Palm Sunday
April 2, 2023 – Lent 6: Called to Worship
Based on CDC Guidelines Harvey County is still in green status indicating
low risk for COVID. You are invited to choose whether you wear a mask or social distance. Both are optional.
To livestream the worship service:
On Sunday morning, around 9:20, 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 belows 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/Nd8KwaJOwN0?feature=share
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
April 2, 2023
Palm Sunday
Prelude—Andante Religioso (Thome); The Palms (Jean-Baptiste Faure)—Matt & Rebecca Schloneger
Land Acknowledgement and Reflection—Doug Penner
Christ Candle Lighting—Dianne Epp
Call to Worship
Leader: This is the day the Lord has made.
People: Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Leader: Let us rejoice in all our Lord has done,
All: for it is marvelous in our eyes. Hosanna!
We bless the One who comes in the name of the Lord!
Welcome and Prayer
*Hymn—All Glory, Laud, and Honor—VT 315
Palm Sunday Parade with Judy Harder and Company— VT 314—Congregation sing refrain two times as directed
*Hymn—Christ, on the Night He Was Betrayed—VT 491
Scripture Reading (With intro) Isaiah 50:4-9a; Matthew 21:1-11—Brad & Lincoln Kohlman
Meditation—Joy in the Mourning—Jill Robb
*Hymn—Glory to God in the Highest—VT 99
Congregation sings the refrain; Matt Schloneger sings the verses
Prayers of God’s People
*Hymn—Hosanna, Loud Hosanna–VT 313
*Benediction
Leader: Love God, you who are God’s holy people,
All: for God’s love endures forever.
Leader: Praise God, and give thanks,
All: for God’s love endures forever.
Leader: Expect God, and welcome God’s grace,
All: for God’s love endures forever.
Postlude—Matt & Rebecca Schloneger
* You are invited to stand
VT = Voices Together
Keyboard- Verlene Garber
Audio visual— Ken Lamp
YouTube Link: https://youtube.com/live/Nd8KwaJOwN0?feature=share
On Palm Sunday
We welcome Jill Robb for providing the meditation, and welcome Judy Harder and Company for the Palm Sunday parade and reenactment!
The Deacon Commission invites you to donate to our Caring Fund budget, which has been depleted due to needs in our community. A fishbowl will be available for you in the back of the sanctuary. Thank you for your continued support. – The Deacon Commission
Maundy Thursday
The Maundy Thursday service will be next Thursday, April 6 at 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Communion will be served.
The Maundy Thursday Communion Service will use bread and juice, and not the prepackaged elements.
There will be a Sunrise Service by the Senior High School Youth Group on Easter Sunday at 7 a.m. at the Prouty Home, 332 N. Hoover Road, Newton. Please bring a dish to share for the breakfast potluck to follow.
The worship service on Easter Sunday, April 9, will begin at 10 a.m. There will be no Sunday school.
Salina, Manhattan, Southern Hills, and Peace (Lawrence) Mennonite churches in Kansas will host a Good Friday worship service on April 7 at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom. All are welcome to join us. Contact the Southern Hills office for the Zoom link: church@southernhillsmc.org .
Last Wednesday night supper of the season , 6 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Menu: Ham loaf, macaroni and cheese, peas, lemon dessert. Please bring your own table service. Not doing so adds significant effort for the cleanup crew. – Hospitality Commission Please sign up for the April 5 supper by emailing office@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org, even if you have signed up for all suppers in advance, in order for the Wednesday night supper cooks to get an accurate number for how much to cook for this last supper of the season.
This Week at BCMC: April 2—9, 2023
Sun, Apr. 2, 2023—Lent 6: Called to Worship—Palm Sunday
9:30 am Worship YouTube Link for this Sunday is: https://youtube.com/live/Nd8KwaJOwN0?feature=share
The church nursery is staffed during worship and Sunday School
10:30 am Faith Formation—Intergenerational class meets in Fellowship Hall; High School – Room 24 Adult Classes: Agape Class meets in the nursery; Bible Study (Rm 14); Catacombs (Rm B5); Fellowship (B7); Fine Arts (Rm 22); Issues and Christianity (Rm 23); Open Circle (Room 21) Seekers (Rm 28)—”Process Theology” with Duane Friesen. All are welcome.
