BLC Weekly, July 31

Hello Bethlehem,

And they’re off! 11 Bethlehem kids and youth left yesterday for camp at Green Lake Lutheran Ministries! We wish them and their leaders a wonderful week of adventure and praise!

Directory photos will be taken Aug 8-12 at Bethlehem. Head to the UCDIR website enter our church code, mn379 and password: photos to schedule your appointment. Unable to make it to these dates? Contact Molly Nelson, mnelson@blcmankato.org for alternate dates and accommodations.

We need hosts to help facilitate the directory photo check-in process throughout the week, but especially from 12:45-4pm on Saturday. Please contact the office or reply to this email if you are interested in assisting!

The Sioux Trails Chapter of the American Guild of Organists is presenting it’s annual summer organ recitals on Tuesdays at noon here at Bethlehem, and our own Christine Schulz will be performing on August 8th! Admission is free, donations are accepted. Visit www.agosiouxtrails.org for more information.

Over 50 kids from Bethlehem, Centenary and the surrounding community joined us for VBS last week. With a theme of RENEW, the kids made natural art, planted seeds, created compost, and so much more! Thank you to Kaitlin Carter, our Children’s and Family Ministry Associate, for all your hard work in planning, and thank you to the rest of our staff and volunteers who helped give the kids a great week! Check out some of the photos from the week:

New Young Adults Small Group! This group is open to all post high school young adults. We will meet once a month at various places and have a chance to socialize and build relationships with one another. All are welcome and friends are welcome too! Fall events include:

Sept. 16th- Meet and Greet @ Jake's Pizza

Oct. 14th- Bonfire, location TBD

Nov. 11th- Cooking Competition @ BLC

Dec. 8th- Hockey Game @ MNSU

Bethlehem will host a Blood Drive on August 22. Sign up with the Red Cross to give blood, donation hours are from 1-6pm. And mark your calendar, another Blood Drive has been scheduled for December 21st!

Home Care for Pr. Don: Bethlehem has been caring for and supporting Pastor Don and Bonnie Roberts since he was diagnosed with ALS in 1995, and now the Roberts need our help. Are you interested in helping with Pastor Don's home care? If you have experience as a caregiver, a good heart, and a willingness to learn, you are needed, as they are looking for more caregivers to round out their team. Let Pr. Don and Bonnie know if you can help! Connect with the Roberts by emailing dbroberts320@hotmail.com

It’s not too early to start thinking about fall! We are excited to begin Wednesday Night Suppers again in September. Interested in getting on the Wednesday Night Supper server schedule? Contact Amy Haigh at haigh29@yahoo.com

The Community and Global Mission Board has signed up to help with Sunday Suppers for the unhoused during the summer. Upcoming BLC dates August 27th, September 24th, from 4-6 at Grace Lutheran Church. Simple meals of sandwiches, chips, water will be provided. We can use donations of water, gatorade, individual packages of chips, bars, paper plates, paper bags for take home. Please, contact Dee Bennett 317-679-3277, deebennett@mac.com to coordinate a donation. Thank you in advance for your generosity!

Deborah Circle would like to invite all interested persons to join us for a summer bible study. We will meet on the 3rd Saturday in June, July, and August in Grounds for Joy from 10:00-11:00 am. We will use the summer study found in Gather Magazine. Copies of the study will be available for those who don't have a subscription. Hope to see you there!

Pastor Kristin Engstrom’s July Newsletter is now available!

Last call! Our July Monthly Mission is Partners for Housing. P4H works by providing emergency shelters at Theresa House, Union Street Place, and the Welcome Inn. They provide transitional housing, rapid re-housing and long-term housing in collaboration with many other supportive services. Bethlehem’s goal is to raise $1,300 for Partners for Housing. Please consider supporting this important mission!

Our August Monthly Mission is Crossroads Campus Ministry at Minnesota State-Mankato. Bethlehem’s ties to this ministry go back over several years, volunteering regularly with their Lunch-for-a-Buck program, and Pastor Jacie Richmond is currently on the Board. Crossroads has been without a pastor for the past year and is focusing on rebuilding their programming after Covid and finding a new pastor. You can send a check to Bethlehem with Monthly Mission Crossroads in the memo line, or give online throughout the month of August. Thank you for supporting the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of our area students!

