https://bethanyumcsmithfield.org/

Bethany UMC Smithfield Va., 13717 Bethany Church Road, Smithfield, VA (2026)

05/31/2026

Bethany UMC Service May 31, 2026 - On Trinity Sunday, we celebrate one God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – revealed in perfect love and unity. Through the story of the prodigal son, we hear the heartbeat of God for us. The Father’s desire is simple: “Come home.” No matter how far we have wandered, God waits with open arms. The Son’s invitation is clear: “Look at Me and live.” Salvation is not about our strength, but about fixing our eyes on Jesus and trusting His saving grace. The Holy Spirit’s calling is powerful: “Be changed and go tell.” The Spirit transforms our hearts and gives us courage to share God’s love with others. At the center of it all is the cross – where God’s love meets our need, and where we are welcomed, forgiven, and sent. One God. One heart. One invitation: Come home, look to Christ, and live as His witness.

Scripture: Luke 15:17-24 (NIV) 17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

Click on the link below to view the prayer list and announcements: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qRkozm_ABjRa-0EQwXeRdO0A3M-sbVqs/view?usp=sharing

05/25/2026

2026 Vacation Bible School at Bethany Church!

Get ready for an unforgettable adventure at Snowball Mountain Challenge VBS 2026! Children will enjoy exciting Bible stories, music, games, crafts, snacks, and lots of fun while discovering how to “Find Your Strength in God!”

05/24/2026

Bethany UMC Service May 24, 2026 - In Galatians 5:16–26, the apostle Paul reminds us that the Christian life is a daily struggle between the flesh and the Spirit. Though we still wrestle with sin, the Holy Spirit has come to give us freedom, a new heart, and power to live transformed lives in Jesus Christ. Paul calls believers to “walk by the Spirit” - to stay in step with God’s leading rather than following the desires of the flesh. As we surrender ourselves to the Spirit, God produces beautiful fruit within us: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. On this Pentecost Sunday, we are reminded that the world desperately needs Spirit-filled Christians whose lives reflect the love and freedom of Christ.

Scripture: Galatians 5:16-26 (NIV)
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, or**es, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Click on the link below to view the prayer list and announcements: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yeUoh5EE-anGz055E13QTqCsjxJOdQLl/view?usp=sharing

05/17/2026

Bethany UMC Service May 17, 2026 - In a world where many doors were closed to Jesus, Bethany became a place that welcomed Him. In the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, we see what happens when Jesus is truly received. First, Jesus was welcomed - not as a guest, but as Lord. Second, people became disciples - learning to sit at His feet before serving. Third, death was faced and overcome - because Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Fourth, Jesus was fully received - not partially, but with open hearts and surrendered lives. Finally, His blessing continues - the risen and ascended Lord still reigns and gives life today. The question is not whether Bethany welcomed Jesus - we know they did. The question is: Will we?

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42; 24:50-53 (NRSV)
38 Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him. 39 She had a sister named Mary, who sat at Jesus’s feet and listened to what he was saying. 40 But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her, then, to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things, 42 but few things are needed—indeed only one. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”

50 Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and they were continually in the temple blessing God.

Click on the link below to view the prayer list and announcements: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15uqw405LwT1_S-JH0gXz25ULKZBfyi21/view?usp=sharing

05/11/2026

2026 Vacation Bible School at Bethany Church!

Get ready for an unforgettable adventure at Snowball Mountain Challenge VBS 2026! Children will enjoy exciting Bible stories, music, games, crafts, snacks, and lots of fun while discovering how to “Find Your Strength in God!”

