Bethlehem News - December 12, 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 2026 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
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.
· 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.
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:
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’re excited to celebrate the Advent season with our upcoming Christmas Party on Sunday night! We have a fun evening planned with festive games, holiday treats, and our favorite White Elephant Gift Swap. Please have your child bring a wrapped white elephant gift valued up to $20 (no blankets or food, please) in order to participate. We also encourage students to wear a Christmas sweater or sweatshirt to help make the event even more festive.
We will be continuing our study in Genesis this week for Sunday school and look forward to our discussion on The Story of Noah and the Great Flood.
We’re thrilled to announce that Discovery Weekend registration is officially OPEN!
What is Discovery Weekend?
Discovery Weekend is a spiritual formation retreat (imagine all the goodness of summer camp crammed into a weekend!) held in the local church for young people. Our weekend will be held January 9 - 11, 2026 at Bethlehem UMC. We kickoff on Friday evening and wrap up on Sunday morning with the 10:15 am worship service. The weekend includes meaningful worship experiences, engaging discussions, and fun-filled activities.
This weekend is designed to be both holy and fun, a space where young people can pause, listen for God, and become more aware of God’s presence in their lives. One of the things that makes the weekend so special is the involvement of our high school youth, who help lead skits, give talks, run games, and so much more. Their leadership adds energy, connection, and encouragement for our younger youth throughout the experience.
The beauty of Discovery Weekend is how deeply it involves our whole church family wrapping their arms around our youth. Church members help plan, lead, pray, and provide resources like meals to make the weekend a meaningful celebration of God’s love for every young person.
Whether you or your child have been active or not, you are invited to this weekend. Everyone is invited to experience God’s love and find out how much God has to say.
Register: If you have a young person, sign them up for Discovery Weekend. We want EVERY young person involved in this weekend! Deadline to register is January 2. You can snag the early-bird price of $75 if you register by December 28. The price increases to $125 after December 29. Full payment is due by January 9. It’s really important to register early so we can plan for meals and other activities.
More details will be coming about how you as a parent can help make this weekend a success. We hope your child will join us for this truly special experience!
REGISTER HERE: http://www.bethlehemumc.com/discovery
Advent Benediction
By Rev. Allison Tanner
Just as the Christ-child makes God known at Christmas
May we make God known in the week ahead
May our hope provide confidence as we await God’s reign
May our peace provide comfort as we work for God’s justice
May our joy provide celebration as we embrace God’s presence
May our love provide wholeness as we accept God’s healing
As the Christ-child has come into the world for us
May we go into the world for others
Grace and peace,
Alison Bocking+
Director of Youth Ministries
Download our fall/winter calendarhere: https://mcusercontent.com/616f5a0b85d4305540051b1b2/files/2f3e075a-ad29-6fc8-3e1c-0f2409611dab/Fall_Winter_Calendar_25_26.pdf
Upcoming Events:
Looking ahead:
• December 14 – Sunday school, 9:00 a.m. Youth Group, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
• December 20 – Poinsettia Setup, 10:00 a.m.
• December 21 – Sunday school, 9:00 a.m. No youth group
• December 28 – Sunday school, 9:00 a.m. No 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 THIS 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 12/20/25, we need 1 Saturday driver, 1 Sunday driver and 2 overnight hosts. You only have 16 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/ritii
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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.