We will be livestreaming our worship on Sunday morning (just like we did before Covid-19). You can find Pastor John live at 9:30 am from our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MiddletownsHealingPool/ and our Youtube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS5M5-A8fSmzwEjsTEFTiIQ?view_as=subscriber&pbjreload=10 (Bethesda UMCDE).
Our Bible Reading Plans are listed below - please join us as we study God's word together!
The Governor issued a new directive allowing Houses of Worship to hold services at 30% of their capacity as dictated by the Fire Marshall. With that in mind, and with directives given to us by our Bishop and District Superintendent, we are moving towards celebrating worship services with 54 people.
Below are the guidelines and directives that we MUST follow. The Bishop has made it clear that these guidelines are non-negotiable. Unfortunately, adhering to these guidelines will mean that there are some people who will still not be able to attend services, but we know that it also means that it will help to ensure that you will continue to stay safe and healthy at home. If you are in any of the categories that makes you susceptible for the virus, or if there are any guidelines on this list that will prevent you from coming to church in person, our Bishop and Pastor John encourage you to continue to watch services online. We appreciate your patience, understanding and cooperation as we move forward safely in order to ensure the health and safety of everyone.
Sunday, May 24: We will remain at 10 people for our service
Sunday, May 31: We will remain at 10 people for our service (We do have a few spots open for this service)
Sunday, June 7th: We will welcome 54 people for this service, following the non negotiable guidelines below. To attend, we do require that you RSVP to allow us the ability to keep an accurate count. We are now taking reservations for services in June: June 7, June 14, June 21, and June 28.
To RSVP, please send me an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. If you do not have email, please call the church office at 302-378-2313. In the subject line, write the date that you would like to attend, and the number of people attending. For example, I would write: June 7: Blackburn, 1. I'll send an email back to you (or return phone call) to confirm and write your name on the list for the June date that you select.
Once registration for July opens, we'll let you know - we are only scheduling for June right now.
Following are the non negotiable guidelines and directives we will be following to remain in compliance with the directives issued by our Bishop and government officials:
When you arrive at church, please maintain physical distancing between you and the people around you. Please put your mask on before exiting the car, and maintain 6 feet of distance between you and the people surrounding you as you come into church.
There will only be one entrance and one exit open to access the church, and that will be the main church doors. The back doors and the glass doors by the hall will be locked, and the elevator will be out of service and not an option; it will be necessary to use the main staircase to enter the Sanctuary.
There will be one greeter at the entrance to the church who will direct people to the Sanctuary and the restroom. Upon entrance, please give your name to the greeter, and they will check you off of the RSVP list for that specific date. People will not be permitted to stop and talk, and will be required to keep moving into the Sanctuary. No one will not be permitted beyond the doors in the lower hallway, or in any other areas of the building. The restroom in the nursery will be the only available restroom.
Everyone must be masked- disposable masks will be available at the entrance of the church for those in need, and hand sanitizer will be available throughout the Sanctuary.
Families should sit together in a pew, Balcony seating will not be available. If you are not living in the same household as the person next to you, you must keep 6 feet of physical distance between you and your neighbor, and sit in the adjoining pew.
Words to songs will be projected onto the walls so that we will not need to use the hymnals. Hymnals and Bible have been removed from the pews, but you are welcome to bring personal ones from home with you to church. Please also be sure to bring your own pens or pencils, as they have also been removed.
The offering will not be collected by our ushers. Instead, offering plates will be placed on the altar rails for us to leave our offering in.
Our service will not include: the Passing of the Peace, Sunday school classes for children or adults, nursery services, a choir, bulletins or fellowship following the service. Sunday school worksheets will be provided through email, and if your children are attending with you they should bring them along. Words to any songs, prayers or scripture reading will be posted on the wall of the Sanctuary in a power point format.
Services will be shorter in length to lower exposure time.
The Sanctuary, rest rooms, foyers, hallway, & Pastor John's office and necessary areas will be cleaned and disinfected on a weekly basis by a Covid-19 certified company.
Team and Committee Meetings & Bible studies will continue to be held via zoom or online streaming. Church Office hours will be by appointment only; this aspect will continue through Labor Day and then be reevaluated.
Funerals will be planned and organized by the funeral home, and Baptism's and Marriages will be handled separately and adhere to the above guidelines.
Thank you for your understanding and patience as we move forward!
Bethesda Middletown UMC’s Bible Reading Plans
We have started a new weekly Bible Reading Plan on Job, and a new Bible Study & Sermon Series on 1 & 2 Samuel. You can begin to read both Job and 1 & 2 Samuel straight through at your own pace.
Every Friday morning at 10:00 am on Facebook and Zoom Pastor John will discuss the book of Job with an overview on the whole book.
Every Tuesday evening at 6:30 pm (again, through Zoom or Facebook), we'll be chatting about 1 & 2 Samuel. Pastor John will also be preaching on 1 &2 Samuel over the next few weeks, and his sermons will be an overview of the readings as a whole.