BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
MARCH 23, 2025
THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT
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/ZHmFC8aSv8A?feature=share
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
March 23, 2025
Third Sunday of Lent
Christ Candle Lighting
Centering Music—Summoned by the God Who Made Us [VT 1], (arr. Robert Lau)–Will Wiebe-Friesen
Welcome-Raylene Hinz Penner
Leader: We come to listen
Congregation: So that we can go out and speak.
Leader: We praise God’s power
Congregation: So that we might rightly use our own.
Leader: We pause and pray
Congregation: So that we might plan faithfully.
Leader: We consider the ancient Scriptures
Congregation: So that we might better understand our present reality.
Leader: We continue this wilderness journey
Congregation: Following God’s way together.
*Hymn—Brethren, We Have Met to Worship—VT 25
Children’s Conversation–Jerry Buller
Worship Music—Come Ye Disconsolate (Terre Johnson)—Chancel Choir; Joel Garber, director; Will Wiebe-Friesen, accompanist
One-Minute Meditation
Scripture Reading—Numbers 27:1-11–Margaret Toews
Sermon—Advocacy 101—Joanna Harader
*Hymn—Lord Jesus, Come and Overturn—VT 146
Prayers of God’s People
*Hymn—God of the Bible—VT 420
*Benediction
Postlude—Joys are Flowing Like a River [VT 375], (arr. Will Wiebe-Friesen)–
Will Wiebe-Friesen
* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Audio visual—Ken Lamp
The Week at BCMC: March 23—March 30, 2025
Sunday, March 23, 2025: 9:30 a.m. Worship — 10:30 a.m. Faith Formation
YouTube Link for the worship service this Sunday: https://youtube.com/live/ZHmFC8aSv8A?feature=share
The Abuse Prevention and Response Committee (APRC) invites BCMC congregants to an informational meeting today in the sanctuary during the Sunday School hour.
Monday, March 24,2025
10 a.m. Library Committee meeting in Room 14
Tuesday March 25, 2025
7 p.m. Deacon Commission meeting in Room 14
Wednesday, March 26, 2025—Wednesday Night Supper
5:30 p.m. Supper in Fellowship Hall
6:30 p.m. Program in Fellowship Hall—exploring some biblical stories through art and poetry using the new Anabaptism at 500 resource: Drawing Near.
7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir practice in the Sanctuary Chancel area
Thursday, March 27, 2025
6 p.m. Chancel Bells rehearsal in Room B7
7 p.m. Witness Commission meeting in Room 14
Saturday, March 29, 2025
11 a.m. Memorial Service for Louise Thieszen in the Sanctuary
Sunday, March 30, 2025—Fourth Sunday of Lent
9:30 a.m. Worship with sermon by Joanna Harader; music by the Chancel Bells
10:30 a.m. Faith Formation
BCMC Offering for March 16: Gen. Fund $10,187.21 Community Play School $500; Kitchen Fund $17.80; Solar Fund $5,000; Merrill Raber Mem. $200; Wed. supper $313.15
Lenten Sunday Scripture Readings from Pastor Joanna:
· March 23: Numbers 27:1-11
· March 30: 1 Kings 17:8-24
· April 6: Mark 5:21-34
· April 13: Luke 19:28-40; Luke 23:44-56
Upcoming Memorial Services:
· Memorial service for Louise Thieszen, Sat., March 29, 11 a.m., BCMC Sanctuary.
· We offer sympathy to the family of Merrill Raber. Merrill died Feb. 16 at Kidron Bethel Village. Merrill’s memorial service will be May 3, 11 a.m. at BCMC.
· We offer sympathy to the family of Helen Bargen. Helen Died March 21 in Salem, OR. Please keep her children, Jan and Dale, in your prayers at this time. We will share plans for Helen’s memorial service once they are finalized.
Future Events at BCMC:
· Members of the Agape class are planning to lead a book discussion during Lent of Joanna’s new book, Prone to Wander. We will meet in the chapel for the weeks of Lent: Mar. 9 – Apr. 13 during the Sunday School hour. Reading the book is helpful, but not necessary. All are welcome and encouraged to come.
· The Abuse Prevention and Response Committee (APRC) invites BCMC congregants to an informational meeting this Sunday, March 23, in the sanctuary during the Sunday School hour. We will be describing our work over the past year and a half, particularly what we have learned about abusive treatment by the Mennonite Central Committee of some of its workers. We will provide links to resources to enable further learning and exploration of these issues.
