Check out some of our favorite photos from January!

Welcoming our new members.

Epiphany Program

Finnlay’s block tower version of the church.

NightLIGHT

Our wonderful Wednesday night supper volunteers

Wednesday night worship in the basement

Pastor Jacie and Joe and Melissa Wagner lead us in Wednesday night worship

The youth practicing being good fishermen

Forest all set for Camp Sunday

Youth adventure

The youth created these origami doves! Find them in the basement.

All set for Camp Sunday!

BLC Youth LEGO Masters!

R.I.C. Sunday

Welcome & Inclusion displayed our pride flag during their forum on R.I.C. Sunday.

Do you have photos from Bethlehem you’d like to share? You can always email them to blchurch@blcmankato.org

Hello Bethlehem, 

Thank you for tuning in and joining us for Camp Sunday and R.I.C. Sunday. Special thank you to the members of our Welcome & Inclusion committee for hosting Reconciling in Christ: More Understanding after worship. Thank you for the great discussion! 

We also want to thank everyone who picked up a s’more on Sunday. The S’more Fundraiser to help send our youth to camp will continue this Wednesday, Feb. 1. Grab a tasty camp treat for a good cause! Bethlehem will be at Green Lake this summer from July 30th-August 3rd. Youth must register by February 1st to guarantee a spot with your BLC friends. Registration is now open on their website. 

The Fat Tuesday form is now live! Order your Fat Tuesday Dinner tickets by Feb. 12th to help us plan. Tickets will also be available at the door. This year we are offering two dining options: an in-person dinner in the dining room and a drive-through takeout meal. Order your choice of jambalaya or mac and cheese, both served with sides of salad, roll, and traditional king’s cake. Our Silent Auction opens online on Facebook on February 12th and will close February 19th. NOTE: some baskets will only be available for in-person bidding. Baskets can be picked up during the celebration on February 21st. Sunday, February 5th is the deadline to drop off baskets for the annual Fat Tuesday Silent Auction. Please drop off in the office. All proceeds go to supporting future youth programming. Thank you! 

BLC Men will gather again February 11th at 4:45pm for snowshoeing! RSVP to Pastor Jay, pastorjay@blcmankato.org. 

KNITTERS and CROCHETERS — PRAYER SHAWL MAKERS: These still winter months are a great time for quiet knitting and crocheting to replenish the supply of BLC prayer shawls.  Bundles of soft, new yarn (not Homespun) with  patterns/instructions for prayer shawls are available in the office. BE A PRAYER SHAWL MAKER. See Marcia Nagel or Kathy Croswell for more information. Knitting lessons available. Crochet teachers wanted.   

A note from our Financial Secretary, Elizabeth Ruiz: 

Contribution reports for 2022 were emailed last week. Please check your spam folder if you did not receive it.  Members who do not have an email in the Breeze system will receive their report by "snail mail."  Please let the office know if you have not received your report by the end of the month.

Offering envelopes for 2023 are available in the narthex.  If you would like a packet of envelopes, please feel free to take one.  Envelopes do not have an assigned number on them, so please be sure to write your name on the envelope when contributing.  If you would like a packet of envelopes but are unable to pick it up, please let the office know and a packet can be mailed to you.

Updates from WELCOME, a collaboration of Bethlehem, Grace, Messiah, Calvary and Christ the King churches: 

1. Thank you to all who are helping to donate household items for the family! Contact Pastor Jacie for information on dropping off donations. You can use this form to purchase needed items and gift cards for the family. 

2. An update on donating money: The finance committee for WELCOME is asking that donations be taken by each individual church. This is so that we can keep track in order to thank people who are donating. If you are donating money through a check write the check to Bethlehem and write "WELCOME- Nicaragua" in the memo line.

3. A note about information on the family- as needs for the family are being made known to us we are doing our best to communicate them with you. Things are happening and changing really fast, so there are some times where by the time communications have gone out something may have already changed. Apologies in advance for this, and thank you for your flexibility! 

There are still a few days to support Bethlehem's monthly mission for January: the REACH Resource Center. This important organization reaches out to youth who are experiencing homelessness or other life trauma and provides them with a safe, nonjudgmental place to receive a variety of services centered on their individual needs. Youth ages 16-24 gain knowledge from caring staff to be healthy, independent and successful - looking beyond their past and planning for hopeful futures. You can support The REACH through the "wish list" on Amazon, through volunteering and donations, and financially to help provide basic necessities, shelter, education and preparation for employment and healthy, independent living. Your generosity is welcomed and appreciated. Our goal for The REACH is $6,000.

