BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
October 26, 2025
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 for Sunday, October 26:
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/VRiCOkun3Mg?feature=share
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
October 26, 2025
Christ Candle Lighting
Centering Music—Processional on “Westminster Abbey” [VT 423],(arr. R. Wetzler)–
Will Wiebe-Friesen
Welcome & Prayer—Adam Robb
*Hymn—What Is This Place— VT 22
Children and Youth Conversation—Esther Koontz
Worship Music—Behold the Tabernacle of God—Chancel Choir; Joel Garber, director; Will Wiebe-Friesen, accompanist
Scripture Reading—Matthew 21:12-27—Jeanette Stucky
*Hymn—Lord Jesus, Come and Overturn—VT 146
Sermon—By What Authority—Nathan Koontz
*Hymn—God the Sculptor of the Mountains—VT 423
Prayers of God’s People
*Hymn—For the Fruit of All Creation—VT 124
(Those with October birthdays please come forward during hymn)
*Birthday Blessing and Benediction
Postlude–Jesus, Lover of My Soul [VT 659] (arr. D. Hustad)
*You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Keyboard- Will Wiebe-Friesen
Audio visual—Ben Lichti
The Week at BCMC: October 26—November 2, 2025
Sunday, October 26, 2025
Worship 9:30 a.m.
Live-Stream Link:
https://youtube.com/live/VRiCOkun3Mg?feature=share
Monday, October 27, 2025
9:30 p.m. Library Committee—Room 14
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
4 p.m. Worship Commission—Room 14
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
3 p.m. Cancer Support Group—BCMC Nursery
7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir rehearsal—Sanctuary
Thursday, October 30, 2025
6:30 p.m. Chancel Bell rehearsal—Room B7
Sunday, November 2, 2025—Daylight Savings Time Ends
9:30 a.m. Worship with sermon by Dr. Luke Powery from Duke Divinity School in Durham, N.C. ; music by Angelica Donaldson, flute
4 p.m. Bethel Sings, a concert featuring all Bethel College vocal groups, Dr. Russell Adrian, director
Pastor Joanna Harader is on vacation October 20-26.
You are invited to a Rethinking Justice Workshop on Saturday, November 8, from 8:30-11:30
a.m. This event is organized by a new interfaith justice ministry organization in the area and hosted here at Bethel College Mennonite Church in the fellowship hall. It promises to be a great opportunity to root ourselves in the biblical call for justice as we connect with like-minded people of faith in our area. Please register here.
Mennonite Central Committee Meat Canning is Nov. 5, 6, & 7
Sign up to be one of the volunteers at the mobile meat cannery in North Newton on November 5, 6 or 7 at https://tinyurl.com/MeatCanning2025
Poinsettia Time is Coming Soon!
You will be invited to share a poinsettia for the sanctuary for the Christmas season. BCMC will purchase the poinsettias, and have them delivered to the church. More information will be coming soon.
Please remember in your prayers Cindy Beth and Janelle Unrau and their families as they mourn the passing of their father, LaVern Stucky. Lavern died September 29, 2025. A committal service for LaVern Stucky was October 17 at the Hopefield Cemetery, Moundridge, Kansas. A date for LaVern’s memorial service will be set for some time after the new year.
BCMC Offering for October 19: General $8,422; MCC Meat Canning $1,680; Kitchen Fund $18; Solar Fund $2,500.
From the Finance committee
As the 3rd quarter of the financial year of our church ends, we offer gratitude for the generosity shared in donating monetary offerings toward our annual budget. Each gift is important to the process of fulfilling our mission. A brief report is listed below.
The following is a BCMC financial report of the general fund income and expenses on September 30, 2025 (75% of the year).
Total income $ 341,795 61% of budget
Total expense $ 398,763 72% of budget
Net income/expense -$ 56,968
From the Indigenous Task Force
November 11 in-person meeting at BCMC Fellowship Hall with author Laurie Dove to discuss her book, Mask of the Deer Woman. Laurie has provided us with study guide questions for our discussion. Read the book and invite your interested friends to read it and join us in this discussion on November 11.
