Announcements for May 28-June 4, 2023 - Bethel College Mennonite Church

Worship Service for May 28, 2023

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/EwmlcD5jOJk?feature=share

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
Pentecost Sunday
May 28, 2023

Prelude—Hymn Preludes by J. Harold Moyer—Karen Schlabaugh
                Be Thou My Vision
                 Beach Spring

Christ Candle Lighting

Welcome and Prayer—Dorothy Nickel Friesen

*Hymn—Holy Spirit, Come with Power—VT 57

Children’s Conversation—Esther Eash

Kin-dom Report—Community Playschool—Jeanette Leary, Cliff Dick

Scripture Reading—Acts 2:1-4,14,22-24,36-47—Lucy Burch and Emma Gering

Sermon—Pentecost, Communion and Peace— Roger Neufeld Smith

*Hymn—Let the Hungry Come to Me—VT 459

Communion
Preparation for Communion
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Pledge of Love VT 937
(congregational response “By the grace of God, I will”)
Words of Institution
Receiving the Bread and Cup
Prayer of Blessing

Prayers of God’s People

*Hymn—We Are People of God’s Peace—VT 797
People with May birthdays come forward for a blessing, please bring a hymnal.

Benediction

Postlude—Toccata in E Minor (Johann Pachelbel)—Karen Schlabaugh

You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Keyboard—Karen Schlabaugh
Audio visual—John Thiesen

YouTube Link:  https://youtube.com/live/EwmlcD5jOJk?feature=share

Sunday, May 21, 2023, during the worship service, BCMC welcomed eight new members: Calvin Flickinger, Ron Flickinger, Janet Friesen, Lauren Friesen, Judy Harder, Keith Harder, Jim Juhnke, Miriam Nofsinger.

To read their faith statements press here.

This Week at BCMC: May 21-28, 2023

Sun, May 28, 2023—Pentecost Sunday
9:30 a.m.   Worship   YouTube Link for this Sunday is:
https://youtube.com/live/EwmlcD5jOJk?feature=share
The church nursery is staffed during worship and Sunday School
10:45 a.m. Faith Formation—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)
Mon., May 29, 2023—Memorial Day—Church Office will be closed
Tue., May 30, 2023—Vacation Bible School at BCMC
5:30 to 7:30 p.m. VBS in various classrooms and Fellowship Hall at BCMC
Wed., May 31, 2023
5:30 to 7:30 p.m. VBS in various classrooms and Fellowship Hall at BCMC
6 p.m.    Indigenous Justice Task Group meets in Room 14
7 p.m.   Senior High Youth Group
Thurs., June 1, 2023
10 a.m. Staff meeting in Room 14
4 p.m.    Staff Congregational Relations Committee meeting in Room 14
5:30 to 7:30 p.m. VBS in various classrooms and Fellowship Hall at BCMC
7 p.m.     Church Board meeting in Room 14
Fri., June 2, 2023
5:30 to 7:30 p.m. VBS in various classrooms and Fellowship Hall at BCMC
Come see a Play, Friday, June 2 at VBS! From 6-7:30 at BCMC! ALL are invited to a performance of Selah’s Song, a play about a young girl in Ukraine who inspires her community with a song of Peace. This play is suitable for all ages and we hope you can join! Presented by Theatre of the Beat, a touring company based in Toronto.

Sun., June 4, 2023—Vacation Bible School Sunday—Worship Service on the Bethel College Lawn All participating churches will come together for a joint VBS worship service. The children will showcase the songs they learned during VBS and take part in enjoyable activities. The service will be live streamed on the First Mennonite Church channel starting at 10 a.m. A potluck will follow the service. Please bring chairs, table service, and a food item to share. Drinks will be provided. Join in a gathering of love, faith, and community, creating cherished memories together.

The First Mennonite live-stream can be viewed at first mennonite newton.org, at the First Mennonite YouTube channel, YouTube.com/@firstmennonitechurchnewton7575, or at the First Mennonite Newton Facebook page. The stream starts 20 minutes before the service.

