Hello Bethlehem,

Thank you for joining us for Palm Sunday Worship, led by the BLC Youth and Children. Join us for Holy Week worship services:

Maundy Thursday Worship — 6:15pm April 2
Good Friday Worship — 6:15pm April 3
Easter Sunday Worship — 9:30am April 5

Enjoy some photos from an exciting weekend with Bethlehem!

This week

Tuesday, March 31, is the Trans Day of Visibility. All are welcome to join PRISM for a Community Fair, Dinner and Speaker in St. Peter tomorrow evening. More information is available at prismorganizing.org Register online.

Reminder: No Wednesday Night Supper, worship or activities this week! Join us instead for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday worship services, both at 6:15pm and streamed on our Facebook page.

family Faith formation

We celebrated our 4th grade communion milestone on Sunday!

Registration is now open for Service & Sun and the Youth Lock-In!

Announcements

Bethlehem Wants YOU! Bethlehem is looking for motivated and dedicated members interested in serving on the following boards and committees for next year:

Children's
Community & Global Missions
Nominating
Welcome & Inclusion
Youth

If you would like to serve Bethlehem on one of these groups, contact Bob Ihrig at: robert.ihrig1@gmail.com or 507-388-1953. We would love to add your name to one of these leadership groups for our church. YOU can help to make a difference in 2026-27!

The Semi-Annual Meeting is on April 19th! Join us April 12 for a Semi-Annual Meeting Preview and a chance to learn about Bethlehem’s Small Groups. We will gather at 10:45 in Grounds for Joy. The Semi-Annual Meeting will be held at 10:45am in the lower level dining hall. Quorum needed; donuts provided. We will see you there!

Beware of scams: We have been alerted to instances of Bethlehem Staff and Council members being impersonated through texts and email requesting donations. Bethlehem Pastors and leaders will never solicit funds online or via text. Please report any suspicious activity. If you have questions about online giving, please contact our office to confirm legitimacy.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Our April Monthly Mission Partner is the WELCOME Team. This team is a partnership between 5 local ELCA Lutheran churches who have been sponsoring a family seeking legal asylum in the United States for the past 3 years. The team is continuing to help the family navigate ever challenging times as they continue forward in their immigration process. The family continues to live each day with hope that God will continue to provide for them through the love and support of this community. Your support and prayers are greatly appreciated by the family!

This Week in our Prayers

Curt Halvorson

Marian Mallory

Paul Haugesag

Amy Grams Haugesag

Nikolas Perez

Susan Brown

Roger Pipes

Loren Roberts

Our Savior’s Lutheran in Austin

Faith Lutheran in Janesville

St. John Evangelical Lutheran in Waseca

Yiiw Lutheran Parish in South Sudan

Kinambeu Lutheran in Tanzania

Castillo Fuerte Lutheran in Colombia