Important Upcoming Events - March 22, 2024
Fun Fact
The soft drink machine in the gym (near the restrooms) has been repaired and filled with 12 ounce cans. Cost per can is $1.00. Visit the machine and purchase your favorite soft drink. Proceeds from it will be directed to youth missions. Also, the Gatorade machine in the gym lobby has been restocked. Each 20 ounce bottle is only $1.00. Proceeds from the Gatorade machine will be used for Operation Christmas Child.
Coffee and Conversation with Pastor Craig — Sundays in March
This Sunday is the last day to join Pastor Craig for Coffee and Conversations at 9:30 a.m. in CLC 205. This week’s discussion will be Who Is Bethlehem. This class is designed for those who are new to the church, but if you would like to have a refresher course on our church and tradition we would love to have you join us. If you have questions or need more info, please contact Pastor Craig (cgoff@bethlehemumc.com).
Easter Lily Fundraiser
The youth are having their annual Easter Lily fundraiser. See the insert in Sunday’s bulletin to purchase a lily in honor of or memory of a loved one. This Sunday is the LAST day to place an order. Cost of each lily is $20.00 and proceeds will support youth mission trips. If you have questions or need more info, please contact Alison Bocking (abocking@bethlehemumc.com).
Palm Sunday Procession
This Sunday children of all ages are encouraged to meet in the Narthex prior to each service to process into the Sanctuary with palms during the singing of the first hymn/song. Palms will be placed at the altar rail. Remember, next year, the dried palm branches will be burned for Ash Wednesday ashes.
Holy Week Schedule
Join us this Sunday for Palm Sunday as we begin Holy Week 2024. On Thursday evening, we will have a Maundy Thursday service with communion beginning at 7:00 p.m. Then on Friday evening, we will have a Good Friday service beginning at 7:00 p.m. Saturday morning will begin with an Easter Egg Hunt beginning at 10:00 a.m. outside or in the gym if there is inclement weather. Sunday will begin with a Sunrise service at 7:00 a.m. in the Courtyard Garden, followed by regular Sunday worship services at 8:15 and 10:45 a.m. in the Sanctuary.
Easter Egg Hunt — March 30
Join us March 30 for the Easter Egg Hunt at 10:00 a.m. Story Walk, Games & Activities too! All are welcome!
Church Closed April 1
The church office will be closed on Monday, April 1 (NO April Fool) for the staff’s Easter holiday. April 1 begins Pastor Craig’s month long renewal leave, for any pastoral needs, please contact Rev. Betty Proctor, the senior pastor at Hillsboro United Methodist Church, and retired pastor Rev. Denman Frazier.
Rev. Proctor can be reached at 615-595-0155 and at pastor@hillsboroumc.com
Rev. Frazier can be reached at 615-202-6607 and at denmanfrazer@gmail.com
Prayer Warriors
Bethlehem has a group of Prayer Warriors that meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 2:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary to pray for all those on the church’s prayer list and other requests. If you have a prayer request you would like this group to lift in prayer, please contact either Betty Swilley (swilleyb@bellsouth.net) or Pat Smith (psmith@bethlehemumc.com). Everyone is invited to join the group to pray. Next meeting will be on April 2.
Room in the Inn Needs
Room in the Inn is a year round program for the homeless population in Nashville. Currently the program has the following over the counter drug needs: ibuprofen, acetaminophen, cough drops, antacids, multivitamins, Chapstick, daytime cold & flu soft gels and feminine hygiene products. Bethlehem will be collecting these items to take to the Room in the Inn campus as part of Church Has Left the Building on April 7. Please leave your unopened packages of these items in the designated container.
Church Has Left the Building – April 7
Sign-up sheets for Church Has Left the Building (April 7) are in the Gathering Space or online at Bethlehemumc.com/chlb or see the insert in Sunday’s worship bulletin. Contact Dana Smyth (dsmyth@bethlehehumc.com or 615-794-6721) if you have questions or need more info.
Church Has Left the Building – April 7 Hillsboro Road Project Help Needed
Kevin King is in charge of the project to pick-up trash and clean Hillsboro Road as part of Church Has Left the Building. He is looking for 10-12 volunteers to assist with this project. The church will be furnishing gloves, trash bags, and vests. Please contact Kevin (kevin@kingpipeline.net) at your earliest convenience so he can make a list that will allow him to know how to setup traffic control. We will meet in the Sanctuary that morning at 9:00 a.m. and following the worship service, we will meet in the parking lot to disperse with our work.
Vacation Bible School (VBS) 2024
This summer, we're diving deep below the surface to build a strong faith! VBS Kids' Camp is June 10 - 14 from 9:00 a.m. – noon. Join us for an amazing undersea adventure where we’ll experience the ever-flowing, never-ending love of God. At Scuba VBS, kids will be immersed in the Word as they make new friends, sing & dance, play games, explore, and play! For more info or if you have questions, contact April Jackson (ajackson@bethlehemumc.com).
Room in the Inn
As we begin our last few weeks of Room in the Inn, let’s finish strong with our weekly volunteers. Bethlehem partners with Room in the Inn (RITI) to host 10 homeless men every Saturday night from November through March. We pick up the men Saturday night and return them to our campus. They sleep on cots in the gym. We provide them dinner, breakfast, and a sack lunch to take with them. Then, on Sunday morning, we return them to Nashville. If you are interested in participating in this ministry, sign-up sheets are in the Narthex or by using this Sign-Up Genius link: www.bethlehemumc.com/riti
If you have any questions or need more info, please contact Mike Loring (mloring@live.com or 615-596-0985). Thank you.
Inclement Weather Policy
The Church’s inclement weather policy is to cancel ALL activities EXCEPT worship services when Williamson County schools are closed due to weather. That means if you have a meeting, Bible Study group or other event at the church and Williamson County Schools are closed, the event will be cancelled. Worship services will be held regardless of weather.
Updated Safety & Security Measures
In an effort to provide safety for the church staff, preschool and Chesterton Academy of the Incarnation, all exterior doors will be locked during the week. If you arrive at church and the door by the Sanctuary is locked, please ring the doorbell or call the church (615-794-6721) for assistance.
Save the Date for These Important Events
March 24 — Palm Sunday
March 24 – Youth Family Night, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
March 28 — Maundy Thursday Service at 7:00 p.m.
March 29 — Good Friday Service at 7:00 p.m.
March 30 — Holy Saturday — Easter Egg Hunt at 10:00 a.m.
March 31 — Easter Sunday Services:
7:00 a.m. Sunrise
8:15 a.m. Worship
9:30 a.m. Sunday School
10:45 a.m. Worship
April 1 — Church Closed for Easter Holiday
April 7 — Church Has Left the Building – One Worship Service at 9:00 a.m.
Communion Offering will be directed to Red Bird Missions