December 20, 2021

We hope to see you on Christmas Eve at 4pm or 6pm, either in-person or online! We have decided to livestream both Christmas Eve services, so you can appreciate the different musicians at each.
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Offering envelopes for 2022 will be available in the narthex starting mid-December.  Numbers will no longer be assigned.  Envelopes are dated as usual, but please put your name on your envelope when you make a contribution.  Our current contribution system is name driven and does not use envelope numbers.  Those who give electronically do not need to take envelopes.  Any questions can be addressed to Elizabeth in the church office or by email at elizruiz@blcmankato.org.   
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Save the date to celebrate Laurie!!! 
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The Adult Education Board is happy to announce their new equipment in Grounds for Joy. Read more on the blog.
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Your congregation is invited to join us at the Minnesota State men’s and women’s basketball games on Sunday, Jan. 2nd  as they battle Concordia St. Paul in the Taylor Center on the campus of Minnesota State University!  To purchase your discounted tickets ($5 for adults, $2.50 for youth (18-under)) and  for more information, please go to www.msumavericks.com/sundayhoops
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The December Mission Partner is ELCA Good Gifts. You can learn more on the blog. Donate here.
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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.

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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

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News & Updates: https://www.blcmankato.org/news-updates

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."

We hope you will join us on the 9th to celebrate Laurie’s immense contributions to Bethlehem.

December 13, 2021

The Forcier Family led us in JOY yesterday for week three of Advent.  

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Working hard or hardly working! These kids are preparing materials for the Wednesday night Instant Christmas Program! We hope you'll join us for both kids' programs (they're different!) this Wednesday, Dec. 15 and Sunday, Dec. 19. 

It's the return of LEFSE! Pick up Friday, Dec. 17 at 12pm or Sunday, Dec. 19 at 10am. Still a few orders left! Do you want to order some? Click here!

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The Adult Education Board is happy to announce their new equipment in Grounds for Joy. Read more on the blog.
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We are hiring! The Music Director position is open and applications are being accepted until Dec. 17. Learn more at blcmankato.org/job
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The next Red Cross Blood Drive at Bethlehem is Dec. 23. Please sign up to give at redcross.org.
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The December Mission Partner is ELCA Good Gifts. You can learn more on the blog. Donate here.

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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.

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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

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News & Updates: https://www.blcmankato.org/news-updates

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."

In the new year the Adult Education Board will begin offering more Sunday Adult Forums in Grounds for Joy. We will be able to make use of a new cart with audio-visual equipment and wall-mounted screen to provide an updated setting for both Bethlehem participants and presenters. We encourage you to come for coffee after the Sunday service, chat with friends, and stay for forums at 10:15 AM. Watch for the schedule of upcoming forums in the Star, in the Monday online weekly newsletter, Facebook, or the screens in the narthex and library. The new equipment was made possible by a generous special grant from the Bethlehem Endowment Board.

December 6, 2021

Many of our Christmas programming will also be livestreamed! Make sure you follow us and are in our Facebook Group! 
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The Fair Trade Committee will be hosting another holiday shopping event this Sunday after church in the narthex! Get your shopping done ethically and easily.

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Watch your email later this week for a survey about our new worship schedule! 
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It's the return of LEFSE! Pick up Friday, Dec. 17 at 12pm or Sunday, Dec. 19 at 10am. Do you want to order some? Click here!

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Volunteers are needed for two important jobs: food pick-up for Crossroads and helping with tax prep at Bethlehem this coming season. More information on both on the blog.
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We are hiring! The Music Director position is open and applications are being accepted until Dec. 17. Learn more at blcmankato.org/job
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The next Red Cross Blood Drive at Bethlehem is Dec. 23. Please sign up to give at redcross.org.
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The December Mission Partner is ELCA Good Gifts. You can learn more on the blog. Donate here.
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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.

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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

***

News & Updates: https://www.blcmankato.org/news-updates

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."

What do you want for Christmas this year? To send a child to school in a developing nation? To buy a goat for a family so they have an ongoing source of protein-packed milk and dairy products? To purchase a well or water filter to provide safe and clean water? Your gifts are needed to help our church respond to hunger and poverty in more than 88 countries around the world, including the United States. In 2020, Bethlehem once again ranked in the top 150 of the 8,972 congregations in the ELCA in hunger giving. ELCA World Hunger works hard to ensure that more than 85% of your gift goes directly to support programmatic work.

