Important Upcoming Events - July 12, 2024
Fish Fry Prep Work Day
Saturday, July 13, everyone is encouraged to come and help get the church kitchens and the grounds ready for all the guests we will have on July 19. Work begins at 8:00 a.m. and will end at noon. Remember many hands make light work. Everyone is encouraged to come help.
One Worship Service Each Sunday In July
Each Sunday in July, there will be one worship service at 9:30 a.m. Sunday School will be at 10:30 a.m. each week.
Wear Your Fish Fry T-Shirt
To show your support of the Fish Fry, everyone is encouraged to wear a Fish Fry T-shirt Sunday, July 14. If you haven’t purchased your shirt for 2024, please plan to do so soon while the size you need is still available.
Reba Rambo Guest Musician
Reba Rambo has been traveling the world, ministering the gospel of Jesus Christ since 1964. She joined her parents, Buck & Dottie Rambo, at the age of twelve, becoming an integral part of their group, The Singing Rambos. Her work as a solo artist blossomed in the 1970s as she helped innovate what would become known as Contemporary Christian Music. Her album, Lady, earned a Grammy nomination and a Dove Award in 1977 and became one of Christian music’s best-selling albums by a female artist for the entire decade. The Lord’s Prayer, a musical she co-wrote and performed in, earned a Grammy Award in 1981. Today, Reba continues to record, write songs for others and minister globally. Her compositions have been recorded by Donna Summer, Amy Grant, Debby Boone, Sandi Patty, Natalie Cole and the Gaither Vocal Band, among others. As she enters her 60th year of ministry, she says, “I am overwhelmed by the goodness of God throughout the entire journey. I’m so excited about the future. I feel like I’m just getting started and the greatest adventures are ahead!”
Sunday’s featured song with Reba is Tomorrow from the musical Annie.
It’s Backpack Time Again!
It is time to start asking for money for backpacks! The schools have told us what the children will need and we are getting our orders in for the backpacks and supplies. You can donate by check or through the church’s website. We expect to provide about 375 backpacks this year. Our super shoppers can purchase a backpack and fill it with supplies for about $25! Thank you for your help to make sure that each child has what they need when school starts in August.
We will be packing at 10:30a.m. on July 28 in the gym. If you can help on Thursday, July 25 we will meet at 2:00 in the gym to do all of the pre-set up of the supplies. There is a lot of opening packages, sorting, counting, bundling and moving things around to make the Sunday packing run so smoothly.
If you would like to check backpacks on Sunday to be sure everything has been included, please let Dana know.
Finally, we will need help getting these delivered to the schools before they start back. The sign-up genius is up and ready for you at www.bethlehemumc.com/backpacks
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 July 16.
Bethlehem Music Notes
Join us in the month of July as we revive the popular Bethlehem Concert Series with the following songs and guest artists each week:
July Sermon Series is “Come Together,” where we will feature a special song each week. Guest artist for July 14 is Reba Rambo who will sing Tomorrow (from "Annie"). Reba is a well-known Contemporary Christian vocalist. Reba has a 60 year history in the music business and has a Grammy nomination as well as a Dove Award.
The Climb on July 21 — written by Jessi Alexander for Miley Cyrus. Jessi will be performing the song with other Bethlehem musicians.
Do you sing along with the radio in the car? Would you like to sing along with a Garth Brooks song? If so, consider singing backup on We Shall Be Free for our Summer Concert Series finale, Sunday July 28! We will have a rehearsal for this song with Scott Dannemiller, Dann Childers and the backup choir on Wednesday, July 24 at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary. We hope to see you there!
Fish Fry is July 19!
Fish Fry is coming up 7-19-24. We are hoping you can do 4 things to help it succeed:
1. Buy tickets. Ticket prices are the same as last year to keep them more affordable – Adults $15.00 in advance, Children $10.00 in advance. We are asking every family to buy at least 10 tickets to use, give, or sell to your family and friends. Tickets will be on sale Sunday mornings in the Gathering Space and during the week in the church office or anytime on the church’s website: (https://www.bethlehemumc.com/fish-fry)
2. Buy T-shirts. Wearing this year's shirt shows you are a member of the Bethlehem team and supports the Fry. T-shirts are $20.00 each and will be on sale Sunday mornings in the Gathering Space and during the week in the church office.
3. Sign up to work. We are asking everyone to sign up to work at least 2 hours. If you don’t know what to sign up for, the serving lines are a good place to help. We need a lot of people, it is easy, inside with AC, and anyone can do it. Sign-up sheets are in the Gathering Space and online on the church’s website (https://www.bethlehemumc.com/ffhelp).
4. Please donate items to the Silent Auction for them to sell.
Fish Fry Silent Auction Help Needed
With Fish Fry only one week away, the auction needs your help with donations. Only with your help can we hit our goal of over $20,000 raised by the auction for our missions. If you are planning to donate, please let the team know ASAP. Looking for ways to help? Gift cards, donated by members, Sunday school classes and local businesses are a hit. Tickets, gift baskets, vacation rentals, and new sporting goods, toys, and jewelry, as well as activities such as golf and other outings are also huge wins for the auction. Donations can be dropped off in the church office now through Wednesday, July 17 and in the Contemporaries Classroom from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on July 15-17. Questions can be sent to auction@bethlehemumc.com
Fish Fry Toys Needed
It's time to bring in any gently used stuffed animals, toys, McDonald's or Sonic toys, etc. for our Fishing Booth. Kids love seeing what they're going to catch! Contact April Jackson for more information.
Red Bird Mission Day at St. Mark’s UMC
Plan to join St. Mark’s United Methodist Church (1267 N Rutherford Blvd, Murfreesboro, TN 37130) on Saturday, July 20, 2024 for “RED BIRD DAY” from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (CST). Agenda includes presentations by Red Bird Mission employees regarding Community Outreach, Red Bird work camp and Red Bird School as well as testimonies from volunteers who have been to Red Bird. Come and learn about opportunities that are available for you to volunteer in Southeast Kentucky and/or support Red Bird financially. Please RSVP by July 13, 2024 to Karen Alexander (Karen@StMarksTN.org) or call/text (615) 477-4244.
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
July 14, 21 & 28 — One Worship Service at 9:30 a.m. (Concert Series)
Sunday School at 10:30 a.m.
July 13 — Fish Fry Prep Work Day, 8:00 a.m. - noon
July 19 — Fish Fry
July 20 — Fish Fry Clean Up, 8:00 a.m. - noon
July 22 — Church Closed
July 28 — Pack Backpacks at 10:30 a.m. in the Gym