Bethlehem News - May 1, 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!
Children and Family Brunch — May 10 @ 9:00 a.m.
On Mother's Day Sunday, May 10, we are inviting children and families to come to the Old Sanctuary and stay together for 9:00 a.m. Sunday School! We will have a special Brunch, photo op, activities, and guided faith discussions. Children are invited to come, even if other family members are unable to attend. Please RSVP to April Jackson (ajackson@bethlehemumc.com) so that we can provide enough food.
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 closing early! 70 kids are registered for VBS, June 8-12! Preschool and PreK spots are full. If you haven't registered as a Camper or as a Volunteer, be sure to do so today! Volunteer training will be held in the Old Sanctuary on May 28 at 10:00 a.m. and also May 31 at 9:00 a.m. All Volunteers are asked to attend one training session and complete a Background Check.
If you have fake or live tropical plants, animals, butterflies, or other rainforest decor that you would like to donate or let us borrow, we would be grateful!
Children’s Churc
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,
It’s almost May and the end of the school year is right around the corner! Woohoo! Join us on Sunday, May 3, for our second annual Bethlehem Trivia Night to support youth outreach and missions. We’d love for parents to form teams and join the fun! Suggested donation is $15/person and includes live trivia, pizza and snacks. Our youth will be helping serve and participating in trivia too. It’s also happens to be a big birthday for me, so come celebrate and make it even more special! Adults and teams register here: https://forms.gle/JxRiPeRmfWXpZPgg7
Hinton will be here soon and we need everyone to register by May 1 so we can get a final headcount. Click here to register: https://forms.gle/hYXg46iDc2gLU6Y98
This trip (June 21-26) 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 one more adult chaperone for this trip. We are very grateful that Corkey Wolczyk, aka Papa Cork has said yes to helping lead our construction project again this summer. All fees are covered for parent/adult chaperones. To learn more about Hinton and see a daily schedule, visit https://hintoncenter.org/m
The Glavin Scholarship deadline is Sunday, May 3. Interviews will take place on Tuesday, May 5. Senior Recognition Sunday will be on May 17.
UMYF Benediction
May the Lord bless you and keep you. You know the love and care of your community. May the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift his countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen.
Grace and peace,
Alison Bocking+
Director of Youth Ministries
Upcoming Events:
· 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)
· May 17 – Sunday School 9:00 a.m., Youth Group 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
· May 24 – Sunday School 9:00 a.m., NO Youth Group (Memorial Day Weekend)
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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. This daytime summer learning program is supported by the United Methodist Church. The program is led by college-age young adults who serve as interns. Bethlehem volunteers tutor and read with children who participate in Project Transformation. Bethlehem members also provide dinner for the interns throughout the summer as well as snacks and books for the children. Money collected from the communion offering will help cover the cost of books, snacks and supplies needed for the intern dinners. 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 helpyou through a difficult journey. Please contact Pat Smith (psmith@bethlehemumc.comor 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.