Announcements for April 16-23, 2023

April 16, 2023 -Second Sunday of Easter
 

Based on CDC Guidelines Harvey County is still in green status indicating
low risk for COVID. You are invited to choose whether you wear a mask or social distance.  Both are optional.

To livestream the worship service:
On Sunday morning, around 9:20, 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 belows 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/A1dF3DZGcgk?feature=share

 BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
April 16, 2023
Second Sunday of Easter
 
Prelude—Crown Him with Many Crowns (arr. J. Westenkuehler)— Will Wiebe-Friesen
 
Christ Candle Lighting—George Leary
 
Welcome and Prayer
 
*Hymn—Now the Green Blade Rises—VT 353
 
Children’s Conversation—Tim Hodge
 
Anthem—Oh for a Thousand Tongues to Sing—Chancel Bells—Verlene Garber, Director; Mike Claassen, Trumpet; Will Wiebe-Friesen, Piano
 
Kin-dom Report—Ada Schmidt-Tieszen
 
*Hymn—Be Not Afraid—VT 356
 
Scripture Reading—John 20:19-31—Miriam Nofsinger
 
Sermon—Life In Jesus’ Name—Nathan Koontz
 
*Hymn of Response—The Risen Christ—VT 345
 
Prayers of God’s People


*Hymn—I Know That My Redeemer Lives (v. 1-5)—VT 347
 
*Benediction                                                                                                                                   
 
Postlude—Jesus is a Rock in a Weary Land (Arnold)—Chancel Bells
 

* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Keyboard- Will Wiebe-Friesen
Audio visual— Francis Toews                                                                                                                                                       
 
YouTube Link:  https://youtube.com/live/A1dF3DZGcgk?feature=share

This Week at BCMC:  April 16—23, 2023
Sun, Apr. 16, 2023—Second Sunday of Easter
9:30 am    Worship   YouTube Link for this Sunday is:  https://youtube.com/live/A1dF3DZGcgk?feature=share
 
The church nursery is staffed during worship and Sunday School
10:30 am  Faith Formation—Intergenerational class meets in  Fellowship Hall;   High School – Room 24    Adult Classes:  Agape Class meets in the nursery; Bible Study (Rm 14); Catacombs (Rm B5) Topic for Sunday: “Mennonite Contribution to the Dutch Golden Age” by Lauren Friesen;  Fellowship (B7); Fine Arts (Rm 22); Issues and Christianity (Rm 23); Open Circle (Room 21)  Seekers (Rm 28)
 
4:30—6:30 p.m.  Faith Exploration Class in Room 28

Mon., Apr. 17, 2023
11 am   Staff meeting in Room 14
6 pm     Search Committee meeting in Room 14
Tue., Apr. 18, 2023
7 pm    Women’s Fellowship meeting in the Fellowship Hall
Wed., Apr. 19, 2023
7 pm    Senior High Youth Group
7:30 pm   Chancel Choir Rehearsal in the Sanctuary
Thurs., Apr. 20,  2023
4 pm     Witness Commission meeting in Room 14
6:30 pm  Chancel Bell rehearsal in Room B7
7 pm     Bethel College Women’s Association meeting in Fellowship Hall
Sun., Apr. 23, 2023—Creation Care Sunday
 9:30 am   Worship with sermon by Elizabeth Schmidt; music by Chancel Choir
10:30 am  Faith Formation
 
BCMC Women’s Fellowship meets Tuesday, April 18, in Fellowship Hall at 7 p.m. to enjoy a ‘piano duo’ followed by tea, sandwiches, scones, and shortbread. Use the south-east door.
 
BCMC Offering for April 9, 2023:  General Fund  $22,941.37; Wed. Supper $357; Caring Fund $2,034.06; Living Stones $200; Flower Fund $20; Kitchen Fund $22.
 
Roger  Neufeld Smith will return to Newton Wednesday morning, Apr. 19. Roger checks his phone messages and texts daily while in Topeka, so feel free to contact him via phone or email.
 
The church’s telephone issues have been resolved; 316-283-3667 is working.
 
Pastor Nathan Koontz will be on vacation from April 18-22. 
 

The Kansas Mennonite Men’s Chorus (KMMC) performs today, Sun., Apr. 16, 7 p.m. at the Richert Auditorium, Tabor College, Hillsboro, KS.   Their next performance will be Sun., Apr. 23, 7 p.m. at Memorial Hall, Bethel College, North Newton.   The KMMC is a large, all-volunteer male choir. In recent seasons membership has topped 300.  Their motto is “we sing that others may live.”   Offerings taken at KMMC concerts are donated to the Mennonite Central Committee.

