BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 17, 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/phRZa-EQgZ0?feature=share
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
September 17, 2023
Peace Sunday: Climate Action for Peace
Prelude—There is no Shadow (Brenda Portman)–Will Wiebe-Friesen
Christ Candle Lighting
Call to Worship and Prayer—Nathan Koontz
*Hymn—All Thing Bright and Beautiful—VT 177
Kin-dom Report—Vernon Goering
Children’s Conversation—High School Youth Group
Scripture Reading—Psalm 36:5-9; Psalm 65:5-8—Roger Juhnke
A Joyful Vision—Darlene Dick
*Hymn—Touch the Earth Lightly— VT 145
Anthem—Love the Lord Your God (Patty Shelly)—Chancel Choir, Riley King, director; Will Wiebe-Friesen, accompanist
Scripture Reading—Matthew 6:25-34; Isaiah 24:4-7—Zona Galle
Lamenting and Reflecting—Keith Harder
*Hymn—The Garden Needs Our Tending Now—VT 788
Prayers of God’s People
*Hymn—There’s a Wild Hope In the Wind—VT 828
*Benediction
Postlude—Trumpet Tune (David German)—Will Wiebe-Friesen
* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Audio visual— Ken Lamp
We give thanks and credit to the Mennonite Central Committee’s worship resources for this peace Sunday service. Many of the readings, images, and ideas for this service were provided by the 2023 MCC Peace Sunday Packet: Climate Action for Peace.
YouTube Link: https://youtube.com/live/phRZa-EQgZ0?feature=share
This Week at BCMC: September 17—24, 2023
Sun., September 17, 2023—Peace Sunday
9:30 a.m. Service planned by the Witness Commission
YouTube Link for this Sunday:
https://youtube.com/live/phRZa-EQgZ0?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)
2-4 p.m. Mentor/mentee event in Fellowship Hall with pizza and games
6:30 p.m. BCMC/Bethel College Ice Cream Social September 17, 6:30 p.m. on the BCMC front lawn. Come to enjoy ice cream with Bethel students and faculty. The Bethel College Relations Team (Darlene Dick, Ron Flickinger, Tim Hodge, Matt Koontz) ask that you bring a dessert or toppings to go with the ice cream.
Mon., September 18, 2023
3:45 p.m. Worship Commission
Tues., September 19, 2023
7 p.m. Women’s Fellowship Meeting in Fellowship Hall
Wed., September 20, 2023
7 p.m. Youth Group meeting
7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal in the Sanctuary Chancel area
Thurs., September 21, 2023
4 p.m. Witness Commission meeting in Room 14
6:30 p.m. Chancel Bell rehearsal in Room B7
7 p.m. Bethel College Women’s Association meeting in Fellowship Hall
Sun., September 24, 2023
9:30 a.m. Worship with sermon by Nathan Koontz
10:45 a.m. Solar Panel Project Task Group—Sun. school elective–Fellowship Hall
For Your Calendars:
· BCMC Women’s Fellowship meets Tues., Sept. 19, 7 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. We will affirm leadership for 2024 and reflect on the impact and gifts of one’s family of origin. Bring an artifact that represents what has shaped you such as a book, story, tradition etc. Use the south-east door.
· The BCMC Congregation is invited to a Baby Sprinkle for Adam and Jill Robb, October 1, 2-4 p.m., BCMC Fellowship Hall. Registry is: www.target.com/gift-registry/gift/surpriserobb
Kathy Stucky (316-772-2479) & Elaine Prouty (316-772-2572)
· The memorial service for Patty Shelly will be Saturday, September 30 at 11 a.m. at BCMC. The service will be live-streamed. The link is: https://youtube.com/live/IX0_1OnzWQs?feature=share
Roger’s Whereabouts : Roger will be back in Newton on Wednesday, September 27. Roger will be checking his email and phone almost every day. So feel free to email, text or call 785-220-1968.
BCMC Offering for September 10, 2023: General Fund $6,117; Bethel College Scholarship Fund $500; Kitchen Fund $7; Women’s Fellowship $50; Sr Hi Youth $3,322.
You did it again, congratulations! August giving resulted in a surplus of income over expenses. Four out of five months ‘ain’t bad’! Thank you so much for your efforts to keep the church financially solvent. – Finance Committee
Please accept my deepest appreciation for the joyous celebration of my licensing for specific ministry at Bethel College Mennonite Church! The “American Avocets” print by Bob Regier evokes the Creator’s care for birds of the air, and the ever-present refuge in the shadow of God’s wings. The flaming celosia and nandina shrub provide vivid reminders that the burning bush still burns! Thank you all!
Elizabeth Schmidt, Congregational Care Coordinator
The Senior High Youth Group thanks you for your generous support last Sunday. The meal raised $2,952! Furthermore, the interactions, conversations, and connections made via the Youth Group Fun Facts activity were priceless. Thank you for both your financial support and your interest in learning to know our youth.
