Bethlehem’s Annual Appeal invites you to prayerfully consider your financial commitment for 2027.

Growing Together celebrates the life we share—rooted in Christ, nourished to share, and growing together. We see that growth when a child finds a place to belong, when music gives voice to someone’s faith, and when a neighbor receives care during a difficult season. Your generosity helps make these moments possible as we live our vision: Alive Together: A New Creation in Christ.

Your giving supports Bethlehem’s everyday ministry: worship, music, pastoral care, faith formation, community partnerships, and the people and spaces that make it all possible across our three worshipping communities.

A pledge helps Bethlehem’s leaders plan faithfully for the year ahead. When you share what you intend to give, you help us prepare for the ministry we will do together.

As you consider your commitment, reflect on these questions:

• How has Bethlehem helped you and your loved ones grow?
• What would you like to help make possible for someone else?

The circumstances and timing of our Lead Pastor’s absence might leave us with questions. It’s natural to want more information about what happens next. We also have a meaningful role as stewards of this congregation. Through care for Pastor Chris, his family, and one another, we practice Christ-centered relationships. By respecting personal matters and tending to the ministry entrusted to us together, we invest in the health and strength of Bethlehem’s future.

Council has unanimously named Pastor Meta Herrick Carlson as Acting Lead Pastor during Pastor Chris’s leave. This temporary role supports shared leadership and decision-making as Council and staff continue guiding Bethlehem’s work.

Your annual giving supports worship, music, faith formation, pastoral care, and service in our communities. That ministry continues through the gifts and leadership of many people, including you. Making a pledge for 2027 helps Bethlehem plan faithfully and build on the good momentum we share across Minneapolis, Minnetonka, and Spirit Garage.

If you have questions as you consider your commitment, please reach out using the contact information below.

These two calendars serve different purposes. Bethlehem’s July–June fiscal year allows us to budget for a full ministry and program year, from fall activities through the following summer.

Annual pledges follow January–December, aligning with how many households plan their finances and track charitable gifts for tax purposes. Your annual contribution statement reflects gifts received during that calendar year—not your pledged amount—so keeping pledges on the same schedule makes it easier to follow your progress and review your giving.

Your calendar-year pledge helps Bethlehem plan ministry across two fiscal years. While the timelines differ, both support thoughtful planning and faithful use of the gifts entrusted to us.

Make or renew your pledge for 2027. If you’re able, prayerfully consider increasing your giving to help Bethlehem’s ministry continue to grow.

Submit your pledge online at blctcmn.co/pledge or return your pledge form during worship on Commitment Sunday, October 25. You may also return it to the church office.

Whatever the size of your gift, your participation matters. Thank you for the generosity and care you bring to Bethlehem.

The Growing Together Annual Appeal supports Bethlehem’s ongoing ministry through our yearly operating budget.

The Building the Future Capital Campaign, launched in spring 2026, invites gifts beyond annual giving commitments to support debt reduction, facility renewal, and investments in Bethlehem’s future ministry.

If you have made a Building the Future commitment, thank you! We invite you to make or renew your annual pledge as well. These commitments serve different purposes, and both help our shared ministry flourish.

Pledging is sharing what you intend to give during the coming year. It helps Bethlehem plan for ministry.

Giving is making your financial contributions. You can fulfill your pledge through automatic recurring gifts, checks, or another method that works for your household.

A pledge is a statement of intent, not a legal contract. If your circumstances change, your pledge can change too. Please contact us so we can update your commitment.

Your pledge shares what you intend to give in 2027; automatic recurring giving is one way to fulfill that commitment. Even if you already give automatically, please make or renew your pledge for the coming year so Bethlehem can plan faithfully.

If you’re new to automatic giving, this is a great time to begin! The Eliason Fund will give an additional $100 to Bethlehem in your honor when you start a new recurring gift. This $5,000 challenge supports the first 50 households to begin recurring giving. Whether you give $10 a week, $100 a month, or another amount meaningful to you, your participation matters.

Submit your pledge at blctcmn.co/pledge and set up or adjust recurring giving at blctcmn.co/give.

Submitting a pledge does not create or change scheduled gifts in Realm. If your pledge amount changes, please update your recurring giving separately.

• Online: Submit your 2027 pledge at blctcmn.co/pledge.
• In worship: Return your printed pledge form on Commitment Sunday, October 25.
• By mail or at the office: Return your pledge form to Bethlehem Lutheran Church Twin Cities, 4100 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55409.

You can fulfill your pledge weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annually, according to what works for your household.

Giving is a practice of gratitude and trust. Choose the method that works best for you:

• Online through Realm: Make a one-time gift or set up recurring giving at blctcmn.co/give.
• By text: Text BLCTC to 73256 and follow the link you receive. Standard text rates apply.
• In worship: Place cash or a check in the offering plate.
• By mail: Send a check to:
  Bethlehem Lutheran Church Twin Cities
  4100 Lyndale Ave. S.
  Minneapolis, MN 55409

Yes. These are additional ways to support Bethlehem:

• Stock or securities: Contact us before making a transfer for current instructions and to help us identify and acknowledge your gift.
• IRA gifts: Contact us for information about directing a gift to Bethlehem. Your IRA administrator or tax adviser can help determine whether a Qualified Charitable Distribution is appropriate for you.
• Donor-advised fund: You may recommend a grant to Bethlehem through your fund’s sponsoring organization.

An estate gift can be a meaningful way to extend your generosity and support the ministry that has helped you and your loved ones grow.

You can include Bethlehem Lutheran Church Twin Cities, the Bethlehem Lutheran Foundation, or both in your plans. Contact us to learn more and connect with the appropriate person.

For questions about pledging, giving, automatic giving in Realm, or planned gifts, contact Whitney Stofflet, Director of Development & Creative, at [email protected] or 612-312-3370.