BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
June 21, 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, June 21:
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/0S4GJZJ60Bg?feature=share
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
June 21, 2026: Pride Sunday
Christ Candle Lighting
Centering Music—On Jordan’s Stormy Banks (arr. D. Bish)
Will Wiebe-Friesen
Welcome and Opening Prayer–Karen Ediger
*Hymn–The Dove Will Fly on Mended Wing–insert
Children and Youth Conversation–Jill Robb
Worship Music–Suzanne Burch
Scripture Reading–Genesis 21:8-21–Adam Robb
*Hymn– God of the Bible–VT 420
Sermon–Thriving in the Wilderness–Joanna Harader
*Prayer Hymn–Fill Us with Your Feast–VT 309
Receiving the Offering and Prayers of God’s People
*Hymn–Sing a New World Into Being–VT 809
*Benediction
Postlude–Now Thank We All Our God (J.S. Bach/Virgil Fox)
* You are invited to stand
VT–Voices Together
Keyboard–Will Wiebe-Friesen
Audio visual—Ken Lamp
The Week at BCMC: June 21—28, 2026
Sunday, June 21
9:30 a.m. Worship with sermon by Joanna Harader
Livestream Link: https://youtube.com/live/0S4GJZJ60Bg?feature=share
Monday, June 22—Church office will be closed
Thursday, June 25
2 p.m. Deacon Commission—Room 14
3 p.m. Cancer Care Group—Nursery
4 p.m. Witness Commission—Room 14
Saturday, June 27
10 a.m. Memorial service for Arthur Whillock
Sunday, June 28
9:30 a.m. Worship with sermon by Joanna Harader
Image on the bulletin cover is “Brazen Beauty”, by Rev. Lisle Gwynn Garrity | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org, used by permission.
BCMC Offering for June 14: Gen. Fund $3,419; Caring Fund $300; Bequests $70,193.53; Kitchen Fund $27; Don Harrold Mem. $50.
BCMC Announcements
June is Pride month! Newton Pride is hosting Popsicles in the Park today, Sunday, June 28, from 2-5 p.m. at Athletic Park. Come join the celebration!
This Summer share your love of reading by recommending a book you’ve checked out of our library. Blank recommendation forms are available at the checkout desk. Your short review will be attached to the book and featured on a table outside the library to entice other readers.
We are seeking delegates from Bethel College Mennonite Church to attend the Western District Conference Annual Assembly, August 7-9, in Dallas Texas. This is an important time for us to form connections with the broader church as we pray, learn, and worship together! For those unable to make the trip, there is also an option to participate virtually. If you are interested in serving as a delegate, please contact Pastor Joanna or a member of the Gifts Discernment Committee (Dale Schrag, Barb Koontz, Dorothy Nickel Friesen).
Western District Conference Annual Assembly – Registration is now open! Please register by July 26! Visit our Assembly webpage to learn more about Assembly at https://mennowdc.org/2026-annual-assembly/ It is up to registrants to make their own lodging arrangements. The reservation deadline for WDC’s block of rooms is July 24 so move fast to make your reservation! Join us at Iglesia Luz del Evangelio, Dallas, TX August 7-9, 2026.
Pastor Joanna has registered for the upcoming Western District Conference Leader Forum on Communications Today. If you are interested in helping Bethel College Mennonite improve our communication with church participants and the broader community please consider joining her for this conversation next Tuesday, June 23, from 6:30-8 p.m. on Zoom. More information is available on the WDC website under the “Events” tab. Contact Joanna if you would like to participate in the call with her at the church and/or discuss it afterwards. (joanna@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org)
We offer sympathy to Doris Whillock, her son William and his wife Sarah, and their son Cooper Whillock, and the extended family, on the death of Doris’ husband, Arthur. A memorial service is planned for Sat., June 27, 10 a.m. at BCMC.
At the June 11 BCMC board meeting, the proposal presented by Faith Formation and Worship Commissions to switch the order of Sunday School and Worship was discussed at length. Central to the discussion was congregational feedback from Sunday School classes (Agape, Bible Study, Open Circle, Issues in Christianity and Seekers) as well as feedback received from those who do not attend a Sunday School class. Among concerns expressed by congregants and by board members was the fact that many classes discuss the sermon and that participation in bell and church choirs would be affected. It was felt that the proposed change to the Sunday morning schedule would not in itself attract young families or college students. The feedback was overwhelmingly in favor of not making a switch of Sunday School and Worship service times. For these reasons, the board did not vote to proceed with the proposal.
