BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR SUNDAY,
November 3, 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/8j_VVaS9LCc?feature=share
Daylight Saving time ends
Sunday, November 3, 2024
Turn your clock back one hour!
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
November 3, 2024
Christ Candle Lighting
Centering Music— If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee (Bach)— Karen Unruh
Welcome with Land Acknowledgement—Dianne Epp
*Hymn—O God, We Read the Holy Law—VT 571
Children’s Conversation—Joanna Harader and Suzanne Burch, Lucy Burch
Hymn—Come What May—VT 768
Scripture Reading—Psalm 146; Mark 12:28-34—Lois Preheim
Sermon—Do Not Trust in Rulers—Joanna Harader
*Hymn—This Is My Song—VT 710
Prayers of God’s People—Dianne Epp
*Hymn Come What May—VT 768
*Benediction
Postlude— O God, Our Help in Ages Past (Fleischer)— Karen Unruh
* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Keyboard- Karen Unruh
Audio visual—Francis Toews
The Week at BCMC: November 3—November 10, 2024
Sunday, November 3, 2024
9:30 a.m. Worship with sermon by Joanna Harader 10:30 a.m. Faith Formation
Volunteer attendants in Nursery today: Margaret Toews & Barb Voran
YouTube Link for the worship service this Sunday:
https://youtube.com/live/8j_VVaS9LCc?feature=share
4 p.m. Bethel Sings, a concert featuring all Bethel College vocal groups, Dr. Henry Waters, director, with the theme “Sing You Home” and featuring the Concert Choir’s KMEA 2025 concert repertoire. All are invited!
Monday, November 4, 2024
6:30 p.m. Newton Chorale rehearsal in the Sanctuary
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Chapel will be open for prayer (see announcement
below)
Wednesday, November 6, 2024—Wednesday Night Supper
6 p.m. Wednesday night supper in Fellowship Hall—PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN TABLEWARE—Menu: Western Omelet Casserole, Frozen Fruit, Coffee Cake
7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir rehearsal in the Sanctuary
Thursday, November 7, 2024
2 p.m. Finance Committee work session in Room 14
6:30 p.m. Newton Chorale rehearsal in the Sanctuary
6:30 p.m. Chancel Bells rehearsal in Room B7
7 p.m. Church Board meeting in Room 14
Saturday, November 9, 2024
5-7 p.m. Camp Mennoscah Fundraiser Meal in the Fellowship Hall
Sunday, November 10, 2024
9:30 a.m. Worship with sermon by Nathan Koontz; music by Chancel Choir
10:30 a.m. Faith Formation
3-6 p.m. Mentor-Mentee Event in Fellowship Hall
Land Acknowledgement from words by Mark Charles and VT #878
As we do on the first Sunday of each month, we acknowledge that we worship
on the land of the Kanza, Osage, and Wichita.
We thank them for their care and respect for this land and acknowledge the
injustice of their forced removal.
We ask the Spirit to heal our histories and find new paths of right relationships with them and all of creation.
Going Beyond Land Acknowledgement:
–The Repair Coalition is focusing on the Truth and Healing Legislation introduced by Deb Haaland currently pending in Congress. The bill establishes the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the United States and sets forth its powers, duties and membership. The Commission must investigate the impacts and ongoing effects of the Indian Boarding School Policies (federal policies under which American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian children were forcibly removed from their family homes and placed in boarding schools). Further, the commission must develop recommendations on ways to (1)protect unmarked graves and accompanying land protections; (2)support repatriation and identify the tribal nations from which children were taken; and (3)discontinue the removal of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian children from their families and tribal communities by state social service departments, foster care agencies, and adoption agencies. See boardingschoolhealing.org. Now is the time to educate ourselves about this legislation to join the actions requested by the Repair Coalition.
–See also “Elevating Indigenous Innovation” by U.S. Secretary Deb Haaland in the July 2024 special issue of National Geographic on Indigenous Futures.
The Chapel room at church will be open for prayer on election day (November 5) from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. There will be prayer resources available and a quiet space for you to pause, breathe, and lift up your prayers for God’s peace in our hearts, our nation, and our world. You are invited to come at any time during the day and stay as long as you like.
The family of Elvera Voth would like to invite interested persons to a service of remembrance for Elvera on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2 p.m., at Kidron Bethel—Kidron Hall. Her expanded life sketch is on the Petersen Funeral Home website.
BCMC Offering for Oct. 27 Gen. Fund $8,727.50; Kitchen Fund $68; MCC Meat Canning $2,245; Gen Fund 2025 $1,122.16; Solar Fund $500; BCMC Mission and Service Endowment Fund $98,071.89; Wed. Supper $321; Plant Fund $50; Peace Garden $2,000; Donna Friesen Mem. $125; Clara Koehn Mem. $690.
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.
Please plan to join us for supper and a program on Wednesday nights, November 6—November 20. The meal will begin at 6 p.m., followed by a program on “Exploring our Voices Together.” This Wednesday (Nov. 6) Esther Eash will lead us in an exploration of some of the artwork included in our hymnal and the songs that accompany them. Join us for learning, singing, and discussion.
For Nov. 13: This week Elizabeth Schmidt will bring information about the hymnal committees approach to including music from Indigenous communities. Join us for learning, singing, and discussion.
For Nov. 20: Our final Wednesday evening program this fall will be a hymn sing! Bring your song requests and your willingness to make a joyful noise.
Wednesday Supper Menus—Please bring your own tableware
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
Women’s Fellowship, November meeting, will be Tuesday, Nov. 19, at 6 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Sue Moyo, originally from Zimbabwe and owner of Moyo’s Clothing Store downtown Main Street, will be our speaker and cook. She will cook a Zimbabwe meal for us. Reservations are needed. Call Marlene Faul, 316-283-3342 or email, marlene.violet@gmail.comby Thurs., November 14.