Bethlehem’s monthly mission partner for February will be Green Lake Lutheran Ministries.

Green Lake Lutheran Ministries (GLLM) has been a part of our Bethlehem fabric for many years. Many of us have sent our children to the beautiful shores of Green Lake, Spicer, MN to experience this important ministry. Green Lake's mission is "To invite all to experience the life-changing love of Jesus through vibrant settings in community and creation." The ministry celebrates everyone to let you be who you are:

Who is this YOU?

We welcome you – your race, ethnicity, and cultural background.

We welcome you – your unique physical and mental abilities.

We welcome you – your sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression, including all members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

We welcome you – your religion, your faith, and wherever you are in your believing and unbelief.

We welcome you – your generation, political affiliation, and socio-economic status.

Please consider supporting this very important ministry for our youth to develop their spiritual life and learning. Our goal is $1,000.

Hello Bethlehem, 

Next Sunday, January 29th, is both Camp Sunday and R.I.C. Sunday. Help send our youth to Green Lake with a tasty s’more fundraiser! Then, join Welcome & Inclusion after worship for Reconciling in Christ: More Understanding in Grounds for Joy. 

The WELCOME team, a collaborative effort of Bethlehem, Messiah, Grace, Calvary and Christ the King churches, has created the following list of household items needed to help the family seeking asylum move into their new home. Please use this form to sign up. Know someone who would like to give but doesn’t have a computer? Call the office and we can help! Thank you for helping us welcome the family! 

A note from our Financial Secretary, Elizabeth Ruiz: Contribution reports for 2022 were emailed last week. Please check your spam folder if you did not receive it.  Members who do not have an email in the Breeze system will receive their report by "snail mail."  Please let the office know if you have not received your report by the end of the month.

Offering envelopes for 2023 are available in the narthex.  If you would like a packet of envelopes, please feel free to take one.  Envelopes do not have an assigned number on them, so please be sure to write your name on the envelope when contributing.  If you would like a packet of envelopes but are unable to pick it up, please let the office know and a packet can be mailed to you.

We have updated our Strategic Plan! View the updates, including Objectives & Practices, on our website. 

A message from Pastor Kristin Engstrom:  “I have been here in Zambia, working with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zambia (ELCZa), for almost a year now.  During that time, I have been welcomed and invited into ministry by our siblings in the ELCZa.  The church here has been a blessing, even as the work I am called to has challenged me to develop new skills and ways of ministry that are appropriate for the Zambian context. In order to share with you about the ministry I am now called to with the ELCZa, I have made a short video.” 

Bethlehem's monthly mission for January is The REACH Resource Center. This important organization reaches out to youth who are experiencing homelessness or other life trauma and provides them with a safe, nonjudgmental place to receive a variety of services centered on their individual needs. Youth ages 16-24 gain knowledge from caring staff to be healthy, independent and successful - looking beyond their past and planning for hopeful futures. You can support The REACH through the "wish list" on Amazon, through volunteering and donations, and financially to help provide basic necessities, shelter, education and preparation for employment and healthy, independent living. Your generosity is welcomed and appreciated. Our goal for The REACH is $6,000.

Our week at Connections begins today and we still have a few needs to meet! We are expecting to serve 35 people and need some volunteers to bring some dishes this week. Please use this link to sign up. Thank you!

Important upcoming dates: 

• This Friday, January 27th we will host LEGO Masters from 6-8pm in Grounds for Joy. Youth can sign up here. 

• BLC Men will meet this Saturday, January 28th in Grounds for Joy for a potluck breakfast! Bring a breakfast food to share and meet the group at 8:30am for a short devotion and prayer before breakfast. This is an opportunity to discuss future events and visit with Allison Braswell from the YMCA to discuss the mentoring program. RSVP to Pastor Jay, pastorjay@blcmankato.org. 

• Bethlehem will be at Green Lake this summer from July 30th-August 3rd. Youth must register by February 1st to guarantee a spot with your BLC friends. Registration is now open on their website. 

• Sunday, February 5th is the deadline to drop off baskets for the annual Fat Tuesday Silent Auction. Please drop off in the office. All proceeds go to supporting future youth programming. Thank you! 

