Author Archives: Monica Lichti

Worship Service and Announcements at BCMC–2026 02 01

Tomorrow is board game night at Joanna and Ryan’s house! You’re invited to join us starting at 6:30 on January 31. Bring games and/or snacks to share if you’d like–we’ll have plenty on hand. (Note that the 2024 church directory has an old address. Contact Joanna if you need her address: joanna@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org.)

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH

WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
February 1, 2026

Our faith in a God of love leads us, by the power of the Spirit,
to follow Jesus in doing justice, loving mercy,
and walking humbly with God.

To livestream the worship service for Sunday, January 18:

On Sunday morning, around 9:20 a.m. 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/gNbc-S7wTqU?feature=share

Use extra caution when coming to the church this Sunday, even though the temperature will be 51 degrees on Sunday, Saturday will only have been 24 degrees with a low of 17 degrees. There might be icy spots here and there. We have most sidewalks cleared (thank you Kevin Neufeld!), but there are mounds of snow that we haven’t been able to move.

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
February 1, 2026

Christ Candle Lighting

Centering Music—My Lord, What a Morning (arr. R. Lau)
Will Wiebe-Friesen

Welcome and Land Acknowledgment—Erin Brubacher

*Hymn—O Worship Our God, All Glorious Above—VT 74

Children and Youth Conversation

Worship Music–Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing (arr. J.R. Martin)–Will Wiebe-Friesen, piano

Scripture Reading–Matthew 5:3-12 (VT 295)–Richard Friesen

*Hymn—We Praise You, O God, Our Redeemer—VT 34

Scripture Reading—Micah 6:1-8–Richard Friesen, Dorothy Nickel Friesen, Joanna Harader

Sermon—Generous Worship—Joanna Harader

*Hymn—What Does the Lord Require of You?–VT 207

Receiving the Offering and Prayers of God’s People—Erin Brubacher

*Hymn—Go My Friends in Grace—VT 810
Those with January birthdays are welcome to come forward during this hymn to receive a birthday blessing.

*Benediction

Postlude–Little Prelude and Fugue in C Major (J.S. Bach)

* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Keyboard—Will Wiebe-Friesen
Audio visual—Ken Lamp

Land Acknowledgement 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

GOING BEYOND LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
—Have you read the BCMC land acknowledgement, history and prayer available at the doors to the church? Find it, read it, and share it.
—New hope for Oak Flat and the sacred lands of the Apache Stronghold. As her first bill after she was seated, newly elected Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva put forth the Save Oak Flat from Foreign Mining Act.  We are being asked to contact our representatives and ask them to co-sponsor this bill as well as to call co-sponsors and thank them for co-sponsoring. BCMC Indigenous Task Group will be sponsoring an event to carry out these actions in February here at BCMC. Watch for the date and come join us. This gives us a chance to work on behalf of saving Oak Flat!

The Week at BCMC: February 1—8, 2026
Sunday, February 1, 2026—Worthy Worship
Worship 9:30 a.m.
YouTube Link for the worship service this Sunday:
https://youtube.com/live/gNbc-S7wTqU?feature=share

10:45 a.m. Membership Information Session in Fellowship Hall
11 a.m.       Fellowship Group Potluck Lunch in Fellowship Hall

Monday, February 2, 2026–Happy Groundhog Day!!
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal—Sanctuary Chancel
Thursday, February 5, 2026
4 p.m.       Staff Congregation Relations meeting—Room 14
6 p.m.        Chancel Bells Rehearsal—Rm B7
Note: Church Board meeting is postponed to February 12.
Sunday, February 8, 2026—Worthy Worship
9:30 a.m.   Worship with sermon by Nathan Koontz
10:30 a.m. Congregational meeting in the Sanctuary
The congregational meeting scheduled for January 25 has been postponed to February 8 during the Sunday School hour in the sanctuary. Agenda items include: Church Board recommendations on proposals from the Finance Committee and from Witness Commission, and the approval of the annual church budget. Details of the budget and proposals were sent by email and are available in the Gathering Place. There will be live streaming of the meeting. The youth will provide a fundraiser meal after the meeting.

2025 Giving Update
Thank you to all who contributed financially to our church for 2025! Your
generosity is much appreciated as we seek to do justice, love mercy, and
walk humbly with God. The Finance Committee is pleased that our financial
contributions for 2025 were close to our 2025 expenses. A full report will be
forthcoming in the lead up to our congregational meeting February 8.

BCMC Offering for January 25: General $11,593.34; Library Reserve Fund $10.

Joanna’s 1887 Cafe office hours this semester will be on Thursdays from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. You are welcome to stop by for a chat!

“Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” will be Sun, Feb. 22, at noon. You can email the office to indicate whether you would like to be a host or a guest. Hosts provide main dish, beverage, and maybe bread. Guests are assigned a side dish (vegetables, salad, dessert) or maybe bread. Experience this event interacting with some of our congregational members, as assigned, on a social level. There will be sign-up sheets in the Gathering Place, this Sunday, Feb. 1 and next Sunday, Feb. 8.

We offer sympathy to Homer Goering, Vern Goering and Helen Nachtigal and their families on the death of their sister Jo “Josephine” Schmidt, who died Jan. 28. She was a resident of Kidron Bethel Village Health Care. Memorial plans are pending.

We offer sympathy to the family of Joan Brubacher.  Joan died Jan. 11. Please continue to remember Joan’s husband Wade, their children Anne, Kate, and Jacob and their families in prayer. The memorial service for Joan will be Sat., Feb. 14, 11 a.m. at BCMC.

MC USA request for prayer

On Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in Washington, D.C., will hear opening arguments in an appeal for injunctive relief in the “sensitive locations” lawsuit, Mennonite Church USA et al., v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, et al. Representatives from MC USA leadership will attend the hearing. Read this article for more information.

Faith Formation has set our Wednesday night schedule for this semester. (See below.) Thank you to those who shared their thoughts with us through the survey and through conversations. We recognize that the six-week meal and fellowship schedule is valued by many people and also received very positive feedback about the monthly intergenerational worship–particularly from our families with school-aged children. As you will see on the schedule, we are preserving both elements. The “Messy Church” from last year is now called “Open Table,” but the idea is the same: a time to learn, worship, and connect across generations. On Open Table Wednesdays, all ages–including high school youth–are invited to participate. The youth group will have a brief gathering after Open Table in the youth room upstairs.

Bethel College/Kauffman Museum Announcements
· Now in the Regier Art Gallery in Luyken Fine Arts Center at Bethel College: “Reclaiming My Roots,” works by Marco Hernandez Guillen from Wichita State University, through Feb. 12. Gallery hours are Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun. 2-4 p.m.
· Sun., Feb. 1: The Bethel College Chamber singers present a program entitled “Resound!”, 4 p.m., Shalom Mennonite Church, 800 E. 1st St., Newton
    Chamber Singers personnel are: Maddie Anderson, Lucy Burch, Emma Graber,
    Abigail Grittman, Kyra Linenberger, Bethany Schrag, sopranos; Anna-Joy Jones,
    Abby Koontz, Faith Peterson, Dalaina Schutte, altos; Caleb Garber, Riley
    Hartvickson, Liam Ortman, Jacob Schrag, Timothy Schrag, tenors; Seth Balzer,
    Henry Harrington, Ben Janzen, Ethan Wilcox, basses; Dr. Russell Adrian,
    director
· Life Enrichment, the series at Bethel College for adults age 60 and older, resumes for the spring semester on Wed., Feb. 4, with Larry Hatteberg of KAKE TV, Wichita, and Joe Fred Perez of Brownsville, TX. See https://www.bethelks.edu/academics/life-enrichment/ for details and a link to the complete spring schedule.
· Sat., Feb. 7: Kauffman Museum bird walk, 8 a.m. start time in the museum parking lot at the corner of Main and 27th streets (2801 N. Main St., North Newton). Experienced birders lead a walk of 1-1.5 hours in Chisholm Park and on Sand Creek Trail.
· Sun., Feb. 8: Sunday-Afternoon-at-the-Museum, 3 p.m., with Prisca Barnes, founder of Storytime Village Inc., “The Dockum Drugstore Sit-In,” Kauffman Museum auditorium. This program is in conjunction with the special exhibit “Voices of Conscience: Peace Witness in the Great War.”
· Tues., Feb. 10: Bethel College Organ Recital Series: YunJung Lee, 7 p.m.
    Administration Building chapel
· SAVE THE DATE: Bethel College’s biennial Justice Symposium, Feb. 25-27, with a focus on immigration and with special guest speaker Karen González, author of Beyond Welcome (2022) and The God Who Sees (2019).
· SAVE THE DATE: Bethel College spring musical, Alice by Heart, March 6, 7 and 8 in Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center

A Good News Message from Max Ediger in Cambodia
In the midst of a seemingly never-ending civil war, the staff of Max Help invited the community around Hope Farm 2 to join them for a Christmas celebration. Over 200 people gathered, representing at least 4 churches in the area as well as members of the Buddhist community. This was the first time Max Help was able to bring the community together for a celebration of peace and justice.
The entire celebration can be found at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cpLPkyR0uTlVwiRxp6Eje5-de7gptr-D/view. It is quite long, so if you want to watch it you might just skip through to get a general idea of the event. And, like a Mennonite meeting, it ended with food and fellowship.
Max Help is very thankful for the support BCMC has given them, and we do hope that we can have cooperation in the future. Max Help has a vision of developing an Anabaptist Church at Hope Farm 2, and BCMC most certainly can encourage that vision.–
Visit my blog at http://calebandshalev.wordpress.com/

I CHOSE THE PATH LESS TRAVELED, AND THAT HAS MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE – ROBERT FROST

“The globe shrinks for those who own it; for the displaced or the dispossessed, the migrant or the refugee, no distance is more awesome than the few feet across borders or frontiers.”
-Homi Bhabha

The reason that Camp Mennoscah was able to immediately begin repairs on the retreat center was because we maintained a healthy reserve fund. But what would happen if a similar repair was needed today? If each of our donor households gave just $20/month over the next 12 months, our reserve accounts would be replenished and ready to respond to the next emergency building repair. And our website allows you to easily set-up a monthly recurring investment to do just that. Visit CampMennoscah.org, or text “RECURRING” to our Development office at 620.755.2583 to begin the process.

Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Announcements
Across the U.S.–Mexico borderlands — and in communities far beyond them — people of courage and compassion are responding daily to the realities of migration. MCC believes that listening to these stories helps us live more deeply into our values of peace, hospitality, and justice. Join us for Borderlands & Beyond Monthly Charlas, a new conversation series led by the MCC U.S. Immigration Network featuring MCC partners, community leaders, and borderlands practitioners who will share their work, struggles, insights, and hopes. Each charla provides a welcoming space to learn, ask questions, and explore how we can participate in faithful advocacy and accompaniment. Find out more and register for the Zoom link: mcc.org/events/borderlands-and-beyond-monthly-charlas-mcc.
Date: Every 3rd Thursday of the month (January to December 2026)
Time: 4:00 PM PT / 5:00 PM MT / 6:00 PM CT / 7:00 PM ET
Location: Online via Zoom

Share the love this Valentine’s with Offender Victim Ministries & Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). Feb. 12 from 6-8 p.m. In the spirit of Saint Valentine, help us pack 350 MCC prisoner care kits for men on the indigent list at Hutchinson Correctional Facility. Hear impact stories at 7:30, design a note to go into each kit, enjoy snacks and give a monetary donation to help cover the cost of the kit items. All ages are welcome to join us at MCC, 121 E. 30th St., North Newton. Find out more at mcc.org/prisoner-care or contact
brociamueller@mcc.org.

Lunch and Learn at Mennonite Central Committee Tuesday, Feb. 17, 12-1 p.m. join the Global Voices Speaking Tour to hear firsthand stories of the intersection of climate and peace. Speakers Dr. Arefur Rahaman with MCC Bangladesh and David Waiswa with MCC East Africa and Sahel Region will share how they are working toward peace and climate resiliency, especially around food security. RSVP by Feb. 10 at mcc.org/global-lunch or contact patsydirksen@mcc.org, 316.283.2720. Suggested $10 donation per lunch.

Mennonite Central Committee Central States annual meeting – You are invited to the MCC Central States annual meeting on Sat., March 7, 11 a.m. at MCC Central States, 121 E. 30th St, North Newton.

WANTED—Cars, Trucks, Motorcycles, RV’s, Campers, Tractors, Modern Farm Equipment, etc. for the KS Mennonite Central Committee Sale. Items you no longer need help feed and clothe thousands in desperate living conditions. ALL donations are tax deductible. Call Jerry Toews for info: 620 367 8257. Help make a difference. Be a part of the growing number of folks donating vehicles to the Mennonite Relief Sale.

Each of us has a role to play in this pivotal moment, whether in quiet mutual solidarity or bold public action. Read the latest issue of the Peace & Justice Journal to find rich examples of peace and justice work in 2025 and inspiration for even more creative and courageous peacemaking in the months and years to come.

The Newton Mid Kansas Symphony Orchestra Winter Classics Concert will be Sun., Feb. 15, 4 p.m. at Bethel College Memorial Hall. This concert features the Dwight Beckham Young Soloist winners, Seth Balzer (tuba, Bethel College) and Ryan Antle (horn, Newton High School). Advance tickets for sale online, and at Faith and Life Bookstore. Tickets will also be available the day of the concert at the door. https://nmkso.org/tickets/“

Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp Announcement
Save the dates! Men’s Retreat is coming February 27- March 1 with Paul Unruh leading conversations on “The Power of Service and Story”. Women’s Retreat March 6-8, 2026 will be led by Anita Amstutz exploring “Breathing through Transition”. Please visit rmmc.org for more details and for registration.

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

For Mennonite World Conference press here
For Mennonite World Conference “Info” press here
For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here
For Mennonite Church USA Women’s Voices press here
For Anabaptist Disabilities Network press here

Just Peace Pilgrimages — Christ at the Border
Embark on a life-changing journey to Calais, France to witness and learn alongside organizations that are doing justice and relief work among the migrant population there. Fleeing for their lives, thousands of people converge in Calais hoping to cross the English Channel to find a new life in the United Kingdom. Dates: April 6-18, 2026

Registration deadline: February 15, 2026
Contact Stephanie Weaver at StephanieW@MennoniteMission.net or visit MennoniteMission.net/JustPeace to learn more!

Mennonite Church USA Announcements
Mennonite Church USA is requesting prayer for the hearing for injunctive relief in the “sensitive locations” lawsuit, Mennonite Church USA et al., v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, et al. Oral arguments will be heard on Feb. 5, 2026, in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in Washington, D.C. Representatives from MC USA leadership will attend the hearing. Please note that no further action is requested at this time. Read the opening brief here: https://bit.ly/3M0LtVN

If you are a Mennonite working or teaching in a public-school setting, you are invited to join the upcoming Mennonite Public Educators Zoom meeting on Monday, Feb. 2 at 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET. The topic will be student behavior, discipline and restorative justice within your classroom and your school as a whole. Register here: https://forms.gle/CdbeMF1kKfroTfft8

This Black History Month, explore “Black History in the Mennonite Church” — MC USA’s timeline of remarkable firsts, leaders and milestones in African American Mennonite history. Visit the timeline online and deepen your understanding of our shared story: https://bit.ly/4r8ZLCP

Buhler Mennonite Church’s Annual Chicken Noodle Soup Supper is Wed., Feb. 11 with a carryout meal featuring chicken noodle soup, bread and pie. Orders will be accepted through Wed., Feb. 4. Call or text 620-664-7699 to let us know how many meal orders you want. Pickup will be at the north entrance of the church from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wed., Feb. 11. Enter from the south side parking lot on B Street to pick up your meals. This is a freewill offering with all proceeds going to Mennonite Central Committee Meat Canner and Outreach Meals. Checks may be made out to Buhler Mennonite Church. Cash donations will also be accepted that evening. Note the change in traffic direction.

