BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH WORSHIP AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR NOVEMBER 5, 2023
Daylight Savings Time Ends Sunday, November 5. Turn your clocks BACK one hour (unless you’d like to be extra early for church Sunday morning!)
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 below 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/E_oPXXnBDnM?feature=share
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
November 5, 2023
Twenty Third Sunday After Pentecost
Prelude— A Mighty Fortress is Our God (arr. Jason Payne)—Will Wiebe-Friesen
Christ Candle Lighting
Land Acknowledgement—Raylene Hinz-Penner
Call to Worship and Prayer—Heather Zerger
*Hymn—Open Lord, My Inward Ear—VT 548
Children’s Conversation—Adah and Tim Hodge
Anthem— God Be in My Head (John Rutter)—Chancel Choir; Riley King, director; Will Wiebe-Friesen, accompanist
Scripture Reading—Micah 3:5-12; Matthew 23:1-12—Juliana Schrag
Sermon— Close to the Ground—Nathan Koontz
*Hymn—I Bind My Heart This Tide—VT 556
Welcoming New Members—VT 961
*Hymn—Will You Let Me Be Your Servant—VT 778—All sing verses 1,6; Chancel Choir verses 2,4; Congregation verses 3,5
Prayers of God’s People
*Hymn—My Life Flows On—VT 605
*Benediction—Elizabeth Schmidt
Postlude—Sonata No. 6 “Vater unser” – Allegro molto—(Mendelssohn)— Will Wiebe-Friesen
* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Keyboard- Will Wiebe-Friesen
Audio visual— Ken Lamp
Land Acknowledgement compiled by Florence Schloneger from words by Mark Charles and VT #878
As we do on the first Sunday of each month, we acknowledge that we worship
on the land of the Kanza, Osage, and Wichita.
We thank them for their care and respect for this land and acknowledge the injustice of their forced removal.
We ask the Spirit to heal our histories and find new paths of right relationships with them and all of creation.
This Week at BCMC: November 5—12, 2023
Sun., November 5, 2023
9:30 a.m. Worship
10:45 a.m. Faith Formation
4 p.m. “Bethel Sings” in the Sanctuary
Worship YouTube Link for this Sunday:
https://youtube.com/live/E_oPXXnBDnM?feature=share
The church nursery is staffed during worship and Sunday School
10:45 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); Open Circle (Room 21) Seekers (Rm 28)
Mon., November 6, 2023
7 p.m. Facilities Committee meeting in Fellowship Hall
Tues., November 7, 2023
7 p.m. Finance Committee meeting in Room 14
Wed., November 8, 2023—Wednesday Night Supper
5:30 p.m. Wednesday night supper in Fellowship Hall—
Menu is: Sloppy Joes, Corn, Pickles, Chips, Butterscotch bars
6:30 p.m. Wednesday Night Programming: “Climate Change: What We Can Do and How Much Difference It Can Make” with the BCMC Creation Care Committee
6:30 p.m. Wednesday Night Club
7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal in the Sanctuary Chancel area
Sun., November 12, 2023
9:30 a.m. Worship with sermon by Nathan Koontz; Kin-dom report by the Finance Committee on the bcmcXpress; music by the Chancel Choir
It’s Supper Time at BCMC! Nov. 8, 5:30 p.m., in Fellowship Hall. Cost is $6/person or $18/family per meal. To facilitate the clean-up, please bring your own table service. Menu for Nov. 8 is Sloppy Joes, Corn, Pickles, Chips, Butterscotch Bars
Save the date, January 28, 2024 for Congregational Meeting and Soup Luncheon prior to the congregational meeting and the next fun-filled congregation and youth activity!
Roger’s Whereabouts : Roger will be driving back to Topeka this afternoon. He will be back in the church office on Monday morning, November 20, remaining in Newton until Thanksgiving Eve, November 22. Whether he’s in Newton or Topeka, Roger checks his email and phone regularly, so feel free to contact him via email, text or phone call (785-220-1968).
BCMC Members Address Changes
· Jim Banman —3054 Ivy Court, 43S, North Newton, KS 67117
· Marion Deckert — 3056 Ivy Court, Apt. 12, North Newton, KS 67117
· Monica Gross — 3056 Ivy Court, Apt. 6, North Newton, KS 67117
· Gladys Niles — 3054 Ivy Court, 26S, North Newton, KS 67117
Following a recent hospitalization, Gladys Niles is receiving care in HealthCare at Kidron Bethel Village. She has initiated hospice services and welcomes brief visits. Please remember Gladys in your prayers.
