Important Upcoming Events - December 20, 2024
Christmas Eve Planning
Four people are needed for the 11:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight and Communion service. See the sign-up sheet at the Welcome and Information Desk in the Narthex or contact Dana Smyth (dsmyth@bethlehemumc.com) for more info.
Church Office Closed Wednesday, Thursday & Friday
The Church Office will be closed Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, December 25, 26 & 27, in observance of the Christmas Holiday. If you have a pastoral emergency, please contact Pastor Craig Goff at (615) 337-4281. Normal Office hours will resume Monday, December 30.
Sunday Schedule
Bethlehem’s current Sunday schedule is Sunday School at 9:00 a.m. and Worship at 10:15 a.m.
Year End Contributions
For contributions to be counted in the 2024 year, all gifts (checks or cash) must be in the church office on or before Tuesday, December 31. Online gifts must be completed before 3:00 p.m. on Monday, December 30 to count as a 2024 contribution. Checks that are postmarked by December 31 that are actually received in the church office in 2025 will be considered a 2024 contribution. If you wish to give stock to the church, please allow time for the transaction to clear in order for it to be considered a 2024 contribution. Please contact Ron Whitler, rwhitler@bethlehemumc.com or 615-794-6721, if you wish to donate stock or have questions about making sure your contribution is considered a 2024 gift.
Clean Up From Advent/Christmas
Everyone is invited to help clean-up and put away the Advent/Christmas decorations on Monday, January 6 at 9:00 a.m. For more info, please contact Jan Speer (jtoli1@comcast.net).
Prayer Warriors Next Meeting January 7 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, January 7.
2025 Flower Sign-Ups
Flower sign-up sheets for 2025 Worship Services are now available in the Narthex at the Welcome and Information Desk. Arrangements are $50.00 each and can be taken home after the end of the 10:15 worship service. Contact Dana Smyth (dsmyth@bethlehemumc.com or 615-794-6721) for more into.
Worship Help Needed
Each week we need several people to help lead our worship services by being Greeters/Ushers or Liturgists. Contact Dana Smyth (dsmyth@bethlehemumc.com or 615-794-6721) if you have questions or need more info.
Discovery Weekend is Coming to Bethlehem, January 10-12
Discovery Weekend is coming in January! Discovery Weekend is a spiritual formation retreat (imagine all the goodness of summer camp crammed into a weekend!) held in the local church for youth in grades 6-12. Our weekend will be held January 10-12, 2025. We kickoff on Friday evening and wrap up on Sunday morning after the 10:15 a.m. worship service. Our theme is Rooted in God’s Love from the book of Ephesians. The weekend includes meaningful worship experiences, engaging discussions, and fun-filled activities. It all happens right on our campus at Bethlehem UMC with our entire church wrapping their arms around our youth.
Whether you or your child have been active or not, you are invited to this weekend. Everyone is invited to experience God’s love and find out how much God has to say.
Here are three key ways you can support Discovery Weekend:
Register: If you have a young person in grades 6-12, sign them up for Discovery Weekend. We want EVERY young person involved in this weekend! Deadline to register is January 2. The cost is $75. It’s really important to register early so we can plan for meals and other important details. REGISTER HERE: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe9xESOb2rHye3dihhm8NNAJup4IaaQIiPrJ4X3onS3v_ri0Q/viewform
Join the Discovery Team: We’ll need to fill 60+ volunteer slots throughout the weekend. The whole church is invited to participate in the weekend through serving on the team, praying, providing meals and snacks, and more. SIGN-UP HERE: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044CA4AC2DA2F85-46943187-discovery#/
Pray: Please begin praying for this weekend and our youth community at Bethlehem UMC and make plans to attend the Church-Wide Prayer Service on January 11, at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary.
If you would like to learn more about the weekend, contact Alison Bocking abocking@bethlehemumc.com
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
December 24 — Christmas Eve Services
4:30 — Family Friendly Service, Children Tell the Story
7:00 — Candlelight and Communion
11:00 — Candlelight and Communion
December 25, 26 & 27 — Church Closed for Christmas Holiday
December 31 – Last Day for 2024 Contributions (received in Church Office or Postmarked Date)
January 1 — Church Closed for New Year’s Holiday
January 6 — Clean-up Advent/Christmas Decorations (9:00 a.m.)
January 20 — Church Closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
February 17 — Church Closed for President’s Day
March 5 — Ash Wednesday