Worship Service for May 21, 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/pOctfyytlwc?feature=share
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
May 21, 2023
Seventh Sunday of Easter
Prelude—Kum Ba Yah (arr. Behnke)—Chancel Bells; Verlene Garber, director
West Quoddy Sunrise (Bernadine Johnson)—Abby Koontz
Christ Candle Lighting—Adam Robb
Welcome and Prayer
*Hymn—Here in This Place—VT 10
Children’s Conversation
Summer BCMC Library Program—Karen Neufeld
Presentation of Hymnals to High School Graduates—Jill Robb
Alice Claassen, Kat Friesen, Simon Koontz, Ian Voth
Anthem—Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit (arr. Linker & McFadden—Chancel Bells
Scripture Reading—John 16:33-17:1-11; Acts 1:6-14
Sermon—Why are you looking toward heaven?—Nathan Koontz
*Hymn of Response—Could It Be That God is Singing—VT 42
Reception of New Members—Elizabeth Schmidt
Calvin Flickinger, Ron Flickinger, Janet Friesen,
Lauren Friesen, Judy Harder, Keith Harder, Jim Juhnke,
Miriam Nofsinger
Prayers of God’s People
*Hymn—Go Now in Peace—VT 835
*Benediction
Postlude—Andante K315 (Mozart)—Lucy Burch
* You are invited to stand
^Bells and congregation sing in unison through once; congregation sings with bells twice in canon. The south side begins, the north side comes in 2nd, and the bells will do a 3rd entry
VT—Voices Together
Keyboard—Verlene Garber
Audio visual—Ken Lamp
Offertory at BCMC
As a way of acknowledging our offertory during our Sunday morning worship, 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.
Congratulations to our BCMC High School Seniors — Alice Claassen, Kat Friesen, Simon Koontz, Ian Voth!
Welcome to new members at BCMC: Calvin Flickinger, Ron Flickinger, Janet Friesen, Lauren Friesen, Judy Harder, Keith Harder, Jim Juhnke, Miriam Nofsinger!
This Week at BCMC: May 21-28, 2023
Sun, May 21, 2023
9:30 a.m. Worship YouTube Link for this Sunday is: https://youtube.com/live/pOctfyytlwc?feature=share
The church nursery is staffed during worship and Sunday School
10:30 a.m. Faith Formation—High School – Room 24 Adult Classes: Agape Class meets in the nursery; Bible Study (Rm 14); Catacombs (Rm B5) Topic is “Highlights of the Museum—Oriental Institute” by Lauren Friesen; Fellowship (B7); Fine Arts (Rm 22); Issues and Christianity (Rm 23); Open Circle (Room 21) Seekers (Rm 28)
Mon., May 22, 2023
10 a.m. Library Committee meeting in Room 14
11 a.m. Staff meeting in Fellowship Hall
5:30 p.m. Faith Formation meeting in Fellowship Hall
Wed., May 24, 2023
7 p.m. Senior High Youth Group
Thurs., May 25, 2023
4 p.m. Hospitality Commission meeting in Room 14
7 p.m. Deacon Commission meeting in Room 14
Fri., May 26, 2023
5 p.m. Wedding Rehearsal in the Sanctuary
Sat., May 27, 2023
3:30 p.m. Wedding of Danielle Wellborn and Silas Minkevitch in the
Sanctuary
Sun., May 28, 2023—Pentecost Sunday
9:30 a.m. Worship with sermon by Roger Neufeld Smith; communion will be served; May birthday recognition
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.
BCMC Offering for May 7, 2023: General Fund $7,163.33; Rejoice $34.11; Church Retreat $1,000; Mennonite Camp Scholarship $181; Esther Thieszen Memorial $100.
Rejoice Devotional Subscriptions
For those of you who are currently subscribed to the Rejoice Devotional Magazine, the last issue for this year (June-July-August) is in your mailboxes here at church. To renew for the coming year (or if you wish to join as a new subscriber) please drop a check in the offering plate for $34.11 (in the memo line put “Rejoice” subscription), or mail your check to the church at PO Box 364, North Newton, KS, 67117, or bring to the church office by May 31.
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!
Come see a Play, Friday, June 2 at VBS! From 6-7:30 on June 2 at BCMC! ALL are invited to a performance of Selah’s Song, a play about a young girl in Ukraine who inspires her community with a song of Peace. This play is suitable for all ages and we hope you can join! Presented by Theatre of the Beat, a touring company based in Toronto.