2:30 pm Mennonite Men’s Chorus rehearsal in the sanctuary
Mon., Apr. 3, 2023
10 am Staff meeting in Room 14
7 pm Facilities Committee meeting in Fellowship Hall
Tue., Apr. 4, 2023
4 pm VBS meeting in Fellowship Hall
Wed., Apr. 5, 2023
6 pm Wednesday night meal in Fellowship Hall
7 pm Senior High Youth Group
7:30 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal in the Sanctuary
Thurs., Apr. 6, 2023—Maundy Thursday
4 pm Staff Congregation Relations Committee meeting in Room 14
6:30 pm Maundy Thursday service in the Sanctuary
7:30 pm Church Board meeting in Room 14
No Chancel Bell rehearsal this evening
Sun, Apr. 9, 2023—Easter Sunday—Fully Alive in Christ
7 am Sunrise Service by the Senior High School Youth Group
10 am (Note the change in time from 9:30 am to 10 am) Worship with sermon by Roger Neufeld Smith; music by Chancel Choir
The Library Theme till the end of May is Women’s History. The Committee has pulled a few of the books available from our collection and is displaying them in back of the library desk or against the south wall in the children’s section. Come check us out and be on the look out for a reading contest arriving in May!!
April 14 and 15, the dates of the Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale (KMRS) are rapidly approaching. A new activity, assembling hygiene kits, will be in the Pride of Kansas Building April 14 from 6 p.m.-8 p.m., (this is a corrected date from previous bulletin announcement) and supplies are needed for these kits. A kit contains one adult toothbrush in the package, one bar of soap in the package, one good quality nail clipper, a hand towel of bright color, medium weight (16×26), and one wide toothed comb. If you would like to donate any of these supplies, please bring them to the baked goods sign up table at the back of the church Mar. 19 or Mar. 26. We have sign up sheets for pies, zwieback, and other baked goods. Stop by and sign up! Thank you! – BCMC KMRS Team: Steven and Elaine Schurr, Bill and Esther Eash, Dale and Margo Schrag
Pastor Roger Neufeld Smith will be back in Newton on Wed., Apr. 5. Roger checks his phone daily while he is in Topeka, so feel free to contact him by phone or email when he’s not in Newton.
The annual meeting of the Community Playschool Corporation will be held Mon., April 10, 7:15 p.m. in the Bethel College Mennonite Church Fellowship Hall. Interested members of the congregations supporting Community Playschool are invited to attend. Entrance to the building will be at the south side of the church and make your way to the lower level of the church by stairs or elevator.
Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements and share them with your congregation!
All Western District Conference women are invited to join a virtual event sponsored by Western District Women in Mission Tues., Apr. 25. Jenny Gehman, spiritual director, retreat speaker, and writer, will present “Holy Host: the Hospitality of God.” Join us in person or virtually. Our in-person gathering will be at First Mennonite Church in Newton, beginning with a salad potluck at 6 p.m., followed by Jenny joining virtually from Pennsylvania at 6:45 p.m. There is no cost to this event, but please register by April 23 by emailing westerndistrictwomen@gmail.com so you can receive a Zoom link if joining virtually. Please email your RSVP if attending in person and bring a salad to share. Church groups can consider gathering together to watch the Zoom. For more information, contact Wendy Schrag at 316-841-5245.
Life Enrichment for April 6—Krehbiel Auditorium
9:30 “Starting Crust & Cumb Company Was a Slice of Humble Pie,” Sharon Entz, owner/operator of Crust & Crumb, Newton
10:35 “Art Influenced by Nature—Environmental Exposure,” Glen Ediger
11:30 “10,900 Miles of Coastline: A Newfoundland Sampler,” Weldon Schloneger, former teacher, retired pastor and avid photographer
Bethel College Announcements:
· Weds., Apr. 5 – Bethel College Chamber Orchestra concert, directed by Kristopher Hilding, 7 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium
· Thurs., Apr. 6 – Junior recital by Isaac Tice, voice, 7 p.m., Administration Building Chapel
· Sat., Apr. 15 – Joint junior recital by Bethel College students Angelika Donaldson, voice, and Eli Regier, saxophone, 7 p.m., Ad Building Chapel
· Sun., Apr. 16 – KIPCOR Film Series presents Thirst for Justice, 2 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium. Documentary looks at three citizen groups fighting for clean water, in the Navajo Nation, Flint, MI., and Standing Rock. Audience talkback follows the film. Free and open to the public, with freewill offering taken to support KIPCOR and the film series.
· Sun., Apr. 16 – Senior recital by Bethel College student Julianna Schrag, voice, 4 p.m., Administration Building Chapel
· Sun., Apr. 16 – Junior recital by Bethel College student Phillip Balzer, piano, 7 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium.
· Mon., Apr. 17 – Rachel Stroer, president of The Land Institute, Salina, speaks on “Leading a Global Movement for Diverse Perennial Grain Futures,” 7 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium. Stroer will also speak in convocation at 11 a.m. (Krehbiel Auditorium) and at 2 p.m. in the Conservation Biology class (Krehbiel Science Center #121). Sponsored by the Bethel College Women’s Association and supported by BCWA’s Carolyn Schultz Lecture Endowment.
