Hello Bethlehem,

We Are The Champions! Team Bethlehem finished as the top fundraiser in the 2024 Kato Sleep Out. This was our 2nd consecutive Sleep Out team championship. 60 BLC members and friends donated $4,500+ to support the Connections Shelter Ministry. WOW! Thank you for your generosity and support! Thanks to Pr. Jacie, Amy Haigh, Danielle and Ben Johnson for representing Bethlehem on Friday night. Thanks to Lori Ruthenbeck for inspiring additional contributions from her circle of Mankato friends.

Thank you also to the Bethlehem Gait Keepers and everyone who joined them at the annual Walk to Defeat ALS. We gathered Saturday morning in honor of Pastor Don and in memory of Jon Nelson. Thank you for helping raise funds and awareness!

THIS WEEK

Final call for Endowment Fund Scholarship applications! Applications are due this Wednesday, May 1. Graduating high school seniors and undergraduate students are invited to apply online here.

Wednesday night supper this week is Dave’s Delight with roll & salad, served at 5pm in the lower level. Worship begins at 6:15pm and following worship, TorchLIGHT and Confirmation youth and all those interested are invited to Ask the Pastors in the sanctuary. Afterwards, the youth will be sharing their post-resurrection stories. Here’s a sneak peek at their preparations.

Adult Forum: The Cruz Family

The Cruz family will be joining us this Sunday at our Adult Forum as we reflect on the past year and all that they have accomplished. We will also be joined by Kathy Chatelaine, Assistant to the Bishop for Global Ministry. She will give us an update on changes that are occurring on the larger nationwide level concerning immigration as well as sharing about what other congregations and groups in the Synod are doing to welcome immigrants in their communities. Join us after worship in Grounds for Joy for coffee, donuts and conversation.

Stop by the photobooth

Bethlehem’s Welcome and Inclusion Board is working on a summer promotion for Bethlehem to increase our visibility within the community and we want pictures of Bethlehem’s members! Stop by the balloon arch near the entryway where Marian Mallory will be standing by before and after church to snap a photo of you and your friends and family. You can also feel free to send in your own selfies. If you don't like being in pictures, feel free to grab an animal mask! We want all of you to find a place on our Ark!

Summer Tutoring

Good Counsel Learning Center is offering one-on-one tutoring for three weeks each month June, July, and August for grades K – 12 in reading and math. Various hourly sessions are available from 9:00am - 5:00pm weekdays. Register online at www.gclearningcenter.org/registration or call Sr. Dorothy at the Center for more information: 507-389-4229.

Community Garden

BLC Community Garden plots are now available for sign-up! Plots are available on a first come, first serve basis and plots are limited. Sign up online or contact Sarah Morgan to reserve.

Flamingo fundraiser

Your favorite fundraiser is back. It’s a Flamingo Flocking Fundraiser! For $30 you can flock a friend or family member’s yard with flamingos. $10 gets you flamingo insurance to keep the flock off your yard. Proceeds from this fundraiser will help send our youth to the ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans this summer. Head to the form on our website to sign up!

Blood Drive

Bethlehem will host a Blood Drive on May 23 from 12-6pm. Sign up online to give blood and save lives!

Monthly Mission

There are just a few days left to donate to Bethlehem’s April Monthly Mission Partner: the WELCOME Committee. WELCOME is a combined effort of five local ELCA congregations, including Bethlehem, with a mission of welcoming refugees into the community. The initial family sponsored by the group is the Cruz family. Since their arrival in December 2022, the WELCOME Committee has been assisting in helping the Cruz family navigate the complex process of seeking asylum, learning English, and filing paperwork to gain employment as non-citizens. Our goal is $3,000. You can give online or with a check.

Bethlehem’s May Monthly Mission partner is House of Hope, an organization which provides outpatient services to adults with substance abuse disorders. House of Hope has been serving the Mankato area for more than 50 years and contracts with the Blue Earth County Drug Court. The program is compatible with but not limited to AA and NA approaches. Contributions will be used for scholarships as well as start-up funding for new programs. Thank you for giving generously to those among us who struggle with substance use and mental health. You can give online or with a check.

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

Nursery Supervisor, Marci, getting wrapped up in the fun!

This Week in our Prayers

Curt Halvorson Marian Mallory Pete Wachtel

Les Biesterfeld Anna Moses Jim Freyberg

Barb Girtz Mark Woelfel Shirley Ruby

Tracy Carter Amy Grams Haugesag Jodi Orchard

Don Grotta Kiersten Dey

Pastor Don Roberts, Bonnie, & his caregivers

The families & friends of Jean Thompson, Ollie Anderson, Brigitte Rammerstorfer, and JoAnn Sargent

Dale Lutheran in Kenyon Deer Creek Valley Lutheran in Glenville

Fountain Lutheran in Fountain Mazoezi Singa Lutheran in Tanzania

Ntwike Lutheran in Tanzania Seniors Programming Soacha in Colombia