April 4, 2022
Join us for Palm Sunday led by the youth, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday! Note the time changes from other years. Hope to see you there!
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Mark your calendars for Sunday, April 10th! Not only is Palm Sunday being led by our youth, but we also have the Semi-Annual meeting after church down in the dining room. We will be approving the new members of boards and committees, and there are still slots open to be filled!
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This Wednesday, we welcome Pr. John Odegard from Grace for our final Lenten Wednesday! For the full Lenten worship schedule, visit https://www.blcmankato.org/lent.
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Our final shelter week of the season starts TODAY. Please check the schedule to fill in the holes where necessary. Thanks for another great season with Connections!
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Please join us for a Palm Sunday Hymn Festival, Sunday, April 10 at 6:30 pm in Christ Chapel on the campus of Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, Minnesota. Organist Nathaniel Gumbs, from Yale University, will lead the hymn festival from both the 55 rank Hillgreen-Lane organ in the loft and the Steinway grand on the chapel floor. Members of the choral ensembles at Gustavus, the Christ Chapel Brass, and the Sunday Worshiping Community praise band will assist with musical leadership. As a part of the regular Sunday evening worship service in Christ Chapel, the festival will feature some Palm Sunday liturgy, including a short homily and Holy Communion.
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The Adult Forum speaker on May 1 will be Jacy Fry, Director of the Kearney International Center (KIC) at MSU-Mankato. Currently, MSU has over 1,280 international students from 96 countries. The KIC has 11 full-time staff and over 30 student employees working hard to recruit more students and support the ones currently enrolled. Due to the global pandemic, the KIC resorted to all virtual/online recruitment activities since March of 2020. Applications have increased by over 100%, showing that international students are still very interested in coming to the U.S. for their studies. “Africa Night” will be one of KIC’s first in-person events at 6 p.m. on April 9.
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NicBluCares is the national pilot of a successful worldwide movement called ‘Compassionate Communities’. The people of Nicollet and Blue Earth Counties in Minnesota are building a safety net of community support, strengthening our compassion and capacity to care for one another in difficult times. For more information, see: nicblucares.com
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The annual application for Endowment Fund Scholarships is now available. Current college undergraduates and high school seniors should apply here.
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New Small Group at Bethlehem! Commit to Growing Your Marriage!
Are you looking for an opportunity to strengthen the role of Christ in your marriage? Are you looking for tools and resources to help nourish your relationship? Are you looking to connect with other couples who are determined to always make their marriage the priority? Join us for a monthly couple's gathering at which we'll enjoy conversation revolving around marriage, along with great fellowship with peers. If you're interested, please email: nataliejcasper@gmail.com; or call the church at 507-388-2925 and ask for Pr. Jay.
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The mask requirement has been lifted at church. You can read Pr. Jay’s statement on the blog.
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The April Mission Partner is Connections Ministry. You can learn more on the blog. Donate here.
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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."