Worship Service for June 25, 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/Pkq4wosFEUM?feature=share
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
June 25, 2023
Prelude—Praise Him! Praise Him! (arr. Labenske); I Sing the Mighty Power of God (arr. Labenske); Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us (arr. Rice)—Meghann Rogers
Christ Candle Lighting
Welcome and Prayer—John Kliewer
*Hymn—Summoned by the God Who Made Us—VT 1
Children’s Conversation—Kathy Stucky
*Hymn—Rain Down—VT 703
Scripture Reading—Jeremiah. 20:7-13; Romans. 6:1b-11; Matthew. 10:24-28, 37-39—Hodges?
Sermon—Reoriented—Nathan Koontz
*Hymn of Response—Open, Lord, My Inward Ear—VT 548
Prayers of God’s People
*Hymn—Go Now in Peace, Worship Continues—VT 829
People with June birthdays come forward for a blessing, please bring a hymnal.
*Benediction
Postlude– Amazing Grace (arr. Labenske)—Meghann Rogers
* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Keyboard—Meghann Rogers
Audio visual—John Thiesen
Offertory at BCMC
As a way of acknowledging our offertory during our Sunday morning worship, the ushers will bring up the offertory trays to the communion table during the Hymn of Response. Then, as we have already been doing, the worship leader will give thanks for the offering during the Prayers of God’s People.
This Week at BCMC: June 25—July 2, 2023
Sun, June 25, 2023
9:30 a.m. Worship YouTube Link for this Sunday is:
https://youtube.com/live/Pkq4wosFEUM?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; Fellowship (B7); Fine Arts (Rm 22);
Issues and Christianity (Rm 23); Open Circle (Room 21) Seekers (Rm 28)
3 p.m. Program in Fellowship Hall with John Stoesz. John Stoesz will talk about the “Repair Network Project” in Mountain Lake, MN
Mon., June 26, 2023
2 p.m. Credence Report Task Group meeting in Room 14
Tue., June 27, 2023
11 a.m. Staff meeting in Room 14
Wed., June 28, 2023
7 p.m. Senior High Youth Group
Sun., July 2, 2023
9:30 a.m. Worship with sermon by Roger Neufeld Smith; music by Maisie Brubacher and Miles Brubacher
Congregational Care Coordinator Elizabeth Schmidt will be on vacation June 24-30.
We offer sympathy to Dale Horst and family on the death of Dale’s wife Rosie Horst. Rosie died Friday, June 16. A date for the memorial service will be announced later.
BCMC Offering for June 18, 2023: General Fund $10,736.13; Caring Fund $1,500; Living Stones $108.33; Kitchen Fund $16.
Congratulations to BCMC, May was a great month financially! For the 2nd consecutive month we have had a positive monetary balance. With continued effort in June, we will enter the 2nd half of the year in a strong financial position. Finance Committee
Roger’s Whereabouts
Roger will be back at BCMC this Sunday, June 25, for worship and to attend the Casa Betania 15th Anniversary Celebration at First Mennonite Church. He will stay for the regular BCMC staff meeting on Monday, then drive back to Topeka Monday afternoon, June 26. He will be back in Newton on Thursday, June 29. Roger checks his email and phone messages regularly for messages, so feel free to contact him via email or text while he is in Topeka.
Iglesia Menonita Casa Betania invites local Mennonite congregations to a 15th anniversary service Sunday, June 25 at 4 p.m. in the sanctuary of First Mennonite Church, 429 E. 1st St., Newton, where Casa Betania worships. After the service there will be a time of fellowship with a meal. Casa Betania will provide main dishes and an anniversary cake. Guests do not need to bring food, but those who would like to bring something are welcome to share a salad or fruit.
The Search Committee has been meeting monthly to continue the process of searching for BCMC’s next pastor. There continue to be many congregations within the conference that are experiencing transitions. We ask for your continued prayers for the committee and the congregation, as God prepares the heart of the right candidate for BCMC. The committee remains open to accepting names of possible candidates as well.
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.
-Pride banners are hung outside our church building during the month of June. Thanks to Oscar Gonzalez, Graphic Design Coordinator at Bethel College, for his design!
-Nathan Koontz of BCMC represented the local Supportive Communities Network (SCN) during worship at Faith Mennonite as they celebrated joining SCN. SCN is part of the Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBT Interests. Local SCN congregations include BCMC, Shalom, New Creation, and Lorraine Avenue.
-This month the Bethel College Mennonite Church Inclusion Task Group sent a letter to the Mennonite Central Committee encouraging them to eliminate their discriminatory policies towards LGBTQIA persons. 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.
