BLC Weekly, November 13
Hello Bethlehem,
Semi-Annual Meeting: Join us at the fall semi-annual meeting this coming Sunday. We will gather after worship at 10:45 in the lower-level dining room. We will discuss and vote on the 2024 budget. We will also review the 2023-24 planned goals and activities of the Council and boards/committees as well as hearing an update on our strategic plan. This information is all available on the BLC website. Please review this prior to the meeting so you are informed!
We need a quorum of 75 members in attendance to approve the budget. We want each and every BLC member present for our conversation and decisions. Coffee and donuts will be available. Thank you in advance for your time and interest!
2023-24 BLC Goals & Activities The BLC Council and boards/committees have established the following goals and activities to guide their work during 2023-24. These include the new strategic plan goals and objectives. This is a great overview of the work planned for this year by the Bethlehem congregation. We will make a real difference for our members and the community. Read and learn!
Photo from last Thursday’s Fiesta de la Familia with the Cruz family and the WELCOME team!
This Week
Pre-orders now open! Pre-orders close November 15 and we will be making lefse this Friday, November 17. Whether you’re an experienced roller, flipper and taste tester or you’ve never made lefse before, all are welcome to join in the fun! Lefse will be available for pickup this Friday, November 17 from noon until 1pm and at the bake sale after worship on Sunday, November 19. Unsold lefse will be available at the bake sale for anyone who missed the pre-order!
This Month
There will be no Family Faith Formation Education Thanksgiving week. We hope you have a happy Thanksgiving!
The Fair Trade Holiday Bazaar is November 26th after worship. There will be goods from Global Mamas, 10,000 Villages and New Ulm’s Own. Get a start on holiday shopping from some wonderful and ethical vendors!
Thank you
"We can't believe that we're already four weeks away from the end of Fall Term at MSU-Mankato! We feel blessed to have Bethlehem Lutheran Church and your volunteers as partners in our ministry to feed hungry students through our Lunch For-a-Buck program. We were pleased to welcome your volunteers on Tuesday, November 7, when Jan Blaisdell and Jeri Clement combined forces to provide a mouth-watering lunch of chicken & sour cream enchiladas, cheese & onion enchiladas, rice, bread, and homemade cake to 63 hungry lunch-goers. They also collected $47.01 in donations that will be used to purchase the lettuce, fixings, beverages, paper plates, dinnerware, and other supplies for future lunches. God bless you for your generosity and for supporting the students and our ministry at Crossroads.
Crossroads Campus Ministry
Danielle Johnson with the cookie made at this weekend’s Young Adults cooking competition! Post high school young adults can contact Pastor Jacie to join the group.. They will gather again in December for an MSU Hockey Game!
Bethlehem will host a blood drive on December 21. Sign up online to give blood and save lives!
Thrivent Action Grants & Choice Dollars Are you a Thrivent member? Would you like to help Bethlehem financially? Check out the flyer that describes what you can do with Thrivent Action Grants and Choice Dollars. You can really make a difference for our church.
If you’d like to help provide support for victims of the war in the Holy Land you can contribute to Lutheran World Relief or to the ELCA Disaster Response.
Bethlehem is scheduled to serve at Connections Tuesday 11/28- Sunday 12/3 and the weeks of 1/15 and 2/26. Sign up online to help out!
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
Monthly Mission Partner
Our November Monthly Mission is The Reach Youth Resource Center. Since The Reach formed in 2011, they have served over 5,300 unhoused or at-risk youth and provided over 30,800 meals! Located on the Liberty Street side of Bethlehem’s campus, The Reach is a valuable resource in providing resources, basic necessities, preparation for employment and independent living, as well as recreational activities. Please give online or mail a check to support this important mission in our community!
This Week in our Prayers
Curt Halvorson Brenda Goetsch Marian Mallory
Pete Wachtel Carol Peterson Nikolas Perez
Betty Sanger Joan Stoffel Lisa Hagen
Pastor Don Roberts, Bonnie, & his caregivers
The family & friends of Ruth Reichwald
The family & friends of Vicki Reedstrom
Christ Lutheran in Byron St. Luke’s Lutheran in Goodhue
Grace Lutheran in Waseca St. Paul Lutheran in Conger
Pulguori Lutheran Parish in South Sudan Cannon River Lutheran in Welch Mungaa Lutheran in Tanzania