P.S.: Save the date, January 28, 2024 Soup Luncheon prior to the congregational meeting and the next fun-filled congregation and youth activity!
Tributes to Patty Shelly
Below is a link to a tribute written last Friday to Patty Shelly from Jessica Griggs who is on the MC USA Communications team. https://www.mennoniteusa.org/news/former-mc-usa-moderator-patricia-shelly-dies-at-71/
Pastors at BCMC were asked to contribute memories for this article, but Jessica was not able to incorporate them. So here are the words that Pastor Elizabeth Schmidt wrote in more recent memory of Patty.
“A punster without peer, Patty shared wisdom with her unique humor and delight. In 2019, Bethel College Mennonite Church staff asked her to share a sermon on a portion of the congregation’s common purpose statement, from Micah 6:1-8. With a deep dive from Mitzvot to Micah to the Greatest Commandment, Patty took a “Micah-scopic look” at the congregational purpose statement and “Micah-managed” the meaning of doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God.
When Patty sat in the back of the sanctuary during worship, her buoyant soprano voice lifted the rafters in praise.
Patty capably served as Congregational Moderator and on Church Board, Safe Sanctuaries Task Group, Worship Commission, and Prayer Network.
During the covid pandemic in spring of 2020, Pastor Renee Reimer engaged the congregation in an on-line “March Madness” activity to select the congregation’s favorite hymn. The final bracket winner was Patty’s benediction song, “The Lord Lift You Up,” which now appears in Voices Together, #832.
Its lyrics are a fitting tribute to Patty’s life, from first to final breath.”
Solar Panel Project Task Group
The Solar Panel Project task group would like to thank you for listening to our presentation at last Sunday’s congregational meeting. We look forward to input from the congregation about this possible initiative for BCMC. Sunday, September 24, in Fellowship Hall, during the Sunday School hour will be the next opportunity to visit together but if you have questions or comments before then please ask any committee member. – Dwight Krehbiel, Lorna Harder, Hugo Boschmann, Margaret Toews
Creation Care Challenge
Most of us are aware of the dangers that plastic bags are doing to our environment. So, let’s take a challenge to address that issue. Beginning October 1 we are encouraging everyone to participate in collecting clean plastic bags for recycling. These bags can be delivered to BCMC during the hours the church is open. Our goal is to collect 1,000 pounds in one year with a reward of a composite bench made from plastic. This is a project of the Senior High Youth Group.
BCMC Women’s Fellowship
BCMC Women’s Fellowship meets Tues., Sept. 19, 7 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. We will affirm leadership for 2024 and reflect on the impact and gifts of one’s family of origin. Bring an artifact that represents what has shaped you such as a book, story, tradition etc. Use the south-east door.
We offer sympathy to Ann Preheim Regier, on the death of her husband, Ivan G. Regier, Aug. 31, 2023, Grant Nebraska. Ivan was a wider fellowship member of BCMC and Ann will remain as a wider fellowship member. For a link to the obituary for Ivan Regier press here.
We offer sympathy to George and Jeanette Leary, Megan Leary, and Kevin and Naomi Leary and their children Magdalena and Silas Leary on the death of George’s father, George Isaac Leary, Sr. George Isaac Leary, Sr., 86, of Barberville, Florida, passed away peacefully Sept 12.
Everence® will hold an informative Social Security and retirement income
workshop Thurs., Sept. 28, 6:30 p.m. Topics will include, Social Security strategies, including when to begin taking benefits, risks that can impact your retirement savings plus strategies to help your income last throughout retirement. The in-person workshop will be at the Everence office: 3179 N. Main St. Suite 1B, North Newton. 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.
Bethel College Women’s Association welcomes donations of baked goods for Market-in-the-Round and pies for Pie-by-the-Slice at Fall Festival. Bring homemade fruit pies, poppyseed roll, zwieback, cinnamon rolls, or other treats to room 140 in Luyken Fine Arts Center from 2-5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13 or 7-9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 14. Questions? Email bcwa@belthelks.edu. All proceeds will benefit Bethel College.
Bethel College Announcements
Mon., Sept. 18 – Visiting Writer Series at Bethel College: Jesse Nathan will read from his debut poetry collection, Eggtooth, 11 a.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center. Nathan is a Bethel graduate who grew up in rural McPherson County and now lives and teaches in the Bay Area in California.
Thurs., Sept. 21 – Artist reception for Tom and Pam Voth and “Drinking from a New Well,” 6-8 p.m., Regier Gallery in Luyken Fine Arts Center at Bethel College. Exhibit closes the same evening. Gallery hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays.
