Hello Bethlehem,

Mmmm we can almost taste the jambalaya…Fat Tuesday tickets are on sale now! Funds raised will help support our 8 youth attending the ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans this summer.

The online portion of the silent auction is underway and will close on the 11th, so get those bids in! We hope to see you in person for our Fat Tuesday dinner, 5:30-7pm, on February 13th! 

Get your Fat Tuesday tickets here. 

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This Week

Join us for supper this Wednesday. We will be serving spaghetti and meatballs with salad and rolls at 5pm, followed by worship at 6:15pm and education at 7pm.

Pastor Jacie and our Family Faith Formation Director, Anna Wencl, will be leading another Brave Conversation with the youth. This session’s topic: Phones, Technology and Boundaries.

This month

BLC Young Adults will meet on the 10th for Pub Theology. Have questions about faith you don’t know where or how to ask? Bring them to Pub 500, 6-7:30pm, where we will meet to talk about faith, religion and life in a casual setting. RSVP to Pastor Jacie by February 8th. 

Snow or shine, the BLC Men will meet for a Winter Walk on Feb. 17th. 

Lenten Worship Schedule

February 14 — Ash Wednesday Worship at noon and 6:15

February 21 at 6:15 —Guest Preacher, Rev. Dave Reedstrom, Calvary Lutheran, Rapidan  

February 28 at 6:15 — Guest Preacher, Rev. Sarah Deutsch, Epiphany Lutheran, Eagle Lake 

March 6 at 6:15 — Guest Preacher, Rev. John Odegard, Grace Lutheran, Mankato 

March 13 at 6:15 — Preacher, Pr. Jay 

March 20 at 6:15 — Preacher, Pastor Jacie 

March 28 — Maundy Thursday Worship at 6:15 

March 29 — Good Friday Worship at noon and 6:15 

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Additional announcements

Read Pastor Kristin Engstrom’s February newsletter. 

The second annual Kato Sleep Out with Connections Shelter will take place on April 26th in the Bethlehem parking lot! Join a team and raise funds for this important work in our community. The online sign up is now open. 

Monthly Mission

Our February Monthly Mission is the ECHO Food Shelf. ECHO has been committed to addressing food insecurity in our community since 1981. Our February donations will be presented in March, which is Minnesota Food Share Month, doubling what you give! Our goal is to raise $3,500. This program depends on volunteers, and we encourage you to consider giving a gift of your time.

SErVE

Bethlehem will be serving at Connections Shelter the week of Feb. 26th! Sign up online to provide part of a meal or to serve.

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

Adult Forum

Sunday. Feb. 11th 10:45am in Grounds for Joy: BLC Landscaping Update with Sarah Morgan

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This Week in our Prayers

Curt Halvorson Brenda Goetsch Marian Mallory

Pete Wachtel Nikolas Perez Les Biesterfeld

Pat Nelson Anna Moses John Engles

Jeremy Kolars Ollie Anderson Ardis Grotta Jim Freyberg

Pastor Don Roberts, Bonnie, & his caregivers

The family & friends of Vera Olson

Messiah Lutheran in North Mankato Our Savior’s Lutheran in Faribault

Solor Lutheran in Webster Justice y Vida Ministry in Colombia

Wembere Lutheran in Tanzania Ilongero Lutheran in Tanzania

Lectionary Readings

February 4 & 7, Mark 1:29-39

February 11, Mark 9:2-9

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Hello Bethlehem,

Thank you for joining us for RIC Sunday, celebrating 50 years of Reconciling Works! Bethlehem has been an RIC Congregation since 2020. Learn more about our history and what that means on our website. 

Fat Tuesday tickets are on sale now! We would like to get a ticket count by Sunday, February 4th, to help us plan ahead, so please order your tickets using the link below.  Funds raised will help support our 8 youth attending the ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans this summer. The online portion of the silent auction will take place from February 4th-11th and we hope to see you in person for our Fat Tuesday dinner on February 13th!  Get your Fat Tuesday tickets here. 

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This Week

Join us for supper this Wednesday. We will be serving ham and mashed potatoes at 5pm, followed by worship at 6:15pm and education at 7pm.

Our S’more Camp Fundraiser will take place this Sunday the 4th. There is a $3 suggested donation, and we will be able to accept cash, check or use our QR code. Hear more about Camp during worship! Kids will be headed to Green Lake Lutheran Ministries July 28 through August 1.

