Bethlehem News - February 7, 2025
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 10:15 a.m. Sunday School will be at 9:00 a.m. for all ages.
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 by clicking on the All Media tab, then the Media tab and then the Bulletin and Announcements tab.
The 2025 flower sign-up sheets are in the Church Office. Arrangements are $50.00 each and can be taken home after the end of the 10:15 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.
Sunday, February 9 Activities
This Sunday, we will be learning about how Jesus loved others as we interact with the story of Lazarus during Sunday School at 9:00 a.m. Children's Church will give us time to focus on how we show love to Jesus and others, as we make love bugs and Valentine cards.
Parent’s Night Out
Even Jesus needed a little time away every now and then. The Children's Ministry at Bethlehem would like to offer you a little time away to have a quiet night while your kids gather for food and fun: Parents' Night Out - Saturday, February 15 from 5:30 - 8:00 p.m. in the Old Sanctuary. Bethlehem Kids are invited for pizza and a movie. RSVP by February 12 to April Jackson.
Lenten Lunch – Bake and Burn
3rd-5th Grade Lenten Lunch - Sunday, March 2 from 11:30-1:30 in the Banquet Hall. We are nearing the season of Lent, 40 days of preparing our hearts and our lives for Easter. This 40 day season begins on Ash Wednesday (March 5) . One of the ways that we teach our kids about the significance of Ash Wednesday and the Lenten season is with our annual "Bake and Burn" party for 3rd -5th graders. We will learn of the first reference to ashes (dust) and burn last year's palms. The ashes will be used on Ash Wednesday (March 5 at 7:00 p.m.) as the pastor "imposes" an ash cross on each person's forehead and reminds us "from dust you came, from dust you will return." BUT, the bigger story of Easter is the grace of God and the miracle of the empty tomb. So, we will use Bible verses as our recipe and each one will make their own sweet "empty tomb" marshmallow muffin. This is a fun and meaningful time for our older kids. Please RSVP by February 26 to April Jackson so that we have enough supplies and food for lunch.
Acolytes Needed for Sunday Worship
We are 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 continue strong and fill up the month of February. Let April Jackson know when your Acolyte would like to serve!
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 each week.
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, every Sunday morning from 8:45 a.m. until the end of the 10:15 worship 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,
A big thank you to everyone who showed up last weekend to serve dinner for our Room in the Inn guests and pack Snack Packs for their main campus! In the words of Bob Goff, “Love Does.” We will continue our new Sunday school series Everybody Always by Bob Goff on Sunday. As always, we’ll start with cinnamon rolls in the Banquet Hall kitchen. Youth group will not meet this week.
Below is our schedule for February. We will finish the month with our annual Souper Bowl Cook-Off. We need all hands on deck for this event! Youth working this event will receive credits in their accounts to be used for future events and trips. Parents who volunteer will also receive credits to their child’s account. To sign-up to bring soup or volunteer, click here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4FA4A728A1F4C61-47607401-souper#/
• February 9 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., NO Youth Group
• February 16 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., Youth Group, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
• February 23 – Souper Bowl Cook-Off, 11:30 a.m. (Youth meet at 9:00 a.m.)
Confirmation Classes will begin on February 23. Confirmation is a time set aside to teach and nurture young people in the basics of the Christian faith and understanding of that faith as United Methodists. All are welcome! To register click here: https://forms.gle/CobDKAGrcPbaUSVj8
Stay tuned for our spring and summer calendar. Don’t forget that our mission trip to Hinton Life Center is June 22-27. Registration will open on February 14.
A Prayer for February
Loving God,
As we step into this new month, we thank you for the gift of life and for the opportunity to experience your love and grace.
February is a time to reflect on relationships, both with you and with others.
Help us to cherish and nurture the connections we have, and to seek reconciliation and healing where needed. Grant us wisdom and patience to grow in kindness, love, and understanding.
May your light shine in our hearts and guide us through the challenges we face. We pray for strength and courage to remain faithful and hopeful, always trusting in you.
May this month bring peace, joy, and a deeper sense of your presence in our lives.
In Your holy name. Amen.
written by Rachel Humphreys
As always, feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Peace,
Alison Bocking+
Director of Youth Ministries
Looking ahead:
• February 9 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., NO Youth Group
• February 16 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., Youth Group, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
• February 23 – Souper Bowl Cook-Off, 11:30 a.m. (Youth meet at 9:00 a.m.)
Super Important Links:
Click here to view and subscribe to our new and improved Google Youth Calendar!
iPhone Users: Click here to subscribe to our Youth Calendar
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 Sunday, February 9 (THIS SUNDAY), 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.
Room in the Inn Needs YOU
During these cold winter months, it’s important that we remember those who are less fortunate than us and help with Room in the Inn. Bethlehem partners with Room in the Inn (RITI) to host 10 homeless men every Saturday night until the end of March. If you are interested in participating in this ministry, sign-up sheets are in the Narthex and Gathering Space or by using this Sign-Up Genius link: http://www.bethlehemumc.com/riti If you have any questions or need more info, please contact Mike Loring (mloring@live.com or 615-596-0985).
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Issues of the January/February Upper Room are in the black mailbox just outside the Sanctuary doors and on the tables in the Narthex. 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 contact Pat Smith (psmith@bethlehemumc.com or 615-794-6721) for more info.
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.