BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
March 22, 2026
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, March 22:
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/W3GMoCrroxU?feature=share
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
March 22, 2026
5th Sunday of Lent: True Allegiance
Christ Candle Lighting
Centering Music— There Is No Shadow (Brenda Portman)
Will Wiebe-Friesen
Welcome and Call to Worship— Mary Ellen Hodge
One: Come into God’s presence, you who imagine and you who seek, you who disrupt and you who repair.
All: By the Spirit, we gather in hope.
One: Come into God’s keeping, you who bear the divine image, you who are in this world but not of it, you who feel tested or tried.
All: In Christ, we gather and we belong.
One: Come into God’s presence, singing for joy and for justice; bringing prayer and worship, your most faithful acts of resistance.
All: To God be the glory! We gather to praise!
Opening Prayer
*Hymn—Praise with Joy the World’s Creator—VT 428
Children and Youth Conversation—Carol Flickinger
Worship Music—Were You There (arr. Bob Chilcott)
Chancel Choir; Joel Garber, director; Will Wiebe-Friesen, accompanist
Scripture Reading—Romans 13: 1, 6-7—Mike Claassen
*Hymn—How Can We Worship Caesar’s Cross— VT 308
Scripture Reading—Mark 12:13-17
Sermon—Trick(y) Questions—Joanna Harader
Breath Prayer—Give to the world what is the world’s./Give to God what is God’s
*Hymn—I Bind My Heart This Tide—VT 556
Receiving the Offering and Prayers of God’s People—Mary Ellen Hodge
*Hymn—Go Now in Peace, Worship Continues—VT 829
*Charge and Benediction
Postlude–Wer nur den lieben Gott lässt walten (J.S. Bach)
* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Keyboard—Will Wiebe-Friesen
Audio visual—Ben Lichti
The Week at BCMC: March 22-29, 2026
Sunday, March 22, 2026—5th Sunday of Lent:
9:30 a.m. Worship 10:30 a.m. Coffee/water/tea in the Gathering Place
YouTube Link for the worship service this Sunday:
https://youtube.com/live/W3GMoCrroxU?feature=share
Monday, March 23, 2026
10 a.m. Library Committee—Room 14
7 p.m. Faith Formation Commission—Fellowship Hall
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
11 a.m. Poems and Prayers Group for Lent—Chapel
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
6 p.m. Wednesday supper in Fellowship Hall—Please bring your own tableware to facilitate the clean-up—Menu: Breakfast casserole with hash browns, ham, and cheddar, banana muffins
6:30 p.m. Gifts Discernment Committee—Room 14
7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal—Sanctuary Chancel
Thursday, March 26, 2026
9:30 a.m. Library Committee—Room 14
6 p.m. Chancel Bells Rehearsal—Room B7
7 p.m. Deacon Commission—Room 14
Sunday, March 29. 2026—Palm Sunday
Sermon by Joanna Harader
BCMC Offering for Mar. 15: Gen. Fund $25,977.36; Wed. Supper $150.20; Library Reserve Fund $7; Kitchen Fund $17; Al Penner Mem. $780.
All children from 8th grade and younger are invited to be part of a singing group that will do worship music on Palm Sunday, March 29. We will meet for a 15 minute practice after worship this morning, before Sunday School, in the Fellowship Hall. Contact Verlene Garber if you have any questions.
BCMC’s Lenten Banners illustrate a progression created around the motif of the crown of thorns. The series is about the contrasts, emotion, and movement of the Lenten season. The artist, Anne Friesen Birky, lives in Denver, CO with her family and is the daughter of Duane and Elizabeth Friesen. Thank you to Matt Koontz for organizing the banner installation each week.
You are invited to share an Easter lily for the sanctuary on Easter Sunday, Apr. 5. BCMC will purchase the lilies. The cost will be $10 per lily. Make checks to BCMC designated “Flower Fund.” Contributors may pick up lilies to take home after the Easter worship service. You will be able to designate in honor of someone or in memory of someone with your Easter lily. There will be a table in the Gathering Place this Sun., Mar. 22 for you to sign up for a lily, or email the church office.
