Families are invited to join us for our annual Trunk or Treat party in the parking lot! The fun will look a little different again this year, but it won’t stop us from having a great time together! Contact Anna to volunteer, or just drop off candy in the office by Tuesday, Oct. 26.
Mankato is celebrating 10 years as a Fair Trade Town. After the service on November 7th, there will be a Fair Trade Bazaar in the narthex with clothing, coffee & chocolate, household items, and gifts. See you there!
September 27, 2021
Join us for dinner on Wednesday nights!
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On behalf of the congregation the Endowment Board is thankful for the opportunity to determine how to share the Fund's earnings with many worthwhile causes and missions. We invite the congregation to share this opportunity by submitting ideas and by supporting Bethlehem's Endowment Fund. 'Request for Funds' forms are available online and also on the counter outside the office.
***
Hurricane Ida impacted many. Peace Lutheran Church in Slidell, Louisiana will be taking a team to help affected people recover. Bob and Janell Spelbrink are using their Thrivent action teams to partner with Peace Lutheran. One action team will provide one meal to 150 plus individuals, while the other is requesting gift cards for Wal Mart, Lowes or Home Depot for supplies to be used in the recovery in the New Orleans area. If you are able to support this important effort, please leave your gift card donation at the church office by October 15th. Questions? Please call Janell at 507-363-4628.
***
The Adult Education Board has resumed forums on select Sunday mornings at a new time! The Star Monthly Newsletter had a typo and there is NO FORUM this Sunday, October 3rd. The next forum is October 10th, and it's Planning for Long Term Care. Learn more at blcmankato.org/adult-education
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James & Linda (Bentdahl) Bristol will be celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary on October 16th, 2021. They were married at Bethlehem Church by Pastor Walker. Card Shower may be sent to 200 Malin Street, Mankato, Mn. 56001.
***
Please remember our current mask policy: As we enter the busyness of fall, a reminder that in accordance with current CDC COVID-19 guidelines, Bethlehem requires masks for all public gatherings inside the building, including worship and Wednesday night events, during times of substantial or high levels of community transmission. Private gatherings of small groups, where all participants are fully vaccinated, may continue to remove their masks.
***
Are you a member of our Facebook group? We post needs, news, and other fun things there, and you're encouraged to share as well. Check it out: https://www.facebook.com/groups/blcfam
***
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
"Every person supports a cause. It may not be our cause, but that's OK. See what's going on in your church and in your community and get involved with something that touches your heart. Think about it, pray about it and then just do it. Live beyond yourself." --Living Lutheran, Sept. 2021
"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
September 20, 2021
Have you filled out your Time and Talent Survey yet??? The deadline is this week! Click here to submit online or grab a paper copy in church. With this request, we are reminded of the great quotation the Community & Global Missions Board sent in from Living Lutheran this month: "Every person supports a cause. It may not be our cause, but that's OK. See what's going on in your church and in your community and get involved with something that touches your heart. Think about it, pray about it and then just do it. Live beyond yourself."
***
NEW OFFICE HOURS: With fall programming up and running, we will keep the office open until 5pm Tuesday-Thursday, and remained closed on Monday and Friday. Please call to make an appointment outside these hours.
***
On behalf of the congregation the Endowment Board is thankful for the opportunity to determine how to share the Fund's earnings with many worthwhile causes and missions. We invite the congregation to share this opportunity by submitting ideas and by supporting Bethlehem's Endowment Fund. 'Request for Funds' forms are available online and also on the counter outside the office.
***
Bishop Hassanally sent a lovely letter this week? Did you read it? Check it out here. Some important info in this week's RC Weekly, too, the email from our synod.
***
The Adult Education Board has resumed forums on select Sunday mornings at a new time! This week's forum is Do You Still Know the Rules of the Road? Description: We will be doing a "Kahoot game" to see if you still know driving laws. We will also see what you know with some of the newer rules in driving. You can just play along for fun. Or you can also use a cell phone or a computer, if you bring it along. Presenter: Todd Hanselman, a member who has taught drivers education for Safety and Respect in Mankato as well as social studies at the River Bend Education District’s Imprints Program in New Ulm. He has a social studies teaching degree and a masters in emotional/behavioral disorders from Minnesota State. Todd also has a teaching license in drivers education from St. Cloud State and has been teaching drivers education professionally since 1999. See you in the Heritage Room at 10:30! Bring your coffee up!
