In 1996, our organist/pianist/accompanist, Christine Schulz, recorded an original piano album to sell to raise money for a new grand piano. It was a huge success, selling over 500 copies that year at the Nordic Bazaar.

To our delight, she and Emily, our Congregational Services Coordinator, have worked together to re-release this album on YouTube for your easy enjoyment.

Christine said, “I’d just really love to make it available for Christmas this year, since it’s been such a hard year. It would be my gift to the congregation.”

Nearly an hour long and featuring 18 original arrangements of your favorites, you can listen to the music in the background, or watch and enjoy the photo compilation that joins the YouTube Video. You’ll find an artist biography accompanying the final track.

Here’s the YouTube link.

Merry Christmas from Christine!

Our volunteers had a very positive first week at the shelter Dec. 14-20. The new space is so beautiful and of course well-run by Prs. Collette and Erica and co-managed by our own Amy Haigh.

We hope to fill our next week up (Dec. 28-Jan.3) before Christmas, so our organizers can take a little break. Please take time right now to hop over to the sign-up page and commit some time or a meal. Connections is always in need of monetary support as well, which you can do from their website (connectionsshelter.org) or mail a check to Connections Ministry, 220 E. Hickory St. Mankato.

Sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0544aca922aafa7-connections

Donate directly to shelter: https://www.connectionsshelter.org

An online hymn-sing? What’s next? BLC musicians have come together to host a beautiful night of togetherness and music, LIVE on Zoom! The link to join is on the church calendar (or right here!). Nothing pre-recorded, nothing fancy, just hanging out together on zoom enjoying each other’s company and talents. If you want to feel like you’re in the Heritage Room from years past, go ahead and sit around a circular table and hang 50 coffee cups on your walls.

The fun will start at 6:30pm sharp, shortly after Pr. Jay’s 6pm Advent Evening Prayer service.

We will not be provided a program for this, so if you really want to follow along, we’ve set aside the next two days for you to pick up hymnals for the church vestibule if you desire.

Tuesday, Dec. 15, 9am-4pm

Wednesday Dec. 16, 9am-4pm

If you pick up a hymnal, please call and let us know (388-2925). Do not return them until we ask you to return them.

We’re excited to offer “The Greatest Story Ever (Re)Told” written and directed by your own Anna Wencl. The kids all recorded videos separately, making it an experience like we’ve never done. RSVP on the Facebook event, so you can easily invite your family and friends.

We can’t wait to celebrate Jesus’ birth with you! Whether you listen to the radio, join us online, or weather the cold in the parking lot, this Christmas will be unlike any other.

Don’t forget to send photos for inclusion in the online video by Dec. 22nd!

Sign up to donate at redcrossblood.org.

Please take some time to look at what ways you can serve Connections this year. Our weeks to provide volunteers are Dec. 14-20 and December 28-January 3, including an all-day shelter on New Year’s Day. No- and low-contact options are available for volunteering, and funds are always needed. Sign up at blcmankato.org/serve-at-blc.

Christmas in Christ Chapel at Gustavus this year will be virtual. Online broadcast premiere on Saturday, December 19 at 7:30 pm. To watch the premiere is free, but if you want a printed program mailed to you, you need to register by December 7 (TODAY!). You can also watch after the premiere date. Contact gustavus.edu/ccc for information. Bethlehem member Alex MacLean sings in the Gustavus Choir, but might be hard to recognize because the students are wearing masks.

Financial Peace University is a class everyone should take! It continues to change the lives of its participants years after. Get all the same great lessons from the comfort of your home! No more money stress! It’s possible when you know how to handle your finances. Join our virtual Financial Peace University class, and we’ll learn how to dump debt and build wealth. Financial Peace is free for Bethlehem members. Contact Pastor Jay or Visit fpu.com/1129784 to sign up and learn more. Class starts Monday, January 11, 2021. and runs 8 weeks on Monday nights. This class is open to the public, but is only free to Bethlehem members. Sign up today!

Our Christmas service will be different than ever before, but we still want you to be a part of it! If you would like to be a reader or a musician for Christmas (not live! record a video!), contact Laurie Rossow at 1jam@hickorytech.net or (507) 779-9114 by Dec. 14.

If you’d like a more low-key role, EVERYONE can send Emily Heinis a photo from Christmases past to include in the service. If you have pictures in the church (in front of the big tree, maybe?), even better, but all Christmas pictures will be accepted and included. Send them to blchurch@blcmankato.org by Dec. 22.