This Lent, we are exploring The Work of Imagination, led by material from Illustrated Ministry.
“This is the work of imagination: to envision a world remade by mercy, to trust that healing is possible even in the shadow of empire, and to practice love that outlasts despair.” Please plan to join us for Sunday morning worship, and consider participating in these special Lenten opportunities:
· Wednesday, Mar. 25, 6 p.m.: Church Community Supper in Fellowship Hall
· Thurs., Apr. 2, 5:30 p.m.: All-Age Maundy Thursday Worship in the Chapel
· Thurs., Apr. 2, 7 p.m.: Maundy Thursday Worship with communion in the
Sanctuary
· Fri., Apr. 3, 7 p.m.: Ecumenical Good Friday worship service at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church (2001 Windsor Drive, Newton).
· Easter Sunday, Apr. 5: NO Sunday School
* Easter Sunrise Worship @ 7 a.m. at the Prouty Farm, 332 N. Hoover Road,
Newton
* Worship Service @ 10 a.m. to include welcoming new members!
Poems and Prayers Group for Lent
You are invited to poems and prayers in the BCMC chapel on Tuesdays at 11 during Lent, an informal time to bring a poem or prayer that speaks to you and share it with the group. Readings will be followed by silence and discussion. Your selection could be something that you have written, or something that someone else has written. You do not need to consider yourself a poet to attend, simply bring an open heart and joy for the truth revealed when words and phrases rub in illumined ways.
“Mennonites in Poland” is being highlighted in the church library along with the Mennonite Polish Studies Association Newsletter. This newsletter summarizes the 2025 Poland trip led by Mark Jantzen and John Thiesen which many in the congregation have taken or will take this summer. We also have many new books that were donated and are now ready for checkout. Please stop by and enjoy!
Caring Fund Contribution Opportunity April 2, Maundy Thursday and April 5,
Easter Sunday. The Caring Fund is an above budget benevolent fund administered by the Deacon Commission for the purpose of assisting our congregation’s members and community persons in need. The fund is generated by above budget offerings made payable to Bethel College Mennonite Church and designated “caring fund.” Thank you for your continued support and contributions.
Shalom Mennonite Church, 800 E. 1st St., Newton, will host the next in-person meeting of the Kansas Repair Communities, Mon., March 23, at 5:30 p.m. This is a good chance to find out about a group of Newton and Wichita area folks who have been working for the past year to build relationships with the indigenous nations in Kansas and to move toward legislation regarding Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women/People (MMIP) in Kansas. Snacks will be provided.
You are invited to an ecumenical Good Friday worship service on April 3, 7 p.m., at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church (2001 Windsor Drive, Newton). This service will be planned and led by Bethel College Mennonite, Shalom Mennonite, Faith Mennonite, Salem United Methodist, Trinity Heights United Methodist, and St. Matthew’s Episcopal. We are excited to connect with others in our community during this sacred season.
Our local No Kings peaceful protest will be Saturday, March 28, 3-5 p.m. at the Harvey County Courthouse. Prior to this, there will be a No Kings event in Wichita from noon-1:30 at Douglas and Broadway. You are invited to show up for one or both with enthusiasm and a poster.
Community Playschool, Inc is happy to announce a celebration for it’s 60th anniversary! EVERYONE, including members of sponsoring churches, former teachers, volunteers, families, students and anyone else, is invited and welcome to join us on Thurs., Apr. 16 from 5:30-7 p.m. for a look back at the history of the preschool. We will have slides and photos, a timeline of the major events and changes, a place for memories and stories and, of course, cake! The classrooms will be open for tours while the main activities will take place in the Fellowship Hall of BCMC. Please plan to come and help us celebrate this monumental occasion!