This Week in our Prayers

First Lutheran in Blooming Prairie

Solor Lutheran in Webster

Redeemer Lutheran in Alden

Ngimu Lutheran in Tanzania

Igengu Lutheran in Tanzania

CELCO (Colegio de la Evangelica Luterana de Colombia) in Paz de Ariporo

Curt Halvorson Brenda Goetsch Marian Mallory

Pete Wachtel Carol Peterson Jim Norland

Shari Elbert Verona Roberts

Pastor Don Roberts, Bonnie, and his caregivers

LECTIONARY August 6, Matthew 14:13-21

Bethlehem LutheranJuly 31, 2023Comment

BLC Weekly, July 24

Hello Bethlehem,

It’s VBS Week! There are over 50 kiddos signed up for this year’s VBS! We are so excited to gather this week to learn and grow, with a focus on our theme of RENEW and the parable of the sower. Interested in helping serve dinner? Please use this form to sign up, or contact the office. We pray for a fun, exciting, and meaningful Vacation Bible School 2023!

The Community and Global Mission Board has signed up to help with Sunday Suppers for the unhoused during the summer. Upcoming BLC dates August 27th, September 24th, from 4-6 at Grace Lutheran Church.

Simple meals of sandwiches, chips, water will be provided. We can use donations of water, gatorade, individual packages of chips, bars, paper plates, paper bags for take home. Please, contact Dee Bennett 317-679-3277, deebennett@mac.com to coordinate a donation. Thank you in advance for your generosity!

Sept. 16th- Meet and Greet @ Jake's Pizza

Oct. 14th- Bonfire, location TBD

Nov. 11th- Cooking Competition @ BLC

Dec. 8th- Hockey Game @ MNSU

We need hosts to help facilitate the directory photo check-in process, especially from 1:45-6pm and 5:45-8:30pm on Friday, and 12:45-4pm on Saturday. Please contact the office or reply to this email if you are interested in assisting!

Bethlehem will host another Blood Drive on August 22. Sign up with the Red Cross to give blood, donation hours are from 1-6pm. And mark your calendar, another Blood Drive has been scheduled for December 21st!

***We had a lot of fun supporting the Cruz family at the MoonDogs fundraiser last Thursday! Thank you to everyone who organized, it was a wonderful time!***

Our July Monthly Mission is Partners for Housing. P4H works by providing emergency shelters at Theresa House, Union Street Place, and the Welcome Inn. They provide transitional housing, rapid re-housing and long-term housing in collaboration with many other supportive services. Bethlehem’s goal is to raise $1,300 for Partners for Housing. Please consider supporting this important mission!

This Week in our Prayers

Curt Halvorson Brenda Goetsch Marian Mallory

Pete Wachtel Carol Peterson Jim Norland

Pastor Don Roberts, Bonnie, and his caregivers

Scheie Lutheran in Mabel

Dennison Lutheran in Dennison

Grace Lutheran in Nerstrand

Merya Lutheran in Tanzania

Mkalama Lutheran in Tanzania

CELCO (Colegio de la Evangelica Luterana de Colombia) in Sogamoso

LECTIONARY July 30, Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

Bethlehem LutheranJuly 24, 2023Comment

BLC Weekly, July 17

Hello Bethlehem,

VBS is just one week away! We are so excited to be partnering with Centenary Church this year, and we are thrilled to share that we have over 50 kids signed up for VBS! July 24-27 we will gather to learn and grow, with a focus on our theme of RENEW and the parable of the sower.

We are still looking for dinner servers to serve dinner from 4:45-6:15pm in the evenings. Please use this form to sign up, or contact the office. Head to our website to register your child, or to sign up to volunteer as a youth or adult. We pray for a fun, exciting, and meaningful Vacation Bible School 2023!

Also this week: on July 18, from 3-5pm, Connections will host an Ice Cream Social Send Off at their Front Street location. Pastor Collette will be moving on to new adventures and our own Elizabeth Paul will be taking over as Development Director at Connections.