BCMC Offering for October 29, 2023: General Fund $9,807; Wed. supper $356; MCC Meat Canning $1,125; Plant Fund $100; Caring Fund $50; Kitchen Fund $16; Women’s Fellowship $50; Patty Shelly Memorial $500.
We would like to express our thanks for everyone that was a part of Patty’s memorial service. Our gratitude goes out to Shirley King for the wonderful organ music, and to William Eash and the choir for the meaningful choral meditations. Thank you to all the readers of the scripture verses and poetry, and to Pastors Nathan and Elizabeth for their meditation and prayers at the service and their guidance and support during Patty’s illness and following her death. We are grateful for the work of the funeral committee and volunteers in serving the faspa meal and providing an opportunity for family and friends to fellowship together and share some memories about Patty. Caring messages sent through cards and conversations have also lifted us up during this time of grief. We are so thankful for all this, and feel blessed to be a part of such a supportive and caring church community.
-June Shelly, and the families of Andy Shelly and Doris Shelly Whillock
Thanksgiving Day Pot Luck meal – If anyone is interested in a Thanksgiving day pot luck meal, please contact Naomi Krause, naomikrause@gmail.com or call/text 925-808-5620. You would be invited to bring your special dish. Two or more persons could volunteer to cook the turkey/ham. If coming, please RSVP. It’s fun to join together!
The church board is calling a special brief congregational meeting following worship in the sanctuary November 19, 2023 to act on the following board recommendation:
“That Bethel College Mennonite Church join the Repair Network, a binational network of congregations engaged in efforts to repair damages done to indigenous groups over the last centuries. Joining the network entails, among other things, a commitment of funds within the witness commission budget to support the ongoing efforts of the organization. This commitment would involve a commitment of $3,000 in the 2024 church budget, with the expectation that in 2025 the amount would be $4,000 and 2026 and years following $5,000, approximately 1% of the BCMC budget. It is understood that actions on budget beyond 2024 would follow normal budget development and action processes.”
Gaza Update: Mennonite Palestine Israel Network (MennoPIN) will host a Zoom conversation Saturday, 11/11, 9-10 a.m. with Tareq Abuhalima. Email wdc@mennowdc.org to get the Zoom link. Tareq grew up in Gaza City and is the current graduate assistant at Bluffton University’s The Lion and Lamb Peace Arts Center. Before beginning his graduate education at Bluffton University in January 2023, Tareq previously worked at Youth Vision Society in Gaza City as a project manager and served as MennoPIN’s “Twinning with Gaza” Initiative Coordinator. He recently presented a seminar at the Mennonite Church USA Convention in Kansas City and at our WDC Annual Assembly. He will share about his experience of growing up in Gaza and give an update on the disastrous human toll of the current war. Tareq recently learned that his sister was killed in the violence. He asked that this event not be postponed.
Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Announcements
· An Evening of Service at MCC on Giving Tuesday, Nov. 28 from 6:30-8 p.m. at MCC in North Newton. Bring new dark colored hand towels to pack hygiene kits. MCC partner Offender Victim Ministries will be here with supplies to write holiday greetings to prisoners, we’ll have comforters to tie and delicious snacks to enjoy. A great way to give on Giving Tuesday.
· If you are heading to South Texas any time soon, MCC Central States in North Newton is looking for your help to transport 25 boxes of kits to a partner in McAllen, TX. Contact Kate Mast at katemast@mcc.org
with any questions or interest.
· MCC Comforter update – thank you to all the hardworking MCC comforter makers who make beautiful, high-quality gifts to share with our partners around the world. The MCC guidelines for comforters were recently updated after receiving feedback from those partners around the world. For complete MCC comforter information, including the updated guidelines, go to the Comforters page of our website (mcc.org/get-involved/kits/comforters). Contact Workroom Supervisor, Kate Mast (katemast@mcc.org), with any comforter questions.
· SAVE THE DATE – The MCC Comforter Blitz will be March 4-6 in Yoder.
· Mennonite Central Committee responding to the Palestine and Israel conflict – As conflict has escalated in the region, MCC laments the violence and mourns all lives lost in Palestine and Israel. MCC remains committed to a just peace for all, and we invite you to join us in praying for an end to the violence. MCC is planning an emergency response to the current crisis with existing partners. Our response will focus on the humanitarian needs in Gaza, given the vulnerability of the population and lack of resources available to families. MCC’s work will build on previous responses to the ongoing conflict, including the distribution of food and bedding. We are also planning to offer trauma healing support and housing reconstruction. Donate online at mcc.org/Palestine-Israel or call 1-888-563-4676.
