Worship for July 2, 2023
Bethel College Mennonite Church
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/D3DDkyZMbys?feature=share
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
Interdependence Sunday
July 2, 2023
Prelude— Folk Tune Sketches—Irish • Celestia • Land of Rest (Dale Wood)—
Karen Schlabaugh
A Sacred Space (by Wendy Stevens)—Maisie Brubacher
Christ Candle Lighting
Land Acknowledgment—Lyn Krause
Welcome and Prayer—Adam Robb
*Hymn—Let Us Build a House—VT 36
Children’s Conversation—Carol Flickinger
Worship Music—Classic Sonatina (by Nancy Faber)—Miles Brubacher
Scripture Reading—Deuteronomy 5:1, 6-8; Psalm 146:1-7; Luke 4:1-8—Mara Oswald
Sermon—Pledging Allegiances—Roger Neufeld Smith
*Hymn—This Is My Song— VT 710
Prayers of God’s People
*Hymn—God of Grace and God of Glory—VT 716
Benediction
Postlude—CWM Rhondda (Wilbur Held)—Karen Schlabaugh
*You are invited to stand
VT = Voices Together
Audio visual—Ken Lamp
YouTube Link: https://youtube.com/live/D3DDkyZMbys?feature=share
This Week at BCMC: July 2-9, 2023
Sun, July 2, 2023
9:30 a.m. Worship YouTube Link for this Sunday is:
https://youtube.com/live/D3DDkyZMbys?feature=share
The church nursery is staffed during worship and Sunday School
10:45 a.m. Faith Formation—High School (Room 24) Adult Classes: Agape Class meets in the nursery; Fellowship (B7); Fine Arts (Rm 22);
Issues and Christianity (Rm 23); Open Circle (Room 21) Seekers (Rm 28)
Mon., July 3, 2023
10 a.m. Staff meeting in Room 14
Tue., July 4, 2023—Independence Day Holiday—office will be closed; church will be locked
Thurs., July 6, 2023
11 a.m. Memorial Service for Rosie Horst at BCMC
7 pm. Church Board meeting in Room 14
Sun., July 9, 2023
9:30 a.m. Worship with Senior High Youth Group reflections on
MennoCon23 (Mennonite Church USA Convention in Kansas City)
The memorial service for Rosie Horst will be Thursday, July 6, 11 a.m. at BCMC. The YouTube Link for the service is: https://youtube.com/live/oW9WQvNAt94?feature=share
Please pray for the nine youth and four sponsors of the Senior High Youth Group and the other delegates and attendees of MennoCon23, July 2-6(Mennonite Church USA Convention in Kansas City)
BCMC Offering for June 25, 2023: General Fund $9,485; Senior High Youth $600; Living Stones $40; Kitchen Fund $9; Women’s Fellowship $10; Metta Lieb Memorial $25.
“Growing Up in Gaza—Bringing Peace and Justice to Israel-Palestine” will be presented by Tareq Abuhalima, Sun., Aug. 6, 10:45-11:45 a.m. at BCMC. The purpose of this event is to create a safe space for education and dialogue about the Israel-Palestine conflict. Tareq, a graduate student with Bluffton University, will share his experiences growing up in Gaza, working for the Youth Vision Society, and his “Gaza Twinning” relationship with Manhattan Mennonite Church. The presentation and following dialogue will also address antisemitism and other issues that surround this intractable conflict.
We offer sympathy to Janet, Orvin, Jon, and Ian Voth and their extended family on the death of Janet’s brother, Joel Klaassen. Joel died June 29 in Georgia. A memorial service will be held in the fall of 2023.
Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes while I was in the hospital and now at home with Home Health Care. God sent an angel, my new neighbor, who found me unconscious lying near the sedum patch at my home and he called 911. Also many thanks to the dear angels who spent a couple hours weeding my garden and beds. I am thankful to God and my caring church. — Louise Thieszen
The Search Committee has been meeting monthly to continue the process of searching for BCMC’s next pastor. There continue to be many congregations within the conference that are experiencing transitions. We ask for your continued prayers for the committee and the congregation, as God prepares the heart of the right candidate for BCMC. The committee remains open to accepting names of possible candidates as well.
BCMC Prayer Network: The Prayer Network is an email-based prayer network 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.
