Announcements for July 30-August 6, 2023 - Bethel College Mennonite Church

WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
FOR BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH JULY 30, 2023

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/IdJkXfzk1HI?feature=share

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
July 30, 2023
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
Prelude— Two preludes on Early American Folk Hymns:
Promised Land (arr. Diane Bish)—Antioch (arr. Dale Wood)
— Will Wiebe-Friesen

Christ Candle Lighting

Welcome and Prayer—Sondra Bandy Koontz

*Hymn—When in Our Music God Is Glorified— VT 83

Children’s Conversation

Worship Music— Nun ist sie erschienen (arr. Larry Nickel )
Joan Griffing, violin; Will Wiebe-Friesen, piano

Scripture Reading—Genesis 29:15-28; Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52—Joe Peters

Message—The Kingdom of Process—Nathan Koontz

*Hymn of Response— My Love Colors Outside the Lines—VT 582

Prayers of God’s People

*Hymn—God, Whose Giving—VT 745
People with July birthdays come forward for a blessing,
please bring a hymnal.

*Benediction

Postlude– Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (arr. Janet Linker)—Joan Griffing, violin; Will Wiebe-Friesen, organ

* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Violin—Joan Griffing
Keyboard—Will Wiebe-Friesen
Audio visual—Francis Toews

Welcome and thank you to Joan Griffing who brings us the worship
music this morning and will accompany on hymns.

YouTube Link: https://youtube.com/live/IdJkXfzk1HI?feature=share

This Week at BCMC: July 23-August 6, 2023

Sun., July 30 2023
9:30 a.m. Worship with sermon by Pastor Nathan Koontz; music by Joan Griffing; July birthday recognition
YouTube Link for this Sunday is: https://youtube.com/live/IdJkXfzk1HI?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 31, 2023
10 a.m. Staff Meeting in Room 14
Thurs., August 3, 2023
4 p.m. Staff Congregation Relations Committee Meeting in Room 14
7 p.m. Church Board Meeting in Room 14
Sun., August 6, 2023
9:30 a.m. Worship with sermon by Roger Neufeld Smith
“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.

Roger’s Whereabouts : Pastor Roger will be back in the BCMC office on Wednesday, August 2 and be in Newton until Sunday afternoon, August 6. Then Roger (and Cynthia) will be helping their daughter move from Durham, North Carolina to Los Angeles, CA. So Roger will be “on the road” for a couple of weeks. He will probably NOT have internet access for much of this time. But he will try to check his email and text messages when he can. Email roger@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org or text or call (785-220-1968.) Roger plans to be back in the BCMC office on Wednesday, August 23.

BCMC Offering for July 23, 2023: General Fund $3,829; Sr Hi Youth $200; Columbarium Fund $2,000; Living Stones $140; Kitchen Fund $16.

Senior High Youth Group 23-24. As we begin a new year of youth group activities, our first task is to renovate our meeting space (room 24). Plans include painting the walls, increasing/improving the seating, and adding technology. We need your help. We are searching for good quality two person love seats. If you have a love seat to donate, please contact George at 316-587-6910 or george@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org, or catch me in person. Thank you.

We offer sympathy to Richard Siemens, Doug Siemens and LuAnn Zook,their children Angus and Zoe Siemens, Charlotte Siemens and David Sprunger and their children Samuel, Jacob, and Anna, and their extended family, on the death of Frances Siemens yesterday, July 25 at Kidron Bethel Village, North Newton. Memorial service details are yet to be determined.

We offer sympathy to Mildred and Myron Voran and their family on the death of Mildred’s sister, Elva Claassen Unruh on July 25 at Kidron Bethel Village.

