Bethlehem News - April 17, 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 classes will meet at 9:00 a.m.
Flower Info for 2026 Worship Services – we will now 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.
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!
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’re back to our regular schedule this week with Sunday School and Youth Group. Sunday School will recap our work through the Old Testament and prepare us for our next study on The Wilderness and the Israelites. Youth group resumes with dinner, games and a new series on Big Dreams.
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 Hinton: https://forms.gle/hYXg46iDc2gLU6Y98
For more dates and events, download our Spring/Summer calendar https://mcusercontent.com/616f5a0b85d4305540051b1b2/files/043bd478-bf34-c964-6186-15c6360b7f44/Springcalendar26.pdf
New Life
Lord of new life, in this third week of Easter, draw us deeper into the mystery of Your resurrection. Open our hearts to recognize You in the ordinary moments, and strengthen our faith when we struggle to see Your presence. Nourish us with hope, renew us with Your peace, and send us out as witnesses of Your love in the world. May our lives reflect the joy of the risen Christ, today and always. Amen.
- Author Unknown
Grace and peace,
Alison Bocking+
Director of Youth Ministries
Upcoming Events:
· April 19 – Sunday School 9:00 a.m., Youth Group 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
· April 26 – Sunday School 9:00 a.m., Youth Group 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
· May 3 – Sunday School 9:00 a.m., Bethlehem Trivia Night 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
· May 10 – Sunday School 9:00 a.m., NO Youth Group (Mother’s Day)
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Super Important Links:
Youth Calendar
Click here to view andsubscribe to our new and improved Google Youth Calendar!
iPhone Users: Click here to subscribe to our Youth Calendar
GroupMe
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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May Communion Offering
The communion offering on May 3 will be directed to Project Transformation. You may bring your offering to the altar rail during communion or donate online and designate for Project Transformation.
Monthly Mission
The next monthly mission will be Sunday, May 10, when we will collect peanut butter and jelly. Please plan to bring your peanut butter and jelly to the altar during the designated time during the worship service.
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Issues of the May/June 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.