September 18, 2022
Based on CDC Guidelines Harvey County is in green status indicating low risk for COVID. You are invited to choose whether you wear a mask or social distance. Both are optional.
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’s worship service:
https://youtu.be/ehA78pPGqm8
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
September 18, 2022
Peace Sunday
Prelude—Earth and All Stars (Wold); I Come with Joy to Meet My Lord (Moore)—Verlene Garber, organ
Christ Candle Lighting
Welcome and Prayer—VT 1040—Nathan Koontz
*Hymn—Jesus Calls Us—VT 30
Children’s Conversation—Lois Brubacher
Anthem— An Hour of Hallowed Peace (Steve Danyew)—Chancel Choir; Riley King, director
Scripture Reading—Amos 8:4-7; Luke 16:1-13—Elaine Schurr
Scripture Reflection—Nathan Koontz
Meditations—Bethel College Community for Justice and Peace—Josué Coy Dick,
Vanessa Torres, Co-Presidents; John Mark Koontz, Becca Schlosser
*Hymn—Wade in the Water—VT 454
Prayers of God’s People
*Hymn—Go Now in Peace, Worship Continues—VT 829
*Benediction—Nathan Koontz
Choral Benediction—Amen (John Rutter)—Chancel Choir
Postlude—Verlene Garber, organ
* You are invited to stand
VT = Voices Together
Audio visual— Ken Lamp
Pastors—Nathan Koontz, Todd Schlosser
Peace Sunday is hosted by the Witness Commission. Our guest speakers are from the Bethel College Community for Justice and Peace. This group is a recently formed group of students at Bethel College, with sponsors from the Kansas Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (KIPCOR). They hope to present their vision and process for justice and peace in this community and how BCMC can be involved. We invite you to listen and interact with our neighbors who seek the peace of this place.
BCMC Women’s Fellowship will meet Tuesday, September 20 at 7:00 pm in Fellowship Hall. The topic is on ‘transitions’. After a summer break we look forward to reconnecting. Our offering is for ministries as budgeted. Good things are happening.
This Week at BCMC: September 18—25, 2022
Sunday, September 18—Peace Sunday
9:30 am Worship Service planned by the Witness Commission; music by Chancel Choir
10:15 am Fellowship time with coffee and water in the Gathering Place
10:30 am Faith Formation—Children’s Sunday school classes start
Adult Classes: Agape Class (Rm B8); Bible Study (Rm 14); Catacombs (Rm B5); Fellowship (B7); Fine Arts (Rm 22); Issues and Christianity (Rm 23);
Mosaic (Rm 20); Open Circle (Room 21); Seekers (Rm 28);
Sojourners (Chapel)
YouTube link for today’s worship service: https://youtu.be/ehA78pPGqm8
Tuesday, September 20
9 to 11 am Community Playschool
7 pm Women’s Fellowship Meeting in Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, September 21
6:15 pm Task Group for Indigenous Justice meeting in Room 14
6:30—7:30 pm Wednesday Night Club Starts Tonight
7:30 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal in the Sanctuary Chancel area
7:30 pm Senior High Youth Group
Thursday, September 22
9 to 11 am Community Playschool
2 pm Hospitality Commission meeting in Fellowship Hall
6:30 pm Chancel Bells rehearsal in room B7
7 pm Deacon Commission meeting in Room 14
Sunday, September 25
9:30 am Worship Service with sermon by Nathan Koontz; music by Chancel Bells; September birthday recognition
BCMC Sept. 11 Offering: General Fund $2,971; Living Stones $55.
Wow! More money in than we spent two months in a row! The Finance Committee shouts a giant Congratulations and Thank You!! While our progress is remarkable, we still face the glaring reality that income for the year is $29,000 less than expenses and we have deferred some of our contributions of support to places like MCUSA & WDC due to that shortage. We have used 67% of our year to raise 56% of our budget. That’s a big gap and a big challenge but with extra effort we can do it.