KNITTERS and CROCHETERS — PRAYER SHAWL MAKERS: These still winter months are a great time for quiet knitting and crocheting to replenish the supply of BLC prayer shawls.  Bundles of soft, new yarn (not Homespun) with  patterns/instructions for prayer shawls are available in the office. BE A PRAYER SHAWL MAKER. See Marcia Nagel or Kathy Croswell for more information. Knitting lessons available. Crochet teachers wanted.   

Hello Bethlehem, 

As we honor Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. we invite you to reflect on King’s message and to read the latest post on Living Lutheran: King’s theological legacy. “King’s revolutionary message struck a chord with people all over the world. His illustration of the Beloved Community provided a much-needed alternative to the hatred that was perpetrated against people on the margins of society.” - Pastor Angela T. !Khabeb

Our week at Connections begins next Monday, January 23rd. We are expecting to serve 35 people and need some volunteers to assist with supplying meals, sides, and/or serving meals. Please use this link to sign up. 

A message from Pastor Kristin Engstrom: “I have been here in Zambia, working with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zambia (ELCZa), for almost a year now.  During that time, I have been welcomed and invited into ministry by our siblings in the ELCZa.  The church here has been a blessing, even as the work I am called to has challenged me to develop new skills and ways of ministry that are appropriate for the Zambian context. In order to share with you about the ministry I am now called to with the ELCZa, I have made a short video.” 

In late December, five area churches helped to welcome a family of four from Nicaragua to Mankato. In the few weeks that they have been here the family has started ELL classes, have found an apartment they are preparing to move into, and the children are getting enrolled in school and daycare. 

Ways to help:

1. Transportation: for the family to and from school, appointments, etc. You do NOT need to speak Spanish to help be a driver. Provide Pastor Jacie with your contact information as well as the days of the week and times you would be available. 

2. Apartment renovations: They are doing work with painting, some minor plumbing work, and replacing some things like countertops in the kitchen. Send your contact information to Pastor Jacie if you are interested in helping. 

3. Donations of cash, gift cards, or checks written out to Christ the King Lutheran Church with “WELCOME” in the memo line. NOTE: We are not asking for items to be donated at this time because we do not have a place to store things right now.

Important upcoming dates: 

• Sunday, January 22nd. We will hold a New Member Orientation in the Heritage room after worship. All new members and curious visitors are invited to attend. 

• Friday, January 27th. BLC Youth Lego Masters will take place from 6-8pm. 3rd-6th graders are invited to come for pizza and some friendly competition. Adults are also welcome to coach/judge during the event. 

• R.I.C. Sunday is coming up on January 29th. Join us after worship for Reconciling in Christ: More Understanding, an Adult Forum led by our Welcome and Inclusion Board. 

• Bethlehem will be at Green Lake this summer from July 30th-August 3rd. Youth must register by February 1st to guarantee a spot with your BLC friends. Registration is now open on their website. 

• Sunday, February 5th is the deadline to drop off baskets for the annual Fat Tuesday Silent Auction. Please drop off in the office. All proceeds go to supporting future youth programming. Thank you! 

 BLC mugs are in! You can pick up your mug in the office during office hours. Mugs are $8. 

Bethlehem's monthly mission for January is The REACH Resource Center. This important organization reaches out to youth who are experiencing homelessness or other life trauma and provides them with a safe, nonjudgmental place to receive a variety of services centered on their individual needs. Youth ages 16-24 gain knowledge from caring staff to be healthy, independent and successful - looking beyond their past and planning for hopeful futures. You can support The REACH through the "wish list" on Amazon, through volunteering and donations, and financially to help provide basic necessities, shelter, education and preparation for employment and healthy, independent living. Your generosity is welcomed and appreciated. Click here to donate online. Our goal for The REACH is $6,000.

Hello Bethlehem,

Thank you to everyone who braved the cold to join us for our Epiphany Program last Wednesday! You made a snowy night glow bright. 

Meals taste better when eaten together! Sign up here for Meet & Eat, a chance to share a meal with fellow Bethlehem members. We match up three couples/individuals and you set up three different get-togethers over a meal, hosted by each member of the group. Sign up by January 15th to join a group.

Bethlehem will hold another New Member Orientation session on Sunday, January 22nd. We welcome and invite all new members or those considering membership to attend.

Youth: It’s not too early to start thinking about summer! Bethlehem will be at Green Lake July 30th through August 3rd. Register by February 1st to guarantee a spot with your BLC friends. Registration is now open on their website. Bethlehem will support at least 25% of camp costs, and additional financial support is available. Use code LAUNCH23 for an extra $10 off. 