The recording from last Sunday's forum, "We're RIC: Now what?!?!" is available in the BLC Family & Friends Facebook group. Are you a member? Click here to join.
***
Please remember our current mask policy: As we enter the busyness of fall, a reminder that in accordance with current CDC COVID-19 guidelines, Bethlehem requires masks for all public gatherings inside the building, including worship and Wednesday night events, during times of substantial or high levels of community transmission. Private gatherings of small groups, where all participants are fully vaccinated, may continue to remove their masks.
***
Join Pastor Jay and the Welcome and Inclusion Board as we support the education sub-committee of South Central Pride. On Thursday, September 23, starting at 6:00 PM, they will be hosting a public viewing of the new documentary film, “Pray Away,” at the Centenary United Methodist Church in downtown Mankato. This documentary deals with the harmful practice of so-called ‘conversion therapy,’ and its impact on the LGBTQIA+ community. The film also examines the culpability of Christian churches and the significant role certain denominations and churches played in supporting this harmful practice.
After viewing the movie, there will be a panel discussion that will give folks a chance to publicly share their own stories related to this topic. Many members of the LGBTQIA+ community have harrowing stories to tell of the traumas they endured in the name Christianity and this destructive practice. By involving you and other local churches, we hope to have an audience of Christian allies present to bear witness to the harm this practice has caused, offer support or just listen, and/or apologize for the past actions of the Christian church. Perhaps there can even be moments of reconciliation.
***
Are you a member of our Facebook group? We post needs, news, and other fun things there, and you're encouraged to share as well. Check it out: https://www.facebook.com/groups/blcfam
***
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
September 14, 2021
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors,
as though God were making his appeal through us.
2 Corinthians 5:20
To the People of God in the Southeastern Minnesota Synod,
I had a colleague whose mother told him every time he left the house as a child, “Remember, you’re a Josephson.” She was, on his way out the door, reminding him of who he was and the reality that he represented more than just himself. He was a Josephson, and that meant something.1
I have long understood…(click here to read the rest of Bishop Hassanally’s letter)
What a great day! Check out the pictures here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/3Xuw5jreLfn7ygvV8
September 13, 2021
Thanks to the 20 people who showed up to represent Bethlehem at the Mankato Pride Parade on Saturday!
***
NEW OFFICE HOURS: With fall programming up and running, we will keep the office open until 5pm Tuesday-Thursday, and remained closed on Monday and Friday. Please call to make an appointment outside these hours.
***
On behalf of the congregation the Endowment Board is thankful for the opportunity to determine how to share the Fund's earnings with many worthwhile causes and missions. We invite the congregation to share this opportunity by submitting ideas and by supporting Bethlehem's Endowment Fund. 'Request for Funds' forms are available online and also on the counter outside the office.
***
RALLY DAY 2021: Rally Sunday was amazing! (Check out the photos here.) We hope you're planning on Wednesday fun, too. Festivities will be outside with Creation Story themed activities, a service project all can participate in for "God's Work, Our Hands," and the bounce house. We can't wait to see you! Plan to join us in the Dining Room before worship for our community meal (donations accepted). Dinner at 5pm, Worship at 6:15pm.
***
Have you filled out your form yet? 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!
With this request, we are reminded of the great quotation the Community & Global Missions Board sent in from Living Lutheran this month: "Every person supports a cause. It may not be our cause, but that's OK. See what's going on in your church and in your community and get involved with something that touches your heart. Think about it, pray about it and then just do it. Live beyond yourself."
***
The Adult Education Board will resume forums on September 19 at a new time! This week's forum is "We're RIC (Reconciling in Christ): NOW WHAT!?!?!" The Welcome & Inclusion Board invite you to join us for ways YOU can participate regularly in being an open and affirming church. It starts with knowing exactly what that means! See you in the Heritage Room at 10:30! Bring your coffee up!
***
Please remember our current mask policy: As we enter the busyness of fall, a reminder that in accordance with current CDC COVID-19 guidelines, Bethlehem requires masks for all public gatherings inside the building, including worship and Wednesday night events, during times of substantial or high levels of community transmission. Private gatherings of small groups, where all participants are fully vaccinated, may continue to remove their masks.
