BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
April 19, 2026–Creation Care Sunday
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, April 19:
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/gBtgy9jaHLI?feature=share
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
April 19, 2026: Creation Care Sunday
Christ Candle Lighting
Centering Music—Peace be With You (Buckwalter)
Chancel Bells, Verlene Garber, director
Welcome—Darlene Dick—Psalm 104 remix by Rev. Christyn Koschmann—
Slide Show Photos by Weldon Schloneger
*Hymn—All Creatures Worship God Most High (v. 1-4, 7)—VT 81
Children and Youth Conversation—Naomi Krause
Worship Music—Acclamation on Azmon—Chancel Bells
Scripture Reading—Luke 24:13-35—Hugo Boschmann
*Hymn—This Is God’s Wondrous World—VT 180
Sermon—Sacred Place—Joanna Harader
*Hymn—Touch the Earth Lightly—VT 145
Receiving the Offering and Prayers of God’s People
*Hymn—There’s a Wild Hope in the Wind—VT 828
*Benediction–I Sing the Mighty Power of God (arr. J. Payne)–Will Wiebe-Friesen
Postlude
* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Keyboard—Will Wiebe-Friesen
Audio visual—Ken Lamp
YouTube Link for the Congregational Meeting: https://youtube.com/live/WzDOEwMV0yA?feature=share
The Week at BCMC: April 19—26, 2026
Sunday, April 19, 2026—Creation Care Sunday
9:30 a.m. Sermon by Joanna Harader; music by Chancel Bells
YouTube Link for the worship service:
https://youtube.com/live/gBtgy9jaHLI?feature=share
10:45 a.m. Congregational Meeting—Sanctuary
YouTube Link for the congregational meeting:
https://youtube.com/live/WzDOEwMV0yA?feature=share
For the Annual Report Booklet June 1, 2025 to May 31, 2026 press here.
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
11 a.m. Poems and Prayers Group—Chapel
7 p.m Women’s Fellowship High Tea—Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
7 p.m. Senior High Youth Group—Room 24
7:30 p.m. Choir Rehearsal—Sanctuary Chancel
Thursday, April 23, 2026
3 p.m. Cancer Support Group—Nursery
4 p.m. Worship Commission—Room 14
7 p.m. Deacon Commission—Room 14
Friday, April 24, 2026
5:30 p.m. Indigenous Justice Task Force Training—Fellowship Hall
Saturday, April 25, 2026
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bethel College Music Contest—Sanctuary
9 a.m.—5 p.m. Indigenous Justice Task Force Training—Fellowship Hall
Sunday, April 26, 2026
9:30 a.m. Worship with sermon by Rev. Dr. B Cayce Ramey with Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery; music by Chancel Choir; March Birthday Blessing
4 p.m. Woven and Open Road Concert in the Sanctuary
Women’s Fellowship High Tea will be Tues., Apr. 21 at 7 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Program will be by Mary Jo (Goering) Preheim sharing her life and music. All women and girls are invited. Tea coordinated by Brenda Turner.
Faith Formation Commission is hosting a conscientious objector resource night on Wednesday, April 29, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. (come and go as you like) in the fellowship hall. This event is designed for young people, ages 16-25, who would consider claiming conscientious objector status if the draft were reinstated. We will have printed information, people available for consultation, and materials to begin a C.O. file. Participants are welcome to bring a tablet or laptop if they would like to write their C.O. statement on-site. Contact Pastor Joanna for more information.
Thank you to the Youth Group and Youth Coordinator George Leary for taking down the dumpster enclosure at the southeast corner of the church, by the church playground. The fence boards are lined up against the chain-link fence. If you want some rustic boards help yourself. (Watch for screws though.)
Pastors Nathan and Joanna will be leading baptism exploration sessions with the high school youth during Wednesday night youth group (7 p.m.) on Apr. 22, May 6, and May 20. Any adults who would like to explore the possibility of baptism are invited to reach out to either Nathan or Joanna as well. Our church retreat and baptism at Camp Mennoscah has been moved from its usual time in May to August 30.
