BLC Weekly, August 24
Hello Bethlehem,
Thank you for joining us for Generous Together! Together we explored the question, “Where are we to be generous?” Join us for the next Generous Together gathering on Sunday, September 27th in Grounds for Joy after worship.
Announcements
The Lincoln Park Neighborhood Association’s annual Nite to Unite is this Tuesday, August 25, from 5:30-8:30pm in the Bethlehem parking lot. Enjoy food, music, games and fun with our neighbors!
Attention 6th-12th graders: we’re going to Valleyfair! The sign up sheet will close this Wednesday so register today. Sign up online using this link to join the fun, Wednesday, September 2.
It’s our last week of 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! Our last Summer Sack Lunches will be distributed on Sunday, August 30th. Wednesday night suppers begin Sept. 16th, served at 5PM in the lower level dining hall.
Council Corner
Council Corner
Here are the “highlights” of the Bethlehem Council meeting held on Tuesday, August 18. Meeting minutes with details are posted at www.blcmankato.org and are also available in the church office notebook. Visit with Council members with questions and concerns! We welcome your conversation & feedback! Be informed about your church!
Financial Report: The July 31 general fund balance is a deficit of -$22,855.78, representing an increase from the June 30 deficit of -$18,339.51. This was the balance after paying the Web Construction expenses of $72,702.43 for the LSS bathroom renovation from the Stiffel account. July member offerings were $33,368.53 which was $9,036 below budget. Member giving statements for the first 6 months will be in the mail this month.
Pastor Jay Sabbatical Adult Forum: Pastor Jay will share his sabbatical experience at an adult forum on Sunday, September 6. Join us after morning worship at 10:45 am in Grounds for Joy for coffee & conversation.
God’s Work Our Hands: Join us on Sunday, September 13 and Wednesday, September 16 to kick off the new church year with worship and volunteer opportunities to do God’s work at BLC and in our community.
Facilities News: The Facilities Board has completed a cleaning of the library chairs and has approved plans for the patching of the BLC parking lot this fall.
Crossroads Campus Ministry: A service of closure of the Crossroads Ministry will be held on the afternoon of December 6 to formally bring an end to the ministry. This is open to the public to celebrate the legacy of Crossroads. Stay tuned for more details in the future.
Collaborative Learning for Molly Nelson: As part of her Wartburg Seminary pastoral training program, Molly will serve at Bethlehem in a variety of learning experiences including visiting members in our care ministry, attending Council meetings, leading confirmation classes and an Advent service and preaching at worship. This is being coordinated by Wartburg, the SE MN Synod and a BLC committee.
Community Leader Interviews: Bob Ihrig reported on his July 31 interview with Trisha Anderson, executive director of Partners for Housing in Mankato. Enhancing 24/7 emergency shelter capacity and meeting mental health needs of our unsheltered were identified as important needs in our community. Bethlehem could help to address those needs by networking & collaborating with Partners through providing financial donations, volunteering, helping with food needs, providing cleaning supplies and other supplies to help fill gaps for clients, assisting with transportation and sharing news about Partners at BLC adult forums.
Credit Card Policy: A new BLC credit card policy presented by the Finance Committee was approved to govern required receipts and budget lines for purchases made.
Semi-Annual Meetings: Mark your calendars for Sunday, November 22 at 10:45 for the fall semi-annual meeting in the dining room. The 2027 budget preview forum will be held one week before on Sunday, November 15 at 10:45 in Grounds for Joy. The spring semi-annual meeting will be held on Sunday, April 25 with the preview meeting to be held on Sunday, April 11. These are your opportunities to be involved in BLC decision-making and to learn about all that Bethlehem is doing to advance its mission and ministry. Join us!
Wednesday Night Suppers: Plan on joining us again on Wednesday evenings at 5 pm beginning September 16 for supper and conversation with members of our community and congregation. We will serve meals from JD Truffles again at an established cost of $5 per meal. 75 meals will be provided at each supper. Financial support for this BLC outreach program beyond free-will donations is being explored.
Next Council Meeting: September 15, 2026
Monthly Mission Partner
Our August Monthly Mission Partner is Lutheran World Relief. LWR serves to save and improve the lives of our neighbors living across the globe in the most impoverished areas of East and West Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. LWR seeks to partner with local communities to address hunger, create jobs, and develop productive economies rooted in agriculture, promote sustainable and eco-friendly farming practices, as well as provide assistance in response to natural disasters — such as the recent earthquake in Venezuela. Last year, LWR began responding to our neighbors in crisis here in the U.S. Following multiple catastrophic events taking place in the U.S., LWR began working alongside trusted local faith partners to distribute truckloads of essential emergency supplies. Faithful friends of LWR — including many at Bethlehem — volunteer time and resources to make quilts and assemble school kits. Through all of these efforts, families and children are equipped with essentials needed not only to survive, but also to move forward. Please consider making a financial contribution to help and improve the lives and livelihoods of our neighbors living both close to home as well as abroad.
Giving Goal: $7,000 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
Nikolas Perez
Roger Pipes
Pat Nelson
Jan Boyum
Bev Mathison
Doug Dittbenner
The family & friends of Amy Grams Haugesag
The family & friends of Barb Manske
Evanger Lutheran in Sargeant
Holden Lutheran in Kenyon
Trinity Lutheran in Thompson
Maria Mission in Bucaramanga, Colombia
Mkalama Lutheran in Tanzania
Mungaa Lutheran in Tanzania