Bethlehem News - October 6th, 2023
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 2023 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 the Sign-Up Genius link 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:
Third Grade Bibles
On October 22, we will be presenting Bibles to all 3rd graders who consider Bethlehem their church. A Lunch and Learn will follow at noon. Please let April Jackson (ajackson@bethlehemumc.com) know if your 3rd grader would like a Bible, how they would like their name listed inside, and if your family is available on October 22.
Operation Christmas Child
We are gathering small toys and items for shoebox gifts. Bring your donations any time between now and November 12. We are also collecting normal sized shoeboxes.
Trunk ‘R Treat
Mark your calendar and start inviting friends of all ages! Join us from 4:28 - 6:28 p.m. on Saturday, October 28 for Trunk ’R Treat! Everyone is encouraged to dress in costume and come for a pizza/snack dinner and lots of fun! We’ll have bounce houses, games, a fun walk, and crafts.
Adults: plan to decorate your trunk and bring candy or treats to hand out to the kids. Prizes will be awarded to the best decorated trunks!
Kids: don’t forget your treat bags. Invite your friends, family, and neighbors for a fun, FREE night for ALL ages! You won’t want to miss Trunk ’R Treat!
Trunk 'R Treat may very well be the unveiling of next year's VBS theme . . . !
Don't miss it!
UPCOMING EVENTS:
October 22 - Bible Lunch and Learn - 3rd Graders receive Bibles. RSVP to April
October 28 – Trunk 'R Treat - 4:28-6:28 p.m. Join us in the Gym for pizza, bounce houses, crafts, games and more! Invite family and friends!
November 5 - Rice and Bean Packing - 9:15 a.m. join us in the Gym to help pack a ton of rice and 1,000# of beans!
November 12 - Shoebox Packing Party for Operation Christmas Child - 4:30 p.m. gather in the Old Sanctuary. Bring small toys and gifts to help pack gift boxes to go to children in need all over the world.
Less than 100 days to Christmas . . . make a list with your family. . . of something that you're thankful for each day until then!
Grateful for you!
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.
Children’s Sunday School
We learn through Bible reading activities, games, discussion, a 2 - 3 minute video, theme-related snacks and more — 9:30 a. m. each Sunday in the Old Sanctuary and Children’s Classrooms.
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 Dana Smyth (dsmyth@bethlehemumc.com) for more info on any of these youth activities:
THIS WEEK:
Sunday School – Every Sunday - 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Join us in the Banquet Hall Kitchen to start your week with breakfast and fellowship. From there we head to the Youth Classrooms to look for the word of God in our day-to-day. Until October 8 we’ll be watching the inspiring movie Soul Surfer and discussing God’s ability to help us push beyond the worst of things.
NO Sunday Evening Activities October 8 – Fall Break!
Friends and guests between 6th and 12th grade are always welcome at our youth events!
UPCOMING EVENTS:
October 8 – NO Sunday Night Youth. Fall Break!
October 22 – Youth pack College Care Packages (Sunday evening)
November 12 – Shoebox Packing at 4:30 and Church-Wide Thanksgiving Dinner at 6:00 PM.
November 17 - 19 - HARVEST WEEKEND IS BACK!!! Block your calendars now for a weekend retreat away from the craziness of middle school and high school. We’ll take the time to connect with each other, reflect on where God is in our lives and simply have a good time! This year we’ll enjoy Widjiwagan’s Giant Swing, Climbing Wall and Kangaroo Bouncer as well as four worship sessions and lessons. We will need volunteers and drivers for the weekend - please consider joining us for this wonderful weekend. More details coming soon!
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.
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Monthly Mission – October 8
Every second Sunday of the month we collect food items to be donated to those less fortunate. The next collection will be Sunday, October 8 when we will collect pasta and pasta sauce. Please plan to bring your pasta and pasta sauce to the altar during the singing of the first hymn/song during either worship service.
Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Info
It's time to bring in school supplies, small cars, playing cards, baby dolls, stuffed animals, etc. for Operation Christmas Child. Christmas always feels like it comes a little early at Bethlehem as we start to prep for Shoeboxes! There's a lot of work that goes into the boxes long before the packing party (as many of you know already!). If you are interested in joining in the prep, we'd love your help.
Shoebox Prep Includes:
• Watching for really good deals on small dolls, hotwheels, playdough
• School Supplies organized and put into kits
• Hygiene Supplies purchased, organized and put into kits
• Donations sorted, prepped (packaging removed) and counted for a rough idea of packing setup
• T-shirts cut, stretched and braided for jump ropes
• Fleece cut and wrapped around dolls and stuffed animals
• Boxes Wrapped – Valerie Porter has wrapped hundreds, if not into the thousands, of the most beautiful boxes! But with the number of boxes that we're packing, Valerie could use some help.
• Quality Control of each box
Some of this is perfect for small groups of kids or adults to work on as a 30 to 45 minute service project (for scouts, etc.).
We are working towards packing 300 boxes this year...and each one has the power to change a life, by letting a little one know how much they matter!
Bethlehem UMC is a community Drop Off Location during National Collection Week: November 13 - 20!
Let April Jackson know if you would like more information or want to get involved.
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 September/October 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 Pastor Craig Goff or Pat Smith or call them 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.