Daylight Savings Time begins
Daylight Savings Time begins this Sunday, March 9. Remember to set your clocks forward one hour before going to bed on Saturday!
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
MARCH 9, 2025
FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
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/WDObYTNmmS4?feature=share
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
March 9, 2025
First Sunday of Lent
Christ Candle Lighting
Centering Music—Thou True Vine That Heals the Nations (arr. R. Haan)
—Will Wiebe-Friesen
Welcome & Prayer
Leader: Welcome, all wandering hearts.
All: We come greeting friends and meeting strangers,
Wearing our joy and bearing our grief,
Sighing our questions and trying our faith
Leader: Welcome to the wilderness of Lent–
All: where pretense is laid down;
Where grace abounds;
Where home is found.
Leader: Welcome, all wandering hearts, to worship.
*Hymn—The Glory of These Forty Days—VT 305
Children’s Conversation—Joanna Harader
Worship Music—Cantique de Jean Racine (Gabriel Faure)—Chancel Choir; Joel Garber, director; Will Wiebe-Friesen, accompanist
Scripture Reading—Genesis 16:1-15—Al Peters
*Hymn—The God of Sarah Praise—VT 190
One-Minute Meditation
Sermon—Streams of Mercy—Joanna Harader
*Hymn—Fill Us with Your Feast—VT 309
Communion— Pastors
Prayer of Confession
Leader: For the violence we enact and the violence we allow,
All: God have mercy.
Leader: For the ways we limit the freedom of others,
All: God have mercy.
Leader: For our failure to fully live out the freedom you give us,
All: God have mercy.
Leader: In the moments we run away,
All: God have mercy.
Leader: In the moments we settle in,
All: God have mercy.
Leader: When we cannot bear to watch others suffer,
All: God have mercy.
Leader: And in you mercy, God, let us find our home in you,
All: Wherever we may wander.
Assurance of Pardon
Sharing the Meal
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Prayers of God’s People
*Hymn—Come, Thou Fount—VT 563
*Benediction
Postlude—Come, Thou Fount (arr. J.R. Martin)—Will Wiebe-Friesen
* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Keyboard- Will Wiebe-Friesen
Audio visual—Ben Lichti
HAGAR’S BLESSING (from “Prone to Wander”, ©2025 by Joanna Harader. Distributed by Herald Press, Harrisonburg, VA 22803)
I see we have found ourselves together in the wilderness.
Those of you who are fleeing and those who’ve been cast out;
those passing through and those settling in— whatever brings you here, I’m glad to be your companion for a time. I can show you the secret spots of shade, but you will have to decide that it’s okay to rest.
I can take you to the hidden wells, but you will need to draw the water.
I can show you where I met God, but I doubt the Holy One will show up for you in exactly that same place.
I can breathe along beside you in the silence, but you will have to open your own soul to the presence of the divine. You will need to speak your own name for God.
It is good, my friend, to be here with you.
Please allow me to offer this blessing for your wilderness journey:
May your wells be full. May your life be free. May your love be fierce. Amen.
From Will Wiebe-Friesen: Sunday’s centering music is based on a hymn found in Hymnal: A Worship Book called Thou True Vine That Heals the Nations, with a text by Percy Dreamer. The composer of the tune, PLEADING SAVIOR, is unknown but is considered an American folk tune with likely roots in Scotland or Ireland. It was popularized by Ralph Vaughn Williams’s setting which is included in many hymnals, including Voices Together with a text based on the Apostles’ Creed (VT 433); however, the Percy Dreamer text, to me, feels more suited to our current season.
Thou true Vine, that heals the nations,
Tree of life, thy branches we.
They who leave thee fade and wither,
None bear fruit except in thee.
Cleanse us, make us sane and simple,
Till we merge our lives in thine,
Gain ourselves in thee, the Vintage,
Give ourselves through thee, the Vine.
The Week at BCMC: March 9—March 16, 2025
Sunday, March 9, 2025
9:30 a.m. Worship — 10:30 a.m. Faith Formation
YouTube Link for the worship service this Sunday:
https://youtube.com/live/WDObYTNmmS4?feature=share
Tuesday March 11, 2025
9 a.m. Women’s Fellowship Executive Board meeting in Room 14
7 p.m. Finance Committee meeting in Room 14
Wednesday, March 12, 2025—Wednesday Night Suppers Begin
5:30 p.m. Wednesday Night Supper in Fellowship Hall—Please bring tableware
6:15 p.m Wednesday program in fellowship hall
7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir rehearsal in the sanctuary
Thursday, March 13, 2025
6 p.m. Chancel Bell rehearsal in Room B7
Saturday, March 15, 2025
11 a.m. Memorial Service for Calvin Flickinger in BCMC Sanctuary
Sunday, March 16, 2025—Second Sunday of Lent
9:30 a.m. Worship with sermon by Nathan Koontz; music by Lucy Burch
10:30 a.m. Faith Formation
Women’s Fellowship – Save Tues., March 18, 7 p.m. for worknight at Mennonite Central Committee, 121 E. 30th St., North Newton.
