Important Upcoming Events - November 1, 2024
Fall Back Saturday Night
Daylight Savings Time ends this Sunday, November 3, at 2:00 a.m. Remember to set your clocks back one hour on Saturday evening. All events at Bethlehem will be at normal times on Sunday.
Worship and Sunday School Time Opinionaire
This Sunday and next (November 3 & 10), everyone will have an opportunity to vote on the time we will have Worship and Sunday School in the future. The Church Council voted on Tuesday, October 29, to begin having one worship service starting in December and church attendees will help determine what time to begin. Everyone is encouraged to vote ONE time. If you will not be in worship either of the next two Sundays, you may come by the church office during normal business hours (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday – Thursday or 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Friday) and vote. If you have questions or need more info, please contact Rev. Terry Carty, tcarty@bethlehemumc.com
Election Day Prayer Vigils
The Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference Church and Society Committee has been working to support and resource our congregations during this election season. Voting is one way that we live out our call to love our neighbors. It can also be a challenge to navigate the boundaries between faith and politics. One action we can always take is to pray together for our nation, state, and elected officials and ourselves as we seek to live out our faith in this election season.
Several churches in the conference are holding prayer vigils on Election Day (November 5), including Belmont UMC in Nashville from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. We are planning to carpool to Belmont on Tuesday leaving the church at 10:30 a.m. You are also invited to pray in our Sanctuary here at Bethlehem anytime between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Election Day.
Prayer Warriors Next Meeting November 5 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, November 5.
Supplies Needed for Operation Christmas Child
We are collecting toys and clean, empty (regular size) 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.
Share the Feast – November 16
Once again it’s time to plan for Share the Feast – Bethlehem’s annual day to share food with those less fortunate. This year, the goal is to provide 500 turkeys for food boxes that will be packed. Cost per turkey is $15.00. Last year, Bethlehem collected over $8,000.00, so the goal of $7,500.00 for this year is definitely achievable. The other big need is for volunteers to join in the packing event. The packing will begin at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 16 in the gym. Canned goods for the boxes will be provided by area schools and other sources. If you have questions or need more info, please contact Dave Speer at djspeer@comcast.net
Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Packing — November 17
Everyone is invited to join in the fun on Sunday, November 17 at 4:30 p.m. in the Old Sanctuary. We will pack shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. Remember to save your empty shoeboxes (regular size only). We still need a lot of shoeboxes and the earlier we get them, the sooner we can wrap them to make it easier to fill them on November 17. If you have questions or need more info, please contact April Jackson (ajackson@bethlehemumc.com).
Church-Wide Thanksgiving Dinner — November 17
The annual Church-Wide Thanksgiving Dinner will be November 17 in the gym at 6:00 p.m. This event requires a lot of congregation participation to be a success. Sign-up sheets are in Adult Sunday School class folders and on the bulletin board outside Pastor Craig’s office. Contact Pat Smith psmith@bethlehemumc.com for more info. The church provides the turkey, dressing and drinks (tea, lemonade and water). Everyone is invited to bring a salad, vegetable or dessert to share. Sign-up sheets are in Adult Sunday School class folders and on the bulletin board outside Pastor Craig’s office. Contact Pat Smith psmith@bethlehemumc.com for more info.
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.
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
November 3 – All Saints Sunday
November 10 – Celebrate the Artists Among Us
November 10 – Monthly Mission – Canned Goods for Share the Feast
November 11 — Church Closed for Veteran’s Day
November 16 — Share the Feast (Packing Food Boxes) at 8:00 a.m.
November 17 — Pack Operation Christmas Child Boxes at 4:30 p.m.
November 17 — Church-Wide Thanksgiving Dinner at 6:00 p.m.
November 28 & 29 — Church Closed for Thanksgiving Day Holiday