BLC Weekly, January 12
Hello Bethlehem,
House of Bread: Crowded Table Join us this Friday, January 16 at 6:00pm for Bethlehem’s annual variety show! We’ll gather in the lower level for performances, talents and fun with light refreshments. 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!
This Week
High school students: the Youth Bible Study gathers 2-3:30pm on early release days, January 14 and February 11 at the Fillin’ Station! Pick up from East and West is available. Text Anna to RSVP or to request a ride. (507) 213-9276
Wednesday Night Suppers: served at 5:00pm in the lower level dining hall. Upcoming meals:
January 14 — Beef stew, biscuit & roll
January 21 — Turkey noodle casserole, vegetable, salad & roll
January 28 — Ham, mashed potatoes, corn, roll & salad
February 4 — Hamburger & rice hotdish, salad & roll
Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Join us at the adult forum next Sunday, January 18 at 10:45 am for the following presentation "The Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr." by Jameel Haque - Associate Professor & Director of Kessel Peace Studies, MSU-Mankato. This is an opportunity to learn more about the impact of this historic figure and to celebrate the national holiday Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday.
Prayer Shawl Makers gather this Thursday, 2-4pm in the library.
Deborah Circle will gather early at 9 a.m. on Saturday January 17th. Baby Care Kits will start assembly at 10:15 a.m. on January 17th.
The gift of a newborn kit provides basic items to help a mother care for her child and celebrate a new life. We will meet again on Saturday, January 17, 2026 to assemble more kits. Everyone is invited to join us in this project and donations for the kits are welcome! Here is a list of what each newborn baby kit needs.
1 bath towel, lightweight, approximately 50”x26”
1 washcloth- No microfiber
1 bath size bar of Ivory soap
1 cotton t-shirt or onesie, size 0-3 months or newborn
1 newborn stocking hat- a newborn’s head is approximately 14” in circumference
1 receiving blanket- flannel or soft cotton- Not knit or crocheted, between 30”x30” and 48”x48” in size
2 cloth prefolded diapers with absorbent center panel, minimum size 12”x16”
2 diaper pins
Note: we are using Thrivent Action Team dollars to order the diapers, and we have plenty of diaper pins on hand, so focus on the other items on the list. Questions? Contact Kristen Simon-Frank 507-383-1952
Announcements
Lutheran Advocacy MN We had a very informative presentation by Tammy Walhof, director of Lutheran Advocacy MN, at Sunday's adult forum. We learned what this ELCA and Minnesota synod ministry is doing on behalf of Lutherans to work for justice in the areas of hunger, poverty, and care of God's creation in our state.
Check out their website for more information and how to get personally involved with their advocacy efforts. https://www.lutheranadvocacymn.org
Also check out the national ELCA website for information about national advocacy activities of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America https://www.elca.org/our-work/publicly-engaged-church/advocacy
MSU Mankato is looking for families to partner in the Friendship Family Program. Interested? Fill out this form to apply.
Cooking for Connections - Are you interested in making a meal or side dish for the guests at Connections, but not quite sure what to make? Visit the Connections website to check out meal ideas and recommended quantities. Cooking for 50 people can feel daunting and expensive. Consider sharing the load and the fellowship with a group you are a part of. Please follow the link to sign up.
Monthly Mission Partner
Our January Monthly Mission Partner is MY Place Mankato. Mankato Youth Place Inc is committed to providing a nurturing environment that empowers youth to build the confidence, knowledge and skills needed to reach their full potential. Learn more by visiting myplacemankato.org. You can give online or via check made out to Bethlehem with the monthly mission in the memo line.
This Week in our Prayers
Curt Halvorson
Marian Mallory
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 families & friends of Pete Wachtel, Michele (Heaberlin) Nydegger,
& Dorothy Norland
LeRoy Lutheran in LeRoy
Vista Lutheran in New Richland
Bethel Lutheran in Northfield
Moland Lutheran in Kenyon
Mwanga Lutheran in Tanzania
Mazoezi Kitusha Lutheran in Tanzania & Ikungi Lutheran in Tanzania