Many Thanks!
Thanks to the youth group and the Proutys for leading and hosting the Easter Sunrise Service last Sunday. It was a beautiful service to match the beautiful morning.  Thanks to Judy Harder and the children and youth who made up Judy’s Company for wonderful reenactments of both the Palm Sunday Parade and the Easter morning meeting of disciples after the women’s visit to the tomb. Those reenactments help us realize what it must have been like for the disciples and what it could be like for us to follow Jesus today. 
Thanks to all of the musicians who made our Easter Sunday service so gloriously joyful!
 

Offertory at BCMC
As a way of acknowledging our offertory during our Sunday morning worship, starting this second Sunday of Easter, the ushers will bring up the offertory trays to the communion table during the Hymn of Response.  Then, as we have already been doing, the worship leader will give thanks for the offering during the Prayers of God’s People.   The offering trays are located in the back of the sanctuary on the tables near the ushers.  You are invited to place your offering into the tray as you enter the sanctuary.  If you happen to forget, offering trays will also be present at the end of the service in the same location.  Thank you for your monetary contributions and all the many other ways that you contribute to the life and ministries of BCMC.  

 
With 25% of the year gone, we have raised about 20% of the church’s budget.  Our deficit for the year is about $18,000; March deficit was about $1700, so we are moving in the right direction.  Our challenge for April is to break even or to have a surplus.  Thank you for your effort!  —Finance Committee


The next congregational meeting will be Sun., May 7, 10:45 a.m. during the Sunday School hour. Meeting will be in the sanctuary and made available live on YouTube only while the meeting is in progress; it will not be recorded.  Votes from remote viewers can be texted to a number available in the May 7 bulletin and announced at the beginning of the meeting.  Agenda items include approval of new commission, committee, and board members; updates from the Search Committee and Credence Report Task Group; and reports from several task groups and staff. 
 

Prayer RequestPlease remember in prayer Bernice Esau.  Bernice Esau is receiving care at Newton Medical Center after a fall.  

From the Board:
Congregational Meeting
The next congregational meeting will take place on Sunday, May 7, at 10:45 during the Sunday School hour.  The meeting will be held in the sanctuary and made available live on YouTube only while the meeting is in progress; it will not be recorded.  Votes from remote viewers can be texted to a number available in the May 7 bulletin and announced at the beginning of the meeting.  Agenda items will include approval of new commission, committee, and board members; updates from the Search Committee and Credence Report Task Group; and reports from several task groups and staff. 

Progress with Pastoral Search
At its April 6 meeting, the BCMC Board approved the Congregational Information Form completed by the Search Committee and the job description for the new pastoral position.  The Search Committee is now sending these two documents to Western District Conference for official announcement and advertisement of our open pastoral position.   
The job description is for a full-time Co-Pastor.  The overview from the job description follows:

Primary areas of emphasis will be worship, facilitating the teamwork of pastors and staff, work with board and commissions/committees, and participating with other pastors and staff in the caregiving team.  Within the context of a flexible pastoral and staff team, additional emphases can be determined by the pastoral team in conversation with the church board, Staff Congregation Relations Committee, and other groups as appropriate.  Depending upon the gifts and interests of the candidate, the following areas of emphasis may be included:  pastoral care  or other caregiving within the congregation, youth ministry, spiritual and faith formation, and community work for social justice.  This position is accountable to the BCMC Church Board.  The Staff Congregation Relations Committee will provide support, counsel, and feedback.

The following offered input or feedback concerning the job description: the Staff Congregation Relations Committee, Search Committee, board, pastors, Kathy Neufeld Dunn (Western District Conference staff), and several experienced congregation members.  Both Search Committee and Board appreciated the congregational input from the congregational priorities survey.  Thanks to all who participated in this process; we ask for the congregation’s ongoing support.

Women’s Fellowship
BCMC Women’s Fellowship meets Tuesday, April 18, in Fellowship Hall at 7:00 pm to enjoy a ‘piano duo’ followed by tea, sandwiches, scones, and shortbread. Use the south-east door.

