BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR SUNDAY, APRIL 7, 2024
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/RiCMJqHthP8?feature=share
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
April 7, 2024
Second Sunday of Easter
Christ Candle Lighting
Centering Music–My Song is Love Unknown, arr. Leavitt–Peter Buller, English horn; Will Wiebe-Friesen, organ
Land Acknowledgement & Call to Worship—Lauren Friesen
*Hymn—Spirit, Working in Creation—VT 50
Children’s Conversation—(MCC Relief Sale liaisons-bucks)—Esther Kreider Eash
Anthem—Ave verum Corpus (William Byrd)
Chancel Choir, Riley King, director; Will Wiebe-Friesen, accompanist
Ave verum Corpus (William Byrd) translation
Hail, true Body, born of the Virgin Mary,
Who has truly suffered, was sacrificed on the cross for mortals,
Whose side was pierced, whence flowed water and blood:
Be for us a foretaste (of heaven) during our final examining.
O Jesu sweet, O Jesu pure, O Jesu, Son of Mary, have mercy upon me. Amen.
Scripture Reading—Acts 4:32-35, John 20:19-31—Timothy Schrag
*Hymn—Breathe on Me, Breath of God—VT 737
Sermon—Believing as Entrusting—Nathan Koontz
*Hymn—I Know That My Redeemer Lives (verses 1,3,5,6)—VT 347
Prayers of God’s People
*Hymn—Christ is Alive! Let Christians Sing—VT 359
*Benediction
Postlude—Let There Be Peace on Earth (arr. Wiebe-Friesen)–
Will Wiebe-Friesen
* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Keyboard- Will Wiebe-Friesen
Audio visual—Ben Lichti
[Welcome and thank you to Peter Buller. Peter is a student at Bethel College and will perform a junior recital on piano and oboe in the Administration Building chapel on April 14 at 7 p.m.]
This Week at BCMC: April 7-14, 2024
Sunday, April 7, 2024
9:30 a.m. Worship Service; 10:45 a.m. Faith Formation
YouTube Link for this Sunday:
https://youtube.com/live/RiCMJqHthP8?feature=share
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
9 a.m. Women’s Fellowship Executive Board meeting in Room 14
6:30 p.m. Community Playschool Board meeting in Fellowship Hall
7:15 p.m. Community Playschool Corporation meeting in Fellowship Hall
7:30 p.m. Finance Committee meeting in Room 14
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir rehearsal in the Sanctuary
Thursday, April 11, 2024
7:30 p.m. Hospitality Commission meeting in Fellowship Hall
Friday, April 13, 2024
11 a.m. Memorial for Don Kaufman in the Sanctuary followed by lunch in FH
Sunday, April 14, 2024
9:30 a.m. Worship with sermon by Roger Neufeld Smith; music by Chancel Bells
10:45 a.m. Faith Formation
Please join Kansas Mennonite Men’s Chorus at one or both of our concerts this year: The first is April 7 at Bethel College 4 p.m. The second is April 21 at Tabor College 4 p.m. This year we are including the Newton Children’s Community Choir, the Flannelbacks and the Menno Brass.
Roger was so sorry to miss the BCMC Easter celebrations due to a bout with COVID. He was able to be in the BCMC office this week with a mask. He returned to Topeka after the Church Board meeting on Thur. April 4. On Friday Cynthia and he will be traveling to Ohio to visit family and (hopefully) experience the solar eclipse. He will return to Newton next Wednesday, April 10 and preach in worship on Sunday, April 14 . Roger checks his email and phone regularly. Feel free to contact him via email, text or phone (785-220-1968.)
Save the Date: All women and girls are invited to the Women’s Fellowship Tea, Tues., April 16, 7 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Program: “And A Little Taste of Theatre” with Judy Harder.
BCMC Offering for March 31: General Fund $2,569; Wed. Supper $495.10; MCC Sale $50; Caring Fund $1,010; Library Reserve Fund $5; Solar Fund $7,000;
Nancy Hilty Mem. $100.
Creation Care: Thank you for your support in reaching our 1,000 pound goal of collecting plastic bags for recycling. Our last day of collection will be April 12 however Bill Eash has graciously accepted the responsibility of continuing this project. The composite bench has arrived! Suggestions for placement of the bench would be welcome. Vern and Jane Goering
A great big THANKS to Vern and Jane Goering for all of their work in taking care of those 1,000 pounds of plastic bags! They faithfully collected, photographed, and weighed all 1,000 pounds and took them to the collection center
GOING BEYOND LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
–BCMC was invited by the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery to join with other churches who will be joining an amicus brief (friend of the court) to the Supreme Court of the United States in support of Apache Stronghold. John Kliewer is spearheading the BCMC effort to sign on. Apache Stronghold has 90 days to appeal the ruling of the 9th Circuit Court who found against their case (6-5) to protect Oak Flat from Resolution Copper on March 1. Dr. Wendsler Nosie reacted to the ruling: “Oak Flat is like Mount Sinai to us–our most sacred site where we connect with our Creator, our faith, our families, and our land. The ruling targets the spiritual lifeblood of my people, but it will not stop our struggle to save Oak Flat.” Congregations, organizations, and denominations are being asked to sign onto an amicus brief before July 1.