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Pray for the people of Venezuela, and Mennonite Mission Network’s partner Network of Mennonite Missions of Venezuela, amid the political instability caused by the forceful removal of Venezuela’s president by the U.S. last month. Pray that the new governmental leaders will reflect the will of the Venezuelan people and bring peace to the country.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Give thanks for participants joining the zoom book-study of Woven: Nurturing a Faith Your Kid Doesn’t Have to Heal From, hosted on zoom by WDC’s Kids Meet Christ program this spring. Pray for all caregivers, parents, families and ministry leaders seeking to nurture healthy faith in children!

Bethel College Mennonite Church is an open and affirming
congregation centered in the life and teachings of Jesus. Embracing the divine within each person, we warmly welcome any and all into fellowship without regard to race, ethnic background, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, economic status, marital status, or age.

Worship Service and Announcements at BCMC–2026 01 25

January 25, 2026

Due to this weekend’s winter storm warning, Bethel College Mennonite will have online only worship this Sunday, January 25. Please join us on this livestream link [press here] at 9:30 Sunday morning (or any time after). The order of worship is below.
*The young–and young at heart–might enjoy this coloring sheet to accompany our worship.

Our congregational meeting and the youth fund-raising meal are postponed to Sunday, February 8.

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
January 25, 2026

Christ Candle Lighting
Centering Music–Will Wiebe-Friesen

Welcome–Mara Oswald
Hymn–We Long to Know Her VT 44

A Word for the Children–Joanna Harader

Scripture Reading–Psalm 27:1-4 —William Eash

Hymn–The Lord Is My Light (verse 1 and refrain, 2 times) VT 437

Scripture Reading–Psalm 27:5-9

Hymn–The Lord Is My Light (verse 2 and refrain, 2 times) VT 437

Scripture Reading–Psalm 27:10-14

*Hymn–The Lord Is My Light (verse 3 and refrain, 2 times) VT 437

Sermon–Courageous Worship–Joanna Harader

Hymn–God of Grace and God of Glory VT 716

Prayers of God’s People–Mara Oswald

Hymn–The Lord Lift You Up–VT 832

Benediction

Postlude

The church office will be closed Monday, January 26. And Pastor Joanna will be out of the office on Wednesday, January 28.

Faith Formation has set our Wednesday night schedule for this semester. (See below.) Thank you to those who shared their thoughts with us through the survey and through conversations. We recognize that the six-week meal and fellowship schedule is valued by many people and also received very positive feedback about the monthly intergenerational worship–particularly from our families with school-aged children. As you will see on the schedule, we are preserving both elements. The “Messy Church” from last year is now called “Open Table,” but the idea is the same: a time to learn, worship, and connect across generations. On Open Table Wednesdays, all ages–including high school youth–are invited to participate. The youth group will have a brief gathering after Open Table in the youth room upstairs.

The Week at BCMC: January 25—February 1, 2026
Sunday, January 25, 2026—Worthy Worship
Worship 9:30 a.m. — Online worship only this Sunday
YouTube Link for the worship service this Sunday:
https://youtube.com/live/Nb7OeUIIS5s?feature=share

Monday, January 26, 2026—Church Office will be closed
5:30 p.m.   Kansas Repair Communities—Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal—Sanctuary Chancel
Thursday, January 29, 2026
6 p.m.        Chancel Bells Rehearsal—Rm B7
Sunday, February 1, 2026—Worthy Worship
9:30 a.m.   Worship with sermon by Joanna Harader

Pastor Joanna will be out of the office on Wednesday, January 28.

The congregational meeting scheduled for January 25 has been postponed to February 8 during the Sunday School hour in the sanctuary. Agenda items include: Church Board recommendations on proposals from the Finance Committee and from Witness Commission, and the approval of the annual church budget. Details of the budget and proposals were sent by email and are available in the Gathering Place. There will be live streaming of the meeting. The youth will provide a fundraiser meal after the meeting.

BCMC Offering for January 18: General $9,647; Kitchen Fund $15; Women’s Fellowship $20; Larry Penner Mem. $50.

Joanna’s 1887 Cafe office hours this semester will be on Thursdays from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. You are welcome to stop by for a chat!

“Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” will be Sun, Feb. 22, at noon. Email the office to indicate whether you would like to be a host or a guest. Hosts provide main dish, beverage, and maybe bread. Guests are assigned a side dish (vegetables, salad, dessert) or maybe bread. Experience this event interacting with some of our congregational members, as assigned, on a social level. There will be sign-up sheets in the Gathering Place, next Sunday, Feb. 1.

You are invited to Pastor Joanna’s house for a church board game night on Sat., Jan. 31, starting at 6:30. Bring games and/or snacks to share if you’d like–we’ll have plenty on hand. (Contact Joanna if you need her address: joanna@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org.)

Special Speaker on Murdered and Missing Indigenous People (MMIP):
The Kansas Repair Communities, a local advocacy group working with the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery, will have its next meeting on Mon., Jan. 26, at 5:30 p.m. in the BCMC Fellowship Hall. We will hear a presentation from Sharron Fisher about Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) from her perspective and experience as an Indigenous woman. MMIP is the group’s selected focus for advocacy. The meeting will also include updates on other work and refreshments. All are welcome to attend this meeting and/or join the work of the group. The Kansas Repair Communities has grown over the past year to include individuals from more than 12 congregations and others.

We will announce a date in February to come together to write letters to our legislators on behalf of the first bill newly elected Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07) introduced in early December: The Save Oak Flat from Foreign Mining Act. From the BCMC Indigenous Justice Task Force

We offer sympathy to the family of Joan Brubacher. Joan died Jan. 11. Please continue to remember Joan’s husband Wade, their children Anne, Kate, and Jacob and their families in prayer. The memorial service for Joan will be Sat., Feb. 14, 11 a.m. at BCMC.

We offer sympathy to Virginia and Ron Benninghoff and their extended family on the death of Virginia’s brother, James Duane Koehn. James died Jan. 4 at Covenant Village of Denver, Colorado. The memorial service was held Jan. 15.

2025 Giving Update
Thank you to all who contributed financially to our church for 2025! Your
generosity is much appreciated as we seek to do justice, love mercy, and
walk humbly with God. The Finance Committee is pleased that our financial
contributions for 2025 were close to our 2025 expenses. A full report will be
forthcoming in the lead up to our congregational meeting on January 25.

The Education and Service Scholarship Committee (ESSC) is supporting Grace Harader-Ellett and Ani Koontz to attend the MCC Peace Camp being held in Puerto Rico this coming February. We wish them safe travels and a rich week of experiences – most of it in Spanish!

Lunch and Learn at Mennonite Central Committee Tuesday, Feb. 17, 12-1 p.m. join the Global Voices Speaking Tour to hear firsthand stories of the intersection of climate and peace. Speakers Dr. Arefur Rahaman with MCC Bangladesh and David Waiswa with MCC East Africa and Sahel Region will share how they are working toward peace and climate resiliency, especially around food security. RSVP by Feb. 10 at mcc.org/global-lunch or contact patsydirksen@mcc.org, 316.283.2720. Suggested $10 donation per lunch.

Looking for Singers for the upcoming 2026 Kansas Mennonite Men’s Chorus. We have six rehearsals in Hesston Mennonite Church starting Jan. 25 at 2:30 p.m. The rehearsals last for 2 hrs. KMMC has been singing since 1969 in Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Nebraska and even Europe. If interested in singing or more information please reach out to Membership Chair Aaron Stucky via email stuckya2003@yahoo.com. You can also find us on Facebook at Kansas Mennonite Men’s Chorus. Thank you, Aaron Stucky

Hesston College will host the annual Melva Kauffman Lecture Series Jan. 25 and 26, welcoming internationally recognized peace studies scholar and Hesston College alumna Dr. Angela Lederach ՚04 for a three-part series titled “Slow Peace: Lessons from Grassroots Peacebuilders in Colombia.” Dr. Lederach will speak Jan. 25, 7 p.m. and Jan. 26, 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. All events are free and open to the public and held at Hesston Mennonite Church. For more information visit hesston.edu/melva.

Love singing? Students in 2nd-5th grade are invited to join Newton Community Children’s Choir’s new Prelude Choir! For ten weeks starting Feb. 9, we will meet on Mondays from 5:45-6:15 p.m. at Bethel College’s Fine Arts Center (choir room) to learn, sing, and have fun–no audition required! For further details and to sign up, visit nccchoir.org. Register by Jan 26 to guarantee your spot!

Share the love this Valentine’s with Offender Victim Ministries & Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). February 12 from 6-8 p.m. In the spirit of Saint Valentine, help us pack 350 MCC prisoner care kits for men on the indigent list at Hutchinson Correctional Facility. Hear impact stories at 7:30, design a note to go into each kit, enjoy snacks and give a monetary donation to help cover the cost of the kit items. All ages are welcome to join us at MCC, 121 E. 30th St., North Newton. Find out more at mcc.org/prisoner-care or contact
brociamueller@mcc.org.

Bethel College/Kauffman Museum Announcements
· Sun., Jan. 25: Bethel College Music Department Honors Recital, 4 p.m.,
   Administration Building chapel, featuring first-year, sophomore and junior
   vocal and instrumental students who performed exceptionally during the fall
   2025 semester.
· Sat., Jan. 31: Kauffman Museum annual Kansas Day event, “Flavor of Kansas,” noon-4 p.m., museum parking lot and grounds. Featuring food trucks, exhibits and activities, indoors and out, that look at Kansas foods and foodways. Programs include music by Queen Jack Jericho, poetry from Kansas Poet Laureate Traci Brimhall, and a presentation on foraging. For more information, see the Kauffman Museum Facebook page or kauffmanmuseum.org
· Sat., Jan. 31: Bethel College Academy of Performing Arts (BCAPA) 30th-anniversary event featuring collaborative pianist Mory Ortman, emeritus professor of music Don Kehrberg and more, 6:30 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center. Ticket purchase is required at Thresher Shop in Schultz Student Center, Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
· Now in the Regier Art Gallery in Luyken Fine Arts Center at Bethel College: “Reclaiming My Roots,” works by Marco Hernandez Guillen from Wichita State University, through Feb. 12. Gallery hours are Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun. 2-4 p.m.
· Sun., Feb. 1: The Bethel College Chamber singers present a program entitled “Resound!”, 4 p.m., Shalom Mennonite Church, 800 E. 1st St., Newton
    Chamber Singers personnel are: Maddie Anderson, Lucy Burch, Emma Graber, Abigail Grittman, Kyra Linenberger, Bethany Schrag, sopranos; Anna-Joy Jones, Abby Koontz, Faith Peterson, Dalaina Schutte, altos; Caleb Garber, Riley Hartvickson, Liam Ortman, Jacob Schrag, Timothy Schrag, tenors; Seth Balzer, Henry Harrington, Ben Janzen, Ethan Wilcox, basses; Dr. Russell Adrian, director
· Life Enrichment, the series at Bethel College for adults age 60 and older, resumes for the spring semester on Wed., Feb. 4, with Larry Hatteberg of KAKE TV, Wichita, and Joe Fred Perez of Brownsville, TX. See https://www.bethelks.edu/academics/life-enrichment/ for details and a link to the complete spring schedule.
· SAVE THE DATE: Bethel College’s biennial Justice Symposium, Feb. 25-27, with a focus on immigration and with special guest speaker Karen González, author of Beyond Welcome (2022) and The God Who Sees (2019).

WANTED—Cars, Trucks, Motorcycles, RV’s, Campers, Tractors, Modern Farm Equipment, etc. for the KS Mennonite Central Committee Sale. Items you no longer need help feed and clothe thousands in desperate living conditions. ALL donations are tax deductible. Call Jerry Toews for info: 620 367 8257. Help make a difference. Be a part of the growing number of folks donating vehicles to the Mennonite Relief Sale.

A household within the BCMC family has issued a $2,500 challenge to our congregation to benefit Camp Mennoscah! Every dollar from our church donated to camp will be matched up to $2,500 with the desire to allow the camp retreat center to be completed soon and help ensure the financial future of Camp Mennoscah. If you would like to have your gifts doubled – OR if you would like to ADD to the match – simply notate your wishes on the memo line of your checks to Camp Mennoscah mailed to 9458 SE 40th St / Murdock, KS 67111.

Bethel College Academy of Performing Arts (BCAPA ) is presenting a 30th Anniversary Concert at Bethel College’s Krehbiel Auditorium Sat., Jan. 31, featuring Bethel alum and professional musician Mory Ortman. Collaborating performers include BCAPA students, instructors, and its founder Don Kehrberg. Audience members can see photos from BCAPA throughout the years, bid in a silent auction, and celebrate a longstanding arts education establishment in the Newton community! Additionally, Dr. Ortman will be leading a masterclass/workshop Jan. 30 on campus (in the Bethel Chapel) for aspiring/professional musicians and curious members of the community. Tickets for the concert will be available through the Bethel bookstore, and the masterclass tickets will be available through BCAPA’s website (bcapaks.org/register) or by emailing
bcapa@bethelks.edu.

Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) invites you to Borderlands & Beyond Monthly Charlas, a new conversation series featuring MCC partners, community leaders, and borderlands practitioners who will share their work, struggles, insights, and hopes. Each charla provides a welcoming space to learn, ask questions, and explore how we can participate in faithful advocacy and accompaniment. You can join a charla via Zoom the third Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. Register here: Borderlands & Beyond: Monthly Charlas with MCC – Stories, Struggles & Faithful Action – Fill out form

Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp Announcements
· Scrapbook Retreat, Jan. 31-Feb. 2: Creating paper or digital photo books and sharing ideas and conversation is just another day for scrapbook participants. You still have time to register and spend the weekend documenting life memories and fellowshipping with others. Retreat info. and registration at rmmc.org!
· Save the dates! Men’s Retreat is coming February 27- March 1 with Paul Unruh leading conversations on “The Power of Service and Story”. Women’s Retreat March 6-8, 2026 will be led by Anita Amstutz exploring “Breathing through Transition”. Please visit rmmc.org for more details and for registration.

From “Peace Mail” an MC USA Prayer Request press here
For Anabaptism at 501 press here
For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here

Become a Service Adventure leader! Are you sensing God’s call to mentor and guide young adults as they grow in faith, service and community? Want to live in beautiful places like Anchorage, Alaska or Colorado Springs, Colorado? Answer the call and become a Service Adventure unit leader! Unit leaders mentor the young adults in the unit and provide some oversight and guidance for the household. Ages 24+ should contact MichaelO@MennoniteMission.net!

For Mennonite Disaster Service “On the Level” press here
Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements.
For Mennonite Mission Network “News from around the world” press here

From Mennonite Church USA
MC USA is launching a new collaborative workshop series to help churches and leaders practice healthier ways of navigating conflict. The first training kicks off in Beaverton, Oregon on March 12-14! Register here: https://mcusa.formstack.com/forms/conflict_transformation_2026

Menno Snapshots
MC USA Executive Director Glen Guyton outlines a strategic-planning post-mortem of MC USA’s Reimagination Process, identifying 10 key pitfalls the church must avoid to ensure meaningful, Spirit-led denominational renewal. Read more here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/post-mortem Visit the Reimagining MC USA web portal here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/reimagining-mennonite-church-usa/

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: The Taiwan Mennonite New Dawn Educare Center brings God’s hope to people with intellectual disabilities by providing resources to help with independent living, personal development and health. Pray that the people they serve find belonging, purpose and hope.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Pray that during this new year the Holy Spirit will open hearts and create new opportunities for connection, hospitality, and mission within our church planting communities. – WDC Church Planting Commission

Worship Service and Announcements at BCMC–2026 01 18

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH

WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
January 18, 2026

Our faith in a God of love leads us, by the power of the Spirit,
to follow Jesus in doing justice, loving mercy,
and walking humbly with God.

