Bethlehem News - February 21, 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.
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.
Vacation Bible School (VBS)
TRUE NORTH VBS 2025 REGISTRATION IS OPEN!! June 9 - 13 from 9:00 to noon each day. Get ready for the ultimate Alaskan adventure where northern lights glow over majestic mountains, racing rivers, and glistening glaciers. As kids trek the tundra, they’ll explore how easy it is to lose sight of what’s true in our wild world today. Pointing them toward Jesus, True North VBS shows them that Jesus is a faithful friend that we can always trust. He’s our True North! Register your kids today or sign up to volunteer as a leader or helper: https://vbspro.events/p/lights Free to kids ages 4 by 8/1/25 (and potty-trained) thru completing 5th grade. Registration will be limited to ensure the safety of all.
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 months of February and March. 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,
We hope everyone is staying warm and cozy this week. You know what sounds really good about right now? A bowl of homemade soup! We’re looking forward to our annual Souper Bowl Cook-Off on February 23. We need all hands on deck for this event as well as families to bring a pot of soup! 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. It’s an easy way to offset trip costs like our summer mission trip to Hinton Life Center in NC! To sign-up to bring soup or volunteer: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4FA4A728A1F4C61-47607401-souper#/
We are putting the final edits on our spring and summer calendar. Stay tuned for what’s coming next!
For facing great uncertainty
God of the present moment, God who in Jesus stills the storm and soothes the frantic heart; bring hope and courage to all who wait or work in uncertainty. Bring hope that you will make them the equal of whatever lies ahead. Bring them courage to endure what cannot be avoided, for your will is health and wholeness; you are God, and we need you. Amen.
As always, feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Peace,
Alison Bocking+
Director of Youth Ministries
Looking ahead:
• February 23 – Souper Bowl Cook-Off, 11:30 a.m. (Youth meet at 9:00 a.m.)
• March 2 – Sunday School: 9:00 a.m., Youth Group, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
• March 2 – Confirmation Class begins at 9:00 a.m.
• March 5 – Ash Wednesday, Service 7:00 p.m.
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 Sunday, March 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.
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 March/April 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.