· Now in the Regier Gallery in Luyken Fine Arts Center at Bethel College – “Printing the Plains: Relief Prints by Ian Huebert,” through Fri., April 14. Gallery hours are Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun. 2-4 p.m.
· SAVE THE DATE: Sun., Apr. 30 – Masterworks concert at Bethel College,
featuring the Bethel College Oratorio Chorus, orchestra and soloists
Hesston College Announcement
April 2 – Sunflower Performing Arts: pax duo
Join the Sunflower Performing Arts on Sunday, April 2 at 3 p.m. to hear pax duo. Exceptional percussionists Micah Detwiler and Tristan Swihart will bring a multi-media percussion concert integrating acoustic percussion and lighting design. The concert will be held at Hesston Mennonite Church. Find more information and purchase tickets at hesston.edu/sunflower-performing-arts.
Camp Mennoscah Announcements
The “Better” price discount for summer youth camps ends April 1! Campers registered for summer youth camps are eligible for the $10 discount until April 1. Registration and full payment must be received by April 1. Installment plans are not eligible for the discount. If you have any questions, please contact office@campmennoscah.org or give us a call at 620-297-3290. We would be happy to help!
Other events and happenings:
- Men and Boys Retreat, March 31-April 2. Come to Camp Mennoscah for this long-standing, guys-only retreat! Enjoy time fishing, canoeing, worshiping, sitting by the fire, or visiting with friends in fellowship. There will be a variety show on Saturday evening and a worship service on Sunday morning. The official beginning to the weekend is Saturday morning, but many arrive on Friday. Meals can be purchased for Saturday night, Sunday morning and lunch. No pre-registration. Registration and payment will take place upon arrival. For more information contact Kevin Neufeld at 316-322-5515 (Men and Boys Retreat only).
- Do you drink coffee that comes in a large tin can? Camp Mennoscah is looking for lids that fit on a #10 can for a sorting and storage project. We’ll take just the lids or the lids and cans. Contact us at olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org or call 620-297-3290.
- Nurses needed for the weeks of June 18-23, Junior I Camp, and July 9-14, Junior High II Camp. As a nurse, you are a vital part of camp life. Your work to keep everyone healthy and well means campers and staff are ready to play and learn during their time at camp. Nurses must be a registered nurse (RN). Head cooks needed for PreJunior I, June 11-15, and PreJunior II, June 25-29. The head cook is in charge of leading kitchen staff in the preparation of meals and snacks that keep campers energetic, smiling, and ready to enjoy the full camp days. Camp Mennoscah can provide a menu, if wanted, and will order groceries and get kitchen staff. Head cooks and nurses receive either a stipend or a camper discount up to full camp fees. Contact us at olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org or 620-297-3290.
- Kitchen helpers and volunteers are needed for the majority of camp weeks. You keep camp running by helping prepare meals in the kitchen and working on maintenance projects or custodial tasks. Your work creates an enjoyable environment for campers to have fun and learn about God. Contact Camp Mennoscah at olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org or 620-297-3290 to sign up!
- Some families have asked how this summer will look. Summer youth camps will be very similar to pre-2020 with cabin use. If we do not have enough counselors, as happened in 2022, we would likely use a tent to allow more campers to attend. A nurse is still working on some of the protocols, but quarantine or close contact groups will not be used. Based on the final protocol/guidelines, general illness may mean the camper would go home sooner than in past years. Camp Mennoscah does not expect to test for COVID. Parents/Guardians would be responsible for any testing.
- Scholarship funds for campers are needed. If Camp Mennoscah gives the same amount in scholarships as last year, the account will be depleted. Donations to the Scholarship Fund are most welcome. Gifts can be made online or sent to Camp Mennoscah, PO Box 65, Murdock, KS, 67111 with “Scholarship Fund” in the memo. Share the gift of faith formation and friends with others!
- You may have heard the HVAC in the Retreat Center is not working. Never fear! There will be portable A/C units this summer in the Retreat Center. These units will cool down rooms, but it is expected temperatures will be warmer than what a regular A/C system would maintain.
- Click to register! Summer youth camp registration is open and Camp Mennoscah is receiving registrations. The summer theme is FruitFULL Faith. Get ready to learn and sing about the Fruit of the Spirit this summer–it’s not a coconut!
Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp Announcements
SPRUCE BEETLE PACKET WORKDAY APRIL 22nd – Camp continues its effort to minimize the impact of the spruce beetle’s desire to make a home and reproduce in the mature Engelmann spruce trees here at RMMC. Pheromone packets disbursed around camp facilities are intended to trick the beetles into thinking the trees are already inhabited with beetles and that they should go somewhere elsewhere. Please signup to come help with this year’s distribution by clicking the “VOLUNTEER” link on the web page and select “VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AND SIGN-UP“. Friday night accommodations are offered by request and meals provided include breakfast (8:00am), brunch (10:30am) and supper (5:30pm) as interested/able to join in.
SPRING MENNONITE QUILTERS RETREAT – Camp’s first quilter’s retreat for 2023 is coming April 20-23. These retreats are a great opportunity to get away and get those projects done that have been waiting. While there will be some short, fun breaks, the main focus of this weekend will be giving participants plenty of time to sew. Bring lots of projects, or that one big project you’ve been waiting to start. Sharing ideas, tips and techniques are part of the weekend along with bringing any show and tell items to share with the group. To register, please visit the camp website at www.rmmc.org.
The Newton Et Cetera Shop, Newton, KS is receiving applications for a full-time General Manager. Newton Et Cetera is a non-profit, retail thrift shop business dedicated to reselling donated items. This position requires experience in an active retail business environment, computer and public relations skills, directing staff, and maintaining and managing a large diverse group of volunteers. An application may be picked up at the shop located at 619 N. Main, Newton, KS during the hours of 10:00 am and 5:30 pm Monday through Saturday or on the website at newtonetceterashop.com. Please submit your résumé, a cover letter and the application to Debbie Nightingale, Board Chair, at applyetcshop@gmail.com or leave at the Et Cetera Shop front desk. The application deadline is April 17, 2023 and the position is available beginning in May.
For Anabaptist Disabilities Network press here
For Mennonite Mission Network “Sent” Conference press here
For Mennonite Mission Network News and Beyond press here
Spring 2023 Issue of Intersections: MCC Theory and Pracitce Quarterly
Greetings! I’m writing with the news that the spring 2023 issue of Intersections: MCC Theory and Practice Quarterly is available now on-line here and here. Compiled by Emma Smith Cain, the issue features explorations from Bolivia, Rwanda, southern Africa, DR Congo, and Ukraine about how MCC’s decades-long commitment to working through local partnerships with churches and community-based organizations anticipated contemporary discussions around the “localization” of humanitarian relief, development, and peacebuilding work.
As always, we welcome any feedback you have about this or other issues of Intersections! Send any thoughts, affirmations, critiques, and counsel you might have to intersections@mcc.org. Thanks for being a loyal reader!
Warm regards,
Alain Epp Weaver
Mennonite Church USA Announcements
#MennoCon23
Mennonite Church USA is hosting a collaborative Youth & Young Adult Climate Summit, July 7, 2023, at the Kansas City (Missouri) Convention Center. The event will bring together experts in climate change, spiritual activism and social justice to explore the ways that young people ages 14 to 25 can put their faith to work to address the spiritual and human crisis caused by climate change. Learn more here: mennoniteusa.org/news/climatesummit
Mennonite Church USA is seeking nominees for its 2023 #BringthePeace awards. The annual award is given to two honorees: a legacy peacemaker in recognition of their life’s work and a young peacemaker (age 16-25), who can help inspire other young leaders. Submit your recommendations for nominees by completing this form by April 14: mennoniteusa.org/btp-nomination
Menno Snapshots
Mennonite Church USA is proud to acknowledge John Stoner of Akron (Ohio) Mennonite Church for his peacebuilding work with the 2022 #BringthePeace Legacy Peacemaker award, sponsored by the denomination’s Church Peace Tax Fund. Read his interview here: mennoniteusa.org/john-stoner-2022-btp
Lent at Home
Talashia Keim Yoder, pastor at College Mennonite Church, in Goshen, Indiana, is the author of this year’s Lent at Home resource, sponsored by Mennonite Education Agency, which offers individuals and families flexible options for participating in Lent in their own home environments. Read her reflections here: mennoniteusa.org/created-us-to-be See the Lent at Home 2023 resources for Holy Week here: mennoniteusa.org/lentathome
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: With only a month left to apply for Mennonite Mission Network’s Youth Venture programs, pray for the young people in your community who might deepen their faith through participating in an encounter with Christians in Benin, West Africa; a trip to the Mexico-United States border; or a learning tour that brings insight into the realities of the struggle for civil rights.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Pray for Trinity Mennonite Church, Hillsboro, KS, a WDC church that has discerned to end its time as a congregation with a closing service on Easter Sunday, April 9. Give thanks to God for Trinity’s faithful witness and ministry over many years.