BLC Weekly, May 4
Hello Bethlehem,
Congratulations to the Confirmation Class of 2026! It was a joy to celebrate with you in worship yesterday.
The program year is wrapping up here at Bethlehem! Thank you for a wonderful year of education, Wednesday suppers, faith and fellowship. We are looking forward to summer fun. Join us this Wednesday at 5pm for our Year-End Picnic at Spring Lake Park.
This week
Adult Forum: Global Health Ministries Join us this coming Sunday, May 10 to learn about all of the great work performed by Global Health Ministries. Sam Buegler will present an adult forum focusing on what they do to provide newborn baby kits which Bethlehem volunteers help to produce during the year. We help to make a difference in the world! Join us for coffee and conversation at 10:30 am in Grounds for Joy!
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!
Summer Sack Lunches: 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
Upcoming Events:
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
Office Volunteers are needed for Tuesday afternoons throughout the summer while our Congregational Services Coordinator, Molly Nelson, attends trainings on Tuesday afternoons as part of her seminary education. Please sign up online to take a shift or contact Molly at mnelson@blcmankato.org
June 1 is All Boards Night! Outgoing and incoming board members are invited to join us 5:30-7:30pm for Jake’s Pizza and conversation. We will celebrate your hard work and discern where the Spirit is leading Bethlehem.
Pastor Jay Dahlvang is officially on Sabbatical! We wish the Dahlvang family a wonderful season of restoration and rejuvenation and look forward to welcoming Pastor Jay back to Bethlehem in August.
Shelter Church: As Connections Shelter has grown and adapted, so has Shelter Church. It has become its own independently-run organization and is now recognized as a Synodically Authorized Outreach Ministry of the Southeastern MN Synod of the ELCA, and Pastor Sarah Krolak has been called to serve here. Shelter Church is “a Table Ministry,” with each gathering including a free meal and a low-barrier worship service. Shelter Church is welcoming to those experiencing homelessness, addiction, poverty, disability, mental illness, and more. This summer they are returning to weekly gatherings! For the months of June, July, and August, we are looking for additional partners to prepare and serve meals. If you are interested email shelterchurchmankato@gmail.com
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 May Monthly Mission Partner is Connections Shelter. Bethlehem helped found this shelter where neighbors experiencing homelessness can rest, rebuild, and begin moving towards stability. This year they are launching a campaign to provide overnight shelter year round. Connections matching grants will double each dollar donated, so let’s give generously to our friends and neighbors! You can give online, donate via Venmo @BLCMankato, or via check made out to Bethlehem with the monthly mission in the memo line.
Bethlehem members are also invited to continue serving this important ministry through volunteering and/or providing meals. Please follow the link to sign up!
This Week in our Prayers
Curt Halvorson
Marian Mallory
Paul Haugesag
Amy Grams Haugesag
Nikolas Perez
Susan Brown
Roger Pipes
Loren Roberts
Pat Nelson
Jan Boyum
The family & friends of Rae Allan
St. Peter’s Lutheran in Northfield
Bethel Lutheran in Rochester
North Waseca Lutheran in Waseca
Mazoezi Minyughe Lutheran in Tanzania
Misigiri Lutheran in Tanzania
Emanuel Cathedral Lutheran in Tanzania