BLC Weekly, October 5
Hello Bethlehem,
Join us for our St. Francis Day Pet Blessing worship service this Wednesday at 6:15pm in the parking lot! Friendly, socialized, leashed pets are welcome to join us in worship. We are also happy to bless collars and photos of any shy pets who may not wish to attend. There will be a space to honor beloved pets who have passed. Bethlehem’s Jack Kehoe will bring his camera to take photos of you and your pets, and we will also have the St. Francis photo board you helped create at Neighbor Days! Seating is provided but may be limited; please feel free to bring a lawn chair. We hope you will join us for this alternative outdoor worship service!
This week
All are welcome to Wednesday Night Suppers. Meals are served at 5:00pm in the lower level dining hall. Donations are accepted; the meal is free and open to all. The full upcoming menu on our website. Upcoming menu:
Oct. 7 Scalloped Potatoes & Ham & Vegetables
Oct. 14 MEA Break — NO MEAL
Oct. 21 Hamburger Rice Hotdish & Salad
Bibles & Brews meets this Thursday at 6PM. We will be meeting LocAle this time. Contact Pastor Jacie to join!
Join us after worship on Sunday, October 11 for Generous Together Session 5! We will gather in the Dining Hall for donuts and creative exploration of generosity. This is the final Generous Together session on a Sunday. The 6th and final session will be on Wednesday, November 11. All ages are welcome and you do not need to have attended any previous sessions to join in!
Shop Fair Trade this Sunday, October 11. Bethlehem’s Fair Trade Committee will have coffee, chocolate, tea, olive oil and more for sale before and after worship. Stop and shop ethically sourced goodies!
Announcements
Your voice matters! Bethlehem’s Strategic Planning Committee is beginning their process of discernment and they want to hear from YOU! Strategic Planning Committee members are hosting Home Meetings to hear diverse voices from across the congregation to evaluate where Bethlehem's ministry is today and where God is leading us next. If you are not attending a closed group and would like to have your voice heard in the Strategic Planning Process, please sign up to attend a Strategic Planning Home Meeting. Available open meetings are coming up on October 3, 12, 15 and 21, so sign up today!
You’re invited to Trunk-or-Treat! The sign up is now live for Trunks and candy donations. Check out the Facebook event and sign up to host a trunk or donate candy.
If you have not yet, please complete a Time & Talent form to get connected to volunteer, community, and fellowship opportunities. A pdf is available online if you would like to print your own form and return it, or you can stop by and complete at form at the Welcome Kiosk.
We’re hiring! Bethlehem is looking for a Weekend/Evening janitor to join the rotation. Learn more and apply here by Oct. 14.
Connections Shelter is looking for shelter volunteers, servers, and meal providers for the new season. Learn more and sign up online.
Contribution reports for January - August, 2026 were sent out by email on September 10th. Please review your report for accuracy. If you have any questions or would like a printed copy, please contact the church office.
Monthly Mission Partner
Our October Monthly Mission Partner is Crossroads Campus Ministry. Since 1922 Crossroads served the Lutheran community at MSU, Mankato, and ministries like Campus Cupboard and Lunch for $1 welcomed and served all people. As Crossroads prepares for Holy Closure, we invite you to give one last time to the Campus Cupboard, which will be operational until November 25th, providing free grocery items to students in need. All are welcome to join their service of Holy Closure on December 6 at 4pm.
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
Jan Boyum
Doug Dittbenner
Alice Haugen
The families & friends of Lucy Knowles and Lisa Hagen
Henrytown Lutheran in Canton
Immanuel Lutheran in Wykoff
Faith Lutheran in Saint Charles
Torpuot Lutheran Parish in South Sudan
Wembere Lutheran Church & Dispensary in Tanzania