This page contains current announcements for our church. It also highlights any new information added to the website. The items included on this page are grouped in the following categories and can be easily referenced by clicking on the topic of interest. Check back often as new announcements will be added frequently!
Upcoming Events at BLLH
Ways to Help
Get Involved
Opportunities to Give
Other Announcements
UPCOMING EVENTS AT BLLH
Adult Bible Information Class begins Jan. 24
This six week class is for those who have questions about the church or as a current member you would like to be refreshed on Bible basics. We meet Tuesdays at Bloomington Lutheran Church from 6:30–7:30 pm.
If you have questions, please contact the Bloomington Church office at 952-888-2475.
MLC Wind Symphony Concert at BLC
Everyone is invited on Wednesday, February 8 at 7pm at Bloomington Lutheran Church as the Martin Luther College Wind Symphony from New Ulm, MN presents an entertaining concert which includes Procession of the Nobles by Nikolai Rimsky Korsakov; Second Suite In F by Gustav Holst, The Engulfed Cathedral by Claude Debussy, and Wild Nights by Frank Ticheli. A free will offering will be taken to help defray the tour costs for our friends from MLC. We are also looking for hosts for these student musicians and their chaperones. Click here for more information or call the church office at 952-888-2475.
Courageous Living Bible Study @ BLC
As in the Courageous movie, this four week Bible Study will take a look at the Call given to all of us, the Priorities we should be focused on, what kind of Legacy are we leaving for future generations and the Faith and courage it takes to stand with Christ. This study will be held at Bloomington Lutheran Church on Sunday evenings, February 12, 19, 26 & March 4 from 6:00 - 7:30. This study is for everyone - please see this Bible Study's flier for more information.
Next Vespers Service will be March 28
at Bloomington Lutheran Church, 7:30 pm. The word “vespers” is Latin for “evening.” Last month Bloomington Living Hope started a monthly vespers service, which is not intended to replace your regular worship, but rather to enhance your worship to the Lord. It will be more of a devotional and reflective setting. Please consider taking this extra opportunity to worship our Savior!
Vacation Bible School Planned for June 18-21
Held at Living Hope from 9:00 am-Noon, June 18-21 (Monday-Thursday). For 2-year-olds to kids who've completed 3rd grade. We'd love to see your kids there!
Parents, Jr. & Sr. High Youth – watch for opportunities to get involved in the coming months.
WAYS TO HELP
Hosts Needed for MLC Students
The Martin Luther College Wind Symphony will be performing an entertaining concert at BLC on Wednesday, February 8. The college has asked us to find places for 27 pairs of students and chaperones to stay over night. Hosts are asked to pick up their students after the concert (about 8:30), provide them with an early breakfast or to go sack, and transport them back to BLC in the wee hours of Thursday, February 9 at 6:45. If you are interested in hosting, please contact the BLC office at 952-888-2475.
Feed My Starving Children Volunteer Opportunity
This volunteering opportunity is a great chance to help the hungry people all over the world by packagin specially forumulated dehydrated meals. Our group is scheduled Saturday, February 11 from 11:30 am - 1:30pm at the Eagan site. Sign-up sheets and directions to the site are located at the entry at Bloomington Lutheran and Living Hope. For more information, visit www.fmsc.org.
Bloomington Living Hope School & FundingFactory Recycling Program
This fundraiser is FREE and simple because there’s nothing to sell, no paperwork to fill out and no deadline. The program runs year-round, accumulating constant income for our efforts. But we won’t get very far without your support. Please donate your empty inkjet & laser printer cartridges, cell phones, iPods, mp3 players, laptops, digital cameras & GPS devices at any of our three locations (BLS, BLC, LH). We will recycle the donations through FundingFactory to earn new technology, recreational equipment or cash. If your business would like to support our school through this program, please call Sue Dietsche at 952-941-9047.
Volunteer at the BLH Family Homework Connection
Volunteers are needed to give homework assistance for Kindergarten - 8th grade students on Thursdays from 5:30 - 7:30 pm at BLC.
