October 25, 2021

A note from Anna about Trunk or Treat: We’re planning a fun night of Trunk or Treat starting Wednesday at 6:45 pm. Stay tuned to our Facebook groups for any weather updates as scattered showers are predicted. Never fear: we will have two campfires & cider to keep everyone warm. If you have any last-minute candy donations, they can be dropped off during office hours on Tuesday. More details on the blog.

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The Fair Trade Committee is excited to celebrate with the City of Mankato for being a Fair Trade City for 10 years. Please join the community with events all month, including a bazaar here at Bethlehem on Nov. 7th. See the blog for more details.
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A Note from the Stewardship Board: Relationships are what stewardship is all about. There are times of scarcity and abundance in all our lives, and stewardship calls us to creatively use God's gifts to follow Jesus' command to love God and our neighbor. Stewardship is a commitment of time and talents--and if necessary, money. 
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Save the Date for the Fall Semi-Annual Meeting on Sunday, November 14 immediately after the worship service. The council forum to answer questions about the budget is the Sunday before, Nov. 7, so please come to both if you have questions. 
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The October Mission Partner is ECHO Food Shelf. You can learn more on the blog. Donate here.

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Please remember our current mask policy: As we enter the busyness of fall, a reminder that in accordance with current CDC COVID-19 guidelines, Bethlehem requires masks for all public gatherings inside the building, including worship and Wednesday night events, during times of substantial or high levels of community transmission. Private gatherings of small groups, where all participants are fully vaccinated, may continue to remove their masks.

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Are you a member of our Facebook group? We post needs, news, and other fun things there, and you're encouraged to share as well. Check it out: https://www.facebook.com/groups/blcfam

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

Church Calendar: https://www.blcmankato.org/calendar
"Every person supports a cause. It may not be our cause, but that's OK. See what's going on in your church and in your community and get involved with something that touches your heart. Think about it, pray about it and then just do it. Live beyond yourself." --Living Lutheran, Sept. 2021

"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

October 18, 2021

One of my favorite words is liminal.  It is one of those words that is fun to say (one of my other favorite words is llama) but it is also a word that helps us to understand the times we are living in now.  Liminal time is a time of between, when you end one reality and aren’t quite sure what is ahead or if you really know where you are going.  Living in a liminal time is one of discovering what the next reality is going to be.  I’m excited about joining Bethlehem as your Transitional Pastor, working alongside you as you work through this liminal time.

I currently live in Geneva MN where I serve Community Lutheran as their pastor.  It is a part time call allowing me the time to serve Bethlehem part time as well.  My husband John and I have 5 children, the two oldest are at college.  The other three attend NRHEG in New Richland, a senior, an 8th grader and a 6th grader.  Life is busy at our house and we enjoy every minute of it.

I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone and working alongside you. --Pr. Kristen

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More details on the blog.

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Our first week for serving at Connections Shelter starts Oct. 25th! Please sign up here to provide and/or serve meals, and here to work as a morning greeter. We will also be having a supply drive. Stay tuned for details. Thank you!
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The Fair Trade Committee is excited to celebrate with the City of Mankato for being a Fair Trade City for 10 years. Please join the community with events all month, including a bazaar here at Bethlehem on Nov. 7th. See the blog for more details.
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Don't forget to wear RED on Oct. 31 for Reformation Sunday!
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A Note from the Stewardship Board: Stewardship is about so much more than money. Stewadrship, at its core, is about love. It is one of the primary ways that we live out Jesus' commandment to love God and our neighbor with our whole beings. Changing the stewardship culture of the congregation takes time and hard work, but a few small, intentional steps in the right direction can go a long way. 
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Save the Date for the Fall Semi-Annual Meeting on Sunday, November 14 immediately after the worship service. The council forum to answer questions about the budget is the Sunday before, Nov. 7, so please come to both if you have questions. 
***
The October Mission Partner is ECHO Food Shelf. You can learn more on the blog. Donate here.

