March 1, 2021

Please join us again this week on Wednesday night for worship and for our first And Who Is My Neighbor discussion. Worship is at 6pm and is in the sanctuary, Facebook, and YouTube. The discussion following starts at 6:45pm and is on Zoom. Links to all can be found at blcmankato.org/lent.
---------------------------------------------------

Our monthly mission partner for March is Connections Shelter. Please read about our commitment on the blog.
---------------------------------------------------

Are you a Thrivent member? Find out how you can maximize your giving this month.
---------------------------------------------------

The Southeastern MN Synod is proud to share 40 Together, their lenten commitment to our global partners. You can learn more here.
---------------------------------------------------

This month we celebrate our sister in Christ Gert DeRemer as she celebrates her 103rd birthday on March 22nd. If you'd like to send a card, please see the Star for her address.
---------------------------------------------------

We have our new member class coming up soon, so please remind anyone you know who has been visiting and feels ready for a greater commitment. Read all about it here.
---------------------------------------------------

Our new website and church management system, Breeze, offers so many exciting ways we can streamline our communication with you. Using Breeze to send you weekly updates is one of the ways we can keep our email list consistent and accurate (it also saves time and money!).

Additionally, our new website features a "News & Updates" blog, which you can follow right from the home page (blcmankato.org). By including all the details there, you can easily reference it at any time.

News & Updates: https://www.blcmankato.org/news-updates

The website also integrates the Events Calendar from Breeze. You can view the calendar and event descriptions on the website, but you can also check into worship and register for events by using your own Breeze account (don't have one yet? Contact Emily in the office).

Church Calendar: https://www.blcmankato.org/calendar

"Bethlehem is an inviting community that is growing in Christ, loving our neighbors, and serving God's world."

blcmankato.org (507) 388-2925
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
720 S. 2nd St. Mankato MN 56001
A Reconciling in Christ Congregation

The primary hope for 40 Together is for the people of the SEMN Synod to experience a deepened connection with their partners in Colombia, Tanzania, and along the southern border! Another special hope for the initiative is that the people of the synod get a chance to practice financial generosity and make a significant impact in the lives of our global partners. Learn more and give at semnsynod.org/events/40together

At Bethlehem, our partnership with Connections never stops, as we are a supporting church with regular volunteer hours, and our own Pr. Collette Broady Grund has been a developer from the start. This month is a focus for monetary support.

Connections continues to grow and support people experiencing homelessness in our community. Every dollar helps this important mission serve God’s people in many ways.

Send your check to the church with March Monthly Mission in the memo line, or donate on our website using the dropdown menu “Connections Shelter.” https://blcmankato.breezechms.com/give/online

Our volunteer shifts this week are almost full, but you can plan ahead and put April 12-18 on your calendar for next month. Serving at the shelter has low-contact and no-contact options.

Contact your Thrivent office to make this request. They will walk you through the steps if you’ve never done it before. Every dollar matters. Thanks so much.

February 22, 2021

Please join us this Wednesday night online or in person for worship, followed by the Partners for Housing Forum on Zoom. You can find links and information for both at blcmankato.org/lent.
---------------------------------------------------

Please share the New Member class information with your friends and family who have been visiting with us and would like to join. Read more here.
---------------------------------------------------
Have you picked up your envelopes yet? Arrange to do so soon, please! Read more here.

---------------------------------------------------

We have our next week at Connections soon! March 1-7. Read more about it and sign up on the blog.
---------------------------------------------------

Looking ahead to EASTER worship, we ask for your help in planning. Please fill out this poll to give us an idea of how many people plan to attend Easter church in person, should that be an option. https://blcmankato.breezechms.com/form/EasterInterestSurvey

---------------------------------------------------

Our new website and church management system, Breeze, offers so many exciting ways we can streamline our communication with you. Using Breeze to send you weekly updates is one of the ways we can keep our email list consistent and accurate (it also saves time and money!).

Additionally, our new website features a "News & Updates" blog, which you can follow right from the home page (blcmankato.org). By including all the details there, you can easily reference it at any time.

News & Updates: https://www.blcmankato.org/news-updates

The website also integrates the Events Calendar from Breeze. You can view the calendar and event descriptions on the website, but you can also check into worship and register for events by using your own Breeze account (don't have one yet? Contact Emily in the office).

Church Calendar: https://www.blcmankato.org/calendar

"Bethlehem is an inviting community that is growing in Christ, loving our neighbors, and serving God's world."

blcmankato.org (507) 388-2925
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
720 S. 2nd St. Mankato MN 56001
A Reconciling in Christ Congregation

Please pick up your giving envelopes if you requested them. Pick up on Sunday mornings or during church office hours (9a-4p, Tues-Thurs, call to be let in). Mailing the envelopes is quite expensive. If you can’t pick them up, let us help you arrange someone to get them for you. Call the church office or email Emily.

We are thrilled to welcome visitors and guests to our online experiences, as well as our in-person worship and events. The pandemic is ongoing and still a threat, but the work of the Lord is present at Bethlehem in so many ways.

