Dear Friends in Christ,
A few months ago we received a thank you note.
There wasn’t a signature but we know it didn’t come
from anyone who attends our church. The card
expressed deep gratitude for the important role
Bethlehem has played in providing a safe space for
their support group to meet for the last several
years. The group can’t afford market rate for rent.
They can’t afford not to meet. Ensuring that they
are able to use our facility gives them the space they
need to find healing.
Of course, there’s nothing free about the space. There are all kinds of costs
that come with maintaining both of our facilities, providing programming,
and creating ministries that meet the needs of those we serve. But this
congregation believes that what is given to us is a sacred trust, freely given
to us by God, to be used for God’s work in the world.
On Sunday, October 28 we will be collecting your pledge in worship. You
have made a commitment to be a part of this congregation. You worship
with us. You pray with us. You learn and grow with us. You serve with us.
You’re in this with us. Your pledge helps us to make big plans for 2019. Your
pledge makes it possible for this congregation to create a responsible
budget. It gives us the ability to implement God sized dreams. It helps us to
make space for and respond to people in need.
In making your commitment you will be saying to the nearly 4000 others
who call Bethlehem their church home that our work together makes a
difference for this world that God loves.
It may be said that nothing in life is free but we hold fast to the truth that
God provides all we need and that there’s nothing that separates us from
God’s love in Christ Jesus. In his letter to the Ephesians Paul writes, “For it is
by grace that you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from
yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Through Jesus we encounter God’s gifts of
abundant life, hope, freedom and a future. And it’s all free. Together we join
in responding to that freedom.
Pastor Mary Pechauer
Pastor Ben Cieslik
Because of your generosity, many dreams
were realized in 2018. Here are just a few:
• 431 people of all ages engaged in new experiences
over the summer that challenged them to grow in
faith: Vacation Bible School , Bible Camp, Voyager
Canoeing, City Stays and traveling to
Israel/Palestine. From one participant who traveled
to Israel/Palestine: “Because of this experience I am
more willing to speak out about issues I care
about...this trip was inspiring and transformative.”
• We increased our commitment to Habitat for
Humanity for two weeks this summer. 65 workers,
donating almost 900 hours to work on new
construction in north Minneapolis. Now there is one
more affordable home for a family in the Twin
Cities.
• More than 450 people received support through
Starfish ministry, a collaborative ministry with
Judson Baptist. Volunteers meet with people
one-on-one to offer care, direct resources and
provide financial support. Every story is unique.
Lives are changed. Hope is restored.
What dreams might be realized in 2019
because of your ongoing generosity?