BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
May 11, 2025–Fourth Sunday of Easter
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/KyjoT6sXbOE?feature=share
Lucy Burch Invitation
We are inviting the BCMC congregation to Lucy Burch’s graduation party on Saturday, May 10, from 12 to 3 p.m. in the BCMC Gathering Place.
– Lucy and family
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
May 11, 2025
Fourth Sunday of Easter
Christ Candle Lighting
Centering Music–Guide Me Ever, Great Redeemer (Dale Wood) — Karen Schlabaugh
Welcome–Brad Kohlman
*Hymn–God of Grace and God of Glory–VT 716
Children and Youth Conversation–Nathan & Esther Koontz
Scripture Reading–Acts 9:36-43–Karen Ediger
Sermon–From the Mundane to the Miraculous–Joanna Harader
*Hymn–Healer of Our Every Ill–VT 644
Prayers of God’s People–Brad Kohlman
Welcoming New Members–Elizabeth Schmidt
New Members by Baptism (April 27, 2025): Emma Gering, Maisie Brubacher
Abram Wall
Baptism Videos
Introduction to Church Membership–VT 959
New Members by Transfer: Lorin and Karen Neufeld
Membership Covenant Questions
Welcoming New Members–VT 961
*Hymn–For We Are Strangers No More–VT 409
Sabbatical Blessing for Pastor Nathan–Sondra Koontz and Megan Kohlman
Leader: Nathan, BCMC thanks you for postponing your sabbatical and for calmly guiding us through transitions. We celebrate your leadership, the encouragement and guidance you provide us. And now it is time for a Sabbatical.
Congregation: We acknowledge the unique challenges of pastoral leadership. We send you on this Sabbatical journey, confident that God will bless you, refresh your spirit, and provide you with new vision for our continued ministry. May this Sabbatical be a time of rest and discovery for you.
Leader: We pray that you will enjoy poetry and play, leisurely dreaming and
focused reflection, contemplation and rich conversation at the Holy Wisdom Monastery, and moments of wonder in the Colorado wilderness.
Congregation: We will miss you as we continue our ministry here. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you, that we support you, and that we look forward with joy to your return.
Nathan: I will miss you as well and I will pray for you. I too look forward to returning and sharing again in our ministry. Thank you for creating this opportunity for renewal and rest in my ministry.
*Hymn of Blessing–The Peace of the Earth Be with You–VT 838
*Benediction
Postlude–Postludium (Flor Peeters)– Karen Schlabaugh
*You are invited to stand VT—Voices Together Audio visual—Ken Lamp
The Week at BCMC: May 11-18, 2025
Sunday, May 11, 2025: Worship—9:30 a.m.
YouTube Link for the worship service this Sunday:
https://youtube.com/live/KyjoT6sXbOE?feature=share
4 p.m. Bethel College’s Open Road and Woven Concert in the Sanctuary
6 p.m. Bethel College rehearsal in the Sanctuary
Monday, May 12, 2025
7 p.m. Dr. Henry Waters’ Hymnology class invites the public to a Hymn Festival in the BCMC Sanctuary
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
7:30 p.m. Finance Committee meeting in Room 14
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
4 p.m. Witness Commission meeting in Room 14
Sunday, May 18, 2025—Bethel College Baccalaureate
10 a.m. (Note the later time for the beginning of worship)
Upcoming Events at BCMC:
· May 18, 10 a.m.: Bethel College Baccalaureate at BCMC
· May 30, 11 a.m.: Memorial service for Helen Bargen at BCMC
Women’s Fellowship will meet Tues., May 20, 7 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. All women are invited. The speaker will be Elizabeth Schmidt, BCMC Pastor of Congregational Care, on “Following the Thread. Walton Dairy Farm to BCMC Pastor.”
Anabaptism 500 Worship Celebration. Bethel College Mennonite Church will host the live-stream of the May 29, 2025 worship service at Mennonite World Conference in Zurich, Switzerland, celebrating the 500th anniversary of Anabaptism. The live-stream begins at 10 a.m. in the BCMC Sanctuary. Join us in lifting glad voices with other Anabaptists around the world in this joyful celebration!
BCMC Offering for May 6: Gen. Fund $8,368; MCC $50; Sr Hi Youth $436; Church Retreat $80; Kitchen Fund $21; Solar Fund $50; Merrill Raber Mem. $50; Louise Thieszen Mem. $75.
BACK OF THE SANCTUARY SUNDAY, MAY 11:
Check out the display on the Oak Flat prayer vigil and letter writing campaign held on Bethel’s campus last Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. using the chimes on the hour to call together prayer circles, many from BCMC. At least 50 people signed on to pray, phone, and write letters. We will update as we learn information on the case.
Congratulations to BCMC Graduates:
· Elizabeth Lamp is graduating from Baker University with a degree in
Biochemistry. She will be attending Kansas City University College of
Dental Medicine in the fall.