Rooting our Stories: Reveling in 50 years of Queer and Trans Anabaptist Resilience
Join the Brethren Mennonite Council (BMC) for LGBT Interests for a gathering rooted in sacred story and joyful revelry, as they mark their 50th Anniversary May 29-31 in Minneapolis! This festive weekend will include storytelling, singing, ritual/worship, workshops, artmaking, games, shared meals, and honoring this incredible 50-year legacy of LGBTQIA+ Anabaptist resistance and resilience. Event details, safety/accessibility info, and registration on the 50th webpage, www.bmclgbt.org/50th.
Would any of us survive a month in poverty? It is difficult for those of us who have enough to truly understand the situations that families living in poverty experience every day; the decisions they have to make, and fears and frustrations they feel. This is an invitation to ‘walk a mile’ in the shoes of those facing poverty by participating in the upcoming Poverty Simulation. Peace Connections, Newton is offering a Poverty Simulation Thurs., March 26 from 9:30-noon at Salem United Methodist Church. There is no cost for this event. The simulation provides participants with the opportunity to assume the role of a low-income family member living on a limited budget and is divided into four 15-minute sessions, each of which represents one week in which you must provide for your family and maintain your home.
Contact Peace Connections with questions: 316-284-0000 ext. 1 (office)
316-667-5181 (cell: call / text) or www.peaceconnections.org
Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale (KMRS) is April 12 & 13, 2024 at the Kansas State Fair Grounds in Hutchinson. Your participation supports Mennonite Central Committee’s (MCC) relief, development, and peace-building work around the world.
· Calling all bakers! Bags and pie tins are ready to pick up at the back of the sanctuary today after worship. Sign up to make zwieback, pie, and other baked goods.
· My Coins Count continues in the Gathering Place. Place your coins, bills, and checks in the jug each Sunday until the sale to help fund MCC education programs!
· THANK YOU to the BCMC Sunday School classes who help underwrite KMRS costs. Thanks to generous donors, all expenses are covered before the sale so all sale proceeds go directly to Mennonite Central Committee programs.
· Donations needed!
—Silent and General Auctions are accepting items such as vehicles, furniture,
and other items. Let a BCMC liaison know so we can submit photos and work
with you on getting the item to the sale.
—Children’s Auction is accepting new, in-the-package items that appeal to children and youth such as board games, Lego sets, etc. for the Saturday Children’s Auction.
—Plant Sale accepts anything related to gardening — bulbs, seeds, garden or house plants, trees, and tools such as garden hose and rakes.
—Bring donated auction and plant items to BCMC’s south entrance on Friday, April 12, and a liaison will make sure it gets to the sale.
· Volunteers Needed: The KMRS website has many volunteer opportunities –making BOHNE BEROGGI on April 4, or many time slots in one of the booths during the sale. If you need help signing up, alert a liaison.
For more information:
—KMRS posterboard & table in the Gathering Place for Run for Relief form, the My Coins Count jug, urgent service opportunities and more.
—KMRS website: https://kansas.mccsale.org/
—BCMC liaisons: Steve & Elaine Schurr, Brad & Diane Born, and William & Esther Kreider Eash.
Register now to be a part of the MCC Sale Run for Relief – a 5K run/walk along a paved path by a creek! Walkers and runners of all ages and abilities are welcome! Entrants receive a t-shirt and a New Year’s cookie. Deadline for a t-shirt is March 27! Help support relief and development around the world even further by asking others to sponsor your run/walk! Scan the QR code on the poster hanging (insert location at your church) or for more info visit https://kansas.mccsale.org/
Camp Mennoscah reminds all their friends and supporters at BCMC that there remains a $2,500 challenge within your congregation to support the completion of the retreat center. Across our partner churches, this initiative has raised almost $140,000, and just under $2,000 remains available still to be matched here at BCMC. To have YOUR investment in the future of camp doubled, simply write “BCMC match” in the memo line of your check, or text “Match” to 620.755.2583, and a representative of Camp Mennoscah will be happy to pick up your gift.
