BLC Weekly, August 7
Hello Bethlehem,
Directory photos begin tomorrow here at Bethlehem. Head to the UCDIR website enter our church code, mn379 and password: photos to schedule your appointment. Unable to make it to these dates? Contact Molly Nelson, mnelson@blcmankato.org for accommodations.
We need hosts to help facilitate the directory photo check-in process throughout the week, but especially from 5:45-8:30pm on Thursday. Please contact the office or reply to this email if you are interested in assisting!
Just for participating you will receive a complimentary 8x10 portrait and directory. You will review your images right away and will have the opportunity to purchase family portraits if you wish. Our directory wouldn’t be complete without you, so schedule your appointment or call the office to discuss alternative accommodations!
Christine Schulz will be performing tomorrow, August 8th, at noon in the sanctuary. Admission is free, donations are accepted. Visit www.agosiouxtrails.org for more information.
We had a beautiful time at Shores of St. Andrew with our 11 BLC campers last week. Together we learned that our faith is strong like a tree when we nurture ourselves by growing roots of faith and finding a strong foundation in God. The kids were reminded that Jesus is the vine, and he calls us to grow and thrive. And lastly, we practiced gratitude and gave thanks for all that God has done for us. Beyond growing in faith, we all enjoyed tons of beach time, carpetball and nine-square competitions, and many beautiful sunsets, too. Thank you for all the ways you've supported these faith-building experiences for our kids and youth!
It’s not too early to start thinking about fall! We are excited to begin Wednesday Night Suppers again in September. Interested in getting on the Wednesday Night Supper server schedule? Contact Amy Haigh at haigh29@yahoo.com
The Community and Global Mission Board has signed up to help with Sunday Suppers for the unhoused during the summer. Upcoming BLC dates August 27th, September 24th, from 4-6 at Grace Lutheran Church. Simple meals of sandwiches, chips, water will be provided. We can use donations of water, gatorade, individual packages of chips, bars, paper plates, paper bags for take home. Please, contact Dee Bennett 317-679-3277, deebennett@mac.com to coordinate a donation. Thank you in advance for your generosity!
New Young Adults Small Group! This group is open to all post high school young adults. We will meet once a month at various places and have a chance to socialize and build relationships with one another. All are welcome and friends are welcome too! Fall events include:
Sept. 16th- Meet and Greet @ Jake's Pizza
Oct. 14th- Bonfire, location TBD
Nov. 11th- Cooking Competition @ BLC
Dec. 8th- Hockey Game @ MNSU
Bethlehem will host a Blood Drive on August 22. Sign up with the Red Cross to give blood, donation hours are from 1-6pm. And mark your calendar, another Blood Drive has been scheduled for December 21st!
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 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!
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 August Monthly Mission is Crossroads Campus Ministry at Minnesota State-Mankato. Bethlehem’s ties to this ministry go back over several years, volunteering regularly with their Lunch-for-a-Buck program, and Pastor Jacie Richmond is currently on the Board. Crossroads has been without a pastor for the past year and is focusing on rebuilding their programming after Covid and finding a new pastor. You can send a check to Bethlehem with Monthly Mission Crossroads in the memo line, or give online throughout the month of August. Thank you for supporting the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of our area students!
This Week in our Prayers
Curt Halvorson Brenda Goetsch Marian Mallory
Pete Wachtel Carol Peterson Jim Norland Shari Elbert
The family and friends of Verona Roberts
Pastor Don Roberts, Bonnie, and his caregivers
Trinity Lutheran in Thompson
Hegre Lutheran in Kenyon
St. John’s Lutheran in Northfield
St. Augustine Ngamu Lutheran in Tanzania
Sayuni Kinyambuli Lutheran in Tanzania
CELCO (Colegio de la Evangelica Luterana de Colombia) in
San Lucas, Bogota