BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
July 20, 2025
Our faith in a God of love leads us, by the power of the Spirit,
to follow Jesus in doing justice, loving mercy,
and walking humbly with God.
To livestream the worship service:
On Sunday morning, around 9:20 a.m. go to BCMC’s webpage at bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org and click the green button labeled LIVE STREAM on the right side of the screen, which will take you to the worship service. If you get a message in the black box that the video is unavailable, click the gray box below that says “View Live Stream on YouTube”. Anytime after the service concludes, you can watch a recording of the service at your convenience by clicking the same green LIVE STREAM button. Again, you will probably have to go to the gray box that says “View Live Stream on YouTube”. That will transfer you to the BCMC YouTube Channel. You will have to click on the tab “Videos” to see all of the BCMC videos. Click the red button to see the bulletin/order of service.
OR – click on this link for this Sunday: https://youtube.com/live/yRh8ZuQrDp8?feature=share
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
July 20, 2025
MennoCon Sunday
Christ Candle Lighting–Chris Sattler
Centering Music–“Prelude in Classic Style”– (Gordon Young)–Karen Schlabaugh
Welcome–Adam Oswald
*Hymn–“Mountain of God”–VT 11
Children and Youth Conversation–Youth
Children’s Hymn–“Alleluia”–VT 72
Scripture Reading–Deuteronomy 10:18-20–Pozzi Krehbiel
Delegate Reflection–Jill Robb and David Kreider
*Hymn–“You are Salt for the Earth”–VT 297
Scripture Reading–Luke 4:16-21–Emma Gering
Reflection–Lucy Burch, Mara Oswald, Adah Hodge
*Hymn–“My Soul Cries Out”–VT 412
Prayers of God’s People–Rylee Schmidt Stapleton
Convention Highlights–Youth
Video–“Praise God Above”–VT 70
*Hymn–“Praise God Above”–VT 70
*Benediction
Youth: The spirit of the Lord is upon me
Congregation: because the Lord has anointed me
Youth: The Lord has sent me
Congregation: to preach good news to the poor
Youth: The Lord has sent me
Congregation: to proclaim release to the prisoners
Youth: The Lord has sent me
Congregation: to proclaim recovery of sight to the blind
Youth: The Lord has sent me
Congregation: to liberate the oppressed
Youth: The Lord has sent me
ALL: to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
Postlude–“Postlude on ‘Fredericktown'”–(Robert J. Powell)–Karen Schlabaugh
* You are invited to stand
VT—”Voices Together” Audio visual— Francis Toews & Ben Lichti
After the worship service on Sunday, July 20 come to the Gathering Place and have cake with Justina Neufeld! Justina celebrated her 95th birthday on July 16 and wishes to celebrate with BCMC. Come wish Justina a Happy Birthday!
Anabaptist World adult Sunday School elective – immigration update. Join with others in the Chapel to hear Pastor Joanna share an update from a MennoCon seminar by Pastor Diane Garcia of Iglesia Chrisiana Roca de Refugio on the status of congregants detained by ICE after legal entry (see “Anabaptist World” July 2025, page 28).
The Week at BCMC: July 20—27, 2025
Sunday, July 20, 2025—Worship 9:30 a.m.
YouTube Link: https://youtube.com/live/yRh8ZuQrDp8?feature=share
Monday, July 21-Sunday July 27
Pastor Elizabeth will be taking time away July 21 – 27 for vacation and rejuvenation. Pray for travel blessings and wellsprings of refreshment and renewal. In her absence, contact Pastor Joanna or Monica at the church office.
Sunday, July 27, 2025—Worship 9:30 a.m. with sermon by Joanna
Harader; special music by Doyle Preheim
Upcoming Memorial Services in the BCMC Sanctuary:
· August 16, 11 a.m. Marion Deckert Memorial
· August 30, 11 a.m. Keith Rhoades Memorial
Sympathy Notices:
· We extend sympathy to the family of Sharon Stucky. Sharon died July 11 at Kidron Bethel Healthcare. Please keep Sharon’s husband Wayne and their extended family in your prayers. The memorial service for Sharon will be Aug. 15, 2 p.m., at Kidron Bethel Village, Kidron Hall.
· We extend sympathy to the family of Ilene Schmidt. Ilene died July 11, at Kidron Bethel Healthcare. Memorial service plans are pending.
Please keep Ilene’s children and the extended family in your prayers.