Being a member isn’t a requirement to attend and participate in the life of Bethlehem, but becoming a member is important to many people. If you have been our guest just once or for years, you are invited to join in the membership of this church. Our first ever online membership classes start next month. To participate, please contact Pastor Jay.

Still researching? Please check out our Visitor Experience page or our Becoming a Member page.

February 15, 2021

This week on Ash Wednesday, we will start our series: And Who Is My Neighbor? . You can join us for worship in-person or online, and you can also choose how/if you receive ashes. We will offer Imposition of Ashes over the lunch hour on Ash Wednesday and after the evening service, both times in the parking lot at door 1. If you'd rather do them yourself, you can pick up ashes in the vestibule on Tuesday or Wednesday during office hours (9a-4p) or you can make your own. See full schedule on the blog.
---------------------------------------------------

Looking ahead to EASTER worship, we ask for your help in planning. Please fill out this poll to give us an idea of how many people plan to attend Easter church in person, should that be an option. https://blcmankato.breezechms.com/form/EasterInterestSurvey
---------------------------------------------------

If you ordered a meal or won an auction item, don't forget to pick them up Tuesday night from 5:30pm-7pm! Door 1 (parking lot with overhang) for meals; Door 10 (rear parking lot) for auction items.
---------------------------------------------------

We have our next week at Connections soon! March 1-7. Read more about it and sign up on the blog.
---------------------------------------------------

Our new website and church management system, Breeze, offers so many exciting ways we can streamline our communication with you. Using Breeze to send you weekly updates is one of the ways we can keep our email list consistent and accurate (it also saves time and money!).

Additionally, our new website features a "News & Updates" blog, which you can follow right from the home page (blcmankato.org). By including all the details there, you can easily reference it at any time.

News & Updates: https://www.blcmankato.org/news-updates

The website also integrates the Events Calendar from Breeze. You can view the calendar and event descriptions on the website, but you can also check into worship and register for events by using your own Breeze account (don't have one yet? Contact Emily in the office).

Church Calendar: https://www.blcmankato.org/calendar

"Bethlehem is an inviting community that is growing in Christ, loving our neighbors, and serving God's world."

blcmankato.org (507) 388-2925
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
720 S. 2nd St. Mankato MN 56001
A Reconciling in Christ Congregation

We are happy to spend another week serving at Connections Ministry and Shelter the first week of March. Please sign up as soon as you are able, so we can focus on serving our guests well.

The sign-up looks a little different for March, as Connections was able to separate the meal sign-ups into categories. Please sign up for multiple positions when you can, and indicate what you’re bringing in the comments. Click the picture or the link below to sign up.

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

February 8, 2021

Our Lenten season starts next week on Ash Wednesday. You can join us for worship in-person or online, and you can also choose how/if you receive ashes. We will offer Imposition of Ashes over the lunch hour on Ash Wednesday and after the evening service, both times in the parking lot at door 1. If you'd rather do them yourself, you can pick up ashes in the vestibule on Tuesday or Wednesday during office hours (9a-4p) or you can make your own.
---------------------------------------------------

Looking ahead to EASTER worship, we ask for your help in planning. Please fill out this poll to give us an idea of how many people plan to attend Easter church in person, should that be an option. https://blcmankato.breezechms.com/form/EasterInterestSurvey
---------------------------------------------------

The Annual Fat Tuesday dinner has NOT been cancelled! Woo-hoo! Join the Facebook event to participate in the Silent Auction (no Facebook? Connect with someone to bid on your behalf.) which is NOW LIVE! Bidding ends on Feb. 14th at 5pm. You can pick up and pay for your items on Fat Tuesday.

Want to help raise money but can't participate? Use this link to donate: https://thrivent.cotribute.co/events/484768/detail
---------------------------------------------------

We continue to promote and support our February Mission Partner: Partners for Housing.

Partners believes that the public interest is best served when all citizens have the opportunity to properly house themselves and their families in comfort and safety and, furthermore, that the cost of such housing should not be disproportionately deplete the already stretched finances of the poor and homeless. During a “normal” time, this is challenging for as many as 50% of our Blue Earth County neighbors spend 30% or more of their income on housing! This simple fact has earned Blue Earth County the designation of being a “Severe Cost-Burdened Area." Please consider a donation today.
---------------------------------------------------

Our new website and church management system, Breeze, offers so many exciting ways we can streamline our communication with you. Using Breeze to send you weekly updates is one of the ways we can keep our email list consistent and accurate (it also saves time and money!).

Additionally, our new website features a "News & Updates" blog, which you can follow right from the home page (blcmankato.org). By including all the details there, you can easily reference it at any time.

News & Updates: https://www.blcmankato.org/news-updates

The website also integrates the Events Calendar from Breeze. You can view the calendar and event descriptions on the website, but you can also check into worship and register for events by using your own Breeze account (don't have one yet? Contact Emily in the office).

Church Calendar: https://www.blcmankato.org/calendar

"Bethlehem is an inviting community that is growing in Christ, loving our neighbors, and serving God's world."

blcmankato.org (507) 388-2925
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
720 S. 2nd St. Mankato MN 56001
A Reconciling in Christ Congregation