BLC Weekly, November 17
Hello Bethlehem,
Bethlehem’s most delicious tradition lives on! Our annual lefse making day will be held this Friday, November 21. Volunteers are needed to help. Join us at 9AM for coffee, treats, and lefse making! Pre-order your lefse using this form. Any leftovers will be available for purchase on Sunday, November 23, just in time for thanksgiving!
Semi-Annual Meeting
The Semi-Annual Meeting is this Sunday, November 23 at 10:45am. Please plan to join us in the Dining Hall. The agenda will cover:
Approval of April semi-annual meeting minutes
Review of Council/board/committee goals & activities
Approval of 2024 Financial Review Report
Approval of LSS Bathroom Renovation Proposal
Review & Approval of the 2026 Proposed Budget & Narrative Budget
A quorum is needed; donuts are provided. Please plan to attend. You can review the Council Minutes and Council Documents online in advance.
This week
Wednesday, November 19: Winter Warm-Up is this Wednesday! Youth will be heading to Christ the King.
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 now available online. Upcoming Menu:
November 19 Roast turkey, mashed potatoes, vegetables, roll & salad
November 26 NO MEAL - there will be pie served after our Thanksgiving Eve worship service
December 3 Scalloped potatoes & ham, salad & roll
Prayer Shawl Makers gather this Thursday at 6:00pm in the library.
The Youth Board is hosting a Youth Bake Sale next Sunday, November 23rd to raise funds for future youth trips. We invite you to bake some bars, a pie, some cinnamon rolls, or whatever your heart desires. You can bring items on Sunday morning. We will sell from 9-9:30 am and 10:30-11 am.
Any left-over lefse will also be available for purchase on Sunday, so plan to take home some deliciousness next Sunday!
Family faith formation
Photos from the Youth Lock-In on Friday!
Announcements
Bethlehem’s Fair Trade Bazaar is scheduled for November 30th before and after worship! Shop vendors including Global Mamas Ten Thousand Villages, New Ulm's Own and BLC's coffee, tea, olive oil, chocolate and soups. This is a great opportunity to stock up on ethically sourced holiday gifts!
On November 15, 2020, Bethlehem officially became an R.I.C. congregation. We are proud to celebrate 5 years as a Reconciling in Christ congregation! Learn more at reconcilingworks.org
Bethlehem is hosting a Blood Drive on December 18 from 12-6pm. Schedule your donation appointment online.
Greater Mankato Area United Way Gathering: Join us on Monday, November 24 at 10am in Grounds for Joy to learn what the Greater Mankato Area United Way is doing to make a difference in our 4 area counties. Enjoy coffee and morning treats as you hear from representatives of United Way. Check out details below. Please RSVP as directed by Friday, November 21.
Asylum-Seeking Family update: Thank you for your prayers and support. The meeting for our family on Wednesday went well, and everyone is safely back in Mankato.
We want YOU on an usher team! Some of our usher teams need a few more folks to help service run smoothly. Contact the office if you are interested in learning more or joining a team. We are also looking for volunteers interested in joining our Wednesday night supper serving teams.
Bethlehem recently participated in a House of Worship Safety Training with Mankato Public Safety. A recording of the training will be available for members interested in reviewing this information. Contact the office for access.
Not only does Connections Shelter appreciate donations of meal items to serve their guests, but also people to help serve the food. Please consider signing up to serve. The team of four service volunteers are provided with a brief orientation by Connections staff and an evening of fun and meaningful interaction with the very appreciative guests at Connections. Please use this link to sign up.
Thank you to Ginger Erlandson and the volunteers who helped teach our youth the joys of lefse making last Wednesday!
Monthly mission partner
Bethlehem’s Endowment Board is doubling November monthly mission donations!
Our November Monthly Mission Partner is the LSS Youth Resource Center (formerly The REACH). Located on our campus and operating for 14 years, this vital organization serves youth ages 16-24 who are homeless or at risk of being homeless. They have served 5,600 youth, provided 38,000 meals, and distributed 76,000 health, hygiene and clothing items. The center provides basic necessities, housing and employment assistance, teaches independent living skills, provides recreational activities, support and education. They provide access to legal advocacy and community sex trafficking prevention education. This month is matching donations, so your contribution will go twice as far to make a difference to area youth. You can give online or drop off a check written out to Bethlehem with the monthly mission in the memo line.
This Week in our Prayers
Curt Halvorson Marian Mallory Pete Wachtel
Anna Moses Barb Girtz Paul Haugesag
Amy Grams Haugesag Nikolas Perez Tyler Ratcliff Garrett Paul
First Lutheran in Lake City Henrytown Lutheran in Canton
Trinity Lutheran in New Richland Vasa Lutheran in Welch
Mruma Lutheran in Tanzania Castillo Fuerte Lutheran in Colombia
Ulemo Lutheran in Tanzania Ishenga Lutheran in Tanzania