-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 Pride Parade on June 25 at 11 a.m. The route will begin at the Old Courthouse (510 N. Main Street, Wichita) and end at Century II.
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 Prayer Network: The Prayer Network is an email-based prayer network comprised of Deacon Commission members and BCMC congregants. Participants make a one-year commitment to this prayer ministry which is coordinated by Pastors and the Office and Facilities Manager. Pastors respond to prayer requests and determine when and how these requests are distributed. Specific prayer requests are shared only with the permission of the person(s) involved. If you would like to join the BCMC prayer network, please email your interest to office@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org. Thanks to all who serve BCMC in the Prayer Network.
Care Connections Opportunity: Volunteers are needed to provide transportation for BCMCers to medical appointments, including appointments in Wichita. If you’re available and can provide loving care for one another in this way at this time, please call Elizabeth at the church office, or send an email to elizabeth@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org. “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35 ESV)
The Western District Conference Annual Assembly
Join us for the Western District Conference Annual Assembly! It’s for everybody on August 11-13, 2023 at Tabor Mennonite Church, Newton. We’ll worship, work, eat great, local food, enjoy local music, connect with new and old friends, experience faith formation for all ages, and have many choices of great workshops. We hope you’ll agree Annual Assembly is a great place to learn about and grow in faith in Christ, care for the broader church, and worship our God of love and justice with God’s people in Western District Conference!
BCMC NEEDS YOU TO BE A DELEGATE!
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE A DELEGATE TO THE WDC ANNUAL ASSEMBLY PLEASE EMAIL THE CHURCH OFFICE – office@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org
Your registration will be paid by BCMC. Transportation and lodging costs are not reimbursed, but should be minimal as the WDC Assembly is at Tabor Mennonite Church..
2023 WDC Annual Assembly – August 11-13
At Tabor Mennonite Church, 891 Chisholm Trail, Newton, KS 67114
| WDC Annual Assembly Delegate Session – Agenda for delegates will include an introduction to the conference-wide Listening Process, report on the Anti-Racism Audit, recognition of the closing of Trinity Mennonite Church and the introduction of two new church plants, update on conference facilities and finances, approval of the 2024 budget, highlights from the work of WDC commissions, election of new board, commission and committee leaders, and more! Delegate materials will be posted here as they are available: https://mennowdc.org/2023-assembly-delegate-information/ —- Register at https://mennowdc.org/2023-wdc-assembly-registration/ to join others from around the conference in our work together. Visit: https://mennowdc.org/2023-wdc-annual-assembly/ for more info on this summer’s Assembly! WDC Assembly 2023 Registration is now open below! |
Kauffman Museum is offering an intergenerational Uncle Carl’s Camp called “Pottery Possibilities,” July 10-14 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on the Bethel campus. Campers will start with hand-building before throwing on potter’s wheels, and wrap up the week with glazing and an outdoor firing (weather permitting). Completed artwork may be picked up at a later date. No previous experience is required. To sign up or to explore other Uncle Carl’s Camp offerings, stop by Kauffman Museum (27th & North Main, North Newton) to pick up a brochure or visit https://kauffmanmuseum.org/uncle-carls-camp/
A Gift for You–The Western District Conference Resource Library summer reading program for all ages includes a gift for you. Stop by the library from May 30-Aug. 10 to pick out a wrapped package and a response sheet or request one be mailed to you. The book/DVD/resource inside is yours to keep. Fill out a response sheet and return to the library for a ticket into the prize drawing (gift cards for teens/adults and a prize bag for kids). The WDC Resource Library is located at 2517 N Main in North Newton. For questions and mailing requests, email crlib@mennowdc.org
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 July 20 and Aug. 3 from 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Read alouds by library staff/volunteers on the hour from 9 a.m.-7p.m.
Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements.
Staff position opening: Western District Conference seeks a quarter-time Fund Development Coordinator beginning July 2023 to cultivate donor relationships and congregational giving, promote planned giving, and generate creative fundraising initiatives. Qualifications include communication, fund-raising and development skills. Position description and application form at https://mennowdc.org/employment/. Please submit application and letter of interest to heidirk@mennowdc.org.
First Mennonite Church in Hutchinson invites you to a Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery Movie Showing & Book Signing with Mark Charles Sat., July 8, 6:30 p.m. at the church. The film, The Custodians: A Story of Ancient Echoes, explores the work of local landowners, volunteers and municipal government of Herschel, Saskatchewan, in protecting and conserving the many signs of historic Indigenous presence in the region. The book,
Unsettling Truths, by author Mark Charles, is a prophetic blend of history, theology, and cultural commentary, that reveals the far-reaching, damaging effects of the “Doctrine of Discovery.” Stay after the film showing for a panel with Mark Charles and Jonathan Neufeld. FMC Hutchinson is located at 52 Rambler Road, Hutchinson.