Looking Ahead
For a Bethel College Mennonite Church calendar with dates for 2023/2024 congregational meetings, Wednesday night suppers, Christmas and Easter programs, and other important dates, press here

Colorado Peaches are coming! The Palisade peaches on the Western Slope are supposed to be a good crop this year thanks to the moisture during the winter and spring. Please email patsydirksen@mcc.org to place your peach order from July 24-August 5. Two sizes are available: 10 lbs. for $30 and 18 lbs. for $41. Checks should be made payable to Beth-El Mennonite Church with “Peaches” in the memo line and payment (cash/check only) is due by August 5 to MCC in North Newton (121 E. 30^th St.). Peaches will be available for pickup from the MCC Material Resources Center on Monday, August 21. This is a fundraiser for the Rocky Mountain Mennonite Relief Sale held in Rocky Ford, Colorado October 20-21.

There is still time to fill out the Faith Formation Survey!

Greetings from Faith Formation!

Faith Formation is asking that ALL who are interested in being a part of building intergenerational relationships within the church fill out the attached survey.

If you are a parent of a youth who will attend the Intergenerational Sunday school class or who will be a part of Jr High Club or Senior High Youth Group, you may fill out the following Release Form for the 2023-24 school year.

Intergenerational Sunday school will follow this format from week to week. Teachers may decide to switch up the weeks to fit their needs.

Week 1: Introduction of the Bible story. Activity related to the Bible story.

Week 2: Reader’s Theatre or continuation of the Bible story.

Week 3: Craft or games

Week 4: Interview an adult who has joined us for the month (ask the week prior to interview)

The weekly schedule will follow the format below:

Following the service until 10:45 am

Arrival and snack (groups will be mixed ages at each table)
Questions of the day to discuss at table groups
Opening prayer and announcements

10:45 am – 11:15 am

Bible Story/Activity

11:15 am – 11:30 am

Clean up, Journal, or other activity with the teachers
Closing prayer and dismissal

Mark your calendar for the Sunday School Orientation/Safe Sanctuaries Date: August 20 from 12:00-1:00 pm. We will have a pizza lunch.

Intergenerational Survey: https://forms.gle/upn5yizoKEUvqumZ7

Youth Release Form: https://forms.gle/AfyQ7fV5RXHUJZqp7

2023-24 Faith Formation Calendar: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0?cid=ZmFpdGhmb3JtYXRpb25jb21taXNzaW9uQGJldGhlbGNvbGxlZ2VtZW5ub25pdGVjaHVyY2gub3Jn

Thank you and have a wonderful summer!

Faith Formation Sunday School team

Jill Robb

Kathy Stucky

Rebecca TschetterDeb Gering

Mary Ellen Hodge

The August/September Library theme is called “What’s For Dinner?” In the doldrums of this extreme heat, come check out one of the library’s books on food: either to find a new dish to prepare or sit back and enjoy a new read in the cool comfort of your own home. We’d love to help you find your next read.

It’s time for the MCC School Kit Challenge! Help us meet our goal of gathering 10,000 school kits in the month of August. By donating items like notebooks and pencils, you can help kids in places like Syria, Ukraine and South Sudan who have been forced to flee their homes or struggle to afford basic school supplies. Join this effort to share a tangible message of God’s love with children around the world. Learn more about this challenge and download a free activity resource at mcc.org/school-kit-challenge.
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!

Children and Youth of BCMC: Read a book. Earn a Book on or before August 27: Summer vacation is almost over, but you can still earn a book for the New Hope Shelter for each BCMC library book you check out, read, and return. And parents, grandparents, and friends of youth, you can help by checking out a book from the children’s collection and reading it too, or with a child. The challenge is to fill a whole shelf of books for homeless children and youth. Visit the table outside the door to the children’s room of the BCMC church library for more information.

The Women’s & Girls Retreat will be Sept. 9 & 10 at Camp Mennoscah sponsored by Western District Women in Mission. Retreat theme is “Women Talking, Listening and Creating.” Come for a time of friendship, fellowship, and story-telling with Tammy Duvanel Unruh, Wendy Funk Schrag and others. Registration information and more details will be on the Western District Conference website, in the church bulletin, on the church bulletin board. Follow the Western District Women in Mission on Facebook.

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

BCMC still could use more 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.