This week! You’re invited to a fun night of fellowship and baseball and meet the Cruz family! Join us at the MoonDogs game on Thursday, July 20th for a fundraiser to help support our mission of welcoming refugees to our Mankato community. For $16 you’ll get a hot dog, chips, a beverage, and premier VIP seating behind home plate in section 202 with your ticket. Half of the ticket price goes to the fundraiser. We would love it if you can wear the colors of Nicaragua, which are white and royal blue. Join the Facebook event for updates. Gates open at 5:35pm and first pitch is at 6:35pm. Tickets available online, use Promo Code: WELCOME.

Want to be a host family? The Center for English Language Programs (CELP) at MSU is seeking families to host Japanese students in their homes while they are engaged in academic and social life at MSU. Students from Chuo University in Tokyo will be in Mankato from August 19 - September 9th. Apply online to be a host. Contact Ben Robinson with any questions: benr@usahomestays.org

It’s time for a new directory! Directory photos will be taken Aug 8-12 at Bethlehem. Head to the UCDIR website enter our church code, mn379 and password: photos to schedule your appointment.

We will also need hosts to help facilitate the directory photo process. We are looking for folks interested in helping with check-in, especially from 1:45-6pm and 5:45-8:30pm on Friday, and 9:45am to 1pm or 12:45-4pm on Saturday. Please contact the office if you are interested in assisting!

The Community and Global Mission Board has signed up to help with Sunday Suppers for the unhoused. We are doing this as there are no other meals being served on Sunday’s at other locations ( Salvation Army, Connections, Centenary United Methodist etc.) during the summer. BLC dates are July 23rd, August 27th, September 24th, from 4-6 at Grace Lutheran Church. Simple meals of sandwiches, chips, water will be provided. We can use donations of water, gator aid, individual packages of chips, bars, paper plates, paper bags for take home. Please, contact Dee Bennett 317-679-3277, deebennett@mac.com to coordinate a donation. Thank you in advance for your generosity!

This Week in our Prayers

Curt Halvorson Brenda Goetsch Marian Mallory

Pete Wachtel Carol Peterson Jim Norland

Pastor Don Roberts, Bonnie, and his caregivers

Community Lutheran in Geneva

First Lutheran in LeSueur

Little Cedar Lutheran in Adams

Lutheran Campus Center in Winona

Crossroads Campus Ministry in Mankato

Gumanga Lutheran in Tanzania

Maria Mission in Bucaramanga, Colombia

LECTIONARY July 23, Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

Bethlehem LutheranJuly 17, 2023Comment

BLC Weekly, July 10

Hello Bethlehem,

Service & Sun kicked off today! This partnership of local ELCA congregations will gather this week for a service learning/project and an element of fun. Service projects will include work with Kiwanis Lights, Global Health Ministries, Crossroads Campus Ministries and Connections Shelter. Youth will enjoy visits to Como Zoo, River Springs Water Park, and the MoonDogs. We hope all involved have a safe, fun and rewarding experience!

It’s time for a new directory! Directory photos will be taken Aug 8-12 at Bethlehem. Head to the UCDIR website enter our church code, mn379 and password: photos to schedule your appointment.

We will also need hosts to help facilitate the directory photo process. We are looking for folks interested in helping with check-in from 1:45-6pm and 5:45-8:30pm weekdays, and 9:45am to 1pm, 12:45-4pm Saturday. Please contact the office if you are interested in assisting!

There are big changes happening at Connections! Pastor Collette will be moving on to new adventures and our own Elizabeth Paul will be taking over as Development Director at Connections. Mark your calendar, on July 18 from 3-5 Connections will host an Ice Cream Social Send Off at their Front Street location.

Bethlehem will host another Blood Drive on August 22. Sign up with the Red Cross to give blood, donation hours are from 1-6pm.

