It was the perfect morning for a great service and a short reception!
It was the perfect morning for a great service and a short reception!
August 23, 2021
Council President James Arentson leads the church in a "Litany of Farewell and Godspeed" for Pr. Collette, who celebrated her final Sunday with us yesterday, August 22nd.
***
Bethlehem is hosting a blood drive on Tuesday, August 31 from 1pm to 6pm. Sign up to give today!
***
The fall schedule is fast-approaching! It's time to fill out a NEW Time & Talent Survey at blcmankato.org/forms. No matter how many years you've been volunteering, please fill out a form. New worship times means new schedules. Thanks!
***
The Adult Education Board will resume forums on September 19 at a new time! Full forum details will be available soon on blcmankato.org/adult-education.
***
The ALS Walk has been scheduled for September 11. It is a statewide walk, but Bethlehem still has a team and encourages fundraising. Find out more, including a link to donate, on the blog.
***
August's Monthly Mission is Crossroads Campus Ministry. You can read about their mission here, and make a donation here or by sending a check to the church, memo line "August Mission."
***
***
Our new website and church management system, Breeze, offers so many exciting ways we can streamline our communication with you. Using Breeze to send you weekly updates is one of the ways we can keep our email list consistent and accurate (it also saves time and money!).
Additionally, our new website features a "News & Updates" blog, which you can follow right from the home page (blcmankato.org). By including all the details there, you can easily reference it at any time.
News & Updates: https://www.blcmankato.org/news-updates
The website also integrates the Events Calendar from Breeze. You can view the calendar and event descriptions on the website, but you can also check into worship and register for events by using your own Breeze account (don't have one yet? Contact Emily in the office).
Church Calendar: https://www.blcmankato.org/calendar
"Bethlehem is an inviting community that is growing in Christ, loving our neighbors, and serving God's world."
blcmankato.org (507) 388-2925
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
720 S. 2nd St. Mankato MN 56001
A Reconciling in Christ Congregation
August 16, 2021
We can't believe it's almost August 22nd, and we will be saying "See you later," to Pastor Collette. Her ministry at Bethlehem has been transformative, and we are so proud of the work she will continue to do in the community with Connections and Shelter Church. Please join us to celebrate her this Sunday after worship. Feel free to bring cards with your personal messages, but we will also have blank ones available.
***
***
Bethlehem is hosting a blood drive on Tuesday, August 31 from 1pm to 6pm. Sign up to give today!
***
The fall schedule is fast-approaching! How will you help? Read about the upcoming survey on the blog. Then fill out the Time & Talent Survey at blcmankato.org/forms.
***
The ALS Walk has been scheduled for September 11. It is a statewide walk, but Bethlehem still has a team and encourages fundraising. Find out more, including a link to donate, on the blog.
***
August's Monthly Mission is Crossroads Campus Ministry. You can read about their mission here, and make a donation here or by sending a check to the church, memo line "August Mission."
***
Our new website and church management system, Breeze, offers so many exciting ways we can streamline our communication with you. Using Breeze to send you weekly updates is one of the ways we can keep our email list consistent and accurate (it also saves time and money!).
Additionally, our new website features a "News & Updates" blog, which you can follow right from the home page (blcmankato.org). By including all the details there, you can easily reference it at any time.
News & Updates: https://www.blcmankato.org/news-updates
The website also integrates the Events Calendar from Breeze. You can view the calendar and event descriptions on the website, but you can also check into worship and register for events by using your own Breeze account (don't have one yet? Contact Emily in the office).
Church Calendar: https://www.blcmankato.org/calendar
"Bethlehem is an inviting community that is growing in Christ, loving our neighbors, and serving God's world."
blcmankato.org (507) 388-2925
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
720 S. 2nd St. Mankato MN 56001
A Reconciling in Christ Congregation
August 9, 2021
We're excited for Christine's recital tomorrow (Tuesday, August 10) at 12:10pm in the sanctuary. Doors open at 11:45am. Read more about it on the blog.
