Bethlehem News - August 2, 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. Sunday School will be at 9:30 for all ages.
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 the All Media tab, then the Media tab and then the 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.
We are getting ready to go on a trip full of danger, drama . . . games and fun! Each Sunday of August, your kids are invited to join us as we journey to ancient Athens with Paul on his mission to share the truth. Our adventure will start at 9:30 in the Old Sanctuary. Kids will have time to help pack school supplies, hear what happened to Paul and his friends, play Olympic-style games, learn a little about ancient culture, and even try their hands at making pottery and aqueducts (hot wheel track style).
During Children's Church, we will also be learning about Paul's experiences, using different activities.
This Sunday, August 4, please encourage your kids to bring their backpacks for a blessing. Students of all ages and teachers/school personnel will be invited to the front during both services. This is a special time for them to know that their church family is praying for them!
This Sunday also marks the day when our 6th graders move up officially to YOUTH! We will miss you so much during our normal meeting times, but expect to see you during worship and other service and church-wide celebrations. Please contact Alison Bocking with any questions or concerns (abocking@bethlehemumc.com).
Between now and mid November, we are collecting school supplies for Operation Christmas Child gift boxes. Bethlehem kids will be helping to assemble the supplies into school kits. Please bring any supplies except liquid glue.
Acolytes Needed for Sunday Worship
As we get ready for a new school year, we are also looking at the calendar for the new church year. Last year, we had a nearly full calendar with at least one of our Acolytes serving every Sunday! That is amazing! Let's start strong and fill up the month of August. Let April Jackson know when your Acolyte would like to serve!
Parent’s Night Out — August 23
We're excited to offer a Parent's Night Out for our Bethlehem families on August 23. Mark your calendars! Please RSVP no later than August 18 to April Jackson. There will be pizza, games in the Gym, and fun with Bethlehem friends for potty-trained kids ages 3 - 5th grade.
Third Graders Bible – September 15
Sunday, September 15 - Bible Lunch and Learn for 3rd Graders - RSVP to April Jackson by September 8.
Trunk ‘R Treat – October 26
Mark your calendars and invite friends for Trunk 'R Treat, Saturday, October 26! - Come enjoy food, crafts, games, time with friends, and Bounces in the Gym from 4:26-6:26. Trunks open at 6:30.
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 August! Can you believe it is back-to-school time already? This Sunday is Blessing of the Backpacks at both services, 8:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. We want to send our young people, teachers, and school administration off with prayers and blessings. We will invite everyone to join us up front before the Offertory for a special blessing as you begin a new school year. We are looking forward to this year with all of its possibilities!
We will gather for Sunday school from 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. in the Youth Hall located in the lower level of the church building. This is where our community grows in its relationship with God through prayer, small and large group discussion, study, and other spiritual practices and activities. It’s a great way to center yourself in God as a new week begins. We will continue our series on The Beatitudes.
Our Back to School Kick-Off is Sunday, August 11. We will meet at BUMC at 1:30 p.m. to travel to SoundWaves at Gaylord Opry. We will return to BUMC at 7:00 p.m. Cost is $10. To RSVP, click this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfj7zExmuRRxsNgeCmSYpck0PRBcD6xejXDHAYfs5i4dZ0BLg/viewform
This is open to all young people in grades 6 - 12.
All youth are required to register to participate in Sunday School, Youth group and off-campus events. Click this link: https://form.jotform.com/abocks/youth-ministry-registration--medica to register your child. Please register one child per form. Thank you.
Back-to-School Litany
Learning is a gift from God.
As we begin this new school year, we give thanks that God has given us the ability to learn many things in many ways.
Loving God, sometimes a new school year seems exciting or scary or both.
Help us remember to show our thanks for your gifts of learning by doing our best every day.
We ask that you bless our schools, teachers, classmates and friends.
We ask that you bless those who prepare our lunches, those who drive us to school, and those who keep our schools clean and safe.
We ask God's blessing on this new school year, that it may be a time when we appreciate and fully use God's gift of learning.
Amen.
-prayer from United Methodist Discipleship Ministries
As always, feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Peace,
Alison Bocking+
Director of Youth Ministries
Upcoming Events:
Looking ahead:
• August 4 – Sunday School: 9:30 - 10:30 a.m., No Youth Group
• August 11 – Sunday School: 9:30 - 10:30 a.m., Back to School Kickoff at SoundWaves
• August 18 – Sunday School: 9:30 - 10:30 a.m., Youth Group, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
• August 25 – 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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August Communion Offering
The August Communion offering on August 4 will be directed to Kathy’s Backpacks. We packed 373 backpacks on Sunday, July 28. Our super shoppers were able purchase a backpack and fill it with supplies for about $25! We still need about $3,500.00 to completely cover the expenses we incurred for the 2024 backpacks.
Monthly Mission
The next monthly mission will be August 11 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 July/August 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.