Subscriptions—“Rejoice” and “Anabaptist World”
· It’s time to renew the BCMC group subscription for the devotional magazine “Rejoice”. The September-October-November issue will be in your mailboxes here at the church (or mailed) in late July, early August. If you wish to renew or want a new subscription to “Rejoice”, place a check for $36.63 in the offering plate or bring to the church office.
· It’s also time to renew for “Anabaptist World”. If you wish to renew through the BCMC Group subscription, please remit $54.00 payable to BCMC in the offering plate or bring to the church office.
Standing With Immigrants: What people of faith can do to help the strangers living amongst us. Shalom Mennonite Church will be hosting Sandrine Lisk, Esq., managing attorney of Immigration Law & Advocacy, Wichita, July 30, 7 p.m. at Shalom Mennonite Church, 800 E. 1st, Newton. Come learn how we can support and advocate for immigrants in our community. Bring your questions and share your stories with others who are concerned about the state of immigration in our country in light of Jesus’ call to love our neighbors. As a tangible way of supporting immigrants among us, donations will be collected for a scholarship fund supporting immigrant high school graduates and international students. Checks can be made payable to “Wichita African Business & Professional Network”
BCMC will be putting together Mennonite Central Committee school kits in August. If you would like to donate money for this special project, place your donations in the designated fish bowls at the back of the sanctuary. Please make checks payable to “BCMC” with “school kits” in the memo line. Donations will be accepted through July and into August.
The board is pleased to announce that we have formed a pastoral search committee to fill an opening created by Elizabeth’s upcoming retirement. Megan Leary will serve as chair. Karen Ediger, Mary Ellen Hodge, Mara Oswald, and Francis Toews are additional committee members. They will soon begin their thoughtful work alongside Western District Conference, our staff, and the board. Brad Kohlman will serve as a liaison between the committee and the board/congregation. Please keep the committee members in your prayers as their work begins.
From the Finance Committee
As the 2nd quarter of the financial year of our church ends, we offer gratitude for the generosity shared in donating monetary offerings toward our annual budget. Each gift is important to the process of fulfilling our mission. A brief report is listed below. The following is a BCMC financial report of the general fund income and expenses on June 30, 2025 (50% of the year).
Total income $ 220,458 40% of budget
Total expense $ 265,753 48% of budget
Net income/expense – $ 45,296
BCMC Offering for July 13: General $3,107; MCC $433; Library Reserve Fund $10; Kitchen Fund $20; Solar Fund $200.
Readers for a new one-act play needed. Lauren Friesen has written a new play on Erasmus and is inviting interested persons who would like to be readers for a rehearsed staged-reading of the play. One rehearsal on Monday evening Sept. 15 (7 – 8:30 p.m.) in Kidron Classroom A (3001 Ivy Drive) and the staged-reading with audience on Tues., Sept. 16 (7 p.m.) in Kidron Classroom A. The play is approximately 40 minutes long. Ten characters (three female, six male, one stage-manager with lines). Notify Lauren if you are interested. If I get an avalanche of responses, I’ll need to be selective.
Scripts will be provided at no cost to you and there will be no honoraria. Contact Lauren at Lfriesen@umich.edu
Send some camp mail! Senior High Camp is Next Week!
As a congregation we are fortunate we have youth attending camps. As our youth form their faith in these special places, we encourage you to send letters of encouragement while they are there.
July 27-August 1 Maisie Brubacher, Lucy Burch, Collin Gaeddert, Adam
Oswald, Mara Oswald, Abram Wall, Mabel Wall @ Camp Mennoscah, 9458 SE 40th St., Murdock, KS 67111.Thank you for encouraging our youth to explore their faith!
Western District Conference Assembly will be held August 8-9 at Hesston Mennonite Church. Would you consider being a delegate for Bethel College Mennonite? Contact a Gifts Discernment Committee member or the church office to indicate your willingness to participate. (GDC members: Jeannette Stucky, Jerry Buller, Dick Koontz, and Francis Toews)
For the Western District Conference Assembly:
Registration is now open at https://mennowdc.org/2025-wdc-annual-assembly-registration/ Please register soon. Join us at Hesston Mennonite Church, Hesston, KS August 8-9, 2025. For more information visit our Assembly webpage: https://mennowdc.org/2025-annual-assembly/
Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements.
Colorado peaches are coming to Mennonite Central Committee: Palisade peaches from western Colorado are available for order and purchase until July 30. Two sizes are available: 9 lb. for $30 and 18 lb. for $42. Orders can be placed by emailing patsydirksen@mcc.org or by calling MCC, 316.283.2720. Payment in the form of cash or check is due by July 30. Make checks payable to Beth-El Mennonite Church with “peaches” in the memo line and mail to: MCC, PO Box 235, North Newton, KS 67117 or drop off at MCC at 121 East 30th, North Newton. Peaches will be ready for pick-up on Mon., Aug. 18 at the MCC warehouse. Beth-El Mennonite Church sells peaches as a fundraiser for bierocks ingredients that are sold at the Rocky Mountain Mennonite Relief Sale in October.