Our annual Fat Tuesday Dinner and Silent Auction is coming up on February 21st. More details to come for a fun evening supporting the youth. 

The January-May worship volunteer schedule is now available on our website. View it on our Worship & Usher Teams page to see when you’re scheduled. 

Thank you to all BLC members who have made financial commitments during the next 3 years to the capital campaign to pay off the mortgage and to support the 2023 annual budget. Every dollar commitment allows Bethlehem to pursue its ministry and mission. Thank you to Amy Haigh who planned and coordinated the "Thank-You" reception on Sunday for Bethlehem members. The charcuterie boards of treats were a big hit as folks celebrated the success of the capital campaign. Over $850,000 has been committed thus far to paying off the $1 million mortgage. Thanks also to Carol Meyers-Dobler & Sally Burdick who assisted Amy in keeping the food table replenished. Lori Henricksen also deserves our thanks for working with Bob Ihrig to secure a $250 Thrivent Action Grant to pay for the reception expenses. It is still not too late to make your pledges for the mortgage & annual fund! You can do this using the Commitment Form the BLC website or submit your written commitments to the BLC office. We welcome your support for these financial projects!

Former member, Jodi Dickey, has published a book and will be holding a reading at VINE Adult Community Center on January 14th from 2-3pm. Stop by to hear an excerpt from Mutt and Jack’s Extraordinary Adventure, participate in the Q&A session, and to get a copy signed.

Bethlehem is signed up to meet the needs at Connections Shelter for weeks of Jan. 23, Mar 20, and May 22. There will be no morning shifts and only meal providers and servers are needed. Meals will be served daily from 5:45-7:30pm. Grocery donations will be needed for our weeks and a wish list will be sent out the weekend before the week starts. There is also an afternoon cleaning session once a week. Call or text Derek at 210-863-4202 for more info. You can sign up to prepare food and bring it to the shelter, sign up just to serve the meal, or do both. We serve up to 40 guests every evening. If that number changes, we will notify you beforehand. Sign up here for a meal shift. 

BLC mugs are in! You can pick up your mug in the office during office hours. Mugs are $8. 

Bethlehem's monthly mission for January is The REACH Resource Center. This important organization reaches out to youth who are experiencing homelessness or other life trauma and provides them with a safe, nonjudgmental place to receive a variety of services centered on their individual needs. Youth ages 16-24 gain knowledge from caring staff to be healthy, independent and successful - looking beyond their past and planning for hopeful futures. You can support The REACH through the "wish list" on Amazon, through volunteering and donations, and financially to help provide basic necessities, shelter, education and preparation for employment and healthy, independent living. Your generosity is welcomed and appreciated. Our goal for The REACH is $6,000.

Happy New Year Bethlehem!

Join us this Wednesday, January 4th, for our Instant Epiphany Program! This playful, interactive worship tells the story of the Wise One and welcomes in the new season! 

Meals taste better when eaten together! Sign up here for Meet & Eat, a chance to share a meal with fellow Bethlehem members. We match up three couples/individuals and you set up three different get-togethers over a meal, hosted by each member of the group. Sign up by January 15th to join a group.

The January-May worship volunteer schedule is now available on our website. View it on our Worship & Usher Teams page to see when you’re scheduled. 

Thank you to all BLC members who have made financial commitments during the next 3 years to the capital campaign to pay off the mortgage and to support the 2023 annual budget. Every dollar commitment allows Bethlehem to pursue its ministry and mission.

Thank you to Amy Haigh who planned and coordinated the "Thank-You" reception on Sunday for Bethlehem members. The charcuterie boards of treats were a big hit as folks celebrated the success of the capital campaign. Over $850,000 has been committed thus far to paying off the $1 million mortgage. Thanks also to Carrol Meyers-Dobler & Sally Burdick who assisted Amy in keeping the food table replenished. Lori Henricksen also deserves our thanks for working with Bob Ihrig to secure a $250 Thrivent Action Grant to pay for the reception expenses. It is still not too late to make your pledges for the mortgage & annual fund! You can do this using the Commitment Form the BLC website or submit your written commitments to the BLC office. We welcome your support for these financial projects!

Former member, Jodi Dickey, has published a book and will be holding a reading at VINE Adult Community Center on January 14th from 2-3pm. Stop by to hear an excerpt from Mutt and Jack’s Extraordinary Adventure, participate in the Q&A session, and to get a copy signed.

