Bethlehem News - May 8, 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.
Don't forget to RSVP (ajackson@bethlehemumc.com) for the Mother's Day Brunch, this Sunday at 9:00 a.m. in the Old Sanctuary! We will have food, a photo op, activities, and guided faith discussion. No prior Sunday School experience needed :) Come and enjoy time as a family! Children are invited to come, even if other family members are unable to attend. Please RSVP so that we can have enough chairs and food.
Register today for Rainforest Falls VBS!
VBS is June 8-12; if you haven't registered as a Camper or as a Volunteer, be sure to use this link: www.bethlehemumc.com/vbs and do so today! Volunteer training is May 28 at 10:00 a.m. and also May 31 at 9:00 a.m. (both trainings are in the Old Sanctuary). All adult volunteers are asked to attend one training session and complete a Background Check.
If you have rainforest decor like fake or live tropical plants, monkeys, toucans, butterflies, etc. that you would like to donate or let us borrow, we would be grateful!
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,
Welcome to the wild month of May! A big thank you to everyone who showed up for our second annual Bethlehem Trivia Night on Sunday night. It was so much fun! Our next big Sunday will be on May 17 as we honor our 2026 Graduates.
We are thrilled to announce that Ashleigh Porter will be serving with us this summer as our intern. Ashleigh grew up in the youth group at Bethlehem UMC, served on staff at Lakeshore Camp & Retreat Center following college and currently teaches elementary school in Rutherford County. She will begin her time with us in June.
We are also SO excited to be returning to Hinton in June with a team of 14 youth and adults. We are very grateful that Corkey Wolczyk, aka Papa Cork, has said yes to helping lead our construction project again this summer, and Stacey Ells will be returning as one of our adult chaperones.
A Prayer for Joy and Renewal
O Father, as summer blooms before us, we seek Your grace to fill our hearts with joy and gratitude. Bless the sun-kissed days with peace, laughter, and precious time with loved ones. May we revel in Your creation, finding renewal and strength through the warmth of Your love. Amen.
Grace and peace,
Alison Bocking+
Director of Youth Ministries
Upcoming Events:
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)
· May 31 – Sunday School 9:00 a.m., Youth Group 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
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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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Monthly Mission
The next monthly mission will be THIS 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.