***
Funeral Serving to resume: If you volunteered to be part of a Serving Group, you will receive a letter in the mail this week, asking you to renew your commitment. If you didn't volunteer in March 2020 when we reorganized, but would still like to sign up, please contact Emily Heinis in the office.
***
PRIDE Fest in Mankato is Saturday, September 11th. We will walk in the parade and run a booth. Read more about it here and watch for a sign-up coming soon.
***
Don't forget to have August 22nd on your calendar to celebrate Pr. Collette's ministry at BLC on her last day. We'll have cake, coffee, and fellowship in the parking lot after worship.
***
Sign up to give blood at our upcoming drive with the American Red Cross. Tuesday, August 31st from 1pm-6pm. redcross.org.
***
The fall schedule is fast-approaching! How will you help? Read about the upcoming survey on the blog.
***
The ALS Walk has been scheduled for September 11. It is a statewide walk, but Bethlehem still has a team and encourages fundraising. Find out more, including a link to donate, on the blog.
***
August's Monthly Mission is Crossroads Campus Ministry. You can read about their mission here, and make a donation here or by sending a check to the church, memo line "August Mission."
***
Our new website and church management system, Breeze, offers so many exciting ways we can streamline our communication with you. Using Breeze to send you weekly updates is one of the ways we can keep our email list consistent and accurate (it also saves time and money!).
Additionally, our new website features a "News & Updates" blog, which you can follow right from the home page (blcmankato.org). By including all the details there, you can easily reference it at any time.
News & Updates: https://www.blcmankato.org/news-updates
The website also integrates the Events Calendar from Breeze. You can view the calendar and event descriptions on the website, but you can also check into worship and register for events by using your own Breeze account (don't have one yet? Contact Emily in the office).
Church Calendar: https://www.blcmankato.org/calendar
"Bethlehem is an inviting community that is growing in Christ, loving our neighbors, and serving God's world."
blcmankato.org (507) 388-2925
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
720 S. 2nd St. Mankato MN 56001
A Reconciling in Christ Congregation
The South Central MN Pride Festival is Saturday, September 11th. We will again be walking in the parade and managing a booth at the fair. Please plan to walk with us in the parade (line up at 10:30am, it’s only 7 blocks), volunteer for a booth shift (12-5pm, split into shifts), BOTH, or just attend! The Pride festival is fun for all ages and held at beautiful Riverfront Park.
Official sign-up coming soon!
We are so pleased each year to be part of the local organ recitals during the summer months. We expect turn-out to be high for the last recital of the season: our own Christine Schulz! A note from Christine:
“My pipe organ/piano recital is on Tuesday, August 10th at Bethlehem Lutheran, 12:10 p.m. Music written by ten women composers will be featured. Their lives were/are fascinating — one of the women played the piano at the White House for President Lincoln when she was only 9 years old! All but one of these pieces are new to me this year, and I’ve very much enjoyed putting the music and 6 pages of program notes together!”
August 3, 2021
Bethlehem is hosting a blood drive on Tuesday, August 31 from 1pm to 6pm. Sign up to give today!
***
A note from Pr. Jay:
Some of you know Patrick Patterson, who served Christ the King before moving to Eau Claire a few years ago. When I asked Pastor Patrick how he was, he would always reply the same, “I’m thankful.”
That’s how I am feeling returning to you and your call to serve as your pastor. I am thankful for Pastor Collette and Pastor Kristin for leading you. I am thankful to the staff, sabbatical committee, and council for their dedicated work. I am thankful for the faith, and for the hope of resurrection, of those who have died since May 2. I am thankful for time away to rest, travel, read, and enjoy family and friends. I am thankful that despite the Delta variant, it’s feeling more and more like the ministry God called us to before the pandemic, (if you have not yet, please get vaccinated!). I am thankful for the opportunities God will put before us in the days ahead. I am thankful for you. I am thankful for what God is doing for us and the world through Jesus Christ our Lord.
It’s good to be back to share with you our thankfulness for God’s saving love in Christ, and for the gathering around that love that is Bethlehem.
