BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR SUNDAY,
OCTOBER 27, 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.
PUMPKIN PATCH INVITATION!
Faith Formation invites the congregation to P and M Pumpkin Patch in rural Moundridge! Join us Saturday October 26, 5-7pm for intergenerational fellowship. We will have a campfire reserved for a hotdog and s’mores dinner.
Want to come? Great! Find a friend to carpool with and let the admissions booth know you are with BCMC.
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/OjIu7CxZ4nA?feature=share
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
October 27, 2024
Christ Candle Lighting
Centering Music— Morning Song [VT 623] (arr. Joseph Martin) (piano)
Will Wiebe-Friesen
Welcome & Prayer—Elaine Schurr
*Hymn—All Things Bright and Beautiful—VT 177
Children’s Conversation—Jim Robb
Scripture Reading—Genesis 1:1-5—Janet Friesen
*Hymn—Joyous Light of Heavenly Glory—VT 504
Scripture Reading—John 3:17-21—Janet Friesen
Worship Music—True Light (Hampton)—Chancel Choir; Joel Garber, director; Will Wiebe-Friesen, accompanist
Sermon—Connecting the Night and Day—Nathan Koontz
*Hymn—Darkness Is Not Dark to You, God—VT 200
Prayers of God’s People—Dale Schrag, Mara Oswald
*Hymn—Now, on Land and Sea Descending—VT 503
(People with October birthdays come forward for a blessing, please bring a hymnal)
*Birthday Blessing and Benediction
Postlude— Toccata from Suite Gothique (L. Boëllmann) (organ)
Will Wiebe-Friesen
* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Audio visual—Ken Lamp
Sunday morning’s choral anthem melds the energetic spiritual “This Little Light of Mine” with a 10th century text excerpted from Grigor Nerekatzi’s Book of Mournful Chants: “Don’t let the light that you’ve given me die, and don’t desert my mind, but let the one who serves you praise you again and again.” The piano centering music is a setting of the shape-note tune MORNING SONG, found in our hymnal (VT 623) with a moving text by Adam Tice, text editor of Voices Together. The postlude, a spooky and sinister toccata by French composer Léon Boëllmann, brings to mind the line from the anthem, “Hide it under a bushel? No! I’m gonna let it shine!” There’s a lot of hiding under a bushel in this piece, but listen for the final chord when that light really gets to shine.
The Week at BCMC: October 27—November 3, 2024
Sunday, October 27, 2024
9:30 a.m. Worship with sermon by Nathan Koontz 10:30 a.m. Faith Formation
Volunteer attendants in Nursery today: Mary Ellen Hodge & Jeanette Leary
YouTube Link for the worship service this Sunday:
https://youtube.com/live/OjIu7CxZ4nA?feature=share
Monday, October 28, 2024
12 p.m. Bethel College concert choir rehearsal in the Sanctuary
3 p.m. Bethel College choral group rehearsal in the Sanctuary
6:30 p.m. Newton Chorale rehearsal in the Sanctuary
Tuesday, October 29, 2024
12 p.m. Bethel College concert choir rehearsal in the Sanctuary
3 p.m. Bethel College choral group rehearsal in the Sanctuary
Wednesday, October 30, 2024—Wednesday Night Supper
12 p.m. Bethel College concert choir rehearsal in the Sanctuary
3 p.m. Bethel College choral group rehearsal in the Sanctuary
6 p.m. Wednesday night supper in Fellowship Hall—PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN TABLEWARE—Menu: Tombstone Casserole, Spooky Fruit Salad, Witches Brew Brownies
7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir rehearsal in the Sanctuary
Thursday, October 31, 2024
12 p.m. Bethel College concert choir rehearsal in the Sanctuary
1:30 p.m. Care Coordinator meeting in Room 14
3 p.m. Bethel College choral group rehearsal in the Sanctuary
6:30 p.m. Newton Chorale rehearsal in the Sanctuary
6:30 p.m. Chancel Bells rehearsal in Room B7
Friday, November 1, 2024
12 p.m. Bethel College concert choir rehearsal in the Sanctuary
3 p.m. Bethel College choral group rehearsal in the Sanctuary
Saturday, November 2, 2024
2 p.m. Memorial service for Elvera Voth at Kidron Bethel Village Kidron Hall
Sunday, November 3, 2024
9:30 a.m. Worship with sermon by Joanna Harader
10:30 a.m. Faith Formation
Pastor Joanna Harader will be out of the office Oct. 28 & 29.