Care Connections Opportunity: Volunteers are needed to provide transportation for BCMCers to medical appointments, including appointments in Wichita. If you’re available and can provide loving care for one another in this way at this time, please call Elizabeth at the church office, or send an email to elizabeth@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org. “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35 ESV)
Roger’s Whereabouts : Roger will be driving back to Topeka on Monday. This Thursday he will attend MennoCon23 in Kansas City, then represent BCMC at the MC USA Delegate Sessions on Friday and Saturday. Roger will then be on vacation in Missouri until July 19, when he will be back in the BCMC office. Roger will be checking his email and text messages occasionally during this time.
Mennonite Central Committee School Kits
Lincoln and Lawrence Kohlman have joined the MCC School Kit Challenge! Their goal is to pack and donate 100 school kits by the end of August. We estimate that they will need about $850 (plus 100 bags) to meet this goal, although we will use the money we raise to make as many kits as we can! We hope that we can do more with the money when school supplies go on sale.
How can you help? To donate, see Lincoln or Lawrence. To make bags for the school kits we want to pack, use the MCC website for directions and let us know how many you plan to make.
We will plan to host a time to pack school kits. Let us know if you want to be invited!
Megan Kohlman
she/her
The Bethel College Mennonite Church Library has added new books.
For the list of new books click here.
Children and Youth of BCMC: Read a book. Earn a Book. This summer, you can earn a book for the New Hope Shelter for each book checked out, read, and returned. Visit the table outside the door to the children’s room of the BCMC church library for more information. The challenge is to fill a whole shelf of books for homeless children and youth.
The Library Theme for June and July are Library Committee suggestions for Everybody/Junior books for the summer reading contest. As has already been noted, this contest is for any student who checks out a book from our library, reads it independently, reads it with someone or someone reads it to a student, and then returns it. We are excited to see how many books will be purchased for New Hope Shelter.
—The Library Committee
Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements.
Join us for the Western District Conference Annual Assembly! It’s for everybody on August 11-13, 2023 at Tabor Mennonite Church, Newton. We’ll worship, work, eat great, local food, enjoy local music, connect with new and old friends, experience faith formation for all ages, and have many choices of great workshops. We hope you’ll agree Annual Assembly is a great place to learn about and grow in faith in Christ, care for the broader church, and worship our God of love and justice with God’s people in Western District Conference! BCMC needs to find delegates for the WDC Assembly. Delegates can also attend virtually. BCMC would be eligible to send 15 delegates to the Assembly. If you would like to be a delegate contact the BCMC office.
WDC Annual Assembly Delegate Session – Agenda for delegates will include an introduction to the conference-wide Listening Process, report on the Anti-Racism Audit, recognition of the closing of Trinity Mennonite Church and the introduction of two new church plants, update on conference facilities and finances, approval of the 2024 budget, highlights from the work of WDC commissions, election of new board, commission and committee leaders, and more! Delegate materials will be posted here as they are available: https://mennowdc.org/2023-assembly-delegate-information/ —- Register at https://mennowdc.org/2023-wdc-assembly-registration/ to join others from around the conference in our work together.
Visit: https://mennowdc.org/2023-wdc-annual-assembly/ for more info on this summer’s Assembly!
Staff position opening: Western District Conference seeks a quarter-time Fund Development Coordinator beginning July 2023 to cultivate donor relationships and congregational giving, promote planned giving, and generate creative fundraising initiatives. Qualifications include communication, fund-raising and development skills. Position description and application form at https://mennowdc.org/employment/. Please submit application and letter of interest to heidirk@mennowdc.org.
Camp Mennoscah Announcements
Get ready for a celebration of a summer of faith formation and camp songs! The Camp Sing will be August 5 at Hope Mennonite Church in Wichita. This is a time to gather for an evening of singing and friends. All ages, campers and others–everyone is invited! Details will be forthcoming. Put it on your calendar so you don’t miss out.
Other events and happenings:
- Camper pick-up is 10:30am to 11:30am on the last day of camp. Thursday is the last day of camp for PreJunior Camp. Friday is the last day of camp for Junior, Junior High, and Senior High camps. We want to make sure you are here to pick up your campers and hear the fun stories about the week.
- Registration for the Fall Scrapbook and Crafts Retreats is open. The retreats are scheduled for Nov. 3-5 and Nov. 10-12. All retreat activities will happen at the Main Camp facilities with cropping and crafts in the dining hall and lodging in the bunkhouses. (The Retreat Center will be undergoing HVAC renovations.) Single rooms are not available. Contact us at 620-297-3290 with questions or issues. We’ll see you in the fall!
- Click to register! We are halfway through the summer but there is still space at remaining camps. Registrations are being accepted. 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!
