BLC Weekly, January 29
Hello Bethlehem,
Thank you for joining us for RIC Sunday, celebrating 50 years of Reconciling Works! Bethlehem has been an RIC Congregation since 2020. Learn more about our history and what that means on our website.
Fat Tuesday tickets are on sale now! We would like to get a ticket count by Sunday, February 4th, to help us plan ahead, so please order your tickets using the link below. 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 supper this Wednesday. We will be serving ham and mashed potatoes at 5pm, followed by worship at 6:15pm and education at 7pm.
Our S’more Camp Fundraiser will take place this Sunday the 4th. There is a $3 suggested donation, and we will be able to accept cash, check or use our QR code. Hear more about Camp during worship! Kids will be headed to Green Lake Lutheran Ministries July 28 through August 1.
This month
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.
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.
“Hosana Lutheran Church will hold a Night of Worship coming up on Friday, February 23rd. A free-will offering meal of tacos will be served from 5pm-6pm and worship will start at 6:30pm. The night will feature praise, worship, and the word (along with a couple songs from our Youth Band!).”
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
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!
Our February Monthly Mission will be the ECHO Food Shelf. ECHO has been committed to addressing food insecurity in our community since 1981. Our February donations will be presented in March, which is Minnesota Food Share Month, doubling what you give! Our goal is to raise $3,500. This program depends on volunteers, and we encourage you to consider giving a gift of your time.
SErVE
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
In the summer of 1994, a small group of people sat around a kitchen table and discussed how to create a safe and effective way for people to help their neighbors. VINE was the first Faith in Action program developed in Minnesota and is now the largest Faith in Action program in the United States.
VINE’s professional staff coordinates volunteers and services that are vital to the well-being of people with long-term health needs and difficult life circumstances.
Trained VINE volunteers freely share their time providing rides, assisting with home chores, delivering hot meals on wheels and helping in many other ways.
VINE’s goal is to keep people healthy and comfortable and living in their own home for as long as it’s safe and reasonable to do so.
Learn even more about VINE from Melinda Wedzina, chief executive officer, on Sunday, February 4. We will gather in Grounds for Joy after morning worship to highlight this significant force in our community. We welcome you to learn, serve and be served!
This Week in our Prayers
Curt Halvorson Brenda Goetsch Marian Mallory
Pete Wachtel Nikolas Perez Les Biesterfeld
Pat Nelson Anna Moses John Engles
Jeremy Kolars Ollie Anderson Ardis Grotta Jim Freyberg
Pastor Don Roberts, Bonnie, & his caregivers
Pontoppidan Lutheran in Ellendale Vista Lutheran in New Richland
Calvary Lutheran in Mankato Disabilities Learning & Education Ministry in Colombia
Mazoezi Igurubi Lutheran in Tanzania Lutheran Institute Kiomboi in Tanzania