January 22, 2023 – Anabaptist World Fellowship Sunday
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://youtu.be/kqA26fB2hP8
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
January 22, 2023
Anabaptist World Fellowship Sunday
Prelude— O, When Shall I See Jesus (arr. Hustad); The Kingsfold Trumpet (arr. Fedak)—
Will Wiebe-Friesen
Christ Candle Lighting
Welcome and Prayer—Doug Siemens
*Hymn—We Are People of God’s Peace—VT 797
Children’s Conversation—Glen Ediger
Anthem— Let All the World (K. Lee Scott)—Chancel Choir; Riley King, director; Will Wiebe-Friesen, accompanist
Scripture Reading— Psalm 62:1-6; Luke 18:35-43 Jane Goering
Sermon—Anabaptist or Mennonite: Whose Choice? —Nathan Koontz
*Hymn—I Bind My Heart This Tide—VT 556
Prayers of God’s People
*Hymn—We, Your People, Sing Your Praises—VT 849
*Benediction—VT 850
Postlude— Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten (J.S. Bach)—Will Wiebe-Friesen
* You are invited to stand
VT = Voices Together
Audio visual— Ben Lichti
Pastor—Nathan Koontz
This Week at BCMC: January 22-29, 2023
Sun., Jan. 22, 2023—Anabaptist World Fellowship Sunday
9:30 am Sermon by Nathan Koontz; music by Chancel Choir
YouTube Link for this Sunday is: https://youtu.be/kqA26fB2hP8
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); Fellowship (B7); Fine Arts (Rm 22); Issues and Christianity (Rm 23); Mosaic (Rm 20); Open Circle (Room 21); Seekers (Rm 28);
Sojourners (Chapel)
Mon., Jan. 23, 2023
10 am Library Committee meets in Room 14
Wed., Jan. 25, 2023
6:30 pm Menno Ringers Rehearsal in Room B7
7:30 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal in the Sanctuary
Thurs., Jan. 26, 2023
4 pm Hospitality Commission meets in Room 14
6:30 pm Chancel Bell Rehearsal in Room B7
7 pm Deacon Commission meets in Room 14
Sun., Jan. 29, 2023
9:30 am Sermon by Nathan Koontz
11:45 am Fundraiser Soup Lunch served by the Senior High Youth Group in the Fellowship Hall
12:45 pm Congregational Meeting in the Sanctuary
BCMC Offering for January 15: General Fund $13,230.33; Library Reserve Fund $15; Living Stones $33.33; Kitchen Fund $15; Paul Harder Memorial $1,025.
A Slight Change in Roger’s Travel Schedule
In order to be able to attend meetings during the week following the congregational meeting, Roger has adjusted his travel schedule to Newton from the dates previously announced. The next time Roger will travel to Newton will be Sat., Jan. 28. He will travel back to Topeka Fri. morning, Feb. 3. Roger is still available by email: roger@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org or by voice mail or text when necessary (785-220-1968).
Congregational Meeting Set for January 29
The next congregational meeting will take place on Sun., Jan. 29, at 12:45 following a soup lunch prepared by the Youth Group. 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 Sunday’s bulletin and announced at the beginning of the meeting. Agenda items will include a finance report from 2022 as well as approval of the budget for 2023, reports from several committees and commissions, and updates on the Search Committee and Credence and Company process.
There will be a fundraising soup lunch before the meeting at 11:45 am in Fellowship Hall, prepared and served by the Senior High Youth Group.
Menno Ringers—All students 4th grade through 8th grade interested in ringing handbells are welcome! Rehearsals are each Wednesday, 6:30 pm in Room B7.
Pastoral Search Committee
The Search Committee has begun their work with an orientation from Western District Conference pastor Kathy Neufeld Dunn. Search Committee members are Heather Zerger (chair), Megan Kohlman, Doug Penner, Lois Preheim, and John Waltner. Thank you to all these members for the important work they will be doing! The Search Committee’s work will be informed by and run parallel to the work of the Credence Report Task Group which will oversee decisions and implementation of recommendations from the Credence and Company consultants. Thank you for your support and prayers as these dual processes move forward.