The board is grateful to Faith Formation and Worship Commissions for their efforts in bringing this issue forward. The board is also grateful for the feedback from Sunday School classes and others.
Margaret Toews, Board Moderator
The Worship Commission is planning for a hymn sing service on July 26. If you have a hymn request, send it to Pastor Joanna by July 13. Please include a sentence or two about why you appreciate the requested hymn.
Save the Date for a Brass and Organ Concert on July 29, 7 p.m. at BCMC. The concert will feature Christopher Shaw at the organ and Intrepid Brass, a brass quintet from Wichita.
Camping season has started and is underway! BCMC has the following youth at camps over the next few weeks:
June 21-25- Camp Mennoscah Pre-Jr
Kaiya Anderson (counselor)
June 25-27 First Camp
Jake Robb
Gabby Robb
June 28-July 3–Camp Barnabas
Payne Claassen
Please consider writing to our youth while they are at camp! Address labels are located in The Gathering Place for you to use. Thank you for supporting our youth while they explore their faith in their various roles at camp.
BCMC Prayer Network: The Prayer Network is email-based comprised of Deacon Commission members and BCMC congregants. Participants make a one-year commitment to this prayer ministry which is coordinated by Pastors and the Office and Facilities Manager. Pastors respond to prayer requests and determine when and how these requests are distributed. Specific prayer requests are shared only with the permission of the person(s) involved. If you would like to join the BCMC prayer network, please email your interest to office@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org. Thanks to all who serve BCMC in the Prayer Network.
Aldine Sprunger’s birthday may have come and gone, but the party isn’t over yet! Please join her family in celebrating Aldine’s 90th birthday on June 28, 2-4 p.m. at Kidron Hall (3001 Ivy Dr., North Newton, KS 67117). We will be enjoying root beer floats as well as some of Aldine’s other favorite treats. No cards or gifts please. All are invited!
The library’s loss is your gain. We have weeded books out of the library that don’t fit our needs anymore. They are on the top shelf of the cart outside of the library. Please help yourself and add a donation of your choice to the envelope provided on the right. (This helps fund our online catalog!) Happy Summer Reading!
Community and Wider Church Announcements
Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Mini Blitz, Fri., June 26 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sat., June 27 from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at MCC Central States, 121 E. 30th St., North Newton. If you can tie a knot, you can help complete comforters, no sewing required. Bring a snack to share and your own sack lunch for Friday. Contact: brociamueller@mcc.org or find out more at mcc.org/mini-blitz.
MCC Grandparent Days, July 13 & 14, 9:30-11:30 a.m. each day. Gather your grandchild(ren) to pack MCC school kits at the Material Resources Center in North Newton. You’ll be helping MCC reach our 2026 School Kit Challenge goal of 30,000 school kits this summer! There is more information at mcc.org/grandparent-days or you can contact brociamueller@mcc.org or call her at 316.836.5045.
Colorado peaches are coming! Palisade peaches from western Colorado are available for pre-order. Two sizes available: 9 lb. for $31 and 18 lb. for $43. An additional $1 per box has been added as fuel expenses will be higher this summer. All orders must be received and paid in full by July 15. No orders will be accepted after this date. Place orders by emailing the MCC Central States Office at patsydirksen@mcc.org or calling 316-283-2720. Cash and checks are accepted. Make checks payable to Beth-El Mennonite Church with “peaches” in the memo line. Send payments to MCC, PO Box 235, North Newton KS 67117 or drop off at the MCC office, 121 East 30th, North Newton. Estimated pick-up date is Mon., Aug. 10 at the MCC warehouse. This date will be confirmed later in July. Beth-El Mennonite Church in Colorado Springs sells the peaches as a fundraiser for bierocks ingredients that are sold at the Rocky Mountain Mennonite Relief Sale, Oct. 17 in Castle Rock, CO.
Mennonite Mission Network is seeking a Service Engagement Coordinator. This position is full-time, fully remote or hybrid in the Newton, KS or Elkhart, IN offices. This role builds relationships with congregations, schools, partners, and prospective participants while supporting recruitment, engagement, training, and outreach efforts. Working collaboratively across the organization, the coordinator helps people explore, connect with, and thrive in service experiences that support Mennonite Mission Network’s mission locally and globally. Visit MennoniteMission.net/employment for more information.