Updates on Credence and Company Consultants:
BCMC has contracted with Credence to help us assess congregational strengths and challenges and review our current leadership structures as we consider the future with new pastors. The consultants are currently finishing the process of analyzing survey and interview results and writing the report. The reference group of David Linscheid, Lois Preheim, Megan Kohlman, Ada Schmidt-Tieszen, and Todd Schlosser has been offering feedback to the consultants and will meet with them for a very preliminary hearing of results on September 26. The preliminary report will also be shared at a leadership retreat on October 1 and shared for congregational discernment on Sunday morning, October 16. Both worship and Sunday School time will be taken for this process on October 16. Although this will mean missing adult Sunday School on that day, it appeared to be the best time to have most of the congregation present. We look forward to the final report on November 13.
The Celebration of Life service for Marty Warkentine will be Saturday, September 24, 10 am at Hope Mennonite Church in Wichita, 868 N. Maize Road. Marty was a member of BCMC for her entire life. She died July 28, 2022.
Please mark your calendars to participate in the Wichita Pride Parade on Sunday, September 25. We will have pizza at 11:30 and carpool to the event at noon, leaving from the south doors at BCMC. The parade begins at 1 from the Old County Courthouse in Wichita. Contact Pastor Nathan to let us know how much pizza to order and for carpooling.
Commissions, Committees, and Board Retreat:
Please set aside Saturday morning, October 1, for a special annual retreat for those involved with commissions, committees, or the Board. This year, we will hear the report from Credence and Company Consultants and have time to process its meaning for our work together. More information about specific time and other details will be coming soon.
You are invited to a fall church party hosted by Al and Nadine Peters and
Nathan and Esther Koontz in the Koontz backyard (1 Jasper Court, North Newton) Sunday, October 2 at 5:30 pm. We will provide Nuway sandwiches and chips. If you’d like, you can bring a side dish or dessert to share. Please RSVP to Nadine or Al at 316-804-7141 or 38aldene39@gmail.com
The Board approved moving forward with naming a Search Committee for our new pastors. The Committee’s substantive work will be informed by the report from Credence Consultants, committee members, orienting the committee, and completing preliminary work so that the Committee can begin work efficiently when Credence’s report is received.
Congratulations to Sara Dick and Eric Buller who were married Saturday,
September 17, at a ceremony here at BCMC! Their address in Inman is:
608 S. Pine Street, PO Box 625, Inman, KS, 67546.
The Central Kansas Master Chorale will begin its second season on Sunday, September 18 with a 3 p.m. performance at Hesston Mennonite Church. Under the direction of Dr. Joel Garber, the chorale will be featuring a concert hymn festival focusing on creation, highlighting the creation of the world, creation of the church and creation of music. Guest organist will be Christopher Shaw, of Plymouth Congregational Church in Wichita and Vocal Music director at Goddard High School.
In its second year, the Central Kansas Master Chorale is a collection of select vocalists from around the area committed to advancing the art of choral music by performing great works of the past and present, fostering music education, and enriching and inspiring the culture of our broad community. Even though all participants bring special talents and gifts, art is achieved only through continual dedication and hard work.
Admission is free to the event but donations will be accepted.