Pastor Elizabeth Schmidt will be on vacation Tuesday, Oct. 29.
Pastor Nathan Koontz will be on vacation Friday, November 1.
The family of Elvera Voth would like to invite interested persons to a service of remembrance for Elvera on Nov. 2, 2 p.m., at Kidron Bethel—Kidron Hall. Her expanded life sketch is on the Petersen Funeral Home website.
Please plan to join us for supper and a program on Wednesday nights, October 30—November 20. The meal will begin at 6 p.m., followed by a program on “Exploring our Voices Together.” We will use material from the Voices Together editorial team to explore a variety of themes in our new(ish) hymnals and beyond. There will be opportunities for discussion and plenty of singing!
Wednesday Supper Menus—Please bring your own tableware
Oct. 30: Tombstone Casserole, Spooky Fruit Salad, Witches Brew Brownies
Nov. 6: Western Omelet Casserole, Frozen Fruit, Coffee cake
Nov 13: Chili, Carrots with Ranch Dip, pickle spears, crackers, Cinnamon Rolls
Nov. 20: Italian Wedding Soup, Garlic breadsticks, Salad, Pumpkin dump cake
BCMC Offering for Oct. 13 Gen. Fund $18,507; MCC Meat Canning $650; Library Reserve Fund $6; Solar Fund $1,580.
For Oct. 20 Gen. Fund $11,732; Wed. Supper $617; Meat Canning $205; Sr Hi Youth $100; Library Reserve Fund $5; Kitchen Fund $63; Women’s Fellowship $390.
BCMC Financial Report
The following is a BCMC financial report of the general fund income and expenses on September 30 at the end of the third quarter (75% of the year).
Total income $335,757 62% of budget
Total expense $370,461 69% of budget
Net income -$34,704
— Finance Committee
Looking ahead to Advent:
This year as we prepare our hearts for Christmas, we will explore the stories of the women from Jesus’ genealogy (Matthew 1:1-17). For our worship in Advent, we will use the book Pastor Joanna has written: Expecting Emmanuel. In addition to worship material, the book contains daily devotional readings and a Sunday School/small group guide.
Invitation to join Fine Arts class for Advent! Starting on December 1, the Fine Arts class will be following the Sunday School/small group materials in Pastor Joanna’s book, Expecting Emmanuel. Fine Arts class meets in Room 22. Questions? Contact Pastor Elizabeth. All are welcome to join in during this season of longing and anticipation!
For those who work with children and youth at Bethel College Mennonite Church: thank you! The Abuse Prevention and Response Committee has established an account with an organization called Protect My Ministry which will allow us to more easily comply with our church policy regarding training and background checks for church volunteers. You should have received an email inviting you to fill out some online paperwork. We greatly appreciate you taking a little time to help us get this new system up and running as we work to be a nurturing and safe community for people of all ages. Feel free to contact pastor Joanna, Jill Robb, or Dwight Krehbiel if you have any questions or would like to volunteer and have not received the email.
The church office is looking for anyone interested in helping to usher at funerals. We would like to assemble a pool of people who might be willing to greet people at the sanctuary doors, direct them to the Chapel, if necessary, or the nursery or restrooms and help them find a seat in the sanctuary. You would be a friendly and helpful presence. If you would consider doing this for the families and friends attending memorial services, please contact the church office.
Gather at the Warkentin House Sunday, October 27, at 4 p.m. for the Warkentin House hymn sing and faspa meal. The hymn sing will be led by Andrew Voth and accompanied by Karen Bauman-Schlabaugh. Reserve a spot by emailing warkentinmuseum@gmail.com. Suggested donation of $15.