- Some scholarship funds are still available. These scholarship funds are to assist campers who might not otherwise be able to attend a week of camp. To request scholarship funds, complete the online form. Questions can be directed to olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org or 620-297-3290.
- Thank you for the outpouring of toilet paper rolls for summer youth camp crafts! We have enough for the rest of the summer. (If rolls are already on the way, no problem. We have other uses for them.) The toilet paper roll drive was so successful, we’re starting another one. Drop off your loose bills and spare change when you come to camp or send them in check form. They’ll be added to the Camp Life fund, which helps fund things for activities (sports equipment, replacing worn out items, etc.) and renovations. Let us do you the favor of keeping your pockets clutter-free!
From Camp Mennoscah
Thank You! Camp Mennoscah is happy to announce that money continues to come to Camp through the engagement of good people like yourselves with the M&M Project. Churches, small groups, families, and individuals are signing up to the “Fire Keepers” – $1000 givers – and as of last week, we have almost half of what we need to reach our goal of $100,000 in pledges. If you haven’t signed up, or if you don’t have the money right now – remember that the gift can be spread over several months or weeks – your choice. We know you will want to be in on this opportunity to continue our Mission at Camp. (And please let this be a reminder to those who have pledged to keep sending the checks to make sure you meet your commitment! We’re counting on you and we know your belief in the mission and ministry of Camp!)
Churches are invited to put together a fundraising event this year that would specifically benefit the M&M Project.Churches are planning events for the summer and the fall. If you would like camp representation at such an event at your church, we are more than happy to see what we can do! And we’ll advertise for you on our website and Facebook page. We know you have great ideas!
For more information, check out the Camp Mennoscah Website, or contact Tammy at the addresses below. Checks can be made to Camp with “M&M” in the memo, or you can give online.
Tammy Duvanel Unruh
Development Director, Camp Mennoscah
tammy.d.unruh@campmennoscah.org
316-207-3472
or
Camp Mennoscah
PO Box 65 Murdock, KS 67111
620-297-3290
Swiss Volhynian Celebration of 150 years since ancestors came to USA in 1874—150 Years since our ancestors came to the USA. 1874-2024. Let’s celebrate all year. To remember the old days with agriculture come see a “Plowing with Horses” event July 15. Glen Goering, Darrell Schrag, Nathan Graber, and the Ag Committee have invited horse and plow owners to demonstrate Sat., July 15, at a 22-acre field west of the Moundridge Museum, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Concessions will be available from Gospel Mennonite and a tent for shade. Bring a lawn chair. The Museum will also be open. There will be “Planting Turkey Red Wheat” in October. Possibly more events in 2023 with the main celebration on August 22-25, 2024 at Eden Mennonite Church in rural Moundridge.
For MennoCon23 Newsletter press here
For Mennonite Mission Network News and Beyond press here
#MennoCon23
Mennonite Church USA has released the seminar lineup for MennoCon23, the denominational convention being held in Kansas City, Missouri, July 3-6. Alongside daily worship services, seminars make up the bulk of the convention’s faith formation programming, with three seminar timeslots scheduled each full day of the event — one in the mornings and two in the afternoons. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/news/mennocon23-seminar
Follow along with the day-to-day excitement of MennoCon23, the Youth & Young Adult Climate Summit and the Delegate Assembly by subscribing to MC USA’s daily email convention newsletter, the KC Sauce, here: mennoniteusa.org/kcsauce View the online version here: www.mennoniteusa.org/kcsauce/
In case you missed it, watch the recording of part I of the Delegate Assembly: Know Before You Go webinar series. Host and panelists review the agenda and discuss the best way for conferences, congregations and delegates to prepare as well as the role of delegates in the discernment process: mennoniteusa.org/da23-webinar1
In case you missed it, watch the recording of part II of the Delegate Assembly: Know Before You Go webinar series. Leaders from MC USA, Everence and MHS Association discuss the proposed organizational resolutions for the upcoming Delegate Assembly in Kansas City: mennoniteusa.org/da23-webinar2
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Mennonite Mission Network requests prayer for all those traveling to MennoCon, the four-day MC USA convention in Kansas City, Missouri, that begins tomorrow. Pray for Mission Network staff and partners as they present youth service opportunities and talk about the church’s response to immigrants and displaced people, violence in South Africa, and global climate change.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Pray for delegates and other adults, youth and children from WDC attending MennoCon23 in Kansas City this week, as they join in fellowship, learning and discernment together with others from Mennonite Church USA.