Other ways to support Apache Stronghold: 1. PRAY 2. Contact your representatives using the SOFA toolkit 3. Sign/share the‘I Support the Sacred’ petition 4. In April the Repair Coalition will be learning about amicus briefs for Apache Stronghold’s appeal to the Supreme Court and praying for the protection of sacred land in the Prayer and Action Hour: Friday, April 26th, 4-5 p.m. All are invited to join. Register for the Prayer and Action Hour Zoom link here
–BCWA Task Group will host a 4-session reading/discussion of So We and Our Children May Live by Sarah Augustine and Sheri Hostetler in the upcoming months before Sarah Augustine visits our area during Fall Festival at Bethel College. Watch for time and place. Anyone interested in reading and thinking together is invited.
Future Events at BCMC:
· April 13, 11 a.m., memorial service for Don Kaufman followed by lunch in Fellowship Hall.
· Trip Report on a Visit to New BCMC Member Max Ediger on April 21:
Max Ediger joined the BCMC fellowship in the last year to become our most distant member, currently living in Cambodia. Max has spent his life in service in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand, much of it with MCC. Recently, his childhood friend, Dennis Loepp and wife Dori of Turpin, OK, traveled to visit Max and tour with him in Vietnam and Cambodia. They will give an informal report on Max’s work, family and their travels together at BCMC Fellowship Hall on Sun. Apr.21, at 3 p.m. Max’s cousins and friends in the area will join interested persons in our congregation to hear this report. You are welcome!
· April 27-28 BCMC Church Retreat at Camp Mennoscah! Registration is LIVE for the BCMC Camp Mennoscah Retreat, which is on April 27 & 28! Arrival can officially happen after 1 PM on Saturday, and you are welcome to come for Saturday, Sunday, or both, with the option to spend the night. The retreat concludes with Sunday morning worship at 10 AM and lunch at 11:30 AM. If interested in attending, you can use the link here: Camp Mennoscah Retreat Registration – April 27/28, 2024 to sign up. This is very helpful in terms of planning for meals. If you would like more information about the retreat, it can be found at this link: BCMC Mennoscah Retreat Information. If you have any questions, please reach out to Adam Robb in church OR via email or phone – both of which are in the directory!
Chancel Choir Director Position at BCMC: BCMC is looking for a Chancel Choir Director to begin in August 2024. This is a part-time position, August 15-May 15. As part of the team of musicians on the church staff, the director is responsible for music selection, rehearsals, and performances of the Chancel Choir. The choir sings approximately two times per month during September—May and participates in a Christmas Eve Lessons and Carols service and Easter Sunday service. Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings from 7:30-8:30. Inquiries should be addressed to Barbara Thiesen, BCMC Music Coordinator at thiesenjba@gmail.com Application forms are available from Monica Lichti, BCMC Office/Facilities Manager at office@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org or 316-283-3667.
We offer sympathy to JoAnn Funk. JoAnn’s oldest sister, Virginia Kaufman, age 100, died March 20, 2024 at The Cedars, McPherson, KS. The funeral was April 5, at Eden Mennonite Church, Moundridge.
The annual meeting of the Community Playschool Corporation will be held Tues, April 9, 7:15 p.m. at 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.
Volunteer at New Hope Shelter: BCMC is one of 24 local congregations providing regular volunteer support to New Hope Shelter in Newton. New Hope serves homeless men, women, and children from Harvey, Butler, Marion, and McPherson counties. About five times a year, BCMC and Faith Mennonite partner to cover one week of evening shifts. We provide a meal for 25-30 people and two volunteers who stay through the evening to support an evening staff person. We can always use more help to meet this commitment, and participation can be regular or occasional. Our next shift will be May 1-7. If you’re interested or would like more details, email Cynthia Linscheid at cdlin319@gmail.com. Thank you to all who have volunteered for New Hope, either recently or in the past!
Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale is next weekend! Come on Friday evening or Saturday to volunteer, eat great food, walk in the 5K, bid on an auction item, add a knot to an MCC comforter, or meet a friend. Everything you spend will go to the world-wide relief, development, and peace efforts of Mennonite Central Committee.
· PIES & ZWIEBACK — We currently need 5 more pies and 17 dozen more zwieback. Please come to the back of the sanctuary immediately after worship today to sign up and get tins and bags.
