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BLC Weekly, December 29

Hello Bethlehem,

Thank you for joining us for Christmas Eve worship. There will be no Wednesday night education, supper or worship this week. We hope you have a blessed new year. Bethlehem’s office will be closed on Thursday. 

Join us next Wednesday for the Epiphany Program!


Announcements

Adults Forums Join us Sundays at 10:45AM in Grounds for Joy for coffee and speakers selected by your Adult Education Board. This Sunday, January 4, we will hear from MY Place, Mankato. The Adult Forum schedule is available on our website. 

A message from your Financial Secretary, Elizabeth Ruiz: please turn in or postmark all 2025 contributions by December 31st. Thank you! 

House of Bread: Crowded Table Join us Friday, January 16 at 6:00pm for Bethlehem’s annual variety show! We’ll gather in the lower level for performances, talents and fun. A display area will be available for visual art as well. Please submit a form online to tell us about your act in advance. Friends are welcome to join in the fun. 

Give the gift of time! Whether it is over the holidays or into the new year, Connections Shelter warmly welcomes the volunteer time that you, your family, or small group are able to provide for the guests at Connections.  To sign up to be a Meal Server, please follow this link. Please follow the link to sign up for providing dessert or any other meal option.

Women of Bethlehem — Join us at the 2026 Women of the ELCA Triennial Gathering 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 SE MN 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


Monthly Mission Partner

Our December Monthly Mission Partner is God’s Global Barnyard. This sustainable-development program of the ELCA provides animals for people in developing countries who are dealing with food scarcity and poverty. These make particularly meaningful gifts this holiday season. You can give online throughout the month. 


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 Becky Sullivan Rae Allan

Laurie Rossow Gerry Morris Dee Singelstad Anne Ferris

The family & friends of Laurie Lee 

The family & friends of Dorothy Norland

We pray for peace and justice in all places.

Lectionary Readings

January 4, John 1:1-18


Bethlehem LutheranComment