BLC Weekly, August 22
Hello Bethlehem,
Thank you Bethlehem members for attending and voting at Sunday’s Congregational Meeting. We are excited to share that the congregation has voted to extend a call to the candidate, who will have 30 days to respond. Thank you for your continued prayers through this exciting time.
Tomorrow, August 23, Bethlehem will host a Blood Drive for the American Cross from 1-6pm in Grounds for Joy. Give Blood and you’ll automatically be entered to Win FREE Gas for a Year! Plus, all donors will receive a $10 e-giftcard to the merchant of their choice! Don’t miss this chance to save lives!
Rally Day, aka, God’s Work, Our Hands, is coming up! The whole congregation is invited to join us for God’s Work, Our Hands on September 11 & 14th as we reconnect with our church family and celebrate with a day of worship, service, food, and fun. Keep your eye out for a full schedule of events!
Groups are starting back up! Bethlehem is blessed with many wonderful opportunities to connect with one another and grow our faith. Here’s a quick look at some of our groups and what they have to offer:
??????? Name This Group! We’re forming a new group on a familiar idea. Three BLC couples/individuals will be matched up and set up three different get togethers over a meal, each hosted by a member of the group. Have these three “eats and meets” before Jan. 1 and we will pair you up with a new group after the holidays! Sign up here or on our website by Sept. 15th to participate. You’re also invited to submit a name for this group. The winning name will be picked by staff Sept. 15 and the winner will receive a $10 gift card to the Coffee Hag!
BLC Men: The mission of our BLC Men’s Group is to grow closer to God as we grow closer to one another. We will begin again on Monday, Sept. 12, with grilling and a get together at Derek Brown’s home. RSVP to pastorjay@blcmankato.org for more information, or fill out the registration form to join. Other BLC Men’s Fall Events will include serving Lunch for a Buck at Crossroads Lutheran Campus Ministry on Oct. 4, Rake the Town on Nov. 12 with Bethlehem Youth, and the 3rd Annual BLC Men’s Bowling Championship on Dec. 1.
Book of Faith: this group meets each Wednesday morning at 10:30am in Grounds for Joy to open Scripture and join in conversation. This fall will focus on Jeremiah and Lamentations. Cost of the 8-session book is $12. There is no need to sign up in advance, but feel free to register online.
Life in the Spirit: this long-standing Bethlehem group meets on the second Tuesday of each month to learn and develop classic Christian practices like contemplative prayer. Meetings take place at 6:30pm and there is no need to sign up in advance.
Tuesday Morning Lectionary Study: Each week a group of Bethlehem members and friends gathers online to study and discuss the coming week’s preaching text. Contact the office to become involved.
New members welcome! Our New Member Orientation will be held September 18th at 10:45am. Click to learn more about Becoming a Member.
Get ready to show your pride! Members are invited to be a Reconciling In Christ presence at Mankato PrideFest 2022! Marchers are welcomed and encouraged to join in the parade Saturday, Sept. 10! Line up is at 10:45am. Wear your Bethlehem gear! Then, volunteers are needed to table at the Pride Festival in Riverfront Park from 12-4pm. Sign up online or in the office. Whether you show up to march or just watch the parade and enjoy the festival, we hope to see you there!
And finally… after 3 cancellations… the ALS WALK is going to happen! Please join the Bethlehem Gaitkeepers on Saturday, September 17th at Spring Lake Park Shelter #1. Check in begins at 8:30am and the walk begins at 10am. The walk is 2.5 miles and a great way to honor Pastor Don and walk in memory of Jon Nelson. Donation forms are available in the office or can be filled out at Spring Lake on the day of the walk. Don’t miss this chance to be the cheering squad and hop in that group photo! We are hoping for a great turnout for ALS. Questions? Contact Ginger Erlandson, Rerlandson2@gmail.com.
Our August mission is Crossroads Campus Ministry, a Reconciling in Christ fellowship, located on the Minnesota State University-Mankato campus. In addition to supporting students in their spiritual journey, Crossroads also provides access to food through Campus Cupboard and the "Lunch for a Buck" program every Tuesday during the school year. Bethlehem Lutheran Church has committed to serving the "Lunch for a Buck" on the 1st Tuesday of every month starting in September. We welcome groups and/or individual volunteers to help support this lunch - contact Sandy Abild at (507) 382-6867 if you are interested. In addition, we welcome your generous monetary support to the overall mission of providing a safe and welcoming place for students. Our August monetary goal for this important mission is $3,000. You can give online. Thank you and God bless.
REMINDERS:
Wednesday night worship will resume Sept. 14. Until then, join us for Sunday worship at 9:30am or check out our Facebook, YouTube, radio broadcast, and website to stay connected!
Our radio broadcast will be preempted by the Twins early start on the following dates: Sept. 18, Oct. 2. During these dates, our radio playback will be at 5pm instead of 11am.