Bethel College Announcements
· (Sun., Nov. 5) – Bethel Sings, a concert featuring all Bethel College vocal groups, Dr. Henry S. Waters, director, 4 p.m., Bethel College Mennonite Church (2600 College Ave., North Newton)
· Mon., Nov. 6 – Julia Spicher Kasdorf: “Thinking of Certain Mennonite Women: Reading from her poems and those of others, with discussion,” 7 p.m., Administration Building chapel at Bethel College. Sponsored by the Bethel College Women’s Association Carolyn Schultz Lecture Endowment, Bethel’s English department and convocation. Kasdorf will speak in convocation Mon., Nov. 6, 11 a.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center, on “Documentary Poetry,” and lead a reading and open mic at 1887 Café in Schultz Student Center, Tues., Nov. 7, at 7:30 p.m.
· Sat., Nov. 11 – Junior recital by Bethel College student Josué Coy Dick, violin, 7 p.m., Administration Building chapel
· Sun., Nov. 12 – KIPCOR Film Series presents Eroding History, 2 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center. Audience talkback follows the screening; a freewill offering will be taken to support KIPCOR and the film series.
· Sun., Nov. 12 – Senior recital by Bethel College student Halle Krehbiel, flute, 4 p.m., Administration Building chapel
· Tues., Nov. 14 – Bethel College Organ Recital Series presents Donna Hetrick, organ, with Alan Wenger, trumpet, 7 p.m., Administration Building chapel
· Sat., Nov. 18 – Senior recital by Bethel College student Hayden Honomichl, voice, 4 p.m., Administration Building chapel
· Now in the Regier Gallery in Luyken Fine Arts Center at Bethel College – “Motherhood,” mixed media works by Eden Quispe, art teacher at Newton High School, through Fri., Nov. 17, with an artist reception Nov. 17. Gallery hours are Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 2-4 p.m.
Life Enrichment at Krehbiel Auditorium, Bethel College—November 8
9:30 a.m. “William Allen White and the KKK,” Beverley Olson Buller, Newton
10:50 a.m “Creation Improvisation,” Weldon Schloneger, former teacher, retired pastor and avid photographer, North Newton
You are invited to join First Mennonite Church of Halstead for their Annual Mission Supper at their church building, 427 W 4th, Halstead, Sat., Nov 11 from 5-7 p.m. The meal will be by donation to benefit missionaries Dave & Rebekka Stutzman (Germany) and Joseph and Rachel Givens (France), and local mission projects. The menu is German Sausage, Chicken Borscht, Fried Potatoes, Green Beans, Sauerkraut, Zwiebach, and Pie.
Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements.
For Mennonite Men “Engage” click here
For Anabaptist Disabilities Network click here
For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” click here
Mennonite Church USA Announcements
Mennonite Church USA has launched “Learn, Pray, Join: End Gun Violence,” an initiative to bring awareness to the complex issue that intersects with poverty, racism, discrimination, criminal justice, education and the environment. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/educate-topic-lpj Visit the initiative page here: mennoniteusa.org/lpj-end-gun-violence
Menno Snapshots
Did you know that Mennonite Church USA has a health plan? The Corinthian Plan provides health coverage for eligible pastors, church employees and their families. Current participants of the plan are also welcome to ask questions. Learn more during an upcoming Zoom meeting on Nov. 3 at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT. Register here: https://shorturl.at/tBMV7 View the PDF here: mennoniteusa.org/TCP-zoom-meeting-PDF
Katie Graber, Anneli Loep Thiessen and Sarah Kathleen Johnson share a glimpse into the new resource, Guide to Voices Together Songs and Resources with Connections to Indigenous Communities in Canada and the United States, which was recently released by the Voices Together team. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/connecting-communities-voices-together
Join us for our second Learn. Pray. Join: End Gun Violence webinar, Intersectionality of Gun Violence, focused on the intersectionality of gun violence and the call to explore our Anabaptist response to it. This webinar will provide information about the impact of gun violence on different communities, as well as provide information about mental health impacts, including suicide and how congregations can walk alongside those at risk and their family/friends. Register here: https://shorturl.at/irS58 View the PDF here: mennoniteusa.org/lpj-end-gun-violence-webinar-PDF
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: MMN requests prayer for the Johnstown Service Adventure unit, made up of Elias Wolff, Henriette Preuss, Leni Schreiber and Marie Haller, as well as unit leaders Josh and Stef Musser and their children, Jacob and Noah. Pray for a harmonious household, deepening faith and service that reflects God’s love through clinics, Head Start, school and after-school programs.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Pray for WDC’s Israel Palestine Task Force, and for WDC congregations that are engaged in advocacy for peace and justice for all who suffer war and violence.