To livestream the worship service for Sunday, January 18:

On Sunday morning, around 9:20 a.m. 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/kGZgS0Po7-U?feature=share

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
January 18, 2026

Christ Candle Lighting

Centering Music–Adoration (Florence B. Price)–Will Wiebe-Friesen

Welcome–Margaret Toews

Children and Youth Conversation–Esther Kreider Eash

Worship Music–Take It to the Lord in Prayer–Eithun)–Chancel Bells, Verlene Garber, director

Scripture Reading–Psalm 40:1-4–David Sprunger

*Hymn–All Creatures, Worship God Most High (v. 1-2)–VT 81

Scripture Reading–Psalm 40:5-8

*Hymn– All Creatures, Worship God Most High (v. 3-4)–VT 81

Scripture Reading–Psalm 40:9-11

*Hymn–All Creatures, Worship God Most High (v. 5 and 7)–VT 81

Sermon–Embodied Worship–Joanna Harader

*Hymn–Wakantanka (Many and Great)–VT 128

Prayers of God’s People

*Hymn–Lift Every Voice and Sing–VT 611

*Benediction

Postlude–Improvisation on We Shall Overcome [VT 803] (Carl Haywood)

* You are invited to stand             VT—Voices Together
Keyboard—Will Wiebe-Friesen    Audio visual—Ken Lamp

The Week at BCMC: January 18—25, 2026
Sunday, January 18, 2026—Worthy Worship
Worship 9:30 a.m.
YouTube Link for the worship service this Sunday:
https://youtube.com/live/kGZgS0Po7-U?feature=share

The centering music and postlude were composed by two African American composers. While I try to regularly include music from a diverse pool of composers, today felt appropriate to highlight two esteemed African American composers, Florence Price (1887-1953) and Carl Haywood (b. 1949). Price’s Adoration, which I’ve played here several times, and Haywood’s Improvisation on We Shall Overcome exemplify two very different styles, from the schmaltzy jazz harmonies of Price to Haywood’s energetic setting of the hymn Rev. King cited in his final sermon delivered just days prior to his assassination. I encourage you to reflect on the text of the postlude (VT 803) as we conclude today’s service.

Monday, January 19, 2026—Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Church office will be closed
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
6:30 p.m.   Faith Formation Commission—Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal—Sanctuary Chancel
Thursday, January 22, 2026
6 p.m.        Chancel Bells Rehearsal—Rm B7
6:30 p.m.   Hospitality Commission—Fellowship Hall
6:30 p.m.   Gifts Discernment Committee—Jeanette Stucky’s Home
7 p.m.         Deacon Commission—Rm 14
Sunday, January 25, 2026—Worthy Worship
9:30 a.m.   Worship with sermon by Joanna Harader; music by Chancel Choir; Congregational Meeting & Meal following worship

The January congregational meeting will be Sun., Jan. 25 during the Sunday School hour in the sanctuary. Agenda items will include: Church Board recommendations on proposals from the Finance Committee and from Witness Commission, and the approval of the annual church budget. Details of the budget and proposals are in a link below and are also available in the Gathering Place. There will be live streaming of the meeting. The youth will provide a fundraiser meal after the meeting.
For the January 1-December 31, 2025 Financial Reports booklet Click here

We offer sympathy to Willye Hinz and Raylene Hinz Penner and their extended family on the death of Eldon (Gene) Kliewer, a resident of Kidron Bethel Village health care. Eldon died Monday, January 12. We remember his wife, Norma, and his sister, Wilma Hinz, during this tender time. Further information and service details are pending.

Casa Betania’s pastors Alva Pérez González, Mario Rocha and their son Santiago have arrived in Newton. We are inviting sister churches to accompany us in a special installation and licensing service today, Jan. 18 at 4 p.m. in the First Mennonite Church sanctuary, 429 E. 1st St. A light reception will follow. Please use the front door or the east door.

BCMC Offering for January 11: General $4,432; Kitchen Fund $22; Women’s Fellowship $40.

Joanna’s 1887 Cafe office hours this semester will be on Thursdays from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. You are welcome to stop by for a chat!

Pastor Nathan Koontz will be away on retreat January 21-29.

2025 Giving Update
Thank you to all who contributed financially to our church for 2025! Your
generosity is much appreciated as we seek to do justice, love mercy, and
walk humbly with God. The Finance Committee is pleased that our financial
contributions for 2025 were close to our 2025 expenses. A full report will be
forthcoming in the lead up to our congregational meeting on January 25.

Are you new(ish) to Bethel College Mennonite Church? Interested in learning more about the congregation? Curious about membership at BCMC? Pastors Nathan and Joanna will lead two elective Sunday School sessions in the chapel. Anyone is welcome to attend either or both of these classes.
–January 18: Introduction to Bethel College Mennonite–This session will provide a brief history of the congregation and an orientation to the church mission and structure.
–February 1: Membership at BCMC–In this session we will discuss the membership process and answer questions that people bring.
*Contact a pastor for more information.

You are invited to Pastor Joanna’s house for a church board game night on Sat., Jan. 31, starting at 6:30. Bring games and/or snacks to share if you’d like–we’ll have plenty on hand. (Contact Joanna if you need her address: joanna@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org.)

“Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” will be Sun, Feb. 22, at noon. There will be sign-up sheets in the Gathering Place next Sunday, Jan. 25, and Sun., Feb. 1 in which you will indicate whether you would like to be a host or a guest. Hosts provide main dish, beverage, and maybe bread. Guests are assigned a side dish (vegetables, salad, dessert) or maybe bread. Experience this event interacting with some of our congregational members, as assigned, on a social level.

Mennonite Central Committee invites you to Borderlands & Beyond Monthly Charlas, a new conversation series featuring MCC partners, community leaders, and borderlands practitioners who will share their work, struggles, insights, and hopes. Each charla provides a welcoming space to learn, ask questions, and explore how we can participate in faithful advocacy and accompaniment. You can join a charla via Zoom the third Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. Register here: Borderlands & Beyond: Monthly Charlas with MCC – Stories, Struggles & Faithful Action – Fill out form

Hesston College will host the annual Melva Kauffman Lecture Series Jan. 25 and 26, welcoming internationally recognized peace studies scholar and Hesston College alumna Dr. Angela Lederach ՚04 for a three-part series titled “Slow Peace: Lessons from Grassroots Peacebuilders in Colombia.” Dr. Lederach will speak Jan. 25, 7 p.m. and Jan. 26, 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. All events are free and open to the public and held at Hesston Mennonite Church. For more information visit hesston.edu/melva.

Peace Connections is hosting a Bridges Out of Poverty Training Jan. 23 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. This training experience is a way to invest in your community and expand resources, to help individuals understand the impacts of poverty. This free training will explore the root causes of poverty, increase personal understanding and identify ways to reduce barriers for all members of our community. For more information or to sign up for this training experience, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/768743612864907?active_tab=about or call Peace Connections at 316-284-0000.

Bethel College Academy of Performing Arts (BCAPA ) is presenting a 30th Anniversary Concert at Bethel College’s Krehbiel Auditorium Sat., Jan. 31, featuring Bethel alum and professional musician Mory Ortman. Collaborating performers include BCAPA students, instructors, and its founder Don Kehrberg. Audience members can see photos from BCAPA throughout the years, bid in a silent auction, and celebrate a longstanding arts education establishment in the Newton community! Additionally, Dr. Ortman will be leading a masterclass/workshop Jan. 30 on campus (in the Bethel Chapel) for aspiring/professional musicians and curious members of the community. Tickets for the concert will be available through the Bethel bookstore, and the masterclass tickets will be available through BCAPA’s website (bcapaks.org/register) or by emailing
bcapa@bethelks.edu.

Bethel College/Kauffman Museum Announcements
· Sun., Jan. 18-Mon., Jan. 19: Bethel College and Hesston College, with Newton Community for Racial Justice and the Newton Public Library, will collaborate to celebrate the annual Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Jan. 18, 3 p.m., Hesston Mennonite Church: concert featuring Bethel College Concert Choir, Hesston College Bel Canto Singers, Central Kansas Master Chorale, and Roz McCommon and her band; Jan. 19, 8 a.m., Bontrager Student Center at Hesston College, prayer breakfast with local clergy; Jan. 19, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., escape room with clues based on Dr. King’s life and work, sponsored by NCRJ at the Newton Public Library; Jan. 19, 6 p.m., Memorial Hall at Bethel College, listening event for Dr. King’s 1960 speech at Bethel; Jan. 19, 7 p.m., program in Memorial Hall with Roz McCommon, Bethel choirs, HC Bel Canto Singers and Bethel orchestra.
· Tues., Jan. 20: “Reclaiming My Roots,” works by Marco Hernandez Guillen, opens in Regier Art Gallery, Luyken Fine Arts Center (reception Feb. 12). Gallery hours are Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun. 2-4 p.m.
· Thurs., Jan. 22: Dr. Holly Swartzendruber, Bethel College associate professor of music, presents “Songs of Protest: A Sampling of Music that Defies and Dissents,” 7 p.m., Kauffman Museum auditorium. This program is connected to the museum’s current special exhibit, “Voices of Conscience: Peace Witness in the Great War.” Please note that the content includes language intended for mature audiences.
· Sun., Jan. 25: Bethel College Music Department Honors Recital, 4 p.m.,
   Administration Building chapel, featuring first-year, sophomore and junior
   vocal and instrumental students who performed exceptionally during the fall
   2025 semester.
· Sat., Jan. 31: Kauffman Museum annual Kansas Day event, “Flavor of Kansas,” noon-4 p.m., museum parking lot and grounds. For more information, see the Kauffman Museum Facebook page or kauffmanmuseum.org
· Sat., Jan. 31: Bethel College Academy of Performing Arts (BCAPA) 30th-anniversary event featuring collaborative pianist Mory Ortman, emeritus professor of music Don Kehrberg and more, 6:30 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center. Ticket purchase is required at Thresher Shop in Schultz Student Center, Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

WANTED—Cars, Trucks, Motorcycles, RV’s, Campers, Tractors, Modern Farm Equipment, etc. for the KS Mennonite Central Committee Sale. Items you no longer need help feed and clothe thousands in desperate living conditions. ALL donations are tax deductible. Call Jerry Toews for info: 620 367 8257. Help make a difference. Be a part of the growing number of folks donating vehicles to the Mennonite Relief Sale.

Martin Luther King Jr. holiday celebration 2026, a collaboration among Bethel College, Hesston College, Newton Community for Racial Justice and the Newton Public Library. All events are free and open to the public.
· Sun., Jan. 18, 3 p.m., Hesston Mennonite Church: “Melodies from Heaven,” a concert with Roz McCommon, the Roz Band, Bethel College Concert Choir, Central Kansas Master Chorale and Hesston College Bel Canto Singers, focusing on musical genres from the African-American culture and its influences
· Mon., Jan. 19, 8 a.m., Bontrager Student Center at Hesston College: Join local clergy for a prayer breakfast.
· Mon., Jan. 19, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Newton Public Library: Two escape rooms, sponsored by the Newton Community for Racial Justice, with clues that focus on Dr. King’s life and accomplishments, as well as, more specifically, his 1963 “I have a dream” speech. While walk-ins are welcome, reservations are recommended (rooms are limited to 8 at a time) to get your preferred time slot; go to newtonplks.org/calendar (you may have to scroll down)
Mon., Jan. 19, 6 p.m., Memorial Hall at Bethel College: Historic listening event: Dr. King spoke at Bethel College on Jan. 21, 1960, on “The Future of Integration.” Since then, his speech has been heard in its entirety only once, in 2010. This will be the second time.
Mon., Jan. 19, 7 p.m., Memorial Hall: “A Better World: The Journey of MLK,” a program of music and spoken word created by Roz McCommon that is a visualization of Dr. King’s ancestry, moving from Africa to America, along with the struggles of the Civil Rights Movement, featuring McCommon and her band, Bethel College Concert Choir and Chapel Choir, Hesston College Bel Canto Singers, and Bethel student orchestra.

Thank you to all who choose to invest in Camp Mennoscah during 2025!
With nearly all gifts counted, we are pleased to report that contributions in 2025 exceeded 2024 by over 8.5%! Combined with lower expenses, we ended the year with an operating surplus of over $63,000 which can be applied to the repairs needed at the retreat center. While this is short of the overall goal, it is a positive step forward made possible by your support, and for that, all of us are endlessly grateful. It is astonishing to think that offering and then matching the $10,000 challenge grants already undertaken by many of our partner congregations would complete this campaign in its entirety! To offer your pledge, or for additional information, text “CAMP” to 620.755.2583.

For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here
Just Peace Pilgrimages
Embark on a life-changing journey to Calais, France and interact with various organizations that are doing justice and relief work among the migrant population there. Thousands of hopeful people travel there and attempt to cross the English Channel for a better future in the United Kingdom.

Dates: April 6-18, 2026

Registration Deadline: February 15, 2026

Contact Stephanie Weaver at StephanieW@MennoniteMission.net or visit MennoniteMission.net/JustPeace to learn more!

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

Mennonite Central Committee Announcements
CALLING FOR 2026-2027 MCC SALT PARTICIPANTS! MCC’s Serving and Learning Together (SALT) program is a year-long cross-cultural experience for young adults ages 18-30. It’s a chance to immerse yourself in another culture and grow in ways you never imagined. Whether your interest is in a specific region of the world, specific country, type of work or a language, there are numerous possibilities waiting to be explored. There is no cost to participate and there is student loan assistance available. You’ll grow. You’ll experience the world, find purpose, and you will Serve and Learn Together. Dates: August 12th, 2026 – July 17th, 2027. Visit mcc.org/salt for more information, applications due Feb. 15.

Celebrating 50 years of More-with-Less! Herald Press and Mennonite Central Committee invite you to share stories of food, joy, and resilience to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of the More-with-Less cookbook. This beloved cookbook’s call to thrift, Christian compassion and abundant living is just as urgent and relevant today as it was in 1976. Go to this form to learn more and to submit stories, blessings or ideas for simple approaches to sharing food and fellowship. Please share your story by Feb. 15 for a chance to be featured in the 50th anniversary edition or additional digital resources—and receive a chocolate oatmeal cake recipe as thanks!

MCC is recruiting Canner Operators to join its mobile meat canning team, which prepares about 600,000 cans of meat annually for global communities in need. These operators travel to 30 U.S. locations from October to April, managing machinery, operating steam and pressure vessels, coordinating volunteers, and ensuring compliance with USDA regulations. Make new friends while participating in a unique service adventure! Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until April 25^th OR until position is filled. Apply online at mcc.org/careers. For more information, call 1-888-563-4676 or email marilynpeters@mcc.org.

From Mennonite Church USA
MC USA invites you to an interactive online (Zoom) meeting on coping with and processing grief on Thursday, Jan. 22 at 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET. Sponsored by The Corinthian Plan, MC USA’s healthcare plan for pastors and church workers, this webinar will encourage and equip attendees with practices that lead toward resilience and peace. All are welcome to attend. Register here: https://bit.ly/48d6TGo

Join MC USA’s Safe Church ministry for an online webinar titled, “We are a small church: HELP,” on Monday, Jan. 26, at 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET. The webinar will look at the unique opportunities for and challenges of being a small church – and explore MC USA’s Safe Church policies and practices for smallish congregations. Register here: https://bit.ly/3Mzmqcv

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: As Ben and Laurel Woodward-Breckbill begin their second two-year term at the Paris (France) Mennonite Center, pray for discernment about how to best use Laurel’s gifts in the various ministries she works with.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Pray for the WDC Gifts Discernment Committee as it begins its work for this year, and for the Holy Spirit to guide the committee with wisdom in discerning potential nominees to serve in elected leadership roles in our conference.

Worship Services at BCMC–2026 01 11

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH

WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
January 11, 2026

Our faith in a God of love leads us, by the power of the Spirit,
to follow Jesus in doing justice, loving mercy,
and walking humbly with God.