Thank you BCMC for accepting the financial challenge and getting the job done. When the church’s books closed at the end of December, all financial obligations were met and there was a $14,000 surplus that was distributed among the churches benevolent partners. You made this possible and we thank you for accepting the challenge and for your great effort. – Finance Committee.
February 26 has been designated as “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” Sunday! “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” is a way for BCMC folks to get acquainted with other BCMC folks that they might not know very well. The Hospitality Commission will match people who sign up as hosts with people who sign up as guests. There will be sign up sheets at the back of the church for the next two Sundays, for being either a host or a guest for a dinner.
Message from Elizabeth Schmidt, Congregational Care Coordinator
“Behold, I am doing a new thing!” I am excited about coordinating new ways of welcoming, caring and connecting in our congregation! I’ve begun care visits and visiting Faith Formation classes to gather wisdom and get to know you better. I am working with Deacons on visitation and welcoming visitors and new members. Be watching for announcements about new caring opportunities to arise, and be emboldened to share your ideas – in person, by email to elizabeth@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org, and by calling the church office. Office hours: I plan to be in the office on Wednesdays, with half days on Tuesday afternoons and Thursday mornings.
Call for gently-used gift bags and baskets!
While you are doing post-holiday clean-up, or New Year’s de-cluttering, here is a creation care and caring connection opportunity! Your donations of gently-used gift bags and baskets may be deposited on pews in the back of the sanctuary, for future repurposing as care packages. “The Lord loveth a cheerful giver!”
The Library Theme for the next couple of months is Black History. The Library Committee pulled part of the books that we have in our collection which are displayed either in back of the library desk or on the shelving in the Children’s Room. Please come see what we have to offer! Also, don’t forget that we still have puzzles for your puzzling pleasure right outside of the library door and more on the west wall of the library. Please come browse and place a donation in the envelope if you find one that catches your fancy.
Bethel College Announcements
· (Sun., Jan. 22) – Bethel College Music Department Honors Recital, 4 p.m., Administration Building chapel, featuring vocal and instrumental students who performed exceptionally during the fall 2022 semester, including piano, oboe, trumpet, saxophone, violin and voice.
· Sat., Jan. 28 – Kauffman Museum annual Kansas Day event, “Kansans Create!,” noon-4 p.m., museum parking lot and grounds. Featuring local artists and artisans, a community art project, food trucks and much more. For more information, see the Kauffman Museum Facebook page or kauffmanmuseum.org, or call 316-283-1612.
Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements and share them with your congregation!
As we enter the last month of our fiscal year, Western District Conference invites you to share a gift with WDC to help our congregations Witness & invite others to faith in Jesus Christ, Dwell in just & loving relationships, and Connect to God’s mission in the world. Current projections suggest that WDC income will fall short of expenses for the current year. Your generous gifts are invited to help close the gap towards WDC’s 2022 budget goal! You may make an online contribution HERE (credit card, PayPal, Google Pay accepted) or send a check to Western District Conference, PO Box 306, North Newton KS 67117. We are grateful for your generosity!
New Hope Shelter Announcement We greatly need to increase our volunteer base as we head into the new year and with the new building only one year away, do as much as we can to provide two volunteers each evening per shift. If you have anyone who is interested in volunteering, please let me know. My volunteer training sessions are normally planned at the end of each month based on availability and need. — Shonda M Suddeth, Shelter/Volunteer Coordinator (316) 283-7711, shonda@newhope-shelter.org Please contact Valetta Seymour if you can consider becoming a New Hope Shelter volunteer. Generally, we have people to provide meals, but evening volunteers are needed. Contact: seymour2314@gmail.com 620-217-7536
SAVE THE DATE! Come join the fun at 15th annual MCC Comforter Blitz on March 6, 7 and 8 on the Journey Yoder Campus, one mile north of Yoder, KS. Times are Monday and Tuesday 9-5 and Wednesday 9-4. No sewing skills are required, we will teach you. Lunch is available by donation each day, or you may bring your own sack lunch. Bring snacks to share during the workday. This event is hosted by Kansas Friends of MCC to make comforters for relief to be sent to refugees or places after natural disasters. Please contact the MCC Central States office with questions at #316-283-2720, or check the Comforter Blitz Facebook Page, “Kansas MCC Comforter Blitz”.