📅 June 22–26, 2026
📍 Bethany United Methodist Church
13717 Bethany Church Rd., Smithfield, VA
⏰ 9:00–11:30 AM
👧 Ages 3–12
📧 Email Contact: [email protected]

05/10/2026

Bethany UMC Service May 10, 2026 - When Jesus returned home, His house was filled with people from every walk of life. It was a place where all were welcome. When four friends could not get their paralyzed friend through the door, they made a way by opening the roof and lowering him to Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus forgave and healed the man. This story shows that the “Jesus House” is a place of forgiveness, healing, and radical hospitality. It is not about comfort or order, but about bringing people to Christ—no matter the cost or inconvenience. We are called to be that kind of church: opening doors wide, removing barriers, and doing whatever it takes so that all may come to Jesus and experience His transforming grace.

Scripture: Mark 2:1-12 (NIV) 1 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? 9 Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, 11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

Click on the link below to view the prayer list and announcements:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Vr9a_Mg_9JkGPY-QvybL_3W7F9BNLk3n/view?usp=drive_link

05/06/2026

🌸 You Are Invited to Mother’s Day Worship 🌸

Join us this Sunday, May 10th at 9:00 AM at Bethany United Methodist Church in Smithfield.

05/03/2026

Bethany UMC Service May 3, 2026 - In this message, Jesus calls peacemaking a true blessing - not because it is easy, but because it reflects the very heart and character of God. Biblical peace (shalom) is more that the absence of conflict; it is the presence of wholeness, reconciliation, and restored relationship. Peacemaking begins within our own hearts and extends into our homes, conversations, and communities through simple but intentional acts of humility, forgiveness, and grace. At Holy Communion, we are reminded that our peace was made through Christ’s sacrifice – His body broken and His blood poured out for our reconciliation. As we receive His peace, we are also sent into the world to share it. Though this calling can be costly, it is a deeply joyful, that is to say, a very happy business, for in making peace, we bear the likeness of our heavenly Father and participate in His healing work in the world.

Scripture: Matthew 5:8-10 (Common English Bible)
“Happy are people who make peace, because they will be called God’s children.”

Click on the link below to view the prayer list and announcements: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BZn6lXpbV0835GVpYRovL3Fw5N3q1Utq/view?usp=sharing

04/26/2026

Bethany UMC Service April 26, 2026 - Life is full of doors - choices that shape our direction and destiny. Some doors promise happiness but eventually lead to disappointment and regret. In John 10, Jesus makes a powerful declaration: “I am the door.” He is not merely one option among many, but the true entrance to life with God. Like a shepherd guarding the entrance of the sheepfold, Jesus protects, guides, and provides for those who enter through Him. Through Christ we find security, salvation, and significance. While many “doors” in life try to steal our joy and meaning, Jesus invites us into a life that is safe, purposeful, and abundant. The question each of us must answer is simple yet profound: Which door will we walk through?

Scripture: John 10:1-10 (NKJV)
1 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them. 7 Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

Click on the link below to view the prayer list and announcements: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hKiY1LsbR16k_Au21nefCbFzm1Y_A_pY/view?usp=sharing

04/19/2026

Bethany UMC Service April 19, 2026 - In a story of Joseph (Genesis 45:1-8; 50:19-20), we see a powerful testimony of God’s redeeming grace. Though Joseph suffered betrayal, injustice, and hardship, he came to recognize that what others intended for harm, God used for good. This does not mean evil is good – but God is able to work through every circumstance to accomplish His purpose. Even in life’s “pits” and “prisons”, God is present, shaping and restoring. Ultimately, this truth is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, where the cross – humanity’s worst act – became God’s greatest act of salvation. We are invited to trust that God is still at work, turning our pain into purpose, our sorrow into joy, and our trials into testimonies.

Scripture Genesis 45:1-8; 50:19-20
45 Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” So, there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. 2 And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it. 3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence. 4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.8 “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.
50 19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.

Click on the link below to view the prayer list and announcements: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Al26Ccjzq8CMfPCIMx9ctfk6_sJUCKAT/view?usp=sharing

Bethany UMC Smithfield Va.

05/31/2026

05/25/2026

05/24/2026

05/17/2026

05/11/2026

05/10/2026

05/06/2026

05/03/2026

04/26/2026

04/19/2026

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