Bethlehem News - June 7, 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:
VBS Begins Monday!
VBS begins Monday and we’re getting ready to DIVE into learning about our relationship with God! With some 75 campers and 45 volunteers, it's sure to be a "fin"-tastic week! At SCUBA VBS, we’ll learn that God is a friend who’s REAL. Even when we don’t see Him, we can trust that God is faithful. God is always with us, just like God was with the prophet Elijah, in big and small ways. We’ll be watching for God’s faithfulness each day. With the help of Jonah, we’ll learn that God loves us and other people, even when WE don’t love other people – and are super stinky. God loves us so much that he sent Jesus to rescue us and to draw us back to a forever friendship . . . a friendship that’s for people all over the world, like a woman named Lydia who we’ll meet by the edge of the water.
We are grateful for the many ways that people have shown up to support our kids and our ministry to kids in our community. Thank you for your prayers, donations, time decorating, help planning and preparing. Whether this week starts ripples or makes a big splash, it's sure to be a fun week of faith-growth that is life changing!
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.
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,
We are pivoting our trip plans yet again (whew!) in order to accommodate a second adult chaperone. We’re moving the dates to June 28 - 30 in Atlanta. A big thank you to Ashleigh Porter for being willing to go with us. Ashleigh is a young adult and member of Bethlehem UMC. Ashleigh grew up in the youth group at Bethlehem and most recently served on staff at Lakeshore Camp and Retreat Center. In the fall she will begin a new career in the classroom with Rutherford County Schools.
Here’s the details:
New date: June 28-30
New place: Atlanta, GA
We’re working on the exact schedule but our tentative plan is to depart on Friday evening, serve at St. Mark’s UMC on Saturday morning, enjoy a day at Six Flags and maybe squeeze in one more excursion. Cost is TBD (approx. $150) based on our housing option. We will travel in the BUMC van. Youth are welcome to use funds in their accounts to help cover the costs.
We’re learning a lot about flexibility and adaptability but excited to see what hidden gifts may arise out of our challenges. Our hope is to have 8 - 10 youth join us for this weekend. All youth in 7 - 12th grade are invited. Please talk to your child and see if they are interested in going. We need everyone to register by Monday, June 10. If you previously registered, your registeration will transfer over.
If you have questions or hesitations about the trip, please email me or give me a call on my cell, 615-707-5149.
Registration is open (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe9xESOb2rHye3dihhm8NNAJup4IaaQIiPrJ4X3onS3v_ri0Q/viewform).
As always, feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Peace,
Alison Bocking+
Director of Youth Ministries
Upcoming Events:
• June 9 – Sunday School: 9:30 - 10:30 a.m., Summer Kickoff, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
• June 10 - 14 – Vacation Bible School 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. each day
• June 16 – Sunday School: 9:30 - 10:30 a.m., Youth Group, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
• June 23 – 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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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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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.