BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
FEBRUARY 2, 2025
ANABAPTISM AT 500
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/GfAmUE64jZg?feature=share
Memorial Service for Willis Harder
A memorial service for Willis Harder will be Saturday, February 1, at 2:30 p.m., at Kidron Hall, Kidron Bethel Village. The service will also be livestreamed on www.youtube.com/@KidronBethelVillage/streams. Willis passed away on January 16. See his obituary.
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
February 2, 2025
Anabaptism 500 Celebration
Christ Candle Lighting
Centering Music— Meditation (Bartsch)
Chancel Bells; Verlene Garber, director
Welcome, Prayer, and Land Acknowledgment—Deb Gering & Ani Koontz
*Hymn—Could It Be That God Is Singing?—VT 42
Children’s Conversation—Dorothy Nickel Friesen
Worship Music—The Church’s One Foundation—Chancel Bells
Mission Moment—Border Trip
Ani Koontz and Grace Harader-Ellett
*Hymn—O God, We Read the Holy Law—VT 571
Scripture Reading—Mark 12:28-34—Ben Preheim
Sermon—Crucial Balancing Acts
Dale Schrag
*Hymn—I Sing With Exultation—VT 444
Prayers of God’s People—Deb Gering & Ani Koontz
*Hymn—Go, My Friends, in Grace—VT 810
*Benediction
Postlude— Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise
(setting by Michael Burkhardt)
Karen Schlabaugh
* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Audio visual—Ken Lamp
Keyboard–Karen Schlabaugh
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 Supreme Court has not yet released a decision on whether they will hear Apache Stronghold’s appeal. The Apache Stronghold asks for our continued prayers for Oak Flat, Apache Stronghold, and the Supreme Court.
Together we pray:
God of bones and umbilical cords,
Creator of light and wind,
Source of love,
Giver of food for all creatures,
You care for Oak Flat (Chi’Chil Bildagoteel) and the peoples who call this place home.
Ignite all hearts to beat in unison,
To defend this place of unspeakable sacredness
From devastation and harm.
Whisper to those in power who make decisions
about the fate of this fragile land.
May they know you, God.
May they come to know your sacred places,
and be reminded that they can never be replaced. (Jon Zirkle, COFA team member)
The Week at BCMC: February 2—9, 2025
Sunday, February 2, 2025
9:30 a.m. Worship — 10:30 a.m. Faith Formation
YouTube Link for the worship service this Sunday:
https://youtube.com/live/GfAmUE64jZg?feature=share
Tuesday, February 4, 2025
2 p.m. Facilities Committee meeting in Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir rehearsal in the sanctuary
Thursday, February 6, 2025
4 p.m. Staff Congregation Relations Committee meeting in Room 14
6:30 p.m. Chancel Bell rehearsal in Room B7
7 p.m. Church Board meeting in Room 14
Sunday, February 9, 2025—Quilts for the Mennonite Central Committee Relief Sale will be displayed in the back of the church, under the balcony
9:30 a.m. Worship with sermon by Nathan Koontz; music by Chancel Choir
10:30 a.m. Faith Formation
“Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” will be Sun., Feb. 23, at noon. Sign-up Sunday in the Gathering Place. Indicate whether you would like to be a host or guest. Hosts provide main dish, beverage, and maybe bread. Guests are assigned a side dish (vegetable, salad, dessert), or maybe bread. Experience this event interacting with some of our congregational members, as assigned, on a social level.
Anabaptism at 500 Celebration
· January 21 was the 500th anniversary of what is noted as the beginning of Anabaptism: the baptism of George Blaurock, Conrad Grebel, and a dozen others in Zurich, Switzerland.
· Some of our many Anabaptist History books are currently being highlighted in our church library to coincide with the 500 Year Anabaptist Celebration. We have quite a collection in back of our library desk (including two new editions of the Anabaptist Community Bible), but these are by no means all of them. Several more are available, many in the 289.7 section. Please come in and peruse at your leisure.
Upcoming Memorial Services:
· Helen Paul’s memorial service will be at Kidron Bethel Village, Kidron Hall on Feb. 28 at 2:30 p.m.
· We offer sympathy to the family of Edie Krehbiel. Edie died January 23 at Paramount Community, Newton. Edie’s memorial service will be March 7, 11 a.m. at BCMC.
We extend sympathy to Dave and Cynthia Linscheid and family on the death of Dave’s brother-in-law, Ken White, husband of Dave’s twin brother John Linscheid. Ken died on January 4, 2025. Here is a link to Ken’s obituary.