Online registration is open for the Womens & Girls Retreat Sept. 6-7 at Camp Mennoscah sponsored by Western District Women in Mission. Speakers are Pastor Katherine Goerzen (Tabor Mennonite Church) and Pastor Laura Goerzen (First Mennonite, Newton). For a detailed schedule
go to westerndistrictwomeninmission.org, register and pay online, or print out forms to register and pay by mail. Registration is due Aug. 29. Questions: Email westerndistrictwomen@gmail.com Share the news and bring a friend!
Summer Story Days 2025. Join Western District Conference Resource Library staff for stories and come & go activities for ages 3-8 and their caregivers. New this year: Virtual participation with mailed craft kits available–sign up for virtual participation at forms.gle/8DnWnLs64VkZJoeB6. No sign up for in-person activities in North Newton. Join us August 9 as a part of WDC Annual Assembly. For more information contact Jennie at crlib@mennowdc.org.
David E. Ortman, currently of Seattle, WA, will be attending his 50th Bethel Class Reunion (’75) Oct. 2-5. If anyone would be willing to host four nights (Thurs-Sun), contact him at (206) 789-6136 or deortman@msn.com. A couch or cot is fine, no meals required. Avoidance of a motel would mean a larger class gift. David is a friend of Lauren Friesen (Lauren was his former pastor.)
Mennonite Central Committee Peace Camp at Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp, Sept. 21-27: How can we live out God’s call for justice and reconciliation through nonviolence in a world that is built on the myth of redemptive violence? If you are a young adult (age 18-30) concerned about the state of our world and energized to reimagine society built on God’s vision of love and justice for all, come join us for a week of experiential learning rooted in theological reflection, peacebuilding practices, and real-world application. Register by Aug. 31 at mcc.org/events/rocky-mountain-peace-camp.
The 2025 issue of Mennonite Life, Bethel College’s annual online journal, is now live at ml.bethelks.edu, with articles and reviews by Susan Fish, Ardie Goering, Don Goertzen, Peter Goerzen, Jeff Gundy, Michele Hershberger, Melanie Howard, Melanie Springer Mock, Justina Neufeld, Ken Rodgers, Mary Schertz and John D. Thiesen.
For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here
For Mennonite Disaster Service “On the Level” press here
Mennonite Church USA Announcements
Ervin R. Stutzman, 72, who served as MC USA’s first moderator and second executive director, died on June 3, 2025. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/news/ervin-r-stutzman-dies
The Church Planting Grant nurtures MC USA-affiliated missional peace churches. New church plants — churches that are less than three years old — can apply for the $5,000 grant each year from May 1 to July 31. Learn more and apply here: mennoniteusa.org/thrive-grant
Menno Snapshots
As part of MC USA’s Learn, Pray, Join: Undoing Patriarchy blog series, Daniela Lázaro-Manalo reflects on the myth of moon goddess, Coyolxauhqui, and how this myth relates to her own story and the invitation to divine love that she sees through it. Read her thoughts here: mennoniteusa.org/lessons-from-moon
Stanley W. Green, executive conference minister of Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference, in consultation with the Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference Board, addresses the immigration raids and protests in Los Angeles and around the country. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/menno-snapshots/los-angeles-letter
When Rebeka Moeljono moved from a small midwestern town to the big city, she experienced a deep shift in how she approached her spiritual life, as well as her spiritual direction. Read more about her experience in her Menno Snapshots blog here: mennoniteusa.org/finding-god-city
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Mennonite Mission Network requests prayer for Laura Schlabach, who, for the past two years, has served on the interim executive director team for JCS International, in addition to being the organization’s finance and IT director. Pray for wisdom, energy and patience for Laura, as she carries a double workload for this consortium of mission agencies in Mongolia. Pray for the executive director search committee as they work through the recruiting process.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Pray for God’s guidance and blessing for all who are preparing for WDC Annual Assembly, coming up August 8-9 at Hesston Mennonite Church.
Bethel College Mennonite Church is an open and affirming congregation
centered in the life and teachings of Jesus. Embracing the divine within each
person, we warmly welcome any and all into fellowship without regard to race, ethnic background, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability,
economic status, marital status, or age.
