BLC Weekly, May 26
Hello Bethlehem,
June 1 is All Boards Night! Outgoing, continuing 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. Forgot to RSVP? Don’t worry! There will be space (and pizza) for you!
Announcements
Bethlehem’s Blood Drive is this 1-6pm this Thursday in Grounds for Joy. Sign up today to save lives: make your appointment.
Summer Hours Update: The BLC Office will close at 2:30pm on Tuesdays. Office hours will be 9am - 2:30pm Tuesday, and 9-5pm Wednesday and Thursday. Thank you for understanding!
Congratulations Scholars! This year Bethlehem’s Endowment Board is awarding 20 scholarships to Bethlehem undergraduate students. Congratulations to: Adam Jeff, Alayna Bruns, Alexa Bolstad, Alexis Stapelman, Annika Bruns, Aubrey Haynes, Aubrey Swenson, Azlee Schaefer, Emily Swenson, Evan MacLean, Gwyneth Blickem, Jack Kehoe, Jada Sivertsen, Kjera Arntz, Louisa Andresen, Matthew Smith, Mckenzie Bock, Parker Keenan, Sean Stevensen and Tyler Adams. Scholarships will be distributed at 9:30am worship on Sunday, June 7. Recipients, please plan to attend worship that day to receive your scholarship. Congratulations, scholars. We wish you well on your academic journey!
Bethlehem is embarking on a new Generous Together series beginning on Sunday, June 7! Join us in Grounds for Joy after worship for these monthly sessions to imagine, create and share as we explore generosity and stewardship. These brief, all-ages gatherings are designed to reach across generations, so all are welcome! Coffee and snacks are provided.
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!
Registration is now open for Service & Sun! BLC 5th-12th graders, join us June 22 - June 24th from 8:30am to 5pm for half a day of service and half a day of fun!
VBS Registration is now open! VBS I Spy: Operation Believe is July 20-23. Dinner is served at 5pm and programming runs from 6-7:30pm. Bethlehem will host this shared VBS experience with Centenary Methodist, First Presbyterian and First Congregational UCC. Learn more and sign up on the Facebook event.
Update your Breeze account: As summer travels take us on adventures near and far, we miss seeing each others faces. Now is a great time to update your Breeze profile and add a profile photo! Log in to your account, go to your profile and click the profile picture to upload your photo! Information on How to Use Breeze and the link to our Member login are available on our website. Having trouble accessing your account? Reach out to the office and we can help!
SHelter church Volunteers needed Sunday, June 14
Formed alongside Connections Ministry, Shelter Church is a Synodically Authorized Outreach Ministry of the SEMN Synod, serving in the Mankato area. This is a “Table Ministry” welcoming those experiencing homelessness, addiction, poverty, disability, mental illness, and more. Each of our gatherings includes a free meal and low-barrier worship service.
Gathering weekly in the basement fellowship hall of Grace Lutheran Church in Mankato, they are looking for groups to provide meals for the 2nd, 4th, and 5th Sundays of June, July, and August 2026.
About Our Meals: serving 15-20 folks, they have a practice of preparing extra food and offering generous servings/seconds/leftovers-to-go, so plan on 30-40 servings. All you need to bring is yourself and dinner!
Timing: 4:30pm Dinner, 5pm Church Doors open to the Shelter Church community at 4pm. Pastor Sarah and other Shelter Church volunteers/attendees help clean up the fellowship hall space before leaving, and we are typically out of the building around 6pm.
A typical meal at Shelter Church has: main dish, 1-2 sides, a dessert. Soft, easy to chew options preferred.
Where to Find Us: Grace Lutheran Church 110 N 4th St, Mankato, MN 56001 (Enter through the west door (in the alley, at the back of the building)
Interested in serving Sunday, June 14? Reply to this email or email blchurch@blcmankato.org and we will let Pastor Sarah know!
volunteer opportunities
Connections Shelter warmly invites the community to join us for A Midsummer Soiree on June 12, 2026—an enchanting evening where fantasy and philanthropy intertwine. Picture yourself wandering through a garden aglow with twinkling fairy lights, sipping signature cocktails or mocktails, and enjoying delicious hors d'oeuvres inspired by the whimsical world of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Our magical celebration unfolds in the beautiful Gustavus Arboretum, and every moment spent supports the mission of Connections Shelter: providing a safe, welcoming space for neighbors experiencing homelessness.
Your presence at this elegant summer event helps ensure that everyone has a place to dream. As we expand to year-round shelter services, this night brings hope to life and strengthens our community. We invite all to attend, sponsor, donate auction items, or help spread the word. For event details or to get involved, please reach out to Connections Shelter at liz@connectionsshelter.org or purchase your tickets here. Come share in the magic, community, and purpose—because hope starts here.
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.
thank you
Thank you to Sunday’s guest preacher, Rev. Dennis Frank, who led us in worship!
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. And if you donate to Connections in May, your dollars will go 4x as far! Bethlehem’s Endowment Board is doubling donations this month, and all contributions will be doubled again by Connections matching grants. There couldn’t be a better time to give! 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
Roger Pipes
Loren Roberts
Pat Nelson
Jan Boyum
Grace Lutheran in Fairmont
Minneola Lutheran in Goodhue
Christ Lutheran in Faribault
San Marcos Lutheran in Colombia
Nkinto Lutheran in Tanzania
San Juan Lutheran in Colombia