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This month

Meet & Eat: New groups are forming! We’ll pair up three couples/individuals to set up 3 get togethers, each hosted by a member of the group. Enjoy fellowship and food! Sign up by February 1 to be paired up.  

Hope for Homeownership: Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership invites you to our Hope for Homeownership gala on Saturday, February 3, 2024 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm, at Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center. Our event will feature a captivating and meaningful program, games, delicious food, and entertainment. Proceeds from the evening will support SWMHP's Partnership Community Land Trust program, promoting homeownership to people experiencing barriers to housing in Mankato. More information and tickets can be found here. 

“Hosana Lutheran Church will hold a Night of Worship coming up on Friday, February 23rd. A free-will offering meal of tacos will be served from 5pm-6pm and worship will start at 6:30pm. The night will feature praise, worship, and the word (along with a couple songs from our Youth Band!).”

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A note from your Financial Secretary: Year-end contribution reports have been emailed.  If you need a printed report, please let the office know.  Review your report carefully and report any errors or questions to the office. Thanks! -Elizabeth Ruiz

The second annual Kato Sleep Out with Connections Shelter will take place on April 26th in the Bethlehem parking lot! Join a team and raise funds for this important work in our community. The online sign up is now open. 

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Monthly Mission

Our January Monthly Mission is Green Lake Bible Camp. Their mission is to invite all to experience the life-changing love of Jesus through vibrant settings in community and creation.  Our goal is $1000. You can give online or send a check made out to Bethlehem. Thank you!

Our February Monthly Mission will be the ECHO Food Shelf. ECHO has been committed to addressing food insecurity in our community since 1981. Our February donations will be presented in March, which is Minnesota Food Share Month, doubling what you give! Our goal is to raise $3,500. This program depends on volunteers, and we encourage you to consider giving a gift of your time.

SErVE

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

Adult Forum

In the summer of 1994, a small group of people sat around a kitchen table and discussed how to create a safe and effective way for people to help their neighbors. VINE was the first Faith in Action program developed in Minnesota and is now the largest Faith in Action program in the United States. 

• VINE’s professional staff coordinates volunteers and services that are vital to the well-being of people with long-term health needs and difficult life circumstances. 

• Trained VINE volunteers freely share their time providing rides, assisting with home chores, delivering hot meals on wheels and helping in many other ways. 

• VINE’s goal is to keep people healthy and comfortable and living in their own home for as long as it’s safe and reasonable to do so.

Learn even more about VINE from Melinda Wedzina, chief executive officer, on Sunday, February 4. We will gather in Grounds for Joy after morning worship to highlight this significant force in our community. We welcome you to learn, serve and be served!

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This Week in our Prayers

Curt Halvorson Brenda Goetsch Marian Mallory

Pete Wachtel Nikolas Perez Les Biesterfeld

Pat Nelson Anna Moses John Engles

Jeremy Kolars Ollie Anderson Ardis Grotta Jim Freyberg

Pastor Don Roberts, Bonnie, & his caregivers

Pontoppidan Lutheran in Ellendale Vista Lutheran in New Richland

Calvary Lutheran in Mankato Disabilities Learning & Education Ministry in Colombia

Mazoezi Igurubi Lutheran in Tanzania Lutheran Institute Kiomboi in Tanzania

Lectionary Readings

January 28 & 31, Amos 5:21-24

February 4 & 7, Mark 1:29-39

February 11, Mark 9:2-9

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Hello Bethlehem,

Fat Tuesday tickets are now available! If you’d like to donate a basket for the silent auction, please bring it to the office by January 28th. Funds raised will help support our 8 youth attending the ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans this summer. The online portion of the silent auction will take place from February 4th-11th and we hope to see you in person for our Fat Tuesday dinner on February 13th! Get your Fat Tuesday tickets here.

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This Week

Join us for Dinner Church, this Wednesday at 6pm. Those interested in attending dinner and not the service can join us as usual at 5pm in the lower level for hot beef on a bun with potato salad and rolls. Those participating in the Dinner Church service should plan on eating at the service. 

This Sunday, January 28, is RIC Sunday. Join us as we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of ReconcilingWorks and don’t forget to wear your RIC shirts! Bethlehem became an RIC Congregation in 2020. Learn more about our history and what that means on our website. 