Roger’s Whereabouts – Roger will be back in Newton on Wednesday, May 24. Roger checks his phone messages and texts daily while he is in Topeka, so feel free to contact him via phone or email.
Congratulations, the April finance numbers are quite favorable. The church raised $340 more in April than it spent in April. This comes as a result of extra effort and hard work on your part. Thank you very much and keep the ball rolling. Finance Committee
(Sun., May 21) – Sunday-Afternoon-at-the-Museum program with Dr. Mary Dusenberry from the University of Kansas, “Of Wool & Silk: Textile Explorations in Central Asia,” 3 p.m., Kauffman Museum auditorium. In conjunction with the current special exhibit “Reeds & Wool: Patterned Screens of Central Asia,” which closes May 28.
Sat., June 3 – The public is invited to Walk Sand Creek Trail Day, part of National Trails Day®. Water will be available for people and leashed dogs at the trailhead at Memorial Grove on the Bethel College campus, dawn to dusk (6 a.m.-8 p.m.), courtesy of the Sand Creek Trail Committee, with members there to answer any questions about the trail.
Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements
Staff position opening: Western District Conference seeks a half-time Business Manager beginning July 10, at WDC’s North Newton, KS, office (some remote work possible). Responsibilities include financial management, bookkeeping, reporting and payroll. Qualifications include organizational, computer and communication skills, bookkeeping or accounting experience, and willingness to support WDC’s mission and priorities. For position description and application form visit: https://mennowdc.org/wdc-staff-position-opening/. Interested applicants please submit application form and letter of interest to the Conference Minister at heidirk@mennowdc.org.
2023 Western District Conference (WDC) Annual Assembly, “Holy (Wholly) Listening,” August 11-13, 2023, Tabor Mennonite Church, Newton, KS. Listening to God and many voices. Why go? It’s a great chance to join others for creative resourcing, worship, great music and food, and participating in the work of the church. Watch for more information coming soon!
Faith Formation resources for you – The WDC Resource Commission has paid for a subscription for the Vibrant Faith 2023 Masterclass Season Pass of faith formation webinars! Vibrant Faith seeks to transform the way churches envision and design faith formation for all ages and generations in the 21st century. For more details about the webinars, go to: https://vibrantfaith.org/masterclasses/. To access these resources at no cost to you, email Michelle at wdc@mennowdc.org.
Register today for MennoCon23, MC USA’s leading faith formation event July 3-6, the Youth & Young Adult Climate Summit on July 7, and the Delegate Assembly July 7-8.
https://convention.mennoniteusa.org/registration/
Register now for the Restorative Kansas conference happening June 8-9 at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, KS. The conference theme is Growing Restorative Communities: Cultivating Change by Tending our Roots. Hear Keynote Speaker Chief Justice Emeritus Robert Yazzie of Navajo Nation and participate in breakout sessions on indigenous peacemaking; RJ in schools; youth-led efforts; community-based efforts; law enforcement and judicial efforts; and circle process. Enjoy a commissioned street opera entitled “The Return” and lots more. MCC Central States is a sponsor for the 2023 conference. Please join us, find more information and register at www.restorativekansas.org.
Greetings!
I’m writing to share about a new special issue of Intersections: MCC Theory and Practice Quarterly, available now on-line here. Compiled by Wade Snowdon and Alain Epp Weaver, this “emerging research” issue features articles by participants in MCC’s one-year YAMEN, IVEP, and SALT programs, with articles exploring MCC work in Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Nepal, and Uganda.
As always, we welcome any feedback you have about this or other issues of Intersections! Send any thoughts, affirmations, critiques, and counsel you might have to intersections@mcc.org. Thanks for being a loyal reader!
Warm regards, Alain Epp Weaver
Camp Mennoscah Announcements
We need your toilet paper (rolls)! There is a crafts project this summer needing empty, clean toilet paper rolls or paper towel rolls. Approximately 300 rolls are needed for the full summer. Send them with a camper or someone else coming to camp. We’ll collect them and use them for Junior 1 & 2, Junior High 1 & 2 and Senior High. (If you want to bring full ones, we’d take those, too. We’re not picky.)
