Growing in Christ, Loving our Neighbors, Serving God's world.

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BLC Weekly, March 16

Resurrection garden created by BLC kiddos.

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 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

The Lincoln Park Community Meeting is tonight at 6:30 PM in Grounds for Joy. This meeting will be shortened as attendees will be heading across the street to tour 729 S. 2nd St., one of the oldest church building structures of Mankato which has been refurbished and repurposed.    

Wednesday Night Suppers: served at 5:00pm in the lower level dining hall. Upcoming meals:

  • March 18 — Hamburger goulash, salad & roll

  • March 25 — Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, veggies and roll

  • April 1 — Holy Week — No Meal

  • April 8 — Spaghetti, garlic toast & salad

  • April 15 — Chicken, mashed potatoes, veggie & roll

  • April 22 — Hamburger/Cheeseburger, cold pasta salad & chips

  • April 29 — Ham/turkey sandwich, potato salad & pickles

  • May 6 — End of the year picnic, offsite

Prayer Shawl Makers are meeting this Thursday, 2-4pm in the library. Crocheters, knitters, learners and crafters are welcome!

Adult Forums: Join us Sundays at 10:45am in Grounds for Joy for coffee, donuts and conversation. This Sunday March 22, join us as we hear from Pastor Jacie and our WELCOME team members share an update on the Cruz family and their asylum journey. There is much to learn given the immigration controversy in Minnesota during the past two months. The coffee pot will be on and donuts waiting for you starting at 10:30 am. The forum will begin at 10:45 am. See you in Grounds for Joy

New Member Orientation: March 22. We are excited to welcome our new members! Contact the office or one of the pastors if you are interested in becoming a member of Bethlehem.


family Faith formation

We have a lot of fun opportunities coming up for our children, youth and families!

  • March 22 FLIGHT Event — Jump & Play at K&G Gymnastics

  • March 28 — BLC Family Easter Egg Hunt

  • March 29 — Palm Sunday Worship

  • April 8 — Youth Bible Study at Mom & Pop’s


Announcements

The Bethlehem Endowment Fund Scholarship application form is now live! College students, please apply by May 1 for 2026-2027 scholarships. Scholarship recipients will attend worship on June 7th to receive their scholarship.

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!

Even as our days are getting longer and warmer, Connections Shelter continues to serve guests through the month of May.  Please consider signing up to serve a meal or provide food. Please follow the link to sign up for providing dessert or any other meal option.


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

Susan Brown

Roger Pipes

St. Paul Evangelical in Lewiston

Spring Garden Lutheran in Cannon Falls

Mansfield Lutheran in Alden

Grace Lutheran in Austin

Palliative Care Program at Iambi Hospital in Tanzania

CELCO (Colegio de la Evangelica Luterana de Colombia) in Paz de Ariporo

Lectionary Readings

March 18, Job 2:11-13; 2 Timothy 4:9-18

March 22, John 11:1-45

March 25, John 1:35-51