Vacation Bible School
BCMC will be hosting the community Vacation Bible School this year.  VBS will be held May 30-June 2 with a joint worship service on the Bethel College Lawn at 10:00 am on June 4.  A QR code and link for Registration will be available starting April 30.  We are looking for volunteers!  If you feel called to volunteer for the week please fill out the bulletin insert (which will be in the bulletin this coming Sunday) and put it in either Jill Robb or Mary Ellen Hodge’s box, or send either of us an email.  Youth older than 5th grade who would like to volunteer will be paired with an adult. We would love to plug you in!

The BCMC Camp Mennoscah Retreat is just around the corner! This year’s retreat will be the weekend of April 29 & 30, and will feature many of the favorites of retreats past! We will gather this year again with Halstead First Mennonite for a couple of days playing in the sand, worshipping, and in fellowship at Camp Mennoscah – located on the Ninnescah river near Murdock, KS. People can come out on Saturday (after 1), Sunday (anytime, but worship will likely be around 9:30 AM), or both – and meals will be served! We’ll have a hayrack ride, pop popcorn, and have some great experiences for all ages! If you’re interested in participating, please use the following link to sign up: https://forms.gle/m5wycZsfQ8fmWaqC9And if you have any questions about the retreat or schedule, please reach out to Adam Robb at adamandjillrobb@gmail.com or via phone at 620-747-0185. No worship will take place in the BCMC Sanctuary on Sunday, April 30, so we hope to see you there!

The Library Theme till the end of May is Women’s History. The Committee has pulled a few of the books available from our collection and is displaying them in back of the library desk or against the south wall in the children’s section. Come check us out and be on the look out for a reading contest arriving in May!!

Life Enrichment for April 20—Krehbiel Auditorium
9:30 a.m.  “Celebrating 25 Years of Sand Creek Trail at Bethel College,” Sand Creek Trail Committee members
10:50 a.m. “Substantive Subjects, Sports Surprises, and Silly Shenanigans:
The History and Traditions of Bethel College,” Dale Schrag, retired Bethel College director of church relations, North Newton

Bethel College Announcements:
· Sun., Apr. 16 – KIPCOR Film Series presents Thirst for Justice, 2 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium. Documentary looks at three citizen groups fighting for clean water, in the Navajo Nation, Flint, MI., and Standing Rock. Audience talkback follows the film. Free and open to the public, with freewill offering taken to support KIPCOR and the film series.
· Sun., Apr. 16 – Senior recital by Bethel College student Julianna Schrag, voice, 4 p.m., Administration Building Chapel
· Sun., Apr. 16 – Junior recital by Bethel College student Phillip Balzer, piano, 7 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium.
· Mon., Apr. 17 – Rachel Stroer, president of The Land Institute, Salina, speaks on “Leading a Global Movement for Diverse Perennial Grain Futures,” 7 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium.  Stroer will also speak in convocation at 11 a.m. (Krehbiel Auditorium) and at 2 p.m. in the Conservation Biology class (Krehbiel Science Center #121). Sponsored by the Bethel College Women’s Association and supported by BCWA’s Carolyn Schultz Lecture Endowment.
· Sun., Apr. 23 – Junior recital by Bethel College student Josie Epp, piano, 4       p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium
· Weds., Apr. 26 – Bethel College Wind Ensemble concert, directed by Joel Boettger, 7 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium
· Sun., Apr. 30 – Masterworks concert at Bethel College, 4 p.m. (NOTE TIME CHANGE), featuring the Bethel College Oratorio Chorus, orchestra and soloists, performing Mozart Krönungsmesse (“Coronation Mass”) and Beethoven Fantasia, Op. 80 (“Choral Fantasy”); Memorial Hall

 Hesston College Announcements

April 20 – Music Department Recitals

The Performing Arts department at Hesston College will present student recitals on April 20 at noon. This recital will feature vocal students Hadassa Friesen Pauls, Luke Huyard, Anna-Joy Jones, Jesse Kanagy, Daniel Miller and Desirae Rodriguez. Join in person at Hesston Mennonite Church or watch the live stream at hesston.edu/livestream.