You’re invited to a fun night of fellowship and baseball and meet the Cruz family! Join us at the MoonDogs game on Thursday, July 20th for a fundraiser to help support our mission of welcoming refugees to our Mankato community. For $16 you’ll get a hot dog, chips, a beverage, and premier VIP seating behind home plate in section 202 with your ticket. Half of the ticket price goes to the fundraiser. We would love it if you can wear the colors of Nicaragua which are white and royal blue. Join the Facebook event for updates. Gates open at 5:35pm and first pitch is at 6:35pm. Tickets available online, use Promo Code: WELCOME.

Register for VBS! There are plenty of spots still open for children interested in participating in Vacation Bible School, coming up from July 24-27. Head to our website to register your child, or to sign up to volunteer as a youth or adult! The meal sponsor sign up is also open. Talk to your board, committee or small group about sponsoring a meal for VBS!

Our July Monthly Mission will be Partners for Housing. P4H works by providing emergency shelters at Theresa House, Union Street Place, and the Welcome Inn. They provide transitional housing, rapid re-housing and long-term housing in collaboration with many other supportive services. Bethlehem’s goal is to raise $1,300 for Partners for Housing. Please consider supporting this important mission!

This Week In Our Prayers

Curt Halvorson Brenda Goetsch Marian Mallory

Pete Wachtel Carol Peterson

Pastor Don Roberts, Bonnie, and his caregivers

Faith Lutheran in Saint Charles Zion Lutheran in Stewartville

West St. Olaf Lutheran in Hayfield Mazoezi Songambele Lutheran in Tanzania

Nkinto Lutheran in Tanzania Lutheran Institute Kiomboi in Tanzania San Jose de Leon in Colombia

LECTIONARY July 16 Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

Bethlehem LutheranJuly 10, 2023Comment

BLC Weekly, July 3

Hello Bethlehem,

Welcome back, youth and chaperones, from your Montana Adventure! We can’t wait to hear more about this meaningful experience.

It’s time for a new directory! Directory photos will be taken Aug 8-12 at Bethlehem. Head to the UCDIR website enter our church code, mn379 and password: photos to schedule your appointment.

Bethlehem will host another Blood Drive on August 22. Sign up with the Red Cross to give blood, donation hours are from 1-6pm.

We hope you have a safe, fun, and blessed 4th of July! As a reminder, our office will be closed tomorrow, July 4th.

This Week In Our Prayers

Curt Halvorson Brenda Goetsch Marian Mallory

Pete Wachtel Carol Peterson

Pastor Don Roberts, Bonnie, and his caregivers

The family and friends of Duane Ulleland

The family and friends of Darlene Henderson

Trinity Lutheran in Albert Lea

First Lutheran in Red Wing

Mazoezi Maluga Lutheran in Tanzania

Isanzu Lutheran in Tanzania

Iambi Hospital in Tanzania

Palliative Care Program at Iambi Hospital in Tanzania

LECTIONARY July 9 Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

Bethlehem LutheranJuly 3, 2023Comment

BLC Weekly, June 26

Hello Bethlehem,

The Youth Montana Adventure is underway! Please pray for a fun, safe, and meaningful trip for our youth and chaperones.

It’s time for a new directory! Directory photos will be taken Aug 8-12 at Bethlehem. Head to the UCDIR website enter our church code, mn379 and password: photos to schedule your appointment. We will also need hosts to help facilitate the directory photo process. We are looking for folks interested in helping with check-in from 1:45-6pm and 5:45-8:30pm weekdays, and 9:45am to 1pm, 12:45-4pm Saturday. Please contact the office if you are interested in assisting!

Bethlehem’s radio broadcast will be moved due to the Twins Game broadcasts. On June 25, July 2, and August 13, the service will air at 5pm instead of 11am. Remember you can always view the livestream on our Facebook page. You do not need to have a Facebook account to view our stream!

Lutheran World Relief is our June mission. We have much to celebrate this month with Werner Fick's milestone for 100,000+ school kits. Werner has been the sole driving force behind the collection of school kit items and assembly; we are grateful and blessed for his commitment to this cause and for God's work being done through his selfless giving. We also support this important mission through quilting and collection of medical supply items and monetary donations. Please consider donating to this important mission that touches those in need across the world. For more information go to lwr.org. Bethlehem's has set a goal of $7,000.

