Bethlehem News - May 24, 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 9:30 a.m.
This week's worship service 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:
Vacation Bible School Orientation
VBS Volunteers, please plan to attend one Orientation session either on Thursday, May 30 at 10:00 a.m. or on Sunday, June 2 at 9:30 a.m. in the Old Sanctuary. You are welcome to bring your children with you. We will have snacks, fun, and get ready to make a splash! Youth Orientation will be on Sunday, June 2 at 5:00 p.m. in the youth rooms
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.
Fish Fry Toys Needed
It's time to bring in Fish Fry prizes (Happy Meal toys, etc.) Prizes may be dropped in the container in the Narthex or by April's office. Contact April Jackson for more information.
Vacation Bible School
It's almost time to dive into the deep love of Jesus and explore what it means to dive into friendship with God!
What a fin-tastic chance to help kids discover that God is a friend who is real. He loves us and we can trust Him to be our friend forever! We're suiting up for a week full of Bible-learning experiences, team building games, sciency fun experiences, creative play, and songs that will speak truth to us long after this week is over! Plus, we'll help kids discover how to see evidence of God in everyday life!
Let's all get together and make sure that we are ready to go! Please plan to attend ONE of these fun orientation meetings:
• Thursday, May 30 at 10:00 a.m. in the Old Sanctuary (your kids can come too!)
• Sunday, June 2 at 9:30 a.m. in the Old Sanctuary (your kids can come too!)
• Sunday, June 2 at 5:00 p.m. in the Banquet Hall (for Youth)
Registration is CLOSED. If you need to register a child who is coming with you - let April Jackson know!
This is such a fun and important theme. I pray that we all have an awesome time and come away closer to God and closer to one another.
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,
School’s out for summer! Woohoo! We’re so proud of all of our youth! Congratulations to our 2024 Grads: Jake Dannemiller (Glavin Scholarship recipient), Logan Holdaway, Jade Horne, Ella Hunnicutt (Glavin Scholarship recipient), Samantha Jennings and Tori Waggoner. As we move into a holiday weekend, please remember we will have one worship service on Sunday, May 26 at 9:30 a.m. Sunday school and youth group will not meet.
We’re sad to inform everyone that our previously announced summer intern withdrew her commitment to join us this summer to travel abroad. If you know of a college student or young adult who may have interest in joining us in June and July, please reach out.
We’re still planning to head to east to Chattanooga, Tennessee and Atlanta from June 23 - 26. This trip will be a mix of service, learning, and fun! We are looking for a parent who might be willing to commit to join us so we can continue with our plans. Cost is $275. Youth are welcome to use funds in their accounts to help cover the costs. Registration is open (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe9xESOb2rHye3dihhm8NNAJup4IaaQIiPrJ4X3onS3v_ri0Q/viewform). Please note that our July mission trip has been canceled due to no registrations.
Please know we will have other short term local service opportunities scheduled throughout summer. Our 2025 mission trip dates will be released in the mid-fall, so families can plan ahead to participate.
Interested in helping with VBS? Each day the youth will serve at VBS and go out to lunch afterwards. Reach out to April Jackson (ajackson@bethlehemumc.com) if you would like to join us. The youth VBS orientation will take place on Sunday, June 2 at 5:00 p.m. in the Banquet Hall.
“O God, in the course of this busy life, give us times of refreshment and peace; and grant that we may so use our leisure to rebuild our bodies and renew our minds, that our spirits may be opened to the goodness of your creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 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 26 – NO Sunday School, NO Youth Group: Memorial Day Weekend
• June 2 – Sunday School: 9:30 - 10:30 a.m., VBS Orientation, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
• June 9 – Sunday School: 9:30 - 10:30 a.m., Summer Kickoff, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
• June 16 – Sunday School: 9:30 - 10:30 a.m., Youth Group, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
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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June Communion Offering
The June communion offering on June 2 will be directed to Kathy’s Backpacks. Funds will be used to help purchase backpacks and supplies to provide for children in the Williamson County School system. Backpacks will be filled on July 28 beginning at 10:30 a.m. in the gym.
Monthly Mission
The next monthly mission will be June 9 when we will collect beans and rice. Please plan to bring your beans and rice 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.