BLC Weekly, September 29
Hello Bethlehem,
We will host a St. Francis Day Pet Blessing this Wednesday! Join us for an outdoor worship service at 6:15pm in the parking lot. All pets must be on a leash or in a carrier for the safety of all pets. We know not all pets enjoy travel or crowds, and some pets have already crossed the rainbow bridge: please feel free to bring a photo or your pet’s collar to receive the blessing if that is more comfortable.
This week
There will be an ISAIAH House Meeting at Bethlehem this afternoon from 2-3:30pm in Grounds for Joy. ISAIAH is a statewide values based nonprofit. Join them to discuss how to shape local policies and attitudes and envision a society that matches YOUR values. Join Bethlehem’s Mary Bliesmer and her ISAIAH friend, Barb Keith, to discuss values and priorities to discuss with local elected officials at a summit in Mankato next month.
Join us for Wednesday night suppers, served at 5:00 PM in the lower level. All are welcome and the meal is FREE. The fall menu is now available online. Upcoming Menu:
October 1 Spaghetti, garlic toast and salad
October 8 Sub sandwich, cold pasta salad and chips
October 15 No Supper - MEA Break
October 22 Taco buffet with rice & beans
5th-12th graders are heading to ValleyScare this Friday! The deadline to register was last Friday but there are still a few spots available. Use this form to register. If the form is live, there is still room!
The Installation of the Presiding Bishop of the ELCA will take place in Minneapolis on Saturday, October 4th. No tickets are required. More details are available here for anyone interested in attending.
Adults Forums Join us Sundays at 10:45AM in Grounds for Joy for coffee and speakers selected by your Adult Education Board. This Sunday, October 5, we will hear from Connections Shelter Ministry. Join speakers Jenn Echevarria, Executive Director, and Liz Paul, Director of Development. The Adult Forum schedule is available on our website.
As of this last weekend, Connections Shelter is open for the season! We invite you to serve in the ways and times that appeal to you. Head to their volunteer website to sign up.
Family faith Formation
Trunk or Treat is October 29th! Grab your costumes and candy bags and join us for trunk alley, face painting, hot cider and more. Sign up online to host a trunk or to donate candy!
Announcements
Shared from the Nebraska Synod, we are invited to join Deacon Ross Murray, the author of The Everyday Advocate: Living Out Your Calling to Social Justice, to talk about how to be an effective Christian advocate. You can find more information and register online. The cost of this 3 session series is $30 with classes Oct. 6, 13 and 27 from 7-8:30PM.
Shop Fair Trade: Save the date for fair trade shopping! Bethlehem’s Fair Trade Committee will be selling goodies like chocolate, coffee, tea and olive oil on Sunday, October 12 after worship.
Monthly mission partner
Bethlehem’s September Monthly Mission partner is Iambi Secondary School Scholarships. This church-managed boarding school serves 200 students in the Mkalama district, Singida region in Tanzania. Academically, 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. You can give online or drop off a check written out to Bethlehem with the monthly mission in the memo line.
Our October Monthly Mission partner will be Connections Shelter. Beginning their 9th year of operations, Connections is a 48-bed seasonal emergency shelter and year-round drop-in center. They offer assistance in obtaining housing, medical care, employment and other basic needs. They assisted in finding permanent housing for 61 individuals last year. Bethlehem has founding ties with this vital organization in our community. Please continue to support this work.
Bethlehem members are also invited to volunteer to prepare and/or serve meals at Connections. Please use this link to sign up.
This Week in our Prayers
Curt Halvorson Marian Mallory Pete Wachtel
Anna Moses Barb Girtz Paul Haugesag
Amy Grams Haugesag Pat Nelson Lisa Hagen
Sandy Birkholz Kurt Burdick Nikolas Perez Tyler Ratcliff
The family & friends of Autumn Paulson
The family & friends of Mary Clark
Lands Lutheran in Zumbrota St. Olaf College Student Congregation in Northfield
Good Shepherd Lutheran in Rochester Kisiriri Lutheran in Tanzania
Mwangeza Lutheran in Tanzania Nabii Elia Lutheran in Tanzania
Banytic Lutheran Parish in South Sudan