Bethlehem News - January 30, 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.
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,
After this week’s ice storm, it’s been a relief to hear that most of our youth families have power restored. We’re grateful everyone is safe and warming back up. As we head into a frigid weekend, let’s also keep in mind those in our wider community who are still waiting for electricity, heat, and a bit of comfort, and hold them in our prayers.
We are back to our regular schedule this week, with Sunday School at 9:00 am, in-person worship at 10:15 am, and youth group from 5:00–7:00 pm. We’re looking forward to being together again.
Souper Bowl Cook-Off on Sunday, February 8. I will be out on February 8 due to an elective procedure that was moved to this week due to the ice storm so we really need ALL hands on deck. We will need at least two parents to help with setup at 9:00 am and at least four parents to help with clean-up to support Jen and our young people. Click here to sign-up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4FA4A728A1F4C61-47607401-souper#/
This is a fun event for our youth and church community, and strong participation from our families is essential to make it a success. Plus, everyone earns funds towards future trips and events.
A Prayer for Those Afflicted by the Storm
Lord God, our refuge and strength, we lift before You all affected by this storm.
Comfort those who mourn, and be near to those who are cold, weary, or afraid.
Protect line workers, first responders and all who serve in dangerous conditions.
Be shelter to the vulnerable, strength to the exhausted, and peace to the anxious.
Move our communities to compassion, generosity, and care for one another.
Restore what has been shaken, and fill every heart with Your peace. 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:
· February 1 – Sunday school, 9:00 a.m., Zoolumination Outing,
· February 8 – Souper Bowl Cook-Off (No Youth group)
· February 15 – Sunday school, 9:00 a.m.. Youth group, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
· February 22 – Sunday school, 9:00 a.m., Youth group, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
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 YOU
Bethlehem welcomes 10 men experiencing homelessness every Saturday night from November through March. Please sign up to help. For the next date 2/7/26, we need 2 Saturday night drivers, 1 Sunday morning driver and 1 overnight host. You only have 7 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.