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). Music begins at 9:15 am.
Below are the guidelines and directives that we MUST follow if you wish to attend in person. 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.
To attend, we do require that you RSVP to allow us the ability to keep an accurate count. 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.
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.
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 and check your temperature. 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.
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 Fall Plans
We have a number of things coming up this fall - all events/studies will have an in-person as well as a virtual attendance option:
Every Tuesday Evening: Bible study, 6:30pm in the Sanctuary, Zoom or Facebook.
Every Thursday Morning: Mourning Dove's Women's Group: 10am in the Sanctuary, Zoom or Facebook
"Mourning Doves" will provide a safe space for women to talk openly about what they're experiencing in their lives. Pastor John will be discussing the different areas of our lives that women may be "mourning" in 2020, reminding us that we have ALL the necessary tools to cope with whatever it is we're facing (God has already given them to us, we just have to use them), and unpacking how scripture relates to all of it.
The Mourning Doves will begin with a 10 week session, and you may choose to attend in person, through Zoom (id 812-1341- 1311) or by tuning into Bethesda's Facebook page. No worries if you can't attend all 10 weeks- you can watch what you've missed by tuning into Bethesda's Facebook page at any time!
Following is a list of topics and scripture, by week:
Week 1: "Who Am I In Christ?" Luke 8:43-48
Week 2: "Woman at the Well" John 4:4-26
Week 3: "Women Took Care of Jesus" Luke 8:1-3
Week 4: "Best of Women" Proverbs 31
Week 5: "Sometimes, All You Need To Do is To Go Home" Luke 1: 26-45
Week 6: "Hannah: A Woman of God" Part 1 - 1 Samuel 1:1-28
Week 7: Part 2 - 1 Samuel 2: 1-11
Week 8: "Ruth and Naomi" Ruth 1:1-5
Week 9: "Mary" Luke 1:26-38
Week 10: "Elizabeth" Luke 1: 24-25
John Hobbs and Kenny Davis Guest Preach for World Communion Sunday: Sunday, October 4th at 9:30am, with a Feedback session on Monday morning at 10am. In person in the Sanctuary, Facebook and Youtube. (Zoom option for the Monday morning session)
Sight & Sound Trip to see Esther: Saturday, November 21st. $80 for adults, $34 for kids ages 3-12. Show begins at 11am with a 10:15 arrival time- limited tickets are available. If you have signed up to go and will not be attending, please let us know by October 1 so that we can have your ticket refunded to us (we have already prepaid Sight and Sound for your ticket even if you haven't paid us already).
We're beginning to look toward Thanksgiving! Please stay tuned for details on our traditional Thanksgiving service.
Charge Conference will be Wednesday, December 2nd at 7pm. Due to Covid restrictions, this will NOT be a joint Charge Conference as it has in past years, this year it is limited to just us and our congregation.
Stay tuned for our Advent & Christmas worship plans!
Free Weddings in February: Do you know of a couple who had to push their wedding back to 2021 due to Covid restrictions, or someone who would like to get married but hasn't made plans yet? We're offering FREE weddings here at Bethesda for the entire month of February! The couple will have to complete 2-3 counseling sessions with Pastor John prior to the wedding. Help us spread the word, and please have them contact the church office for more details!