Important Upcoming Events - January 10, 2025
Sunday Schedule
Bethlehem’s current Sunday schedule is Sunday School at 9:00 a.m. and Worship at 10:15 a.m.
Preschool Registration for 2025-26 School Year
Bethlehem Preschool will begin Fall 2025 registration on Thursday, January 16 for current students, siblings and Bethlehem United Methodist Church members. For other community members, registration will begin on Thursday, January 30. Please contact Kim Wixted at kwixted@bethlehemumc.com for more information or to schedule a tour.
Thank You for 2024 “Share the Feast”
The 2024 holidays have passed and 2025's winter is hard upon us. However, the impacts of the 2024 "Share the Feast" are still being felt in our community. BUMC has been the center of the food collection/distribution effort managed by Feed America First (FAF) for nearly twenty years and the generosity of BUMC members has been strong for that entire time. The food collected at a dozen schools, four pre-school/daycare centers and two local neighborhoods built a giant pile in the middle of our gym – over sixteen thousand pounds (cans/boxes)! Together with the youth from Chesterton Academy, some neighborhood families and many of our BUMC congregation, we separated and re-boxed all that food – generating 543 very full boxes to be shared with local food agencies who got the food to needy neighbors. AND......once again BUMC members reached deep into our own pockets and donated enough funds so that FAF was able to provide a turkey to go along with each of those food boxes.
All of this was possible because the families of 7,500 students, teachers and neighbors willingly shared a portion of their blessings and the 200 or so folks here at BUMC shared some of our blessings and one of our most precious assets – time. The families who received the food will never know those who donated, but they will know that there are people who care. Those food boxes made the holiday season a bit brighter for many people and the gifts of true Christian love and compassion offered their hearts some sustenance as well.
Prayer Warriors Next Meeting January 21 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 21.
2025 Flower Sign-Ups
Flowers are needed for the 2025 Worship Services. Specifically flowers are needed for January 19, February 2, 9 & 23. Arrangements are $50.00 each and can be taken home after the end of the worship service. Contact Dana Smyth (dsmyth@bethlehemumc.com or 615-794-6721) for more info or by using this link: http://www.bethlehemumc.com/flowers.
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 Has Been Postponed
Discovery Weekend has been postponed. If you have questions or need more info, 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
January 20 — Church Closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
February 17 — Church Closed for President’s Day
March 2 — Lenten Lunch for 3rd - 5th Graders (11:30 - 1:30) Bake & Burn Ashes
March 5 — Ash Wednesday
March 22 — VBS Fun Shop 9:00 a.m. to Noon
April 17 — Maundy Thursday
April 18 — Good Friday
April 19 — Easter Egg Hunt 10:00 a.m. & Activities
April 20 — Easter Sunday
April 21 — Church Closed for Easter Holiday
April 27 — Church Has Left the Building