful Wreaths of Hope that helped raise money. On Sunday, we raised over $3,500 to support this mission!
There are several opportunities for your child to be involved in the service in the next few weeks. This is a wonderful way for them to prepare their hearts, as they contribute to worship.
· Families and children are invited to bring in the symbolic decorations for the Hanging of the Greens service on November 30.
· There is one opening for a Liturgist to read the scripture for December 7 or 28.
· We would love readers on Christmas Eve at 4:30 - Please RSVP for a reading part no later than December 15.
· Children are invited to sing a little chorus at the lighting of the Advent wreath, each Sunday of Advent.
· Saturday, December 6, from 9:30 to 11:00, join us for crafts, games, food, and pictures at Breakfast with St. Nick! Stay as little or as long as you like. Invite friends and join us in the Banquet Hall.
It truly is the best time of the year!
Mark Your Calendar
Some of the things that you can mark on your calendars and be inviting people to include:
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 want to begin with a huge thank you to everyone who took part in our church-wide weekend of service. From packing over 30,000 lbs of food to assembling more than 400 shoeboxes, it was amazing to see our whole church family and neighbors serving together. It truly was a special way to kick off the holiday season, and we’re grateful for every person who showed up, jumped in, and helped make such a meaningful impact in our community and beyond.
Now we’re turning our attention to what’s next: Harvest Retreat is this weekend! We’re excited to get away together for a time of worship, connection, and fun. Please check your inbox for final details, packing lists, and drop-off/pick-up information. If you have any questions, please let me know.
Looking a little further ahead, our next major fundraising opportunity will be Christmas poinsettias. We need at least one parent or adult (ideally with a minivan or SUV) to caravan with us to South Central Growers in Springfield on Saturday, December 6, to pick up the poinsettias. Any youth and/or parents who help will receive credit in their accounts for their time. Please plan on being available from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. If you can support us in this way, please reach out.
Our next big youth event will be Discovery Weekend, January 9-11, 2026! Stay tuned for registration details coming on December 1.
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 of Generosity
O gracious God, who so generously lavishes our lives with goodness, create in our hearts a deep center of gratitude, a center that grows so strong in its thanksgiving that sharing freely of our treasures becomes the norm and the pattern of our existence. Remind us often of how much you cherish us, of how abundantly you have offered gifts to us, especially in the hours of our greatest need. May we always be grateful for your reaching into our lives with surprises of joy, growth, and unearned love.
Amen. -Joyce Rupp, Fresh Bread
In faith and partnership,
Alison Bocking+
Director of Youth Ministries
Upcoming Events:
Looking ahead:
· 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.
· December 14 – 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 11-29-25, we need 1 Saturday driver, 1 Sunday driver, 2 overnight hosts, and someone to provide Saturday night’s dinner. You only have 18 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.