BLC mugs are in! You can pick up your mug in the office during office hours. Mugs are $8.  

Bethlehem is signed up to meet the needs at Connections Shelter for weeks of Jan. 23, Mar 20, and May 22. There will be no morning shifts and only meal providers and servers are needed. Meals will be served daily from 5:45-7:30pm. Grocery donations will be needed for our weeks and a wish list will be sent out the weekend before the week starts. There is also an afternoon cleaning session once a week. Call or text Derek at 210-863-4202 for more info. 

You can sign up to prepare food and bring it to the shelter, sign up just to serve the meal, or do both. We serve up to 40 guests every evening. If that number changes, we will notify you beforehand. Sign up here for a meal shift. 

Youth: It’s not too early to start thinking about summer! Bethlehem will be at Green Lake July 30th through August 3rd. Register by February 1st to guarantee a spot with your BLC friends. Registration is now open on their website. Bethlehem will support at least 25% of camp costs, and additional financial support is available. Use code LAUNCH23 for an extra $10 off. 

Thank you for your incredible support of God’s Global Barnyard and ELCA Good Gifts! Our December monthly mission goal was to raise $8,000 and together, you raised over $9,500! Thank you, Bethlehem!

Bethlehem's monthly mission for January is The REACH Resource Center. This important organization reaches out to youth who are experiencing homelessness or other life trauma and provides them with a safe, nonjudgmental place to receive a variety of services centered on their individual needs. Youth ages 16-24 gain knowledge from caring staff to be healthy, independent and successful - looking beyond their past and planning for hopeful futures. You can support The REACH through the "wish list" on Amazon, through volunteering and donations, and financially to help provide basic necessities, shelter, education and preparation for employment and healthy, independent living. Your generosity is welcomed and appreciated. Our goal for The REACH is $6,000.

Hello Bethlehem, 

We hope you had a very merry Christmas! If you missed the Christmas Eve service, you can review the livestream on our YouTube channel. In case you missed Gabe’s Angels: All in a Day’s Work, our Children’s Christmas program, that is also available to view on YouTube.

Thank you to all BLC members who have made financial commitments during the next 3 years to the capital campaign to pay off the mortgage and to support the 2023 annual budget. Every dollar commitment allows Bethlehem to pursue its ministry and mission.

Thank you to Amy Haigh who planned and coordinated the "Thank-You" reception on Sunday for Bethlehem members. The charcuterie boards of treats were a big hit as folks celebrated the success of the capital campaign. Over $850,000 has been committed thus far to paying off the $1 million mortgage.

Thanks also to Carrol Meyers-Dobler & Sally Burdick who assisted Amy in keeping the food table replenished. Lori Henricksen also deserves our thanks for working with Bob Ihrig to secure a $250 Thrivent Action Grant to pay for the reception expenses.

It is still not too late to make your pledges for the mortgage & annual fund! You can do this using the Commitment Form the BLC website or submit your written commitments to the BLC office. We welcome your support for these financial projects!

BLC mugs are in! You can pick up your mug in the office during office hours. Mugs are $8. 

Thank you to the members who volunteered and fulfilled our needs for Connections Shelter this week! Bethlehem is signed up for weeks of Jan. 23, Mar 20, and May 22.  There will be no morning shifts and only meal providers and servers are needed. Meals will be served daily from 5:45-7:30pm. Grocery donations will be needed for our weeks and a wish list will be sent out the weekend before the week starts. There is also an afternoon cleaning session once a week. Call or text Derek at 210-863-4202 for more info.  You can sign up to prepare food and bring it to the shelter, sign up just to serve the meal, or do both. We serve up to 40 guests every evening. If that number changes, we will notify you beforehand. Sign up here for a meal shift. 

REMINDER: There will be no Wednesday evening activities this week.

Youth: It’s not too early to start thinking about summer! Bethlehem will be at Green Lake July 30th through August 3rd. Register by February 1st to guarantee a spot with your BLC friends. Registration is now open on their website. Bethlehem will support at least 25% of camp costs, and additional financial support is available. Use code LAUNCH23 for an extra $10 off. 

