BLC Weekly, February 16
Hello Bethlehem,
Fat Tuesday is tomorrow! Join us in the lower level from 5:30-7:00pm for our annual Dinner & Silent Auction raising money for BLC youth. Forgot to get tickets? No worries! Walk-ins will be accepted at the door. The online portion of the Silent Auction has closed, so come ready to bid on those in-person only items tomorrow night!
Join us for Ash Wednesday worship at 6:15pm this week. Lenten worship services will be livestreamed on the Bethlehem Facebook page.
This Week
Tuesday: Fat Tuesday Dinner & Silent Auction 5:30-7:00pm
Wednesday Night Suppers: served at 5:00pm in the lower level dining hall. Upcoming meals:
February 18 — Grilled chicken with a bun, potato salad & pickles
February 25 — Taco buffet with rice & beans
March 4 — Chicken tenders, mashed potatoes, vegetable & roll
Ash Wednesday Worship 6:15pm
Thursday: Prayer Shawl Makers and crafters will meet in the Library this Thursday, 2:00-4:00pm.
Adult Forums: Join us Sundays at 10:45am in Grounds for Joy for coffee, donuts and conversation. February 22 Adult Forum: Is It Dementia or Typical Aging? Join Jane Unzeitigd (RN, BSN, Certified Independent Coach) as she explores the many dimensions of aging and dementia at this coming Sunday's adult forum. Have coffee and donuts with us at 10:30 and join the forum conversation with Jane at 10:45 am in Grounds for Joy. We look forward to seeing all of you!
Thank you
Thank you for joining us at our Mortgage Pay Off Celebration! We gathered on Sunday after worship to burn the mortgage and enjoy a meal and brief program celebrating this incredible occasion. A video of the program is available on our YouTube channel.
Family Faith formation
Lent Mentorships begin this week after Ash Wednesday worship. NightLIGHT and TorchLIGHT will continue to meet throughout Lent, except for next Wednesday, February 25.
Announcements
The Spring Worship Volunteer schedule is now available on our website!
Online giving just got easier. Bethlehem now has Venmo! You can find us @BLCMankato to pay for tickets, fundraisers or make your offering online. Just note what your giving is for in the transaction description. Please note, online and automatic giving through Breeze is still available and not going anywhere!
We are collecting COPAL donations in the narthex! COPAL invites you to join the Shared Table program to feed immigrant families in the Mankato area.
Requested donations include: white rice, dry beans, lentils, pasta, corn flour, canned beans, cooking oil, shelf-stable milk, cereal, salt, spices, canned tomatoes or sauce, hot chocolate, instant coffee, eggs, popcorn packets, tortillas, fruit cups, tuna packets, laundry detergent, dish soap, toilet paper, bar soap, wipes, shampoo, feminine hygiene products, and finally, small notes of encouragement or greeting for the families with just your first name.
Bethlehem, we are headed to the Boundary Waters with the Wilderness Canoe Base once again this summer! This time, we’re opening the trip up to youth AND adults to join. Registration is now open with a $150 deposit due by March 11th. Please contact Anna with any questions. Here is the link to sign up: https://blcmankato.breezechms.com/form/BWCA2026
NEW! For adults and families who might want a BWCA experience while staying cabins, we're going to try offering a separate Intergen Camp on the same dates. I haven't confirmed those details yet, but we'll have more info soon. Stay tuned! Contact Anna or Pr. Jacie with any questions.
Office Volunteers needed. Hours: Tuesdays 1-3:15pm. Sign up to cover the office while Molly Nelson, your Congregational Services Coordinator, attends seminary classes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nxd0zC1srJ9wmMnMgpeWnrHulk3XGNilC67bmT8xi3w/edit?usp=sharing
CAREGIVER SUPPORT More and more members of our community are stepping into caregiving roles. Without support, caregiving can be difficult and isolating. VINE Faith in Action offers four Caregiver Support Groups that are open to anyone caring for a loved one. Groups are limited to 10 participants, so pre-registration is required. There is no charge; donations are appreciated. Please feel welcome to attend one of the following monthly groups:
1st Tuesday, 10:00-11:00 am
2nd Wednesday, 1:00-2:30 pm
3rd Wednesday, 5:15-6:30 pm
3rd Thursday, 3:00-4:00 pm
If you prefer to meet one-on-one rather than in a group, VINE also offers Caregiver Consultation. Call or email VINE for consultation and to pre-register for one of the groups, (507) 387-1666, joycek@vinevolunteers.org.
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
Our February Monthly Mission Partner is ECHO Food Shelf. Born out of a church basement in 1981, ECHO has addressed hunger and food insecurity in our community for decades. In 2025, ECHO distributed 2.5 million pounds of food and tallied over 35,000 family visits. As needs continue to rise, so must our support. February contributions will be amplified with a proportional match during MN FoodShare’s March Campaign. Join us in our goal of raising $5,000 for this vital resource. 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
Lori Ruthenbeck
Tom Sanger
St. John’s Lutheran in Northfield
Community Lutheran in Geneva
Our Savior’s Lutheran in Cleveland
First Lutheran in Lake City
Dr. Martin Luther Lutheran in Tanzania
Mazoezi Mwankoko Lutheran in Tanzania
Mading Lutheran Parish in South Sudan