BLC Weekly, Jan. 23
Hello Bethlehem,
Next Sunday, January 29th, is both Camp Sunday and R.I.C. Sunday. Help send our youth to Green Lake with a tasty s’more fundraiser! Then, join Welcome & Inclusion after worship for Reconciling in Christ: More Understanding in Grounds for Joy.
The WELCOME team, a collaborative effort of Bethlehem, Messiah, Grace, Calvary and Christ the King churches, has created the following list of household items needed to help the family seeking asylum move into their new home. Please use this form to sign up. Know someone who would like to give but doesn’t have a computer? Call the office and we can help! Thank you for helping us welcome the family!
A note from our Financial Secretary, Elizabeth Ruiz: Contribution reports for 2022 were emailed last week. Please check your spam folder if you did not receive it. Members who do not have an email in the Breeze system will receive their report by "snail mail." Please let the office know if you have not received your report by the end of the month.
Offering envelopes for 2023 are available in the narthex. If you would like a packet of envelopes, please feel free to take one. Envelopes do not have an assigned number on them, so please be sure to write your name on the envelope when contributing. If you would like a packet of envelopes but are unable to pick it up, please let the office know and a packet can be mailed to you.
We have updated our Strategic Plan! View the updates, including Objectives & Practices, on our website.
A message from Pastor Kristin Engstrom: “I have been here in Zambia, working with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zambia (ELCZa), for almost a year now. During that time, I have been welcomed and invited into ministry by our siblings in the ELCZa. The church here has been a blessing, even as the work I am called to has challenged me to develop new skills and ways of ministry that are appropriate for the Zambian context. In order to share with you about the ministry I am now called to with the ELCZa, I have made a short video.”
Bethlehem's monthly mission for January is The REACH Resource Center. This important organization reaches out to youth who are experiencing homelessness or other life trauma and provides them with a safe, nonjudgmental place to receive a variety of services centered on their individual needs. Youth ages 16-24 gain knowledge from caring staff to be healthy, independent and successful - looking beyond their past and planning for hopeful futures. You can support The REACH through the "wish list" on Amazon, through volunteering and donations, and financially to help provide basic necessities, shelter, education and preparation for employment and healthy, independent living. Your generosity is welcomed and appreciated. Our goal for The REACH is $6,000.
Our week at Connections begins today and we still have a few needs to meet! We are expecting to serve 35 people and need some volunteers to bring some dishes this week. Please use this link to sign up. Thank you!
Important upcoming dates:
This Friday, January 27th we will host LEGO Masters from 6-8pm in Grounds for Joy. Youth can sign up here.
BLC Men will meet this Saturday, January 28th in Grounds for Joy for a potluck breakfast! Bring a breakfast food to share and meet the group at 8:30am for a short devotion and prayer before breakfast. This is an opportunity to discuss future events and visit with Allison Braswell from the YMCA to discuss the mentoring program. RSVP to Pastor Jay, pastorjay@blcmankato.org.
Bethlehem will be at Green Lake this summer from July 30th-August 3rd. Youth must register by February 1st to guarantee a spot with your BLC friends. Registration is now open on their website.
Sunday, February 5th is the deadline to drop off baskets for the annual Fat Tuesday Silent Auction. Please drop off in the office. All proceeds go to supporting future youth programming. Thank you!
KNITTERS and CROCHETERS — PRAYER SHAWL MAKERS: These still winter months are a great time for quiet knitting and crocheting to replenish the supply of BLC prayer shawls. Bundles of soft, new yarn (not Homespun) with patterns/instructions for prayer shawls are available in the office. BE A PRAYER SHAWL MAKER. See Marcia Nagel or Kathy Croswell for more information. Knitting lessons available. Crochet teachers wanted.
