BLC Weekly, October 20
Hello Bethlehem,
Thank you TEC volunteers, youth and leaders! Teens Encounter Christ was at Bethlehem this last weekend. We are thankful for this opportunity for participants to deepen their faith, and we appreciate all the volunteers and coordinators who help to make these weekends happen.
This week
Exciting news: Bethlehem’s Endowment Board is ready to double your monthly mission donation! Donations made in October and November will go twice as far. Our October Monthly Mission is Connections Shelter, and November’s will be the LSS Youth Resource Center (formerly The REACH). Donate this fall and your dollars will go twice as far! Join us for Wednesday night suppers, served at 5:00 PM in the lower level. All are welcome and the meal is FREE. The fall menu is available online. Upcoming Menu:
October 22 Taco buffet with rice & beans
October 29 Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, vegetables & roll
November 5 Chicken tenders, fries and salad
November 12 Hamburger goulash, vegetable, salad & roll
Family faith Formation
Trunk or Treat is October 29th! Grab your costumes and candy bags and join us for trunk alley, face painting, hot cider and more. We are especially in need of candy donations to ensure every trunk has plenty of treats to hand out to all our neighborhood trunk-or-treaters. Sign up online to host a trunk or to donate candy!
Women of Bethlehem—Join us at the 2026 Women of the ELCA Triennial Gathering in Des Moines Iowa July 16-19, 2026
The Triennial Gathering brings together 1500 or more WELCA leaders and participants to worship, hear inspiring speakers, sing, pray, engage in service projects and meet Lutheran women from across the country.
Quilters of all abilities are invited to create a quilt interpreting the Gathering theme of I Am Worthy, based on Psalm 139:14 “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
Early Bird Registration until January 5, 2026: $475 full event or $250 one day
Registration after January 6, 2026: $525 full event or $275 one day
BLC Women do have some funds that could help with registration fees. The SEMN Synod WELCA has also offered scholarships to previous Triennials, especially for younger women and first-time attendees.
Visit the website below to learn more about the speakers, leaders and workshops, how to register and make hotel reservations.
womenoftheelca.org/new-triennial-event-page
I have attended two previous Triennial Gatherings and would be happy to share my experiences with anyone who would like to know more.
Kristen Simon-Frank kdsimon-frank@hotmail.com (507) 383-1952
Announcements
Bethlehem’s most delicious tradition lives on! We’re so excited for lefse season. This year we are once again offering a family lefse night. Join us Wednesday, November 12 in the lower level for lefse lessons. Children, youth, families and lefse learners are invited to roll, flip, taste and enjoy! Our usual lefse making day will be held on Friday, November 21. Volunteers are needed to help. Join us at 9AM for coffee, treats, and lefse making! There will be the usual pre-sales available and any leftovers will be available for purchase on Sunday, November 23, just in time for Thanksgiving!
Please take a moment to complete your pledge from the Season of Gratitude mailing you received, or head to our website to complete a pledge online.
A message from BLC’s Financial Secretary, Elizabeth Ruiz: Third quarter contributions are being sent out. Please reach out with any questions. Thank you!
Connections Shelter is open for the season! We invite you to serve in the ways and times that appeal to you. Head to their volunteer website to sign up.
Monthly mission partner
Our October Monthly Mission partner will be Connections Shelter. Beginning their 9th year of operations, Connections is a 48-bed seasonal emergency shelter and year-round drop-in center. They offer assistance in obtaining housing, medical care, employment and other basic needs. They assisted in finding permanent housing for 61 individuals last year. Bethlehem has founding ties with this vital organization in our community. Please continue to support this work. You can give online or drop off a check written out to Bethlehem with the monthly mission in the memo line.
Bethlehem members are also invited to volunteer to prepare and/or serve meals at Connections. Please use this link to sign up.
This Week in our Prayers
Curt Halvorson Marian Mallory Pete Wachtel
Anna Moses Barb Girtz Paul Haugesag
Amy Grams Haugesag Pat Nelson Sandy Birkholz
Nikolas Perez Tyler Ratcliff Garrett Paul Pru Gushwa
Gol Lutheran in Kenyon St. Paul Lutheran in Conger
Highland Prairie Lutheran in Peterson Grace Lutheran in Peterson
Mazoezi Mwankoko Lutheran in Tanzania Issuna Lutheran in Tanzania