Our December Monthly Mission is God’s Global Barnyard. In this season of giving, we want to help fill hearts with joy, hope, love, and peace for Christmas. We believe that God is calling us into the world together and with generous, loving hands, we can make a difference. What do pigs, cows, goats, chickens and honeybees have in common? They are all part of God's Global Barnyard, a ministry to help families who live in hunger and poverty around the world to become self-sufficient. These gifts keep on giving for years to come. Please consider "purchasing" an animal to support our Bethlehem mission. Our December goal is $8,000. Thank you for your faithful support of ELCA global missionaries and ministries!

Bethlehem's monthly mission for January is The REACH Resource Center. This important organizations reaches out to youth who are experiencing homelessness or other life trauma and provides them with a safe, nonjudgmental place to receive a variety of services centered on their individual needs. Youth ages 16-24 gain knowledge from caring staff to be healthy, independent and successful - looking beyond their past and planning for hopeful futures. You can support The REACH through the "wish list" on Amazon, through volunteering and donations, and financially to help provide basic necessities, shelter, education and preparation for employment and healthy, independent living. Your generosity is welcomed and appreciated. Our goal for The REACH is $6,000.

Hello Bethlehem, 

We hope you enjoyed Gabe’s Angels: All in a Day’s Work, our 2022 Children’s Christmas Program, written by Kaitlin Carter. In case you missed it, you can always watch the stream on our Facebook and YouTube. 

Thank you to all BLC members who have made financial commitments during the next 3 years to the capital campaign to pay off the mortgage and to support the 2023 annual budget. Every dollar commitment allows Bethlehem to pursue its ministry and mission. Thank you to Amy Haigh who planned and coordinated the "Thank-You" reception on Sunday for Bethlehem members. The charcuterie boards of treats were a big hit as folks celebrated the success of the capital campaign. Over $850,000 has been committed thus far to paying off the $1 million mortgage. Thanks also to Carrol Meyers-Dobler & Sally Burdick who assisted Amy in keeping the food table replenished. Lori Henricksen also deserves our thanks for working with Bob Ihrig to secure a $250 Thrivent Action Grant to pay for the reception expenses.

It is still not too late to make your pledges for the mortgage & annual fund! You can do this using the Commitment Form the BLC website or submit your written commitments to the BLC office. We welcome your support for these financial projects!

Bethlehem will host another blood drive with the American Red Cross this Thursday in Grounds for Joy. Donors who give blood between Dec. 16 and Jan. 2 will receive an exclusive Red Cross long-sleeved T-shirt while supplies last! Our last drive was a huge success: we exceeded our goal of donating 29 units and donated a whopping 41 units! Nice work Bethlehem! We hope for another great turnout in December and still have many time slots available. Please sign up here to donate. Thank you!

Your BLC Gifts Ideas: 

• Honor your loved ones with a gift from God's Global Barnyard. Place your order by December 20th to have your names shared on the screens during Christmas Eve services.

• BLC Mugs are in! You can pick up your mug in the office during office hours. Mugs are $8 and make perfect stocking stuffers! 

• Be the gift! As we wrap up the year, please consider filling out a Time and Talent form if you have not already. We are in specific need of Sunday morning coffee servers, and volunteers to run the worship slideshow on Sundays and Wednesday evenings. Thank you, volunteers, for all you do!

Thank you to the members who volunteered and fulfilled our needs for Connections Shelter this week! Bethlehem is signed up for weeks of Jan. 23, Mar 20, and May 22. There will be no morning shifts and only meal providers and servers are needed. Meals will be served daily from 5:45-7:30pm. Grocery donations will be needed for our weeks and a wish list will be sent out the weekend before the week starts. There is also an afternoon cleaning session once a week. Call or text Derek at 210-863-4202 for more info. You can sign up to prepare food and bring it to the shelter, sign up just to serve the meal, or do both. We serve up to 40 guests every evening. If that number changes, we will notify you beforehand. Sign up here for a meal shift. 

Youth: It’s not too early to start thinking about summer! Bethlehem will be at Green Lake July 30th through August 3rd. Register by February 1st to guarantee a spot with your BLC friends. Registration is now open on their website. Bethlehem will support at least 25% of camp costs, and additional financial support is available. Use code LAUNCH23 for an extra $10 off. 

Our December Monthly Mission is God’s Global Barnyard. In this season of giving, we want to help fill hearts with joy, hope, love, and peace for Christmas. We believe that God is calling us into the world together and with generous, loving hands, we can make a difference. What do pigs, cows, goats, chickens and honeybees have in common? They are all part of God's Global Barnyard, a ministry to help families who live in hunger and poverty around the world to become self-sufficient. These gifts keep on giving for years to come. Please consider "purchasing" an animal to support our Bethlehem mission. Our December goal is $8,000. Purchase your animal in honor or memory of a loved one by December 20th to have their name displayed on the screen during worship. Thank you for your faithful support of ELCA global missionaries and ministries!