April 20 to 21 – Flora Kansas Spring Native Plant Days

Come find plants at affordable prices and enjoy supporting the mission of Dyck Arboretum. Hundreds of varieties of plants will be available, many locally grown. Knowledgeable staff and volunteers will be on hand to answer questions and give suggestions. April 20 will be open to members only and the 21st will be open to everyone. Learn more at dyckarboretum.org/events/

April 27 to 30 – Theatre for Young Audiences: Tomato Plant Girl

Theatre lovers of all ages will love Tomato Plant Girl. It is a powerful exploration of friendship between Little Girl, Bossy Best Friend and the messy Tomato Plant Girl. This production will delight young audiences with its physical action and playful, high-energy conflict. Highlighting the issues of bullying and acceptance of others, this play challenges the character of Little Girl to bravely discover the power of making up her own rules and leading with kindness. Learn more at hesston.edu/theatre.
 

All Western District Conference women are invited to join a virtual event sponsored by Western District Women in Mission Tues., Apr. 25. Jenny Gehman, spiritual director, retreat speaker, and writer, will present “Holy Host: the Hospitality of God.” Join in person or virtually.  In-person gathering will be at First Mennonite Church, Newton, beginning with a salad potluck at 6 p.m.,  followed by Jenny joining virtually from Pennsylvania at 6:45 p.m. There is no cost to this event, but please register by April 23 by emailing westerndistrictwomen@gmail.com so you can receive a Zoom link if joining virtually.  Please email your RSVP if attending in person and bring a salad to share.  More information, contact Wendy Schrag at 316-841-5245. 

Everence® will hold an informative Social Security and retirement income workshop Thurs., Apr. 20, 6:30 p.m., an in-person workshop at the Everence office, 3179 N. Main St. Suite 1B, North Newton, about Social Security strategies, including when to begin taking benefits, risks that can impact your retirement savings plus strategies to help your income last throughout retirement.  Information will be presented by staff from the Everence offices in Central Kansas.  To register contact Everence at central.kansas@everence.com or 316-283-3800, or 877-467-7294.

Youth ages 12 to 17 are invited to be a Junior Volunteer at Kidron Bethel Village in North Newton or Schowalter Villa in Hesston June 1 through July 28. Junior Volunteers help facilitate activities with residents in health care and/or assisted living, including playing games, reading, going on walks and more. An application is required and must be submitted by May 10. Spaces are limited. Proof of complete COVID-19 vaccination series required. For application, contact 620-327-4821 or shelleyl@bluestemks.org.

Bethel College senior Taylor Dashney has organized a donation drive to benefit the International Rescue Committee (IRC), which works to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster (see irc.org for more information or to make a financial contribution). Taylor is looking for NEW kitchenware, bathroom items and other small necessities (socks, towels, laundry supplies). These can be dropped at Thresher Shop in Schultz Student Center on the Bethel campus Mon.-Fri., Apr. 17-21, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., or email Taylor taylorpdashney@bethelks.edu

Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements 

Camp Mennoscah has been offered a gift of $100,000 dollars.. The money comes to Camp as a matching gift. We have been invited to raise money that will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $100,000.
In response to this generous gift, Camp Mennoscah has launched the M&M Project! M&M stands for Mission and Maintenance. We know you will want to be in on this opportunity to continue our Mission at Camp – to be a place where all can renew themselves, their relationships, and their connection with God through Jesus Christ. Here’s how that can happen!
We are planning two major ways for people to give to the M&M project. First, we would ask churches who are supporters of Camp Mennoscah to put together a fundraising event this year that would specifically benefit the M&M Project. And, the second way Camp Mennoscah would like to raise money for the M&M project is through monthly pledges. We would like to see 100 “giving units” give $1000 each by the end of 2023.  A “giving unit” – we’ll call them “Fire Keepers” – could be any individual or group who would pledge money to make sure this generous gift is honored by matching the funds.
For more information, check out the Camp Mennoscah Website, or contact Tammy at the addresses below
Tammy Duvanel Unruh
Development Director, Camp Mennoscah
tammy.d.unruh@campmennoscah.org
316-207-3472 or
Camp Mennoscah
PO Box 65    Murdock, KS  67114620-297-3290
 

Camp Mennoscah is looking for counselors for the 2023 summer youth camps.  Click here to fill out the informational survey!  Counselors must be at least 17 years old and 5 years older than the campers.  Weekly program directors will contact people, as needed. If you have questions, contact Camp Mennoscah at olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org or call 620-297-3290.