· Plants & Baked Goods Deliver — Did you sign up to make pies or other baked items? Do you have plants or other garden items ready to share? Please bring your baked goods and plants to BCMC on Friday or by 7:30 Saturday morning for transport to the sale. Baked goods go to the BCMC kitchen and plants to the south entry. Make sure everything is labeled!
· Volunteers STILL needed! The volunteer page at https://kansas.mccsale.org/ lists many wonderful opportunities to serve or sell food, help with auctions, and so much more. If you have trouble signing up online, ask for help from one of the BCMC liaisons.
· Auction Items! BCMC members and friends have donated many items to be sold at one of 4 different KMRS auctions. Go to “Auction Item Listings” and “Quilt Gallery” to see some of the wonderful donations.
· The My Coins Count jug in the Gathering Place is IMPRESSIVELY HEAVY. Today is the last Sunday to add coins and bills — and checks to KMRS. Thank you to everyone who has added coins to provide better access to clean water!
· More Information: Check out the KMRS website https://kansas.mccsale.org/ or ask a BCMC liaison: Steve & Elaine Schurr, William & Esther Kreider Eash, and Brad & Diane Born.
More Mennonite Relief Sale Announcements
MCC Sale – April 12 & 13, 2024
Thank you to all churches for contributing towards the budget of the MCC Sale. Proceeds from the Sale will go to MCC
There are still 343 open spots for Volunteers for the weekend. We need New Year Cookie fryers; Feeding the Multitude workers; verenike gravy makers; Barrell Train drivers; and many others. Go to Sign-Up Genius to sign up to help at the Sale. https://kansas.mccsale.org/volunteer/
Friday Evening Auction will be held in Sunflower North Building, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm. Check out the featured items on KMRS website or Facebook.
Buildings will be open 4:00 – 8:00 Friday; and open up 8:00am on Saturday. Quilt Auction and General Auction begin at 8:45. Silent Auction bids will start Friday evening and continue Saturday until 1:00. Children’s Auction is Saturday at 10:00. Check out website www.kansas.mccsale.org for pictures of auction items.
Feeding the Multitude is returning to the serving line format offering verenike with ham gravy, sausage, bohne berroggi, borscht, cherry moos, and zwiebach. You can dine in or have your food packaged in clamshell for carry out.
**NEW THIS YEAR** There will be a Christmas Décor booth in the Sunflower South building. Peggy Regier, Christmas decorator for 35 years, will be selling her collection of ornaments, wall hangings, vintage toy horse, etc.
Hope to see you Friday and Saturday supporting MCC by Sowing Seeds of Hope, Seeds of Love.
Jim Robb,
KMRS Chair
.
Bethel College Announcements
TODAY (Sun., April 7) – KIPCOR Film Series presents Estamos Unidos, 2 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center. The film by Alvaro M. Morales follows a migrant caravan’s journey from Honduras to Mexico City in 2019. A talkback with the director (via Zoom) follows the screening; a freewill offering will be taken to support KIPCOR and the film series.
You’re invited to a virtual estate planning webinar, hosted by Bethel College Advancement and led by experts from Everence and Adrian & Pankratz LLC of Newton.
• Thurs., April 11, 6-7 p.m. – Dennis LeFevre, Everence; Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84488722318
• Thurs., April 18, 6-7 p.m. – Cindy Wiens & Randy Pankratz, Adrian & Pankratz; Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82173808179
These webinars are free, with no pre-registration required – just show up using the appropriate Zoom link. Questions? Contact George Leary, Director of Development, 316-284-5226 or gleary@bethelks.edu
Fri., April 12 – Bethel College’s Faculty Lecture Series continues with Jean Woods, assistant professor of biology, “Walking in Nature: Can you hear what the birds are saying?”, 11 a.m., Kidron Hall at Kidron Bethel Village. And save the date for a one-day symposium, “Walking the Talk: Listening Relationships in a Changing Climate,” April 27 on the Bethel campus.
Sun., April 14 – Bethel College Heritage Roll of Honor Memorial Service, 2 p.m., Administration Building chapel or online at https://youtube.com/live/iZJ0fdOHc8M?feature=share Reception following in the Mantz Library lounge.
Sun., April 14 – Junior recital by Bethel College student Peter Buller, piano and oboe, 7 p.m., Administration Building chapel
Weds., April 17 – Bethel College Orchestra, directed by Kris Hilding, 7 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center
Sat., April 20 – Senior recital by Bethel College student Phillip Balzer, piano, 7 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center
Sun., April 21 – Senior recital by Bethel College student Josie Epp, piano, 4 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center
Sun., April 21 – Sunday-Evening-at-the-Museum with Dr. Kim Perez, Fort Hays State University, 7 p.m., Kauffman Museum auditorium. Perez’s topic is the role and impact of pioneering women in ornithology, particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Perez will also speak in convocation at Bethel College Mon., April 22, 11 a.m., in Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center.