As we celebrate RIC Sunday, we hope you will join in our RIC interactive art project in the entryway. We invite you to add your prayers and hopes for reconciliation and inclusion in our church and community to the provided strips of cloth. Tie them to the waterfall and watch the rainbow form! 

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This month

Addresses needed! We will be packaging care packages for BLC college students on January 31st. Whether they’re a young adult or an adult enrolled in college or graduate school, we’d love to send a package! Please send addresses to annawencl@blcmankato.org

Join us January 26th for BLC Men Hops & Hoops. Contact Pastor Jay for details. Then, we’ll see you on January 28th for our FLIGHT Winter Event! 

Meet & Eat: New groups are forming! We’ll pair up three couples/individuals to set up 3 get togethers, each hosted by a member of the group. Enjoy fellowship and food! Sign up by February 1 to be paired up.

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A note from your Financial Secretary: Year-end contribution reports have been emailed.  If you need a printed report, please let the office know.  Review your report carefully and report any errors or questions to the office. Thanks! -Elizabeth Ruiz

Hope for Homeownership: Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership invites you to our Hope for Homeownership gala on Saturday, February 3, 2024 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm, at Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center. Our event will feature a captivating and meaningful program, games, delicious food, and entertainment. Proceeds from the evening will support SWMHP's Partnership Community Land Trust program, promoting homeownership to people experiencing barriers to housing in Mankato. More information and tickets can be found here. 

The second annual Kato Sleep Out with Connections Shelter will take place on April 26th in the Bethlehem parking lot! Join a team and raise funds for this important work in our community. The online sign up is now open. 

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Monthly Mission

Our January Monthly Mission is Green Lake Bible Camp. Their mission is to invite all to experience the life-changing love of Jesus through vibrant settings in community and creation.  Our goal is $1000. You can give online or send a check made out to Bethlehem. Thank you!

SErVE

Thank you for serving at Connections Shelter last week! All of Bethlehem’s volunteer spots were filled. We look forward to serving again the week of February 26th.

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

Adult Forum

Thank you to Mary Bliesmer and Mary Ann Boe for speaking about NicBluCares and Compassionate Communities on Sunday!

RIC Sunday: Join us for the adult forum on Sunday, January 28 to celebrate Reconciling in Christ Sunday.  This is our opportunity as a church to recommit to our partnership as a RIC faith community, discern ways to live into our RIC partner commitments, and set new milestones for 2024. Join the BLC Welcome & Inclusion Board for coffee and conversation at 10:45 am in Grounds for Joy.

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This Week in our Prayers

Curt Halvorson Brenda Goetsch Marian Mallory

Pete Wachtel Nikolas Perez Les Biesterfeld

Pat Nelson Anna Moses John Engles Jeremy Kollars

Pastor Don Roberts, Bonnie, & his caregivers

Garness Trinity Lutheran in Mabel Cannon River Lutheran in Welch

St. John Lutheran in Montgomery Bricelyn Lutheran in Bricelyn

Ruruma Lutheran in Tanzania Pulguori Lutheran Parish in South Sudan

Lectionary Readings

January 21 & 24, Mark 1:14-20

January 28 & 31, Amos 5:21-24

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Hello Bethlehem,

RIC Shirts for sale! Order by January 17th to have them in time to wear to RIC Sunday, January 28th! Enter your size on the sign up sheet in the narthex. Pay online or with cash/check in the office. 

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Check out some photos of the LIGHT kiddos yesterday!

“We learned about Jesus's disciples and each chose one to wear as an extra name tag.  The disciples followed Jesus through an obstacle course in the hallway.  We made bracelets out of barrel swivels (fishing tackle) to remember that we are also Jesus's disciples.  Then, we went up to the RIC waterfall and added our own messages of hope, peace, and love.” -Kaitlin Carter, Children’s and Family Ministry Associate

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Directories, Spring Catalogs and offering envelopes are all here and ready for pickup! Stop by the office this week, open 9:00am - 5:00pm Tuesday through Thursday, or stop in the narthex after worship to take yours home. 