Our July Monthly Mission will be Partners for Housing. P4H works by providing emergency shelters at Theresa House, Union Street Pleace, and the Welcome Inn. They provide transitional housing, rapid re-housing and long-term housing in collaboration with many other supportive services. Bethlehem’s goal is to raise $1,300 for Partners for Housing. Please consider supporting this important mission!

This Week In Our Prayers

Curt Halvorson Brenda Goetsch

Marian Mallory Pete Wachtel Carol Peterson

Pastor Don Roberts, Bonnie, and his caregivers

LECTIONARY July 2 Matthew 10:40-42

Bethlehem LutheranJune 26, 2023Comment

BLC Weekly, June 19

Happy Juneteenth Bethlehem,

Bethlehem members attended the Juneteenth celebration on Saturday, hosted by the Greater Mankato Diversity Council.

It’s time for a new directory! Directory photos will be taken Aug 8-12 at Bethlehem. Head to the UCDIR website enter our church code, mn379 and password: photos to schedule your appointment.

The VBS Registration and Volunteer forms are live! Head to our website to register children ages 3 years to 6th grade or to volunteer as a youth or adult. Check out the donation tree in the narthex to help provide supplies for Vacation Bible School!

Bethlehem’s radio broadcast will be moved due to the Twins Game broadcasts. On June 25, July 2, and August 13, the service will air at 5pm instead of 11am. Remember you can always view the livestream on our facebook page. You do not need to have a Facebook account to view our stream!

This Week In Our Prayers

Curt Halvorson Brenda Goetsch Marian Mallory

Pete Wachtel Carol Peterson Lorenzo Blaisdell Don Grotta

Pastor Don Roberts, Bonnie, and his caregivers

LECTIONARY June 25, Matthew 10:24-39

Bethlehem LutheranJune 19, 2023Comment

BLC Weekly, June 12

Hello Bethlehem,

It was wonderful to see everyone who stopped by our School’s Out FLIGHT Event on Friday at the park! We hope you are ready to have a wonderful summer!

Bethlehem’s radio broadcast will be moved due to the Twins Game broadcasts. On June 25, July 2, and August 13, the service will air at 5pm instead of 11am. Remember you can always view the livestream on our facebook page. You do not need to have a Facebook account to view our stream!

It’s time for a new directory! Directory photos will be taken Aug 8-12 at Bethlehem. Head to the UCDIR website enter our church code, mn379 and password: photos to schedule your appointment.

This Week In Our Prayers

Curt Halvorson Brenda Goetsch Marian Mallory

Pete Wachtel Carol Peterson Lorenzo Blaisdell Don Grotta

Pastor Don Roberts, Bonnie, and his caregivers

LECTIONARY June 18, Matthew 9:35-10:8

Bethlehem LutheranJune 12, 2023Comment

BLC Weekly, June 5

Hello Bethlehem,

FLIGHT event: we hope you can join us for a School's Out Party on Friday at Wheeler Park starting at 6pm. There will be water games, food and fun!

It’s time for a new directory! Directory photos will be taken Aug 8-12 at Bethlehem. Head to the UCDIR website enter our church code, mn379 and password: photos to schedule your appointment.

Bethlehem’s radio broadcast will moved due to the Twins Game broadcasts. On June 11, June 25, July 2, and August 13, the service will air at 5pm instead of 11am. Remember you can always view the livestream on our Facebook page. You do not need to have a Facebook account to view our stream!

**Congratulations scholarship recipients of 2023:** Tyler Adams, Brandon Bakke, Alexa Bolstad, Nate Dahlvang, Danielle Haigh. Abby Kalina, Parker Keenan, Olivia Lanz, Alex Maclean, Angela Matter, Sophia Nevills, Kellen Schaefer, Kaylee Sivertsen , Matthew Smith, and Lexi Stapleman

In 1983, Bethlehem Church established an Endowment Fund with generous gifts of $17,000. Since 1990 the Endowment Fund has provided scholarships to high school graduates and college students who are part of our family here at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. This year each scholarship is $600. As these students pursue their education into the future, we want them to know that we will pray for them and that they’re always welcome here at Bethlehem. Best wishes in the year ahead.