To livestream the worship service for Sunday, January 11:

On Sunday morning, around 9:20 a.m. 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/WVv0HZcMRhA?feature=share

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
January 11, 2025

Christ Candle Lighting

Centering Music—A Trumpet Rondo (A. Fedak)–Will Wiebe-Friesen

Welcome & Prayer—Dale Horst

*Hymn— Jesus Entered Egypt—VT 279

Children and Youth Conversation—Esther Koontz

Worship Music—Chancel Choir; Joel Garber, director; Will Wiebe-Friesen, accompanist

Scripture Reading—Isaiah 42:1-9—Peggy Souder

*Hymn—New Earth, Heavens New— VT 377

Scripture Reading—Acts 10:34-43—Peggy Souder

Sermon—Nathan Koontz

*Hymn—From North and South, from East and West—VT 460

Offering Invitation & Prayers of God’s People

*Hymn—Beloved, God’s Chosen—VT 164

*Benediction

Postlude–Sonata 6: Our Father Which Art in Heaven, Fugue (Mendelssohn)

*You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Keyboard—Will Wiebe-Friesen
Audio visual—Ben Lichti

The Week at BCMC: January 11—18, 2026
Sunday, January 11, 2026
Worship 9:30 a.m.
YouTube Link for the worship service this Sunday:
https://youtube.com/live/WVv0HZcMRhA?feature=share

Monday, January 12, 2026
10 a.m.      Library Committee—Rm 14
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
4 p.m. Facilities Committee–Fellowship Hall
4:15 p.m.   Staff Congregation Relations Committee—Rm 14
7 p.m.         Immigration Task Group—Chapel
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal—Sanctuary Chancel
Thursday, January 15, 2026
4 p.m.        Witness Commission—Rm 14
2-4 p.m.     Book Reviews Reception—Fellowship Hall
6 p.m.        Chancel Bell Rehearsal—Rm B7
Sunday, January 18, 2026—Worthy Worship
9:30 a.m.   Worship with sermon by Joanna Harader; music by Chancel Bells
Monday, January 19, 2026—Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Church office will be closed

On January 4, we celebrated Epiphany by selecting “star words” to help guide us through the new year. If you have not received a word and would like one, please email Pastor Joanna. For those of you who wish to engage your word as a spiritual practice this year, look for occasional prompts in your weekly church emails. (If you want to sign up for the emails, please contact the office.)

Sunday’s centering music comes from a larger work, Triptych for Organ, by organist Alfred Fedak. This movement, a rondo for the trumpet stop on the organ, quotes the Lutheran hyman Werde munter, meine gemüte (Become cheerful, my mind). As with many Lutheran hymns, singing all twelve stanzas is more of a marathon than a sprint! Despite its length, it was a much-loved hymn during Bach’s era, and, with slightly altered rhythms and a different text, is the tune used in his beloved chorale prelude “Jesu Joy of Our Desiring” (text on VT 639). The other two movements in Fedak’s Triptych will likely pop up in worship services over the next few months, so keep an ear out for them!

If you missed reading Pastor Joanna Harader’s pastoral letter (January 8, 2026) press here.

BCMC Offering for January 4: General $17,218.19; Bequests $20,150; Kitchen Fund $20; Solar Fund $50; Larry Penner Mem. $125.

Joanna’s 1887 Cafe office hours this semester will be on Thursdays from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. You are welcome to stop by for a chat!

The January congregational meeting will be on Sunday, January 25 during the Sunday School hour in the sanctuary. Agenda items will include: Church Board recommendations on proposals from the Finance Committee and from Witness Commission, and the approval of the annual church budget. Details of the budget and proposals will be included in the agenda which will be available soon. Live streaming of the meeting will be available. The youth will provide a meal after the meeting.

You are invited to Pastor Joanna’s house for a church board game night on Sat., Jan. 31, starting at 6:30. Bring games and/or snacks to share if you’d like–we’ll have plenty on hand. (Contact Joanna if you need her address: joanna@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org.)

The Bethel College Mennonite Church Faith Formation Commission has been experimenting with a new format for our Wednesday night gatherings this semester. We welcome your feedback! Please complete this brief survey online or fill out a paper copy at church.

Are you new(ish) to Bethel College Mennonite Church? Interested in learning more about the congregation? Curious about membership at BCMC? Pastors Nathan and Joanna will lead two elective Sunday School sessions early next year in the chapel. Anyone is welcome to attend either or both of these classes.
–January 18: Introduction to Bethel College Mennonite–This session will provide a brief history of the congregation and an orientation to the church mission and structure.
–February 1: Membership at BCMC–In this session we will discuss the membership process and answer questions that people bring. *Contact a pastor for more information.

Current status on the search for an associate pastor: All our paperwork has been sent to Western District Conference and the job description is posted. The search committee will continue to work with conference minister Kathy Neufeld Dunn, who will share information with us about potential candidates. If you have names of people who may be interested in the position, you can send them to search committee chair Megan Leary at megleary28@gmail.com

Looking for Singers for the upcoming 2026 Kansas Mennonite Men’s Chorus. We have six rehearsals in Hesston Mennonite Church starting on Jan. 25 at 2:30 p.m. The rehearsals last for 2 hrs. KMMC has been singing since 1969 in Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Nebraska and even Europe!!! If interested in singing or more information please reach out to Membership Chair Aaron Stucky via email stuckya2003@yahoo.com. You can also find us on Facebook at Kansas Mennonite Men’s Chorus. Thank you, Aaron Stucky

Hesston College will host the annual Melva Kauffman Lecture Series January 25 and 26, welcoming internationally recognized peace studies scholar and Hesston College alumna Dr. Angela Lederach ՚04 for a three-part series titled “Slow Peace: Lessons from Grassroots Peacebuilders in Colombia.” Dr. Lederach will speak Jan. 25, 7 p.m. and Jan. 26, 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. All events are free and open to the public and held at Hesston Mennonite Church. For more information visit hesston.edu/melva.

Peace Connections is hosting a Bridges Out of Poverty Training Jan. 23 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. This training experience is a way to invest in your community and expand resources, to help individuals understand the impacts of poverty. This free training will explore the root causes of
poverty, increase personal understanding and identify ways to reduce barriers for all members of our community. For more information or to sign up for this training experience, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/768743612864907?active_tab=about or call Peace Connections at 316-284-0000.

Bethel College/Kauffman Museum Announcements
· Mon., Jan. 12: Special one-evening show by local high school artists, 6-7 p.m., Regier Art Gallery in Luyken Fine Arts Center. You’re invited to meet students from Augusta, Goessel, Hesston, Moundridge and Newton high schools and view their art at this come-and-go event.
· Sun., Jan. 18-Mon., Jan. 19: Bethel College and Hesston College, with Newton Community for Racial Justice and the Newton Public Library, will collaborate to celebrate the annual Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Jan. 18, 3 p.m., Hesston Mennonite Church: concert featuring Bethel College Concert Choir, Hesston College Bel Canto Singers, Central Kansas Master Chorale, and Roz McCommon and her band; Jan. 19, 8 a.m., Bontrager Student Center at Hesston College, prayer breakfast with local clergy; Jan. 19, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., escape room with clues based on Dr. King’s life and work, sponsored by NCRJ at the Newton Public Library; Jan. 19, 6 p.m., Memorial Hall at Bethel College, listening event for Dr. King’s 1960 speech at Bethel; Jan. 19, 7 p.m., program in Memorial Hall with Roz McCommon, Bethel choirs, HC Bel Canto Singers and Bethel orchestra.
· Thurs., Jan. 22: Dr. Holly Swartzendruber, Bethel College associate professor of music, presents “Songs of Protest: A Sampling of Music that Defies and Dissents,” 7 p.m., Kauffman Museum auditorium. This program is connected to the museum’s current special exhibit, “Voices of Conscience: Peace Witness in the Great War.” [NOTE CHANGE OF DATE AND TIME from some earlier announcements.]
· SAVE THE DATE: Sat., Jan. 31: Kauffman Museum annual Kansas Day event, “Flavor of Kansas,” noon-4 p.m., museum parking lot and grounds. For more information, see the Kauffman Museum Facebook page or kauffmanmuseum.org
· SAVE THE DATE: Sat., Jan. 31: Bethel College Academy of Performing Arts (BCAPA) 30th-anniversary event featuring collaborative pianist Mory Ortman, emeritus professor of music Don Kehrberg and more, 6:30 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center

Bluestem U, the lifelong learning program of Bluestem Communities for individuals age 55 and better, will begin Jan. 8, with “Life Upon the Wicked Stage: Classics of Western Theatre” taught by Lauren Friesen. Classes will be Thursdays, Jan. 8 through Feb. 12. There is still time to sign up! Other classes being offered for the winter/spring semester are “Health, the Human Face of Climate Change” taught by Dwight Krehbiel, and “Biblical Literature (Bib Lit) Crash Course” taught by Kevin Wilder. Courses are $50 a piece. See bluestemu.org for more information and to register for classes.

The Outreach Team of Hesston Mennonite Church invites your participation at a March 7, 8:30 to 4:30 p.m., Spring Symposium on the Future of Water in Kansas. We are co-sponsoring this event to be held at Dyck Arboretum (177 W Hickory St), Hesston. Experts and water managers from state, local and municipal agencies will address critical issues that affect our state’s water resources and demands. Brad Guhr, Education Coordinator, urges “Let’s educate ourselves and work together on solutions now, while water is plentiful, so we never have to face the fight (referring to Mark Twain’s quote that ‘Whisky’s for drinking and water’s for fighting.’) To register go to https://dyckarboretum.org/ and check Events.

Following another work day earlier this week, Camp Mennoscah is thrilled to see the retreat center far enough along that individual bedrooms are starting to be cleaned as a final step toward occupancy! On Monday, the basement ceiling grid and acoustic tiles were installed and the lights all connected. While on the main floor, the common area and bedrooms were painted and the process of cleaning the rooms and building was begun! This is a huge step toward our anticipated completion date of March 31, and would not be possible were it not for the gifts of time, talent, and treasure that our partner churches and individual stakeholders offer, and we thank you for your investment from the bottom of our hearts. To learn how you can help – including joining the many churches involved in congregation-specific matching challenges right now – text “Camp” to 620.755.2583

For Mennonite Women USA “Grapevine” press here
For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here

Service Adventure Can a gap year change your life? Only if you’re up for adventure! Service Adventure applications are now open for the 2026-27 term. Service Adventure is a 10-month volunteer experience for young adults ages 17-20. Live in community with peers and unit leaders, serve with local nonprofit agencies, and grow in your faith with a supporting church congregation! Learn more and apply at MennoniteMission.net/ServiceAdventure.
For an Urgent Prayer Request from Mennonite Mission Network press here
For Anabaptist Disabilities Network press here
Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements
For Mennonite Central Committee “In Touch” press here

Mennonite Church USA Announcements
Menno Snapshots
Spiritual director Wendy Janzen offers five simple, embodied spiritual “pocket practices” to use anytime to feel more grounded, connected and spiritually supported. Read her Menno Snapshots blog here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/pocket-practices/

If you are a Mennonite working or teaching in a public-school setting, you are invited to join the upcoming Mennonite Public Educators Zoom meeting on Monday, Feb. 2 at 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET. Our topic will be student behavior, discipline and restorative justice within your classroom and your school as a whole. Register here: https://forms.gle/CdbeMF1kKfroTfft8

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Service Adventure unit leaders are meeting this week for their midyear retreat in Colorado Springs, CO. Pray that these leaders experience refreshment, rejuvenation and good discussions as they meet together.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Pray for WDC commissions meeting this month, as they guide WDC’s priorities to support pastors and leaders, resource congregations, and nurture church planting partnerships.

Worship Services at BCMC–2026 01 04

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH

WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
January 4, 2026 — Epiphany

Our faith in a God of love leads us, by the power of the Spirit,
to follow Jesus in doing justice, loving mercy,
and walking humbly with God.

To livestream the worship service for Sunday, January 4:

On Sunday morning, around 9:20 a.m. 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/63aVkBFhmeY?feature=share

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
January 4, 2026
Epiphany

Christ Candle Lighting

Centering Music—Meghann Rogers

Welcome & Land Acknowledgment—Lauren Friesen

*Hymn—Longing for Light—VT 715
Children and Youth Conversation—Lindsay Anderson

Worship Music

Scripture Reading—Isaiah 60:1-6—Kevin Neufeld
*Hymn—See Whose Glory Fills the Skies—VT 274

Scripture Reading—Matthew 2:1-12—Kevin Neufeld

Sermon—Star-Gazing—Joanna Harader

*Hymn—Nun Ist Sie Erschienen—Insert

Offering Invitation and Prayers of God’s People—Lauren Friesen

*Hymn—O Beautiful Star of Bethlehem—VT 275

*Benediction

Postlude

* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Keyboard—Meghann Rogers

Land Acknowledgement 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.

The Week at BCMC: January 4—11, 2026
Sunday, January 4, 2026—Epiphany
Worship returns to 9:30 a.m.; sermon by Joanna Harader
YouTube Link for the worship service this Sunday:
https://youtube.com/live/640qQqdiRg0?feature=share

4 p.m. Service of Remembrance
In order to recognize and mourn the loss of our loved ones from 2025, Bethel College Mennonite Church is hosting a Service of Remembrance in the BCMC sanctuary. During the service we will light candles for those from our congregation who have passed in 2025. You are also welcome to light a candle for others in your life whom you are mourning.
YouTube Link for the Service of Remembrance:
https://youtube.com/live/owcpAKE1GhI?feature=share

Monday, January 5, 2026
The church office is open
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal—Sanctuary Chancel
Thursday, January 8, 2026
3-4 p.m.    Cancer Support Group—Nursery
7 p.m.        Church Board—Room 14
Sunday, January 11, 2026
9:30 a.m.   Worship with sermon by Nathan Koontz; music by Chancel Choir
2 p.m.         Recital/Hymn Festival—Sanctuary

BCMC Offering for December 28: General $10,157; Plant Fund $50; Camp Mennoscah $500; Kitchen Fund $17; Larry Penner Mem. $1,365.

Peace Connections is hosting a Bridges Out of Poverty Training Jan. 23 from
9 a.m.-4 p.m. This training experience is a great way to invest in your community and expand resources, to help individuals understand the impacts of poverty. This FREE and ENGAGING training will explore the root causes of poverty, increase personal understanding and identify ways to reduce barriers for all members of our community. For more information or to sign up for this training experience, please visit https://www.facebook.com/events/768743612864907?active_tab=about or call Peace Connections at 316-284-0000.

Bethel College/Kauffman Museum Announcements
· Mon., Jan. 12: Special one-evening show by local high school artists, 6-7 p.m., Regier Art Gallery in Luyken Fine Arts Center. You’re invited to meet students from Augusta, Goessel, Hesston, Moundridge and Newton high schools and view their art at this come-and-go event.
· Sun., Jan. 18-Mon., Jan. 19: Bethel College and Hesston College, with Newton Community for Racial Justice and the Newton Public Library, will collaborate to celebrate the annual Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Jan. 18, 3 p.m., Hesston Mennonite Church: concert featuring Bethel College Concert Choir, Hesston College Bel Canto Singers, Central Kansas Master Chorale, and Roz McCommon and her band; Jan. 19, 8 a.m., Bontrager Student Center at Hesston College, prayer breakfast with local clergy; Jan. 19, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., escape room with clues based on Dr. King’s life and work, sponsored by NCRJ at the Newton Public Library; Jan. 19, 6 p.m., Memorial Hall at Bethel College, listening event for Dr. King’s 1960 speech at Bethel; Jan. 19, 7 p.m., program in Memorial Hall with Roz McCommon, Bethel choirs, HC Bel Canto Singers and Bethel orchestra.
· SAVE THE DATE: Sat., Jan. 31: Kauffman Museum annual Kansas Day event, “Flavor of Kansas,” noon-4 p.m., museum parking lot and grounds. For more information, see the Kauffman Museum Facebook page or kauffmanmuseum.org
· SAVE THE DATE: Sat., Jan. 31: Bethel College Academy of Performing Arts (BCAPA) 30th-anniversary event featuring collaborative pianist Mory Ortman, emeritus professor of music Don Kehrberg and more, 6:30
p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center

The Outreach Team of Hesston Mennonite Church invites your participation at a March 7, 2026 Spring Symposium on the Future of Water in Kansas. We are co-sponsoring this event to be held at Dyck Arboretum (177 W Hickory St), Hesston, from 8:30 to 4:30 p.m., Sat., March 7. Experts and water managers from state, local and municipal agencies will address critical issues that affect our state’s water resources and demands. Brad Guhr, Education Coordinator, urges “Let’s educate ourselves and work together on solutions now, while water is plentiful, so we never have to face the fight (referring to Mark Twain’s quote that ‘Whisky’s for drinking and water’s for fighting.’) Look for registration details coming soon, or contact arboretum@hesston.edu.

