Bethlehem News - February 20, 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 February 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!
Special Music for Easter
Kids of all ages are invited to be part of a special music group that will sing on Easter, April 5. Dann Childers has chosen a beautiful song for them to sing. Please listen to this special song for Easter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5NXLIIdS3Q "I Know That Jesus Lives" and let April know if your child would like to be included in the group that will be singing. Kids of all ages are welcome to sing! There will be 4 solo parts. The adult choir will add in as our backup singers.
HERE IS THE COMMITMENT:
We will practice on Sunday mornings at 9:50 in the Old Sanctuary. Please plan to stay for a short practice with the adult choir, after service on Palm Sunday.
Also, please play the song with your child and help them start to learn these words: “I Know That Jesus Lives” By Monica Scott & Camille Uribe ©2026
Verse 1:
Each new life in spring Reminds me of the hope He brings On the cross at Calvary He died for you and me
Chorus:
He lives again Jesus our friend Jesus has risen Joy without end Hallelujah, Hallelujah! I know that Jesus lives
Verse 2:
He rose from the grave With all His healing pow’r to save We sing praises joyfully He lives for you and me
Chorus:
He lives again Jesus our friend Jesus has risen Joy without end Hallelujah, Hallelujah! I know that Jesus lives
What a precious truth for our kids to learn and share.
April
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 are excited to be back to our regular schedule this Sunday and to continue walking through the season of Lent together. Sunday school at 9:00 a.m. and youth group from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. We hope you will join us as we seek to ground ourselves in the goodness of this season.
We are also thrilled to share more details about our summer mission opportunity to Hinton Rural Life Center. Hinton’s summer program runs Sunday through Thursday and features three days of their Safe & Healthy Home Repair ministry, worship and devotional times, poverty awareness activity, Appalachian Culture Night, delicious meals, and fun Staff-Camper Challenges with their amazing crew of college-aged summer staffers.
We will stay in the Lodge or retreat house accommodations (with beds, linens, and bathroom for each room) and enjoy a fun excursion like white water rafting on our last day. To learn more about Hinton and see a daily schedule, visit https://hintoncenter.org/mission-outreach/summer-mission-outreach/
Registration for Hinton (June 21 - 26) will open on Sunday, March 1, 2026. This trip is open to youth as young as 12 years old (younger youth may participate if a parent is serving on the team) through 18 years old. Cost is $375 per participant.
We are also in need of at least two parent/adult chaperones for this trip. We especially need one adult experienced with power tools and basic construction projects (such as building steps, decks, etc.). If you are interested in serving or would like more information, please reach out. All fees are covered for parent/adult chaperones.
This trip is a transformative experience for our young people, spiritually, relationally, and practically and we can’t wait to be back at Hinton to see what God has in store for us!
A Prayer for Lent
Lord, in this Lenten season, open my eyes to the good
You are growing in others, in the world, and in me.
When I am quick to judge or lose hope, teach me to look again with love.
Amen.
Grace and peace,
Alison Bocking+
Director of Youth Ministries
Upcoming Events:
· February 22 – Sunday school, 9:00 a.m., Youth group, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
· March 1 – Sunday school, 9:00 a.m., Youth group, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
· March 8 – Sunday school, 9:00 a.m., NO Youth group
· March 15 – Sunday school, 9:00 a.m., Lunch outing
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 March Communion Offering on March 1 will be directed to Church Has Left the Building.
Monthly Mission
The next monthly mission will be Sunday, March 8, 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.
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 2/28/26, we need 2 Saturday night drivers and 1 Saturday night host. You only have 4 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 March/April 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.