BLC Weekly, January 26
Hello Bethlehem,
In 2020 Bethlehem voted to become an RIC congregation. Now it’s time to get ready for RIC Sunday, celebrating 5 years of RIC this Sunday, February 1! We’ll be joined by guest preacher, Seth Anderson-Matz, who will preach during 9:30am worship and lead the 10:45am Adult Forum.
Members are invited to wear their BLC t-shirts to worship. Members are also invited to bring water from their home or a special place and add it to the baptismal font during the Thanksgiving for Baptism during the worship service. Did you know Bethlehem has an RIC Book section? Check it out in the library and take home a book to read before this special worship service!
A message from pastor Jay & Pastor jacie
We join you in shock, anger, and deep sorrow following the killing of Alex Pretti by ICE agents on the streets of Minneapolis this past Saturday. This act of violence has shaken our communities and weighs heavily on our hearts. In the midst of grief, fear, and righteous outrage, we write to encourage you to remain faithful and grounded in the challenging and traumatic days we are living through.
The Benedictine tradition gives us a simple but demanding way forward: ora et labora — pray and work. This has always been the response of people of faith to suffering and injustice. We pray, and we serve. We lament what has been lost, and we commit ourselves anew to love made visible through action.
In that spirit, we gathered on Friday at Grace Lutheran Church for a community service of prayer. Tonight at 7:30 p.m., the community of St. Peter is hosting an interfaith vigil at the Pavilion at Minnesota Square Park off Highway 169. These gatherings are moments to grieve together, to pray, and to remind one another that we are not alone.
Concrete acts of care also matter deeply right now. COPAL is collecting food and resources for Latino and immigrant families who are experiencing fear and hardship at this moment. You can support their work here. There are many other ways to help, and we are grateful for all of you who are actively standing with and supporting our immigrant neighbors.
Scripture urges us not to grow weary or lose heart. That strength does not come from our own resolve alone, but from trusting in God’s enduring desire for justice, and God’s redemptive and healing love. Even when the path forward feels unclear, we hold fast to the promise that love is stronger than fear, and justice is worth our faithful labor.
May you find courage, hope, and peace in these difficult days, as you pray for and serve our neighbors in need.
Pr. Jay and Pr. Jacie
This Week
All are invited to a Community Vigil tonight at 7:30pm at the Pavilion at Minnesota Square Park in St. Peter, organized by the St. Peter Good Neighbor Diversity Council.
Wednesday Night Suppers: served at 5:00pm in the lower level dining hall. Upcoming meals:
January 28 — Ham, mashed potatoes, corn, roll & salad
February 4 — Hamburger & rice hotdish, salad & roll
The Mankato Community Queer Choir will host Community Singing this Thursday at 7:00pm at Bethlehem. All are welcome.
Family Faith formation
Announcements
Save the Date: the Mortgage Payoff Celebration is February 15th!
Pastor Kristen Engstrom’s January newsletter is now available online.
2025 Contribution Reports have been sent out electronically. If you need a paper, please reach out to the church office.
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.
Monthly Mission Partner
Amazing news! Bethlehem’s Endowment Board is once again doubling your donations! Give to MY Place this month and your donation will go twice as far!
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
Paul Haugesag
Amy Grams Haugesag
Nikolas Perez
Gerry Morris
Barb Girtz
Peace Lutheran in Eyota
West Freeborn Lutheran in Hartland
Arendahl Lutheran in Peterson
Yerusalemu Ilunda Lutheran in Tanzania
Ntwike Lutheran in Tanzania
El Salvador Lutheran in Colombia