The Newton Chorale invites new members to participate in its 50th anniversary concert. Rehearsals begin in January, culminating in a performance March 1. Interested singers should contact the Chorale at:
newtonchorale@gmail.com

Bluestem U, the lifelong learning program of Bluestem Communities for individuals age 55 and better, will begin Jan. 8, with “Life Upon the Wicked Stage: Classics of Western Theatre” taught by Lauren Friesen. Classes will be Thursdays, Jan. 8 through Feb. 12. There is still time to sign up! Other classes being offered for the winter/spring semester are “Health, the Human Face of Climate Change” taught by Dwight Krehbiel, and “Biblical Literature (Bib Lit) Crash Course” taught by Kevin Wilder. Courses are $50 a piece. See bluestemu.org for more information and to register for classes.

Greetings from Western District Conference! We are writing to share with you a message from Iglesia Menonita Casa Betania, which has recently called new pastoral leadership: Iglesia Menonita Casa Betania, a WDC congregation in Newton, is pleased to announce that Alva Pérez, Mario Rocha and their young son Santiago will be arriving in Newton in early January to begin their new pastoral role. We are also celebrating Mario and Alva’s recent graduation from the AMBS Spanish-language Graduate Certificate in Theology online program. They are coming from Mexico on a religious worker visa and Casa Betania welcomes help from area congregations in supporting them. The biggest need at present is a reliable vehicle. If you have a vehicle you are willing to donate or sell at an economical price, or are willing to help search for options, please contact the WDC office a wdc@mennowdc.org or 316-283-6300, or Linda Shelly, Casa Betania Treasurer, at Lindajs81@gmail.com 316-734-5947. Financial donations can be sent to: Iglesia Menonita Casa Betania, Box 102, Newton, KS 67114. Your prayers and support for Casa Betania are greatly appreciated!

The $2,500 BCMC match for Camp Mennoscah is now in effect, and we hope that camp supporters from our congregation will step up to help ensure the retreat center can be completed by the end of March! If you have been considering a gift to camp, this is a great time to do it, as every dollar up to that amount will be doubled. You may also consider adding to that challenge so even more people can see their gifts matched up to $5,000. Every dollar makes a huge difference in the next 90 days, so please consider sending your investment to camp with a notation of “BCMC match” on the memo line. Eric Litwiller,
Director of Development, Camp Mennoscah

Hesston College will host the annual Melva Kauffman Lecture Series January 25 and 26, welcoming internationally recognized peace studies scholar and Hesston College alumna Dr. Angela Lederach ՚04 for a three-part series titled “Slow Peace: Lessons from Grassroots Peacebuilders in Colombia.” Dr. Lederach will speak on January 25 at 7 p.m. and on January 26 at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. All events are free and open to the public and will be held at Hesston Mennonite Church. For more information visit hesston.edu/melva.

From Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here
From Mennonite World Conference press here
From Mennonite Women USA “Women’s Voices” press here
Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements.
From Mennonite Men “Engage” press here
From Mennonite Center in Paris press here

Mennonite Voluntary Service
Live out your faith through service! Mennonite Voluntary Service (MVS) is now accepting applications for the 2026-27 term. This one-year volunteer experience is open to individuals age 20+, with the option to extend placements for an additional one to two years.
Serve with organizations addressing critical community needs, such as health, education, immigration and more. You won’t do it alone, though! By living with peers in a unit house and growing with a local faith community, MVSers join in the global movement to work for peace and a more just world. Ready to jump in? Go to MennoniteMission.net/MVS to learn more and apply.

From Mennonite Church USA
Is your congregation undergoing or anticipating a pastoral transition? Join MC USA’s Rachel Ringenberg Miller, denominational minister for Ministerial Leadership, for an online Zoom meeting titled, “Navigating Ministry Transitions,” on Monday, Jan. 12 at 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET.  She will explore the emotional and spiritual dynamics of pastoral change while guiding you through discernment, visioning and practical search processes. Spanish interpretation is available. Register here: https://bit.ly/4pDziNk

Did your congregation celebrate the 500th anniversary of Anabaptism in 2025? As we mark the 501st birthday of the Anabaptist movement, MC USA would like to share photos from across the church that capture how congregations honored this milestone. Please submit one or two photos from your celebration, so we can highlight them on MC USA’s social media channels this month. Please upload your photos by Friday, Jan. 9, using this form:  https://MCUSA.formstack.com/forms/500th_anniversary_pictures

MC USA joined Indigenous leaders and partner organizations in a Native-led ceremony in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, to honor the children who died at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School and to acknowledge Mennonites’ historical involvement. Read more about this important step toward truth-telling and repair at: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/carlisle

Menno Snapshots
Sue Park-Hur, MC USA director of racial/ethnic engagement, urges churches to embrace diverse, Christlike hospitality in the new year – and highlights a practical checklist to help leaders create welcoming spaces. Read her Menno Snapshots blog here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/ready-to-welcome

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Praise God that after nearly a year of chemo treatments, Caleb Schrock-Hurst is cancer free! Caleb and Stephanie plan to move to Taiwan early this year to serve with Mennonite Christian Hospital in Hualien.

Worship Services at BCMC–2025 12 24 and 2025 12 28

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
DECEMBER 24, 2025

Our faith in a God of love leads us, by the power of the Spirit,
to follow Jesus in doing justice, loving mercy,
and walking humbly with God.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
HERE ARE THE WORSHIP SERVICE LINKS FOR CHRISTMAS EVE

Family Christmas Eve Service at 5:30 Today – December 24, 2025
Streaming link: https://youtube.com/live/flGQ_o6hFSc?feature=share

Lessons and Carols Service at 9 p.m. Tonight – December 24, 2025 – NOTE THE EARLIER TIME OF 9 p.m.
Streaming link: https://youtube.com/live/jCkn3hScE_k?feature=share

To livestream the worship services:

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.
Streaming link for Sunday, December 28, 2025: https://youtube.com/live/640qQqdiRg0?feature=share

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
December 28, 2025—10 a.m.
Christmas Sunday

Christ Candle Lighting

Centering Music–Meghann Rogers

Welcome & Prayer–Nathan Koontz

*Hymn–O Come, All Ye Faithful VT 241
                                              (Michael Claassen, trumpet)

Children and Youth Conversation–Tim Hodge

Worship Music–O Holy Night (Adolphe Adam)–Abby Koontz

Reading–One (Luci Shaw)–Dianne Epp
                Luke 2:1-7–Dale Schrag

*Hymn–O Little Town of Bethlehem–VT 245

Reading–Descent (Luci Shaw)

Hymn--Infant Holy, Infant Lowly–VT 243

Reading–Luke 2:8-14

*Hymn–Hark! the Herald Angels Sing–VT 247
                                                    (Michael Claassen, trumpet)

Reading--Breath (Luci Shaw)
                Luke 2:15-19

*Hymn–What Child Is This–VT 267
  Helpless and Hungry–VT 268

Reading–Star Song (Luci Shaw)

*Hymn–Angels We Have Heard on High–VT 249
                                                  (Abby Koontz & Emma Gering, bells)

Offering Invitation and Prayers of God’s People

*Hymn–Joy to the World–VT 240
                                       (Michael Claassen, trumpet)
          (Those with December birthdays please come forward during the hymn)

*Birthday Blessing & Benediction

Postlude–God With Us (Rogers)–Meghann Rogers

*You are invited to stand          VT—Voices Together
Keyboard—Meghann Rogers    Audio visual—Ken Lamp

BCMC Offering for December 21: General $8,860.28; Library Reserve Fund $5; Kitchen Fund $35; Women’s Fellowship $322; Larry Penner Mem. $100.

The Week at BCMC: December 28, 2025—January 4, 2026
Sunday, December 28, 2024—Christmas Sunday–Note the worship starting time of 10 a.m.
Bring snacks and goodies to share after the worship service!
10 a.m. Worship followed by Christmas goodies, treats, and snacks in the
Gathering Place—No Sunday School
YouTube Link for the worship service this Sunday:
https://youtube.com/live/640qQqdiRg0?feature=share

Monday, December 29, 2025—January 2, 2026
Holiday office schedule: The BCMC office will be closed Dec. 29-Jan. 2. While pastors and staff will be working some of these days, they will not hold regular office hours. Please be in touch by phone or email if you need to contact the office during this time. Note that Joanna will be on vacation Dec. 28-Jan. 1.
The office will open again as normal on Monday, Jan 5, 2026.

Sunday, January 4, 2026—Epiphany
Worship returns to 9:30 a.m.; sermon by Joanna Harader; music by Marshall & Lindsay Anderson
Service of Remembrance
As this holiday season brings joy with the promise of new life and love birthed into our world, there is also grief as we miss those who have passed from this world in 2025. In order to recognize and mourn the loss of our loved ones from 2025, Bethel College Mennonite Church is hosting a Service of Remembrance on January 4, 2026 at 4 p.m. in the BCMC sanctuary. During the service we will light candles for those from our congregation who have passed in 2025. You are also welcome to light a candle for others in your life whom you are mourning.
Livestream link for the Service of Remembrance: https://youtube.com/live/owcpAKE1GhI?feature=share

Karen Penner and family wish to thank you for your sympathy, support, and prayers during this difficult time following Larry’s passing. Your kindness has brought us comfort, and we are grateful to be part of such a caring community.

Are you new(ish) to Bethel College Mennonite Church? Interested in learning more about the congregation? Curious about membership at BCMC? Pastors Nathan and Joanna will lead two elective Sunday School sessions early next year in the chapel. Anyone is welcome to attend either or both of these classes.
–January 18: Introduction to Bethel College Mennonite–This session will provide a brief history of the congregation and an orientation to the church mission and structure.
–February 1: Membership at BCMC–In this session we will discuss the membership process and answer questions that people bring.
*Contact a pastor for more information.

Current status on the search for an associate pastor: All our paperwork has been sent to Western District Conference and the job description is posted. The search committee will continue to work with conference minister Kathy Neufeld Dunn, who will share information with us about potential candidates. If you have names of people who may be interested in the position, you can send them to search committee chair Megan Leary at megleary28@gmail.com

The Education and Service Scholarship Committee (ESSC) has updated its application for young adult service grants. For a copy of the application please send a request to essc@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org, preferably at least 4 weeks before the event. Thank you, ESSC (Karen Ediger, Brad Kohlman and Margaret Toews)

Bethel College/Kauffman Museum Announcements
· Kauffman Museum at Bethel College invites you to visit during the holidays, with two items of special interest available to view for a limited time: a 17th-century Bible from the family of the late Jake T. Friesen of North Newton and a medallion made by John P. Klassen to commemorate Mennonite Central Committee’s war and famine relief in Ukraine in the early 1920s. Both have been at the Ford Conservation Center at the Nebraska State Historical Society in Omaha for restoration and preservation. The Bible is normally at the Mennonite Library and Archives at Bethel and is seldom on public display. Holiday hours: closed Mondays and New Year’s Eve, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; New Year’s Day, closed; non-holiday weekdays, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; weekends, 1:30-4:30 p.m. The two artifacts can be seen (until the first of the year) just inside the museum’s front entrance with no admission charge. There is a small fee for non-museum members to see the current special exhibit, “Voices of Conscience: Peace Witness in the Great War,” and permanent exhibits “Of Land and People,” “Mirror of the Martyrs” and “Mennonite Immigrant Furniture.” The museum store is also open during those hours. For more information, visit kauffmanmuseum.org or the museum’s Facebook page.
· Sat., Jan. 3 – Kauffman Museum bird walk, 8 a.m. start time in the museum parking lot at the corner of Main and 27th streets (2801 N. Main St., North Newton 67117). Experienced birders lead a walk of 1-1.5 hours in Chisholm Park and on Sand Creek Trail (terrain is mostly wood-chip path and sometimes uneven/sloping).
· SAVE THE DATE: Sun.-Mon., Jan. 18-19 – Bethel College and Hesston College collaboration for the annual celebration of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, including historic listening event, Jan. 19, 6 p.m., with program at 7 p.m.; see bethelks.edu/MLK

From Camp Mennoscah

Merry Christmas! The Camp Mennoscah board and staff send you prayers and rejoice with you as preparations for the celebration of the birth of Jesus reach an end. We are grateful that you walked with us this year as part of Camp Mennoscah’s camping ministry. May Christ’s community be with you in the coming days and into the new year.

Work on the Retreat Center continues! Please contact Tom Gaeddert at 316-288-7766 or email tmgaeddert@gmail.com if you would like to help with the next work day.

Summer staff applications for the 2026 Summer Camps are open. The application and further information can be found here or at the link at the end of this announcement. Summer staff need to be 18 or older, preferably with one year of college, work or volunteering. Contact Olivia at 316-293-7313 or olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org with questions. https://www.campmennoscah.org/vnews/display.v/SEC/Programs%7CSummer%20Youth%20Camps%3E%3ESummer%20Youth%20Camp%20Staff%20Application

Thank you to everyone who has gifted us wish list items! We would be happy to receive a colander/strainer (~11″ diameter) with handles, a deep pan (~5″x12″x17″), kitchen knives, “restaurant style” hot pads (example: https://www.webstaurantstore.com/choice-10-x-11-terry-cloth-pan-grabber-bakers-pad/160TPH1011WH.html), replacement ping pong table net with clamps, and plastic cutting boards (no smaller than 12″X18″, larger is fine). Office-related items include copier paper, postage stamps, and sticky notes. Toilet paper and kitchen/white paper towels are always welcome! Contact office@campmennoscah.org with questions.

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

Christmas Greetings from Mennonite Church USA press here
From Mennonite World Conference press here
From Mennonite Mission Network “News from around the world” press here

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Although 2025 is ending with much suffering and violence in our communities and around the world, join Mennonite Mission Network in praying that we will not tire of proclaiming our hope in Jesus, who has overcome evil and injustice. May we continue to “be the Gospel” wherever we find ourselves.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Pray that during this Christmas season the emerging congregations in WDC experience Christ’s light and hope as they welcome neighbors and share God’s love. – WDC Church Planting Commission

Bethel College Mennonite Church is an open and affirming congregation
centered in the life and teachings of Jesus. Embracing the divine within each
person, we warmly welcome any and all into fellowship without regard to race, ethnic background, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability,
economic status, marital status, or age.

Worship service and announcements for December 21, 2025

The Celebration of Life for Lawrence (Larry) Penner is Saturday, December 20, at 11 a.m.
Here is the live stream link: https://youtube.com/live/pqCvRlpvxQQ?feature=share

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH

WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
December 21, 2025–Fourth Sunday of Advent

Our faith in a God of love leads us, by the power of the Spirit,
to follow Jesus in doing justice, loving mercy,
and walking humbly with God.

To livestream the worship service for Sunday, December 21:

On Sunday morning, around 9:20 a.m. 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/LAyOTwTkFsI?feature=share

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
Advent 2025: Spacious Faith
December 21, 2025; 4th Sunday of Advent

The Prelude begins at 9:15 a.m.
Thank you to Jake and Gabby Robb, Ethan Garber, Angelika Donaldson,
Emerson Gering, and Suzy, Lucy, and Faith Burch for bringing us the prelude Sunday morning!  Thank you also to the Chancel Choir for their worship music Sunday morning!

