Bethlehem News - December 19, 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.
· Children are invited to sing a little chorus at the lighting of the Advent wreath, each Sunday of Advent and on Christmas Eve
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.
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,
It’s time to register for Discovery Weekend! We need everyone to register early so we can make plans for food and logistics. In addition, there are a couple meaningful surprises throughout the weekend where you will need to participate. One especially powerful part of the experience is that students will receive letters of encouragement from loved ones, reminding them how deeply they are known and loved. These are a surprise during the weekend. In addition, during a church-wide prayer service, each student will be prayed over by name, surrounded by the support of our Bethlehem community.
One of the unique aspects of Discovery Weekend is that our high school students will serve as leaders alongside trained adult volunteers, modeling faith, kindness, and Christian discipleship. In the coming weeks, I will be reaching out to the high school students to begin planning skits, talks, games, and so much more. Their leadership adds energy, connection, and encouragement for our younger youth throughout the weekend.
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.
We hope your child will join us for this truly special experience! For more info or questions, please reach out.
REGISTER HERE: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfj7zExmuRRxsNgeCmSYpck0PRBcD6xejXDHAYfs5i4dZ0BLg/viewform
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 21 – Sunday school, 9:00 a.m. No youth group
• December 23 – Poinsettia Setup, TBA
• 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 Sunday, January 11, 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 used to fill the food boxes for Share the Feast.
Room in the Inn Needs YOU!
Bethlehem welcomes 10 men experiencing homelessness every Saturday night from November through March. Please sign up to help. For the next date 12/27/25, we need 2 Saturday drivers, 1 Sunday driver and 2 overnight hosts. You only have 15 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 January/February 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). Shewill forward the information to the staff.