· Join us on Wednesday nights! Wednesday night suppers are Mar. 26, Apr. 2, 9, at 5:30 p.m. Sign up at a sign up sheet on bulletin board, on table in south entrance, or on ledge between the mailboxes in gathering place. Cost is $6 per person or $18 per family. During Lent, after the meal there will be a brief program each Wed. evening at 6:30 p.m. On Mar. 26, Apr. 2, and Apr. 9 we will explore some biblical stories through art and poetry using the new Anabaptism at 500 resource: Drawing Near.
· On Maundy Thursday, Apr. 17, in addition to the previously announced Maundy Thursday worship, we will also have a family friendly worship service at 5:30 p.m. in the chapel. This family service is appropriate for all ages as we will share the story of Holy Week with interactive stations. You can reach out to Jill Robb or Pastor Joanna with questions.
· BCMC’s Camp Mennoscah Retreat will be April 26-27.
Destination: Greensboro, NC: Mennonite Church USA conference 2025, July 8-12
If interested in being a delegate, contact any Gifts Discernment Committee (GDC) member: Jeanette Stucky, Jerry Buller, Dick Koontz, Francis Toews or the church office. Delegate sessions will be held on July 12. Early Bird pricing is available until March 31. GDC reimburses registration fees to delegates.
John Mark Koontz Senior Double Bass Recital Sat., April 5, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Wichita State University, Wiedemann Hall. John will be performing mostly classical bass and ending with a jazz piece.
The Staff Congregation Relations Committee will be conducting a regular pastoral review for Pastor Nathan Koontz this Spring.
Pastor Nathan will be concluding his current term in October. We believe that the purpose of a pastoral review is to review the relationship between the congregation and the pastor and assess whether we have the right environment to foster growth. Because Pastor Nathan’s upcoming sabbatical will affect our timeline, we will be using an open-ended questionnaire for this review.
Questionnaires will be sent to Sunday School class contacts, Commissions and Committees who work closely with Pastor Nathan, and will be available to all in the Gathering Place beginning Sunday, March 16. Please return questionnaires to either the box near the mailboxes or electronically to Megan Kohlman by April 13.
You may also access a digital copy of the survey here, to be emailed to Megan when completed: http://bit.ly/4bILIgy
Direct any questions to Megan Kohlman, meganbkohlman@gmail.com.
Are you new to or newly exploring Bethel College Mennonite Church? Pastor
Joanna will host a gathering for newcomers in her office on April 6 after worship. This will be an informal time for people get to know each other and ask questions about the church. All are welcome!
An Invitation from Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBTQ Interests: The spring Supportive Communities Network (SCN) meeting will be Tues., Mar. 25, 12 p.m. Central Time, via Zoom, featuring a workshop on how to interrupt the political violence that increasingly targets LGBTQIA+ and other marginalized groups. We offer this training to SCN members for *free* via a grant in collaboration with SCN member “On Earth Peace and HOPE PV” (Harnessing Our Power to End Political Violence). The Rev. Naomi Washington-Leapheart and SCN’s own Matt Guynn will co-facilitate. Come build power, skills, and relationships across the SCN network. While especially planned for SCN leaders, anyone is welcome. Email Pastor Joanna for more details and to receive the link. The training is two hours.
Want to make your voice heard but don’t know how? Check out “5 Calls,” an easy and effective way to be in touch with your congressional reps. The website provides help with knowing how to make your calls, provides a timely list of topics to address (gets updated frequently) and a handy script guide to help you know what to say. Check them out at https://5calls.org/ —Witness Commission
Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale (KMRS) is less than three weeks away—Apr. 11 & 12
· My Coins Count! This year, coins will support food programs around the world. Bring coins (and bills!) to church Sunday mornings until the sale. Place coins into collection jars in Sunday School rooms or in the large jug in the gathering place. Last year BCMC raised almost $800 in this way!
· Pies and zwieback. Sign up to bake pie or zwieback for the sale. Look for tins, bags, and sign-up sheets at the back of the sanctuary.
· Volunteers wanted. Many of the sign-up sheets are now conveniently located on line at KANSAS.MCCSALE.ORG/VOLUNTEER . The sooner you sign up, the better chance you have to get your preferred job and time slot.
· Auction items. Photos at https://kansas.mccsale.org/auctions/general-auction/
· See the poster board in the Gathering Place for KMRS information and extra forms, or go to the KMRS website at https://kansas.mccsale.org/ or contact a BCMC liaison (Brad and Diane Born, William and Esther Kreider Eash, and Steve and Elaine Schurr).
