BLC Weekly, Jan. 2
Happy New Year Bethlehem!
Join us this Wednesday, January 4th, for our Instant Epiphany Program! This playful, interactive worship tells the story of the Wise One and welcomes in the new season!
Meals taste better when eaten together! Sign up here for Meet & Eat, a chance to share a meal with fellow Bethlehem members. We match up three couples/individuals and you set up three different get-togethers over a meal, hosted by each member of the group. Sign up by January 15th to join a group.
The January-May worship volunteer schedule is now available on our website. View it on our Worship & Usher Teams page to see when you’re scheduled.
Thank you to all BLC members who have made financial commitments during the next 3 years to the capital campaign to pay off the mortgage and to support the 2023 annual budget. Every dollar commitment allows Bethlehem to pursue its ministry and mission.
Thank you to Amy Haigh who planned and coordinated the "Thank-You" reception on Sunday for Bethlehem members. The charcuterie boards of treats were a big hit as folks celebrated the success of the capital campaign. Over $850,000 has been committed thus far to paying off the $1 million mortgage. Thanks also to Carrol Meyers-Dobler & Sally Burdick who assisted Amy in keeping the food table replenished. Lori Henricksen also deserves our thanks for working with Bob Ihrig to secure a $250 Thrivent Action Grant to pay for the reception expenses. It is still not too late to make your pledges for the mortgage & annual fund! You can do this using the Commitment Form the BLC website or submit your written commitments to the BLC office. We welcome your support for these financial projects!
Former member, Jodi Dickey, has published a book and will be holding a reading at VINE Adult Community Center on January 14th from 2-3pm. Stop by to hear an excerpt from Mutt and Jack’s Extraordinary Adventure, participate in the Q&A session, and to get a copy signed.
BLC mugs are in! You can pick up your mug in the office during office hours. Mugs are $8.
Bethlehem is signed up to meet the needs at Connections Shelter for weeks of Jan. 23, Mar 20, and May 22. There will be no morning shifts and only meal providers and servers are needed. Meals will be served daily from 5:45-7:30pm. Grocery donations will be needed for our weeks and a wish list will be sent out the weekend before the week starts. There is also an afternoon cleaning session once a week. Call or text Derek at 210-863-4202 for more info.
You can sign up to prepare food and bring it to the shelter, sign up just to serve the meal, or do both. We serve up to 40 guests every evening. If that number changes, we will notify you beforehand. Sign up here for a meal shift.
Youth: It’s not too early to start thinking about summer! Bethlehem will be at Green Lake July 30th through August 3rd. Register by February 1st to guarantee a spot with your BLC friends. Registration is now open on their website. Bethlehem will support at least 25% of camp costs, and additional financial support is available. Use code LAUNCH23 for an extra $10 off.
Thank you for your incredible support of God’s Global Barnyard and ELCA Good Gifts! Our December monthly mission goal was to raise $8,000 and together, you raised over $9,500! Thank you, Bethlehem!
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.