Volunteering includes:
- Reading to students or being read to by students
- Assisting with homework assignments
- Playing educational games
- Training through BLH Volunteers
- Completing a routine background check
If you wish to volunteer or have questions, please contact the Bloomington Church office at 952-888-2475.
Donate Door Prizes for the Senior Community Luncheon
Once a month a senior, community luncheon is held at BLC. Typically there are activities that include handing out inexpensive door prizes at the end. If you would like to contribute towards this, please drop your donation(s) in the church office. Thank you!
Yarn, Knitting Needles, and Crochet Hooks
Please consider donating items to the BLH Joyful Hands Crafters group. The group has been busy creating and donating items. Donations of yarn, needles and hooks may be brought to the church office labeled for Joyful Hands. Thank you!
Donate Food to Local Food Shelves
Please help our neighbors in need and donate food and services to our local food shelves: CAP Agency (Shakopee) & VEAP (Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People in Bloomington, Edina and Richfield). Make a difference in someone's life by donating any of the requested items (click here for list). Place donated items in the collection box located in the church entry. Envelopes for monetary donations are also available. Those donations may be sent individually or left in the church office. Thanks for your help!
BLH will Receive More Money from Kwik Trip Gift Card Sales
Kwik Trip Corporation is giving 10% back on our sales of gift cards. Please join with other members of our congregation, and purchase gift cards through BLH. The cards are sold in increments of $10, $20, $50 and $100 and you may order as many of each type as you would prefer. Over the years we have made quite a bit of money through this program.
To purchase gas cards through BLH, complete an order form located in the church entry (or print a form here: Kwik Trip Gas Card Order Form) and place it with your payment in the designated box at church. You pay with a check on Sunday and by the end of the week the card(s) will be mailed out to you and are ready to use.
Thank you for participating! If you have any questions, please call the Bloomington Church office at 952-888-2475.
GET INVOLVED
Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS)
Are you an expecting mother or a mother of preschoolers (birth to kindergarten)? Join other mothers who understand what you are going through and would like to join you in your mothering journey. MOPS meets at Living Hope from 7 - 9:00 pm on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month. We discuss relevant topics, have guest speakers, socialize with other moms and have fun doing a variety of activities. Childcare is provided, see our website for more information. Please join us!
Upcoming Meetings at Living Hope:
Monday, February 20: Pajama Party! Come in your comfy clothes and bring your sleeping bag and pillow. We will be watching the movie "Fireproof". Please join us!
O.W.L.S (Organization of WELS Lutheran Seniors, 55+)
Everyone is invited to attend any and all of these events
Tuesday, February 7, 9:30 am ~ Regular Meeting at Bloomington Lutheran Church
Check out our website for more information.
Do you Like to Sing?
Great! Have you sung in the past and would like to join again, or are you only available every once in awhile? That's OK! The Voices in Praise Adult Choir is always accepting new members and even members who can only be there part of the year. Our goal is to use our unified voices in song to praise and glorify God in our worship services. We typically practice on Wednesday evenings from 7:30 - 8:30pm. Please join us in the Sanctuary at Bloomington Lutheran Church on Wednesday evenings. Hope you can join us!
Interested in joining the Handbell Choir?
Everyone is welcome to become a bell ringer. You don't have to have an extensive knowledge of music in order to play handbells. Men, women and older youth who want to learn can come and have fun. Practices are on Tuesdays, 6:30pm at Bloomington Lutheran Church. If you have questions please contact Barb at 612-715-0397.
Pioneers Program for Boys & Girls
This program is for youth in 1st-8th grades. While doing lots of fun activities with other kids, students learn useful skills for living in God's world, being Christian leaders and serving our Lord in church and the community. For more information, registration forms, a schedule of events and meetings are all available on the Pioneers webpage.
Joyful Hands - Crafters for Christ
If you enjoy doing crafts you may want to check out this small group. Crafters for Christ meets monthly to share the love of Christ through the items they make. To learn more, click here.
OPPORTUNITIES TO GIVE
Now's the Time!
Support Ministry with Your IRA while Avoiding Taxes
Congress has extended a law that allows people at least 70½ years of age to make tax-free charitable contributions from their traditional or Roth Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs):
- Each IRA owner can give up to $100,000 in 2011.