Fat Tuesday tickets are now available! If you’d like to donate a basket for the silent auction, please bring it to the office by January 28th. Funds raised will help support out 8 youth attending the ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans this summer. The online portion of the silent auction will take place from February 4th-11th and we hope to see you in person for our Fat Tuesday dinner on February 13th! Get your Fat Tuesday tickets here. 

The second annual Kato Sleep Out with Connections Shelter will take place on April 26th in the Bethlehem parking lot! Join a team and raise funds for this important work in our community. The online sign up is now open. 

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This Week

Bethlehem is serving at Connections this week, January 15-21. There are just a few items left in need of volunteers. You can sign up online to provide food or serve! 

We hope you will join in our RIC interactive art project in the entryway, now up through the month of January. We invite you to add your prayers and hopes for reconciliation and inclusion in our church and community to the provided strips of cloth. Tie them to the waterfall and watch the rainbow form! 

Dinner this Wednesday will be sub sandwiches with potato chips and cold pasta salad, served at 5pm. Join us afterwards for worship at 6:15pm and education at 7pm.

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This month

We hope you will join us on Wednesday, January 24th for Dinner Church at 6:00pm in the dining room. Come to be fed in both body and spirit! 

Mark your calendar: 

January 26th BLC Men Hops & Hoops. Contact Pastor Jay for details. 

January 28th RIC Sunday, celebrating the 50th anniversary of ReconcilingWorks!

January 28th FLIGHT Winter Event

Meet & Eat: New groups are forming! We’ll pair up three couples/individuals to set up 3 get togethers, each hosted by a member of the group. Enjoy fellowship and food! Sign up by February 1 to be paired up. 

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Monthly Mission

Our January Monthly Mission is Green Lake Bible Camp. Their mission is to invite all to experience the life-changing love of Jesus through vibrant settings in community and creation.  Our goal is $1000. You can give online or send a check made out to Bethlehem. Thank you!

SErVE

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

Adult Forum

Yesterday at our Adult Forum we gathered to watch a documentary about Martin Luther King Jr speech at Mankato West High School in 1961. You can visit this link to learn more about this historic event in our local history. Click here to view the Documentary and Panel Discussion. 

Join us next Sunday to learn about “NicBluCares: Compassionate Communities,” as we hear from our own Mary Bliesmer and her colleague, Mary Ann Boe. 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 times of crisis and loss. Learn more on their website or check out their YouTube video below: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erz1EzKfMlY

We hope to see you after worship at 10:45am in Grounds for Joy. Coffee and donuts will be available before the forum. Invite your friends to learn about this important movement in our area.

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The BLC Praise Band led us in worship on Sunday. They’ll be back again on February 18, March 24 and April 14.

This Week in our Prayers

Curt Halvorson Brenda Goetsch Marian Mallory

Pete Wachtel Nikolas Perez Les Biesterfeld

Pat Nelson Anna Moses

Pastor Don Roberts, Bonnie, & his caregivers

Cross of Christ Lutheran in Welch

First Lutheran in LeSueur

First Lutheran in Glenville

Mitume Ghata Lutheran in Tanzania

Muhintiri Lutheran in Tanzania

Kinambeu Lutheran in Tanzania

Lectionary Readings

January 14 & 17, John 1:43-51

January 21 & 24, Mark 1:14-20

January 28 & 31, Mark 1:21-28

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Hello Bethlehem,

Directories, Spring Catalogs and offering envelopes are all here and ready for pickup! Stop by the office this week, open 9:00am - 5:00pm Tuesday through Thursday, or stop in the narthex after worship to take yours home.

Check out some photos from last Wednesday’s “Peas on Earth: An Instant Christmas Program!”

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This Week

Join us this Wednesday for pork roast, mashed potatoes, veggies and rolls at 5:00pm, followed by worship at 6:15pm. 

Fingers crossed! We are hoping there will be enough snow at Mount Kato to go Snow Tubing next Monday, January 15th. Email Anna Wencl at annawencl@blcmankato.org if you are interested in joining. Cost is $18 per person and we plan to meet between 1:00-1:15pm at Mount Kato. Anna will send an email to let you know whether the event is confirmed. 

We hope you will join in our RIC interactive art project in the entryway, now up through the month of January. We invite you to add your prayers and hopes for reconciliation and inclusion in our church and community to the provided strips of cloth. Tie them to the waterfall and watch the rainbow form! 