For the Study Guide press here
Thanks to everyone who participated in our Messy Church session on October 8. We talked about what the reign of God is like and made our own bird nest artwork–check it out in the Gathering Place! And mark your calendars for our next Messy Church on Wednesday, November 12: supper at 6 followed by all-ages Bible learning and activities.
Birth Announcement
We are happy to announce that Samir Schmidt-Kaudinov was born on August 16, 2025 to Alison Schmidt-Tieszen and Galim Kaudinov of Denver. Alison is a member of BCMC and daughter of Ada and Wes Schmidt-Tieszen.
Bethel College Announcements
· Last chance to see “Made for you by a professional seamstress,” fiber art by Karen Reimer, which closes Oct. 27, Regier Art Gallery in Luyken Fine Arts Center. Gallery hours are Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 2-4 p.m.
· Tues., Oct. 28: Bethel College Chamber Orchestra annual Halloween concert, Kris Hilding, director, 7 p.m., featuring music from “Animal Crossing,” “Hollow Night: Silksong,” “Violet Evergarden” and more; Krehbiel Auditorium
· Sat., Nov. 1: 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. 2: Merrill Krabill’s exhibit “Between Earth and Sky” opens, with the artist reception on the same day, 3-4 p.m., Regier Art Gallery Fine Arts Center
· Sun., Nov. 2: Bethel Sings, a concert featuring all Bethel College vocal groups, Dr. Russell Adrian, director, 4 p.m., Bethel College Mennonite Church
· Tues., Nov. 11: Bethel College Organ Recital Series presents David Pérez, 7 p.m., Administration Building chapel
· Registration is open for Bethel College’s Worship and the Arts Symposium, Nov. 2-4 on the Bethel campus. There is no fee, but registration is needed to get accurate numbers for hospitality. Go to https://www.bethelks.edu/academics/worship-and-the-arts-symposium/ and click the “Registration” button. The focus of the 2025 symposium is homiletics, with Dr. Luke Powery from Duke Divinity School in Durham, N.C. Of particular interest to pastors but open to everyone is a preaching masterclass from 9 a.m.-noon on Tuesday, Nov. 4. The featured visual artist is Merrill Krabill, Goshen, Ind., a former professor at Bethel and now retired from teaching at Goshen College. Use the link above to see a complete schedule.
Life Enrichment is a series designed for adults age 60 and over. Sessions are in Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center at Bethel College. Wednesday, October 29 at 9:30—11:50 a.m.
9:30 a.m. “IRC—International Rescue Committee,” Yeni Silva-Renteria, executive director, IRC, Wichita
10:50 a.m. “Mapping the English Language: A Grammarian’s Quest,” Dan Flickinger, North Newton, retired senior researcher, Stanford University Center for the Study of Language and Information
Investing in our shared ministry:
The Western District Conference Stewardship Commission is launching a new vision for fundraising, asking each member of WDC congregations to consider making modest yet regular financial contributions to WDC, either through your congregation or directly to WDC. In the past, we’ve relied on occasional large capital campaigns to partially fund the mission of WDC. Now, as we enter a new season of planning for our future, we sense a call to move in a different direction. As a Mennonite community rooted in simplicity, shared responsibility and mutual aid, we’re shifting toward a member-owned model, with a vision that has three dimensions:
· Rooted giving – The work of WDC is rooted in the priorities, values, community and investments of each of our members
· Seeds of Sustenance – With small, yet sustaining investments, we each “plant seeds” to ensure a healthy future for our conference and congregations. An average gift of $10 per member each month would meet WDC’s current budget expenses!
· Together We Tend – To thrive, it takes all of us tending to the future of our conference. We grow together!
When each of us invests faithfully, we build a conference that’s not dependent on occasional bursts of generosity by some, but instead is grounded in a regular rhythm of care by many. We invite you to invest in our shared ministry! For giving options, and to learn more go to:
https://mennowdc.org/investing-in-our-shared-ministry/
| Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements. |
Camp Mennoscah Announcements
· Welcome to Eric Litwiller! Eric is the new Development Director for Camp Mennoscah. He has already started making contacts. Eric can be reached at eric.litwiller@campmennoscah.org
· Camp Mennoscah will be having a Verenike Casserole Fundraiser Nov. 8 at Faith Mennonite Church. Reserve your meals at https://forms.gle/DMurJFkp5P7Fb3C86 (Link is in church email.) The meal has verenike casserole, seasoned green beans, zweiback, and fruit crisp and will be available at Faith Mennonite Church between 5:30-6:30 p.m. on Nov. 8. You can drive-thru and pick up your meals or dine in. Watch Camp Mennoscah’s Facebook page and check your email for any changes.
