Important Upcoming Events - November 10th
Church Office Closed
The church office will be closed TODAY, Friday, November 10, in observance of Veteran’s Day. Normal office hours will resume on Monday, November 13. If you have a pastoral emergency, contact Pastor Craig Goff at (615) 337-4281.
Monthly Mission – November 12
Every second Sunday of the month we collect food items to be donated to those less fortunate. The next collection will be Sunday, November 12 when we will collect boxes of canned goods for Share the Feast. Please plan to bring your canned goods to the altar during the singing of the first hymn/song during each worship service.
Prayer Warriors
Bethlehem has a group that meets on the first and third Monday of each month at 4:30 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.
Share the Feast – November 11
Once again it’s time to plan for Share the Feast – Bethlehem’s annual day to share food with those less fortunate. This year, the goal is to provide 400 turkeys for food boxes that will be packed. Cost per turkey is $20.00. Last year, Bethlehem collected $8,250.00 for hams, so the goal of $8,000.00 for this year is definitely achievable. We still need funding for about 125 turkeys or $2,500.00. The packing will begin at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 11 in the gym. Canned goods for the boxes will be provided by area schools and other sources. If you have questions or need more info, please contact Dave Speer at djspeer@comcast.net
Charge Conference – November 11
Bethlehem will have its annual Charge Conference on Saturday, November 11 at 12:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Come to help with Share the Feast packing food boxes. Lunch will be provided in the Banquet Hall before Charge Conference begins.
Church-wide Thanksgiving Dinner – November 12
The annual church-wide Thanksgiving Dinner will be THIS Sunday, November 12 beginning at 6:00 p.m. The church will provide the turkey and dressing – everyone is encouraged to attend and bring two side items to share – salad, vegetable or dessert.
Operation Christmas Child
We're collecting small toys for Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts from now until the middle of November. Please leave the supplies in the container in the Narthex.
Flowers Needed for November 19
Flowers are needed for November 19 worship services. 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 from the church website (www.bethlehemumc.com) and select the Sunday/Sundays you want or you may contact Dana Smyth (615-794-6721 or dsmyth@bethlehemumc.com).
One Worship Service November 26
We will have one worship service Sunday, November 26 at 9:30 a.m.
Handbells and Choir Rehearsals
If you are interested in ringing with our Bethlehem Bells or singing with our Chancel Choir, come give us a try! Handbells meet Wednesday nights in room CLC 202 at 6:00 p.m. and Choir meets in the Sanctuary at 7:00 p.m. Email Joe Smyth at jsmyth@bethlehemumc.com for more information.
Christmas Cantata
The choir has begun work on our Christmas cantata, and we invite you to lend your voice and sing with us on December 10 at both services. We rehearse in the Sanctuary on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. Contact Joe Smyth at jsmyth@bethlehemumc.com for more information.
Room in the Inn
Once again it’s time to sign up to help with Room in the Inn. 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 and Gathering Space or by using this Sign-Up Genius link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080A4CA4A72CA3FB6-room5#/
If you have any questions or need more info, please contact Mike Loring or 615-596-0985. Thank you.
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.
Financial Information Update
For 2023 financial info, please use the following link on the church’s website: http://www.bethlehemumc.com/finance
Save the Date for These Important Events
November 11 — Share the Feast 8:00 a.m. — Gym
November 11 — Charge Conference 12:30 p.m. — Sanctuary
November 12 — Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Packing 4:30 p.m.
November 12 — Church-wide Thanksgiving Dinner
November 13 - 20 — Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Community Drop Off at Bethlehem - On the 20th we will take a moving truck full of collected shoebox gifts to the semi-truck in Green Hills.
December 2 — Breakfast with St. Nick (Saturday) Enjoy food, a hot chocolate bar (& coffee!), games, meaningful crafts, and fun with St. Nick from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. in the Banquet Hall. Come and go as it fits your schedule.
December 3 — Mission Market – Gathering Space