Bethlehem News - May 3, 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:
Summer Camp Scholarships Available
Scholarships may be available to cover your child or youth going to CHURCH CAMP this summer! Contact Ron Whitler (rwhitler@bethlehemumc.com) for more info.
Summer Fun Days
Let April 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
Summer will be here before we know it! There are just a few weeks left to register for VBS . . . invite friends and register today! This is a FREE camp, but we ask that ALL children be registered by May 22, the deadline using this link: (http://www.bethlehemumc.com/vbs). You won't want to miss this week of Faith and Fun, June 10-14, 9 to noon each day. We're going to have a splash at Scuba VBS 2024! For more info, please contact April Jackson (ajackson@bethlehemumc.com). 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,
Happy May! We’re super excited to announce our summer intern, Hannah Levering. Hannah is a soon to be graduate of Western Kentucky University, graduating with a dual Master’s degree in creative writing and ESL. During her time at Western Kentucky University, Hannah became involved in the Wesley Foundation and Broadway United Methodist Church. In her free time, she loves to volunteer, write, hike and read. She also loves coffee shops and finding new music. Hannah will serve as a part-time intern this summer while continuing to work with refugee children at Refuge Bowling Green. In the fall, she will be working at Goodlettsville Elementary School as an ESL teacher. Hannah will begin her internship at the end of this month.
Summer mission opportunities: June 23-27 and July 14-18. Registration is open for our July mission trip. We will be heading to Wilmore, Kentucky to serve with AdventureServe Ministries, July 14-18. AdventureServe Ministries is a non-profit, inter-denominational missions organization. They serve communities in the heart of Appalachia by equipping groups nationwide with programs that combine adventure and service. We will serve in the surrounding community and meeting any needs in the community. Every trip includes an adventure activity such as climbing, caving, canoeing, white water rafting, or challenge course. Trip will be led by Gabby Dannemiller, Hannah Levering and Alison Bocking. Families (youth and parents) are encouraged to serve together, individuals are welcome too. Cost is $275.
We’re still buttoning up the details on our June mission offering. If you’re interested in that week, stay tuned. You are welcome to join us for both trips if your schedule allows.
Mission trips are community-building events in which we put into action what we are learning spiritually. Each summer, we travel near and far to share God’s love. Mission trips include project work, shared meals, connections with members of the community, worship and reflection, socializing, and fun. Through these experiences, we build friendships, create bonds with people in the communities we serve, and deepen our faith.
Sunday school continues this week with our study on Connecting Faith and Justice. Youth group is back to our normal schedule from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
God himself abides in us, and we abide in him. Amen.
As always, feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Peace,
Alison Bocking+
Director of Youth Ministries
Upcoming Events:
• May 5 – Sunday School: 9:30 - 10:30 a.m., Fiesta! Youth Group: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
• May 12 – Sunday School: 9:30-10:30 a.m., NO Youth Group, Mother’s Day
• May 19 – Sunday School: 9:30 - 10:30 a.m., Youth Group: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
• May 26 – NO Sunday School, NO Youth Group: Memorial Day Weekend
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.
Click here to pick a Calendly date
Do you have a soccer game, orchestra performance, community play you'd like Alison to attend? Or maybe a family game night? Dinner outing? Parent chat over coffee? Please sign up for a date and time. If the time exceeds one hour, please select an additional block of time.
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Monthly Mission
The next monthly mission will be May 12 when we will collect peanut butter and jelly. Please plan to bring your peanut butter and jelly 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 May/June Upper Room are now available in the Narthex and 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 Pat Smith or call her 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.