ONLINE REGISTRATION IS OPEN for the annual Mennonite Women in Mission Womens & Girls (ages 8 – high school) Retreat at Camp Mennoscah on September 12-13. Forms are available on the website for printing for mail in registration, although online is preferred and easy! Detailed schedule information and registration is at www.mennonitewomeninmission.org. Retreat starts at 10 a.m. Saturday with SoulCollage™ with Elizabeth Eells, comforter tying for MCC, and the Faith & Life bookstore open. The retreat theme is “My Time is in Your Hands” with session speakers Melissa Atchison & Audrey Ratzlaff. Girls leaders are Schyler Entz and Emily Brandt with an additional girls tie dye bandana session with Marla Sawatzky Rowe. Come join us for fun, fellowship, and inspiration! Questions? Email mennonitewomeninmission@gmail.com.
Bethel College Announcements:
· Bethel College’s Host Family Program is looking for local individuals and families who would enjoy offering friendship, encouragement and a sense of connection to Bethel students who are far from home. Being a host family does not require housing a student — support can be as simple as inviting a student for a home-cooked meal, delivering homemade cookies, offering a ride to the store or sending a quick text to check in. It’s a meaningful way to extend hospitality, build relationships across cultures and generations and help students feel at home in our community. To learn more or sign up—www.bethelks.edu/host-family-program/ or email karinkw@bethelks.edu
· In honor of the U.S. semiquincentennial (250 years), the Mennonite Library and Archives at Bethel College has a small exhibit of books owned by the MLA that were published in 1776. The 9 titles are in German, Dutch and French. You can view the exhibit in the MLA Mon.-Thurs., June 22-25 and June 29-July 2 (Mon. 1:30-4:30 p.m., Tues.-Weds.-Thurs. 9:30-noon and 1:30-4:30 p.m.). The MLA is closed starting July 3 and reopens in August, when the display is available for viewing again.
· Bethel College is hosting Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps, a top-tier competitive drum corps, on campus through July 7. They will give a free performance July 4, 8 p.m., in Thresher Stadium – everyone is welcome!
Amy Marshall, a recent graduate of Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS), will soon be at Bethel College as the new Campus Pastor! You can read more about Amy–and the podcast she started!–on the AMBS website; go to “About AMBS” and then “News and Updates.”
For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here
| Anchorage needs a Service Adventure leader!Are you sensing God’s call to mentor young adults as they grow in faith, service and community? Want to live in a beautiful place like Anchorage, Alaska? Answer the call and become a Service Adventure unit leader! Unit leaders (age 24+) guide a small group of young adults as they serve and provide some oversight and guidance for the household.Contact: Michael Oyer, MichaelO@MennoniteMission.net! |
| Calling all young adults! Service Adventure – 2026-27 termCan a gap year change your life? Only if you’re up for adventure!This 10-month volunteer experience for young adults ages 17-20. Live in community with peers and unit leaders, serve with local nonprofit agencies, and grow in your faith with a supporting church congregation! Placements in: Anchorage, Alaska and Colorado Springs, Colorado Learn more and apply: MennoniteMission.net/ServiceAdventure. |
For Mennonite Disaster Service “On the Level” press here
For Mennonite Women USA press here
Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements.
Dear Bethel College Mennonite,
In peace churches throughout the U.S. today, increasing concerns are heard about a military draft. While it is vitally important to preserve the option of conscientious objection, we should not stop there. As we work to ensure our children are not sent to fight in a war, we should make sure their children are not killed in one.
The latest issue of the MCC Peace & Justice Journal invites us to reflect on building peace in times of violence, and includes statistics, policy principles and worship resources.
Our choice today, as it was then, is not between violence or apathy. Jesus showed a third way. He turned over tables in the temple, rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, publicly denounced corrupt religious leaders. Jesus challenged empire. Not with weapons or hate, but with love and courage. To have the Journal delivered to your doorstep, send an email to npjm@mcc.org or call 202-544-6564.
In gratitude,Tammy Alexander, Director, MCC U.S. National Peace & Justice Ministries
Mennonite Church USA Announcements
For many students, military enlistment can feel like one of the few affordable paths to higher education. But for Connor Kouterick, a freshman at West Virginia University, another path emerged, thanks to the Peaceful Futures Scholarship from Peaceful Options for Training and Careers (POTC), a ministry project of Mennonite Church USA and Mennonite Central Committee. Read more here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/POTC-scholarship
Did you know that the Mennonite Church USA Archives has an online photo collection of more than 13,000 images? It’s fun to browse and is a great resource for presentations, sermons and more. Check it out here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mennonitechurchusa-archives/
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Today, as people in the United States celebrate the father figures in their lives, pray that those who do not have a father to celebrate with will find solace in the love and sacrifice that our heavenly parent has freely given to all.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Pray for WDC congregations in pastoral transition and for potential pastoral candidates, as they each discern the Holy Spirit’s leading in equipping the church for mission and 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.