Bethlehem News - March 20, 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, has gone 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 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! 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!
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.
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
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 Use this link to register: http://www.bethlehemumc.com/vbs
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 so excited to be back to our regular youth ministry rhythm! After Spring Break, we can’t wait to reconnect with everyone and dive back into community. Sunday school continues as we journey through Jesus’ last days on earth. Youth group is back from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Registration for our summer mission trip to Hinton is officially OPEN! 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.). All fees are covered for parent/adult chaperones. Click here to register: https://forms.gle/hYXg46iDc2gLU6Y98
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 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/m
A Prayer attributed to St. Francis
Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where re is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
–The Book of Common Prayer, p. 833
Grace and peace,
Alison Bocking+
Director of Youth Ministries
Upcoming Events:
March 22 – Sunday School, 9:00 a.m., Youth group, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
· March 29 – Sunday School, 9:00 a.m., Youth group, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
· April 4 – Easter Lily Setup, 10 a.m.
· April 5 – Easter Sunday, Sunday school, 9:00 a.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 April Communion Offering on April 5 will be directed to Church Has Left the Building.
Monthly Mission
The next monthly mission will be Sunday, April 12, when we will collect canned tuna and canned meat. Please plan to bring your tuna and canned meat to the altar during the singing of the Opening Hymn.
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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.