***
Please remember our current mask policy: As we enter the busyness of fall, a reminder that in accordance with current CDC COVID-19 guidelines, Bethlehem requires masks for all public gatherings inside the building, including worship and Wednesday night events, during times of substantial or high levels of community transmission. Private gatherings of small groups, where all participants are fully vaccinated, may continue to remove their masks.

***

Are you a member of our Facebook group? We post needs, news, and other fun things there, and you're encouraged to share as well. Check it out: https://www.facebook.com/groups/blcfam

***

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

Church Calendar: https://www.blcmankato.org/calendar
"Every person supports a cause. It may not be our cause, but that's OK. See what's going on in your church and in your community and get involved with something that touches your heart. Think about it, pray about it and then just do it. Live beyond yourself." --Living Lutheran, Sept. 2021

"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

October 11, 2021

Today is Indigenous Peoples’ Day! Join us as we honor and celebrate the culture, diversity, resilience and spirituality of Indigenous peoples. The City of Mankato and the ELCA celebrate this holiday, and we're proud to be part of both communities. You can learn about the ELCA's declaration here. 

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Our first week for serving at Connections Shelter starts Oct. 25th! Please sign up here to provide and/or serve meals, and here to work as a morning greeter. We will also be having a supply drive. Stay tuned for details. Thank you!
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More details on the blog.
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The Fair Trade Committee is excited to celebrate with the City of Mankato for being a Fair Trade City for 10 years. Please join the community with events all month, including a bazaar here at Bethlehe on Nov. 7th. See the blog for more details.
***
Don't forget to wear RED on Oct. 31 for Reformation Sunday!
***
Hurricane Ida impacted many. Peace Lutheran Church in Slidell, Louisiana will be taking a team to help affected people recover. Bob and Janell Spelbrink are using their Thrivent action teams to partner with Peace Lutheran. One action team will provide one meal to 150 plus individuals, while the other is requesting gift cards for Wal Mart, Lowes or Home Depot for supplies to be used in the recovery in the New Orleans area. If you are able to support this important effort, please leave your gift card donation at the church office by October 15th. Questions? Please call Janell at 507-363-4628.

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James & Linda (Bentdahl) Bristol will be celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary on October 16th, 2021. They were married at Bethlehem Church by Pastor Walker. Card Shower may be sent to 200 Malin Street, Mankato, Mn. 56001.
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Save the Date for the Fall Semi-Annual Meeting on Sunday, November 14 immediately after the worship service. The council forum to answer questions about the budget is the Sunday before, Nov. 7, so please come to both if you have questions.
***
Please remember our current mask policy: As we enter the busyness of fall, a reminder that in accordance with current CDC COVID-19 guidelines, Bethlehem requires masks for all public gatherings inside the building, including worship and Wednesday night events, during times of substantial or high levels of community transmission. Private gatherings of small groups, where all participants are fully vaccinated, may continue to remove their masks.

***

Are you a member of our Facebook group? We post needs, news, and other fun things there, and you're encouraged to share as well. Check it out: https://www.facebook.com/groups/blcfam

***

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

 Church Calendar: https://www.blcmankato.org/calendar
"Every person supports a cause. It may not be our cause, but that's OK. See what's going on in your church and in your community and get involved with something that touches your heart. Think about it, pray about it and then just do it. Live beyond yourself." --Living Lutheran, Sept. 2021

"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

October 4, 2021

Learn more about the October Monthly Mission on our blog. Donate here! 

More details on the blog.

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The Fair Trade Committee is excited to celebrate with the City of Mankato for being a Fair Trade City for 10 years. Please join the community with events all month, including a bazaar here at Bethlehe on Nov. 7th. See the blog for more details.
***
Hurricane Ida impacted many. Peace Lutheran Church in Slidell, Louisiana will be taking a team to help affected people recover. Bob and Janell Spelbrink are using their Thrivent action teams to partner with Peace Lutheran. One action team will provide one meal to 150 plus individuals, while the other is requesting gift cards for Wal Mart, Lowes or Home Depot for supplies to be used in the recovery in the New Orleans area. If you are able to support this important effort, please leave your gift card donation at the church office by October 15th. Questions? Please call Janell at 507-363-4628.

