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BLC Weekly, December 2

Hello Bethlehem,

Advent Wednesday services in the sanctuary begin this Wednesday, December 4. We hope you will join us for this quiet and reflective series focusing on themes of Pause, Prepare and Ponder.

This week at our Wednesday night supper, we’re serving grilled chicken on a bun, with potato salad and pickles. Join us at 5:00pm in the lower level. Offering is accepted but the meal is free. All are welcome.

The BLC Men’s 5th Annual Bowling Championship is this Thursday! Contact Pastor Jay for details.


family faith formation

Friends in Faith: We are looking for 10 more adults who would like to correspond with LIGHT & NightLIGHT kids as they share crafts they make during education at BLC. We would like the adults and kids to correspond roughly once a month Dec.-May. Please contact Anna or Kaitlin if you are interested. 


Announcements

Help us spread Christmas cheer at Ecumen Pathstone this year! Ecumen Christmas bows are up in the Narthex. Members are invited to take home a bow and purchase the gift item listed, with a limit of $15-20 per bow. Then return the bow to the church office by Sunday, December 15th or drop off at Pathstone by Monday, December 16th. On behalf of the residents of Pathstone, thank you for making this Christmas season a very merry one! 

Join Christine Schulz for a Christmas Hymn sing, Sunday December 15th after worship.

Bethlehem will host another blood drive with the Red Cross on Thursday, December 19th from noon to 6pm in Grounds for Joy. Sign up today to save lives! 

Bethlehem is signed up to provide meals at Connections Shelter on December 5, 6, 7 and 8. Still needed are all meal items for Friday, December 6 and Saturday, December 7.  Also needed are servers for Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  Can you help? Please sign up online.

The Community and Global Missions Board will be hosting a drive to collect Period Products for women served at Crossroads Campus Cupboard.  During the month of November, Bethlehem members are invited to drop off menstrual products - especially pads - in the metal basket located in the Narthex.  Many thanks for helping to address this critical need of women in our community.


Cruz family update

This is an update on the Cruz family who is supported by our 5 local Lutheran churches in Mankato. We are nearing the 2nd year point of their adventures in Mankato. The process of immigration is taking longer than originally thought for the family. The WELCOME team appreciates that all churches have committed to support the family for at least one more year. If you have been pledging money for the family, please prayerfully consider continuing to financially support the family. If you would like to make a pledge, please do so thorough your church. The Cruz family is very thankful for your support. 

Ariac, Andrea and their oldest, Randy, all attend school. Ariac working at Christ the King, and is available for odd jobs. He is hoping to pass his driver's exam soon. Randy enjoys math and soccer. Kamil, the youngest member of the family, turned three this year and is fan of the Hulk! For a more detailed update on all members of the Cruz family, check out the flyer on the Welcome Kiosk. 


hiring

BLC Weekend Janitor

One of the 3 BLC weekend janitor positions is now open for application by interested BLC members. Our 3 janitors rotate duties on Sunday mornings and at special weekend events with this position starting in January. The job responsibilities and electronic application are available here on our website.

The starting hourly wage is $10.55. The application deadline is Monday, December 16. Interviews will be conducted after this date. Questions can be addressed to Bob ihrig: robert.ihrig1@gmail.com or 507-388-1953


Monthly Mission: God’s global barnyard

Our December monthly mission partner is God’s Global Barnyard. This ministry works to find sustainable solutions to hunger through the purchase of livestock for those in developing countries facing food scarcity. Beginning next Sunday, December 1st, you will have the opportunity to purchase farm animals in honor or memory of your loved ones. These make a particularly meaningful gift during the holiday season. Make your donation before December 17th to have your names listed on the worship screens. Cards, ornaments and other gifts symbolizing your animal will also be available in the narthex. Look for the form available in the welcome kiosk, or utilize the online order form. Feel free to pick up ornaments, cards, or crafts in the narthex to commemorate your gift of a barnyard animal! 


This Week in our Prayers

Curt Halvorson Marian Mallory Pete Wachtel

Anna Moses Barb Girtz Royce Elker

Joan Stoffel Paul Haugesag Amy Grams Haugesag

Wally Boyer Al Rossow Delores Raveling

Donna Quick Deloris Singelstad Dean Phillips Carl Schoenstedt

The family & friends of Maxine Wagner

Our Savior’s Lutheran in Spring Valley Evanger Lutheran in Sargeant

Minneola Lutheran in Goodhue North Waseca Lutheran in Waseca

Urughu Lutheran in Tanzania Msingi Lutheran in Tanzania

Lectionary Readings

December 4, Matthew 6:25-34

December 8, Luke 3:1-6


Bethlehem LutheranComment