- IRA gifts are not counted as part of your taxable income.
- Avoid being taxed on your minimum required distribution by donating it.
For more information on this opportunity for you and your church, please contact Lyle Strehler at 952-888-2475 or lstrehler@blh.org.
Endowment/Planned Giving
It may seem too early to discuss the end of the year, but it’s never too early to start planning. The end of the year should cause us to review our financial affairs, especially our charitable gifts during the year. There are many excellent ways to provide for loved ones and for the work of the Lord in your church and school. 1) Giving a gift through your will or living trust; 2) Designating beneficiaries of life insurance and retirement plan proceeds; 3) Gifts with retained income for you or others – Charitable Gift Annuities and Charitable Remainder Trusts. These are just a few ways to ensure that the work of spreading the gospel to all continues in our community and throughout the world. For more information on ways to make wise gifts to help with the Lord’s work, please contact Lyle Strehler at 952-888-2475 or lstrehler@blh.org; or anyone serving on the Endowment/Planned Giving Committee.
Altar Flower Chart for 2012
has been posted on the bulletin board at Bloomington Lutheran Church and in the 3-ring binder on the information table at Living Hope. Purchasing altar flowers is a beautiful way to celebrate, remember and honor people and events in our lives.
OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS
8th Grade Fundraiser at Culver's in Savage
Please help support the BLH 8th grade class as they raise money for their trip to Washington D.C. Just come on Tuesday, February 28th from 5:00–7:00 pm at the Culver's on Highway 13 in downtown Savage. Ten percent of the proceeds from the sales that evening will be donated to the class trip. We look forward to seeing you there!
New Ulm Volleyball Tournament
The tournaments at Martin Luther College are scheduled this year on March 17 for the men and March 24 for the women. If you would like to be part of a team or want more information, please contact Todd or Kay Strand at 952-233-2567 or ktstrand@hotmail.com.
Enroll your 3 or 4-year old preschoolers today
It’s time to enroll your 3 or 4 year old preschooler in our Christian Preschool classes. Preschool, for most children, will be a first experience, and our School’s purpose is to make this new part of their lives as exciting and rich as possible. Information and applications are available on our website www.bllhschool.org. If you have questions, please contact Sue Dietsche at 952-941-9047.
Starlight Variety Show - February 26, 2012
13th annual talent show presented by the students at
St. Croix Lutheran (1200 Oakdale Avenue, West St. Paul, MN 55118). This event also serves as a fundraiser to purchase non-budgeted items for the music department. Hors d'oeuvres will be served from 6:00–6:30 pm (desserts served at intermission) and 6:30 pm is the concert. Ticket Prices:
$15.00 adults pre-ordered / $20.00 adults at the door
$8.00 students pre-ordered / $15.00 students at the door
Children ages 10 and under are free. (Please include
your children in the count when you get your tickets)
Tickets will be available soon through the St. Croix Lutheran website www.StCroixLutheran.org or by calling the school, 651-455-1521 ext. 128
Job Opening at St. Croix Lutheran High School
St. Croix Lutheran High School has an opening for the position of Communications Director/Assistant to the President. A full-time, high-level office professional position that oversees and/or produces and approves printed, web, audio, and visual materials; prepares reports, manages documents, and assists the president with daily responsibilities. A degree and/or experience in communications/marketing is preferred. Job description and qualifications can be found at www.StCroixLutheran.org/helpwanted. To apply, send résumé to the school office – St. Croix Lutheran High School, 1200 Oakdale Avenue, West St. Paul, MN 55118, or email to bleier@stcroixschools.org.
Prayer and Care Ministry
Whatever your need might be, our prayer ministry stands ready to pray. Contact our prayer team at blhpray@yahoo.com or write your request and place it in the box at the Bloomington Lutheran Church location. Please also let us know how God answered your prayers so we can thank Him.
Have a Question?
If you have a question about our church, our beliefs, a recent sermon, our programs, our schedules, etc. please go to Contact Us and direct that question in an e-mail to one of our staff.
Current Happenings
This week at Bloomington Living Hope Lutheran
