Hello Bethlehem,

Congratulations to our Confirmation class of 2025! It was wonderful to celebrate with you on Sunday.

This week

Join us this Wednesday for the Year-End Picnic at Spring Lake Park! We’ll gather at Pavilion 1 at 5:00 PM for dinner, followed by worship, games, and ice cream. Come celebrate the end of another great program year!

Bethlehem is hosting a Blood Drive on May 8th from 1-6pm in Grounds for Joy. Sign up online to save lives!

What could be better than ROSES and CHOCOLATES for Mom on Mother's Day? How about FAIR TRADE roses and chocolates? Please visit the Fair Trade table located in the Narthex following the church service on Sunday, May 11th to find these and many more beautiful items to browse and purchase. All sales support FAIR TRADE artisans and vendors.

May 11 Adult Forum - House of Hope

Join us for morning coffee and a presentation by President/C.E.O. Mark Johnson about the essential services provided by House of Hope in Mankato. Its mission is to provide integrated non-residential treatment services to adults in our community. Its goal is to increase the desire for ongoing recovery from substance use and mental health disorders. We look forward to seeing you on Sunday, May 11 at 10:30 am in Grounds for Joy.

Family faith formation

The Flamingo Flocking Fundraiser is underway! Sign up to flock the yards of friends, family or foes with these flamboyant birds. $30 sends the flock, $10 gets your flamingo insurance to make your yard unflockable! Proceeds help send BLC youth to the Boundary Waters this summer. Happy flocking!

Announcements

Church Cleaning Part Two! Join us Tuesday, May 13, at 9:00 a.m. Volunteers are needed to help wipe down the pews and hymnals. Please bring a pail and cloth; the Murphy cleaner will be provided. Thank you!

Join the BLC Landscaping Crew! Help keep Bethlehem beautiful. Your next volunteer opportunity is coming up on May 17th at 9:00 AM. Join Sarah Morgan and the rest of the Landscaping Committee in a clean up and adding fresh mulch to the grounds.

Come and Celebrate with Rae! Rae Allen will turn 100 on May 13, and you are invited to celebrate with her. The Bethlehem Care Ministry is hosting a 100th party for Rae at 2 p.m. that day at Pathstone. All are welcome!

April 27 Semi-Annual Meeting

We had a very productive and positive semi-annual meeting on Sunday. Thanks to everyone who attended and participated in our spring business. The minutes of the meeting are available at this link.

Connections Shelter Fundraiser Update

The 2025 Connections Shelter was cancelled due to a lack of community team support. This was disappointing news to Team Bethlehem since we had already raised almost $2,500 for this major fundraiser.

However, there is still good news for Connections Shelter. They are planning a new fundraiser - A Midsummer Soiree - on June 20 at the Arboratem at Gustavus Adolphus College. See attached flyer for details. We have arranged with Connections to serve as the Entertainment Sponsor by providing $3,000. See attached sponsor flyer. We will be recognized with the musician group scheduled for the evening. What great PR for Bethlehem and our partnership with Connections!

We only need $557.48 to reach our $3,000 goal. Cash or check donations can be given to Bob Ihrig. Make checks payable to Connections Shelter. Contact Bob with questions about this new opportunity to support Connections!

Monthly mission partner

Our May monthly mission partner is House of Hope. For over 50 years they have provided services for those struggling with substance abuse disorders. They contract with the Blue Earth County Drug Court and have added mental health services to their programming so as to better serve clients with co-occurring disorders. Thank you for supporting this important mission in our community. You can give online or drop off a check written out to Bethlehem with the monthly mission in the memo line.