Don’t miss a wonderful opportunity for a free training—MOVING TOWARD RIGHT RELATIONS: Join us for a transforming personal accountability training as we seek together to move toward right relations with our Indigenous brothers and sisters. Sponsored by the Kansas Repair Communities, Mennonite Central Committee-Central States, and Western District Conference and led by staff from the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery, Fri., Apr. 24, from 5:30-9 p.m. and Sat., Apr. 25, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. All sessions in the Fellowship Hall of BCMC. Meals provided Friday evening and Saturday noon. There is no registration fee, but registration is required (deadline Apr. 17). For more info, contact Ada Schmidt-Tieszen, 316-842-9751 or email adast@bethelks.edu. See below for the QR code to register. Welcome Rev. Dr. B Cayce Ramey. Rev. Dr. B Cayce Ramey will be facilitating the “Moving Toward Right Relations and also preaching Sun., Apr. 26 at BCMC. He is the Coalition Training Coordinator. He co-founded Racial Heresy with the Rev. Jabriel Ballentine, a ministry and podcast that challenges white supremacy and helps communities step into truth-telling and repair. Living on the homelands of the Piscataway people in Northern Virginia, Cayce leads pilgrimages to Ghana’s enslaver castles, where his own journey was transformed, and works with leaders across the U.S. to grow as change-makers for racial justice in the Church. An Episcopal priest, Cayce was charged with heresy for his public work on reparations and racial justice—an experience that deepened his commitment to embodying the Gospel’s call to justice. Before his ordination, he served as a Marine Corps officer, deploying in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He holds degrees from MIT, Virginia Theological Seminary, and Virginia Union University, where he earned a DMin studying sacramental theology and transatlantic slavery. Cayce is a writer, teacher, photographer, cyclist, husband, father, son, godfather, and friend. He co-hosts a podcast on racism and the Church and helps leaders use systems-focused tools to guide change in their own communities.
You can use the QR code to register.
All youth are invited to a mentor/ mentee event at Gallery Mostaza, Sunday, Apr. 19 at 1:30 to paint a ceramic mug, stuff goodie bags for Bethel College students, fellowship and snacks. Come whether or not your mentor can come or even if you do not have a mentor. Meet at the Gallery, 615 N. Main, Newton.
—Sandra Zerger
Bluestem Communities hosts a summer Jr. Volunteer Program at Kidron Bethel Village and Schowalter Villa for youth ages 12 to 17. Spend your summer making intergenerational connections and serving seniors. The program runs from June 1 to July 24 on a flexible schedule that meets volunteer needs. Application is required and must be submitted by May 8. To receive an application, contact Volunteer@bluestem.org or 316-836-4821.
From the Finance committee
As the 1st 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 BCMC financial report of the general fund income and expenses on March 31, 2026 (25% of the year) is listed below.
Total income $ 103,161 18% of budget
Total expense $ 131,979 23% of budget
Net income/expense -$ 28,817
BCMC Offering for Apr. 12: Gen. Fund $19,553.06; Caring Fund $1,240; Kitchen Fund $11; Solar Fund $2,000.
Will and Johan Wiebe-Friesen will again sell tomato and pepper plants in the south entry of the church in the coming weeks. The date will be announced closer to the sale date depending on the weather. The plants are currently growing in the Bethel College greenhouse if you care to take a peek. Proceeds will go toward the BCMC Choral Scholars fund, which provides Bethel students with a small stipend for participating in the BCMC Chancel Choir.
The current library theme is “The Story of Us: U S History Explored”. We have chosen books that offer a different perspective of our 250-year history and if the highlighted ones don’t interest you, we have more on the shelves. Come see what the BCMC Library has to offer!
Women & Girls come to 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.
The Central Kansas Master Chorale will present Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass (Mass for Troubled Times) with orchestra. Join us for this special concert directed by Dr. Joel Garber, Sunday, Apr. 19, 3 p.m. at Hesston Mennonite Church, 309 S Main St, Hesston. Admission is free, donations accepted. For more information, visit the chorale website: www.centralkansasmasterchorale.org
Kidron Bethel Village is looking for volunteer pianists to play for chapel services on Wednesday afternoons and resident hymn sings on Thursday mornings. If you have the gift of playing the piano and would like to help create meaningful worship and fellowship experiences for residents, we would love to hear from you. For more information, contact Sheri Esau at 316-836-4821 or volunteer@bluestem.org.
