Based on CDC Guidelines Harvey County is in yellow status indicating medium risk for COVID. Masks are not required, but recommended, in the
building and we can return to coffee during fellowship time.
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
August 28, 2022
Prelude—Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing (arr. R. Lau)— Will Wiebe-Friesen
Christ Candle Lighting
Call to Worship/Gathering—Lois Preheim
Leader: We gather as pilgrims on a journey of faith.
People: We come seeking the cloud of your presence as we travel the way.
We come seeking your pillar of fire to light our darkness.
ALL: Shine in our hearts, O God, with the light of your love.
Make your presence known through Jesus the Christ. AMEN
Hymnal A Worship Book #661
*Hymn—For We Are Strangers No More—VT 409
Children’s Conversation—Carol Flickinger
Scripture Reading—Genesis 12:10-20, Mt. 2:13-23—Erich Boschmann
Sermon—Push/Pull/Welcome! —Sara Dick
*Hymn—Jesus Entered Egypt—VT 279
Prayers of God’s People
*Hymn—Lead On, O Cloud of Presence—VT 194
People with August birthdays please come forward for a blessing (see bulletin announcement for more details)
Birthday Blessing—Lois Preheim
Benediction—Sara Dick
Postlude—Toccata (L. Boëllmann)—Will Wiebe-Friesen
* You are invited to stand
VT = Voices Together
Audio visual—Ken Lamp
Pastors—Nathan Koontz, Todd Schlosser
Monthly Birthday Blessings at BCMC
BCMC is starting its monthly birthday blessing once again! On the last Sunday of each month all those with a birthday in that month are invited to come forward to the front of the sanctuary during our final hymn. Feel free to bring a hymnal up front to join in the singing. After the hymn, please remain in the front to receive a spoken blessing from the worship leader. After that spoken blessing, you are invited to sit in the front two pews during the benediction and postlude. If walking to the front of the sanctuary is problematic, please feel free to stand in your pew during the birthday blessing. We hope this birthday blessing can inspire joyful connection with one another.
This Week at BCMC: August 28—September 4, 2022
Sunday, August 28—Live stream (YouTube) link for this Sunday is:
https://youtu.be/n0gcHPrM1Ks
We welcome BCMC member and Et Cetera Shop General Manager, Sara Dick, who brings us the sermon today.
10:30 am Faith Formation—Sunday school parent orientation meeting in the sanctuary—will also be live-streamed. The live stream link is:
https://youtu.be/Ggb58dnO5qU
Faith Formation will be hosting a Sunday school parent orientation meeting today from 10:30-11:30 am. This meeting will be recorded and all documents requiring signatures will be emailed to those who are unable to attend. We encourage attendance for those who are interested in hearing about the new way Sunday school will function this year!
10:30 am #Church Too Discussion in Fellowship Hall
The Abuse Prevention and Response Committee will continue with a discussion of the book, #Church Too Sunday in Fellowship Hall. This Sunday guiding questions will be used to help us discuss how we as a congregation can use the information from the book to help us create a healthy culture around sexuality at BCMC that supports survivors, our children/youth and ourselves. – Jill Robb, APRC chair
Adult Classes (If meeting): Agape Class (Rm B8) Bible Study (Rm 14); Catacombs (Rm B5); Fellowship (B7); Fine Arts (Rm 22); Issues and Christianity (Rm 23); Mosaic (Rm 20); Open Circle (Room 21); Seekers (Rm 28);
Sojourners (Chapel)
Wednesday, August 31
8 am-5 pm Red Cross Blood Drive in Fellowship Hall
7:30 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal in the Sanctuary Chancel area
7:30 pm Senior High Youth Group in Fellowship Hall
BCMC Youth Group (high schoolers) will begin the year with games and snacks in the Fellowship Hall on Wednesday, August 31st from 7:30-8:30!
Thursday, September 1
7 pm Church Board meeting in Room 14
Sunday, September 4
9:30 am Worship Service with sermon by Todd Schlosser
10:30 am Faith Formation
Mark your calendars for a congregational meeting on Sept. 11 during the Sunday school hour.
BCMC Aug. 21 Offering: General Fund $8,682; Library Reserve Fund $10; Living Stones $325; Women’s Fellowship $50; Jim Gaeddert Memorial $50.