Bethel College Announcements:
Sun., March 22): Kauffman Museum’s program with Carolyn Zeisset, “Caught in the Middle Between Voices of Conscience and Voices of Patriotism,” has moved to Zoom, 3 p.m., https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89861064083?pwd=C7M8myHWBtMmLZpKGEzavzY0V4KLZa.1 Zeisset will look at parallels in her young adult historical novel Caught in the Middle with stories of conscientious objectors told in the current special exhibit at the museum, “Voices of Conscience: Peace Witness in the Great War.”
· Life Enrichment, the series at Bethel College for adults age 60 and older, meets Wednesday mornings in Krehbiel Auditorium. March 25 programs: 9:30 a.m., “Hippie Inc.: The Misunderstood Subculture that Changed the Way We Live,” Dr. Michael Klassen, University of Northern Iowa; 10:50 a.m., “Mennonite Disaster Service Cabinet Shop Operation,” Cleo Koop, MDS. See https://www.bethelks.
edu/academics/life-enrichment/ for details and a link to the spring schedule.
· Fri., March 27: The annual Student Art Exhibit opens in the Regier Art Gallery in Luyken Fine Arts Center, featuring the work of students in Bethel College art classes, in various media, through April 17 (reception TBA). Gallery hours are Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 2-4 p.m.
· Sun., March 29: Bethel College Concert Choir and Wind Ensemble spring concert, 4 p.m., Memorial Hall
· SAVE THE DATE: Mon., April 6, Bethel College will honor its 2025 alumni award winners (Virgil Penner, Kristin Wedel, Tim Wiens) in convocation.
Hesston College will host the annual Melva Kauffman Lecture Series Mar. 25 and 26, welcoming peace studies scholar and Hesston College alumna Dr. Angela Lederach for a series titled “Slow Peace: Lessons from Grassroots Peacebuilders in Colombia.” Lectures are Wed., Mar. 25 at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. and Thurs., Mar. 26 at 7 p.m. All events are free, open to the public, and held at Hesston Mennonite Church with a reception following evening lectures. More info: hesston.edu/melva.
Women & Girls come join the annual Mennonite Women in Mission’s potluck salad supper Mon., Apr. 20, 6 p.m. at Tabor Mennonite Church, rural Newton. Guest speaker, Kate Mast presents “Our Time, Our Stories, Our Stuff.” This presentation encourages us to think kindly about our stuff in relationship to our time and the stories we tell about our lives. Please bring a potluck salad and one small item that is a treasure of yours to share with your table group. RSVP not required. More info: mennonitewomeninmission.org or their Facebook page.
Men and Boys Retreat, sponsored by Mennonite Men of the Plains, is Apr. 17-19.
Registration is online at https://campmennoscah.campbrainregistration.com or in person at the shed by the basketball court. Please check in at the shed, even if you register online. Lodging is available in the bunkhouses, cabins, or your own tent. There are two 20 amp RV hookups and two 30 amp RV hookups available in the south (boys) cabin area on a pole of the gazebo. The hookups/outlets are not spread out. Camp Mennoscah only has electrical hookups. Meals are available for Sat. evening and Sun. breakfast and lunch. Contact Kevin N. at 316-322-5515.
A message from the Et Cetera Shop, Newton
We are BUSTIN’ AT THE SEAMS with housewares and book donations! We have explored numerous options to process these items more quickly, but none seemed to be the solution. We are asking for the support of our supporting churches to help us process these items, and we are reducing our prices to move them more quickly. Are there youth groups, men’s groups, women’s groups, or any individuals who would like to help us out? Give us a call at 316-283-9461 to schedule a time to come in! Please invite your friends, family, and congregants to join in.
This DOES NOT mean we will be turning donations away. We are just trying to move the stock we have as quickly as we can!
The church office has received information about high school students from Germany seeking host families for the 2026-27 school year. If you would like more information, please contact the office.