A BCMC Mentor/Mentee Fall Get-Together will be Nov. 10, 4 to 6 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Mentors and Mentees come for pizza and games (trivia questions with prizes!) Please RSVP and dietary restriction requests to Kathy Stucky at 316-772-2479 (texts are welcome).
Thank you BCMC members who donated to BC pantry. I was thrilled to find the cups of soup, granola bars, etc. Items were delivered to the BC pantry which was almost bare. These donations help students who may find themselves in need of a great snack when the cafeteria is closed: athletes returning from a game, late night study groups, etc. So, get involved, clean out your pantries and cupboards, put them on the south table and I will deliver them to the BC pantry. With gratitude, Kathy Stucky
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!
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.
Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Announcements
· MCC Borderlands Peace Camp, Jan. 19-25, 2025 Young adults, ages 18-30, are invited to join MCC in El Paso, TX and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico in January! This MCC Peace Camp will explore topics of peace and justice through the lens of migration, including the Biblical mandate of hospitality. Find out more and register by January 5 at mcc.org/borderlands-peace-camp.
· Serving And Learning Together (SALT) applications now open for 2025! Each year, MCC offers 80+ unique opportunities to serve with our local partners working for relief, development and peace around the world. Explore the numerous possibilities that match your passions, skills, and experience. If you’re between the ages of 18-30, the SALT program might be the epic adventure you’ve been waiting for. Check it out at mcc.org/salt!
Bethel College Announcements:
· 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.
Concert is at Bethel College Mennonite Church
· Mon., Nov. 4: “The Pandemic Portraits,” works by Nicholas Hill, opens in
the Regier Art Gallery in Lukyen Fine Arts Center at Bethel College
(reception Nov. 14). Gallery hours are Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 2-4 p.m.
· 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
· Sun., Nov. 17: KIPCOR Film Series presents Food, Inc. 2, 2 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center. This is the sequel to the 2009 documentary Food, Inc. Audience talkback to follow with Ryan Goertzen-Regier of the Kansas Rural Center.
· Life Enrichment program at Bethel College for Wed., Nov. 6. 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 “Hope for the Homeless, One at a Time,” Brian Bisbee, executive
director, New Hope Shelter, Newton
10:50 a.m. “Blizzards, Onion Rings and Dip Cones: Inside the World of
Dairy Queen Ownership,” Helen Nachtigal, North Newton
Camp Mennoscah Announcements
Help keep the HVAC project moving towards completion! Volunteers for the HVAC work at the Retreat Center are welcome Monday – Friday. A lack of construction skills should not keep you from helping out with this project. Willing hands are what is needed! Let us know when you are available, so we can prepare for you. For anyone interested in working on a weekend, two weeks notice is needed. Contact Isaac at 316-217-5626 to sign up.
Other events and happenings:
- Work at Camp Mennoscah does not stop when it’s not the summer! Contact Olivia at 620-297-3290 for ideas of tasks you could help us complete. We will work with you to find a time and project.
- Thank you to everyone who helped take out the dam! This activity has been taking place–as far as we know–since the beginning of camp. The boards are removed to allow the buildup of silt from behind the dam to wash away with rain.
Start tapping shoulders and thinking about the 2025 summer. Camp Mennoscah will be recruiting for summer staff (along with other camps) at Hesston, Tabor and Bethel Colleges from November 11-13, respectively. There will be a pizza meal on November 13 at a location and time yet to be determined for interested applicants. (The application is not yet open.)
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 World Conference “Info” press here
Mennonite Church USA Announcements
The MC USA Executive Board has published its updated “Guidelines for Developing Organizational Resolutions and Church Statements in Mennonite Church USA” and appointed a new Resolutions Committee ahead of the Delegate Assembly on July 11-12, 2025, in Greensboro, North Carolina. The deadline for resolutions is Nov. 13, 2024. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/news/resolutions-committee/
As a denomination that seeks to extend peace and dismantle oppression and violence, MC USA has a distinct perspective on social justice issues and concerns that impact our communities. Learn more about MC USA’s faith values, ongoing peace and justice work and resources for further understanding in the new “Exploring the Issues” downloadable resource series. Read the first backgrounder on immigration here: mennoniteusa.org/resource/exploring-the-issues
Join MC USA’s Climate Justice Coordinator Karla Stoltzfus Detweiler in imagining a sustainable future for ourselves, our children, and our planet by participating in an online book study of the compelling and timely book, “So We and Our Children May Live” by Sarah Augustine and Sheri Hostetler. Drawing from Scripture, science, Indigenous wisdom, and personal stories, the authors invite us to open our hearts and our culture to deep, Spirit-led transformation. Register here: mennoniteusa.org/climate-justice-book-study
Open enrollment for The Corinthian Plan, MC USA’s healthcare plan for pastors and church workers, is Nov. 1-Dec. 31, 2024, with a start date of Jan. 1, 2025. Learn more here: mennoniteusa.org/learn-more-tcp
Menno Snapshots
Stanley Green, executive conference minister of Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference, offers this prayer, calling us to conflict transformation and peace, while asking God for wisdom and courage to enact change in a world full of discord and despair. Read it here: mennoniteusa.org/prayer-conflict-transformation
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Join Mennonite Mission Network in praying that this Tuesday’s elections in the United States will take place without violence and that the leaders who are elected will lead the country in ways of justice and peace.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Pray for WDC congregations and members during this election week in the United States, as they seek to live faithfully and bear witness to the way of Jesus in today’s world.
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.