Bethlehem News - June 18th
Click below to read updates from various ministries at Bethlehem United Methodist Church
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Project Transformation (PT) helps elementary and middle school aged children in low income areas maintain or improve their reading skills during the summer. Bethlehem volunteers will be reading partners the week of June 26 - 29. There’s a box in the narthex for snacks for the children - bring individual packages of pretzels, goldfish crackers, granola bars or fruit snacks. We’re also providing a meal for the PT interns - dinner on June 27. Contact Liz Maden or Jan Speer to help.
There are a couple of other opportunities to serve:
We are feeding 30 PT interns dinner on June 27. Liz Maden and Jan Speer are helping to coordinate this meal. Reach out to them if you would like to help.
Franklin First UMC is looking for other people to serve dinner on June 22 at the Antioch UMC Family Fun Night. Let Rebecca Little know if you are interested in helping with this and she’ll pass the word along.
Please contact Rebecca Little if you have questions or need more info.
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This Sunday is the third Sunday after Pentecost, and it is also Father’s Day. Our theme for this Sunday is about our walk with God based on Genesis 6:8-9. During summertime, Moses & I walk on this beautiful and peaceful trail in our neighborhood. When we walk down this trail, we say hello to people as we pass each other moving in opposite directions. On one occasion, we even offered a prayer with someone as we began a conversation with that person. If the person you meet is wearing headphones and listening to music, it is better to merely nod at them. If people are on their bikes, they politely signal you or say they are about to pass you. It is possible to have a lot of human interaction while walking on the trail, without really getting to know anyone. Quite often, we will see two people walking together. They talk together, keep up with each other’s pace, and enjoy each other’s company. They are more than mere acquaintances who happen to be on the same trail. Taking a walk on this trail reminds me of the many great women and men in the Bible who walked with God. The Bible says that Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time and he walked with God. We all know that we are supposed to walk with God. We know that we are commanded to read the Bible and pray every day. So, how is our personal time with God? How is our walk with God? Is it ongoing, fruitful, enjoyable, and consistent? When God calls us to walk with Him, God is looking for something more than a mere friendly greeting as we meet Him on the path. It is possible to recognize God as someone we admire as we meet Him often on the path of life, but God wants more for each one of us. God wants us to align His steps with ours. God wants us to converse with Him, and to take time to get to know Him more personally and fully. Come join us for worship this Sunday as we learn together of how we can grow in our walk with God. It could be the beginning of a truly great adventure! See you all on Sunday!
We are worshipping in person together this Sunday at 8:15 and 10:45 a.m. Masks are optional.
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 Folder 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:
Wednesday, June 21, will be the first Super Summer Fun day. Plan to gather in the Banquet Hall from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. to create rockets and sno cones. Youth are encouraged to come as helpers.
Children’s Church Info
Please make sure that you use the Sign Up sheets in the Narthex to register your children for Children's church. If possible, please sign them in before the service begins. We are offering Children's church during each service and have plenty of space for your kids!
Nursery is available for children under the age of 3 for Sunday worship service.
Worship bags for children are on the hooks in the hallway across from Pastor Craig’s office. There are some brand new fidget toys in them! 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.
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Please contact Steve Lefebvre, Director of Youth Ministries (slefebvre@bethlehemumc.com) for more info on any of these youth activities:
SAVE THE DATE:
Sunday, June 25 - Steve’s Last Sunday (5:00 - 7:00 p.m.) Come spend some time celebrating the last 4.5 years of youth ministry at Bethlehem. We will have supper, share stories, and end our time with communion. All are welcome, including alumni, former volunteers, and parents. Meets in the Banquet Hall
THIS WEEK:
Sunday Morning - A/V Club (9:30 - 10:30 a.m.) Join us in the Banquet Hall Kitchen for breakfast and then we will gather into the youth room to watch The Avengers! Meets in the Banquet Hall Kitchen
Sunday Night Youth is off for Father's Day
SUMMER EVENTS:
June 25 - Steve’s Last Sunday (Communion and Story Sharing Time)
July 9 - Sunday Night Youth
July 12 - Family Bowling Day
July 16 - Sunday Night Youth
July 21 - Fish Fry
July 26 - Family Skating Day
July 28 - Summer Lock-in
August 6 - Back to School Bash
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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Bethlehem's next blood drive will be Friday, June 23 in the gym. Please plan to help give the gift of life. Pre-registration is recommended by going to redcrossblood.org and entering the church’s ZIP Code of 37069. If you have questions or need more info, please contact Pat Smith or 615-794-6721.
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 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.