BLC Weekly, January 22
Hello Bethlehem,
Fat Tuesday tickets are now available! If you’d like to donate a basket for the silent auction, please bring it to the office by January 28th. Funds raised will help support our 8 youth attending the ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans this summer. The online portion of the silent auction will take place from February 4th-11th and we hope to see you in person for our Fat Tuesday dinner on February 13th! Get your Fat Tuesday tickets here.
This Week
Join us for Dinner Church, this Wednesday at 6pm. Those interested in attending dinner and not the service can join us as usual at 5pm in the lower level for hot beef on a bun with potato salad and rolls. Those participating in the Dinner Church service should plan on eating at the service.
This Sunday, January 28, is RIC Sunday. Join us as we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of ReconcilingWorks and don’t forget to wear your RIC shirts! Bethlehem became an RIC Congregation in 2020. Learn more about our history and what that means on our website.
As we celebrate RIC Sunday, we hope you will join in our RIC interactive art project in the entryway. We invite you to add your prayers and hopes for reconciliation and inclusion in our church and community to the provided strips of cloth. Tie them to the waterfall and watch the rainbow form!
This month
Addresses needed! We will be packaging care packages for BLC college students on January 31st. Whether they’re a young adult or an adult enrolled in college or graduate school, we’d love to send a package! Please send addresses to annawencl@blcmankato.org
Join us January 26th for BLC Men Hops & Hoops. Contact Pastor Jay for details. Then, we’ll see you on January 28th for our FLIGHT Winter Event!
Meet & Eat: New groups are forming! We’ll pair up three couples/individuals to set up 3 get togethers, each hosted by a member of the group. Enjoy fellowship and food! Sign up by February 1 to be paired up.
A note from your Financial Secretary: Year-end contribution reports have been emailed. If you need a printed report, please let the office know. Review your report carefully and report any errors or questions to the office. Thanks! -Elizabeth Ruiz
Hope for Homeownership: Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership invites you to our Hope for Homeownership gala on Saturday, February 3, 2024 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm, at Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center. Our event will feature a captivating and meaningful program, games, delicious food, and entertainment. Proceeds from the evening will support SWMHP's Partnership Community Land Trust program, promoting homeownership to people experiencing barriers to housing in Mankato. More information and tickets can be found here.
The second annual Kato Sleep Out with Connections Shelter will take place on April 26th in the Bethlehem parking lot! Join a team and raise funds for this important work in our community. The online sign up is now open.
Monthly Mission
Our January Monthly Mission is Green Lake Bible Camp. Their mission is to invite all to experience the life-changing love of Jesus through vibrant settings in community and creation. Our goal is $1000. You can give online or send a check made out to Bethlehem. Thank you!
SErVE
Thank you for serving at Connections Shelter last week! All of Bethlehem’s volunteer spots were filled. We look forward to serving again the week of February 26th.
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
Adult Forum
Thank you to Mary Bliesmer and Mary Ann Boe for speaking about NicBluCares and Compassionate Communities on Sunday!
RIC Sunday: Join us for the adult forum on Sunday, January 28 to celebrate Reconciling in Christ Sunday. This is our opportunity as a church to recommit to our partnership as a RIC faith community, discern ways to live into our RIC partner commitments, and set new milestones for 2024. Join the BLC Welcome & Inclusion Board for coffee and conversation at 10:45 am in Grounds for Joy.
This Week in our Prayers
Curt Halvorson Brenda Goetsch Marian Mallory
Pete Wachtel Nikolas Perez Les Biesterfeld
Pat Nelson Anna Moses John Engles Jeremy Kollars
Pastor Don Roberts, Bonnie, & his caregivers
Garness Trinity Lutheran in Mabel Cannon River Lutheran in Welch
St. John Lutheran in Montgomery Bricelyn Lutheran in Bricelyn
Ruruma Lutheran in Tanzania Pulguori Lutheran Parish in South Sudan