Bethlehem News - March 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 – Since Always in Bloom, our florist for many years, has gone out of business we will be using Freeman Florist for our Sunday arrangements. Beginning in May arrangements will be $60.00 each. If you would like to have flowers for worship services, please let Dana Smyth (dsmyth@bethlehemumc.com) know the date that you would like.
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!
Easter Eggs
If you took a bag of empty plastic eggs, please return filled eggs by April 2. If you have questions or need more info, please contact April Jackson (ajackson@bethlehemumc.com).
Palm Sunday Parade
This Sunday, March 29, we will have a Palm Parade for the kids to join in at the beginning of the 10:15 service. Please have your kids join April Jackson in the Narthex during the opening Welcome time. When we leave for Children's Church, the kids will be learning more about what happened after the palm parade.
Special Music for Easter
Also this Sunday, following the service, our special Children's Choir will practice with the Adult Choir. We will be singing on Easter Sunday!
Holy Week Schedule
Maundy Thursday service at 7:00 p.m., on April 2, will be a family friendly service in the Old Sanctuary.
Good Friday service at 7:00 p.m., April 3. Nursery will be available for infants through younger elementary.
Saturday, April 4, invite friends and join us for games, crafts, and an awesome Easter Egg Hunt beginning at 10:00 a.m.!
Be sure to make some time to walk through the Easter Story Walk on the grounds. The Story Walk has beautiful illustrations that help tell the Easter story. Watch for the Story Walk to be out starting this Sunday (given cooperation from the weather).
Drumming Lessons
If your child would be interested in Drumming Classes to increase attention, decrease anxiety, and help balance emotions, please let April Jackson know. We're looking at possibly hosting a class once a week for 4 weeks.
Register today for Rainforest Falls VBS!
VBS Registration is filling up quickly! Don't wait to register and invite friends! https://vbspro.events/p/summer 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’ll continue with our regular schedule this week as we celebrate Palm Sunday. During Sunday School, we’ll focus on Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. We’ll mark the occasion with shouts of “Hosanna,” enjoy homemade cinnamon rolls (inspired by hot cross buns), and spend time making palm leaf crosses together.
In Youth Group, we’re excited to host our first annual “Eggstravaganza.” We will enjoy an evening packed with silly games, friendly competition, and lots of fun! Bring $5 for dinner.
Have you registered for our summer mission trip to Hinton? 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. To learn more about Hinton and see a daily schedule, visit https://hintoncenter.org/m
Click here to register for Hinto: https://forms.gle/hYXg46iDc2gLU6Y98
A Prayer for Peace & Justice
Lord of Peace, as we journey toward Palm Sunday, help us to remember the gentle and humble way Jesus entered Jerusalem. In this sacred season, we pray for peace within our hearts, within our homes, and throughout our world. Inspire us to carry forward the message of justice and peace that He proclaimed. Strengthen us to be instruments of Your peace, lifting up the marginalized, seeking compassion, and working faithfully for justice in all of Your creation. May our lives reflect His love and humility as we walk this path together. Hosanna in the Highest!
Grace and peace,
Alison Bocking+
Director of Youth Ministries
Upcoming Events:
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.
April 12 – Church Has Left the Building, 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, a church-wide community service event that takes place on Sunday, April 12 following a brief worship service. Money collected from the communion offering will help cover the cost of supplies needed for the various projects. You may bring your offering to the altar rail during communion or donate online and designate for 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 designated time during the worship service.
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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.