Newton Area church’s Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Meat Canning dates are October 29, 30, and 31. Make checks to BCMC with “MCC Meat Canning” in the memo line. We also need volunteers to help with the canning. The link for work signup is: https://tinyurl.com/MeatCanning2024 If this doesn’t work, just show up—they’ll probably need you. Let’s help feed the hungry people in our world! —Lowell Stucky, BCMC Meat Canning Representative
Harvey County Circle of Hope invites you to their 12th Annual Celebrity Servers Fundraiser event Sat., Nov. 2, 5 to 8 p.m. , a 3-course meal served at the Water’s Edge Restaurant, Hesston. Reservations strongly recommended: call 316-284-0000; or email—info@peaceconnections.org; or visit—peace connections.org/events—RSVP by October 30.
Habitat for Humanity of Harvey County and its BCMC Board Members Richard Friesen, Doug Penner, and Heather Zerger, invite you to join us at our annual Pork Chop Dinner fundraiser on November 21, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Faith Mennonite Church, 2100 N. Anderson Ave, Newton. Dine-in and carry-out options are available. This is Harvey County Habitat’s largest fundraiser of the year and we need your generous donations to help ensure we can continue to build a new home for a qualifying family each year. To ensure we have enough meals, please reserve your pork chop meal (includes pork chop, potatoes, green beans, dessert and a drink) by visiting our website at https://harveycountyhabitat.org/pork-chop-dinner-reservations/ or scan the QR code on the flyer on the bulletin board in the hallway by the BCMC Office. Thank you for supporting the vision of Habitat for Humanity, where everyone has a decent place to live.
Sing along…..All are invited to attend an hour long Community Hymn Sing led by Dr. William Eash, Professor Emeritus of Music, Bethel College. This event will be held at Eden Mennonite Church (401 18th Ave, Moundridge), Sunday afternoon, November 10 at 4 p.m. Be prepared to request your favorite hymn and a brief story, why it is a favorite. Refreshments served after singing.
Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements.
Live at a distance? Wish you could read larger print? Want a good audiobook that will help you grow in faith? Wish you could access the library from your phone? The Western District Conference Resource Library has something new just for you! Launching November 1, you can borrow ebooks and audiobooks from the Resource Library! See more at mennowdc.org/library or contact the library at crlib@mennowdc.org
Bethel College Announcements:
· Sun., Oct. 27 & Mon., Oct. 28: 72nd Annual Menno Simons Lectures, “Russian Mennonite Diasporas on Four Continents in the Age of Empires, Revolutions and Extremes Since the Late 18th Century,” with Dr. Eric Schmaltz, professor of history at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, 7 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday, Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center at Bethel College. Lecture 1: “Pioneers in the East: Mennonite Migrations and Settlements in the Former Russian Empire and the Former USSR, 1786-Present”; Lecture 2: “Pioneers in the West: Russian Mennonite Diasporas to North America (Belize, Canada, Mexico and the United States), 1874-Present”; Lecture 3: “Pioneers in the South: Russian Mennonite Diasporas to South America (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay), 1874-Present”
· Tues., Oct. 29: Bethel College Orchestra Halloween Concert, directed by Kris Hilding, 7 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium. You’re invited to come in costume (you might win a prize)!
· Sat., Nov. 2: Kauffman Museum bird walk, 8 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.
· Sun., Nov. 3: Bethel Sings, a concert featuring all Bethel College vocal groups, Dr. Henry Waters, director, 4 p.m., with the theme “Sing You Home” and featuring the Concert Choir’s KMEA 2025 concert repertoire; Bethel College Mennonite Church
· Tues., Nov. 12: Bethel College Organ Recital Series presents Dr. Jacob Hofeling, with music on a theme of science and space, 7 p.m., Administration Building chapel
· Life Enrichment program at Bethel College for Wed., Oct. 30. Life Enrichment is for people age 60 and above and is an excellent way to continue learning and meet people from the surrounding area in a relaxed setting.