Church Pictorial Directories are being distributed! If you had your picture taken or submitted a picture for the directory, and have not picked up your copy of the pictorial directory, you will be contacted about making arrangements to receive your copy. Thanks again for your participation in this project. -The Hospitality Commission
If you are willing to help in the nursery during worship this fall please email Margaret Toews at mtoews1@cox.net. One Sunday or several, all help is welcome!
The Chancel Hand Bell Choir will begin ringing with a rehearsal on Thursday, September 8. We meet at 6:30 pm in room B7. We welcome anyone who has musical note reading ability to ring. No prior ringing experience is necessary. A smile and a willingness to learn is required.
Subscription to Anabaptist World
It is time to renew our group subscription to Anabaptist World, a monthly magazine featuring voices from across the Anabaptist-Mennonite world. If you sign up with the congregation’s plan, you receive this publication at the discounted rate of $39. If interested in joining the group plan, please contact Monica Lichti in the church office by August 29. New subscribers can also receive a one-year subscription for the discounted rate of $39.
Email the church office at: office@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org
Bring in or mail your $39.00 payment to the office or place it in the offering plate on Sunday. Be sure to mark your checks with “Anabaptist World” in the memo line.
If you are currently receiving Anabaptist World through the BCMC group subscription plan it will expire November 25, 2022. Anabaptist World would like us to renew the subscription now so that you will receive the magazine without interruption.
The Library Committee has processed almost 20 new books, 10 of them purchased and donated by The Abuse Prevention and Response Committee. The APRC books can be found on the Pastor’s Corner shelf which is now located on the west wall with the other recent purchases. Another new purchase is “The Land Is Not Empty” by Sarah Augustine which was recommended by the Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery group. Please stop by and see what we have to offer and continue to browse and donate from our puzzle collection.—The Library Committee
DO JUSTICE. LOVE MERCY. – What’s required to Abolish the Death Penalty
When a murder happens, often someone will say “an eye for an eye”. This event will explore another way of responding, a way that BREAKS the cycle of violence. Panelists bring diverse personal perspectives to the question of how society should respond to homicide. They will reflect on justice and mercy even in the face of homicide and what you can do to stop the ongoing cycle of violence which is capital punishment. This event sponsored by the Bethel College Bible & Religion Department, Kansas Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, & the Kansas Coalition Against the Death Penalty, will be held at Bethel College on Saturday, September 10 from 10 am to 12 pm. This is also a live “ZOOM” event. Register by email at info@ksabolition.org. The event is free and open to all interested.
Conference Panelists:
Peter Goerzen, Professor of Bible and Religion, Bethel College
Donna Schneweis, Board Chair, KCADP
Ron Wurtz, Retired Federal Public Defender, First Director of the
Kansas Death Penalty Defense Unit
Katie Rose Friesen Burkey, Bethel College Student
Steven Becker, Former District Court Judge 27th District/
Former Kansas State Rep. District 104
Wilma Loganbill, Murder Victim Family Member
Newton Et Cetera Shop Announcements
Newton Et Cetera Shop invites you to become a volunteer! Help us to share God’s love with all creation by volunteering in clothing, clerking, recycling, linens, housewares or one of our other departments. If you’d like to join us, please stop by, call us at 316.283.9461, or attend one of our upcoming volunteer orientations to tell us what interests you: Thursday 9/15/22 5-6 PM or Thursday 10/20/22 6-7 PM. We hope to hear from you soon!
Newton Et Cetera Shop invites you to attend the Loss of Turtle Island Event at Bethel College’s Memorial Hall on Sunday, October 23, 4:00-5:30 PM. Please join us to learn more about the historic relationship between European settlers and the Indigenous nations, the original inhabitants, of the land we now call the United States of America. Blankets represent the land and participants represent distinct Indigenous nations who experience colonization, genocide, broken treaties, forced removal, assimilation and termination — all in the spirit of the Doctrine of Discovery. This event is in-person only, and is also sponsored by Mennonite Central Committee, Bethel College, and Bethel College Mennonite Church.
Shop to support MCC’s work with welcome and migration on Saturday, November 12, 10-5:30 PM! Proceeds at Newton Et Cetera Shop support Mennonite Central Committee and our local partners year-round. On Nov. 12 we’re doing something different: Every single dime and dollar you spend at the shop will go to MCC, not just the proceeds! We’ll also have someone from MCC here to talk more about the work they’re doing, and how shopping, donating and volunteering at MCC Thrift Shops helps to support this work. Mark your calendars now for some holiday shopping to support MCC and to learn more about their work with people on the move!
