BLC Weekly, July 15
Hello Bethlehem,
And they’re off! BLC Youth and chaperones left yesterday for New Orleans. We pray they have a safe, blessed and fun week at the ELCA Youth Gathering! If you want to follow along with their journey, check out the daily event livestream on the ELCA website.
Family faith formation
VBS is almost here! 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.
BLC Youth are invited to join us at ValleyFair on August 21. Registration is now open!
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
We have successfully completed the NEXTREX Recycling Challenge! Please note the collection bins will be returned this week, so please take your future plastic recycling to other NEXTREX recycling collection locations in town, including Cub Foods and HyVee. Thank you for your awesome 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
YOU’re Invited
NicBluCares will host a Caring Circle centered on grief and loss this evening at 6pm in Grounds for Joy.
The Lincoln Park Neighborhood Association meets this evening, July 15, at 6:30pm in the Heritage Room. BLC members are welcome to attend.
Summer organ recitals at Bethlehem begin this week! Catch Thomas Andrews this Tuesday at 12:10pm in the sanctuary.
Deborah Circle invites you to their Summer Bible Study! Join them this Saturday, July 20, at 10am in Grounds for Joy. Copies of the study will be available for any who don’t have a subscription to Gather magazine. All are welcome, we hope to see you there!
Retirement Party for Simon Hernandez! Saturday, July 27th from 1PM - 4PM at the Mapleton Leisure Center 304 2nd Ave NE, Mapleton, MN 56065. The family invites BLC members to come and celebrate this milestone with Simon!
Monthly Mission
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.
Monthly Mission Match! BLC Endowment is currently matching your monthly mission contributions $1 for $1 for the rest of the summer! Designate a special gift to Bethlehem for any or all of these projects and the Endowment Fund will double it!
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
The family & friends of Allan Asleson
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