Suggested donation of $20 per meal or $40 per pan.
Food Fund-raising Events Coming to the area:
· First Mennonite Church of Halstead invites you to their Annual Hog Roast Sun., Oct 26 from 5-7 p.m. at Scout Park Gazebo, 3rd & Locust, Halstead for a pulled pork supper with fixins along with music by Prairie Highway. Meal donation proceeds will go towards Camp Mennoscah. Bring lawn chairs. If inclement weather, it will be moved inside the church at 4th & Santa Fe.
· The Mennonite Men of Tabor Mennonite Church will be hosting their annual Chicken BBQ Thurs., Nov. 6, for a Dine-In or To-Go event from 5-7 p.m. This years’ donations will go to Mission Partners Joseph and Rachel Givens and Bethesda Home. Location: 891 Chisholm Trail, Newton. RSVP is not necessary.
· Hope Mennonite Church has their annual Craft Bazaar and Peppernut Sale Sat., Nov. 8, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the church building, 868 N. Maize Road, Wichita. All proceeds from the event will help support Hope Mennonite Church service projects: Mennonite Central Committee, Camp Mennoscah, Family Promise and Justice Together. There will be live music, a bake sale featuring peppernuts, kids activities, local vendors, Quilter’s Corner, and breakfast and lunch – Cinnamon Rolls, German Sausage, Bierocks, Pie, and more. All are welcome — entry is free!
· Hesston College Cultures Fair
The community is invited to join Hesston College Wed., Nov. 5, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. as they celebrate their diverse student body and the student’s homeland cuisine at this year’s Cultures Fair! Hesston College is honored to host students representing 28 countries this fall, and many of these students will share their hearts through a taste sampling from their home countries. A curry main dish will be served by dining services beginning at 5:30 p.m., followed by international sides, desserts and drinks starting at 6 p.m. in Bontrager Student Center dining hall. Cost is $9.23 per person. Reserve your place by Nov. 3 at hesston.edu/culturesfair2025.
“Art From the Hearth” exhibit opens at Hesston College
An exhibit titled, “Art From the Hearth” will be featured in the Regier-Friesen Gallery located in Hesston College’s Laban Peachey Center (325 S. College Dr., Hesston) Nov. 3 through 28. The exhibit includes various artists’ created bowls, cups, plates, teapots, etc. and includes recipes in which to fill them. A reception with the artists will take place Wed., Nov. 12, 4 to 5:30 p.m. Normal exhibit hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and admission is free.
For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here
For Mennonite Mission Network “News from around the world” press here
For Mennonite Church USA “Women’s Voices” press here
Just Peace Pilgrimage: 2026
Your congregation, Sunday school class and other groups are invited to join Mennonie Mission Network in a seven-day Civil Rights or Christ at the Borders Just Peace Pilgrimage to explore how God is weaving justice and reconciliation in U.S. and other communities. Engage firsthand with people, churches, and organizations who share how they pursue peace. Through group reflection, prayer, and worship, process these experiences and connect them to your faith; then return home as “changed people” who can inspire and lead change in your own community. For more information about a pilgrimage for your group, contact Stephanie Weaver, StephanieW@MennoniteMission.net. www.mennonitemission.net/JustPeace
From Mennonite Church USA
Menno Snapshots
Stanley W. Green, executive conference minister of Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference, shared four realignments to heal and renew the church in his recent article for Leader magazine (reprinted by MC USA, with permission). Read it here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/menno-snapshots/realigning/
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Mennonite Mission Network requests prayer for JCS International’s leadership at all levels and, especially for Gerlee (many Mongolian people identify with a single name), in her role as interim executive director. May God’s Spirit guide this leadership transition and pray for more long-term workers to help with the many opportunities to serve in Mongolia.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Pray for our church planters as they follow God’s call. Ask for guidance and provision to strengthen their ministries and bring stability to their families. – WDC Church Planting Commission
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.