Other events and happenings:

  • Nurses needed for the weeks of June 18-23, Junior I Camp, and July 9-14, Junior High II Camp.  As a nurse, you are a vital part of camp life.  Your work to keep everyone healthy and well means campers and staff are ready to play and learn during their time at camp.  Nurses must be a registered nurse (RN).  A head cook(s) is needed for PreJunior II, June 25-29.  The head cook is in charge of leading kitchen staff in the preparation of meals and snacks that keep campers energetic, smiling, and ready to enjoy the full camp days.  Camp Mennoscah can provide a menu, if wanted, and will order groceries and get kitchen staff.  Head cooks and nurses receive either a stipend or a camper discount up to full camp fees.  Contact us at olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org or 620-297-3290. 
     
  • Do you drink coffee that comes in a large tin can?  Camp Mennoscah is looking for lids that fit on a #10 can for a sorting and storage project.  We’ll take just the lids or the lids and cans.  Contact us at olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org or call 620-297-3290.
     
  • Kitchen helpers and volunteers are needed for the weeks of June 25-29, July 9-14, and July 16-21.  You keep camp running by helping prepare meals in the kitchen and working on maintenance projects or custodial tasks.  Your work creates an enjoyable environment for campers to have fun and learn about God.  Contact Camp Mennoscah at olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org or 620-297-3290 to sign up!
     
  • Some families have asked how this summer will look.  Summer youth camps will be very similar to pre-2020 with cabin use.  If we do not have enough counselors, as happened in 2022, we would likely use a tent to allow more campers to attend.  A nurse is still working on some of the protocols, but quarantine or close contact groups will not be used.  Based on the final protocol/guidelines, general illness may mean the camper would go home sooner than in past years.  Camp Mennoscah does not expect to test for COVID.  Parents/Guardians would be responsible for any testing. 
     
  • Scholarship funds for campers are needed.  If Camp Mennoscah gives the same amount in scholarships as last year, the account will be depleted.  Donations to the Scholarship Fund are most welcome.  Gifts can be made online or sent to Camp Mennoscah, PO Box 65, Murdock, KS, 67111 with “Scholarship Fund” in the memo.  Share the gift of faith formation and friends with others!
     
  • Click to register!  Summer youth camp registration is open and Camp Mennoscah is receiving registrations.  The summer theme is FruitFULL Faith.  Get ready to learn and sing about the Fruit of the Spirit this summer–it’s not a coconut!

For Mennonite World Conference press here
For Anabaptist Disabilities Network press here
For Anabaptist Disabilities Network Opening Doors: Lessons Learned Blog press here
For Mennonite Mission Network News and Beyond press here

Anabaptism at 500 and the Anabaptist Community Bible
The five hundredth anniversary of Anabaptism in 2025 gives the church a unique opportunity to celebrate and dream. To celebrate all the ways God has been faithful, and to dream about how we can mend what’s been broken. Join this special event Saturday, April 29 at 7pm at Whitestone Mennonite Church in Hesston, KS. John D. Roth, project director, and Mitch Stutzman, director of development and partner engagement will talk about the Anabaptism at 500 project and share the vision behind the Anabaptist Community Bible. The event will include an update on the status of the project and a time for questions and conversation.

Mennonite Church USA Announcements

The Mennonite Church USA Executive Board and MC USA’s Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference signed an amicus brief in support of Apache Stronghold and the protection of Oak Flat, a sacred site of Native American religious exercise in the Tonto National Forest in Arizona. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/news/oak-flat

#MennoCon23
Interested in volunteering at MennoCon23, Kansas City, Mo., July 3-6? Mennonite Church USA is seeking volunteers for special events, children’s and junior youth programming, and more! Fill out a form here: mennoniteusa.org/forms/mennocon-volunteer-interest

Menno SnapshotsWhen Sue Park-Hur, director of racial/ethnic engagement for Mennonite Church USA, was invited by MennoMedia’s Leader magazine to write about intercultural churches, she knew right away that this should be in a conversational format with other Mennonite leaders who are committed to living out the vision of the church becoming intercultural. Sue invited Iris de León-Hartshorn, associate executive director of operations for Mennonite Church USA, and Tina Schlabach, moderator of Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference and co-pastor of Shalom Mennonite Fellowship in Tucson, Arizona, for a lively conversation. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/why-intercultural-church

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request:  Mennonite Mission Network requests prayer for Martine Audéoud, who is currently teaching a 10-day seminar for doctoral students in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast). Pray for her and her students as they contextualize the biblical message to the African context and present their academic work to God as an act of worship.

Western District Conference Prayer Request:  Pray for WDC congregations seeking faithful ways to care for God’s creation and practice environmental stewardship.