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This month

Bethlehem is serving at Connections January 15-21. You can sign up online to serve! 

We hope you will join us on Wednesday, January 24th for something a little different. We invite you to Dinner Church at 6:00pm in the dining room. Come to be fed in both body and spirit! 

Meet & Eat: New groups are forming! We’ll pair up three couples/individuals to set up 3 get togethers, each hosted by a member of the group. Enjoy fellowship and food! Sign up by February 1 to be paired up. 

Fat Tuesday tickets will go on sale starting next Wednesday. We’ll be serving jambalaya and macaroni and cheese from 5:30-7:00pm on Tuesday, February 13th! 

Mark your calendar:

January 26th BLC Men Hops & Hoops. Contact Pastor Jay for details. 

January 28th RIC Sunday, celebrating the 50th anniversary of ReconcilingWorks!

January 28th FLIGHT Winter Event

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Monthly Mission

Our January Monthly Mission is Green Lake Bible Camp. Their mission is to invite all to experience the life-changing love of Jesus through vibrant settings in community and creation.  Our goal is $1000. You can give online or send a check made out to Bethlehem. Thank you!

SErVE

Bethlehem is serving at Connections January 15-21. Sign up online to help provide a meal!

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

Adult Forum

On November 12, 1961, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stepped into a packed Mankato High School auditorium and announced that "the wind of change is blowing all over the world."

Come to the adult forum on Sunday, January 14 at 10:45 am in Grounds for Joy to learn "the rest of the story" about this historic day in our community. We will view a documentary of Dr. King's visit.

Join our own Sally Burdick, a 1961 witness, and West HS social studies teacher Matt Moore as they relate their involvement with and recognition of this event  Check out this background story from KARE 11:

On MLK Jr. Day, King's visit to Mankato in 1961 still resonateswww.kare11.com › article › news › community › lifting-voices › on-mlk-j...

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This Week in our Prayers

Curt Halvorson Brenda Goetsch Marian Mallory

Pete Wachtel Nikolas Perez Les Biesterfeld

Pat Nelson Anna Moses

Pastor Don Roberts, Bonnie, & his caregivers

The family & friends of Betty Sanger

LeRoy Lutheran in LeRoy Trondhjem Lutheran in Hayward

Redeemer Lutheran in Good Thunder Kule Lutheran Parish in South Sudan

Mazoezi Tumuli Lutheran in Tanzania Gambella Lutheran Parish in South Sudan

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Lectionary Readings

January 7 & 10, Mark 1:4-11

January 14 & 17, John 1:43-51

January 21 & 24, Mark 1:14-20

Hello Bethlehem,

Directories are in! Cross off your name when you pick up at the Welcome Kiosk. Additional copies are available, so take home a copy today.

Spring Catalogs will be mailed out this week to everyone who receives the Bethlehem Star, and additional copies are available for pickup at the Welcome Kiosk. 

We wish you a happy New Year! Check out the BLC 2023 video looking back at the year at Bethlehem. 

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This Week

Wednesday night suppers are back! Join us Wednesday at 5pm for hamburger and rice hotdish. 

After supper join us at 6:15pm for “Peas on Earth,” an Instant Christmas program!

After worship, NightLIGHT kiddos will have their Happy Birthday Jesus party in Grounds for Joy and 5th-8th graders will meet after worship for fun and games to kick off our Baptism unit! 9th graders are off this week.

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This month

• 15th Snow tubing

• 24th Dinner Church

• 26th BLC Men Hops & Hoops. Contact Pastor Jay for details. 

• 28th RIC Sunday, celebrating the 50th anniversary of ReconcilingWorks!

• 28th FLIGHT Winter Event

Meet & Eat: New groups are forming! We’ll pair up three couples/individuals to set up 3 get togethers, each hosted by a member of the group. Enjoy fellowship and food! Sign up by February 1 to be paired up. 

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Monthly Mission

Our January Monthly Mission is Green Lake Bible Camp. Their mission is to invite all to experience the life-changing love of Jesus through vibrant settings in community and creation.  Our goal is $1000. You can give online or send a check made out to Bethlehem. Thank you!

SErVE

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

Thank you

Good news to share: The  goal for the 12/21 blood drive was 27 units and 36 units were collected!  Carol Malone assisted Mary Bliesmer on this day when Bethlehem hosted its 14th drive. Sugar cookies made by Eunice Sassenberg were really appreciated by donors.