From your Bethlehem staff and leadership, we wish you all a safe, blessed and merry Christmas! 

Hello Bethlehem, 

Torchlight and Confirmation youth, along with youth from Messiah and Grace, will take part in an interactive experience to learn about the experiences of migrants coming to our country. A Migrant Journey will be held in our dining hall this Wednesday, December 14th beginning at 6:15pm. Parents and adults are also welcome to attend. Please email our Family Faith Formation Director, Anna Wencl, at annawencl@blcmankato.org, if you would like to attend. 

Join us this Sunday, December 18th for Gabe’s Angels: All in a Day’s Work, our 2022 children’s Christmas program! Join the event on Facebook for updates and reminders. We hope to see you there! 

BLC Mugs are in! You can pick up your mug in the office during office hours. Mugs are $8 each and make perfect stocking stuffers! 

Christmas can be complex. We invite interested members to join Rev. Collette Broady Grund for Blue Christmas, a service all about holding space for grief in this holiday season. This special service will take place on Sunday, December 18th at 6:30pm at Grace Lutheran Church in Mankato and will also be available livestreamed on Facebook. 

The Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership is a nonprofit community development organization serving communities in 30 counties in Southwest and South Central Minnesota. This year they are hosting Celebrate Home: a silent auction event to bring awareness and funding to our organization and celebrate those we’ve helped.  You can join them online for this event now through December 19th, 2022 at Celebrate Home Silent Auction (swmhp.org). Perfect timing for some great last minute holiday shopping for loved ones or yourself. All the proceeds go to the Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership, a 501(c)3 nonprofit community development organization. Event sponsors include Southwest Initiative Foundation, Mahoney CPAs and Advisors, and Tara Onken, Edina Realty. 

Be the gift! As we wrap up the year, please consider filling out a Time and Talent form if you have not already. We are in specific need of Sunday morning coffee servers, and volunteers to run the worship slideshow on Sundays and Wednesday evenings. Thank you, volunteers, for all you do!

Bethlehem will host another blood drive with the American Red Cross on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022 in Grounds for Joy. Donors who give blood between Dec. 16 and Jan. 2 will receive an exclusive Red Cross long-sleeved T-shirt while supplies last! Our last drive was a huge success: we exceeded our goal of donating 29 units and donated a whopping 41 units! Nice work Bethlehem! We hope for another great turnout in December and still have many time slots available. Please sign up here to donate. Thank you! 

Thank you to the members who volunteered and fulfilled our needs for Connections Shelter this week! Bethlehem is signed up for the following weeks: Jan. 23, Mar 20, May 22. There will be no morning shifts and only meal providers and servers are needed. Meals will be served daily from 5:45-7:30pm. Grocery donations will be needed for our weeks and a wish list will be sent out the weekend before the week starts. There is also an afternoon cleaning session once a week. Call or text Derek at 210-863-4202 for more info. 

You can sign up to prepare food and bring it to the shelter, sign up just to serve the meal, or do both. We serve up to 40 guests every evening. If that number changes, we will notify you beforehand. Sign up here for a meal shift. 

“Thank you to Bethlehem Lutheran Church for providing Lunch for-a-Buck at Crossroads Campus Ministry on Tuesday, December 6. Jan Blaisdell and Dee Bennett served a hearty lunch of beef and meatless tater tot hotdish, french bread and homemade cookies and brownies to 24 hungry lunch goers during this last Tuesday of the semester. This is an impressive number for finals week. Last year we served just 10 students. Jan and Dee also collected $24.00 in donations that will help us fund the continued purchase of the lettuce salad, beverages and table supplies for future lunches. Students look forward to these weekly hot lunches to help them get through the day. In fact some students have shared that this is their ONLY meal of the day. Thank you for your generosity and ongoing support of the students and our ministry at Crossroads.” -Crossroads Campus Ministry

Youth: It’s not too early to start thinking about summer! Bethlehem will be at Green Lake July 30th through August 3rd. Register by February 1st to guarantee a spot with your BLC friends. Registration opens on their website tomorrow, December 13th. Bethlehem will support at least 25% of camp costs, and additional financial support is available. Use code LAUNCH23 for an extra $10 off. 

