Hello Bethlehem,
God’s Global Barnyard is Bethlehem’s December monthly mission partner. This sustainable-development program of the ELCA provides animals for people in developing countries who are dealing with food scarcity and poverty.
These make particularly meaningful gifts this holiday season. Donate animals in honor of friends and family using our online form and have your names shared on the screens during Christmas Eve! Please complete a form online or pick one up from the welcome kiosk and return it by December 16 to have your names displayed on the screens. You can give online throughout the month.
This week
Join us for Wednesday night supper, served at 5pm in the lower level! Upcoming menu:
December 3 - Scalloped potatoes & ham, salad & roll
December 10 - Hot beef on a bun with potato salad & roll
December 17 - Lasagna, garlic toast & salad
The 6th annual BLC Men’s Bowling Championship is this Thursday! Contact Pr. Jay with any questions.
Family faith formation
Save the date! The Youth Christmas Party is scheduled for December 19th and the Christmas Program will be Sunday, December 21st.
Announcements
The Musicorum Christmas concert will be at Bethlehem on December 13th at 6:30pm.
Ecumen Pathstone Christmas bows are on the tree at the Welcome Kiosk! Pick up a card and return the listed gift by December 12 to spread a little extra Christmas cheer at Ecumen this year!
Bethlehem is hosting a Blood Drive on December 18 from 12-6pm. Schedule your donation appointment online.
Workplace Violence and Active Shooter Preparedness Training: Bethlehem members who did not attend the training session at Bethlehem and wish to get this safety training are invited to attend Mankato Public Safety’s presentation coming up on December 8. The training will provide a foundational overview of threat recognition, response options, and emergency planning considerations and will serve as the starting point for additional trainings and resources available in the house of worship safety program ahead.
Date: Monday, December 8
Location: Mayo Clinic Event Center – Banquet Room
Session Options:
• 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
• 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Both sessions cover the same content.
Newborn Baby Kits for Global Health Ministries
First, thanks to Marilyn Larson and Amy Haigh for delivering the last group of kits to the Global Health Ministries warehouse in Minneapolis. GHM then sends the kits to partners in Liberia, Madagascar, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. The gift of a newborn kit provides basic items to help a mother care for her child and celebrate a new life.
Bethlehem members assembled 23 newborn baby kits on November 15th. We will meet again on Saturday, January 17, 2026 to assemble more kits. Everyone is invited to join us in this project and donations for the kits are welcome! Here is a list of what each newborn baby kit needs.
1 bath towel, lightweight, approximately 50”x26”
1 washcloth- No microfiber
1 bath size bar of Ivory soap
1 cotton t-shirt or onesie, size 0-3 months or newborn
1 newborn stocking hat- a newborn’s head is approximately 14” in circumference
1 receiving blanket- flannel or soft cotton- Not knit or crocheted, between 30”x30” and 48”x48” in size
2 cloth prefolded diapers with absorbent center panel, minimum size 12”x16”
2 diaper pins
Note: we are using Thrivent Action Team dollars to order the diapers, and we have plenty of diaper pins on hand, so focus on the other items on the list. Questions? Contact Kristen Simon-Frank 507-383-1952
Thank you to our Landscaping and Facilities Boards for designing and hanging the new Community Garden sign! Check it out on Liberty Street.
This Week in our Prayers
Curt Halvorson Marian Mallory Pete Wachtel
Anna Moses Barb Girtz Paul Haugesag
Amy Grams Haugesag Nikolas Perez Tyler Ratcliff
Garrett Paul Ron Poole Brad Widness
Becky Sullivan Ted Glaser Rae Allan
First English Lutheran in Cannon Falls Little Cedar Lutheran in Adams
Trondhjem Lutheran in Lonsdale Jikmir Lutheran Parish in South Sudan
Vida Nueva Lutheran in Colombia Mukulu Lutheran Church & Dispensary in Tanzania