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Council Corner

Here are the “highlights” of the Bethlehem Council meeting held on December 19. Official minutes with more details are posted at www.blcmankato.org and are also available in the church office notebook. Visit with Council members with questions and concerns! We welcome your conversation & feedback!  

• Finances: The monthly deficit increased from -$31,786.86 on October 31 to -$47,370.50. Member giving was at 91% of monthly budgeted income. The goal is to erase this deficit in December for a positive end-of-year balance. Members are encouraged to fulfill their 2023 financial commitments to make this a reality. Thank you for your generous financial support! 

• Stewardship: 171 pledges made for 2024. We have $13,046+ more in total dollars pledged. Reminder cards mailed to 154 members who have not yet communicated their financial commitments. We hope to receive more pledges. 

• Financial Review Committee: Wendy Keenan approved as new 3-year member of committee to join Frank Larsen and Mark Larsen in annual review of BLC finances. 

• Strategic Goal 5 Update: Embracing Diversity: “We will embrace diversity by demonstrating welcome and respect for different identities, listening to develop growing relationships with diverse communities, and working for the good of all in the community.” Positive progress on activities related to 5 specific objectives focusing on community celebration presence, Mankato Diversity Council, Reconciling in Christ, Reconciling Works support and diverse religious instruction were reviewed. 

• Youth Activities: Successful fall youth activities held each month for high school youth with positive youth & parent feedback. First of “Brave Conversations” held on subject of mental health & suicide with excellent attendance for 5th-8th grade youth & parents. Plans being made for BLC youth attending ELCA national youth gathering in New Orleans. 8 BLC youth registered thus far. 

• Community: New Mankato ministerial association met for 1st time on December 7. Weekly meetings for sermon text studies to be held at BLC starting January 9. 

• WELCOME Update: Still waiting for news on Cruz family asylum petition. Meeting planned among 5 sponsoring churches to determine future needs of family and program direction. Concern about possible national asylum law changes by Congress and impact on refugees. BLC members encourage to connect with elected representatives. Contact Pr. Jacie for more information. 

• Welcome & Inclusion: RIC Sunday scheduled for January 28 with worship service & adult forum. Congregational art project planned for January. Get your BLC T-shirts to wear on the 28th.  

• Next Council Meeting: Tuesday, January 16.

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This Week in our Prayers

Curt Halvorson Brenda Goetsch Marian Mallory

Pete Wachtel Nikolas Perez Les Biesterfeld

Pat Nelson Anna Moses

Pastor Don Roberts, Bonnie, & his caregivers

The family & friends of Betty Sanger

Bethel Lutheran in Northfield Hegre Lutheran in Kenyon

Marshall Lutheran in Adams Sayuni Kinyambuli Lutheran in Tanzania

Kijota Hull High School in Tanzania

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Lectionary Readings

January 7 & 10, Mark 1:4-11

January 14 & 17, John 1:43-51

January 21 & 24, Mark 1:14-20

Enjoy a video summary of the past year at Bethlehem Lutheran Church!

Hello Bethlehem, 

We hope you enjoyed the Children’s Christmas Program, “The 12 Stars of Christmas!” We were also happy to hear from Pastor Kristin Engstrom as she shared with us about her work in Zambia. You can view yesterday’s full worship service on our Facebook page and YouTube channel. Join us Christmas Eve for worship services at 9:30am, 4:00pm and 6:00pm. 

This is a last call to get your loved one’s names on the screen on Christmas Eve! Order your God’s Global Barnyard animals by December 19th to have your gift in honor or memory of a loved one celebrated during Christmas Eve worship. Click here to order online!

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This Week

All are welcome to Cocoa & Caroling! Meet us at Bethlehem at 6:30pm this Wednesday, December 20th, for hot cocoa, or join us at Connections Shelter at 7:00pm for caroling! There will be no Wednesday night supper, worship or education this week. Regular Wednesday night activities will return on Wednesday, January 3rd. 

Bethlehem will host a blood drive on Thursday, December 21 from 1-6pm in Grounds for Joy. There are still slots available! Sign up online to give blood and save lives!

