BLC Weekly, March 2
Hello Bethlehem,
Lenten Wednesday worship services continue this week with Holden Evening Prayer with the BLC Praise Band and a rotation of area pastors exploring the theme, “I’ve been meaning to ask you.”
March 4 - Pastor LaDonna Thomas “Where Does It Hurt?”
March 11 - Pastor Sarah Deutsch “Where Are You From?”
March 18 - Pastor Jacie Richmond “What Do You Need?”
March 25 - Pastor Jay Dahlvang “What Are you Looking For?”
Wednesday night worship services begin at 6:15pm and will be livestreamed on the Bethlehem Facebook page during Lent.
This Week
Wednesday Night Suppers: served at 5:00pm in the lower level dining hall. Upcoming meals:
March 4 — Chicken tenders, mashed potatoes, vegetable & roll
March 11 — Scalloped potatoes & ham, salad & roll
March 18 — Hamburger goulash, salad & roll
Adult Forums: Join us Sundays at 10:45am in Grounds for Joy for coffee, donuts and conversation. March 8 Forum: Feeding Our Communities Partners (FOCP) will be the topic of Sunday's adult forum at Bethlehem. Heather Bierer, Community Outreach Coordinator, will share information about the work of this vital local nonprofit dedicated to providing weekend meals to students facing food insecurity. Learn how FOCP is making a real difference for youth and families. Join us for coffee and conversation at 10:30 am after morning worship and the forum at 10:45 am in Grounds for Joy.
family Faith formation
NightLIGHT and TorchLIGHT resume as usual this week! Lent Mentors and Mentees will meet after worship.
The 5th Grade Communion Retreat is March 15! Look for an email from Anna soon to RSVP.
Announcements
New Member Orientation: March 22. Contact Pastor Jay, Pastor Jacie or the BLC office if you are interested in joining Bethlehem and attending the New Member Orientation!
Easter Flower Order forms are now available! Pick up at the Welcome Kiosk or order your flowers online by March 29th.
VITA Tax services are taking calls and working in our building this season. If you or someone you know needs to schedule an appointment, call the tax line, which is a separate phone number not affiliated with Bethlehem. Their number is (507) 386-5570
COPAL extends thanks to the members of Bethlehem for providing food and support during this time of need. COPAL is still collecting items on behalf of immigrant families and community members. Of particular need are the following: Maseca, Instant coffee, Rice, Beans - Black, Red, Pinto, Sugar, Salt, Boxed milk, Toilet paper
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!
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.
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.
Council Corner
February 24 Council Corner Below is the Council Corner for the February 24 meeting of the BLC Council. The Council met one week later than usual to avoid a conflict with Fat Tuesday activities on its usual meeting date. The Corner summarizes the major discussion topics and decisions of the Council. Complete minutes are posted on the BLC website.
Monthly Mission Partner
Our March Monthly Mission Partner is House of Hope. Founded in 1971 in Mankato, House of Hope provides integrated, non-residential treatment for those seeking to address substance use and mental health issues. With caring and accompanying staff, those seeking staff receive comprehensive assessments and recommendations for recovery. The goal is to increase client capacity for ongoing recovery. Bethlehem’s Endowment Board is matching donations in March, so give today and your dollars will go twice as far! You can give online, donate via Venmo @BLCMankato, 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
Fred Gruhlke
St. Luke Lutheran in Goodhue
Mabel First Lutheran in Mabel
St. John Lutheran in Kasson
Pontoppidan Lutheran in Ellendale
Nkonkilangi Lutheran in Tanzania
Mang’onyi Lutheran in Tanzania
Projecting My Future Ministry in Colombia