BLC Weekly, March 13
Hello Bethlehem,
The annual application for Endowment Fund Scholarships is now open! Current college undergraduates and high school seniors can apply online or pick up an application in the office. Scholarship applications are due May 1.
Join us on Lenten Wednesdays for dinner and worship as we explore five spiritual practices rooted in Jesus' own walk with his Father. Based on Adam Hamilton's book, The Walk, each week we will explore how we walk with Christ, grow in our love for God, and faithfully serve our neighbor.
This Wednesday we will serve a lasagna dinner at 5pm and welcome Pastor Dave Reedstrom from Calvary Lutheran Church in Rapidan to preach at service, beginning at 6:15pm.
Thrivent Action Grants & Choice Dollars
Are you currently a Thrivent member? Do you own one or more Thrivent financial products? If so, you may be eligible to financially benefit Bethlehem with a Thrivent Action Plan or with Thrivent Choice Dollars. Curious? Interested? Read on. Check out the attached document for more details on how you can make this happen. This is your opportunity to serve Bethlehem with a financial gift at no cost to you. Please give these options your serious consideration! Thank you. Contact Bob Ihrig with your questions: 507-388-1953 or robert.ihrig1@gmail.com
Sunday, March 19 Adult Forum
Join us this Sunday to learn about the WELCOME project involving Bethlehem and other community churches to welcome a family from Nicaragua in establishing a new home and life in Mankato. Kathy Chatelaine of the Southeast MN Synod, Pr. Jacie Richmond, Amy Haigh and Carrol Meyers-Dobler will share details of all that has happened thus far. You will be amazed at how much has been contributed in volunteer time, talents and donations to make this a reality. Learn how we are making a real difference in the lives of this family.
BE A PRAYER SHAWL MAKER. Bundles of soft, new yarn (not Homespun) with patterns/instructions for prayer shawls are available in the office. See Marcia Nagel or Kathy Croswell for more information. Knitting and crocheting lessons available! Contact Amy Haigh or Jessica Auel for lessons.
Bethlehem will host a Life Line Screening down in the basement on Thursday, March 30, 2023 offering safe, painless, non-invasive preventive health screenings that are typically not a part of a routine physical. To be more proactive about your health for yourself, your family and your community, please register for these health screenings today. There is no time like the present to take action! Screenings offered: Carotid Artery Screening, Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening, Peripheral Arterial Disease Screening, and Atrial Fibrillation Screening.
Three ways to register:
• Call toll-free: 1-844-591-7160
• Online: https://llsa.social/HC
• Text: the word circle to 216-279-1607
Save the date! The ALS Walk is coming up on April 29 at Spring Lake Park. Check in begins at 8:30am, walk starts at 10am.
Connections Shelter Sleep Out Fundraiser The BLC Tuesday morning Bible Study group has enthusiastically accepted the challenge from the Connections Ministry Overnight Shelter to sponsor a fundraising team in the Kato Sleep Out on Friday, March 31. Check out the Kato Sleep Out page for more information. Jeannie Phillips has offered, on behalf of our team, to sleep out that evening to raise awareness of homelessness in our community and to raise financial pledges to support the vital work of Connections. Our goal is to raise $3,500 from our team and other members of Bethlehem. We welcome your contributions and support of this vital community project. Help us to make a difference! If you are interested in financially supporting Bethlehem's team for Kato Sleep Out, contact Jeannie at phillips_jeannie@hotmail.com (608) 215-0198
BLC high schoolers joined us for Friday Game Night!
The SE Minnesota Synod Assembly will be held on Saturday, May 6 at the Mayo Clinic Event Center in Mankato. See link for details:
https://semnsynod.org/pages/synod-assembly
Bethlehem is entitled to 3 adult delegates & 1 youth/young adult delegate to represent us. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the work of the synod and to participate in church decisionmaking and worship service.If you are interested in being a delegate, contact Bob Ihrig at robert.ihrig1@gmail.com. The deadline to submit your name is March 20. The Council will act on all delegates at its March 21 meeting.
Bethlehem members interested in serving on the BLC Council or a board/committee during the next 3 years should contact Bob Ihrig at robert.ihrig1@gmail.com
Identify your specific interest so we can match you up with the right group. We have open positions and welcome your service to Bethlehem!
Newborn Kits: Throughout February and March, Community & Global will be collecting new and gently used items to create newborn kits. Each Kit includes 1 Regular 52" bath towel, 1 washcloth (not microfiber), 1 bath-size-bar white ivory soap (in original packaging), 1 newborn cotton t-shirt or onesie (sizes 0-3 months), 1 newborn stocking hat, 2 cloth diapers, and 2 diaper pins. Contact Amy Haigh (507) 720-2148 with any questions.
ECHO Food Shelf is Bethlehem's March Monthly Mission. The need for services for local families continues to rise and ECHO expands and provides their services to meet the growing needs of our community. Please consider supporting this important program via a monetary donation. Our March monetary goal is $3000. We thank Bethlehem members for your continued commitment to our community and to ECHO Food Shelf.