New Hope Shelter Food and Supply Drive on September 21
September 21-Meridian Grocery and Dillon’s South 9AM-Noon
Dillon’s North and Wal Mart 1-4PM
Buy these Items, Fill the Truck
Food
Mac and Cheese, Canned Fruit, Canned Goods, Salad Dressings,
Miracle Whip, Ketchup, Mustard, Velveeta, Ramen Noodles, Fruit and Granola Bars, Bar B Q Sauce, Peanut Butter, Jelly and Jam, Tuna
Supplies
Laundry Pods and Laundry Soap, Hand Dishwashing Soap, Napkins, Pine-Sol, 13 and 38 Gallon Trash Bags, Sandwich Bags, Bathroom Cleaner, All-Purpose Cleaner, Toilet Paper, Paper Towels, Masking Tape, and Toilet Bowl Cleaner
The New Hope Shelter is a Faith-Based Homeless Shelter serving Homeless Men, Women and Families from Harvey, Butler, Marion and McPherson Counties. Information Call Brian Bisbee at 316-283-7711
Bethel College Events
· Life Enrichment: Place and time: Krehbiel Auditorium, 9:30 am. Sept. 22
9:30 am Astronomical Imaging in the Bethel College Mabee Observatory, Roger Reimer
10:15 am Coffee Break
10:35 am The Hidden gem: Carriage Factory Art Gallery, Mary Lee-McDonald and Diana Torline
11:30 am Songs of the Flint Hills—From Wildflowers to Wild Horses, Annie Wilson
(Sun., Sept. 18) – “Decommissioned Missile Silo Sites: Reminders of Our Past and Future,” a program by Nate Hofer, 3 p.m., Kauffman Museum. Following the museum’s brief annual business meeting, Hofer, Overland Park, a “Peace Photo Award” winner, will discuss making photographs of decommissioned nuclear missile silos. The project included finding and traveling to the sites, talking with landowners, and considering why he takes the photos and whether he considers himself a legitimate photographer. Hofer’s exhibit, “One and a Half Acres: Images from America’s Decommissioned Missile Silos,” can be viewed in the Regier Art Gallery in Luyken Fine Arts Center on the Bethel campus before the museum program (gallery opens at 2 p.m.).
Mon., Sept. 19 – Bethel College Wind Ensemble concert, “Classic Forms,” directed by Joel Boettger, 7 p.m., featuring music by Erickson, Balmages, Sousa and more, Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center
Thurs., Sept. 22 – Artist reception for Nate Hofer and “One and a Half Acres: Images from America’s Decommissioned Missile Silos,” 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.
Tues., Sept. 27 – Bethel College Chamber Orchestra concert, directed by Kristopher Hilding, 7 p.m., Memorial Hall
Registration is now open for “Joining Voices Together,” Bethel College’s Worship and the Arts Symposium, Sat., Nov. 12, on campus, featuring resource people Bradley Kauffman, Rachel Epp Buller, Katie Graber, SaeJin Lee, Cynthia Neufeld Smith, Adam Tice and Isaac Villegas. Register at https://www.bethelks.edu/worship-arts-registration-2022; discount for 3 or more people from the same congregation. In addition, the public is invited to a Community Evensong service, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. in Memorial Hall, which will consist entirely of congregational singing from the Voices Together hymnal, arranged around the 12 artworks found in the hymnal.
Bethel College’s Fall Festival is Oct. 6-9, with most activities taking place Saturday, Oct. 8, on campus. Features include music, food, class reunions, football, Children’s Park, the play Quiet in the Land by Anne Chislett and the STEM Symposium honoring Professor Emeritus of Psychology Paul Lewis. See https://www.bethelks.edu/alumni/events/fall-festival for the complete schedule.
Bethel College Women’s Association will appreciate donations of homemade baked goods for Market-in-the-Round and Pie-By-the-Slice at Fall Festival. Zwieback, cinnamon rolls, fruit pies and poppyseed rolls are especially needed. Please bring to Room 141 in Luyken Fine Arts Center 2-5pm on Friday Oct 7, or 7-9am on Saturday Oct 8. Pies may be delivered to Seminar A in Schultz Student Center. Email bcwa@bethelks.edu with questions.
Western District Conference Announcements
Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements and share them with your congregation!