***
***
Join Pastor Jay and the Welcome and Inclusion Board as we support the education sub-committee of South Central Pride. On Thursday, September 23, starting at 6:00 PM, they will be hosting a public viewing of the new documentary film, “Pray Away,” at the Centenary United Methodist Church in downtown Mankato. This documentary deals with the harmful practice of so-called ‘conversion therapy,’ and its impact on the LGBTQIA+ community. The film also examines the culpability of Christian churches and the significant role certain denominations and churches played in supporting this harmful practice.
After viewing the movie, there will be a panel discussion that will give folks a chance to publicly share their own stories related to this topic. Many members of the LGBTQIA+ community have harrowing stories to tell of the traumas they endured in the name Christianity and this destructive practice. By involving you and other local churches, we hope to have an audience of Christian allies present to bear witness to the harm this practice has caused, offer support or just listen, and/or apologize for the past actions of the Christian church. Perhaps there can even be moments of reconciliation.
***
Are you a member of our Facebook group? We post needs, news, and other fun things there, and you're encouraged to share as well. Check it out: https://www.facebook.com/groups/blcfam
***
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
“Every person supports a cause. It may not be our cause, but that's OK. See what's going on in your church and in your community and get involved with something that touches your heart. Think about it, pray about it and then just do it. Live beyond yourself." --Living Lutheran, Sept. 2021
Dear Bethlehem members,
A huge thank you to all the members who have filled out their Time & Talent Surveys already! This is very helpful. Because we were closed for so many months, then operating under new protocols for so many months, we feel it is fitting to completely redo our volunteer database. There are simply too many people who have different needs and levels of involvement than they did previously. Please fill out the Time & Talent Survey (online preferred: https://blcmankato.breezechms.com/form/2021TimeandTalent) by September 25th. Paper copies are at each welcome table at church. ONLY people who fill out surveys will be placed on serving and volunteer schedules, regardless of previous involvement. We simply can't make assumptions. Even if you only want to do one thing from the long list, we still need the form.
Together we can fulfill the needs of our worshipping community and our community at large, not by one small group of people doing it all, but by many members doing few things. "Many hands make light work." Indeed working side by side is the best way to reconnect with each other after our long absences.
With grateful hearts,
The Bethlehem Staff
P.S. Excited to help RIGHT NOW??? Join us Saturday, September 11th for the PRIDE Parade! All are welcome to walk/scoot/skip/get pulled in a wagon with us! We will meet at the corner of Plum and Riverfront (across from the Wine Cafe in the new Bridge Plaza parking lot) between 10:45 and 11:15, with the parade kicking off at 11:30am. Look for our yellow and green banner and all the familiar faces! The parade walks north on Riverfront to Rock St (Mom & Pop's Ice Cream Shop), then turns left into Riverfront Park for the festival. Stay as long as you like!
September 7, 2021
Stop by blcmankato.org/forms to sign up for PRIDE, Rally Day, and to fill out your 2021-2022 Time and Talent Survey!
***
Please remember our current mask policy: As we enter the busyness of fall, a reminder that in accordance with current CDC COVID-19 guidelines, Bethlehem requires masks for all public gatherings inside the building, including worship and Wednesday night events, during times of substantial or high levels of community transmission. Private gatherings of small groups, where all participants are fully vaccinated, may continue to remove their masks.
***
***
RALLY DAY 2021: We're so excited to have Rally Day this year!!!! TWICE! We'll have both Sunday and Wednesday fun. Festivities will be outside with Creation Story themed activities, a service project all can participate in for "God's Work, Our Hands," and a tasty coffee and muffins and fruit spread (dinner on Wednesday night!). We can't wait to see you! We also need some helpers. Please use the form below to sign up. Thank you! https://blcmankato.breezechms.com/form/RallyDayVolunteers
***
Are you a member of our Facebook group? We post needs, news, and other fun things there, and you're encouraged to share as well. Check it out: https://www.facebook.com/groups/blcfam
***
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.
***
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 30, 2021
Stop by blcmankato.org/forms to sign up for PRIDE, Rally Day, and to fill out your 2021-2022 Time and Talent Survey!
***
***
RALLY DAY 2021: We're so excited to have Rally Day this year!!!! TWICE! We'll have both Sunday and Wednesday fun. Festivities will be outside with Creation Story themed activities, a service project all can participate in for "God's Work, Our Hands," and a tasty coffee and donut spread (dinner on Wednesday night!). We can't wait to see you! We also need some helpers. Please use the form below to sign up. Thank you! https://blcmankato.breezechms.com/form/RallyDayVolunteers
***
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.
***
LAST DAY!!!! 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