9:30 a.m “Serengeti on my Mind: A Photographic Safari,” Jim Griggs, McPherson
10:50 a.m. “Longevity: Key Elements to Success,” Lona Kelly LMSW, Depart-
ment on Aging, Newton
Supportive Communities Network (SCN)
Bethel College Mennonite Church is a member of the Supportive Communities Network (SCN) of the Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBT Interests (BMC). The online events below are offered through BMC for member individuals and congregations. You are welcome to join any of these calls:
Parents/Caregivers of Trans & Queer Kids – Support Circle Oct 28 (Online)
Monday, October 28
6p Central Time
Sign up for Zoom link here (free)
This circle is a BMC Zoom group for parents and caregivers of Queer, trans and gender non-conforming children: a space to support and encourage one another, share resources, and build community as people loving our queer kids! Light facilitation by Rachael, queer parent of a non binary kiddo and Mennonite pastor. If you can’t make this day and time but you’re interested, register for the Zoom and you will receive a follow up email about an alternative session. Folks can also email bmc@bmclgbt.org to RSVP or with questions.
SCN Meeting/Training (Online)
Thursday, November 14th
1p Central Time for 90 minutes
Sign up for Zoom link here
These quarterly(ish) SCN calls are held to foster connection, resourcing, and organizing among SCN member groups. We alternate topics and try to rotate through the spectrum of need and experience within this network. November’s call will offer a workshop on “Beyond the Pride Banner,” helping groups take the next step in lgbtqia+ affirmation. Once you’ve joined SCN, crafted your welcome statement, and the pride flag has been hung, what’s next? The language we use in worship, the theology we preach, the lyrics in the songs we sing, and the words we use to pray matter. Pastor Liz Ullery Swenson will help us explore ways to take the next step in embodying God’s expansive diversity.
Trans 101 Workshop for Churches
Wednesday, November 6th
2p Central Time
Hosted by BMC’s colleagues at Transmission Ministry Collective (TMC): As part of our new Church Partnership Program, TMC will be holding a series of online workshops throughout the fall, specifically geared towards churches and faith communities that want to better support their trans community members and expand their understanding of trans-inclusive theology and pastoral practice. Our first 90-minute workshop, “Trans 101,” will be held on Wednesday, November 6th at 3pm ET/12pm PT. It will provide a comprehensive overview of core concepts, terminology, and best practices to increase understanding and inclusion of transgender and gender-expansive people. Sign up using this form to receive information about this and future TMC workshops!
For Mennonite Mission Network News and Beyond (October 16) press here
For Mennonite Mission Network News and Beyond (October 23) press here
For Mennonite Disaster Service On the Level press here
For KIPCOR Continuing Education “Shorts” press here
For Mennonite Mission Network News from around the world press here
| The Public is invited to attend “The Przechowko Mennonite Cemetery: Its History & Restoration by Dr. Michal TargowskiOctober 26 at 7:00at the Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church, Goessel, KsDr Targowski will share about the work being done to preserve the Przechowko village cemetery, one of the oldest Mennonnite cemeteries in Poland and the resting place for the ancestors of many Low German descendants that migrated in 1874. The event will be livestreamed from the Mennonite Heritage & Agricultural Museum Facebook Page. |
| Questions: contact Kris Schmucker, Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church Historian, at 620-747-2872From MC USA National Peace and Justice MinistriesDear Bethel College Mennonite,Register to participate in the Borderlands Peace Camp, January 19-25, 2025!MCC Peace Camps are one-week, hands-on learning experiences for young adults to explore dynamics of Christian discipleship, including building community together, experiencing personal transformation and applying Anabaptist foundations of peace and justice to real world issues.The Borderlands Peace Camp will explore topics of peace and justice through the lens of migration, including the Biblical mandate of hospitality. Participants will learn about the migration experience, identity and our perception of “strangers,” migration trauma and resilience, the complexity of ethics and law, and the ways in which the church can respond to these challenges.Join us in Ciudad Juarez and El Paso, where we will see the current realities at the Mexico-U.S. border, explore