Our December Monthly Mission is God’s Global Barnyard. In this season of giving, we want to help fill hearts with joy, hope, love, and peace for Christmas. We believe that God is calling us into the world together and with generous, loving hands, we can make a difference. What do pigs, cows, goats, chickens and honeybees have in common? They are all part of God's Global Barnyard, a ministry to help families who live in hunger and poverty around the world to become self-sufficient. These gifts keep on giving for years to come. Please consider "purchasing" an animal to support our Bethlehem mission. Our December goal is $8,000. Purchase your animal in honor or memory of a loved one by December 20th to have their name displayed on the screen during worship. Thank you for your faithful support of ELCA global missionaries and ministries!

Hello Bethlehem, 

In this season of giving, we want to help fill hearts with joy, hope, love, and peace for Christmas. We believe that God is calling us into the world together and with generous, loving hands, we can make a difference. What do pigs, cows, goats, chickens and honeybees have in common? They are all part of God's Global Barnyard, a ministry to help families who live in hunger and poverty around the world to become self-sufficient. These gifts keep on giving for years to come. Please consider "purchasing" an animal to support our Bethlehem mission. Our December goal is $8,000. Purchase your animal in honor or memory of a loved one by December 20th to have their name displayed on the screen during worship. Thank you for your faithful support of ELCA global missionaries and ministries!

Torchlight and Confirmation youth, along with youth from Messiah and Grace, will take part in an interactive experience to learn about the experiences of migrants coming to our country. A Migrant Journey will be held in our dining hall on Wednesday, December 14th beginning at 6:15pm. Parents and adults are also welcome to attend. Please email our Family Faith Formation Director, Anna Wencl, at annawencl@blcmankato.org, if you would like to attend. 

Join us Sunday, December 18th for Gabe’s Angels: All in a Day’s Work, our 2022 children’s Christmas program! Join the event on Facebook for updates and reminders. We hope to see you there! 

BLC Mugs are in! You can pick up your mug in the office during office hours. Mugs are $8 each and make perfect stocking stuffers! 

It’s official! Pastor Jacie Richmond was installed at Bethlehem yesterday. Pastor Jacie has already proven to be a super addition to our congregation, and members and the call committee gave her an appropriately Marvel-ous gift during the celebration. Thank you to Rev. Bard Streed with the Southeastern Minnesota Synod, to the Richmond family and friends, and to all who assisted and celebrated the installation! Continue to lift up Pastor Jacie in your prayers as we look forward to a long and happy future together serving God’s mission. 

“LEFSE SUCCESS! Thank you all so much! Our lefse making day was a huge success! We made over 450 pieces of lefse and sold every one! The new addition of a bake sale only enhanced the fun on Sunday! Should we do it next year?? Thanks again for your wonderful volunteering and to the people that purchased the goodies!” -Ginger Erlandson

Christmas can be complex. We invite interested members to join Rev. Collette Broady Grund for Blue Christmas, a service all about holding space for grief in this holiday season. This special service will take place on Sunday, December 18th at 6:30pm at Grace Lutheran Church in Mankato and will also be available livestreamed on Facebook. 

 Be the gift! As we wrap up the year, please consider filling out a Time and Talent form if you have not already. We are in specific need of Sunday morning coffee servers, and volunteers to run the worship slideshow on Sundays and Wednesday evenings. Thank you, volunteers, for all you do!

Bethlehem will host another blood drive with the American Red Cross on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022 in Grounds for Joy. Our last drive was a huge success: we exceeded our goal of donating 29 units and donated a whopping 41 units! Nice work Bethlehem! We hope for another great turnout in December and still have many time slots available. Please sign up here to donate. Thank you! 

Thank you to the members who volunteered and fulfilled our needs for Connections Shelter this week! Bethlehem is signed up for the following weeks: Dec. 5, Jan. 23, Mar 20, May 22. 

There will be no morning shifts and only meal providers and servers are needed. Meals will be served daily from 5:45-7:30pm. Grocery donations will be needed for our weeks and a wish list will be sent out the weekend before the week starts. There is also an afternoon cleaning session once a week. Call or text Derek at 210-863-4202 for more info. You can sign up to prepare food and bring it to the shelter, sign up just to serve the meal, or do both. We serve up to 40 guests every evening. If that number changes, we will notify you beforehand. Sign up here for a meal shift.