--Pr. Jay
***
A note from Council:
Council has voted to follow the CDC recommendations regarding mask-wearing. If Blue Earth County's Level of Community Transmission goes above Moderate (to Substantial or High), we will resume wearing masks indoors. This decision will be made on a week-to-week basis and will be posted on the doors as you enter church. You can follow along at https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view
***
We are so grateful to Pr. Kristin for her time here. See pictures and details on the blog.
***
Don't forget to have August 22nd on your calendar to celebrate Pr. Collette's ministry at BLC on her last day. We'll have cake, coffee, and fellowship in the parking lot after worship.
***
We need ALL NAME TAGS returned. EVERYONE is getting new ones made. Please do not hang onto them. You can drop them off in the office. PLEASE RETURN BY THIS SUNDAY, AUGUST 8TH.
***
The final organ recital is at Bethlehem next Tuesday and it's Christine! Put Tuesday, August 10th at 12:10pm on your calendar.
***
The fall schedule is fast-approaching! How will you help? Read about the upcoming survey on the blog.
***
The ALS Walk has been scheduled for September 11. It is a statewide walk, but Bethlehem still has a team and encourages fundraising. Find out more, including a link to donate, on the blog.
***
August's Monthly Mission is Crossroads Campus Ministry. You can read about their mission here, and make a donation here or by sending a check to the church, memo line "August Mission."
***
Our new website and church management system, Breeze, offers so many exciting ways we can streamline our communication with you. Using Breeze to send you weekly updates is one of the ways we can keep our email list consistent and accurate (it also saves time and money!).
Additionally, our new website features a "News & Updates" blog, which you can follow right from the home page (blcmankato.org). By including all the details there, you can easily reference it at any time.
News & Updates: https://www.blcmankato.org/news-updates
The website also integrates the Events Calendar from Breeze. You can view the calendar and event descriptions on the website, but you can also check into worship and register for events by using your own Breeze account (don't have one yet? Contact Emily in the office).
Church Calendar: https://www.blcmankato.org/calendar
"Bethlehem is an inviting community that is growing in Christ, loving our neighbors, and serving God's world."
blcmankato.org (507) 388-2925
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
720 S. 2nd St. Mankato MN 56001
A Reconciling in Christ Congregation
Yesterday was Pr. Kristin’s last day serving as Interim Pastor during Pr. Jay’s sabbatical. During service, Pastor Collette thanked her, blessed her, and shared with us her plans for the future. Pr. Kristin will be heading to Zambia as soon as travel is arranged to serve with the ELCA Service & Justice (formerly Global Mission) as Facilitator for Leadership Development with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zambia.
Thank you, Pr. Kristin, for your excellent sermons, care, and friendship during your months with us. We will pray for your happiness and safety in your new call.
As we approach our program year with fresh plans, ideas, and spaces, we want you to start thinking about how you are ready to return to serving the church and your community. Nearly all of our previous opportunities will once again be available this fall, with some changes to accommodate new schedules, new leadership, and new ministries. We will need volunteers and participants in areas from musical groups to ushers to meal service to teachers and handypersons.
Coming this month will be a new Time and Talent Survey which will reflect the new groups, new schedules, and new plans. Please plan to fill it out and get involved at your comfort level. Sign up to do things that will bring you JOY and a sense of PURPOSE or BELONGING. Each of us have gifts from God to share with others. We hope you’ll share yours with us.
August Monthly Mission is Crossroads Campus Ministry. Described as a "church for people who don't always like church", a place where questions are welcomed and taken seriously. Crossroads Campus Ministry is a Reconciling In Christ fellowship dedicated to welcoming all people. This is a nonprofit ministry in the tradition of the ELCA and has served the campus, in some form, for 100 years. Students from all walks of life attend Minnesota State University-MSU and Crossroads provides them with a place to gather safely, form relationships with one another and take a deeper look into their spiritual needs. Please consider providing monetary gifts to this important ministry for our youth. You can give by clicking here or by writing a check and putting “August Monthly Mission” in the memo line.