PASTORS PAGE

“Summertime, when the livin’ is easy”  From the musical, Porgy and Bess

     Summer is here. We can tell by the humidity, the heat and the smaller attendance at worship! Yes, summer is a time for travel, family reunions or just relaxing. Summer is indeed a time when we relax more, enjoy the longer days, spend time watching our kids play sports or enjoy the splash park. There is a lot that goes on in these months. There is a lot we pack into these months!

     Summer is also the time we hear some of the old familiar Bible stories. The Good Samaritan, Martha and Mary and the Lord’s Prayer. We will also be singing some of the ‘old’ hymns during the summer, so if you have a favorite, please let us know, either talk to me or Glenda, or write down your hymn and leave it in the offering plate. We will try to get to the favorites for the next couple of months.

     We are also going through things in the office and organizing, so things may look a little cramped right now, but organization is coming! We hope to update the system we use to record membership, so we may be asking you to help us out with information if we do not have it. A big summer job!

     Vacation Bible School will be here in July. Take the time to send your kids or grandkids for the evenings. It’s a great time for kids to learn the familiar stories, enjoy music and arts and crafts and of course, food and games! It is the highlight of summer in many ways!

     Summer is also a time to listen for God. You may find God in nature, in being on or in the water, in making connections to family and friends. Wherever we go, God is there. Even in the busyness we find ourselves in this season, take time to acknowledge God’s presence. Take time to pray for yourselves, your family, friends, and your church. We all need some prayers in these days.

             Summer Blessings,       Pastor Lori

Church Operations Coordinator

   We are pleased to announce that Brenda Beyer has transitioned into this role in our congregation. We have been blessed to have her serve as interim secretary and she officially began this job on June 1, but had to give notice to her other job, so began in the office on June 17. Thank you to all who prayed about this position and were interested in seeing the outcome. Welcome to Brenda. She will be in the office Tuesday through Friday, 8:00 to 1:00.

Pastor On Vacation

     Pastor Lori will be on vacation until July 7. While she is out of town, in case of an emergency, please contact Grace Lutheran in Luverne (1-507-283-4431).

July Events

     Guest Pastor for July 6 is Pastor Daryl Schubert.

     Full Council meets on July 9 at 7pm.

     VBS begins on July 20, On July 27, the VBS kids will lead worship. After worship they are hoping to go to the splash park in Beaver Creek and have pizza.

News from the Boards:

Trustees: Church Operations Coordinator is in place. Looking towards a Stewardship Letter to go out in July.

Deacons: New church directory??

Board of Education: VBS is looking for volunteers. Check out the sign up sheets if you haven’t already signed up!

Need Help?

     The youth of Bethlehem are offering to help older members with yard work this summer. Need flower beds cleaned out? Raking? Picking up branches? You must be a member of the congregation to receive this service. Please contact Maleeka at Maleeka.rozeboom@outlook.com or call or text her at: 605-212-0741

Summer Camp

     Reminder to youth that we do have scholarships for Camp this summer. Lake Shetek has several camping opportunities, see the brochures in the narthex.

Tuff Home Anniversary

     The 65th Anniversary of the Tuff Home will be held on Sunday, July 27. They are hosting an event for residents, their families and staff in the courtyard that day. Please RSVP to Tuff by July 11 if you plan to attend. Food is served from 11:30-noon and music from noon until 1:30pm.

Prayer Circle

     We are working to revive a Prayer Circle at Bethlehem. If you would like to be on the list to receive an email of prayer requests, please let the church office know. If you have already received the email, we appreciate your response. The purpose is to hold one another in prayer and everyone is welcome to share their need with the prayer circle. Maybe we need a Text Prayer Circle as well? If you are interested in that, please let the office know!

Summer Reading Bingo

     All ages are invited to participate in our Summer Reading Bingo program. Pick up a ‘card’ in the narthex and complete a bingo by reading to win a prize. If you continue to read, you may complete a blackout and be entered to win an even bigger prize! So, get your cards, read this summer and win something fun! Please turn your cards in by the end of August.

Joys and Concerns

+ Kathryn Erickson fell at home and is recovering at Tuff Home after a short hospital stay. Keep her in your prayers for a good recovery.

+  Karen Soehl has been struggling with eye issues. Things are slowly improving. Please hold her in your prayers for her sight to improve.

+  Dawn Leenderts is recovering from abdominal surgery.  Please keep her in your prayers as she continues to regain strength.

+ Thanks be to God for the positive results from experimental radiation and chemo for sinonasal undifferentiated  cancer for Randy Beyer’s son, Ryan! He will continue chemo every three weeks at Mayo Clinic in an attempt to keep this very aggressive and rare cancer at bay.

+ Thanks to all who represented Bethlehem at Friendship Days! From being in the parade, planning, helping with worship, putting together the bulletin, being a part of the vendor fair, we were well represented!

+ Traveling Storytime in the park in Hills on July 9 and 23, 10:30am. Join in the fun from the Rock County Library when it comes to Hills!