Life Enrichment: Place and time: Krehbiel Auditorium, 9:30 am. September 1
9:30 am “The Contested Plains: The German Family Story,” by Ken Spurgeon
10:15 am Coffee Break
10:35 am “A weather career predicting the unpredictable, and occasionally dangerous,” by Steve Schurr
11:30 am “The Highs and Lows of Grandparents Raising Grandkids,” by Cindy Miles
Camp Mennoscah Announcements
Camp Mennoscah Annual Meeting and Dedication of the Renovated Campfire Amphitheater on September 18! Come for an evening of song, popcorn, and generic pop, as well as updates and information on the year at Camp Mennoscah. Time is yet to be determined. (It’s like a mini-Camp Sing!)
Fall Scrapbook and Crafts Retreat on Oct. 28-30! Crafters and scrapbookers are all invited to come for a weekend of creativity and friends. Lodging will be in the Retreat Center and cropping/crafting will be in the Main Camp dining hall. Space heaters will be available for both areas since the repairs for the furnaces will not be completed.
Bethel College Announcements
Sat., Sept. 3 – Kauffman Museum first-Saturday bird walk, 7 am start time in the museum parking lot at the corner of Main and 27th streets in North Newton. Experienced birders lead a walk of 1-1.5 hours in Chisholm Park and on Sand Creek Trail.
Sun., Sept. 11 – KIPCOR Film Series begins, with “Generation 9/11,” 2 pm, Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center. Filmmaker Katherin Hervey tells the stories of an entire generation shaped by the events of 9/11 and the aftermath. Audience discussion follows the film screening.
Now in the Regier Gallery in Luyken Fine Arts Center at Bethel College – “One and a Half Acres: Images from America’s Decommissioned Missile Silos,” photographs by Nate Hofer, through Thurs., Sept. 22 (closing reception Sept. 22). Gallery hours are Mon.-Fri., 9 am-5 pm, Sun. 2-4 pm.
Western District Conference Announcements
Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements and share them with your congregation!
Western District Conference September Final Thursday Book Discussion – “Jesus ministered to the poor, Jesus was poor. If both are true of our Savior, both can be true of us too.” Explore this idea in Kevin Wiebe’s book “Faithful in Small Things: How to Serve the Needy When You’re One of Them.” Copies available at the WDC Resource Library. Join the Zoom discussion on Thursday, September 29, 2022 at 7pm. Register by emailing the library at crlib@mennowdc.org
Are you sad that summer is coming to an end? Come out and have a great night of fun and entertainment at the Community Fun Night! Saturday, September 3 at 5:30pm at Hoffnungsau Mennonite Church, 43 13th Ave, Inman, KS.
- Cornhole Tournament
- $20 entry fee * Registration 5:30pm-6:00pm * Cash Prizes
- Kids Activities 5:30pm – 7:30pm
- Inflatables * Face Painting * 9 Square
- Car Show
- Live Music with Tom Gaeddert 7:30pm – 8:30pm
- Food for Sale
- Epp Soul Food * Patrick Klassen
- Movie on the Lawn at Dark
Everyone welcome! Bring your family and friends as we celebrate the end of summer!! Find Hoffnungsau Mennonite Church on Facebook for more details
Bluestem U, a lifelong learning program for people aged 55 and older, is enrolling for the first semester beginning in September which will feature three courses hosted by Hesston College and Schowalter Villa. “Prairie Landscaping 101” taught by Brad Guhr, “Happy Habits from Positive Psychology” taught by Kevin Wilder, and “Buggies, Bonnets and Boundaries: A Study of Amish Faith, Life and Culture” taught by John Sharp. Each course is $50. For more information and registration, go to bluestemu.org or call 316-836-4846. Bluestem U is a partnership between Bluestem Communities, Bethel College and Hesston College.
Kauffman Museum at Bethel College is seeking a graphic designer who has experience with digital and print design, as well as social media, web and IT. Interest or experience in museum exhibition design and fabrication preferred. This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position. To see the complete job description and to apply, go to the https://www.bethelks.edu/about/who-we-are/career-opportunities/current-position-openings/graphic-designer-kauffman-museum For more information, contact Andi Andres at Kauffman Museum: asa@bethelks.edu or 316-283-1612.