This month

Our December Monthly Mission is God’s Global Barnyard! This program of ELCA World Hunger helps purchase animals for people dealing with food scarcity and poverty. The goal is long-term sustainable solutions for hunger. This makes a particularly meaningful and memorable gift for friends and family at Christmas time! Cards, ornaments and coloring books are available in the narthex for those who give the gift of a barnyard animal. Order your animals here! 

In lieu of a January Star, you will receive a Spring 2024 Catalog. The Bethlehem Star will return in February!

SERVE

Thrivent Action Grants & Choice Dollars Are you a Thrivent member? Would you like to help Bethlehem financially? Check out the flyer that describes what you can do with Thrivent Action Grants and Choice Dollars. You can really make a difference for our church.

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

notes

• Photographers welcome! Feel free to share your Children’s Christmas Program photos and take Christmas Eve photos, with the flash off please! You can tag us on Facebook and Instagram, or share photos with us directly at blchurch@blcmankato.org

• Our offices will be closed on Christmas Day and December 26th. We hope you have a blessed and merry Christmas!

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This Week in our Prayers

Curt Halvorson Brenda Goetsch Marian Mallory

Pete Wachtel Nikolas Perez Les Biesterfeld Pat Nelson

Pastor Don Roberts, Bonnie, & his caregivers

The family and friends of Betty Sanger

Vang Lutheran in Dennison Pilot Mound Lutheran in Chatfield

St. John Evangelical Lutheran in Waseca Trinity Lutheran in Ostrander

Dominiki Lutheran in Tanzania Kigaa Lutheran in Tanzania

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Lectionary Readings

9:30am December 24, Luke 1:26-38

4:00pm & 6:00pm December 24, Luke 2:1-20

December 31, Luke 2:22-40

Hello Bethlehem, 

It’s beginning to sound a lot like Christmas! We hope you enjoyed the Choir and Ensembles program yesterday, as well as the Christmas Hymn Sing after worship! Bethlehem also hosted Musicorum and the Minnesota Riverbend Brass Choir this weekend for their Christmas concerts. Join us next Sunday for the Children’s Christmas Program with the Praise Band! 

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This Week

Ecumen Pathstone Christmas Bows are up in the narthex! Just find the little tree and tag a tag. Return gifts to the office by December 13th for pickup. Thank you!  

Join us for supper this Wednesday before 6:15pm worship! This week we are serving hamburger goulash at 5:00pm.

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This month

Our December Monthly Mission is God’s Global Barnyard! This program of ELCA World Hunger helps purchase animals for people dealing with food scarcity and poverty. The goal is long-term sustainable solutions for hunger. This makes a particularly meaningful and memorable gift for friends and family at Christmas time! Cards, ornaments and coloring books are available in the narthex for those who give the gift of a barnyard animal. Order your animals here! 

All are welcome to Cocoa and Caroling on Wednesday, December 20th! Join us at Bethlehem at 6:30pm for hot chocolate or meet at Connections Shelter at 7:00pm for caroling.

Bethlehem will host a blood drive on December 21. There are still plenty of slots available! Sign up online to give blood and save lives!

Join us on Christmas Eve for worship services at 9:30am, 4:00pm and 6:00pm. 

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SERVE

Thrivent Action Grants & Choice Dollars Are you a Thrivent member? Would you like to help Bethlehem financially? Check out the flyer that describes what you can do with Thrivent Action Grants and Choice Dollars. You can really make a difference for our church.

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

tHANK yOU

“AND A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL! A huge thank you to all that helped with all processes of making the lefse and packaging it , plus the bake sale! It was so much fun to hear all the chatter and laughter, it could be heard thru out the church!! And that wonderful smell too!! In about 2 1/2 hours we turned out and packaged 480 pieces of lefse. And sold it ALL! It’s so wonderful to see everyone come together , and great to see the tradition of keeping lefse making alive!! We will distribute the money we made to local charities. We thank you all!”

