Hello Bethlehem,

It’s Blood Drive week! Bethlehem will host a Blood Drive this Thursday, May 23, from 12-6pm in Grounds for Joy. There are still appointments available. Sign up online to give blood and save lives!

Congratulations to our 2024 graduating seniors: Alayna, Evan, Emily, and Adam. It was an honor to celebrate with you on Sunday!

Family Faith Formation

We are looking for 24 summer trip prayer partners for our kids and youth attending camp and the ELCA Youth Gathering. You’d send them a postcard and pray for them during the summer, and receive a response from your prayer partner before the summer is over. Email our Family Faith Director Anna at annawencl@blcmankato.org if you’d like to be a partner!

Our VBS Registration is now live! All youth ages 3 years to 6th grade are invited to join us July 22-25. Our theme this year is Wholly Holy and together we will remember Jesus’ words from John 10:10b, “I came so everyone would have life, and have it fully.” We will learn about wellness and our connection to God.

Service and Sun is coming up in June! Youth who are going into 6th-12th grades are invited to participate in this half-week of service and fun with Mankato-area ELCA youth. Cost us $20/day or $60 for all three days. Scholarships available. Register by June 16th. https://blcmankato.breezechms.com/form/ServiceandSun

BLC in the community

June 19th, also known as Juneteenth, is a holiday to celebrate the emancipation of enslaved people in the US. The Mankato Juneteenth celebration will take place on Wednesday, June 19th from 2-7 pm. We are looking for volunteers to represent Bethlehem by marching in the Freedom Walk and/or working the booth during the event. Help us show our community that when we say ALL are welcome, we mean it! Look for the sign-up sheet in the narthex. -Welcome & Inclusion Board

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.

Centenary United Methodist Church will host a Plant Sale on Saturday June 1 and Sunday June 2 from 8:00 am until noon. Stop by 501 South Second Street to purchase hostas, pollinators, asters, ornamental grasses and more. All proceeds support Holy Grounds, serving community breakfast 6 days a week.

Monthly Mission

Monthly Mission Match! We are excited to share BLC Endowment will match your contributions $1 for $1 for the next four Monthly Mission Projects: May, House of Hope; June, Lutheran World Relief; July, Partners for Housing; and August, Crossroads Campus Ministry. Give to any or all of these missions and your donation will go twice as far!

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.

Thank you

Thank you to Christine Schulz for sharing your talent and knowledge with the congregation during your adult forum, Playing the Sanctuary Organ, on Sunday.

This Week in our Prayers

Curt Halvorson Marian Mallory Pete Wachtel

Les Biesterfeld Anna Moses Jim Freyberg

Barb Girtz Mark Woelfel Tracy Carter

Amy Grams Haugesag Jodi Orchard Don Grotta

Michael Buesing Shirley Davis
The family & friends of Pastor Don Roberts

Sudanese Dinka Community at Zumbro Lutheran in Rochester Trinity Lutheran in Blue Earth