BLC Weekly, August 21
Hello Bethlehem,
This year the ELCA celebrates the 10th anniversary of “God’s Work, Our Hands.” This annual event is an opportunity to celebrate and continue our mission of growing in Christ, loving our neighbors, and serving God’s world. We hope you will join us Sunday, September 10 and Wednesday, September 13 for food, fellowship, service projects and the kick off of fall programming!
The Welcome and Inclusion Committee is inviting everyone to participate in this year's Mankato Pride Parade on September 9, 2023! The parade is at 11:15. We also are looking for volunteers to staff the Bethlehem booth at Riverfront Park for an hour or two between Noon and 4:00.Volunteers who sign up and be one of the first to order a Bethlehem T-shirt for $10.00 Sign Up sheets are at the Welcome Center.
Registration forms for LIGHT & NightLIGHT, Torchlight and Confirmation are now available on our website! Click here for registration. Torchlight & Confirmation Orientation will take place September 20th.
Our Blood Drive will take place tomorrow from 1-6pm in Grounds for Joy! Sign up with the Red Cross to give blood and save lives. Donation hours are from 1-6pm and donors can receive a $10 e-gift card to the movies! We are looking for a volunteer from 3-6pm tomorrow to sit with folks who have donated, hand out snacks and make sure they are feeling well before they leave. Interested? Contact Mary Bliesmer at mary.bliesmer@mnsu.edu
The Community and Global Mission Board has signed up to help with Sunday Suppers for the unhoused during the summer. Upcoming BLC dates are August 27th and 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!
Fall Volunteer Needs
Sunday Morning Coffee Servers: Reply to this email if interested!
Livestream/Slideshow Volunteers: These volunteers operate the worship slideshow, assist with the soundboard, and run the Sunday livestreams. This is a great opportunity for youth and families! Contact Molly Nelson mnelson@blcmankato.org to find out more.
Wednesday Night Supper Servers: We are excited to begin these suppers again in September! Volunteers are placed on rotating teams and serve approximately once a month. If interested in joining, contact Amy Haigh at haigh29@yahoo.com
Looking for a night out? Here are some great upcoming events:
The Lincoln Park Neighborhood will host their Nite to Unite Block Party in our parking lot next Tuesday, August 29, beginning at 5:30pm. There will be music by the Spoon Cherries, kids games and face painting, and a drawing for a Free Night Stay at the Moulin Rouge B&B. Stop by and say hello to our neighborhood!
You’re invited to the Connections Block Party and Shelter Shower on Thursday, Sept. 14. There will be music, food trucks, activities, shelter tours and more! You can help spruce up the shelter for the new season by purchasing items from their wish list.
On Thursday, Sept. 21, the Welcome Team will host a fundraiser at Applebee’s in Mankato. Just tell your server you are dining as guests of the Welcome Team and a percentage of your check will help our mission of welcoming refugees to our community. Ordering online? Just use code DOINGOOD at checkout.
The YWCA is seeking volunteers for their upcoming STEM Camp.
In lieu of the September issue of the Bethlehem Star, members can look forward to receiving a Fall Catalog of Bethlehem events! The Bethlehem Star will return in October.
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 Nancy Bartell
Pastor Don Roberts, Bonnie, and his caregivers
Dale Lutheran in Kenyon
Jackson Lake Lutheran in Amboy
Aurora Lutheran in Owatonna
Trondhjem Lutheran in Hayward
Mitume Ghata Lutheran in Tanzania
Kinyangiri Lutheran in Tanzania