For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here
For Mennonite Mission Network “Extending Beyond” press here
March 22
Just Peace Pilgrimages — South Africa Racial Justice Pilgrimage Hosted by Iziko Lamaqabane — This South African solidarity learning pilgrimage will explore the long history and legacy of settler colonialism and apartheid, which was an unjust socio-political policy that fostered racial segregation. The pilgrimage will focus on the social constructs created around race, land dispossession and how they so thoroughly defined, and continue to define, South African society. Dates: September 9-22, 2026; the optional safari extends the trip by 3 days
Registration deadline: July 15
Contact Stephanie Weaver at StephanieW@MennoniteMission.net or visit MennoniteMission.net/JustPeace to learn more!
For Anabaptist Disabilities Network “Opening Doors Blog-Inclusion in Cambodia press here
For Mennonite Disaster Service “On the Level” press here
Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements.
WDC office schedule and Resource Library updates: Beginning the week of March 16-20, WDC office hours will be Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm (instead of opening at 8:00 a.m.) and beginning in April the office will be closed on Fridays due to staff schedules. Also, to enhance use of WDC Resource Library materials a secure locker will soon be located just next to the book drop-off outside the WDC office entrance, for after hours / weekend pick up of materials that have been checked out from the WDC Resource Library! To arrange for check-out and pick up of materials, contact the WDC office at 316-283-6300 or wdc@mennowdc.org, or contact the Resource Library Director at crlib@mennowdc.org.
| Ecumenical Advocacy Days – April 20-22, 2026 Dear Bethel College Mennonite,Psalm 24 declares that “the Earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.” This Psalm reminds us that we are bound to one another in responsibility, and can only be human together. In 2026, our nation faces massive upheaval and multiple crises. But as Christians, we remain hopeful as we persevere in the midst of fear and uncertainty. We remain true to the gospel, true to Jesus’s call to love our neighbor as ourselves. Given the many challenges we face, it is critical that people of faith come to Washington, D.C., to raise our voices. |
| Join us in Washington, D.C., April 20–22, 2026, as we draw on our shared faith traditions to inspire one another, and call on Congress to commit to Protecting People, Peace and Planet! Through worship, workshops, solidarity and Congressional visits, we will bring together a diverse group of Christians to remind Congress of our shared responsibility to care for all that belongs to God. Register today!Mennonite Central Committee U.S. is a sponsor of Ecumenical Advocacy Days. Please reach out to npjm@mcc.org with questions about the event or logistics.Warm regards,Galen Fitzkee Legislative Associate MCC U.S. National Peace & Justice Ministries |
Mennonite Church USA Announcements
MC USA’s 2026 Lent at Home Worship Guide invites households to prepare for Holy Week with simple rituals, Scripture from John’s Gospel and opportunities for reflection. This guide, titled “Dwelling in Dissonance,” helps all ages hold grief and hope together, as we walk with Jesus toward resurrection. Available in English and Spanish. Download it here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/lent-at-home-2026
Nathan Luitjens reflects on MC USA’s annual Conference Ministers’ Retreat and how MC USA leaders are re-centering their work around God’s dream of shalom, reconciliation and faithful presence in local contexts. Read his Menno Snapshots blog here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/focusing-on-what-matters/
Webinar recording available: In “Engaging Our Grief and Finding Resilience,” hosts Ann Blackwood and Ruth Johnston explore how grief shows up in our lives and in the world, providing tools and practices to move through it with honesty, care and spiritual resilience. This webinar was sponsored by The Corinthian Plan, MC USA’s health care and wellbeing plan for pastors and church workers. Watch the recording here: https://bit.ly/4aQ9to8
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Colleen and Pablo Fast have been serving in Brazil for more than 30 years. Praise God that the Brazilian churches they serve with are experiencing a time of growth, with multiple families being sent out to plant more churches and the already-established churches increasing the number of services they offer.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Pray for the WDC Gifts Discernment Committee as they listen for the leading of God’s Spirit in selecting nominees for elected leadership positions in our conference, and give thanks for those who say “yes” when invited to serve.
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, immigration status, gender identity,
sexual orientation, ability, economic status, marital status, or age.