Newton Public Library will be hosting a screening and discussion of the film Women Talking this Saturday, May 27, at 2:00 pm in the Bessmer Room. The movie, released in 2022, is based on real life events and the 2018 book by Miriam Toews, in which the women of an isolated Mennonite colony reveal a shocking secret about the colony’s men. The brutal truth comes out and the women talk about their new situation as they grapple with their faith and decide whether to do nothing, stay and fight, or leave. Pastor Willmar Harder of Buhler Mennonite Church and his wife Hannah Neufeld will facilitate a discussion following the movie for those who would like to stay. With their firsthand knowledge from serving as co-coordinators of the Low German Mennonite Program of MCC Bolivia, we hope to shed some light on the fact and fiction between actual events, the film, and the book. May is Women’s Health Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, so we hope this event will help people process their thoughts and be a starting point for a healthy discussion. This movie is rated PG-13 for mature thematic content and runs 1 hour, 44 minutes.

Pastor Nathan Koontz will be on vacation May 26-31.

Monica Lichti will be on vacation June 5-9. The church office will be open in the mornings of that week and closed in the afternoons.

Roger’s Whereabouts : Roger will be in Newton until May 29. He will be driving back to Topeka Monday night, but will return to Newton Thursday morning, June 1.

BCMC Offering for May 21, 2023: General Fund $4,890; Community Play School $500; Living Stones $415; Mennonite Camp Scholarship $100; Women’s Fellowship $240; Esther Thieszen Memorial $1,080.

Community Playschool, Inc. has recently completed our 56th school year! Twenty-two children of the Newton community participated in the program this year at a minimal cost to their families, thanks to five area sponsoring churches. We again want to thank BCMC for being one of those supporting churches through monetary donations, the use of the facilities, secretarial and custodial services and a welcoming attitude toward our program. It is nice to have a home here! We also are grateful for the matching grant that we received from this church through the Everence Sharing Fund. I want to acknowledge the service of Cliff Dick as BCMC’s representative on our board, also serving as treasurer. Barb Voran, Stahli Claassen, Vernabelle Stayrook, and Cynthia Linscheid, served respectively as teacher, helper, and substitutes this year. These volunteers help make it possible for us to continue to provide an affordable preschool experience to families who need it most. A big thanks to Monica Lichti for her extra duties related to our being housed here at BCMC! An organization such as ours relies heavily on volunteer workers to keep our costs to a minimum. As many of our volunteers have retired from our program and as we look ahead to the next school year, we know that we need more volunteer helpers to be able to provide the attentive relationships and safe environment that we have always sought to maintain for our children and families. As members of a sponsoring church, we hope that you might consider whether you could help us out and become a one or two day a week helper for the coming school year. These volunteer positions have not only helped the children we serve but have also proved to be a rewarding experience for many of our adult helpers. Please give your church representative or us a call if you would like to have more information about our program and the opportunities that we have for you! We solicit your prayers and continued support for the future of our organization. With gratitude, Co- Directors, Kasey Newell (316 772-3350) and Jeanette Leary (316 217-2548)

Children and Youth of BCMC: Read a book. Earn a Book. This summer, you can earn a book for the New Hope Shelter for each book checked out, read, and returned. Visit the table outside the door to the children’s room of the BCMC church library for more information. The challenge is to fill a whole shelf of books for homeless children and youth.
The Library Theme for June and July are Library Committee suggestions for Everybody/Junior books for the summer reading contest. As has already been noted, this contest is for any student who checks out a book from our library, reads it independently, reads it with someone or someone reads it to a student, and then returns it. We are excited to see how many books will be purchased for New Hope Shelter. —The Library Committee