***
James & Linda (Bentdahl) Bristol will be celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary on October 16th, 2021. They were married at Bethlehem Church by Pastor Walker. Card Shower may be sent to 200 Malin Street, Mankato, Mn. 56001.
***

Please remember our current mask policy: As we enter the busyness of fall, a reminder that in accordance with current CDC COVID-19 guidelines, Bethlehem requires masks for all public gatherings inside the building, including worship and Wednesday night events, during times of substantial or high levels of community transmission. Private gatherings of small groups, where all participants are fully vaccinated, may continue to remove their masks.

***

Are you a member of our Facebook group? We post needs, news, and other fun things there, and you're encouraged to share as well. Check it out: https://www.facebook.com/groups/blcfam

***

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
"Every person supports a cause. It may not be our cause, but that's OK. See what's going on in your church and in your community and get involved with something that touches your heart. Think about it, pray about it and then just do it. Live beyond yourself." --Living Lutheran, Sept. 2021

"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

Our October monthly mission is near and dear to the hearts of many as we work together to provide food to families in our area that experience "food insecurity". Established in 1981 in a church basement, ECHO (Emergency Community Help Organization) has grown in size and community need. Clients are offered fresh produce, bread, perishable items, canned and frozen meat, dairy and dry goods. ECHO delivers to those that are unable to get to the food shelf, provides a Summer Feeding Program to fill the meal gap when school is not in session, formula vouchers to families with children under 1-year old, and a Thanksgiving meal in November are only a few of the ways they support our community. The Community and Global Mission Board has set a $3,000 goal for October to support ECHO. We appreciate Bethlehem's generosity in both volunteer and monetary support.

Families are invited to join us for our annual Trunk or Treat party in the parking lot! The fun will look a little different again this year, but it won’t stop us from having a great time together! Contact Anna to volunteer, or just drop off candy in the office by Tuesday, Oct. 26.

Mankato is celebrating 10 years as a Fair Trade Town. After the service on November 7th, there will be a Fair Trade Bazaar in the narthex with clothing, coffee & chocolate, household items, and gifts. See you there!

September 27, 2021

Join us for dinner on Wednesday nights! 

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On behalf of the congregation the Endowment Board is thankful for the opportunity to determine how to share the Fund's earnings with many worthwhile causes and missions. We invite the congregation to share this opportunity by submitting ideas and by supporting Bethlehem's Endowment Fund. 'Request for Funds' forms are available online and also on the counter outside the office.

***

Hurricane Ida impacted many. Peace Lutheran Church in Slidell, Louisiana will be taking a team to help affected people recover. Bob and Janell Spelbrink are using their Thrivent action teams to partner with Peace Lutheran. One action team will provide one meal to 150 plus individuals, while the other is requesting gift cards for Wal Mart, Lowes or Home Depot for supplies to be used in the recovery in the New Orleans area. If you are able to support this important effort, please leave your gift card donation at the church office by October 15th. Questions? Please call Janell at 507-363-4628.
***
The Adult Education Board has resumed forums on select Sunday mornings at a new time! The Star Monthly Newsletter had a typo and there is NO FORUM this Sunday, October 3rd. The next forum is October 10th, and it's Planning for Long Term Care. Learn more at blcmankato.org/adult-education

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James & Linda (Bentdahl) Bristol will be celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary on October 16th, 2021. They were married at Bethlehem Church by Pastor Walker. Card Shower may be sent to 200 Malin Street, Mankato, Mn. 56001.
***
Please remember our current mask policy: As we enter the busyness of fall, a reminder that in accordance with current CDC COVID-19 guidelines, Bethlehem requires masks for all public gatherings inside the building, including worship and Wednesday night events, during times of substantial or high levels of community transmission. Private gatherings of small groups, where all participants are fully vaccinated, may continue to remove their masks.