Kidron Bethel Village in North Newton will host it’s annual Fourth of July Fireworks Extravaganza on July 4. Arrival is welcome after 7:30 p.m., and fireworks will begin after sundown. It is recommended that you bring your own chairs or blankets for fireworks viewing. The free outdoor event will include family fun with games, giveaways and food for purchase, including Salted Creamery ice cream. Kidron Bethel is located at 3001 Ivy Dr., in North Newton. Parking for the event will be marked.
Camp Mennoscah Announcements
Thank you for the outpouring of toilet paper rolls for summer youth camp crafts! We have enough for the rest of the summer. (If rolls are already on the way, no problem. We have other uses for them.) The toilet paper roll drive was so successful, we’re starting another one. Drop off your loose bills and spare change when you come to camp or send them in check form. They’ll be added to the Camp Life fund, which helps fund things for activities (sports equipment, replacing worn out items, etc.) and renovations. Let us do you the favor of keeping your pockets clutter-free!
Other events and happenings:
- Camper pick-up is 10:30am to 11:30am on the last day of camp. Friday is the last day of camp for Junior, Junior High, and Senior High camps. We had conflicting information that was sent out to parents/guardians and we want to make sure you are here to pick up your campers and hear the fun stories about the week.
- Registration for the Fall Scrapbook and Crafts Retreats is open. The retreats are scheduled for Nov. 3-5 and Nov. 10-12. All retreat activities will happen at the Main Camp facilities with cropping and crafts in the dining hall and lodging in the bunkhouses. (The Retreat Center will be undergoing HVAC renovations.) Single rooms are not available. Contact us at 620-297-3290 with questions or issues. We’ll see you in the fall!
- Click to register! We are almost halfway through the summer but there is still space at remaining camps. Registrations are being accepted. 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!
- Just want to let you know that things will look different! The landscaping around the Retreat Center will be removed in preparation for the replacement of the HVAC system at the Retreat Center and to meet code. There is not a firm timeline when this will start. New landscaping will be determined at a later time.
- Some scholarship funds are still available. These scholarship funds are to assist campers who might not otherwise be able to attend a week of camp. To request scholarship funds, complete the online form. Questions can be directed to olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org or 620-297-3290.
For Mennonite Creation Care Network press here
For Mennonite Disaster Service On the Level press here
For Mennonite Mission Network News from around the world press here
For Mennonite Mission Network News and Beyond press here
Greetings!
I’m writing to share about the summer 2023 issue of Intersections: MCC Theory and Practice Quarterly, on the theme of “savings and loan groups.” It is available now on-line here. Compiled by Michael Adeola, this issue features learning from and analysis of MCC-supported savings and loan efforts in Uganda, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Nepal, India, and Cambodia.
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
#BeTransformed
When Marc Smithers, one of three delegates selected from Sojourner’s Mennonite Fellowship to participate in “A Day of Fellowship and Discernment” for the New York Mennonite Conference, he felt apprehensive. But as the event unfolded, the intentionality of the event’s planning committee was evident. Read more of his experience here: mennoniteusa.org/called-to-community
#MennoCon23
“We live in a fragmented society. Most of us have grown accustomed to spending the vast majority of our time alone and apart, even if we are in the vicinity of other people,” writes Dianne Garcia, future MennoCon23 speaker. Read her reflections here: mennoniteusa.org/creating-kingdom-community
Follow along with the day-to-day excitement of MennoCon23, the Youth & Young Adult Climate Summit and the Delegate Assembly by subscribing to MC USA’s daily email convention newsletter, the KC Sauce, here: mennoniteusa.org/kcsauce
Menno Snapshots
“From the time I was very young, I wanted to write a children’s book. I spent many hours coming up with characters and interesting plotlines.” Chrissie Muecke, curriculum writer and editor for MennoMedia, a Mennonite Church USA agency, reflects on her experience editing “The Peace Table: A Storybook Bible” for children. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/preparing-peace-table
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Mennonite Mission Network requests prayer for Jae Young Lee and Karen Spicher, and their four children, as they minister in South Korea. Pray for Jae, as he serves as the executive director of Northeast Asia Regional Peacebuilding Institute (NARPI) and Korea Peacebuilding Institute, and pray for Karen as she works as NARPI’s communications coordinator.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Please pray for churches grappling with changes in these post-pandemic times. May we find ways forward that are creative, that meet people and families where they are, and which leave behind anything holding us back. May we remember that Jesus is the same, yesterday, today, and forever – even as our world changes. -WDC Church Planting Commission