-Ginger Erlandson

“We can't believe that we're already at the end of Fall Term at MSU-Mankato! We feel blessed to have Bethlehem Lutheran Church and your volunteers as partners in our ministry to feed hungry students through our Lunch For-a-Buck program. We were pleased to welcome your volunteers on Tuesday, December 5, when Jan Blaisdell and DeAnn Bennett provided a hearty Finals Week lunch of chicken tetrazzini, spinach pasta, Italian bread, and homemade cake to 41 hungry lunch-goers. They also collected $58.17 in donations that will be used to purchase the lettuce, fixings, beverages, paper plates, dinnerware, and other supplies for lunches during Spring Term. Bethlehem served Lunch For-a-Buck on four separate Tuesdays during Fall Term, feeding a total of 217 people while collecting $300.12 in donations. In all, five area ELCA congregations combined to serve Lunch For-a-Buck on 15 Tuesdays during the term, feeding 828 people and collecting $820.84 in donations. This is a substantial increase over 2022, when 448 individuals were served lunch during Fall Term and $514.81 in donations was collected. 

We look forward to seeing you at your next Lunch For-a-Buck following winter break on February 6, 2024. God bless you for your generosity and for supporting the students and our ministry at Crossroads.”

      -Crossroads Campus Ministry

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This Week in our Prayers

Curt Halvorson Brenda Goetsch Marian Mallory

Pete Wachtel Nikolas Perez

Pastor Don Roberts, Bonnie, & his caregivers

Faith Lutheran in Saint Charles Central Lutheran in Winona

Wanamingo Lutheran in Wanamingo Kiech Kuon Lutheran Parish in South Sudan

Torpuot Lutheran Parish in South Sudan Mading Lutheran Parish in South Sudan

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Lectionary Readings

December 10 & 13, Mark 1:1-8

December 17, John 1:6-8; 19-28 

9:30am December 24, Luke 1:26-38

4:00pm & 6:00pm December 24 Luke 2:1-20

Hello Bethlehem, 

Our December Monthly Mission is God’s Global Barnyard! This program of ELCA World Hunger helps purchase animals for people dealing with food scarcity and poverty. The goal is long-term sustainable solutions for hunger. You can watch last week’s Adult Forum on God’s Global Barnyard with Pastor Amanda White.

This makes a particularly meaningful and memorable gift for friends and family at Christmas time! Cards, ornaments and coloring books are available in the narthex for those who give the gift of a barnyard animal. Order your animals here! 

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This Week

Join us for Wednesday night supper before 6:15pm worship. We will be serving turkey noodle casserole, salad and rolls at 5:00pm. 

Celebrate Christmas with Musicorum, this Saturday at 6:30pm in the sanctuary. Tickets are $15 for general admission, $5 for students. 

This Sunday, December 10, it’s time to celebrate a successful fall stewardship campaign and another Christmas holiday season! Join us in Grounds for Joy after morning worship. The Stewardship Board invites you to a thank-you reception with food and beverages provided. Our own talented Christine Schulz will lead us at the piano in singing familiar Christmas hymns as we enjoy our time together. What a perfect way to spend your Sunday morning!

On Sunday, December 10 at 7:00pm we will host the Minnesota Riverbend Brass Choir for their Advent and Christmas performance. 

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Check it out: LIGHT kiddos made graham cracker nativity scenes!

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This month

Join us for Christmas Eve worship services at 9:30am, 4:00pm and 6:00pm.

Bethlehem will host a blood drive on December 21. There are still plenty of openings to donate! Sign up online to give blood and save lives!

November 19 Council Minutes The official minutes of the BLC Council for its November 19 monthly meeting are available on the BLC website. This is a great opportunity to be informed about Council leadership, discussion and actions on behalf of the congregation.

Thrivent Action Grants & Choice Dollars Are you a Thrivent member? Would you like to help Bethlehem financially? Check out the flyer that describes what you can do with Thrivent Action Grants and Choice Dollars. You can really make a difference for our church.

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SERVE

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

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This Week in our Prayers

Curt Halvorson Brenda Goetsch Marian Mallory

Pete Wachtel Nikolas Perez

Pastor Don Roberts, Bonnie, &  his caregivers

Concordia Lutheran of Pickerel Lake in Albert Lea East Chain Lutheran in Blue Earth

People of Hope in Rochester St. Paul Kyengege Lutheran in Tanzania

Palliative Care Program at Iambi Hospital in Tanzania

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Lectionary Readings

December 3 & 6, Mark 13:24-37

December 10 & 13, Mark 1:1-8

December 17, John 1:6-8; 19-28 

Christmas Eve Readings

9:30am Luke 1:26-38

4:00pm & 6:00pm Luke 2:1-20