Bethlehem News - January 23, 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.
Happy Birthday Gift
May this week find you with warm hearts, despite the chill in the air! If your child has a January Birthday, please remind them that I have a little Birthday gift for them that they can get when they come to Sunday School or Church! Birthday gifts have been kid suggested and kid approved. I'm so excited to help your child celebrate their special day in 2026 with a "Happy, Happy day" gift!
Painting Activities
We will be painting canvases, especially during the Sunday School hour at 9:00 a.m., between now and Celebrate the Artists on February 22. Please save any special outfits that might get ruined for after that time.
Lenten Lunch RSVP
RSVP by February 12 and let April (ajackson@bethlehemumc.com) know if your 3rd - 6th grader is going to attend the Lenten Lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on February 15. This is a free event that will include lunch (Chinese food), baking yummy empty biscuit "tombs", and burning last year's palms for use as the imposition ashes during our Ash Wednesday service.
Operation Christmas Child Update
Operation Christmas Child Update: Thank you! Because of your help and generosity, our 412 Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts went to:
NAMIBIA SHIPPED ON: WED DEC 17 2025
GEORGIA (THE COUNTRY) SHIPPED ON: WED DEC 17 2025
A SENSITIVE COUNTRY IN MIDDLE EAST/NORTH AFRICA SHIPPED ON: MON DEC 15 2025
Be Weather Aware
As we get closer to this Sunday, check social media or watch for an email update regarding any weekend changes due to the weather.
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 had a truly wonderful Discovery Weekend, it honestly couldn’t have been better. Thank you so much for trusting me with your young people and allowing them to be part of such a special weekend at Bethlehem UMC. It was a joy to witness their growth, connections, and openness to what God is doing in their lives.
We are so grateful for our church and the many ways Bethlehem UMC wrapped its arms around our young people. From hospitality to prayers and encouragement, it was a beautiful reminder of how deeply this church loves and supports our young people.
A few Discovery Weekend highlights included:
· All the amazing food we ate together
· Lots of laughter and fellowship
· Discovering God’s love in new ways
· A sweet and meaningful prayer service
· And… the karaoke 🎤 (which was such a hit!)
As we move forward, we have a couple of busy weeks ahead. This week we return to our regular schedule, with Sunday School at 9:00 a.m. and Youth Group from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Sunday evening. (Both may be dependent on the weather – watch your email or check the church’s website for updates (www.bethlehemumc.com)
Please mark your calendars for these upcoming opportunities:
· Room in the Inn, Saturday, January 24 – We will be hosting dinner for Room in the Inn. Help is needed to prepare dinner beginning at 5:30 p.m.
· Souper Bowl Sunday, February 8 – We will need ALL hands on deck for this important annual fundraiser. More details coming soon.
Thank you again for your continued support, trust, and partnership in youth ministry. I’m so thankful for each of you and your children.
Prayer on Ephesians 3:20
God of unfailing love, draw us deeper into the mystery of Your love. Remind us that You are able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, by Your power at work within us.
Open our hearts to discover how wide and deep Your love truly is. Root us in Your grace, strengthen us by Your Spirit, and let our lives bring glory to You. 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:
· January 24 – Serve dinner for Room in the Inn
· January 25 – Sunday school, 9:00 a.m., Youth group, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
· February 1 – 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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Communion Offering
The February Communion Offering on February 1 will be directed to Love on Wheels.
Monthly Mission
The next monthly mission will be Sunday, February 8, when we will collect beans and rice. Please plan to bring your beans and rice to the altar during the singing of the first hymn/song to share with those less fortunate.
Room in the Inn Needs YO
Bethlehem welcomes 10 men experiencing homelessness every Saturday night from November through March. Please sign up to help. For the next date 1/31/26, we need 2 Saturday drivers and 1 overnight host. You only have 8 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.