Renew & Restore : 2026 Commitment Appeal
At Bethlehem, we believe God is calling us into a future that is Alive Together—A New Creation in Christ. This year, our annual appeal takes shape around the theme Renew & Restore—a reminder that God is always at work, breathing new life into us and restoring us for the journey ahead.
This is a sacred hope: God delights in refreshing lives, healing what is wounded, strengthening what is weak, and bringing new life where sameness has settled. We get to be part of that unfolding — God’s creative partnership is open to us.
Scripture shows us again and again that renewal is God’s habit: faint hearts are lifted, scattered people are drawn into community, and overlooked potential is awakened. This isn’t someday; it’s now. God’s Spirit is moving in our congregation—in worship that lifts hearts, in meals shared across generations, in youth and adults learning together, and in service that restores hope to neighbors near and far.
Our vision of ‘Alive Together’ has guided our pastors, staff, and lay leaders as we have prayed, listened, and discerned God’s direction for Bethlehem. Out of this work comes Bethlehem’s Three-Year Congregational Goal Matrix (back page)— rooted in our Vision, Mission, and Values. It outlines how, together, we will:
- Grow in worship and community life
- Strengthen discipleship across all generations
- Build faithful and effective leadership
- Practice transformational generosity
- Expand our mission in the world
- Care for the health of our whole organization (people, partners, property)
These goals are not just about what we will do—they are about who God is calling us to be. A church that is alive, courageous, and grounded in the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Why Your Support Matters
Bethlehem’s 2025–2026 operating budget calls for a $250,000 increase in generosity, which is an additional $5,000 in giving per week. This is a faithful stretch—one that reflects our trust in God’s abundance and our congregation’s strength and generosity. This may sound like a significant amount of money, but with over 2500 households who call Bethlehem home, this is a goal we can achieve together. While Bethlehem, like many congregations, has seen shifts in giving patterns over the years, the Bethlehem community remains strong and poised for the future. Your gifts make it possible to:
- Embody radical hospitality through our Reconciling in Christ process and hospitality initiatives.
- Walk alongside neighbors in housing and food justice, deepening partnerships and advocacy.
- Invest in the next generation of church and community leaders through intergenerational faith formation and spiritual leadership development.
- Sustain vibrant worship, music, and digital ministry that reach far beyond our walls.
- Nurture a culture of belonging, storytelling, and care for one another.
This vision will be realized as we come together in generosity. Your financial support, prayer, and presence are vital to helping Bethlehem live into these goals. Together, we will restructure our ministries and budgets, measure our impact in new ways, and step boldly into the future God is calling us toward.
We invite you to make a financial commitment for 2026 that reflects both gratitude and anticipation. Consider growing your generosity in one of the following ways:
- Make your first gift in any amount
- Increase by $1 per day for the year
- Increase by $10 per week, the average needed by each giving household
- Increase by $24 per week, about the cost of a weekly coffee run
- Increase by doubling your current offering amount
- Add a 13th payment (for monthly donors, one extra gift during the year)
Together, let’s become the church the world needs: alive, courageous, and rooted in the good news of Jesus Christ. Join us in this journey by making your commitment today.
Please contact Whitney Stofflet, Director of Stewardship & Creative, with any questions.
Make your pledge via realm
Renew & Restore Stewardship Devotional
As we enter this season of renewal, we invite you to journey with us through the Renew & Restore Stewardship Devotional. Each day offers a brief scripture and reflection to help center your heart in gratitude and generosity. Together, we’ll reflect on how God is renewing us from within—restoring our spirits and inspiring us to live generously for the sake of the world. Pick up your a physical copy at the Stewardship table each Sunday.
Giving FAQs
Bethlehem’s Annual Campaign is our invitation to prayerfully consider your financial commitment for the coming year. “Renew & Restore” reminds us that God is always at work—renewing hearts, restoring community, and breathing new life into the ministries that help us live our vision: Alive Together — A New Creation in Christ.
Gifts to the Annual Campaign support Bethlehem’s yearly operating budget—our day-to-day ministry, like worship, pastoral care, our music programs, faith formation and so much more.
Your pledge helps Bethlehem’s leaders plan responsibly for the year ahead. Together, our commitments make possible all the ministry we share—staffing, programming, care ministries, and inside and outside the walls of our three worshipping communities. With over 2500 households that call Bethlehem home, each commitment helps us toward our goal to increase by $5,000 per week.
The Annual Campaign supports Bethlehem’s ongoing ministry—our operating budget that funds worship, staff, programs, and community partnerships each year.