If you are interested in becoming a member, transferring membership, or learning more about membership at BCMC, please contact Elizabeth Schmidt, Pastor for Congregational Care. She will be happy to visit with you!
Pastor Nathan is attending a retreat for Anabaptist worship writing in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, Jan. 31 through Feb. 3.
Pastor Joanna will be attending a retreat at Holy Wisdom Monastery near Madison, Wisconsin, February 6-9.
BCMC Offering for Jan. 26: Gen. Fund $12,067; Plant Fund $50; Sr Hi Youth $3,182; Caring Fund $100; Kitchen Fund $22; Solar Fund $1,000; Dotty Janzen Mem. $125.
Announcements from Pastor Joanna Harader
As our state and national political climate becomes increasingly threatening to trans and queer people, you are invited to “the gayest Anabaptist gathering of the year”! Join LGBTQIA+ people and their allies/accomplices for Fabulous, Fierce, and Sacred–a weekend of worship, fellowship, learning, and community: May 2-4 in Philadelphia, PA. Please share this invitation with those you think would be interested. You can find more information and register here: https://www.bmclgbt.org/ffs. Contact Pastor Joanna to learn more and to coordinate travel to the event.
Kansas Interfaith Action (KIFA) works with people of faith to promote justice-focused public policy in the state of Kansas. Please consider participating in an upcoming lobby day at the Kansas Statehouse to advocate for affordable housing, Medicaid expansion, and KIFA’s legislative priorities of supporting public education, lgbtqia+ rights, economic justice, and climate and clean energy. Let Pastor Joanna know if you’d like to attend any of these events and she will help coordinate transportation.
- Love Your Neighbor Day for Medicaid expansion, February 4
- Kansas Housing Advocacy Network Capitol Hill Day, February 13
- KIFA Day, March 10
Board Game Night to support the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery: Pastor Joanna is currently working with other members of the Coalition to develop a board game that addresses issues connected to Indigenous justice. To raise awareness of and money for this project, the Indigenous Task Force is hosting a board game night on Fri., Feb. 21, at 7 p.m. in the church Fellowship Hall. We will have a prototype of the Coalition game available along with plenty of other game options. There is no charge to attend the event, but we will receive donations for the Coalition from those who would like to contribute.
Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale (KMRS) is April 11 & 12, at the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson. This year’s theme is “In the name of Christ.”
· BCMC Sunday School Classes help underwrite KMRS costs. All expenses are covered before the sale, so 100% of revenue goes directly to Mennonite Central Committee.
· Start collecting your coins! BCMC’s My Coins Count drive begins in February.
· Run for Relief entry forms are available to sign up to run, walk, jog, or be a sponsor.
· Do you have a quilt to donate, or are you considering bidding on a quilt? This year, the KMRS quilt committee is asking that all quilt auction items be turned in by Feb. 14 — at least two weeks earlier than previous years. This means that the display of quilts at BCMC will be Sun., Feb. 9 from 9 to 11 a.m.
· Donate furniture, quilts, vehicles, or children’s items for the auctions.
· WANTED: Cars, Trucks, Motorcycles, Campers, Tractors, Farm Machinery and anything of value to be sold at this year’s KMRS. Your donations can be used as a Charitable Tax Donation. More info: call Jerry Toews, 620 367 8257.
· For more information see the KMRS website at https://kansas.mccsale.org/, the posterboard in the Gathering Place, or contact a BCMC liaison (Brad and Diane Born, William and Esther Kreider Eash, and Steve and Elaine Schurr)
The Great Winter Warm-up: Spread warmth around the world this winter by helping Mennonite Central Committee reach a goal of 7000 comforters by the end of March. You can sponsor, donate one (or more) comforters, or attend a comforter event to tie in community with others. If you host an event in your home, church or community please let tinaschrag@mcc.org know about it (we’ve got some small gifts for those who host events!). Check mcc.org/great-winter-warm-up for instructions, coloring pages for kids and more!
Mennonite Central Committee announcements
· The 17th annual Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Comforter Blitz is March 3, 4 and 5 at the Journey Facilities Building behind Charis Community Church, 3605 E. Long View Rd, Haven, near Yoder. Mon. 9-5, Tues. 9-9 (note that these hours are extended) and Wed. 9-4. No sewing skills required. Lunch is available by donation each day, or bring your own sack lunch. Snacks are welcome to share. This event is hosted by Kansas Friends of MCC. Info at mcc.org/comforter-blitz or email brociamueller@mcc.org, 316-283-2720.
· The MCC Central States board will hold it’s annual meeting Sat., March 1 from 2-3:30 p.m. at MCC Central States in North Newton. All are welcome to attend.