BCMC Pride Month Activities
June is Pride month for LGBTQIA persons and our church plans to celebrate and raise awareness for those who identify as LGBTQIA in the following ways.
-Oscar Gonzalez, Graphic Design Coordinator at Bethel College, has created Pride banners that will be hung outside our church building during the month of June. Thanks Oscar!
-The congregation is invited to join in various Wichita Pride activities throughout the month of June. Go to the wichitapride.org website for more details. Of special note is the Unity March on June 25. It will begin around 10 at the Old Town Square and end at Hyde Park with a lunch in the park to follow.
-Nathan Koontz of BCMC will represent the local Supportive Communities Network (SCN) during worship at Faith Mennonite as they celebrate joining SCN. SCN is part of the Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBT Interests. Local SCN congregations include BCMC, Shalom, New Creation, and Lorraine Avenue.
-In early June, the Bethel College Mennonite Church Inclusion Task Group will be sending a letter to the Mennonite Central Committee encouraging them to eliminate their discriminatory policies towards LGBTQIA persons. If you would like to learn more about MCC’s lifestyle policy (HR 152) and our letter, please contact Karen Ediger, John Kliewer, Nathan Koontz, or Karen Penner of the Inclusion Task Group.

Rejoice Devotional Subscriptions
For those of you who are currently subscribed to the Rejoice Devotional Magazine, the last issue for this year (June-July-August) is in your mailboxes here at church. To renew for the coming year (or if you wish to join as a new subscriber) please drop a check in the offering plate for $34.11 (in the memo line put “Rejoice” subscription), or mail your check to the church at PO Box 364, North Newton, KS, 67117, or bring to the church office by May 31.

Judy Friesen would like to invite church members to come share her space in the country with a potluck Sunday, June 11, starting at 6:00 pm. Sloppy joes, drink and table service provided. Space to roam and visit as well as eat. 2101 W Dutch Ave. North on Hwy 15 to Hesston Road (Dutch Av), and 3/4 mile west.

Are you looking for a meaningful volunteer opportunity? New Hope Shelter would happily welcome you. BCMC needs to send 2 volunteers every evening for a week every 9 weeks, and you would be asked if you could serve one of those evenings. But a commitment every 9 weeks is not required. There is a volunteer training June 15 at 7:30. Please contact Valetta Seymour if you are interested or have questions: seymour2314@gmail.com or 620-217-7536. There will be refresher volunteer training on June 22 at 7:30 for those who want to brush up on their volunteer knowledge.

Current donation needs for New Hope:

Lunch meat, sliced cheese, Miracle Whip, salad dressings, milk, pancake syrup, peanut butter and jelly. Paper towels, napkins, toilet paper, saran wrap, sandwich bags, masking tape.

Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements.

Instead of a traditional Summer Story Hour, the WDC Conference Resource Library will be hosting Story Days with a self-guided, come-and-go approach with activities for ages 3-8 and their caregiver(s) on June 15, July 20 & August 3 from 9:00am-7:30pm. Read alouds by library staff/volunteers on the hour from 9am-7pm. The WDC Resource Library is located at 2517 N Main in North Newton.

Staff position opening: Western District Conference seeks a half-time Business Manager beginning July 10, at WDC’s North Newton, KS, office (some remote work possible). Responsibilities include financial management, bookkeeping, reporting and payroll. Qualifications include organizational, computer and communication skills, bookkeeping or accounting experience, and willingness to support WDC’s mission and priorities. For position description and application form visit: https://mennowdc.org/wdc-staff-position-opening/. Interested applicants please submit application form and letter of interest to the Conference Minister at heidirk@mennowdc.org.

The Newton Et Cetera Shop is taking applications for our full-time Retail Manager position. Job descriptions and applications can be picked up at the shop, 619 Main Street, Newton KS, 67114; phone 316-283-9461.

(Sun., May 28) – Last day to visit the special exhibition at Kauffman Museum , “Reeds & Wool: Patterned Screens of Central Asia.” Hours are 1:30-4:30 p.m., with a small admission charge for non-museum members.
Sat., June 3 – The public is invited to Walk Sand Creek Trail Day, part of National Trails Day®. Water will be available for people and leashed dogs at the trailhead at Memorial Grove on the Bethel College campus, dawn to dusk (6 a.m.-8 p.m.), courtesy of the Sand Creek Trail Committee, with members there to answer any questions about the trail and its history. This is the 25th anniversary of Sand Creek Trail as an organized and maintained trail.
Sat., June 3 – Kauffman Museum bird walk, 7 a.m. start time in the museum parking lot at the corner of Main and 27th streets (2801 N. Main St., North Newton 67117). Experienced birders lead a walk of 1-1.5 hours in Chisholm Park and on Sand Creek Trail (terrain is mostly wood-chip path and sometimes uneven/sloping).

