BLC Weekly, June 8
Hello Bethlehem,
Thank you for joining us for our first Generous Together gathering! This series brings together all-ages 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. Save the date: our next Generous Together gathering is 10:45am Sunday, July 12 in Grounds for Joy. Coffee and snacks are provided. We’ll see you there!
This week
This week Bibles & Brews meets this Thursday, June 11 from 6-8pm at Weggy’s. Join Pastor Jacie and BLC friends for casual conversations on faith and culture.
Support Bethlehem's artists! We invite you to view "A Retrospective of Works" by Brad Widness and Anne Kronlokken, on display at the Moline Gallery at the Arts Center in St. Peter, June 5 through July 25th.
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.
Announcements
Register now 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!
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!
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. Support VBS: Check out the Amazon Wish List
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!
Mankato Fair Trade will host Afternoon Tea at Bethlehem on Saturday, June 27. Tickets are $20 for adults, $5 for children 10 and under. Bew Ulm’s Own will be there will Fair Trade goodies for sale and you’ll hear from speaker Kristen King, interfaith leader from Equal Exchange Fair Trade Co-op. Contact Paulette Bertrand to RSVP paulette.bertrand@yahoo.com
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!
Congratulations 2026 Endowment Fund Scholarship recipients! We wish you well on your academic journeys! If you were awarded a scholarship and were unable to attend worship on Sunday to receive it, please stop by the BLC office to pick up your scholarship.
volunteer opportunities
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!
Monthly Mission Partner
Our June Monthly Mission Partner is Iambi Secondary School. This boarding school serves 200 students. ISS has a total of 20 staff. Academically, Iambi Secondary School has been doing very well in various exams. It is among the top ten schools in regional and national examination results. ISS has a conducive environment for students to learn with a reliable power supply, enough books, and enough teachers for all subjects. They also teach computer studies courses and religion. Gifts from Bethlehem have been transformative for ISS, and our past generosity enabled the school to install electricity, allowing the students and teachers to study and prepare lessons after the sun went down. Test scores soared, and enrollment boomed. Please give prayerfully and financially to our friends at Iambi Secondary School.
Giving Goal: $8,000. 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
Roger Pipes
Loren Roberts
Pat Nelson
Jan Boyum
Jerry Williams
Abbe Austin
Ronald Hawker
Trinity Lutheran in Owatonna
Bethlehem Lutheran of Myrtle in Glenville
Faith Lutheran in Winona
CELCO (Colegio de la Evangelica Luterana de Colombia) in San Lucas, Bogota
Kisiriri Lutheran in Tanzania