Prelude—Ode to Joy/Joy to the World – Ethan Garber, trumpet
Evergreen by Pentatonix – Angelika Donaldson, voice & Ukulele
Passacaglia by Handel – Emerson Gering, piano
What Child is This/Helpless & Hungry – Faith, Lucy & Suzy Burch
Twinkle, Twinkle little Star – Gabby Robb
Drum on the Prairie & We Wish you a Merry Christmas – Jake Robb

Welcome— Dorothy Nickel Friesen

Advent Candle-Lighting Call to Worship (by Mark Rupp)—Garber Family

Leader:            In this season of waiting, we come with hearts open wide
                        to wonder, to longing, to paying attention.
People:           We come to make space for God,
                        and to find that God has already made space for us.
Leader:            As we light the candles of Advent,
                        we remember the witnesses who told the story of Christ,
                        each with a unique voice and vision of the good news.
People:           Their faith invites us to live with spacious faith,
                        trusting that God meets us in many ways,
                        and that the story of Jesus is still unfolding among us.
Leader:            We light this first candle for Mark’s faith,
                        a faith that runs toward hope,
                        and finds God on the move.
                        We light this second candle for Matthew’s faith,
                        a faith that trusts the story is big enough to hold us all,
                        and honors those who carried the flames of peace.
                        We light this third candle for Luke’s faith,
                        a faith that rejoices in God’s justice
                        and makes room for wonder.
                        John’s gospel begins with the widest space of all:
                        The eternal Word, an everlasting light.
                        Echoes of the Word made flesh,
                        John’s witness reverberates through all Creation.
People:           We light this fourth candle for John’s faith,
                        a faith that sees God shining in every face
                        and knows that love is always stronger than death.
Leader:            Come, Christ of spacious faith.
                        Widen our hearts, deepen our hope,
                        and make us ready to receive you again.
People:           Come, Light of the World.

Prayer— Dorothy Nickel Friesen

*Hymn—Come Away From Rush and Hurry—VT 9

Children and Youth Conversation—David Kreider

Worship Music—Sussex Carol (arr. David Willcocks)
Chancel Choir; Joel Garber, director; Will Wiebe-Friesen, accompanist

First Scripture Reading—Genesis 1:1-5—Lois Preheim

*Hymn—From the Parent’s Heart, the Firstborn—VT 418

Second Scripture Reading—John 1:1-5, 10-14—VT 235

Silence

Sermon—The Word Be With You—Nathan Koontz

Silence

*Hymn—Savior of the Nations, Come!—VT 214

Offering Invitation and Prayers of God’s People—Dorothy Nickel Friesen

*Hymn—Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus—VT 218

*Benediction

Postlude—O Come All Ye Faithful (arr. Hustad/Smith)

* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Keyboard—Will Wiebe-Friesen
Audio visual—Ken Lamp
Hymn Leader—Payne Claassen

The Week at BCMC: December 21—28, 2025
Sunday, December 21, 2025—9:15 a.m. Prelude
9:30 a.m.   Worship service live-stream link:
https://youtube.com/live/LAyOTwTkFsI?feature=share
6 p.m.         Longest Night Service—Chapel
Do you need some space for quiet, for contemplation, even for grief in this Advent season? Plan to join us for a Longest Night Service today at 6 p.m. in the chapel room. Let us ground ourselves in God’s peace and goodness as we navigate this complicated season.

Advent Sunday School: Pastors Nathan and Joanna will lead an elective Sunday School class this last Sunday of Advent using the book With God in Every Breath by Whitney R. Simpson. Join us in the chapel after worship!

Wednesday, December 24, 2025–Christmas Eve Services
5:30 p.m.    All Age Christmas Eve Worship—Sanctuary
9 p.m.         Candlelight Lessons and Carols—Note the new time

Thursday, December 25, 2025—Merry Christmas!
Friday, December 26, 2025—Office will be closed
Sunday, December 28, 2025—First Sunday of Christmas—Note: Worship Begins at 10 a.m.—There is no Sunday School
Fellowship Time After Worship: Bring snacks and treats to share!

Holiday office schedule: The BCMC office will be closed Dec. 24-Jan. 2. While pastors and staff will be working some of these days, they will not hold regular office hours. Please be in touch by phone or email if you need to contact the office during this time. Note that Joanna will be on vacation Dec. 26-Jan. 1.

The Deacon Commission has a table under the dove banner in the Gathering Place with pages for your comments to members of our church whom we haven’t been able to see for a while. Stop and write a short greeting or sign your name to let them know we are thinking about them. The letters will remain on the table during the week for anyone to write a note before we send them out. Thank you!

Service of Remembrance
As this holiday season brings joy with the promise of new life and love birthed into our world, there is also grief as we miss those who have passed from this world in 2025. In order to recognize and mourn the loss of our loved ones from 2025, Bethel College Mennonite Church is hosting a Service of Remembrance on January 4, 2026 at 4 p.m. in the BCMC sanctuary. During the service we will light candles for those from our congregation who have passed in 2025. You are also welcome to light a candle for others in your life whom you are mourning

Advent Banners
Last week during worship Adam Robb pointed out the growing light each week as the Advent banners progress towards Christmas. We give thanks for Robert Regier who designed the banners, Matt Koontz who sets them up, and for all who help to make our sanctuary a beautiful and meaningful visual experience.

We have an Advent puzzle! Stop by the round table in the gathering place and help put together our new Advent puzzle. We hope to finish it before Christmas Eve.

The Bethel College Mennonite Church Faith Formation Commission has been experimenting with a new format for our Wednesday night gatherings this semester. We welcome your feedback! Please complete this brief survey online or fill out a paper copy at church.

Birthday calendars – with photos of art at BCMC by Weldon Schloneger – are available in the back of the sanctuary for a suggested donation of $10. Checks may be written to BCMC with Women’s Fellowship written in the memo line. Birthday calendars stay current in subsequent years.

From the Finance committee
We continue to offer gratitude for the generosity shared in donating monetary offerings toward our annual budget. Each gift is important to the process of fulfilling our mission. As the fiscal year end is approaching on December 31, we are offering information on a monthly schedule to offer insight into the financial picture. A brief report is listed below.
The following is a BCMC financial report of the general fund income and expenses on November 30, 2025 (91.7% of the year).
Total income $ 454,080 81% of budget
Total expense $ 480,831 86% of budget
Net income/expense -$ 26,750

BCMC Offering for December 14: General $20,193; Gen Fund 2026 $50; MCC Infant Kits $50; Caring Fund $200; Library Reserve Fund $5; Kitchen Fund $13.76; Florine Eitzen Mem. $45; Wed. Supper $172.

The majority of our Advent books are now displayed in the library! Those of you that have family members coming for the holidays may want to check out our holiday books for visiting relatives. We have quite the selection for all ages. Also, we have very generous congregational members that donate books to our library. Sometimes these books don’t quite fit our library needs or we may already have that book. We are now using these books as a fundraiser, just like our donated puzzles. If you find a book/puzzle you would like to purchase, just put your donation in the little envelope. Come check us out!

Are you new(ish) to Bethel College Mennonite Church? Interested in learning more about the congregation? Curious about membership at BCMC? Pastors Nathan and Joanna will lead two elective Sunday School sessions early next year in the chapel. Anyone is welcome to attend either or both of these classes.
–January 18: Introduction to Bethel College Mennonite–This session will provide a brief history of the congregation and an orientation to the church mission and structure.
–February 1: Membership at BCMC–In this session we will discuss the membership process and answer questions that people bring.
*Contact a pastor for more information.

Current status on the search for an associate pastor: All our paperwork has been sent to Western District Conference and the job description is posted. The search committee will continue to work with conference minister Kathy Neufeld Dunn, who will share information with us about potential candidates. If you have names of people who may be interested in the position, you can send them to search committee chair Megan Leary at megleary28@gmail.com

The Education and Service Scholarship Committee (ESSC) has updated its application for young adult service grants. For a copy of the application please send a request to essc@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org, preferably at least 4 weeks before the event. Thank you, ESSC (Karen Ediger, Brad Kohlman and
Margaret Toews)

The Newton Chorale invites new members to participate in its 50th anniversary concert. Rehearsals begin in January, culminating in a performance March 1. Interested singers should contact the Chorale at newtonchorale@gmail.com

In this season of Advent, we are reminded of Mary, Joseph and Jesus moving from place to place in search of safety and a home. Immigrants in our own community are also seeking these things for themselves and their families. Casa Betania Mennonite Church in Newton is ministering to many of these people and has established a fund to help with legal and documentation expenses. Our BCMC Immigration Task Force invites you to support local immigrants by sending a check to Casa Betania at Iglesia Mennonite Casa Betania, Box 102, Newton, KS 67114, and designate immigration/documentation fund on the memo line. (If you would like to be added to the email list for the Immigration Task Force, contact Ron Flickinger or Wes Schmidt-Tieszen.)

Bluestem U, the lifelong learning program of Bluestem Communities for individuals age 55 and better, is kicking off the new year with three new classes. Courses, at $50 each, are: “Life Upon the Wicked Stage: Classics of Western Theatre” taught by Lauren Friesen, “Health, the Human Face of Climate Change” taught by Dwight Krehbiel, and “Biblical Literature (Bib Lit) Crash Course” taught by Kevin Wilder. See bluestemu.org for more information, including dates, times and locations.

Kauffman Museum at Bethel College invites you to visit during the holidays.
There is a recently restored 17th-century Bible from the Jake T. Friesen family on display, through the end of December. The museum is closed Mondays, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day and open 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve; Regular hours are 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays, 1:30-4:30 p.m. weekends. The current special exhibit is “Voices of Conscience: Peace Witness in the Great War.” Permanent exhibits are “Of Land and People,” “Mirror of the Martyrs” and “Mennonite Immigrant Furniture.” The museum store is also open during those hours, with books, games, art and other gift items for sale (see https://www.kauffmanmuseum.org/museum-store).

Church-specific matching challenges have been formally issued by anonymous supporters of Camp Mennoscah within the Faith Mennonite – Newton, Shalom Mennonite Church, and Lorraine Ave. congregations, with similar challenges being considered at Eden, Bethel College, New Creation, Hope Mennonite, Whitestone, and others. Will YOU be the first to step-up in YOUR congregation? These $5,000 – $10,000 matching challenges – if met within their respective congregations – would allow the retreat center to hit its fundraising goal for project completion by the end of March of next year, and would be a HUGE milestone in the financial stability of Camp Mennoscah. Please contact camp’s Director of Development at 620.755.2583 to discuss a match within your church!

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

For a message from Kansas Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (KIPCOR) press here
For Mennonite Women USA “Grapevine” press here
For Anabaptist Disabilities Network press here
For Anabaptist Disabilities Network “All In Congregations” press here
For Mennonite Disaster Service “On the Level” press here
For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here

Dear Intersections readers:
Greetings! The winter 2026 issue of Intersections on “Decolonizing Relief, Development and Peacebuilding” issue of Intersections, compiled by Sara Wyngaarden is now on the Mennonite Central Committee website. See here: https://mcc.org/media/document/149266. Authors reflect on the opportunities for and challenges in living into decolonial ways of working in Bolivia, Canada, Haiti, India, Palestine and Israel, Uganda, and more.

As always, please do reach out to me with any thoughts or questions you might have about Intersections!
May you and yours have a joyous Christmas celebration and a happy start to the new year!
Peace, Alain Epp Weaver

Camp Mennoscah Announcements

Camp Mennoscah is looking for a volunteer to work with the camp website. This would include regularly updating information and potentially a complete overhaul of the website itself. The details of the work would depend on the skills of the volunteer and time they have available. Please contact office@campmennoscah.org or call 620-297-3290 to start the conversation.

Thank you to everyone who has gifted us wish list items! We would be happy to receive kitchen knives, “restaurant style” hot pads (example: https://www.webstaurantstore.com/choice-10-x-11-terry-cloth-pan-grabber-bakers-pad/160TPH1011WH.html), replacement ping pong table net with clamps, and plastic cutting boards (no smaller than 12″X18″, larger is fine). Office-related items include copier paper, postage stamps, and sticky notes. Toilet paper and kitchen/white paper towels are always welcome! Contact office@campmennoscah.org with questions.

From Mennonite Central Committee U.S. National Peace & Justice Ministries
Dear Bethel College Mennonite,Join us for Creative Resistance, a transformative week-long experience in Los Angeles exploring how creative expression fuels the imagination for peace and justice while building resilience in communities under attack.
March 20-25, 2026 | Los Angeles
Set in Los Angeles, a city that has endured extraordinary challenges — from the devastating January wildfires to recent ICE raids and National Guard deployments — this program will explore how art emerges not in spite of struggle but because of it.
Grounded in Scripture’s rich artistic tradition — from the Psalms to Jesus as a creative disruptor who used parables and embodied actions — you’ll discover how creativity builds pathways toward justice.

Apply today

What you’ll experience:
Visits to significant LA locations: community murals, cultural centers, and historic movement spacesHands-on creative workshops in music, poetry, and visual artsTools for integrating art into your own justice workConnections between theological insights and creative expressionArt as sanctuary, resistance, and spiritual groundingProgram details:Cost: $250 registration fee
Limited capacity: 12 participants only
What’s included: All travel, lodging, and meals covered
Application deadline: January 15, 2026This transformative week is for artists, faith leaders, organizers, and anyone ready to reimagine what’s possible.
Creative Resistance welcomes participants of all backgrounds, identities, and experience levels.
Ready to reimagine what’s possible? Apply today.
In hope,
Daniela Lazaro-Manalo
Racial Equity Education and Advocacy Coordinator
MCC U.S. National Peace & Justice Ministries

From Mennonite Church USA
MC USA invites you to join the new Reimagining MC USA initiative — a denomination-wide process of prayerful reflection and open dialogue about our shared future. Visit the new web portal to watch a four-part video series, download the small-group discussion guide and share your ideas in a survey. Learn more here. https://www.mennoniteusa.org/news/reimagining/

Menno Snapshots
In her latest Menno Snapshots blog, MC USA’s Rachel Ringenberg Miller shares six practical tips to help congregations nurture meaningful intergenerational connections in worship. Read more here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/intergenerational-connections/

Learn how rest strengthens our capacity to resist oppression, inequity and despair in this Menno Snapshots blog by MC USA’s Lorraine Stutzman Amstutz, denominational minister for Peace & Justice, featuring reflections from attendees of MC USA’s Women’s Summit in Greensboro, North Carolina. Read more here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/reflections-womens-summit/

As congregations face rising costs, many are asking how to sustain meaningful support for their pastors. In her latest Menno Snapshots blog, Ingrid Friesen Moser names the financial realities and offers practical ways congregations can continue to show care — even when budgets are tight. Read her blog here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/pastor-wellbeing/

Read more in Executive Conference Minister Stanley Green’s Menno Snapshots blog and accompanying sidebar to learn how Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference is following Jesus, including its commitment to be an “apartheid-free” conference. https://www.mennoniteusa.org/following-jesus-psmc/

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Mennonite Mission Network requests prayer for Mennonite Voluntary Service and Service Adventure volunteers. Some of these young adults are traveling home for Christmas. Pray for their safety in travel and as they share about their experiences with their home communities. Other participants will celebrate their first Christmas away from their families. Pray that they may experience Jesus coming into this world in a new and deeper way.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Give thanks for all WDC congregations as they celebrate the birth of Jesus and embody the light of Christ in their communities and the world.

Bethel College Mennonite Church is an open and affirming congregation
centered in the life and teachings of Jesus. Embracing the divine within each
person, we warmly welcome any and all into fellowship without regard to race, ethnic background, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability,
economic status, marital status, or age.

Worship service and announcements for December 14, 2025

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH

WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
December 14, 2025–Third Sunday of Advent

Our faith in a God of love leads us, by the power of the Spirit,
to follow Jesus in doing justice, loving mercy,
and walking humbly with God.