Thurs., Sept. 21 – Bethel College Orchestra, directed by Kris Hilding, 7 p.m., Memorial Hall
Thurs., Sept. 28 – Bethel College Wind Ensemble, directed by Chris Miertschin, 7 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center
Call for volunteers – The Bethel College Alumni Association is looking for volunteers to help with Taste of Newton and Fall Festival. Shifts are 1.5-2 hours long and need to be filled on Thursday, Oct. 12, 5-9 p.m., and Saturday, Oct. 14, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Contact Brad Schmidt at 316-285-5252 or bschmidt@bethelks.edu, or use the following online forms: verenike booth, Taste of Newton: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E44AFAF22A1FDCF8-verenike3; burger booth, Fall Fest: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E44AFAF22A1FDCF8-burger1; verenike booth, Fall Fest: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E44AFAF22A1FDCF8-verenike2
Camp Mennoscah Announcements
The Camp Mennoscah 75th Anniversary Kick-Off event will be held on Sunday, September 24, 2023 at Camp Mennoscah! Come join us for a day of celebration and activities as we initiate our extended season of remembering Camp’s past and anticipating Camp’s future. The day’s schedule is below. Go to www.campmennoscah.org for more information and to register. You are invited!
1:00-5:00 PM Opening Event & Fun Family Activities
4:00 PM Music
5:00 PM Dinner – Burgers, Brats, Hot Dogs on the grill
6:00 PM Annual Meeting
7:00 PM Talent/No Talent Show
Other events and happenings:
- Have you seen our white Mr. Coffee coffeepot? The one in the Retreat Center is missing. There is a white Mr. Coffee, but it is of a different style and size than the one belonging to Camp Mennoscah. Let’s switch! Contact us at 620-297-3290 or office@campmennoscah.org
- The dam will be taken out on Sunday, October 8, at 2:30pm whatever the weather may be, unless deemed dangerous. Meet down by the shelter. Helpers and spectators are welcome. Helping is not for younger ages due to the heavy planks and rushing water, but are welcome to watch the activities. Planks will need to be scraped and pressure-washed once removed. Many hands are welcome!
- 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. You are welcome to bring a camper/RV and use a gas generator (no hookups available). 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!
Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements.
Open to new participants: Healing & Hope, a confidential group of women supporting each other after experiencing betrayal trauma (a spouse or partner’s use of pornography, affair, or sexual addiction). Bimonthly meetings are held via Zoom and will begin again in mid-October. This group is hosted by First Mennonite Church of Newton and facilitated by Audrey Ratzlaff, M.Div. Contact Audrey at aaratzlaff@yahoo.com or 316-619-4580 for more information.
Wheat planting means fall is here
The second happening of the 150th celebration of the Swiss Volhynian Mennonites coming to the U.S. in 1874 is a Planting Turkey Red Wheat with Horses event just west of the Moundridge Museum on Saturday, September 30, 2023. Three teams of horses will show up to work the planting project starting at 8:30 a.m. and an old tractor will deliver the wheat to the drills. Drinks will be available. The Moundridge Museum will be open to visitors, and the Farmers Market will have plenty of produce to sell.
Thank you to Darrel Schrag, Glen Goering, Keith Goering, Russ Stucky, and Nathan Stucky for making all the arrangements. We all don’t have a team of horses in our backyard, so seeing those big work horses is astonishing; the kids especially find them awesome.
Come and see.
For Anabaptist Disabilities Network press here
For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here
For Mennonite Mission Network “Share the Good News” press here
Footsteps of Paul in Greece + 3-Night Cruise May 27 – June 6, 2024. Led by Pastor Weldon Martens, Grace Hill Mennonite Church; Whitewater, KS. This is a 11-Day Tour & Cruise to Athens, Thessalonica, Philippi, Corinth, Crete, Patmos, Ephesus, Mykonos & Santorini. Cost: $3,219 + flights. Registration: Due by January 18, 2024. Contact Pastor Weldon Martens at: weldon.martens@gmail.com / 402-202-9276. Complete tour information & registration at www.tourwithweldon.com
Mennonite Church USA Announcements
Menno Snapshots
In a time of transition, ordained and board-certified chaplain, Ruth Johnston, found herself seeking God’s guidance for a new calling. Through the recommendations of her spiritual director, Ruth learned to lean on her passions to discover where God was leading her next. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/gods-guidance-spiritual-direction
Kevin Chupp, pastor at Mennonite Church of Normal (Illinois) in Central District Conference and a graduate of Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, uses his experience with clerical garb to explain why the church’s openness in theology and dress drew him to the Mennonite tradition. Read his experience here: mennoniteusa.org/openness-pulpit
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Praise God for Kate Widmer, who is serving with Mennonite Mission Network, and La Prairie (The Prairie) Mennonite congregation in France, as they build relationships with immigrants in their neighborhood. Kate’s sewing classes have become popular. Pray that Kate will be able to share God’s love as she helps women make clothes for their families.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Pray for the WDC Listening Process, as congregations host listening teams from WDC to reflect on congregational ministry and hopes for the future, and ways that WDC resources can support their mission.