The Capital Campaign, which will launch in 2026, will invite us to give beyond our annual commitments toward larger, one-time projects that strengthen our shared mission and prepare Bethlehem for the future—things like facility renewal, debt reduction, benevolence or expanded ministry spaces and programs.
Both campaigns are part of one story: living faithfully and investing in a vibrant future together. The Annual Campaign sustains our ministry today; the Capital Campaign will help us build for tomorrow.
The “All-In” campaigns were a noble experiment—an attempt to bring all giving under one umbrella to support both annual ministry and facility needs. While the intention was faithful and creative, the results weren’t sustainable. It became difficult to clearly plan for the resources needed to sustain the daily life of the congregation while also preparing for long-term ministry growth and facility investment.
Our annual (operating) budget is the engine that powers Bethlehem’s mission and values every single day. It funds worship and pastoral care, youth and children’s ministries, music and outreach, staff salaries, utilities, and the programs that help us live out what it means to be Known, Challenged, and Sent. It’s how we practice radical hospitality, whole-hearted worship, Christ-centered relationships, compassionate service, and transformational generosity—the values that define us as a congregation.
Looking ahead, Bethlehem will be launching a comprehensive capital appeal in Spring 2026. This next chapter will build on what we’ve learned and invest boldly in the future—addressing our current debt, long-term capital needs, ministry investment, youth and intergenerational connection, and “outside the walls” community partnerships. These efforts align directly with the goals laid out in our Three-Year Matrix: to be Known in Connection, Challenged in Faith, and Sent in Renewal.
Each part of this plan—our annual pledge and the upcoming Capital appeal—plays a distinct and vital role in achieving our goals. The annual pledge sustains our shared life and mission today. The capital campaign will ensure we have the facilities, resources, and reach to continue being Alive Together: A New Creation in Christ for generations to come.
Pledging is your annual commitment—an expression of intent that helps Bethlehem plan for the year ahead. When you pledge, you’re saying, “I/We want to be part of what God is doing here.” Your pledge guides how we sustain ministry, support staff, care for our spaces, and live out our call to be Known, Challenged, and Sent.
Giving is how you fulfill that pledge—through your financial contributions during the year. Many people choose to automate their giving through Realm for consistency and ease, but you can give in whatever way fits your household.
A pledge is a statement of intent, not a legal contract. Like a household budget built on expected income, your pledge helps leaders plan responsibly and faithfully. And if your circumstances change, your pledge can change too. What matters most is the shared spirit of participation and generosity that keeps Bethlehem Alive Together: A New Creation in Christ.
- Online: submit a pledge via Realm here.
- Paper: return your printed pledge form from mailed packet to the Minneapolis office. Need a new copy? Download here.
Pledges may be fulfilled weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annually. Set up or adjust automatic giving in Realm at blctcmn.co/give.
Note: Submitting a new pledge does not modify any existing scheduled gifts in Realm. If your pledge amount, frequency, payment method, or card expiration changes, please update your scheduled giving in Realm separately.Contact Sara Kleckner if you need assistance with making changes to your automated giving in Realm.
Offering in worship is an act of gratitude and trust—we give because everything we have belongs to God. Your generosity is multiplied in community.
- Online (Realm): one-time or recurring gifts — blctcmn.co/give
- Text: text BLCTC to 73256 and follow the link you receive. Messages and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. Text HELP to 73256 for help. Text STOP to 73256 to cancel.
- Cash/Check: place in the offering plate or mail to:
Bethlehem Lutheran Church Twin Cities
4100 Lyndale Ave. S
Minneapolis, MN 55409
Giving From Assets
- Stock/Securities: Give via electronic transfer or physical delivery. Please notify the Stewardship Office in advance so we can acknowledge your gift for tax purposes. Use the Stock Transfer Form (insert link).
- Gifts from an IRA (QCD): If you are 70½+, you can make a Qualified Charitable Distribution directly to Bethlehem; it may count toward your RMD and be tax-free.
- Donor-Advised Fund (DAF): Recommend grants to Bethlehem from your DAF at any time.
Planned Giving
Estate planning can be a meaningful way to care for your loved ones while also supporting Bethlehem Lutheran Church Twin Cities and/or the Bethlehem Foundation.
- Church/operating gifts: Contact Executive Director, Seth Patterson
- The Bethlehem Lutheran Foundation: Contact Naomi Staruch
Reach out to Whitney Stofflet, Director of Stewardship & Creative, at 612.312.3370, with any questions regarding your giving.