Hello Bethlehem,

Bethlehem is Rooted in Faith, Growing in Giving! Thank you to Paulette Bertrand who designed and created the trees in the Narthex where BLC members share their blessings. Thank you to Annika and Alayna Bruns who shared their Generous Together story. In case you missed it in worship, you can watch their video online on our YouTube channel and look forward to hearing more stories in the weeks ahead!

We gathered in the dining hall after worship yesterday for Generous Together session 5! Our final Generous Together session will be held at 7PM on Wednesday, November 11 in the lower level dining hall. All ages are welcome and you do not need to attend any previous sessions to join.

join a strategic planning home meeting

Strategic Planning Home Meetings are underway! This is your opportunity to weigh in and share your perspective in the Strategic Planning process as we discern as a community where God is leading us next. Sign up today for an open Group:

7:00PM Thursday, Oct. 15 via Zoom, hosted by Matt Drewitz. You are welcome to join even if you have not yet signed up! Here is the link to join the Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81959085275
5:30PM Wednesday, Oct. 21 in the Dining Hall, hosted by Molly Nelson. All ages welcome! Grab your Wednesday night supper and join Molly’s table to chat.
9:00AM Saturday, Oct. 31 in Grounds for Joy, hosted by Amy Haigh. Join Amy for a Halloween brunch!
10:45AM Sunday, Nov. 8 in the Heritage Room, hosted by Grant Haggerty. Join Grant for coffee, donuts and conversation after worship!

announcements

The office will be closed this Tuesday and will reopen as usual Wednesday and Thursday from 9am - 5pm. The Women’s Circle will still meet Tuesday morning in the Library.

Happy MEA break! There will be no Wednesday evening supper, worship or programming this week.

Bethlehem is hosting Teens Encounter Christ (TEC) this weekend. We are excited to share our space and pray for a safe, fun, and formational weekend of fellowship for these area youth!

The Mankato Marathon is coming to Bethlehem! This year the route passes right by the church and we invite you to join us in cheering on the participants. All are welcome to join Kaitlin Carter in Grounds for Joy this Wednesday at 6pm to create signs to cheer on the Mankato Marathon. You are also invited to join us on the lawn this Saturday morning for cheering! There will be some road closures Saturday morning to accommodate the marathon: please follow all signage posted by the organizers and plan to enter the parking lot from the Front Street and Byron entrance near Pulp Comics. Thank you!

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.

We’re hiring! Bethlehem is looking for a Weekend/Evening janitor to join the rotation. Learn more and apply here by Oct. 14.

Thank you

Many thanks to all who joined us and helped lead the Pet Blessing service last week, and to Jack Kehoe who captured these great photos! You can see more photos in the Facebook album.

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

Lan Evenson

Kurt Burdick

Red Oak Grove Lutheran in Austiin

Oakland Lutheran in Albert Lea

Vang Lutheran in Dennison

Msingi Lutheran in Tanzania

Pulguori Lutheran Parish in South Sudan

Kinampanda Lutheran Church & Dispensary in Tanzania