· Children’s Auction – Consider donating new, in-the-package, items to this year’s auction! Talk with the youth in your church to see what items they would like to bid on, but you can never go wrong with Hot Wheels, Barbie, board games, Lego sets, art kits, and sports equipment. If you wish to volunteer for the auction by clerking or helping in other ways contact Brad Kohlman– bkohlman32@gmail.com
Bethel College Announcements
· Mon., Mar. 24: Bethel College Department of Social Work presents the annual Ada Schmidt-Tieszen Lecture with Kylee Schunn (2018), “Immigration 101,” 11 a.m., Krehbiel Auditorium. Kylee, Fresno, CA, is an immigration advocate at Centro La Familia in Fresno.
· Thurs., Mar. 27: KIPCOR Peace Lecture: A conversation with Sister Barbara McCracken, a Benedictine from Mount St. Scholastica, Leavenworth, KS, on community, social responsibility, and daily faith, 7 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium.
· Sun., Mar. 30: Michelle Armster and Heidi Regier Kreider, “The Impact of Immigration on Mennonite Churches Today,” 3 p.m., Kauffman Museum auditorium. This Sunday-Afternoon-at-the-Museum program is in connection to the current special exhibit, “Unlocking the Past: Immigrant Artifacts and the Stories They Tell.” Michelle is director of Mennonite Central Committee Central States and Heidi is conference minister for Western District Conference of Mennonite Church USA.
· Fri., Apr. 4: Senior recital by Bethel College student Peter Buller, oboe and piano, 7 p.m., Bethel College Mennonite Church
· Sat., Apr. 5: Senior recital by Bethel College student Josué Coy Dick, violin, 7 p.m., Administration Building chapel
The Mennonite Heritage & Agriculture Museum’s (Goessel) annual Heritage Dinner is Mar. 29, 6:30 p.m. at Tabor Mennonite Church, 891 Chisholm Trail Road, Newton. After the meal Donna Becker portrays Helena Schroeder, a fictionalized Mennonite immigrant around 1879. Tickets are $75 per person (Ages 12 & under $15) 1st time attender tickets are $40 per person. Contact the museum by Mon., Mar. 24 at 620-367-8200, email goesselmuseum@gmail.com
Life Enrichment, in the Bethel College Krehbiel Auditorium, is a series designed especially for adults age 60 and over. Programs on March 26: 9:30 a.m.: “Relocating to America from Ukraine,” Lidiia and Oleksandr Lukach, Newton. Evelyn Mierau, Newton, Janet Dixon, North Newton, Ron Flaming, North Newton.
10:50 a.m.: Museum on the Move: Kauffman Museum Traveling Exhibits,” Andi Schmidt Andres, Kauffman Museum director, and museum staff
Organist Christopher Shaw will present an organ recital/hymn festival to remember Shirley Sprunger King. Shirley taught at Bethel College for twenty years and was organist at Bethel College Mennonite Church. Christopher will be joined by Lorraine Miller (flute) and Don Kehrberg (oboe), both former members of the Deknatel Consort with Shirley. There will also be remembrances of Shirley. Event is scheduled for Sat., Apr. 5, 7:30 p.m. (note the time change from 7 to 7:30 p.m.) at BCMC.
Western District Women in Mission invites women & girls to our annual potluck salad supper Mon., April 28, 6 p.m. at Tabor Mennonite Church, rural Newton. The theme is “For the Beauty of the Earth” presented by WDWM executive committee member and Kansas City floral designer, Becca Schrag. Bring a salad to share and a small vessel to make a floral design in (a tea cup, bowl, or small vase). This is a free event with an offering taken to help cover expenses. RSVP not required but appreciated by email: westerndistrictwomen@gmail.com
You are invited to join us for the concerts of the Kansas Mennonite Men’s Chorus (KMMC), a 120-member chorus including members from BCMC. The concert will include traditional hymns and contemporary selections performed in four-part harmony. The concert at Tabor will include students in the Chamber Voices student ensemble. Students in the Open Road and Woven choirs join KMMC at Bethel College. Concerts are free with an offering benefiting the global mission support work of Mennonite Central Committee. April 6, 4 p.m.: Memorial Hall, Bethel College, North Newton April 13, 4 p.m.: Richert Auditorium, Tabor College, Hillsboro
Kansas Interfaith Action is hosting a coffeehouse on Apr. 6, 7 p.m. at Trinity Heights United Methodist Church, 1200 Boyd Avenue, Newton. This will be a wonderful opportunity to gather with like-minded people of faith in the Newton area as we sing, pray, and talk together. Contact Pastor Joanna for more information.
Camp Mennoscah Announcements
Registration for Men & Boys Retreat, April 4-6, is now available online! Log in using your Camp Mennoscah account or create one, then scroll down to Start a New Registration. Click Men & Boys Retreat. Registration will also be available upon arrival.