Register now for the Restorative Kansas conference happening June 8-9 at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, KS. The conference theme is Growing Restorative Communities: Cultivating Change by Tending our Roots. Hear Keynote Speaker Chief Justice Emeritus Robert Yazzie of Navajo Nation and participate in breakout sessions on indigenous peacemaking; RJ in schools; youth-led efforts; community-based efforts; law enforcement and judicial efforts; and circle process. Enjoy a commissioned street opera entitled “The Return” and lots more. MCC Central States is a sponsor for the 2023 conference. Please join us, find more information and register at www.restorativekansas.org

Everence will hold an informative Medicare webinar Tues., May 30, at 6:30 p.m. Topics will include, when and where to sign up for Medicare, what Medicare does (and doesn’t) cover, Medicare Parts A, B, C and D in clear, understandable language plus budgeting for health care costs in retirement. There will also be time for your questions. Information will be presented by staff from the Everence offices in Central Kansas. To register contact Everence at 316-283-3800, 877-467-7294 or central.kansas@everence.com. Attendance recommended for those approaching retirement or those ready to sign up for Medicare.

For Anabaptist Disabilities Network press here
For Mennonite Mission Network News and Beyond press here
For Mennonite Men press here
For Mennonite Mission Network News from around the world press here

Greetings from Camp Mennoscah!
Attached is the Summer 2023 issue of the Ninnescah News. It’s a short issue with just a taste of some of what Camp Mennoscah embodies.
Included in this issue are:

an article on community found at a friends retreat
the 2023 Summer Staff
the Mission & Maintenance opportunity
a few tidbits to remind you about summer camps and camp merch
We pray that, whatever you do this summer, you are safe and happy. We’ll see you at Camp Mennoscah!

With peace, The Camp Mennoscah staff

Mennonite Church USA Announcements
#MennoCon23
The MennoCon23 worship planning committee has released the names of the worship speakers for the July 3-6 Mennonite Church USA denominational convention, which will take place at the Kansas City (Missouri) Convention Center. The convention’s overall theme is “#BeTransformed,” which is inspired by Isaiah 43:19-21 and 2 Corinthians 5:17. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/news/mennocon23-worship-speakers

There’s still time to register for MennoCon23, Mennonite Church USA’s leading faith formation event, in Kansas City (Missouri) Convention Center, July 3-6, 2023. Registration is also open for the Youth & Young Adult Climate Summit, July 7, and the Delegate Assembly, July 7-8. Register here: mennoniteusa.org/news/mennocon23-registration

The all-new Youth & Young Adult Climate Summit, taking place on July 7, 2023, directly following Mennonite Church USA’s MennoCon23 convention, will be an opportunity to explore ways that youth and young adults ages 14-25 can put their faith to work to address this crisis during a day of worship, learning and collaboration. Watch an informational Zoom recording here: mennoniteusa.org/webinar-climatesummit

#BeTransformed
When Becky Degan told her husband and teenage son that the theme for MennoCon23 worship is “Transformed by the Spirit,” they broke out with the Transformers’ theme song, “More than meets the eye.” “Later, when I was asked what excites me about this year’s convention, that song went through my head, and I realized that’s what I’m excited about — catching glimpses of the Holy Spirit at work beyond what we can understand or imagine.” Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/worship-is-gods-playground

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Mennonite Mission Network requests prayer for Odesa Theological Seminary in Ukraine. Pray that courses on trauma healing will equip church leaders to respond with compassion and skill to the millions of people who have lost loved ones and homes due to Russia’s invasion.

Western District Conference Prayer Request: Please pray for those who participated at our “Being the Church: Meeting Our Neighbors Where They Are” conference in Dallas on April 21-22. May their time together encourage them to prayerfully try new things, plant new churches, and take new steps of faith as we invite our neighbors to follow Jesus alongside us. -WDC Church Planting Commission