Camp Mennoscah, 9458 SE 40th St, Murdock, KS, 67111, is seeking a bookkeeper/reservation specialist. Experience with accounting/bookkeeping and general office duties is preferred. Must have good phone, people and email skills, along with strong organization. This position has potential to be part-or full-time. Candidate will also need to be able to pass a background check and have transportation to camp property. Some remote work could be available. If interested, send inquiries and resume to Olivia Bartel, olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org
The Witness Commission invites you to support Camp Sunflower, an LGBTQ youth camp in Wichita, by attending their Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser: “Serving Queer Joy, One Plate at a Time”! The meal and a silent auction will be Apr. 25 from 4:30-7:30 at Calvary United Methodist Church, 2525 Rock Rd. Meal tickets are $15 for adults, $7 for children aged 4-10, and free for children under 3. You can purchase tickets on their website or at the door.
Congratulations to Community Playschool, its directors Jeanette Leary and Kasey Newell; volunteers from BCMC Stahli Claassen, Cliff Dick, Cynthia Linscheid, Carolyn Penner, and Barb Voran, on Playschool’s 60th Anniversary! They celebrated Thurs., Apr. 16 with a wonderful party in the Playschool rooms and in the BCMC Fellowship Hall!
One of the church youth is looking for a reliable, inexpensive, car to purchase. If you know of such an option, please contact Pastor Joanna.
Bethel College Announcements: (Krehbiel Auditorium is in the Luyken Fine Arts Center)
· Sun., Apr.19: Composer recital: Professor Kris Hilding, Bethel College, 7 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium
· Life Enrichment meets Wednesday mornings in Krehbiel Auditorium. April 22 programs: 9:30 a.m., “Expedition Cruise to Greenland and the Canadian High Arctic Northwest Passageway,” Carol and Donley Duerksen; 10:50 a.m., “Be Useful: The Tricky Ethics of a Mennonite Showgirl,” Rachel Kasper Fitzsimons, Broadway performer. See https://www.bethelks.edu/academics/life-enrichment/ for details and a link to the complete spring schedule.
· Weds., Apr. 22: Junior recital by Bethel College student Kyra Linenberger, voice (moved from April 17), 7 p.m., Ad Building chapel
· Thurs., Apr. 23: Bethel College Wind Ensemble concert, Chris Miertschin, director, 7 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium
· Fri., Apr. 24: Senior Art Exhibit II opens, featuring the work of Bethel College students Tre August, Nick Collins and Yuretzi Licea. The exhibit is open through May 10 (reception May 8) in the Regier Gallery in Luyken Fine Arts Center.
Gallery hours are Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 2-4 p.m.
· Sun., Apr. 26: Woven and Open Road joint concert, 4 p.m., Bethel College Mennonite Church
· Weds., Apr. 29: Jazz on the Green at Bethel College, 7 p.m. (rain venue:
Krehbiel Auditorium)
· Thurs., Apr. 30: Bethel College Voice Studio recital, Dr. Holly Swartzendruber, instructor, 7 p.m., Administration Building chapel
· Sun., May 3: Bethel College Masterworks Concert, 4 p.m.: Haydn’s The Creation, Dr. Russell Adrian conducting, with mass choir, orchestra and soloists, and including presentation of the Erwin C. and Verna Kaufman Goering Music Award; Memorial Hall
You are invited to join the chorus for Bethel College’s annual Masterworks concert. Rehearsals begin Mon., Apr. 20, 7-9 p.m., in the Ad Building chapel. Additional rehearsals are Tues., Apr. 21 (7-9 p.m.), Mon., Apr.27 (7-9 p.m.), Tues., Apr. 28 (7-9 p.m.), Fri., May 1 (7-9:30 p.m., with orchestra) and Sat., May 2, 3-5:30 p.m. (dress rehearsal). Scores are provided. For more information, see bethelks.edu/masterworks/
Friday Apr. 24 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. come join a relief kit packing event on behalf of Bethel College Service Club and Mennonite Central Committee at the MCC building, 121 E. 30th St., North Newton. There will be a meal of hotdogs and hamburgers along with some sides and desserts that will be paid for by donation (suggested amount $15). All donations go to MCC to make more relief kits! Bethel College’s Woven and Open Road will give a small concert during the time. Following the meal we will be packing relief kits with a goal of 500 kits! Come join us for an evening of singing and service! — Adah Hodge, Bethel College Service Club (See the church bulletin board for flyer and sign up sheet.)
