Growing in Christ, Loving our Neighbors, Serving God's world.

the BLC blog

news & updates

BLC Weekly, July 3

Hello Bethlehem, 

Welcome back, youth and chaperones, from your Montana Adventure! We can’t wait to hear more about this meaningful experience. 

Register for VBS! There are plenty of spots still open for children interested in participating in Vacation Bible School, coming up from July 24-27. Head to our website to register your child, or to sign up to volunteer as a youth or adult! The meal sponsor sign up is also open. Talk to your board, committee or small group about sponsoring a meal for VBS! 

You’re invited to a fun night of fellowship and baseball and meet the Cruz family! Join us at the MoonDogs game on Thursday, July 20th for a fundraiser to help support our mission of welcoming refugees to our Mankato community. For $16 you’ll get a hot dog, chips, a beverage, and premier VIP seating behind home plate in section 202 with your ticket. Half of the ticket price goes to the fundraiser. We would love it if you can wear the colors of Nicaragua which are white and royal blue. Join the Facebook event for updates. Gates open at 5:35pm and first pitch is at 6:35pm. Tickets available online, use Promo Code: WELCOME.

It’s time for a new directory! Directory photos will be taken Aug 8-12 at Bethlehem. Head to the UCDIR website enter our church code, mn379 and password: photos to schedule your appointment.  

We will also need hosts to help facilitate the directory photo process. We are looking for folks interested in helping with check-in from 1:45-6pm and 5:45-8:30pm weekdays, and 9:45am to 1pm, 12:45-4pm Saturday. Please contact the office if you are interested in assisting! 

There are big changes happening at Connections! Pastor Collette will be moving on to new adventures and our own Elizabeth Paul will be taking over as Development Director at Connections. Mark your calendar, on July 18 from 3-5 Connections will host an Ice Cream Social Send Off at their Front Street location. 

Deborah Circle would like to invite all interested persons to join us for a summer bible study. We will meet on the 3rd Saturday in June, July, and August in Grounds for Joy from 10:00-11:00 am. We will use the summer study found in Gather Magazine. Copies of the study will be available for those who don't have a subscription. Hope to see you there!

Head to ucdir.com to sign up!

Bethlehem will host another Blood Drive on August 22. Sign up with the Red Cross to give blood, donation hours are from 1-6pm. 

Home Care for Pr. Don: Bethlehem has been caring for and supporting Pastor Don and Bonnie Roberts since he was diagnosed with ALS in 1995, and now the Roberts need our help. Are you interested in helping with Pastor Don's home care? If you have experience as a caregiver, a good heart, and a willingness to learn, you are needed, as they are looking for more caregivers to round out their team. Let Pr. Don and Bonnie know if you can help! Connect with the Roberts by emailing dbroberts320@hotmail.com

Our July Monthly Mission will be Partners for Housing. P4H works by providing emergency shelters at Theresa House, Union Street Place, and the Welcome Inn. They provide transitional housing, rapid re-housing and long-term housing in collaboration with many other supportive services. Bethlehem’s goal is to raise $1,300 for Partners for Housing. Please consider supporting this important mission!

We hope you have a safe, fun, and blessed 4th of July! As a reminder, our office will be closed tomorrow, July 4th.


This Week In Our Prayers

Curt Halvorson Brenda Goetsch Marian Mallory

Pete Wachtel Carol Peterson

Pastor Don Roberts, Bonnie, and his caregivers

The family and friends of Duane Ulleland

The family and friends of Darlene Henderson

Trinity Lutheran in Albert Lea

First Lutheran in Red Wing

Mazoezi Maluga Lutheran in Tanzania

Isanzu Lutheran in Tanzania

Iambi Hospital in Tanzania

Palliative Care Program at Iambi Hospital in Tanzania


LECTIONARY July 9 Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30