Western District Women in Mission (WDWM) Retreat Committee announces the annual Women and Girls Retreat at Camp Mennoscah on Sept. 10 & 11. ALL women are invited to attend! The theme is: Women’s Voices. Girls in Grade 5 and up are also invited to come, although there will not be any separate programming for them. The Retreat Brochure and Registration Form are available on the church bulletin board. Deadline for registration is August 31. Contact Darlene Powers, dpowers11@cox.net for questions or more information. Come have a fun and relaxing weekend!
Kidron Bethel Village, North Newton, is seeking an individual to serve as its full-time chaplain. The primary responsibilities of this position include:
· Provide spiritual support for residents, their families, and staff members.
· Provide ongoing opportunities and leadership for residents’ spiritual growth
· Support resident, families and staff during times of transition or special need
· Provide services for the bereaved
· Act as a staff liaison and resident advocate
· Contribute to the planning and decision-making process at Kidron Bethel Village and Bluestem Communities, Inc.
· Serve as liaison and resource person in the wider church and local community
Qualifications and Experience: Hold a Bible or Seminary degree; Have a minimum of one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education; Hold ministerial credentials in good standing within a recognized denominational body; Prefer three (3) years of pastoral leadership experience
Interested persons should contact Linda Peters, Executive Director of Kidron Bethel Village at: lindap@bluestemks.org
Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp Announcements
LABOR DAY WORK & PLAY RETREAT – Only 6 out of 24 spaces are available if you, your family or a group of friends want to enjoy the holiday weekend at Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp. The weekend is offered as a day of work and play (Sat. or Sun.) with a Monday morning sendoff after breakfast. This year (September 2-5, 2022), we’ll be serving (foodservice & HK) two guest groups over the weekend along with additional work projects in preparing our facilities/grounds for the coming winter.
FALL FAMILY FUN RETREAT – A new weekend offering at Rocky Mountain was inspired with the desire to offer time for kids to play and parents to connect! Fall Family Fun with young children (activities orientated for 2-8 year olds) offers the perfect opportunity for your family to enjoy quality time, together, in the mountains. This is the age group that are too young to attend summer camps at RMMC, but ready to be introduced to the RMMC experience. The weekend is inviting all young families that have connections with the Mennonite Community but might not be active church members. The weekend is coming Sept. 30 – Oct. 2, 2022 so visit the camp web page (rmmc.org) for additional information and to register online.
MDS FIRE, HAZARD & DISASTER MITIGATION – On October 4-8, 2022, Mennonite Disaster Service and Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp will continue their critical partnership in the work to forest thinning, chipping slash and moving/removing logs. A desire for 10 or more volunteers are needed each day to accomplish the tasks at hand. Volunteers for foodservice are also encouraged and welcomed to help in support of the week’s efforts. Please visit the volunteer page at www.rmmc.org and select “Signup for Maintenance” or “Signup for Foodservice” to register for the week or for the days you are able to come. For additional information, please feel free to contact Paul Unruh (phunruh@gmail.com, 316-772-6308) or Marc Yoder (marcyoder1@gmail.com, 719-942-3276).
For Mennonite Mission Network News and Beyond click here
For Mennonite Mission Network News from around the world click here
Mennonite Disaster Service Volunteer Updates
| There are several ways to volunteer with MDS through the end of the year, both for recent disasters like this summer’s flooding in Hindman, KY, as well as locations where communities have been in recovery for years, as in the 2018 flooding in McAllen, TX. You can be a part of bringing hope to these communities by volunteering for a week or more! See opportunities below or call 800-241-8111 for more information and to sign up! |
