Important Upcoming Events - October 4, 2024
One Worship Service October 6
We will have one worship service on Sunday, October 6 at 9:30 a.m. with Sunday School at 10:30 a.m.
Hurricane Helene Help
Since so many people have been affected by the devastation of Hurricane Helene, the Communion offering on Sunday will be used to help those victims. Also, on Sunday, October 13, we will create Hygiene Packets to be sent for people to use. Packing will be after the 8:15 a.m. worship service and before the 10:45 worship service in the Gathering Space. The church is purchasing all the supplies, but funds are needed to help offset the cost of shipping the packets to the locations. If you provide a financial gift, please be sure to indicate that it is for “Hygiene Packets.” If you have questions or need more info, please contact, Dana Smyth (dsmyth@bethlehemumc.com).
Blessing of the Animals
Join us on Saturday, October 12 for a Blessing of the Animals. This will be outside and begin at 10:00 a.m. If you have questions or need more info, please contact Pastor Craig Goff (cgoff@bethlehemumc.com)
College Care Packages
Let's show our college students how much we care! Fall care packages, assembled by our youth group, will be put together October 13 and then mailed to college-age students whether away at school or in the neighborhood. Please email Alison abocking@bethlehemumc.com to share mailing addresses for your college-age student.
Help us fill the care packages by donating needed items:
1. You can contribute snack or personal care items to put in the box. We are hoping to include a variety of things such as microwave popcorn, individually packaged crackers, cookies, and candy, Post-It notes, lip balm, flavor packets for water, gum and your notes or favorite Bible verses. A bin labeled "College Care Packages" will be in the Narthex for donations.
2. You can contribute money for mailing expenses or items for the boxes. Please put “College Care Packages” in the memo line.
Prayer Warriors Next Meeting October 15 at 2:00 p.m.
Bethlehem has a group of Prayer Warriors that meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 2:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. If you have a prayer request you would like this group to lift in prayer, please contact either Betty Swilley (swilleyb@bellsouth.net) or Pat Smith (psmith@bethlehemumc.com). Everyone is invited on Tuesday, October 15.
Additional Worship Help Needed
Laity Sunday is October 20. Lay Leader, Neill Little, is looking for folks to participate in the service to make Announcements, lead Children’s Moment, Joys and Concerns and Pastoral Prayer, Offertory Prayer and the Benediction. Children, youth and adults are all welcome. If you would like to participate in one of the services (8:15 or 10:45), contact Neill at 615-400-8916.
Youth Chili Cook-Off & Packing Rice and Beans
Get your slow cookers fired up for a little spicy competition and join us for our annual Chili Cook-Off on Sunday, October 20. We’ll need chili makers, chili tasters and chili eaters to make this event a success. All proceeds will benefit Youth Missions & Outreach. Click here to sign up:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4FA4A728A1F4C61-47607401-souper#/
For questions, contact Alison Bocking, Director of Youth Ministries, at abocking@bethlehemumc.com
Beginning at 9:30 a.m. that morning, we will pack rice and beans in the gym.
Handbells and Choir Rehearsals
The Bethlehem Bells and Chancel Choir rehearse on Wednesdays. The Handbells meet in Room CLC-202 (by the elevator) at 6:00 p.m. and the choir in the Sanctuary at 7:00 p.m. Please come out and join us! For more information, contact Joe Smyth (jsmyth@bethlehemum.com).
Flowers Needed for October 20 & 27
Flowers are needed for the October 20 & 27 Worship Services. 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 the Sign-Up Genius link from the church website (www.bethlehemumc.com) and select the Sunday/Sundays you want or you may contact Dana Smyth (dsmyth@bethlehemumc.com or 615-794-6721).
Worship Help Needed
Each week we need several people to help lead our worship services by being Greeters/Ushers or Liturgists. There’s a sign-up sheet at the Welcome Desk in the Narthex. Contact Dana Smyth (dsmyth@bethlehemumc.com or 615-794-6721) if you have questions or need more info.
Supplies Needed for Operation Christmas Child
We are collecting toys and empty, clean shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. Contact April Jackson (ajackson@bethlehemumc.com) if you have questions or need more info.
Artists Among Us
We will celebrate the artists among us featuring Bethlehem’s many talented artists on Sunday, November 10 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Old Sanctuary. Some art will be for sale with 10% of the proceeds to benefit Love on Wheels. Some art may be for display only. The purpose of this art show is to feature artist talent at BUMC and to get to know Bethlehem’s members better and encourage outside visitors to visit the church. If you are interested in participating, contact Margo Woodruff (mvwoodruff1943@gmail.com) by October 6.
Updated Safety & Security Measures
In an effort to provide safety for the church staff, preschool and Chesterton Academy of the Incarnation, all exterior doors will be locked during the week. If you arrive at church and the door by the Sanctuary is locked, please ring the doorbell or call the church (615-794-6721) for assistance.
Save the Date for These Important Events
October 6 — One Worship Service at 9:30 a.m. Sunday School at 10:30 a.m.
October 12 – Blessing of the Animals
October 13 — Monthly Mission – Pasta and Pasta Sauce
October 13 — Youth Pack College Care Packages
October 14 — Church Closed for Columbus Day
October 20 – Youth Chili Cook-off
October 20 – Pack Rice and Beans
October 26 — Trunk ‘R Treat
November 10 – Celebrate the Artists Among Us