BLC Weekly, July 22
Hello Bethlehem,
It’s VBS week! 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. We pray for a fun, safe and blessed week of learning and growing together.
Family faith formation
BLC Youth are invited to join us at ValleyFair on August 21. Registration is now open!
Welcome back to the youth and chaperones who attended the ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans! Check out some of the photos from their trip.
Sacred Sites Tour: Friday, August 16, 10am-2:00pm in St. Paul
Messiah Lutheran Church has been working with the Minnesota Council of Churches to arrange a Sacred Sites Tour through MCC's Healing Minnesota Stories initiative. "Healing Minnesota Stories is an effort to create understanding and healing between Native American and non-Native people, particularly those in various faith communities." The Sacred Sites Tour is a powerful and important "opportunity to learn about Minnesota history from a Native perspective through story-telling and experiencing the sites in silence / meditation / reflection." All are welcome!
If carpooling from Mankato, meet at Messiah Lutheran Church at 8:00am. (1706 Lee Blvd, North Mankato, MN 56003)
Website: https://www.mnchurches.org/what-we-do/healing-minnesota-stories
Tours are led by Rev. Jim Bear Jacobs (Mohican) and Kelly Sherman Conroy (Oglala Lakota). The whole tour is outdoors and can be fully accessible. We ask that participants bring along a camping or folding chair as not all of our sites have places to sit. We do not set aside time for lunch so please bring water or snacks to meet your needs. Total cost will be determined by the number of people attending. Estimated cost is $30-45. Payment will be due at the time of the tour.
To sign up, use this Google Form or contact Briana Parr-Baker at brianalbaker@gmail.com or 320-905-4442.
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
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
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
The family & friends of Allan Asleson
Good Shepherd Lutheran in Wells Faith Lutheran in Dodge Center
Our Savior’s Lutheran in Owatonna Misigiri Lutheran in Tanzania
San Jose de Leon in Colombia Mazoezi Minyughe Lutheran in Tanzania