Other News and Events:
Putting the dam in! The dam will go back in on March 23 at 2pm. Spectators and helpers are welcome. Young ages cannot help with putting in the dam due to heavy boards and rushing water. They are welcome to watch and cheer!Dress for the weather. The river is expected to be cold.
Camp Mennoscah is currently understaffed and it may take additional time to respond to your email or phone call. We will answer as soon as possible. If a quicker response is needed, please call 316-293-7313.
Hoodies are ready to ship or pick up! If you have not been contacted regarding your hoodie(s), please contact us at 620-297-3290 or olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org
Music and Quilt Auction at The Hub on May 2! Join Camp Mennoscah from 6-8:30pm for an evening of music, food and fellowship to benefit Camp Mennoscah. The Hub will donate 10% of all sales on May 2 to Camp Mennoscah. Musical groups include K81, Queen Jack Jericho, Brett and Caleb Klingenberg, and The Schrag Siblings. A Camp Mennoscah tee shirt quilt will also be sold through a silent auction. A picture of the quilt will soon be at www.campmennoscah.org Contact olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org for a bidding from a distance option. (The Hub, 100 S Christian, Moundridge, KS, https://www.thehubbrickoven.com)
Camp Mennoscah is looking for kitchen helpers and other volunteers to make great camp experiences. Parents can receive a camper discount up to full camp fees as a kitchen volunteer. Contact Olivia at Olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org or 316-293-7313.
Dear Intersections readers:
Greetings! I am happy to announce the publication online of the spring 2025 issue of Mennonite Central Committee’s publication, Intersections, compiled by Zacharie Leclair on the topic of reparations and reconciliation. The issue can be found here. From contexts in Burundi, Canada, Colombia, Guatemala and Palestine and Israel, authors reflect on the biblical, theological, and practical dimensions of the interrelationship between reparations and reconciliation in the work of just peacemaking. Share this issue widely!
As always, your thoughts and questions about Intersections are always welcome!
Warm regards, Alain Epp Weaver
To Western District Conference congregations and ministers,
I am writing to share with you that the WDC Executive Committee and conference ministers are issuing a public statement in support of Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, KS. Haskell Indian Nations University provides educational opportunities for students from Tribal Nations and serves as a cultural center for Indigenous people from across the country. Attached is this statement, which has been sent to government legislators and officials, as well as several media in Kansas.
The statement is in response to the U.S. federal government’s recent firing of a significant number of employees at Haskell, resulting in harmful impacts on students, faculty and staff and on the mission of the university. A number of WDC congregations are engaged in advocating for Indigenous justice, including support for Haskell, so our statement also reflects WDC’s mission to empower WDC congregations to Witness and invite others to faith in Jesus Christ, Dwell in just and loving relationships, and Connect to God’s mission in the world.
May God’s Spirit of wisdom, justice and hope empower us all to discern how we are called to live out our calling as Jesus’ followers in our communities and the world today.
Grace and peace,
Heidi Regier Kreider
Conference Minister
For a pdf of the letter press here
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Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements.
For Mennonite Women USA Women’s Blog press here
For Mennonite Mission Network “News from Around the World” press here
For Mennonite Mission Network “Being Present on the Journey” press here
For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here
For Mennonite Disaster Service “On the Level” press here
Mennonite Church USA Announcements
On March 24 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT, join MC USA’s Nancy Kauffmann, interim denominational minister of Church Safety, and Michael Danner, associate executive director for Church Vitality, for a webinar as they discuss the common understanding of the role of forgiveness in responding to abuse in the church and how it is often misused or misunderstood in the context of abuse. Register here: mennoniteusa.org/forgive-forget-safe-church-register View the PowerPoint slide here: mennoniteusa.org/forgive-forget-safe-church-slide View the PDF here: mennoniteusa.org/forgive-forget-safe-church-webinar-pdf
Watch the recording of MC USA’s webinar, “Following Jesus in challenging times… What does it mean to provide sanctuary for undocumented people?” in English here: mennoniteusa.org/following-jesus-challenging-times-recording and en español here: mennoniteusa.org/following-jesus-challenging-times-sp
Menno Snapshots
Rena LeBlanc, a graduate student at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Indiana, recently completed an internship with the MC USA Archives. During her internship, LeBlanc worked extensively with the historical collection of Ed Stoltzfus, a longtime pastor, professor and leader. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/menno-shorts/leblanc/
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Lane Miller, one of Mennonite Mission
Network’s regional directors for Africa and Europe, is in Europe this month to improve his French language skills. Pray for him as he also visits partner institution LCC International University and Robin Gingerich, who has served with Mission Network at LCC in Lithuania since 2001.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Pray for WDC’s Executive Board meeting this week, as they discern priorities, resources and vision for WDC.
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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.