BLC Weekly, June 29
Hello Bethlehem,
Thank you for your prayers and support of Service & Sun! 21 youth and 8 adults from four Mankato-Area churches (Bethlehem, Centenary United Methodist, First Presbyterian and Epiphany in Eagle Lake) partnered together for three days filled with hands-on service, games, daily devotions, fun excursions, and a treat to end each day.
Monday was spent weeding the Living Earth Center’s gardens and then rock climbing at MSU before a treat at Mom & Pops. On Tuesday they met extra early to drive to Global Health Ministries in Fridley before enjoying movie treats while seeing Toy Story 5. Wednesday was spent cleaning and spending time with the kids at MYPlace before taking a dip at Tourtellotte with a Fro-yo grand finale. Thank you to all who helped create this great week of meaningful service, fun adventures, and many new friends!
Announcements
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!
Support the 4th annual Bike.Build.Home 500! This five-day, fully supported cycling event benefits affordable housing organizations. Hosted in Mankato, MN, by Habitat for Humanity of South Central Minnesota, this ride is led by a volunteer steering committee composed of Habitat 500 veterans. Riders can participate in the full 500 km, five-day ride, select single-day options, or ride virtually. The event includes a Build Day, a Century Ride, and opportunities for volunteers to participate. Fundraising is encouraged: Five-day riders: $500 minimum, Single-day riders: $100 per day. Registration includes overnight lodging at Bethany Lutheran College, with dorm and camping options available. Riders are encouraged to arrive July 14 for evening orientation, with daily routes averaging 50–70 miles. Breakfast and dinner are provided each day. In 2025, BBH500 riders raised $175,000 for affordable housing. Join us in 2026 for an unforgettable ride that makes a real impact—in person or virtually. More details and registration available on their Facebook event page.
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!
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.
The Sioux Trails Chapter of the American Guild of Organists represents organists, church musicians, and organ music lovers in South Central Minnesota, with activities focused in the cities of Mankato, New Ulm, and Saint Peter. Their Summer Organ Recital series is now underway, featuring FREE concerts open to all Tuesdays at 12:10pm. June 2 - June 30 recitals have been held at Christ the King Lutheran Church, July 7 - July 21 recitals will take place at the Trinity Chapel of Bethany Lutheran College, and Bethlehem will host the final concerts of the season, July 28 - August 11. We hope you will take advantage of these wonderful opportunities to enjoy the work of talented area musicians, and don’t miss Bethlehem’s own Christine Schulz, performing August 11.
Summer Office Hours: The BLC Office closes at 2:30pm on Tuesdays. Office hours will be 9am - 2:30pm Tuesday, and 9-5pm Wednesday and Thursday. Thank you for understanding!
Monthly Mission Partner
Last call! 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.
Our July Monthly Mission Partner will be Global Health Ministries.
This Week in our Prayers
Curt Halvorson
Marian Mallory
Paul Haugesag
Amy Grams Haugesag
Nikolas Perez
Roger Pipes
Loren Roberts
Pat Nelson
Jan Boyum
Jean Lorentz
Jerry Williams
The family & friends of Earl Peterson
Trinity Lutheran in Albert Lea
Bear Creek Lutheran in Grand Meadow
Lands Lutheran in Zumbrota
Gumanga Lutheran in Tanzania
Ihanja Lutheran in Tanzania
Nkuhi Lutheran in Tanzania