Volunteers needed at New Hope Shelter: More than 25 volunteers from BCMC currently serve at New Hope Shelter during designated weeks, in coordination with supporting congregations throughout Harvey, Marion, and McPherson counties. Some help provide evening meals and others stay through the evening (5-10 p.m.) to support a paid staff person. As volunteers come and go, we can always use more help to cover this commitment. If you can volunteer or would like more information, please email Cynthia Linscheid at cdlin319@gmail.com. You may also attend an orientation session on Mon., Feb. 3, 7:30 p.m., at New Hope Shelter, to learn more.
Bethel College Announcements
· Thurs., Feb. 6: Bethel College Faculty Recital: Chris Miertschin, brass (rescheduled from fall 2024), 7 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium.
· Mon., Feb. 3: “Untethered,” ceramics by David Long, opens in the Regier Art Gallery in Luyken Fine Arts Center at Bethel College, through March 14 (reception March 6). Gallery hours are Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 2-4 p.m.
· Sun., Feb. 9: Sunday-Afternoon-at-the-Museum with Carmaletta Williams from the Black Archives of Mid-America, 3 p.m., Kauffman Museum auditorium. Her program, “Free Did Not Mean Welcome,” is sponsored by the Kansas Humanities Speakers Bureau and is in conjunction with Kauffman Museum’s “Unlocking the Past” exhibit on immigration.
· Tues., Feb. 18: Bethel College Organ Recital Series: Dr. Kevin Vaughn, University of Notre Dame, 7 p.m., Administration Building chapel
Newton Community for Racial Justice will hold its annual anti-racism training Feb. 13-15. This is a date change from previous years. Training will be held at the Newton Recreation Center from Thurs. evening, Feb. 13 through Sat. afternoon, Feb. 15. Registration: $350 per participant. Some scholarships are available. See BCMC emails for registration and payment forms.
Western District Conference Israel Palestine Task Force Update
On Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. CT, Esther Koontz will lead a Zoom discussion of the book, Apeirogon by Colum McCann. Special guest, Tareq Abuhamila, will begin the meeting with an update of life on the ground in Gaza based on reports from his family in Gaza. Participants will have a chance to ask Tareq questions, give their responses to the book, and name their own stories of peace to add to the book’s 1001 powerful vignettes. Please register by emailing wdc@mennowdc.org by Mon., Feb. 17.
Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements.
Life Enrichment, in the Bethel College Krehbiel Auditorium, is a series designed especially for adults age 60 and over. Programs for February 5:
9:30 a.m. “VITA: Volunteers for Income Tax Assistance,” Larry Lee, VITA volunteer, Newton, and Sam Jack, adult services librarian, Newton Public Library.
10:50 a.m. “The Historical Presentation of Mrs. J.T. Smith (‘Henrietta’ as she is known by her friends),” Anna Smith, executive director, Kansas Alliance of Professional Historic Performers, Carbondale.
Camp Mennoscah Announcements
Online registration for the Spring Scrapbook & Crafts Retreat and the Summer Youth Camps will officially open February 1!
Press here for the 2025 Summer Youth Camp catalog. These catalogs will only be distributed by email. Please feel free to print out as many copies as you would like! The online registration forms have not been strenuously tested to save time, so please let us know of any odd or potentially incorrect issues. We will correct them as soon as possible!
Remember for the Scrapbook and Crafts Retreat that all activities will take place in the Main Camp dining hall and lodging will be in the bunk houses.
New age groupings for the summer youth camps! Junior Camps are for those going into grades 6-8 in the fall of 2025. We are so excited to see everyone this spring and summer!
For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here
For Mennonite Mission Network “Seeds of Peace” press here
For Mennonite Men “Engage” press here
Hesston College Announcements
Martyrs Mirror exhibit continues at Hesston College
An exhibit from Hesston College’s collection of prints from the actual Martyrs Mirror suite by Jan Luyken is featured in the Regier-Friesen Gallery, located in Hesston College’s Laban Peachey Center (325 S College Drive, Hesston), through February 12. Additional exhibit features include religious texts from the college archives and modern interpretations of the stories of the Martyrs Mirror by people from the campus community. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and admission is free.
Prairie Window Concert, February 2
Join Dyck Arboretum Sunday, February 2 at 4 p.m. to hear the duo Moors and McCumber. James Moors and Kort McCumber create that rare chemistry that happens when two gifted singer-songwriters and multi-instrumentalists perfectly complement each other’s strengths, a modern day version of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. Fan favorite, Crust & Crumb, will serve their delicious food items during intermission. For tickets visit dyckarboretum.org/events.