· John Mark Koontz is graduating from Wichita State University May 17 with a degree in Music and Instrumental Performance on Double Bass.
Newton High School Graduates:
· Lucy Burch, Payne Claassen, Adah Hodge, Ani Koontz, Mara Oswald,
Christopher Sattler, Lily Schloneger, Abram Wall
Ron Scott, father of Jenni Scott Koontz, passed away on Wednesday, May 7, in Hutchinson after receiving hospice care for the past few weeks. Please keep Jenni, Matt, Caleb, Abby, Naomi and the entire Scott family in your prayers as they grieve his loss.
Abram Wall invitation
We are inviting the BCMC congregation to Abram Wall’s graduation party on Sunday, May 18, from 1:30-3:30 pm at the 1887 Cafe at Bethel
College. – Abram and family
Mara Oswald would like to invite the congregation to her graduation celebration on May 18th from 2-4 p.m. at the KIPCOR building, 2515 College Ave, North Newton.
Forty-one years ago–in spring 1984–leaders of the Western District Mennonite Conference took away John Linscheid’s ministerial credentials because he is gay. In a worship service at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 11, at Peace Mennonite Church in Lawrence, KS, current WDC leaders will apologize for what their predecessors did. You can read more details about this event on the Western District Conference website. Please contact Pastor Joanna if you would like to carpool with others who are attending from Newton.
Bethel College Announcements
· Sun., May 11: Dr. Valerie Mendoza, Kansas City Kansas Community College, “Stories of Mexican Migration to Kansas,” 3 p.m., Kauffman Museum auditorium
· Sun., May 11: Woven and Open Road joint concert, 4 p.m., Bethel College Mennonite Church
· Mon., May 12: Dr. Henry Waters’ Hymnology class invites the public to a Hymn Festival, 7 p.m., Bethel College Mennonite Church. Sing and learn more about a selection of hymns from Voices Together.
· Fri., May 16: Artist reception for Gracie Higgins, April Powls and Lizzie Schmucker and the Senior Art Exhibit, 7-9 p.m., Regier Art Gallery in Luyken Fine Arts Center. Gallery hours are 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. Mon.-Fri., Sun. 2-4 p.m.
· Bethel College commencement weekend is Sat.-Sun., May 17-18. Events: Nurse Pinning Ceremony, 2 p.m., May 17, Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center; Baccalaureate, 10 a.m., Bethel College Mennonite Church; Commencement, 4 p.m., May 18, Memorial Hall.
· Bethel College advancement and development staff invite you for coffee and conversation (and some light breakfast snacks) Friday, May 23, 7:30-9 a.m., The Breadbasket, 219 N. Main St., Newton (alumni-owned). Contact: George Leary, gleary@bethelks.edu, 316-284-5226
· SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, June 1: U.S. premiere of the 1874 immigration documentary Where the Cottonwoods Grow, Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center
This semester at Bethel College, Dr. Henry Waters has been teaching a Hymnology class, drawing heavily from Voices Together and using C. Michael Hawn’s “seven streams of hymnody.” The public is invited to the class’s culminating activity, a hymn festival at Bethel College Mennonite Church, Monday, May 12, at 7 p.m. The evening will feature a variety of hymns that class members have chosen from Voices Together to reflect the different streams and what they’ve learned in the class. Come and sing some hymns that will be familiar and some that might be new to you.
You are invited to attend the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Relief Sale Annual Meeting Thurs., May 22, 6 p.m., at Hesston Mennonite Church. The cost for the meal is $20/person and you will pay at the door. Please RSVP to Barb BJ Reeves by May 19, 620-543-6863 or bj.reeves@live.com The meeting to celebrate our successful sale and present MCC with a check will be held after dinner at approximately 7 p.m. A filled sandwich bag of California almonds will be available for $20.
Bel Canto Singers concert – “Singing Through Generations” Hesston College’s Bel Canto Singers will perform in concert Fri., May 16, 7 p.m. at Hesston Mennonite Church. The concert is part of commencement weekend activities at the college and is free and open to the public. Bel Canto will begin a 12-day spring tour in the Pacific Northwest following graduation weekend.
Want to visit someone in prison or be a pen pal? Volunteers with M-2 (Match-2) visit one evening a month with an inmate who gets few outside visits. Apply to be an M-2 volunteer at www.ovmks.org/m2 and plan to attend the next volunteer training on May 19, 12:30-4 p.m. at Hutchinson Correctional Facility (in the Old Schoolhouse, just outside the walls). Pen pals correspond monthly with an incarcerated individual, often sending letters through our office. Contact Kenzie Brister to learn more:
prison@ovmks.org or 316-281-4721.