John Mark Koontz Senior Double Bass Recital Sat., April 5, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Wichita State University, Wiedemann Hall. John will be perfor ming mostly classical bass and ending with a jazz piece.
BCMC Offering for March 2: Gen. Fund $10,707; Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) $50; MCC Relief Sale $300; Plant Fund $50; Columbarium Fund $2,000; Kitchen Fund $27; Women’s Fellowship $60; Solar Fund $50; Merrill Raber Mem. $135.
Prone to Wander Sunday School book discussion
Members of the Agape class are planning to lead a book discussion during Lent of Joanna’s new book, Prone to Wander. We will be meeting Sunday morning in Room 22; for the subsequent Sundays we will meet in the chapel for the weeks of Lent: March 9 – April 13 during the Sunday School hour. Reading the book is helpful, but not necessary. All are welcome and encouraged to come.
Invitation to Friends and Family Ramadan Iftar 2025. The Islamic Society of Wichita invites up to 10 members of Bethel College Mennonite Church to observe Ramadan together with the Wichita Muslim Community at its Annual Friends and Family Iftar on Mon., March 17, 7:30 p.m. at the Islamic Society of Wichita Mosque. If you are interested in attending, kindly let Pastor Elizabeth know by no later than today Sun., March 9, so she can coordinate RSVP’s and carpooling arrangements.
The Everence Sharing Fund provided $3,000 in matching funds to support special needs in our church last year. Jim Robb serves as the Everence advocate for our congregation. Please contact Jim with questions or for more information
Upcoming Memorial Services:
· We offer sympathy to the family of Calvin Flickinger. Calvin died Feb. 18 at Kidron Bethel Village. Calvin’s memorial service will be March 15, 11 a.m. at BCMC.
· We offer sympathy to the family of Louise Thieszen. Louise died Feb. 22. Louise’s memorial service will be March 29, 11 a.m. at BCMC
· We offer sympathy to the family of Merrill Raber. Merrill died Feb. 16 at Kidron Bethel Village. Merrill’s memorial service will be May 3, 11 a.m. at BCMC.
Future Events at BCMC:
· Join us on Wednesday nights! Wednesday night suppers will be March 12, 26, April 2, 9. Please sign up at a sign up sheet on bulletin board, on table in south entrance, or on ledge between the mailboxes in gathering place. Cost is $6 per person or $18 per family. During Lent we will gather for a meal and brief program each Wednesday evening at 5:30 p.m.–except for March 19, which is Spring Break. On the first Wednesday, March 12, we will hear from Bethel College students who attended the Intercollegiate Peace Fellowship conference at Eastern Mennonite University last month. There is no gathering on March 19. Then, on March 26, April 2, and April 9 we will explore some biblical stories through art and poetry using the new Anabaptism at 500 resource: Drawing Near.
· The Bethel College Mennonite Church office will be closed the week of March 17-21 (Spring Break). Pastors will be available on an on-call basis: Pastor Elizabeth, March 17-18; Pastor Joanna, March 19-20; Pastor Nathan, March 21-22.
· Pastor Joanna is taking vacation days March 14-18 to move into her new house at 305 Campus Ct. in North Newton!
· BCMC’s Camp Mennoscah Retreat will be April 26-27.
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.
Dorthy Stucky Halley, LMSW, will be the speaker at the 2025 Swiss Mennonite Cultural and Historical Association (SMCHA) annual meeting Sunday, March 9, 2:30 p.m., at BCMC.
The Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale (KMRS) is only one month away (April 11 & 12), and as that date nears, there continue to be ways you can support and enjoy the sale.
· MY COINS COUNT! This year, coins will support FOOD programs around the world. Bring coins (and bills!) to church Sunday mornings until the sale. Place coins into collection jars in Sunday School rooms or in the large jug in the gathering place. Last year BCMC raised almost $800 in this way!
· Want to help make 17,000 tasty vereneke in six hours? Volunteer to do just that on April 5 by signing up at https://kansas.mccsale.org/volunteer/. Many other volunteer slots are available at that same online site.
· Need a 1937 Farmall International Harvester on steel wheels for your spring planting? Pictures of cars, trucks, tractors, quilts, and other auction items are available at https://kansas.mccsale.org/auctions/online-vehicle-auction/ or for quilts https://kansas.mccsale.org/home/quilt-auction/ or for general auction items https://kansas.mccsale.org/sunflower-auctions/
· See the posterboard in the Gathering Place for KMRS information and extra forms, or go to the KMRS website at https://kansas.mccsale.org/ or contact a BCMC liaison (Brad and Diane Born, William and Esther Kreider Eash, and Steve and Elaine Schurr).
