Bethlehem News - January 2, 2026
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.
Acolytes Needed for Sunday Worship
We are looking at the calendar for the new year. Last year, we had a nearly full calendar with at least one of our Acolytes serving every Sunday! That is amazing! Let's continue strong and fill up the months of January and February. Let April Jackson know when your Acolyte would like to serve!
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 hope everyone survived the final week of school before Christmas and settling into a joyful (almost) Christmastime!
This Sunday (12/21/25), we will have Sunday School at 9:00 a.m. We will dive into The Tower of Babel. Next Sunday (12/28/25), we will meet at 9:30 a.m. in the Narthex for a time of fellowship and donuts instead of regular Sunday School. Worship will follow and include a festive Carol Sing. Please note that Youth Group will resume on January 4.
We will be moving poinsettias to the Sanctuary on Tuesday, December 23 at 11:00 a.m. All youth and parents who assist with poinsettias will receive credits in their accounts. Thank you in advance for your help!
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 a.m. worship service. The weekend includes meaningful worship experiences, engaging discussions, and fun-filled activities. Here are three ways you can get involved:
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 on 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.
REGISTER HERE: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfj7zExmuRRxsNgeCmSYpck0PRBcD6xejXDHAYfs5i4dZ0BLg/viewform
Join the Discovery Team: We’ll need to fill 60+ volunteer slots throughout the weekend. We especially need parents to spend the night. Sign-up: http://www.bethlehemumc.com/discoveryhelp
Pray: Please begin praying for this weekend and our youth community at Bethlehem UMC and make plans to attend the Church-Wide Prayer Service on January 10, at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary. We also need individuals to sign up for the Prayer Vigil: http://www.bethlehemumc.com/discoverypray
Advent Prayer
By Kelly HillJesus, I want to see.
Like a candle in the dark, would you shine your light in my life and help me see the path you have prepared for me?
Help me to see others as you see them. Help me to see those who are often overlooked or forgotten. Open my ears and eyes to my neighbors near and far, and give me wisdom to know how to respond.
Thank you, Lord, for being the God who sees. Thank you for seeing me and for inviting me to carry your light into the lives of others. Amen.
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 28 – Fellowship & Donuts, 9:30 a.m. No youth group
• January 4 – Sunday school, 9:00 a.m.. Youth group, 5:00 - 7:00 p..m.
• January 9 - 11 – Discovery Weekend
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 01/03/26 we need 1 Saturday driver amd 1 Sunday driver. You only have 12 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.