To livestream the worship service for Sunday, December 14:

On Sunday morning, around 9:20 a.m. 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/hFuVkO0_2O0?feature=share

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
Advent 2025: Spacious Faith
Third Sunday of Advent: December 14, 2025

Prelude                                         Behold the Star (arr. Page)   Chancel Bells
                            Bring a torch Jeanette Isabella & Ding Dong Merrily on High
                                                                          Olivia Garber & Lincoln Kohlman, saxophone
                                                     God with Us     Marshall & Lindsay Anderson, vocal
                                      We Wish you a Merry Christmas Lawrence Kohlman, piano

Welcome–Adam Robb

Advent Candle-Lighting Call to Worship (by Mark Rupp)–Kohlman Family

Leader: In this season of waiting, we come with hearts open wide
to wonder, to longing, to paying attention.
People: We come to make space for God,
and to find that God has already made space for us.
Leader: As we light the candles of Advent,
we remember the witnesses who told the story of Christ,
each with a unique voice and vision of the good news.
People: Their faith invites us to live with spacious faith,
trusting that God meets us in many ways,
and that the story of Jesus is still unfolding among us.
Leader: We light this first candle for Mark’s faith,
a faith that runs toward hope, and finds God on the move.
We light this second candle for Matthew’s faith,
a faith that trusts the story is big enough to hold us all,
and honors those who carried the flames of peace.
Luke’s gospel lifts up the lowly,
puts songs in the mouths of those the world forgets,
and fills the air with joy that overflows.
In Luke’s story, every heart has room to sing.
People: We light this third candle for Luke’s faith,
a faith that rejoices in God’s justice
and makes room for wonder.
Leader: Come, Christ of spacious faith.
Widen our hearts, deepen our hope,
and make us ready to receive you again.
People: Come, Light of the World.

Prayer

*Hymn–Come Away From Rush and Hurry–VT 9

Children and Youth Conversation–Carol Flickinger

Worship Music–Riu, Riu Chiu (Tucker)–Chancel Bells; Verlene Garber, director

First Scripture Reading–I Samuel 2:1-8–Lois Brubacher

*Hymn–My Soul Proclaims with Wonder–VT 222

Second Scripture Reading–Luke 1:46-55–VT 987–Lois Brubacher

Silence

Sermon–Singing with Hannah and Mary–Joanna Harader

Silence

*Hymn–With Mary Sing Magnificat–VT 208

Offering Invitation and Prayers of God’s People

*Hymn–My Soul Cries Out–VT 412

*Benediction

Postlude–Good Christian Men, Rejoice  (Wilbur Held)–Karen Schlabaugh

VT—Voices Together                       Keyboard—Karen Schlabaugh
Audio visual—John Thiesen           Hymn Leader– Payne Claassen
Bulletin Image from Drawing Near—”The Woman at the Well” used by permission

The Week at BCMC: December 14—21, 2025
Sunday, December 14, 2025—9:15 a.m. Prelude
9:30 a.m.   Worship service live-stream link:
https://youtube.com/live/hFuVkO0_2O0?feature=share
12:30 p.m. Bible Study Class Christmas dinner in the home of Marlene V. Faul

Tuesday, December 16, 2025
7 p.m.        Women’s Fellowship Christmas Program in the sanctuary, for everyone, with the program: “History of Bethel College Mennonite Church Bell Choir” which began in 1969, inspired by Associate Pastor Esko Loewen, with first choir director, J. Randall Zercher for the youth. Comments by some former directors and players. Music by Chancel Bells, Verlene Garber, director. Refreshments in the Gathering Place. Everyone invited.
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
8-10 a.m. Joanna Harader’s final 1887 Café hours for the year
7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal—Sanctuary
Thursday, December 18, 2025
1-4 p.m.   You are invited to a Holiday Open House at the Bethel College Mennonite Church office. Stop by for some festive treats, good conversation, and general Christmas cheer. Monica, Nathan, and Joanna would love to see you!
4 p.m.       Worship Commission—Room 14
6:30 p.m. Abuse Prevention & Response Committee—Room 14
Saturday, December 20, 2025
11 a.m.      Celebration of Life service for Larry Penner—Sanctuary
Sunday, December 21, 2025—Fourth Sunday of Advent
Prelude at 9:15 a.m. with Angelika Donaldson, Robb Children, Ethan Garber, Burch group; Worship at 9:30 a.m. with sermon by Nathan Koontz
3 p.m.        Youth Group Caroling
6 p.m.        Longest Night Service

Chancel Bell Music Today
“Riu Riu Chiu” is a Spanish villancico (i.e., a common poetic and musical form of the Iberian Peninsula) first published in 1556. It means “River, River, Chirp/Sing”. It is imitative for birdsong, likely a nightingale or kingfisher. The refrain protects the “little lamb” (Mary) from the “wolf” (devil), teaching about the Nativity and Immaculate Conception, with the “riu” (river) symbolizing protection.

The Deacon Commission has a table under the dove banner in the Gathering Place with pages for your comments to members of our church whom we haven’t been able to see for a while. Stop and write a short greeting or sign your name to let them know we are thinking about them. The letters will remain on the table during the week for anyone to write a note before we send them out. Thank you!

We have an Advent puzzle! Stop by the round tables in the gathering place and help put together our new Advent puzzle. We hope to finish it before Christmas Eve.

Our Bethel College Mennonite Worship Commission has worked with worship leaders at Columbus Mennonite Church to develop material for this year’s Advent theme: Spacious Faith. We invite you to make room for the holy in your hearts and in your life during this sacred season.
· Advent Worship: Worship will begin with special prelude music at 9:15 a.m.
· Advent Sunday School: Pastors Nathan and Joanna will lead an elective Sunday School class for the four weeks of Advent using the book With God in Every Breath by Whitney R. Simpson. Join us in the chapel after worship!
· Special Events: Check out the Advent & Christmas schedules that you received via email and are available near the front and south entrances. Mark your calendars for our contemplative Longest Night service on Dec. 21.
· Advent Grounding: Our Spacious Faith web page offers prayers and practices to help you stay grounded in God’s peace and love in the midst of a hectic holiday season. Click on the link: Advent 2025: Spacious Faith | Spacious Faith

Holiday office schedule: The BCMC office will be closed Dec. 24-Jan. 2. While pastors and staff will be working some of these days, they will not hold regular office hours. Please be in touch by phone or email if you need to contact the office during this time. Note that Joanna will be on vacation Dec. 26-Jan. 1.

THANK YOU! Wednesday night’s Messy Church saw the assembly of 27 infant kits through the generous monetary and material donations by our church. Our youth will assemble more kits over the next few weeks when more materials become available. Any remaining money will be donated to MCC Infant Care Kits.

Do you need some space for quiet, for contemplation, even for grief in this Advent season? Plan to join us for a Longest Night Service on Sunday, December 21, at 6 p.m. in the chapel room. Let us ground ourselves in God’s peace and goodness as we navigate this complicated season.

Sympathy Notice
Please remember in your prayers the family of Larry Penner. Larry died Sunday, December 7, 2025 at Kidron Bethel Village. We offer sympathy to Larry’s wife Karen, their son, Murray Penner, their daughter Diana (Justin) Reaume, as well as grandchildren Chance Parrish, Bailey Penner, Gabriel Reaume, and extended family. The celebration of life service for Larry will be Saturday, December 20, 11 a.m. at Bethel College Mennonite Church.

From the Finance committee

We continue to offer gratitude for the generosity shared in donating monetary offerings toward our annual budget. Each gift is important to the process of fulfilling our mission. As the fiscal year end is approaching on December 31, we are offering information on a monthly schedule to offer insight into the financial picture. A brief report is listed below.

The following is a BCMC financial report of the general fund income and expenses on November 30, 2025 (91.7% of the year).

Total income $ 454,080 81% of budget
Total expense $ 480,831 86% of budget
Net income/expense -$ 26,750

The majority of our Advent books are now displayed in the library! Those of you that have family members coming for the holidays may want to check out our holiday books for visiting relatives. We have quite the selection for all ages.
Also, we have very generous congregational members that donate books to our library. Sometimes these books don’t quite fit our library needs or we may already have that book. We are now using these books as a fundraiser, just like our donated puzzles. If you find a book/puzzle you would like to purchase, just put your donation in the little envelope. Come check us out!

Service of Remembrance
As this holiday season brings joy with the promise of new life and love birthed into our world, there is also grief as we miss those who have passed from this world in 2025. In order to recognize and mourn the loss of our loved ones from 2025, Bethel College Mennonite Church is hosting a Service of Remembrance on January 4, 2026 at 4 p.m. in the BCMC sanctuary. During the service we will light candles for those from our congregation who have passed in 2025. You are also welcome to light a candle for others in your life whom you are mourning.

Are you new(ish) to Bethel College Mennonite Church? Interested in learning more about the congregation? Curious about membership at BCMC? Pastors Nathan and Joanna will lead two elective Sunday School sessions early next year in the chapel. Anyone is welcome to attend either or both of these classes.
–January 18: Introduction to Bethel College Mennonite–This session will provide a brief history of the congregation and an orientation to the church mission and structure.
–February 1: Membership at BCMC–In this session we will discuss the membership process and answer questions that people bring.
*Contact a pastor for more information.

In this season of Advent, we are reminded of Mary, Joseph and Jesus moving from place to place in search of safety and a home. Immigrants in our own community are also seeking these things for themselves and their families. Casa Betania Mennonite Church in Newton is ministering to many of these people and has established a fund to help with legal and documentation expenses. Our BCMC Immigration Task Force invites you to support local immigrants by sending a check to Casa Betania at Iglesia Mennonite Casa Betania, Box 102, Newton, KS 67114, and designate immigration/documentation fund on the memo line. (If you would like to be added to the email list for the Immigration Task Force, contact Ron Flickinger or Wes Schmidt-Tieszen.)

In the last week, numerous individuals have offered congregation-specific matching opportunities of $5,000 on behalf of Camp Mennoscah. If each of our partner churches had just one household willing to provide this amount – and their match was fulfilled within their church – fundraising for the retreat center would be finished! To offer a match for YOUR congregation – or to give toward an existing match – text “MATCH” to 6207552583. – Eric Litwiller, director of development at Camp Mennoscah

Smaller Wish List needs for Camp Mennoscah include kitchen knives, “restaurant style” hot pads (example: https://www.webstaurantstore.com/choice-10-x-11-terry-cloth-pan-grabber-bakers-pad/160TPH1011WH.html), replacement ping pong table net with clamps, Rubbermaid storage containers for the kitchen (9 cup and larger), serving spatulas (for cake/brownies) and plastic cutting boards (no smaller than 12″X18″, larger is fine). Office-related items include copier paper, postage stamps, and sticky notes. Toilet paper and kitchen/white paper towels are always welcome! Contact office@campmennoscah.org with questions.

Dear Bethel College Mennonite,
“Blessed are the peacemakers…” – Matthew 5:9Puerto Rico has experienced various ups and downs, including hurricanes, earthquakes and a system of governance that seems to keep communities in constant crisis. What does it mean to work for peace in this context? Join us in beautiful Puerto Rico to learn how the life and teachings of Jesus inform our peacebuilding. For one week we will participate in a process of learning and collective transformation, exploring how to live in solidarity with each other and build a community of peace with biblical foundations. Participants must have at least an intermediate level of listening and speaking Spanish.  During this peace camp we will: Explore biblical foundations for peace Learn practical peacebuilding tools Discuss issues of migration, trauma, and other systems that impact well-being Visit local organizations doing peacebuilding work When: February 15-21, 2026
Where: Rio Grande, Puerto Rico
Who: Young adults, ages 18-30; understanding and speaking Spanish is necessary
How: Register here by January 12
Cost: $250.00 (Includes flight to Puerto Rico) guarantees your place at the camp View and download the flyerPeace camps are a way to encourage and support the next generation of the Church to live an active faith as peacemakers. Young adults, ages 18 to 30, and church leaders who work with young adults are invited to apply. MCC covers all travel, lodging, and dining costs beyond the $250 registration fee. We encourage churches, schools, families, and friends to support participants in the registration fee when possible. This is an opportunity not to be missed, so tap someone on the shoulder or join yourself! Please reach out with any questions or concerns. Otherwise, head over to our website to register. Don’t miss out on the amazing opportunity to put theory into practice at an MCC Peace Camp!

For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here
Merry Christmas from Mennonite Mission Network press here
Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements.
From Paris Mennonite Center press here

From Mennonite Church USA
MC USA is launching a new collaborative workshop series to help churches and leaders practice healthier ways of navigating conflict. The first training kicks off in Oregon this March! Discover what’s behind this new initiative and how you can take part. Read more and register on our website: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/news/conflict-transformation-workshop/

MC USA recently announced the 2025–26 recipients of its Scholarship for BIPOC Students. The scholarship recognized nine students from three partner schools. Read the full story here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/news/bipoc-scholarships-2025/

Reminder: Open enrollment for The Corinthian Plan, MC USA’s healthcare plan for pastors and church workers, ends December 31. Find everything you need to know right here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/ministry/the-corinthian-plan/

Menno Snapshots
Executive Director Glen Guyton urges MC USA to face challenges with faith, reimagine its structure, and engage congregations in shaping a hopeful, Christ-centered future together. Read more in his Menno Snapshots blog titled, “The Future of Mennonite Church USA”: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/the-future-of-mennonite-church/

What does it mean to follow Jesus in a world shaped by violence and militarism? H.A. Penner, life-long conscientious objector, shares how his faith has led him to practice war tax resistance and redirection as an expression of Christian nonviolence. Read his Menno Snapshots blog here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/tax-resister

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Praise God that Caleb Schrock-Hurst, who serves jointly with Mennonite Mission Network and Virginia Mennonite Missions, has successfully finished his cancer treatments and is cancer free. Now, he and his wife, Stephanie, are moving forward with their plans to respond to an invitation to go to Mennonite Christian Hospital in Taiwan. Pray for physical and spiritual health as they resume preparations that were put on hold for the past year.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Pray for chaplains and pastors in WDC who accompany others and provide care and support during the Christmas season, in the midst of joy and celebration and also in the face of pain and suffering.

Bethel College Mennonite Church is an open and affirming congregation
centered in the life and teachings of Jesus. Embracing the divine within each
person, we warmly welcome any and all into fellowship without regard to race, ethnic background, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability,
economic status, marital status, or age.

Worship service and announcements for December 7, 2025

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH

WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
December 7, 2025–Second Sunday of Advent

Our faith in a God of love leads us, by the power of the Spirit,
to follow Jesus in doing justice, loving mercy,
and walking humbly with God.

To livestream the worship service for Sunday, December 7:

On Sunday morning, around 9:20 a.m. 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/2Fu8XDh_Gug?feature=share

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
Advent 2025: Spacious Faith
Second Sunday of Advent: December 7, 2025

Prelude Music—Open Road

Land Acknowledgement & Welcome—Jill Robb

Advent Candle-Lighting— Lexi Nickel, Faith Peterson

Call to Worship (by Mark Rupp)

Leader: In this season of waiting, we come with hearts open wide to wonder, to longing, to paying attention.
People: We come to make space for God,
and to find that God has already made space for us.
Leader: As we light the candles of Advent,
we remember the witnesses who told the story of Christ,
each with a unique voice and vision of the good news.
People: Their faith invites us to live with spacious faith,
trusting that God meets us in many ways,
and that the story of Jesus is still unfolding among us.
Leader: We light this first candle for Mark’s faith, a faith that runs toward hope, and finds God on the move. Matthew’s gospel reminds us that the story of Christ is grounded,
rooted in the hopes of those who came before.
God’s promise stretches across generations,
making space for all who hunger for righteousness.
People: We light this second candle for Matthew’s faith, a faith that trusts the story is big enough to hold us all, and honors those who carried the flames of peace.
Leader: Come, Christ of spacious faith. Widen our hearts, deepen our hope, and make us ready to receive you again.
People: Come, Light of the World.

