Bethlehem News - April 12, 2024
Click below to read updates from various ministries at Bethlehem United Methodist Church
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We are worshipping in person together this Sunday at 8:15 and 10:45 a.m.
This week's worship services will be live streamed and recorded on our church website and on Facebook. Currently the worship bulletin is available on the website then by clicking on News tab, then Bulletin and Announcements tab.
The 2024 flower sign-up sheets are in the Church Office. Arrangements are $50.00 each and can be taken home after the end of the 10:45 worship service. Flowers can also be reserved using this Sign-Up Genius link (www.Bethlehemumc.com/flowers) and select the Sunday/Sundays you want or you may contact Dana Smyth 615-794-6721.
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:
Cedar Crest Open House
Join Cedar Crest for their 2024 Summer Camp Open House on April 14! All are welcome to stop by from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. for a camp tour, a chance to meet the staff, and the opportunity to ride the zip line. Come and see what a summer at Cedar Crest is all about! Use this link to register for the Open House: https://ow.ly/MGen50R3nGH
Summer Camp Scholarships Available
Scholarships are available to cover your child or youth going to CHURCH CAMP this summer! Here is the online application for Bethlehem's Endowment Committee to cover Camp Registration Fees: https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.213/vm3.696.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Endowment-Fund-Grant-v7.pdf
Summer Fun Days
Let April (ajackson@bethlehemumc.com) know if your children would participate in Summer Fun Days this coming summer. We have had open gym, painting, bowling, skating, swimming, sno cones & science, etc. in the past. Let us know of your interest!
Vacation Bible School
There are only 20 openings left for Scuba Kids' Camp - VBS, June 10 – 14 9:00 a.m. to noon each day. Be sure to sign your child up (http://www.bethlehemumc.com/vbs) and invite friends and neighbors soon! Also, we'd love to borrow any scuba equipment, fish tanks, lobster traps, etc. that you may have, to use as decoration. Youth (entering 7th grade and older) and adults are encouraged to register as volunteers. Let's make sure that all kids are able to attend by having a great turnout of volunteers!
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 during each service.
Worship Bags
Worship bags are on the hooks in the hallway across from Pastor Craig’s office. Keep us in mind if you get tired of your Rubik's cubes or other quiet gadgets and want to donate new or lightly used items.
Nursery Available
Nursery is available for children 3 and under, on Sunday mornings from 8:10 a.m. through the end of the 10:45 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 and Youth,
One of my important mottos in youth ministry is that youth ministry doesn’t happen in the church office, it happens where the young people are. I am a people person. I love to be around people and get to know them, but sometimes that’s hard in the hustle and bustle on Sundays. I’d love to carve some time out to get to know you and your family better. That might be an invitation to dinner at your home, an invitation to a band concert, or a simple coffee chat. I’ve created a Calendly (https://calendly.com/abocking-bumc/family?month=2024-04) to offer times to join you and your family over the next few months. There is no agenda, just a casual opportunity to build relationships with one another. I look forward to connecting with each of you!
Sunday school is back on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. We will continue our series on Connecting Faith and Justice. As always, we will start off with cinnamon rolls in the Banquet Hall kitchen. Youth group continues on Sunday night at 5:00 p.m. We’re going to break bread together, play some new games and discuss living as Easter people in community with one another. We have a few open dates for supper including this Sunday, if you can volunteer, we would be so grateful! Click here to sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4FA4A728A1F4C61-47643726-youth#/
We’re going bowling at Franklin Lanes on April 21. Please RSVP here (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfj7zExmuRRxsNgeCmSYpck0PRBcD6xejXDHAYfs5i4dZ0BLg/viewform) so we can secure enough lanes.
Draw us forth, God of all creation. Draw us forward and away from limited certainty into the immense world of your love. Give us the capacity to even for a moment taste the richness of the feast you give us. Give us the peace to live with uncertainty, with questions, with doubts. Help us to experience the resurrection anew with open wonder and an increasing ability to see you in the people of Easter. Amen.
As always, feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Peace,
Alison Bocking+
Director of Youth Ministries
Upcoming Events:
• April 14 – Sunday School: 9:30 - 10:30 a.m., Youth Group: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
• April 21 – Sunday School: 9:30 - 10:30 a.m., Youth Group Outing to Franklin Lanes: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
• April 28 – Sunday School: 9:30 - 10:30 a.m., Youth Group: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
• May 5 – Sunday School: 9:30 - 10:30 a.m., Youth Group: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Super Important Links:
Youth Calendar
Click here to view and subscribe 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 the GroupMe app.
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Monthly Mission
The next monthly mission will be April 14 (THIS SUNDAY) when we will collect pasta and pasta sauce. Please plan to bring your beans and rice to the altar during the singing of the first hymn/song to share with those less fortunate. All items collected will be given to Feed America First.
Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels has experienced an increased demand for persons needing meals. If you can spare a couple of hours once a month to help deliver meals, please contact Brenda Wilhoite (615-473-5217) for more info.
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Issues of the March/April Upper Room are now available in the black mailbox just outside the Sanctuary doors. 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 email Pastor Craig Goff or Pat Smith or call them at 615-794-6721.
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.