BLC Weekly, September 30
Hello Bethlehem,
Covid and flu shots from Cub West Pharmacy will be available at Bethlehem. Join us this Sunday October 6th from 10:30-11:30am and 4:30-6pm on Wednesday October 9th.
ANNOuncements
We want YOU on lefse making crew! We certainly had a great turnout last year making our famous lefse! Can we do it again? We plan on making it Friday morning, November 22nd, 9:00am so it will be fresh for thanksgiving. Sales will be presales only (watch for details on doing this) and any leftovers open for sales on Sunday November 24th. But we will need your help on Friday to make it another success! Join us for coffee and goodies as we roll out this delicious Nordic treat. Please contact Ginger Erlandson either by texting 507-380-5268 or email rerlandson2@gmail.com. Let’s keep our Nordic traditions alive!!
In addition to our usual lefse making day, we are also hosting a Learn to Make Lefse evening for children, youth and families interested in learning about this delicious tradition. Join us Wednesday, October 9th from 5:00-6:00pm in the lower level dining room during dinner to try making and eating this tasty Nordic treat.
Wednesday Night suppers
Join us for Wednesday night suppers, served at 5:00pm in the lower level. All are welcome. Offering is accepted but the meal is free. This week we are serving a taco buffet with rice and beans
Our 2nd Annual Women’s Event will be held on November 9th! Join us from 9:00am to 1:00pm for a tour of tables, brunch, speakers and entertainment. More details and tickets are available here or by clicking the link on our homepage.
Cruz Family Update: A group of people went together to purchase an E-bike for Ariac. He is working part time at Christ The King and uses this as transportation to and from work. He continues to practice his behind the wheel in the hopes of taking his test soon. Once he passes that test we will check to see if anyone has a car that they might consider donating to the Cruz family. Rande is back in school which he is excited about. That's all for now.
Lutheran Disaster Response is already on the ground working to assist those affected by Hurricane Helene. If you’d like to support them, use this link.
Adult forum
Concerned about the growing divide in our politics as we approach another U.S. presidential election in November? Encountering tension as you engage in political conversations with family and friends? Seeking some understanding and hope for a calmer environment as we move our democracy forward? Wondering how we, as Christians, should approach controversial issues?
Join us for a discussion of the book Healing The Heart of Democracy: The Courage to Create a Politics Worthy of the Human Spirit by Parker J. Palmer. Come to the adult forum on Sunday, October 6 at 10:45 am in Grounds for Joy. Our pastors and members of the Adult Education Board will guide us in reviewing the major ideas and strategies presented by the author. If you’d like to explore the text in advance, you can order a copy of Parker Palmer’s Healing the Heart of Democracy.
Family faith formation
Join us for a FLIGHT event on October 13th! Once again families will head to Laura and Jim’s for lunch and fall fun before heading to Pumpkin Junction to receive a free pumpkin for each kiddo. Head to our Friends & Family Facebook event for more information about our Fall Family Day! Please RSVP to Anna at annwencl@blcmankato.org by October 6th with headcount so we can prepare meals.
Use this form to sign up for candy donation or to host a trunk.
Monthly Mission
Last call! Bethlehem’s September Monthly Mission partner is Iambi Secondary School Scholarships. This church-managed boarding school serves 200 students in the Mkalama district, Singida region in Tanzania. Academically, it is among the top ten schools in regional and national examination results. ISS has a conducive environment for students to learn with a reliable power supply, enough books, and enough teachers for all subjects. They also teach computer studies courses and religion. Gifts from Bethlehem have been transformative for ISS, and our past generosity enabled the school to install electricity, allowing the students and teachers to study and prepare lessons after the sun went down. Test scores soared, and enrollment boomed. Please give prayerfully and financially to our friends at Iambi Secondary School. You can give online or drop off a check written out to Bethlehem with the memo line: Monthly Mission, Iambi Secondary Schools. Thank you for giving generously.
Our October Monthly Mission Partner is Connections Shelter. Connections emergency shelter has 40 beds and they offer an additional daytime drop-in center with resources to acquire housing, employment, medical care, treatment and support. Bethlehem was one of several area churches which helped to launch Connections in 2017 and we have partnered closely with this mission ever since, through volunteers, meals and financial support. Our giving goal is $3,000. Please give generously and prayerfully for our neighbors experiencing homelessness.
This Week in our Prayers
Curt Halvorson Marian Mallory Pete Wachtel
Anna Moses Jim Freyberg Barb Girtz
Amy Grams Haugesag Royce Elker Joan Stoffel Dennis Sandersfeld
The families & friends of Floyd Arntz & Larry Frowick
East St. Olaf Lutheran in Byron Grace Lutheran in Austin
Faith Lutheran in Winona Mungaa Lutheran in Tanzania
Nzega Lutheran in Tanzania Itigi Lutheran in Tanzania