***

Are you a member of our Facebook group? We post needs, news, and other fun things there, and you're encouraged to share as well. Check it out: https://www.facebook.com/groups/blcfam

***

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

"Every person supports a cause. It may not be our cause, but that's OK. See what's going on in your church and in your community and get involved with something that touches your heart. Think about it, pray about it and then just do it. Live beyond yourself." --Living Lutheran, Sept. 2021

"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

September 20, 2021

Have you filled out your Time and Talent Survey yet??? The deadline is this week! Click here to submit online or grab a paper copy in church. With this request, we are reminded of the great quotation the Community & Global Missions Board sent in from Living Lutheran this month: "Every person supports a cause. It may not be our cause, but that's OK. See what's going on in your church and in your community and get involved with something that touches your heart. Think about it, pray about it and then just do it. Live beyond yourself."
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NEW OFFICE HOURS: With fall programming up and running, we will keep the office open until 5pm Tuesday-Thursday, and remained closed on Monday and Friday. Please call to make an appointment outside these hours. 

***
On behalf of the congregation the Endowment Board is thankful for the opportunity to determine how to share the Fund's earnings with many worthwhile causes and missions. We invite the congregation to share this opportunity by submitting ideas and by supporting Bethlehem's Endowment Fund. 'Request for Funds' forms are available online and also on the counter outside the office.

***

Bishop Hassanally sent a lovely letter this week? Did you read it? Check it out here. Some important info in this week's RC Weekly, too, the email from our synod.

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The Adult Education Board has resumed forums on select Sunday mornings at a new time! This week's forum is Do You Still Know the Rules of the Road? Description: We will be doing a "Kahoot game" to see if you still know driving laws. We will also see what you know with some of the newer rules in driving. You can just play along for fun. Or you can also use a cell phone or a computer, if you bring it along. Presenter: Todd Hanselman, a member who has taught drivers education for Safety and Respect in Mankato as well as social studies at the River Bend Education District’s Imprints Program in New Ulm. He has a social studies teaching degree and a masters in emotional/behavioral disorders from Minnesota State. Todd also has a teaching license in drivers education from St. Cloud State and has been teaching drivers education professionally since 1999. See you in the Heritage Room at 10:30! Bring your coffee up!

The recording from last Sunday's forum, "We're RIC: Now what?!?!" is available in the BLC Family & Friends Facebook group. Are you a member? Click here to join.

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Please remember our current mask policy: As we enter the busyness of fall, a reminder that in accordance with current CDC COVID-19 guidelines, Bethlehem requires masks for all public gatherings inside the building, including worship and Wednesday night events, during times of substantial or high levels of community transmission.  Private gatherings of small groups, where all participants are fully vaccinated, may continue to remove their masks.  

***
Join Pastor Jay and the Welcome and Inclusion Board as we support the education sub-committee of South Central Pride. On Thursday, September 23, starting at 6:00 PM, they will be hosting a public viewing of the new documentary film, “Pray Away,” at the Centenary United Methodist Church in downtown Mankato. This documentary deals with the harmful practice of so-called ‘conversion therapy,’ and its impact on the LGBTQIA+ community. The film also examines the culpability of Christian churches and the significant role certain denominations and churches played in supporting this harmful practice.

After viewing the movie, there will be a panel discussion that will give folks a chance to publicly share their own stories related to this topic. Many members of the LGBTQIA+ community have harrowing stories to tell of the traumas they endured in the name Christianity and this destructive practice. By involving you and other local churches, we hope to have an audience of Christian allies present to bear witness to the harm this practice has caused, offer support or just listen, and/or apologize for the past actions of the Christian church. Perhaps there can even be moments of reconciliation.
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Are you a member of our Facebook group? We post needs, news, and other fun things there, and you're encouraged to share as well. Check it out: https://www.facebook.com/groups/blcfam

***

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

September 14, 2021

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors,

as though God were making his appeal through us.

2 Corinthians 5:20

To the People of God in the Southeastern Minnesota Synod,

I had a colleague whose mother told him every time he left the house as a child, “Remember, you’re a Josephson.” She was, on his way out the door, reminding him of who he was and the reality that he represented more than just himself. He was a Josephson, and that meant something.1

I have long understood…(click here to read the rest of Bishop Hassanally’s letter)