WANTED: Your stories. To share at the “Schweitzers and Friends” 150th celebration of Swiss Volhynian Mennonites coming to the U.S. in 1874, planned for Aug. 23-25, 2024. Everyone loves the stories told about days gone by. This event gives us opportunity to collect ancestor stories. Brian Adams from Massachusetts would like to edit stories for a Swiss Volhynian book with the help of his daughter Casey Adams (cpadams992@gmail.com). Brian says no stories are too small or inconsequential. He has heard stories from his Grandfather Jacob (Red Jake) Krehbiel from Moundridge. Think of a story you could share and send to Brian. Themes could be family, faith, agriculture, language. We would all love to read those stories at the celebration event in 2024. Brian’s contacts: smolts123@yahoo.com. Phone: 413-586-3063 and he could interview you by phone. — Kathy Goering for the planners
WANTED — Cars, Trucks, Motorcycles, RVs, Campers, Tractors, Modern Farm Equipment, etc. for the Kansas Mennonite Central Committee Sale. Items you no longer need can help Feed and Clothe thousands in desperate living conditions. ALL donations are Tax Deductible. Call Jerry Toews for info: 620 367 8257. Help make a difference.
Everence Opportunities: Everence makes it easy to find ways to give back and support your favorite charity. My Neighbor Card: Everence donates 1.50% of every purchase you make to the charity of your choice. Donor Advised Funds allows you to grow funds intended for charitable giving at any time.
College scholarships available: Everence offers college scholarships for Everence members and their children. Eligible students receive scholarships up to $3,000 for the 2023-2024 academic year. Applications are accepted Jan. 1 through Feb. 28.Visit everence.com/scholarships for eligibility guidelines and application. Information is also available by contacting Jim Robb.
For Mennonite Disaster Service On the Level press here
For MennoCon23 Seminar Suggestions press here
For Mennonite Mission Network News and Beyond press here
For Mennonite World Conference press here
Dyck Arboretum Announcements
January 23 – Nature Book Club
Join the Dyck Arboretum January 23 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom to participate in their Nature Book Club. Books this month will be “How the Penguins Saved Veronica” by Hazel Prior and “Horizon” by Barry Lopez. Register and learn more at dyckarboretum.org/events.
January 29 – The Barefoot Movement
Join the Dyck Arboretum January 29 at 4 p.m. to hear The Barefoot Movement. They are an acclaimed Americana group that has carved out a space in the acoustic scene. Crust & Crumb will serve sweet and savory treats during intermission. Learn more at dyckarboretum.org/events.
January 31 – Attracting Bees & Beneficial Insects with Native Plants
Join the Dyck Arboretum January 31 at 7 p.m. via Zoom to be a part of their presentation Attracting Bees & Beneficial Insects with Native Plants. Heather Halm will present. Register and learn more at dyckarboretum.org/events.
Mennonite Church USA Announcements
This Friday and Saturday, please pray for the Mennonite Church USA Executive Board, as they meet online by Zoom. May God grant them wisdom and clarity during their time together.
In November 2022, the National Faith Leaders Climate Roundtable, which is made up of 16 U.S. denominational leaders — including Glen Guyton, Mennonite Church USA’s Executive Director — gathered to discuss climate justice. They acknowledged the importance of engaging local congregations and communities to reach their climate goals. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/accelerate-climate-action
Menno Snapshots
What does it take for a rural church to install solar panels? For Metamora (Illinois) Mennonite Church, it required a team with a vision, a lot of planning and some flexibility, along with some help from the Mennonite Creation Care Network. Karla Kauffman, a therapist who is developing expertise in climate grief work, outline’s Metamora Mennonite’s process in “A rural congregation goes solar: Metamora (Illinois) Mennonite Church.” Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/metamora-illinois-mennonite-church
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Pray, with Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission and Mennonite Mission Network, for the Mennonite churches in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which continue to bring the message of God’s healing and love to those who were injured and traumatized by the Kamuina Nsapu rebellion four years ago.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Pray for WDC pastors, chaplains and other credentialed ministers, and give thanks for the important ministries and leadership they offer.