BLC Weekly, April 27
Hello Bethlehem,
We had a wonderful Sunday worship celebrating the graduating class of 2026! As a reminder, scholarship applications are due this week! The Bethlehem Endowment Fund Scholarship application form is available online for a few more days. College students, please apply by May 1 for 2026-2027 scholarships. Scholarship recipients will attend worship on June 7th to receive their scholarship.
This week
Wednesday Night Suppers: served at 5:00pm in the lower level dining hall. All are welcome. Donations accepted; this meal is FREE! This week will be our final Wednesday night super at Bethlehem for the season! Next week all are welcome to the last Wednesday night of the program year at the park. Upcoming meals:
April 29 — Ham/turkey sandwich, potato salad & pickles
May 6 — End of the year picnic at Spring Lake Park, Shelter 1
Join us this Sunday after worship as we celebrate Pastor Jay’s Sabbatical Send-Off!
Our annual Cinnamon Roll Fundraiser is also this Sunday, May 3rd. Pre-order a tray of 6 rolls online or purchase individual rolls that day!
Summer Sack Lunches begin this week! Meals are distributed from 5-6pm Sundays in the parking lot. Limit 1 per-person, must pick up in-person. We are collecting donations in the narthex and financial donations are accepted online. Thank you for supporting this ministry!
family Faith formation
Wednesday we are doing Ask the Pastors in the sanctuary after worship! 5th-9th Graders, their families (and any curious congregation members) are welcome to join!
Upcoming Events:
The Year-End Picnic is next Wednesday! Join us at Spring Lake Park for supper, worship, and fun!
Registration is now open for Service & Sun!
Save the date: our School’s Out Celebration is Friday, May 22nd! More details are available in the Facebook event.
VBS Registration is now open! Learn more and sign up on the Facebook event.
Announcements
Celebrate Mom with her favorite things - Fair Trade CHOCOLATE and ROSES! The Fair Trade Committee will be on hand before and after church service on Mother's Day - Sunday, May 10th - selling beautiful roses from Ecuador along with Fair Trade chocolate and assorted coffee and teas. All proceeds from the sale of these items go to support and empower farmers and workers with better wages, safe working conditions, and ethical practices. What better way to honor Mom than with gifts that delight AND support a meaningful mission!
April 19 Semi-Annual Meeting Minutes & Ballot The minutes of the April 19 Semi-Annual Meeting are available for your information. Read and learn all that was shared and voted on at the meeting. Our new Council, board and committee members are detailed on the attached ballot approved by the congregation.
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. At this time they are shifting from pantry donations to a focus on financial support. To learn more and donate online, visit their website.
Monthly Mission Partner
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! 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
Susan Brown
Roger Pipes
Loren Roberts
Pat Nelson
Marilyn Biedscheid
Sharon Finucane
Bear Lake Concordia Lutheran in Albert Lea
Gol Lutheran in Kenyon
Stordahl Lutheran in Zumbrota
Espiritu de Vida Lutheran in Colombia
Light and Life Ministry in Colombia
Dominiki Lutheran in Tanzania