Hope Mennonite Church is delighted to invite you to an evening of fun and inspiring music Sunday, August 27 at 6:30 p.m. You will be entertained by the lead vocalists of Everyday Lights, Paul Austin and Jennifer (Hope) Chlumsky from Salina, KS. They combine a variety of musical styles including folk, bluegrass, jazz, country, and traditional hymns. Many of their songs are original. The band recently performed at the Smokey Hill River Festival in Salina, The Farm in Minneapolis, KS and various private parties.

As you listen to the concert, a dessert and snack bar with sweet and salty snacks will be available.

No tickets are necessary but a free-will donation will be gladly accepted with the proceeds going to Camp Mennoscah.

Paul is Director of Worship Ministries at the First Covenant Church in Salina. He is married to Kandi and they have 4 awesome, talented children. Jennifer is the choir director at First Covenant. She also happens to be married to Christopher, (a former Hope Mennonite member) a mother to 4 amazing children, a music educator, and a Tabor College Grad.

You can preview their music at https://www.everydaylightsmusic.com/ or facebook.com/everydaylights, iTunes, Spotify, and Soundcloud.

Hope Mennonite Church – 868 N Maize Rd, Wichita, KS 67212

Camp Mennoscah Announcements

It’s a celebration of a summer of faith formation with some of your favorite camp songs! All ages, campers and others–everyone is invited to join us on Saturday, August 5, at 2pm at Hope Mennonite Church in Wichita, KS. There will be a freewill offering and iced coffee for purchase. Free pop will be available, but no popcorn this time. Singing will be held inside. Tell all your camp friends and come sing (or listen) your heart out!

Other events and happenings:

Need a bunk-like bed? Camp Mennoscah will be taking apart the bunks used with the large tents since there has not been a recent need for them. These bunks have the lower bed at essentially ground level. If you would be interested in purchasing one, contact us at 620-297-3290 before August 5.
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!

For Mennonite Mission Network News from around the World press here
For Mennonite Mission Network News and Beyond press here

Mennonite Church USA Announcements

Menno Snapshots

Rachel Ringenberg Miller, denominational minister for ministerial leadership for Mennonite Church USA, highlights the importance of properly compensating pastors to adequately support and lead healthy congregations. Read more about the updated Pastor Salary Guidelines and why MC USA’s Church Vitality office and Everence collaborate to update every year: mennoniteusa.org/generosity-congregation

As part of MC USA’s series on The Peace Table, the new storybook Bible from Shine, a children’s Sunday school curriculum, jointly published by MennoMedia and Brethren Press, Ruth Goring shares her process for creating child-friendly images to accompany the seven Psalms that had been selected for inclusion in The Peace Table Bible storybook. Read her journey here: mennoniteusa.org/for-children-for-all

In honor of Juneteenth, June 19, Wilma A. Bailey, Ph.D., the first Black woman to be licensed for ministry by MC USA’s Indiana-Michigan Conference and 2023 Hope for the Future honoree, reflects on the history and importance of the expansion of the newly recognized national holiday. Read her reflections here: mennoniteusa.org/juneteenth-history

As a member of MC USA’s Women in Leadership Steering Committee, Bonita Croyle reflects on her complex experience with Mother’s Day through the expression of a written prayer. Read the full prayer here: mennoniteusa.org/complicated-mothers-day

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Mennonite Mission Network requests prayer for C. Paul and Hildi Amstutz, who have served in Paraguay since 1985. Pray for them as they invite people into deeper communion with God, through business chaplaincy, teaching and spiritual direction.

Western District Conference Prayer Request: We pray for the newly-certified church plant of Arca de Salvación (Ark of Salvation) in Uspantán, Guatemala. We also pray for the calling of new members in the church planting commission which experiences transition as a number of its members make moves. -WDC Church Planting Commission

Bethel College Mennonite Church

A congregation of Mennonite Church USA in North Newton, Kansas

Announcements for July 30–August 6, 2023