BLC Weekly, April 15
Hello Bethlehem,
Our Semi-Annual meeting will take place on Sunday, April 21. A quorum is needed to vote in our new board members, so we hope you will stick around. A copy of the Semi-Annual Report is available on our homepage. Join us for refreshments and a discussion of Bethlehem’s goals, accomplishments, and future planning.
This Week
Join us for Wednesday night supper. This week we are serving sub sandwiches with chips and cold pasta salad, served at 5pm in the lower level. Worship begins at 6:15pm.
The Musicorum Spring concert will take place at Bethlehem this Saturday, April 20 at 6:30pm. Come and see them perform, “The Songs will Remain.” Tickets are $15 for general admission, $5 for students.
WALK TO DEFEAT ALS
Please join us for the ALS walk, Saturday April 27th in Spring Lake Park. Check in is 8:30 and the walk starts at 10:00. Let’s honor Pastor Don and in memory of Jon Nelson! Let’s hope for a sunny April day! The walk around the lake is very easy and comfortable. If you can’t join us.. and would like to donate, please go on line at ALS.org or stop in the office and pick up a form and mail-free envelope. Please contact Ginger Erlandson with any questions.
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE
Endowment Fund Scholarship applications are now open. Graduating high school seniors and undergraduate students are invited to apply online here by May 1st.
NEXTREX CHALLENGE UPDATE
So far, we have recycled 93 pounds of plastic and are pretty close to staying on target for our recycling goal! Keep those plastic bags coming! Not sure what can be recycled? Check out the requirements posted in the library lounge.
Flamingo fundraiser
Your favorite fundraiser is back. It’s a Flamingo Flocking Fundraiser! For $30 you can flock a friend or family member’s yard with flamingos. $10 gets you flamingo insurance to keep the flock off your yard. Proceeds from this fundraiser will help send our youth to the ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans this summer. Head to the form on our website to sign up!
Stop by the photobooth
Bethlehem’s Welcome and Inclusion Board is working on a summer promotion for Bethlehem to increase our visibility within the community and we want pictures of Bethlehem’s members! Stop by the balloon arch near the entryway where Marian Mallory will be standing by before and after church to snap a photo of you and your friends and family. You can also feel free to send in your own selfies. If you don't like being in pictures, feel free to grab an animal mask! We want all of you to find a place on our Ark!
Blood Drive
Bethlehem will host a Blood Drive on May 23 from 12-6pm. Sign up online to give blood and save lives!
Join Team Bethlehem!
Last spring, 60 Bethlehem members and friends contributed $6,050 to the Kato Sleep Out to earn the Top Fundraiser Award. A total of $22,000+ was raised by everyone in our community for the Connections Shelter. WOW! Thank you for your generosity!!
We have the opportunity to REPEAT this year with the April 26 Sleep Out. Thus far, we have received $2,255 from 25 supporters! That is wonderful!! We have 12 more days to match and exceed last year’s total. Will you help??
You can contribute $$$ with Cash or Check (Payable to Connections Shelter Ministry).Put these in an envelope with your name and give to Bob Ihrig at Bethlehem. You can contribute $$$ Online at https://connectionsmin.breezechms.com/give/online (Check Sleep-Out). Email Bob Ihrig at robert.ihrig1@gmail.com with your donation information to be credited to our team. Thank You!
Monthly Mission
Bethlehem’s April Monthly Mission Partner is the WELCOME Committee, a combined effort of five local ELCA congregations, including Bethlehem, with a mission of welcoming refugees into the community. The initial family sponsored by the group is the Cruz family. Since their arrival in December 2022, the WELCOME Committee has been assisting in helping the Cruz family navigate the complex process of seeking asylum, learning English, and filing paperwork to gain employment as non-citizens. Our goal is $3,000. You can give online or with a check.
SErVE
Home Care for Pr. Don: Bethlehem has been caring for and supporting Pastor Don and Bonnie Roberts since he was diagnosed with ALS in 1995, and now the Roberts need our help. Are you interested in helping with Pastor Don's home care? If you have experience as a caregiver, a good heart, and a willingness to learn, you are needed, as they are looking for more caregivers to round out their team. Let Pr. Don and Bonnie know if you can help! Connect with the Roberts by emailing dbroberts320@hotmail.com
This Week in our Prayers
Curt Halvorson Marian Mallory Pete Wachtel
Les Biesterfeld Anna Moses John Engles
Jim Freyberg Barb Girtz Mark Woelfel
Shirley Ruby Tracy Carter
Pastor Don Roberts, Bonnie, & his caregivers
The family & friends of Bonnie Torgerson
The family & friends of Jean Thompson
Trinity Lutheran in Spring Grove St. John Lutheran in Kasson
United Redeemer Lutheran in Zumbrota Jokow Lutheran Parish in South Sudan
Maiwut Lutheran Parish in South Sudan San Pedro Lutheran in Colombia