Kidron Bethel Village is hosting a vintage car show Fri., June 6, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. If you have a vehicle you would like to bring to show, we would love to have you share it! Register your vehicle by contacting Kelli at 316-836-4865 or KelliM@bluestemks.org. No entry fee, judging or prizes; just a rewarding day of sharing your favorite cars, trucks and tractors.
Register today for the Mennonite Central Committee Immigration Learning Tour in South Texas, Oct. 4-9. This immigration-focused learning tour presents a unique opportunity to engage directly with organizations making a positive impact on our neighbors. Find out more at mcc.org/learning-tour-texas.
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 July 12. GDC reimburses registration fees to delegates.
Camp Mennoscah Announcements
Two people needed to help get the pool ready for swimming! The pool needs to be prepared for a summer of fun swim times. We are looking for two college-age or older volunteers to help on May 12. The work is removing everything that has collected in the bottom of the pool, some cleaning–and tasks Olivia doesn’t remember. The bottom of the pool will be slick and lifting will be required. Please contact Olivia at olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org or 620-297-3290. The pool is needed for summer camps and guest groups!
Other camp news:
A whole universe of thanks to The HUB and everyone who attended the event on May 2!! Thank you for your support and all the fun and music. It was a hoot to see everyone and be part of the fun. The highest bid on the tee shirt quilt/comforter was $500.
Calling all campers! We’re taking “Another Way” and finding transformation in Jesus’ way of living. Summer camps are open for those going into grades 3-12. Scholarships are available and parents volunteering as kitchen helpers can receive a discount up to full camp fees for a camper. Register here! (https://campmennoscah.campbrainregistration.com/) Come build your house on the rock and play in the sand!
Here are your 2025 Summer Staff! In alphabetical order by first name, these are your amazing staffers: Camryn Entz (lifeguard), Caroline Miller (crafts leader), Charlie Major (lifeguard), Daniel Miller (naturalist), Josiah Buller (grounds/maintenance), and the newest first-time staffer, Maddie Tegeler (lifeguard). We ask for prayers and cheers for these generous folks who are giving their summer to long days of faith formation in both camper time and behind-the-scenes work. Hooray!
There are two 20 amp RV hookups and two 30 amp RV hookups available in the south (boys) cabin area on a pole of the gazebo. The hookups/outlets are not spread out. Please communicate with others in your group, if there may be high demand for RV hookups. Camp Mennoscah only has electrical hookups.
Weekly music leaders are needed! If you know of someone who you think might be great as a weekly music leader, please tap them on the shoulder. Olivia would love to talk to them. Contact us at olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org or 316-293-7313 (call or text). Summer staffers must be 18 or older.Camp Mennoscah is busy preparing for summer youth camps and guests. 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.
Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements.
For Mennonite Mission Network “Missio Deo” press here
For Mennonite Men Announcements press here
For Mennonite Mission Network “New and Beyond” press here
For Mennonite Central Committee “In Touch” press here
Mennonite Church USA Announcements
The countdown is on! Register now for MC USA’s Follow Jesus ’25 biennial convention in Greensboro, North Carolina, July 8-12, 2025! Save $100 by registering before May 31! Register here: mennoniteusa.org/registration/ View the PowerPoint slide here: mennoniteusa.org/countdown-fj25-slide View the PDF here: mennoniteusa.org/countdown-fj25-PDF
Check out the MC USA checklist for youth leaders to help faith formation leaders prepare their youth for Follow Jesus ’25, MC USA’s national convention, here: convention.mennoniteusa.org/the-experience/program-documents/
MC USA is seeking award nominations for its 2025 Bring the Peace initiative. The denomination grants the award to a Legacy Peacemaker and a Young Peacemaker each year. Submit your recommendations for nominees by May 23: mennoniteusa.org/btp-nominations-2025
Menno Snapshots
The Worship Planning Team for Follow Jesus ’25, MC USA’s national convention, shares the benediction litany ahead of convention. Read the full litany here: mennoniteusa.org/spirit-upon-me
Ana Alicia Hinojosa, senior executive for Ventures at Mennonite Mission Network, has fought against the patriarchy and a hyperproductive world to find her rightful place in society, while also finding rest. Her blog is part of MC USA’s “Learn, Pray, Join: Undoing Patriarchy” educational campaign. Read more about Hinojosa’s experiences here: mennoniteusa.org/weight-patriarchy
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Mennonite Mission Network joins First Mennonite Church of San Francisco (California) this year in celebrating its 50th anniversary and its 50th year of hosting a Mennonite Voluntary Service (MVS) unit. Pray for current MVS participants — Conrad Liechty, Ana Esperanza Neufeld Weaver and Sav Roth Walter — as they help the congregation extend its outreach in the city.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Pray for WDC’s new Kids Meet Christ program, supporting congregations to reimagine worship in ways that fully welcome children and create space for them to meet Christ.
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.