the root causes of migration from a peacebuilding perspective, and learn how community-based organizations and churches are accompanying migrants.Register now!Peace Camps are one way to encourage and support the next generation of the Church to live out an active faith as peacemakers. Young adults, ages 18-30, and church leaders who work with young adults are invited to apply. MCC covers all costs of travel, lodging and meals beyond the $250 registration fee. We encourage churches, schools, families and friends to support participants in the registration fee where possible. This is an opportunity not to be missed, so tap someone on the shoulder or come join yourself! Warmest regards,Nathan Toews Peace Education Coordinator MCC U.S. National Peace & Justice Ministries Dear Bethel College Mennonite,Having conversations about climate change can feel daunting. But when we do, we may find we have many of the same concerns as our friends and neighbors, rooted in shared values, beliefs, and interests. But how do we have these sometimes difficult conversations? As part of our ongoing commitment to care for God’s creation, MCC is encouraging our supporters to talk about climate. Drawing on Peaceful Practices: A guide to healthy communication in conflict, we will be sharing resources and tools for how to have conversations about climate change that can lead to understanding and action.Sign up to talk climate and practice peaceHere is a preview of some of our resources: Talking climate, practicing peace (podcast):Peacebuilder and author of MCC’s Peaceful Practices curriculum Jes Stoltzfus Buller joins MCC’s Relief, Development and Podcast to respond to listeners’ climate conversation questions. Virtual workshop: Talk climate, practice peace. On November 13, practice how to talk with others about climate change using curiosity, compassion and dialogue. Spots are limited, so register today! Take the challenge and be a brave peacemaker by talking climate and practicing peace! By signing up you will receive a series of four emails with tips and tools on how to navigate differences and uncover shared beliefs and interests. We hope you join us in this powerful climate action! Warmest regards, Kirstin De Mello Climate Advocacy and Education Coordinator MCC U.S. National Peace & Justice Ministries Mennonite Church USA Announcements Save the date! MC USA is pleased to announce that the 2025 biennial national gathering and leading faith formation event, Follow Jesus ‘25, will take place July 8-12, 2025, at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, North Carolina. Learn more here: mennoniteusa.org/convention View the PDF here: mennoniteusa.org/fj25_ad View the PowerPoint slide here: mennoniteusa.org/follow-jesus-25-slide Call for blogs! Members of MC USA who were not raised in a Mennonite tradition or people who grew up in MC USA but feel that they have actively chosen to remain Mennonite as they grew into their faith are invited to submit a 500-900 word “Menno by Choice” blog about why they have actively chosen to be a Mennonite. Learn more here: mennoniteusa.org/form-choice-request View the PDF here: mennoniteusa.org/choice-slide View the PowerPoint slide here: mennoniteusa.org/choice-blog-slide Menno Snapshots Susan Kragt, co-founder and spiritual director with Grand Rapids (Michigan) Mennonite Fellowship, a congregation affiliated with Central District Conference, grew up in the Reformed Church of America, but found herself co-leading a small house church that had Anabaptist leanings, which led her and her church on a journey to joining Mennonite Church USA. Read more about her journey here: mennoniteusa.org/why-mennonite Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Today, Mennonite Mission Network’s Mennonite Voluntary Service participants from Arizona, California and Colorado are concluding their five-day fall retreat in Salt Lake City, Utah. Pray that they may return to their learning and service placements inspired and energized by the renewal they experienced in worshipping together and in sharing their experiences. Western District Conference Prayer Request: “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” It all comes down to God, and church planting is His work. We are partners in this work, but any growth we witness is due to God, Lets pray to God who gives the growth, to give us wisdom, let’s pray to keep planting churches and find those who plant, as well as those who water. Let’s pray for God to give us the spiritual growth essential to accomplish God’s work. 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 -WDC Church Planting CommissionBethel 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. |