Other events and happenings:
- Preservation and then destruction! The next Work and Play Day is May 20. Tasks will include staining part of the playground structure in the cooler morning and then it’s time for (careful) destruction of the pipes of the old HVAC system in the Retreat Center.Eight or more people will make great progress possible. Bring a water bottle and meet at the maintenance shed at 8:30am. Camp will provide lunch. If you let us know you are coming, we can be better prepared for lunch. Contact Olivia at 620-297-3290 (landline) or olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org for details.
- Camp Mennoscah is looking for people to provide a “main course” for approx. 12 people during the week of May 29-June 2.Camp will provide the extras for the meal and staff do the meal prep as a team building exercise. If you would like to provide the full meal, wonderful! During this week, summer staff do training for Youth Development, the Staff Handbook, Reducing the Risk of Abuse, and more. This week prepares the staff to create great camp experiences for a summer of campers. Contact Olivia at 620-297-3290 or olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org for details.
- Custodial-housekeeping help is needed at Camp Mennoscah. This is a 10 hours per week position and is paid hourly. The work times are flexible, but must fit within the group and retreat scheduling, which varies from week to week. The position requires an application, references, and background check. Contact Olivia at 620-297-3290 or olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org for details.
- 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!
- Nurse needed for a partial week, July 9-12, 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). 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.
- Just want to let you know that things will look different! The landscaping around the Retreat Center will be removed in preparation for the replacement of the HVAC system at the Retreat Center and to meet code. There is not a firm timeline when this will start. New landscaping will be determined at a later time.
- 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.
- Got any 5 gallon buckets with or without lids?Camp Mennoscah is looking for 5 gallon buckets with lids for compost. We’ll take lids or the lids and buckets. Contact us at olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org or call 620-297-3290 to figure out pick up or bring them to camp when your church or camper comes.
Everence® to hold May 30 Medicare webinar
Everence will hold an informative Medicare webinar on Tuesday, May 30, starting at 6:30 p.m. Topics will include, when and where to sign up for Medicare, what Medicare does (and doesn’t) cover, Medicare Parts A, B, C and D in clear, understandable language plus budgeting for health care costs in retirement. There will also be time for your questions.
Information will be presented by staff from the Everence offices in Central Kansas.
To register contact Everence at 316-283-3800, 877-467-7294 or central.kansas@everence.com.
Attendance recommended for those approaching retirement or those ready to sign up for Medicare.
Securities offered through Concourse Financial Group Securities, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. Investments and other products are not NCUA or otherwise federally insured, may involve loss of principal and have no credit union guarantee.
Products and services offered through Everence Trust Company and other Everence entities are independent of and are not guaranteed or endorsed by Concourse Financial Group Securities, or its affiliates.
Message from Bethel College
Bethel College Baccalaureate and Commencement are such special events that we like to share with you the following information.
The photos and recording of Baccalaureate/Commencement weekend have been posted on the commencement website at the following link. You are welcome to share this link with others.
www.bethelks.edu/graduation
The Newton Et Cetera Shop is taking applications for our full-time Retail Manager position. Job descriptions and applications can be picked up at the shop, 619 Main Street, Newton KS, 67114; phone 316-283-9461.
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.
The Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale Annual Dinner and Meeting will be Thursday, May 25, 6:00 pm at First Mennonite Church, McPherson. The cost of the meal is $20.00. Please RSVP to Barb BJ Reeves at bj.reeves@live.com or call/text 620-543-6863 by May 21. Come celebrate the success of the MCC Sale!
Peace Connections is hosting Bridges out of Poverty, a free training to be a volunteer for Circle of Hope. The training is a three part workshop on May 5 (2-4 p.m.); June 2 (2-4 p.m.) and July 7 (2-4 p.m.) To RSVP for the workshop or for more information visit www.peaceconnections.org or call 316-284-0000. Harvey County Circle of Hope is a relationship-based initiative that seeks to improve the financial health and well-being of the community and our residents. Circle of Hope connects community volunteers with families ready and willing to begin their journey towards financial stability.
For Mennonite Mission Network News and Beyond press here
For Mennonite Disaster Service On the Level press here
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Marisa Smucker assumed the responsibilities of interim executive director of Mennonite Mission Network in March. Pray for God’s wisdom and strength, as she leads the agency.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Pray for members of boards, councils, deacons and other leadership teams in WDC congregations, as they offer vision and care for the church.