+ People stop by the church to look at the cemetery and sanctuary during the summer. We had a couple from Colorado and a couple from Indiana stop by and pay their respects to family members buried in the cemetery. The nice thing is they often leave donations for the church or purchase a quilt! You never know who or how ministry affects others!

+ Remember to recycle your bulletins on Sunday mornings. We also recycle bottles and cans, so if you are drinking water or soda, please recycle those items. This applies to the basement as well as the main floor!

+ Thank You to Randy Beyer for faithfully mowing at the church each week and to our gardeners, who come by and work on the bushes and plants around the church. It does look nice!

+  Thank You to Jan Solberg who regularly brings flowers from her gardens to share with us on Sunday mornings! They are a wonderful addition as we praise God and all of creation.

May Statistics

Income:           $7,067.00

Expenses:       $11,791.60

Amount behind budget: -$27,331.38

Your giving is important! It takes many gifts to meet the budget. We are thankful for all gifts given to the church. Please remember to drop off your offering before you go out of town, give electronically or send in a check to the church to help us meet the needs each month. Your regular giving makes a difference.

End of Year HBC High School News:

+ Congratulations to the following Bethlehem members who were on the A Honor Roll for 4th quarter: Mya Erickson, Abigayl Olson, Regan Spath, Haven Kerhove-Brandt and Karissa Kerhove-Brandt. Mya, Abby, Haven and Karissa were also on the A Honor Roll for 2nd Semester. B Honor Roll was Auston Olson, also for 2nd Semester. Regan Spath was on the B Honor Roll for 2nd Semester.

+ High School Choir received Superior ratings in Large Group contests and Mya Erickson and Abigayl Olson received superior ratings for their duet.

+ High School Concert Band received Excellent ratings at contest. Band members include: Haven Kerhove-Brandt, Karissa Kerhove-Brandt and Auston Olson.

+ Congratulations to Abigayl Olson who competed in the State Golf competition!

We are proud of all of our high school students! Congratulations on a school year completed and looking forward to the new year ahead!

School Supplies

     It seems like school just got out, but it will soon be time for the kids to return. There are some things needed at HBC schools that you could help with! When supplies go on sale in the next couple of months, please pick up something that the school could use! They need:

 Dry erase markers (all colors)

 Glue Sticks

 2 pocket folders with prongs

 Pencils

 Pens

 Assorted 2 pocket folders without prongs

     The Care Closet at the High School could use person hygiene products including travel size shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, tooth brushes, body wash, lotion, etc. (If you are traveling this summer and staying in hotels, bring back the complimentary toiletries to add to the collection.)

     Donations may be left in the basket in the narthex!

     This is a way to reach out and connect to the schools in our area. Please care for the young people of our community with your donations.

Quilts

     Remember that quilts are for sale! The cost is $35, you may pay Jan Solberg, Peggy Goettsch or Lori Rentschler, or bring your money to the office, where it will be directed to the quilters. Quilts make wonderful gifts for a wedding, new baby, a new home, or just to enjoy! Check out the quilts the next time you are at worship.

     50 quilts for kids will be donated to a camp for foster children. They are busy completing special children’s quilts to donate. We are thankful for all the women who come and quilt and socialize every week! Sometimes there are 12 or more at work!

Cleaning/Organizing/Recycling

     We are busy going through cupboards and storage areas and discovering many treasures. So far we have found the newspaper article that describes what is in our time capsule and yes, there is one! We are keeping historical items, but recycling things that are out of date, unusable or no longer needed. Floppy discs, CDs and the like are out the door. If there is something particular to a group, like BLCW or Sunday School, we will ask before we get rid of it!

Looking Ahead

August 15—Fire/Smores and move night at church, open to the community.  More details coming!

August 23—Bridal Shower for Kelly Warner. Registered at Target and Amazon.

September 7—Rally Sunday, blessing of backpacks along with teachers/paras.

October 4—Fall Festival on Main.  Fall themed carnival games and activities.  Volunteers needed!  BLC has been invited to host a booth.  We are looking for creative and enthusiastic volunteers to help plan and run a simple fall-themed activity or carnival game.  If you would like to be part of the committee to represent Bethlehem and bless our community, please contact the office. Let’s work together to share joy and God’s love right here in our town!

NOTE FROM EGYPT-

Tom Goehle writes—No changes here in Egypt. I spent the day traveling all over the city and suburbs via various Ubers, Shopped for toys,  chairs, curtains, tables and school supplies for Baby Joy Nursery in Garbage City and walked the streets freely as normal. 

I’m sure people have their feelings about what is going on, and some stronger than others.  In reality, day to day activities carry on as normal.  Other areas of ministry are going well.  Officially putting on a Basketball camp and coaches clinic for Egyptian Basketball Federation the 3rd week in July. 

I am completely at peace over here, and stay alert and aware, as well as listen closely to the Holy Spirit.  Thanks for your prayers. I’m in good hands….His Hands!