Now in the Regier Gallery in Luyken Fine Arts Center at Bethel College – annual Student Art Exhibit, featuring the work of 41 students (artist books, ceramics, drawing, graphic design, painting and print-making) through Fri., April 19. Gallery hours are Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun. 2-4 p.m.
SAVE THE DATE: Sun., April 28 – Masterworks concert at Bethel College, featuring the Bethel College Oratorio Chorus, orchestra and soloists performing Rejoice in the Lamb by Benjamin Britten and Dona Nobis Pacem by Ralph Vaughan Williams.
For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here
Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements
For Mennonite Central Committee “In Touch” press here
Mental Health First Aid: Sat. April 27, from 8:30am-5pm Prairie View will conduct a Mental Health First Aid Training at Eden Mennonite Church, 401 18th Ave, Moundridge, KS. $30 covers the training, materials, and lunch. There is space for 30 people. Register online here by April 19.
Hesston College Announcements
| April 19 to 30 – Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition This annual exhibit will feature unique works of art created by Hesston College students through a variety of mediums. The works are judged by an outside juror and awards will be given for the best pieces. The exhibit will be held in the Regier-Friesen Gallery of the Laban Peachey Center, 325 S College Dr, Hesston, and is open to the public Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. An awards reception will be held April 24, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Katie Petersen, an art professor from Sterling College, will act as this year’s guest juror. April 21 – Prairie Window Concert: The Brother BrothersJoin Dyck Arboretum April 21 to hear The Brother Brothers. The Brother Brothers are the indie folk duo of Adam and David Moss. The identical twins were born and raised in Peoria, Ill. and originally based in Brooklyn, but have been ultimately and profoundly shaped by a life surrounded by travel and the web of community worldwide. The recently released January Album is a collection of songs that speak to the parts of oneself that want to up and throw sedentary worldly possessions in the trash and leave town. Crust & Crumb will serve at intermission. Learn more at dyckarboretum.org/events.April 26 to 27 – Pen to Paper to PerformanceHesston College theatre’s playwriting festival is back! “Pen to Paper to Performance” brings to life nine winning 10-minute play submissions written by area playwrights and will be performed both nights at 7 p.m. A talkback with the playwrights will follow each performance. Read more about the festival at hesston.edu/theatre. May 10 – International Chorale Concert The Hesston College International Chorale kicks off their biannual European tour with a performance at Hesston Mennonite Church on Friday, May 10 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The chorale consists of members from the Bel Canto Singers and the Global Voices choir. The performance is free to the public and available via livestream at hesston.edu/livestream. |
Mennonite Church USA Announcements
“Do we know what it means to remove chains?” asked Joanne Gallardo, co-conference minister for Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference at Mennonite Church USA’s 11th Hope for the Future conference on Feb. 9-11. Gathering in Dallas, Texas, 70 Black, Indigenous and people of color considered the theme, “Breaking Chains, Mending Walls,” which centered on Isaiah 58. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/news/breaking-chains-hftf24
On April 15, 2024, at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT, join Karla Stoltzfus Detweiler, MC USA’s climate justice coordinator, for the second of four webinars in MC USA’s “Learn, Pray, Join: Climate Justice: Seeking Shalom” initiative. This webinar will explore how we can live in resistance to a culture that spoils our home and causes disproportionate suffering for people of color, while also living in hope-filled engagement that nurtures life for all people and all of creation. Panelists will include Andrew Hudson, pastoral intern at Covenant Mennonite Fellowship; Sibonokuhle Ncube, co-regional director for Africa and Europe at Mennonite Mission Network; and Sarah Werner, communications coordinator for Central District Conference. Register here: mennoniteusa.org/webinar/registration-climate-april15
View the PowerPoint slide here: mennoniteusa.org/april-15-climate-webinar View the PDF here: mennoniteusa.org/april-15-webinar-pdf
Menno Snapshots
Earlier this year, James Rissler and Glen Guyton, executive director of Mennonite Church USA, embarked on a pilgrimage through civil rights sites. James reflects on how this Sankofa Journey affected his view of race relations in the U.S. and in the Mennonite church. Read his reflections here: mennoniteusa.org/sankofa-journey-reflection
Mennonite Church USA is seeking nominees for its 2024 #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 before April 19: mennoniteusa.org/btp-2024-award-nominations View the PowerPoint slide here: mennoniteusa.org/BTP-award-noms-2024 View the PDF here: mennoniteusa.org/BTP-2024-pdf
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: The deadline to apply for MMN’s two-week Youth Venture programs is April 15. Pray that young people who would like to spend two weeks this summer making friends in Benin, for ages 15-22, or South Korea, for ages 18-22, and people of all ages who are interested in learning more about injustice in the United States, will find a way to participate.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: During this Easter season, give thanks for the living presence of Christ embodied by WDC congregations within their local communities.
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.