BLC Weekly, July 8
Hello Bethlehem,
Register today for VBS! All youth ages 3 years to 6th grade are invited to join us July 22-25. Please sign up ASAP so that we can begin getting a head count. 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. Interested in volunteering with VBS? Check out some volunteer and donation opportunities:
Youth and adult VBS volunteers can use this form.
The Wish Tree is up in the narthex! Stop by and see if you’d like to donate something we need. Please drop off donations ASAP so we can start preparations.
If your board or committee would like to sponsor a meal that week, please contact Kaitlin Carter or Anna Wencl for more details. We need sponsors, servers, and cleanup crew.
Family faith formation
Mark your calendar: we’re going to ValleyFair! BLC Youth are invited to join us at ValleyFair on August 21. Keep an eye out for more details!
Youth Gathering Prayer Partners: pick up cards for your pen pal at the Welcome Kiosk! Contact Anna Wencl with any questions.
The 2nd Annual Women’s Event is scheduled for November 9th. We want your group to join in the fun at a tour of tables! This year’s theme is Warm your Heart with Plaid! Be creative and advertise your group.
Bring a plaid tablecloth
Decorate the table with a centerpiece celebrating your group
Plates/napkins are provided but optional to bring if your group has something in mind!
Interested? Contact Joy Dykema, dykemajoy@gmail.com
Worship Technology Volunteers wanted! We are looking for folks interested in operating the worship livestream and slideshow. Basic computer skills will get you by, and we will train you! Contact Molly Nelson if interested: mnelson@blcmankato.org
ANNOuncements
NEXTREX Recycling Challenge Update: Bethlehem joined the NexTrex Recycling Challenge in March. We had 365 days to collect 1,000 lbs of plastic bags and we are thrilled to share that we have already almost met that goal! The receptacle will remain in the library area for a limited time. If you’d like to continue to donate plastic in the future, you can take bags directly to NexTrex recycling locations here in town, including HyVee. Thank you so much for your support!
Summer Organ Recitals are returning to Bethlehem! Recitals will take place Tuesdays at 12:10pm in the sanctuary, July 16 through August 13.
July 16 - Thomas Andrews
July 23 - Kaleb Schmidt
July 30 - John Stender
August 6 - Kraig Windschitl
August 13 - Christine Schulz
Monthly Mission
Monthly Mission Match! BLC Endowment will match your contributions $1 for $1 for the next four Monthly Mission Projects inlcuding: July: Partners for Housing and August: Crossroads Campus Ministry. Designate a special gift to Bethlehem for any or all of these projects and the Endowment Fund will double it!
Bethlehem’s July Monthly Mission partner is Partners for Housing. For 40 years Partners for Housing has worked to support stable permanent housing for those in need. Blue Earth County has been labeled a “severe cost-burdened county” meaning many in our area spend more than 50% of their household income on housing. Partners for Housing provides emergency shelter and offers affordable transitional and permanent housing, as well as case management and other support services. Our giving goal is $1,300. You can give online or drop off a check written out to Bethlehem with the memo line: Monthly Mission, Partners for Housing. Thank you for giving generously.
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 Michael Buesing Anne Ferris
Nancy Bartell The Kunkel family
Trinity Lutheran in Hayfield Bethlehem Lutheran in Lanesboro
Our Savior’s Lutheran in Cleveland Amani Lutheran in Tanzania
Mampanta Lutheran in Tanzania Puma Lutheran in Tanzania