September Final Thursday Book Discussion – “Jesus ministered to the poor, Jesus was poor. If both are true of our Savior, both can be true of us too.” Explore this idea in Kevin Wiebe’s book “Faithful in Small Things: How to Serve the Needy When You’re One of Them.” Copies available at the WDC Resource Library. Join the Zoom discussion on Thursday, September 29, 2022 at 7pm. Register by emailing the library at crlib@mennowdc.org
Hog Roast Fundraiser – Grace Hill Mennonite Church, Whitewater, KS invites you to their 6th Annual Community Hog Roast on Sunday, September 25 at the church, 10218 SE 12th St, Whitewater. Free will donations will be accepted for area food banks. Food will be served from 5-7pm and there will be entertainment until 8pm. Contact Pastor Weldon Martens with questions at 402-202-9276.
Theater Presentation – First Mennonite Church, Hillsboro, KS is one of the sponsors for the presentation of “Home,” Wednesday, November 2, 10 am, Shari Flaming Center for the Arts, Tabor College, 400 S Jefferson St, Hillsboro, KS 67063. Theatre artists Ted Swartz & Michelle Milne (Ted & Co.) weave biblical story and personal stories in a unique blend of humor and insight. They will explore the lasting, relevant power of story, both ancient and current, around themes of justice, belonging and home.
Camp Mennoscah Announcements
Camp Mennoscah’s Annual Meeting and Dedication of the Renovated Campfire Amphitheater is this Sunday, September 18! Join us at Camp Mennoscahat 6:30pm for an evening of song, popcorn, and generic pop, as well as updates and information on the year at Camp Mennoscah. It’s like a mini-Camp Sing! Bring your friends for a happy sing-along and an evening of fellowship.
Other events and happenings:
- Work and Play Day on October 15! Share a few hours of your time for the satisfaction of improving camp grounds and some free time wandering the trails, fishing, or whatever your favorite camp activity is. The day starts at 8:30am at the maintenance shed. If you are coming from a distance, ask about an overnight stay. Let us know you’re coming, so we can plan for you and your friends. Call 620-297-3290 or email olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org!
- We’re taking out the dam on October 16 at approx. 2:30pm! Everyone is welcome to join in or to watch. Gather at the shelter. (The actual removal of the boards is not for young ages.) The event will go forward, whatever the weather, unless deemed unsafe. Call Camp Mennoscah at 620-297-3290, if uncertain.
- Camp Mennoscah is considering moving camps to a Sunday to Friday schedule. We’d be interested in hearing your thoughts–parents, campers, weekend groups, everyone! Please reply to olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org or call 620-297-3290.
For Mennonite Creation Care Network press here
For Mennonite Mission Network News and Beyond press here
For Mennonite Mission Network Mustard Seeds press here
For Anabaptist Disabilities Network press here
Mennonite Church USA Announcements
Mennonite Church USA Church Vitality office, in partnership with Everence, has updated its compensation guidelines for pastors and conference ministers for 2022-2023. A pastor salary worksheet and other resources are available to help pastors, churches and recent seminary graduates during salary negotiations. Learn more here: mennoniteusa.org/news/pastor-salaries
Menno Snapshots
Abortion has always been a contentious topic among Christians. Nancy Heisey, a retired Eastern Mennonite University professor, writes that regardless of our views on abortion, we, as people of faith, should focus on caring for people experiencing crisis pregnancies. Read her blog, “How are we to be the church?” here: mennoniteusa.org/how-to-be-church
Menno Snapshots
In his youth, Doug Hostetter, the peace pastor at Evanston (Illinois) Mennonite Church, enjoyed using guns to hunt for food, but after serving with Mennonite Central Committee in Vietnam during the Vietnam War, he decided to abstain from using guns ever again. In his blog, “Reflection on guns and security,” he explained how the war and his peace witness affected his view on guns. mennoniteusa.org/reflection-on-guns
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Mennonite Mission Network recently appointed Andi Santoso as regional administrator for Asia and the Middle East. Pray for Andi as he immerses himself in building relationships in this region.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Pray for elected leaders and staff of WDC as they meet for Reference Council next Saturday and reflect on what it means to “Witness and invite others to faith in Jesus Christ,” one of the themes in the WDC mission statement.