Hello Bethlehem,
We had an awesome week of Service & Sun! 20 kids and adults from Bethlehem, First Presbyterian, Centenary and Christ the King teamed up for service projects in the community and fun in the sun. They visited Global Health Ministries, Connections, CADA House, and MY Place for service projects, and made time for mini golf, swimming at Spring Lake, Mom & Pop’s ice cream and an afternoon at the movies. Thank you to the chaperones who kept our youth safe during the week; it was our biggest group yet and such a joy to make an impact in the community!
Announcements
Sean and Marian Mallory invite you to join them in celebrating their 35th Wedding Anniversary next Sunday! BLC friends are invited to their open house next Sunday, July 6th at 2:00 PM in Grounds for Joy. The happy couple has requested NO GIFTS; your presence is enough. If you feel moved to give something they ask that in lieu of gifts, please donate instead to Metavivor (research for metastatic cancer) or to the church. Come and join the celebration!
We’re hiring! Bethlehem is seeking another Weekend/Evening Janitor to join our team. Read more about the job description and apply online by June 30th.
SUMMER ORGAN RECITALS The Sioux Trails Chapter of the American Guild of Organists presents its annual Summer Noontime Organ Recitals at 12:10 pm on Tuesdays in Hutchinson and Mankato. In June, the series begins at Peace Lutheran Church, 400 Franklin Street, Hutchinson with this week’s performance by Charles Luedtke (6/24). In July, the series begins the month at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 222 Pfau St., Mankato, with performances by David Mertesdorf (7/1), Nicholas Liese (7/8), Mark DeGarmeaux (7/15), and John Baumann (7/22). The series then moves to Bethlehem for performances by Kraig Windschitl (7/29), Elisabeth Urtel (8/5) and Christine Schulz (8/12). Each recital is free. Visit www.agosiouxtrails.org for more information.
Bethlehem has launched a new Summer Sack Lunch program. Community members can pick up a free sack lunch Sundays from 5-6 PM in the parking lot. We’ve already had a great deal of success with this program, serving meals until supplies run out. We are deeply grateful for your support. Thank you for continuing to fill the donation bin in the narthex, collecting bottled water, sandwich bags, lunch packs of chips, cookies and fruit cups. You can also financially support this new mission with online giving. Thank you for helping us to feed our neighborhood this summer!
Family faith formation
VBS is set for July 21-24. Register online today. Dinner will be served from 5-6PM and VBS programming will run from 6-7:30pm. Youth and adult volunteers are needed! Sign up online to volunteer. The VBS Giving Tree is in the narthex with items needed for VBS this summer. Please feel free to take a leaf and donate an item on the list, or shop our online Amazon Wish List. Thank you!
A Letter from crossroads campus ministry
Dear Bethlehem Lutheran Church,
We need your help now more than ever.
We don’t say this lightly: due to unexpected circumstances, our ministry is currently in financial trouble. The support we give to students and community members in times of crisis, the spiritual guidance we offer, the community we have built, Lunch-for-a-Buck, and our beloved Campus Cupboard is at risk.
Every day, we see the difference this ministry makes. Students come to a place they know and love. Jesus reminds us in Luke 11 to feed the hungry, and this is what we strive to do every day. Through Campus Cupboard and Lunch-for-a-Buck, we do what Jesus taught us. We do the work of the Gospel. Even during the summer, we remain a vibrant place for fellowship, love, and grace.
We have a plan in place to sustain our ministry long-term. But we cannot do our work throughout the summer without your help. We need to raise $30,000 by August 1st to sustain the ministry through the summer.
We know this is an ambitious goal. But we also know that God is faithful. Your gifts, whether it’s $5 or $1,000, will help us keep showing up for students who desperately need our help. We know you care about the next generation of leaders, thinkers and faithful witnesses. Now is the time to act. Help us keep this vital ministry alive.
Monthly mission partner
LAST CALL! Our June Monthly Mission is the Greater Mankato Diversity Council. The GMDC is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to building a stronger, more connected community through education and engagement. They provide diversity education in K-12 schools, corporate and organizational training, and community events that foster understanding and respect. They promote meaningful conversations and lifelong learning. You can give online or drop off a check written out to Bethlehem with the monthly mission in the memo line.
Our July Monthly Mission partner is Lutheran World Relief. For 80 years LWR has been working to improve the lives of the poor, provide disaster relief and recovery, and create jobs and agricultural economies, with special interest in production and fair marketing of cocoa and coffee around the world. Their mission is to “end poverty, injustice, and human suffering in the world, until your love reaches every neighbor.” Bethlehem’s long relationship with LWR includes the production of school kits and quilts. Our giving goal is $7,000. Thank you for supporting this important work.
This Week in our Prayers
Curt Halvorson Marian Mallory Pete Wachtel
Anna Moses Barb Girtz Paul Haugesag
Amy Grams Haugesag Pat Nelson Betty Groth Sheila Stevensen
The Family & Friends of Dorothy Knedel
Grace Lutheran in Waseca First Lutheran in Albert Lea
Central Freeborn Lutheran in Albert Lea Our Savior’ s Lutheran in Austin
Mansfield Lutheran in Alden Ngimu Lutheran in Tanzania
Igengu Lutheran in Tanzania