Community Day, February 8
Friends, alumni and the entire community are invited to join us on Saturday, February 8 for our winter Community Day basketball and softball games. Women’s and men’s basketball games take place in Yost Center at 1 and 3 p.m. and the Lark softball team has a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. on Bess Mullet Field. Admission to all events is free. There will also be free popcorn, free haircuts, a photo booth and the Hesston College dance team will perform at halftime. More information can be found at hesston.edu/community-day. Also, save the date for our spring Community Day on March 8!
Prairie Window Concert, February 23
Join Dyck Arboretum Sunday, February 23 at 4 p.m. to hear Alisa Amador. Alisa Amador points folk music toward its future – a future that’s cosmopolitan, multifaceted and multilingual; qualities that have in fact been at the community’s heart all along. Once again, the amazing Crust & Crumb will serve their delicious food items during intermission. For tickets visit dyckarboretum.org/events.
Coming in March! Hesston College Theatre to present “Urinetown” March 5 through 9
This three-time Tony award winning musical is set in a Gotham-like city facing a severe water shortage due to a 20-year drought. The government has imposed a ban on private toilets, forcing citizens to pay a corrupt corporation for access to public restrooms. While this may sound like super serious stuff, Urinetown uses satire, comical characters and even makes fun of the musical genre itself to tell the story of a hero who, fed up with the whole stinking system, plans a revolution to restore freedom to the people. Filled with excellent music, dancing and hilarious dialogue, come spend an evening with us in Urinetown. Tickets can be purchased now at the Hesston College Bookstore or by calling 620-327-8104.
Mennonite Church USA Announcements
Registration is open for MC USA’s Hope for the Future conference, Feb. 28-Mar. 2, 2025, at Goshen (Indiana) College. This year’s unique event will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Damascus Road Anti-racism Process and its pivotal role in the Anabaptist commitment to justice and reconciliation. Learn more here: mennoniteusa.org/news/30-damascus Register here: mennoniteusa.org/hftf-2025-register View the PDF here: mennoniteusa.org/hff-25-registration-pdf View the PowerPoint slide here: mennoniteusa.org/hff-25-registration-slide
What does it mean to provide sanctuary for undocumented people? This webinar on Feb. 5, 2025, at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT, will feature several pastors whose congregations have previously served as sanctuaries. Lawyers from the Institute of Constitutional Advocacy and Protection will discuss the legal issues related to sanctuary, specifically focusing on section 1324, and will allow time for participants to ask questions. For churches that are currently working with or are interested in supporting undocumented individuals in their communities, this webinar will provide crucial information on what to expect and what legal assistance is available if your church faces challenges from ICE or immigration agents. Register here: mennoniteusa.org/webinar/jesus-challenging-times View the PDF here: mennoniteusa.org/immigration-webinar-pdf View the PowerPoint slide here: mennoniteusa.org/immigration-webinar-slide
Menno Snapshots
Please join MC USA in continuing to pray for God’s deliverance from the wildfires in the Los Angeles region of California and for MC USA congregations from both Mosaic Mennonite Conference and Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference that have been impacted by them. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/menno-shorts/california-wildfires/
In this Follow Jesus-inspired Epiphany blog, Rachel Ringenberg Miller, denominational minister for ministerial leadership for MC USA, shares about an anti-immigration flier that was left around her neighborhood and how it reminded her that Jesus, like many of our ancestors, was an immigrant, who fled danger and persecution. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/jesus-the-immigrant
LET EVERENCE® HELP MAKE MEDICARE AN EASY STEPMedicare MondaysJoin us for an informal conversation about Medicare. We’ll cover the following:Enrollment details and deadlines.Social Security – when do I start?Prescription drug coverage.Plans that supplement Medicare.The webinars will be presented by Everence professionals, and there will be plenty of time for your questions. All webinars held on the second Monday of the month at 2 and 8 p.m. (Eastern Time):Feb. 10March 10April 14May 12Learn more and registerFor more information, visit everence.com/national. Please email national@everence.com with any questions.
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Would you like to help Mennonite youth learn more about their Anabaptist heritage? There are still two weeks to register for Mennonite Mission Network’s Youth Venture “Anabaptism at 500: Looking Back to See the Future” trip this summer. Pray that the next generation of Mennonite leaders will be shaped by the rich diversity of the global Mennonite church during this once-in-a-lifetime encounter in Germany and Switzerland.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Pray for WDC congregations supporting immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees, as they seek justice and safety in the face of threat and fear.
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.