For Mennonite Church USA “Equipping” press here
For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here
From Camp Mennoscah
We look forward to seeing folks at the Men & Boys Retreat this Friday through Sunday (April 17-19). There are often questions about whether there will be a burn ban or if fires will be allowed. In general, if there is a red flag warning or extreme fire danger, there will be no open flame allowed. There may still be a ban, even without a red flag warning. Staff will be checking with the Kingman County Sheriff and watching weather. Please follow directives of staff. The information staff has may be different than what you found looking online. Contact us at 620-297-3290 with questions.
For Mennonite Disaster Service “On the Level” press here
For Anabaptism at 500 press here
Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements.
Pilar Aguirre, Generosity Coordinator from Mennonite World Conference, will be visiting in the Newton area next week and invites you to join her for a gathering on April 21 to learn more about the mission and global work of Mennonite World Conference:
Dear brothers and sisters,
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to let you know that I will be visiting Kansas this spring, and I would be very grateful for the opportunity to connect with you while I am there.
During my visit, I will be spending time sharing about the life, mission, and global work of Mennonite World Conference, and reflecting on how our worldwide Anabaptist family continues to grow and serve together. As a valued supporter living in Kansas, it would be a joy to gather with you for a time of conversation, sharing, and encouragement.
I will be joined in this endeavor by Bill Braun from the Engagement Team, who will help create a welcoming space for conversation and connection. Bill has previously served on the General Council and Executive Committee, continues to volunteer with MWC, and has recently moved to North Newton. Together, we look forward to sharing updates about Mennonite World Conference and expressing our sincere gratitude for the generosity and partnership that make this work possible.
We warmly invite you to join us at the following location and time:
Kidron Bethel Village
3001 Ivy Dr
North Newton, KS 67117
Classroom A
Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
We’d appreciate it if you could let us know if you plan to attend by replying to <PilarAguirre@mwc-cmm.org> We hope this gathering will be a meaningful opportunity to connect in person, share stories from the global church, and reflect on how we continue to walk together in faith and service. Thank you for your continued support and commitment to Mennonite World Conference. I truly hope you will be able to join us, and I look forward to seeing you during my time in Kansas.
With gratitude and warm regards,
Pilar Aguirre
Generosity Coordinator, Mennonite World Conference
Phone / WhatsApp: +1 2266007156
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Mennonite Church USA joined hundreds of faith leaders to sign letter rejecting demonization of migrants, erosion of human and Constitutional rights. Read more here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/news/call-to-christians/
In “Widen the circle of our heart and our awareness,” Mennonite Church USA’s Glen Guyton reflects on his trip to Minneapolis and challenges the church to expand its compassion, deepen its cultural humility and actively embody Christ-centered love in a divided world. Read his Menno Snapshots blog here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/widen-the-circle/
Tap a shoulder
What moves someone to step up and serve? Often, it’s a parent, pastor, church leader or mentor planting a seed.
Micah 6:8 reminds us “he has told you, O mortal, what is good: and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.”
Did you know more than 600 current pastors and church leaders first answered their call through voluntary service?
Who in your family and congregation might be ready for that same life-shaping experience? Who needs your encouragement to share their gifts and discover how God is at work in the world?
Applications are open to individuals age 20+, for the Mennonite Voluntary Service 2026-27 term — a one-year experience with the option to extend for an additional one to two years. Placements are available in four locations: Alamosa, Colorado; Chicago, Illinois; San Francisco, California; and Tucson, Arizona. Learn more MennoniteMission.net/MVS.
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Caleb and Stephanie Schrock-Hurst have been onsite at Mennonite Christian Hospital (MCH) in Hualien, Taiwan, for more than two months. Pray that the Bible study they are now leading with MCH staff will be a fruitful and fulfilling time of study and fellowship for all involved.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Give thanks for the youth workers’ retreat hosted this week by WDC. Pray for all who lead youth ministries, and for WDC congregations as they provide support and accountability to nurture trust, wisdom and joy in this ministry.
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.