| Weekly Volunteer Opportunities Hindman, KY – 2022 Flooding Early Response Sept 4-10; up to 4 people Sep 11-17; up to 4 people Sep 18-24; up to 10 people Jennings, LA – 2020 Hurricanes Sep 11-17; up to 9 people Sep 18-24; up to 10 people Sep 25-Oct 1; up to 12 people Oct 2-8; up to 12 people Oct 9-15; up to 12 people Oct 16-22; up to 12 people Oct 23-29; up to 10 people Oct 30-Nov 5; up to 12 people Nov 6-12; up to 12 people Nov 20-26; up to 12 people Nov 27-Dec 3; up to 12 people Dec 11-17; up to 12 people McAllen, TX – 2018 Storms Oct 23-29; up to 12 people Oct 30-Nov 5; up to 12 people Nov 6-12; up to 12 people Nov 13-19; up to 12 people Nov 20-26; up to 12 people Nov 27-Dec 3; up to 12 people Dec 4-10; up to 12 people Dec 11-17; up to 12 people Monte Lake, BC – 2021 Fire Sept 11-17; up to 3 people Sept 24-Oct 1; up to 5 people Oct 2-8; up to 10 people Oct 9-15; up to 10 people Oct 16-22; up to 10 people Oct 23-29; up to 10 people Paradise, CA – 2018 Camp Fire Oct 2-8; up to 12 people Oct 9-15; up to 4 people Oct 16-22; up to 10 people Oct 23-29; up to 12 people Oct 30-Nov 5; up to 7 people Nov 20-26; up to 12 people Nov 27-Dec 3; up to 12 people For more information or to serve, please contact: Canadian projects: Clara Flores at 866-261-1274 or email cflores@mds.org. U.S. projects: Deanna Frey at 800-241-8111 or email dfrey@mds.orgView Weekly Volunteer Opportunities | Leadership Volunteer Opportunities Hindman, KY – 2022 Flooding Early Response Assistant Cook, Sep 3-24 Jennings, LA – 2020 Hurricanes Two Crew Leaders, Aug 27-Oct 1 Head Cook, Sep 3-24 Crew Leader, Oct 1-15 Project Director, Oct 26-Nov 26 Project Director, Nov 23-Dec 17 Paradise, CA – 2018 Camp Fire Head Cook, Sep 28-Oct 29 Assistant Cook, Sep 28-Oct 29 Crew Leader, Sep 28-Dec 17 Construction Supervisor, Nov 23-Dec 17 Crisfield, MD – 2021 Flooding Project Director, Aug 27-Sep 30 Monte Lake, BC – 2021 White Rock Fire Crew Leader, Aug 28-Sep 3 Crew Leader, Sep 3-Oct 1 Assistant Cook, Sep 18-Oct 1 Head Cook, Sep 17-Oct 1 Head Cook, Oct 1-29 Assistant Cook, Oct 1-29 Two Crew Leaders, Oct 1-29 Project Director, Oct 13-29 Office Manager, Oct 13-29 McAllen, TX – 2018 Storms Crew Leader, Oct 12-22 Two Crew Leaders, Nov 12-19 Crew Leader, Nov 12-Dec 17 For more information or to serve, please contact: Canadian residents: Kelsey Friesen at 866-261-1274 or email kfriesen@mds.org U.S. residents: Josh Carson at 800-241-8111 or email jcarson@mds.org |
Mennonite Church USA Announcements
Mennonite Church USA sent three representatives to the Mennonite World Conference General Council and global Assembly last month. Read about the event here: mennoniteusa.org/news/mc-usa-attend-mwc
Menno Snapshots
Mennonite World Conference (MWC) Assemblies bring Anabaptists from around the world together to worship in one place, crossing the boundaries of culture, language and geography. César García, general secretary of MWC, reflects on how this plays into the recent Assembly’s theme, “Following Jesus Together Across Barriers” in his blog by the same name. Read it here: mennoniteusa.org/following-jesus-together
Menno Snapshots
The words we use when worshiping together help form the way we think about God and others. Darrin W. Snyder Belousek of Salem Mennonite Church in Elida, Ohio, shares six criteria for how he thinks we should choose our worship words, in his blog “O Lord, open our lips: Some thoughts about words for worship.” Read it here: mennoniteusa.org/open-our-lips
Are you interested in writing a blog for Mennonite Church USA (MC USA)? Menno Snapshots are blogs from diverse voices across MC USA. They include stories about peacemaking, experiencing God’s presence and ways that people are living out their faith. Read the guidelines and submit a blog for consideration here: mennoniteusa.org/blog-guidelines
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Mennonite Mission Network requests prayer for Joseph and Rachel Givens and their sons, Elijah, 8, and Micaiah, 4, as they adapt to life in Calais, France. Pray for them as the boys prepare to begin school and as Joseph and Rachel immerse themselves in language study before settling into ministry at the Maria Skobtsova House, which offers temporary shelter to migrants from Africa and the Middle East.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Let us join in prayer so that as we proclaim the good news of salvation as Jesus followers, we can also connect with our communities by inviting our neighbors to join the table, being empathetic, and seeing each other as equals. – Sandra Montes-Martinez, Associate Conference Minister