Bethel College Announcements
· Sun., March 9: Bethel College Choir Tour Send-off Concert, directed by Dr. Henry S. Waters, 4 p.m., Memorial Hall. The concert has the theme “Unity & Hope” and includes performances by the Chamber Singers, Woven and Open Road. The choir leaves on tour March 14, and will sing in Mennonite congregations: Rainbow, Kansas City, KS; Faith, Minneapolis, MN.; Salem, Freeman, SD; and Bethesda, Henderson, NE.; as well as Hennepin Ave. United Methodist in Minneapolis and a noon concert at the Mountain Lake, MN., Golf Course.
· Sun., March 9, and Mon., March 10: The Hartzler Bible Lecture Series at Bethel College presents Doug Miller, professor emeritus of biblical and religious studies at Tabor College, “The Book of Isaiah”; 7 p.m. Sunday, Ad Building chapel, 11 a.m. Monday, Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center
· Tues., March 11: Bethel College Jazz, 7 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium
· “Untethered,” ceramics by David Long closes March 14. In the Regier Art Gallery in Luyken Fine Arts Center. Hours are weekdays 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 2-4 p.m.
· Thurs., March 27, 7 p.m.: Kansas Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (KIPCOR) Peace Lecture, “A Conversation with Sister Barbara McCracken” on community, social responsibility and daily faith. Sister Barbara is a Benedictine from Mt. St. Scholastica, Leavenworth.
Want to make your voice heard but don’t know how? Check out “5 Calls,” an easy and effective way to be in touch with your congressional reps. The website provides help with knowing how to make your calls, provides a timely list of topics to address (gets updated frequently) and a handy script guide to help you know what to say. Check them out at https://5calls.org/ —Witness Commission
In response to recently proposed legislation, Kansas Interfaith Action is pulling together a working group to focus on immigrant justice. If you are interested in being part of this group, contact Pastor Joanna or be in touch with KIFA directly through their website—https://kansasinterfaithaction.org/
Life Enrichment, in the Bethel College Krehbiel Auditorium, is a series designed especially for adults age 60 and over. Programs for March 12:
9:30 a.m. “Kernza: The Perennial Grain, a New Paradigm of Modern Agriculture,” Brandon Kaufman, Moundridge
10:50 a.m. “Dancing Around the World,” Dr. Christina Liu, associate professor of music and department chair, Bethel College, and Dr. Brett Janssen, division of humanities chair, music department chair, Central Christian College, McPherson
Organist Christopher Shaw will present an organ recital/hymn festival to remember Shirley Sprunger King. Shirley taught at Bethel College for twenty years and was organist at Bethel College Mennonite Church. Christopher Shaw will be joined by Lorraine Miller (flute) and Don Kehrberg (oboe), both former members of the Deknatel Consort with King. In addition to organ pieces and hymns, there will be remembrances of Shirley. The event will take place on Sat., April 5, 7:30 p.m. (note the time change from 7 to 7:30 p.m.) at Bethel College Mennonite Church, 2600 College Ave., North Newton.
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
For Anabaptism at 500 Essay Contest Offers College Scholarship Opportunities press here
For Paris Mennonite Center Update press here
From Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp
See The RMMC News & Stories From February
Take a look at the latest/greatest happenings here at RMMC. This information can be viewed on:
- RMMC Web Page – News & Stories (under “About Us”)
- RMMC Facebook Page
- RMMC Instagram Page
Summer camping season is coming and we hope you or family and friends are planning (just as we are with summer staff and volunteers . . . ) to be here at Rocky Mountain. Visit the RMMC.ORG web page for information about camps and how to register.
Mennonite Church USA Announcements
The MC USA Executive Board unanimously affirmed the Leadership Discernment Committee’s nomination of Todd Lehman of Hesston, Kansas, as moderator-elect for the Delegate Assembly cycle beginning July 2025. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/news/todd-lehman/
Support MC USA’s participation in a lawsuit to protect religious freedoms by signing and sharing the Sensitive Locations petition. View it here: sensitive-locations.com/
Menno Snapshots
Steve Bomar, lead pastor at Zion Mennonite Church, Hubbard, Oregon, began his faith journey as a Nazarene, but upon being exposed to Anabaptist theology, he began to consider if MC USA might be the place for him and his beliefs. Read about his faith journey here: mennoniteusa.org/nazarene-to-mennonite
Spiritual director Sherill Hostetter has been diagnosed with a rare and incurable disorder, and she shares how she has developed resiliency in the face of her diagnosis and health challenges. Read how she has developed resiliency here: mennoniteusa.org/go-as-expected
Eric Massanari shares about Pacific Northwest Mennonite Conference’s annual Conference Communicator Council meeting, featuring a presentation by MC USA Archives Coordinator Olivia Krall. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/menno-shorts/pacific-northwest/
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Mennonite Mission Network requests prayer for the Ecuador partnership meetings that are being held in Quito this week. Linda Shelly, regional director for Latin America, and Andrew Suderman, director of global partnerships, have joined representatives of the Colombia Mennonite Church and Central Plains Mennonite Conference in meeting with Ecuadorian partners to discern how to best carry out God’s vision in their communities.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Pray for WDC Commissions meeting this month, as they provide ministries to support congregations and leaders in the conference.
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.