Consider giving a gift "in honor of" or "in memory of" to support our church's causes. There are forms available at the display table in the narthex or online(click here) so you can gift someone in need, support a sustainable development program of the ELCA and Lutheran Disaster Response, and honor a loved one.

November 29, 2021

We are pleased to host the Musicorum concert here at Bethlehem next week! Tickets can be purchased at the door.
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Our next week for volunteering at Connections shelter starts December 6! Please sign up for meals, serving, or mornings, click on the yellow buttons to sign up: https://www.connectionsshelter.org/support-us
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It's the return of LEFSE! Can you help make it? Read the details on the blog. Do you want to order some? Click here!

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Volunteers are needed for two important jobs: food pick-up for Crossroads and helping with tax prep at Bethlehem this coming season. More information on both on the blog.
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The next Red Cross Blood Drive at Bethlehem is Dec. 23. Please sign up to give at redcross.org.
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GOOD NEWS: This year BLC raised $880 for the ALS Walk (even though it was cancelled!), bringing your lifetime total to $33,168!!! WOW!
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The November Mission Partner is Holy Grounds. Tomorrow is the last day! You can learn more on the blog. Donate here.
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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

***

News & Updates: https://www.blcmankato.org/news-updates

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."

November 22, 2021

The kids' Christmas program is back LIVE! We're currently looking for a piano accompanist for the program. I you're comfortable playing a few classic hymns or you know someone who is, please contact Kaitlin Carter, Anna Wencl, or Emily Heinis in the office. The dates needed are 12/5, 12/12, 12/18, and 12/19.  

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Wednesday, Nov. 24th, we WILL have worship, but no meal or education. Enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday! 
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Our next week for volunteering at Connections shelter starts December 6! Please sign up for meals, serving, or mornings, click on the yellow buttons to sign up: https://www.connectionsshelter.org/support-us
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It's the return of LEFSE! Can you help make it? Read the details on the blog. Do you want to order some? Click here!

***
Volunteers are needed for two important jobs: food pick-up for Crossroads and helping with tax prep at Bethlehem this coming season. More information on both on the blog.
***
GOOD NEWS: This year BLC raised $880 for the ALS Walk (even though it was cancelled!), bringing your lifetime total to $33,168!!! WOW!
***
The November Mission Partner is Holy Grounds. You can learn more on the blog. Donate here.

***

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

***

News & Updates: https://www.blcmankato.org/news-updates

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."

Request for Volunteers for Food Pick-up

Campus Cupboard (part of Crossroads Campus Ministry) needs people to pick up donated food from the Kiwanis Festival of Lights. The dates are November 29 and December 7. Food can be picked up the next morning before noon. Contact Pastor Heather at 612-834-0211 for details.

Request for Volunteers for the VITA tax program

Volunteers are needed for the VITA tax program. The program provides free tax preparation for lower-to-middle-income  taxpayers, older individuals, and those with disabilities, to help them get the tax refunds to which they are entitled. We need Tax preparers, Greeters, and Phone volunteers.

Tax preparers need only computer competence and an interest in financial/tax issues. Some tax prep experience is welcome but not required; tax preparation training and training materials are provided. Greeters will do intake and initial screening, and Phone volunteers are needed to take tax appointments. Training for both will be provided, and no experience is necessary.

This is a very rewarding activity. Taxpayers are fun to work with and are always very grateful. For more information, call Ginger Klenk at 387-5707; leave a message if no one is home.

November 15, 2021

We had an excellent Semi-Annual Meeting yesterday! Did you miss it? You can read the minutes here. 
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It's the return of LEFSE! Can you help make it? Read the details on the blog. 

Information regarding ordering and eating the lefse will come later. Patience, please. 

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Wednesday, Nov. 24th, we WILL have worship, but no meal or education. Enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday! 
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The November Mission Partner is Holy Grounds. You can learn more on the blog. Donate here.

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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

***

News & Updates: https://www.blcmankato.org/news-updates

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."