Bethlehem News - February 27, 2026
Click below to read updates from various ministries at Bethlehem United Methodist Church
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Flower Info for 2026 Worship Services – Always in Bloom, our florist for many years, is going out of business and is no longer able to provide flowers for our worship services. If you would like to donate an arrangement (or arrangements) for worship services, please let Dana Smyth (dsmyth@bethlehemumc.com) know the date that you will be providing flowers.
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.
You may give online by going to the church website. If you have any
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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 an upcoming birthday, please remind them that April has 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
We Are Getting Ready for Easter!
There are a lot of plastic eggs in the Narthex. Please take some, fill with candy, stickers, Bible verses, etc. Turn them in to the main office or to April Jackson by April 2.
Easter Egg Hunt
Invite friends and come on April 4! – Easter Egg Hunt @ 10 a.m. Story Walk, Games & Activities! Thank you for supporting the children of BUMC & this outreach to the community!
Register today for Rainforest Falls VBS!
Step through the mist into Rainforest Falls, overflowing with wild waterfalls, towering trees and colorful creatures. Beneath a canopy of chattering birds and howling monkeys, kids will plunge into a life-long adventure, discovering the nature of God and exploring what it means to be rooted in relationship with their creator, a safe place in life’s storms. With games, science experiments, interactive stories, snacks, & more, Rainforest Falls is sure to be fabulous! Email: ajackson@bethlehemumc.com for more information. Faith-Filled * Free * Fun
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’re continuing our regular schedule this Sunday with Sunday school at 9:00 a.m. as we dig back into the Old Testament. Youth Group will meet from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Join us for a night of food, fun games, and worship with our friend Landon Pate and some special guests. We’ll be sharing about Life Is Good and what it means to recognize God’s goodness in every season.
This is our last youth group meeting before Spring Break, so don’t miss it. Grab a friend and come be part of the fun. It’s going to be Disco-Very Good!
We are getting closer to opening registration for our summer mission trip to Hinton. 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
Gracious God,
During this season of Lent, slow our hearts and quiet our minds.
In the waiting, in the sacrifice, and even in the wilderness, remind us that You are still good.
When the days feel heavy or hidden, help us trust that You are working.
Open our eyes to see Your goodness in the small things, the quiet moments, and the ordinary days.
Teach us that life is good, not because it is easy, but because You are present.
Draw us closer to You, and shape our hearts to reflect Your love.
Amen.
Grace and peace,
Alison Bocking+
Director of Youth Ministries
Upcoming Events:
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
March 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 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 3/14/26, we need 1 Saturday night driver and 1 Saturday night host. You only have 3 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.