Prayer—Jill Robb

*Hymn—Come Away From Rush and Hurry—VT 9

Children and Youth Conversation—Adam Robb

Worship Music—What Sweeter Music (Herrick/Stopford)–Chancel Choir; Joel Garber, director; Will Wiebe-Friesen, accompanist

First Scripture Reading—Isaiah 7:10-14–Hugo Boschmann

*Hymn—O Come, O Come, Immanuel—VT 210

Second Scripture Reading—Matthew 1:18-25–Hugo Boschmann

Silence

Sermon—Storytelling–Nathan Koontz

Silence

*Hymn—Oh, How Shall I Receive Thee—VT 215

Offering Invitation and Prayers of God’s People—Jill Robb

*Hymn—Hark! the Glad Sound!—VT 217

*Benediction

Postlude—How Shall I Receive Thee (arr. J. Payne)
Will Wiebe-Friesen

* You are invited to stand

VT—Voices Together
Keyboard—Will Wiebe-Friesen
Audio visual—Ben Lichti
Hymn Leader—Payne Claassen

Welcome and thank you to Bethel College’s Open Road for bringing us the prelude Sunday morning! The prelude starts at 9:15 a.m.

Land Acknowledgement 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.

The Week at BCMC: December 7—14, 2025
Sunday, December 7, 2025—9:15 a.m. Prelude by Bethel College’s Open Road
9:30 a.m.   Worship service live-stream link:
https://youtube.com/live/2Fu8XDh_Gug?feature=share

11 a.m.       College students and other young adults are invited to a pizza lunch in the fellowship hall. Pizza-making will happen during the Sunday School hour, to be followed by pizza-eating!

Monday, December 8, 2025
3 p.m.       Memorial service for Florine Eitzen—Kidron Bethel, Kidron Hall
Please remember in your prayers the family of Florine. Florine died Sept. 8 at Kidron Bethel Village.
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
9 a.m.       Women’s Fellowship Executive Board at Lois Goertzen’s home
4 p.m.       Staff Congregation Relations Committee—Room 14
7:30 p.m. Finance Committee—Room 14
Wednesday, December 10, 2025—Messy Church
6 p.m.   Messy Church will include sharing a meal, singing a few carols, enjoying Christmas scenes and stories by our youngest BCMC “characters,” and assembling MCC infant kits. We hope you can join us!
Menu for the supper: Pizza casserole, Fruit salad, Festive brownies
As part of our Messy Church worship on December 10, we will assemble infant care kits. As we prepare for this session, we are asking for monetary or physical donations for the supplies of the kits. If you would like to donate monetarily, please place checks or cash in the marked fishbowls that are in the back of the sanctuary. Physical items (listed below) can be placed in the pack-and-play in the Gathering Place.
Contents of Infant Kits (NEW items only, sizes 6-12 months)
· 3 gowns/sleepers (flannel or similar warm, soft material)
· 3 undershirts/onesies (short or long sleeves)
· 1 receiving blanket [lightweight fleece or flannel, minimum 75 cm x 75 cm (30 in x 30 in), larger sizes preferred]         • 4 large, heavy-duty safety pins
· 1 large bar mild soap (leave in wrapper)   • 1 pair of socks      • 1 cap

7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal—Sanctuary
Thursday, December 11, 2025
6 p.m.        Chancel Bell Rehearsal—Room B7
Sunday, December 14, 2025—Third Sunday of Advent
9:15 a.m.    Prelude by Lindsay & Marshall Anderson, Abby Koontz, and
Lawrence Kohlman
9:30 a.m.    Worship with sermon by Joanna Harader; music by Chancel Bells

Do you need some space for quiet, for contemplation, even for grief in this Advent season? Plan to join us for a Longest Night Service on Sunday, December 21, at 6 p.m. in the chapel room. Let us ground ourselves in God’s peace and goodness as we navigate this complicated season.

Birthday calendars – with photos of art at BCMC by Weldon Schloneger– are available in the back of the sanctuary for a suggested donation of $10. Checks may be written to BCMC with Women’s Fellowship written in the memo line. Birthday calendars stay current in subsequent years.

Our Bethel College Mennonite Worship Commission has worked with worship leaders at Columbus Mennonite Church to develop material for this year’s Advent theme: Spacious Faith. We invite you to make room for the holy in your hearts and in your life during this sacred season.
· Advent Worship: Worship will begin with special prelude music at 9:15 a.m.
· Advent Sunday School: Pastors Nathan and Joanna will lead an elective Sunday School class for the four weeks of Advent using the book With God in Every Breath by Whitney R. Simpson. Join us in the chapel after worship!
· Special Events: Check out the Advent & Christmas schedules that you received via email and are available near the front and south entrances. Mark your
calendars for our contemplative Longest Night service on Dec. 21.
· Advent Grounding: Our Spacious Faith web page offers prayers and practices to help you stay grounded in God’s peace and love in the midst of a hectic holiday season. Click on the link: Advent 2025: Spacious Faith | Spacious Faith

For the next few Sundays, the Deacon Commission has a table under the dove banner in the Gathering Place with pages for your comments to members of our church whom we haven’t been able to see for a while. Stop by and write a short greeting or sign your name to let them know we are thinking about them. The letters will remain on the table during the week for anyone to write a note before we send them out. Thank you!

Women’s Fellowship Christmas Program in the sanctuary for everyone Tues., Dec. 16, 7 p.m. Program: “History of Bethel College Mennonite Church Bell Choir” which began in 1969, inspired by Associate Pastor Esko Loewen, with first choir director, J. Randall Zercher for the youth. Comments by some former directors and players. Music by Chancel Bells, Verlene Garber, director. Refreshments in the Gathering Place. Everyone invited.

The poinsettias in the church have been donated by congregants. Aldine Sprunger’s donation of a poinsettia in memory of Keith Sprunger was inadvertently left out of the poinsettia list. (Lists of the donors can be found at the back of the church.) Thank you to Susie Swartley for spending many hours decorating the church for Christmas!

We have an Advent puzzle! Stop by the tables set up in the gathering place and help us put
together our new Advent puzzle. We hope to finish it before Christmas Eve.

Are you new(ish) to Bethel College Mennonite Church? Interested in learning more about
the congregation? Curious about membership at BCMC? Pastors Nathan and Joanna will
lead two elective Sunday School sessions early next year in the chapel. Anyone is welcome to
attend either or both of these classes.
–January 18: Introduction to Bethel College Mennonite–This session will provide a brief history
of the congregation and an orientation to the church mission and structure.
–February 1: Membership at BCMC–In this session we will discuss the membership process
and answer questions that people bring.
*Contact a pastor for more information.

Mennonite Women is providing an online Advent devotional calendar called “The
Gathering.” The daily reflections are provided by women in leadership across Mennonite Church
USA and seek to respond to the pain of family separation, especially separation caused by ICE
raids and deportations.

You are invited to a Holiday Open House at the Bethel College Mennonite Church office from 1-4 p.m. on Thursday, December 18. Stop by for some festive treats, good conversation, and general Christmas cheer. Monica, Nathan, and Joanna would love to see you!

Holiday office schedule: The BCMC office will be closed December 24-January 2. While
pastors and staff will be working some of these days, they will not hold regular office hours.
Please be in touch by phone or email if you need to contact the office during this time. Note that
Joanna will be on vacation December 26-January 1.

The majority of our Advent books are now displayed in the library! Those of you that have family members coming for the holidays may want to check out our holiday books for visiting relatives. We have quite the selection for all ages.
Also, we have very generous congregational members that donate books to our library. Sometimes these books don’t quite fit our library needs or we may already have that book. We are now using these books as a fundraiser, just like our donated puzzles. If you find a book/puzzle you would like to purchase, just put your donation in the little envelope. Come check us out!

In this season of Advent, we are reminded of Mary, Joseph and Jesus moving from place to place in search of safety and a home. Immigrants in our own community are also seeking these things for themselves and their families. Casa Betania Mennonite Church in Newton is ministering to many of these people and has established a fund to help with legal and documentation expenses. Our BCMC Immigration Task Force invites you to support local immigrants by sending a check to Casa Betania at Iglesia Mennonite Casa Betania, Box 102, Newton, KS 67114, and designate immigration/documentation fund on the memo line. (If you would like to be added to the email list for the Immigration Task Force, contact Ron Flickinger or Wes Schmidt-Tieszen.)

You are welcome to pick up a copy of our Spacious Faith Advent Calendar at the back of the sanctuary this morning.

The Education and Service Scholarship Committee (ESSC) has updated its application for young adult service grants. For a copy of the application please send a requestto essc@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org, preferably at least 4 weeks before the event. Thank you, ESSC (Karen Ediger, Brad Kohlman and Margaret Toews)

Bethel College Announcements
The 40th Annual Lighting of the Green on the Bethel College campus is Sunday, Dec. 7 at 8 p.m.

Mon., Dec. 8: Reception for Senior Art Exhibit I, “Forms of Nature,” and Abby Chappell Deckert, 6-8 p.m., Regier Art Gallery in Luyken Fine Arts Center at Bethel College. The exhibit of ceramics and ceramic sculpture closes Fri., Dec. 12. Gallery hours are Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun. 2-4 p.m.

Will Wiebe-Friesen and Rebecca Schloneger will be playing in the orchestra for Tabor College’s annual performance of portions of Handel’s Messiah. The free concert is today, Dec. 7, 4 p.m., Richert Auditorium in Tabor’s fine arts center.

The Newton Treble Clef Annual Vespers is Sunday, Dec. 7, 3 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 900 Columbus, Newton. Prelude begins at 2:45 featuring The Schrag Siblings. Program includes: Treble Clef Chorus, Prairie Bronze Handbell Ensemble, and Hearts 4 Him. A freewill offering will be taken for the scholarship fund that will be awarded to high school seniors who are pursuing a music major. We invite you to be our guest and begin your Christmas Season.

Eden Mennonite Church, 401 18th Ave., Moundridge, invites you to their production of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” by Barbara Robinson, Sat. Dec. 13, 7 p.m., doors open 6:30 p.m., and Sun., Dec. 14, 2 p.m., doors open 1:30 p.m. In this hilarious Christmas play, a couple struggling to put on a Christmas pageant is faced with casting the Herdman kids, probably the most inventively awful kids in history. Come see this funny and heartwarming telling of the Christmas story. Admission is free.

Bluestem U, the lifelong learning program of Bluestem Communities for individuals age 55 and better, is kicking off the new year with three new classes. Courses include: “Life Upon the Wicked Stage: Classics of Western Theatre” taught by Lauren Friesen, “Health, the Human Face of Climate Change” taught by Dwight Krehbiel, and “Biblical Literature (Bib Lit) Crash Course” taught by Kevin Wilder. Courses are $50 a piece. See bluestemu.org for more information, including dates, times and locations.

From Camp Mennoscah
Progress on the retreat center at Camp Mennoscah continues to be made thanks to your support! With the drains, ladders, and grates addressed in the basement egress pits, we are moving on to inside painting, exterior concrete pads, and ceiling grids getting hung for the suspended ceiling in the basement, all of which we expect to have done within the next two weeks. This work is possible only through a combination of your on-going support, and funds from our financial reserves which were utilized to get the project started. Any organization’s financial reserves are vital to long-term health of a non-profit, so if you are in a position to help us re-build those reserves with your year-end giving, please text “RESERVES” to 6207552583 to discuss your giving options with our Director of Development.

Mennonite Central Committee Announcements

MCC Christmas Giving – Choose gifts that honor your loved ones and change lives across the globe. MCC has 20 alternative gift options for you to choose from this Christmas season starting at just $12. Cards and e-cards are available to accompany your gift. Start here mcc.org/christmas and if you have any questions please contact the MCC Central States office at centralstates@mcc.org or 316.283.2720.

Across the U.S.–Mexico borderlands — and in communities far beyond them — people of courage and compassion are responding daily to the realities of migration. MCC believes that listening to these stories helps us live more deeply into our values of peace, hospitality, and justice. Join us for Borderlands & Beyond Monthly Charlas, a new conversation series led by the MCC U.S. Immigration Network featuring MCC partners, community leaders, and borderlands practitioners who will share their work, struggles, insights, and hopes. Each charla provides a welcoming space to learn, ask questions, and explore how we can participate in faithful advocacy and accompaniment. Find out more and register for the Zoom link: mcc.org/events/borderlands-and-beyond-monthly-charlas-mcc.

Date: Every 3rd Thursday of the month (January to December 2026)

Time: 4:00 PM PT / 5:00 PM MT / 6:00 PM CT / 7:00 PM ET

Location: Online via Zoom

MCC’s high school essay contest is now open! The annual MCC U.S. National Peace & Justice Ministries essay contest highlights the perspectives of youth on significant public policy issues and promotes the involvement of young people in faithful witness to government authorities. Submissions may be in English or Spanish. (A continuación véase la información en español.) The contest is open to Mennonite, Brethren in Christ and other Anabaptist youth of high school age and to all youth who attend Mennonite high schools within the United States, including Puerto Rico. Regional prizes will be awarded, with the top three essays being submitted to the national competition. Regional top prize is $200 and the national contest grand prize is $1000. Contest topics, rules and resources can be found at mcc.org/events/high-school-essay-contest. The deadline for submitting entries is February 27, 2026. Essays should be submitted to centralstates@mcc.org, questions can be directed to beckyteiwes@mcc.org.

The chill of winter is settling in and that means it’s time for MCC’s Great Winter Warm-up! From January to March, the goal is 10,000 comforters to help spread warmth, joy and comfort to people around the world. Start plans now to gather with friends and family to make comforters for MCC this winter! Find inspiring stories and instructions at mcc.org/gww.

For MCC “In Touch” newsletter press here

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

For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here
For Mennonite Women USA “A Year of Sisterhood” press here
For Mennonite World Conference press here

From Mennonite Church USA
Advent is underway, and MC USA invites you to deepen your worship at home with our 2025 Advent at Home guide. This year’s theme, “Be Amazed,” follows MennoMedia’s Leader magazine and offers weekly reflections and practices for individuals, families and households of all ages. The guide is free to all MC USA congregations and is available now as a downloadable PDF. (Spanish translation coming 11/26)
https://www.mennoniteusa.org/advent-at-home-2025/

The MC USA Executive Board recently shared a letter to all MC USA constituents regarding a recent decision by Mennonite World Conference. The letter expresses the Executive Board’s deep concern and reaffirms MC USA’s ongoing commitment to unity and peacemaking within the global Anabaptist community. Please read it here in English https://bit.ly/3JUKeGT and en español: https://bit.ly/4iizLBA.

Mennonite Church USA invites you to a 90-minute webinar on navigating pastoral transitions led by Rachel Ringenberg Miller, denominational minister for Ministerial Leadership, on Mon., Jan. 12 at 4 p.m. PST/7 p.m. EST. This session will offer guidance for congregations navigating or anticipating a pastoral change, with practical tools for discernment and visioning. Register here: https://bit.ly/3XisPLk

There’s still time to join The Great Menno Give! MC USA staff, Mennonite Mission Network, and MennoMedia are coming together during this season of giving for a special initiative: The Great Menno Give. We invite you to join with others across our church family in a collective act of generosity that empowers mission, education and faith formation. Please give here: https://bit.ly/4ohMber

Mennonite Church USA is seeking a Human Resources/Finance Assistant (.5 FTE) to support a wide range of HR and financial functions for the MC USA Executive Board. Experience and knowledge in accounting are preferred, with a minimum of a two-year Business degree or equivalent experience. MC USA is committed to diversity among staff and welcomes people of diverse backgrounds and abilities to apply. The application deadline is January 5, 2026. Learn more here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/employment

Big changes are coming to the health coverage market in 2026. Are you ready? Watch MC USA’s recorded webinar, “Navigating Change: Health Coverage in 2026,” about what’s ahead and how it could affect your premiums. The first half is a broad overview of market shifts in 2026 and the second half focuses on The Corinthian Plan, MC USA’s healthcare plan for pastors and church workers. View it here: http://bit.ly/4qv8jV5

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Joseph and Rachel Givens and their two sons, who are serving with MMN, are on the front lines of ministry to people fleeing persecution and death. Pray that the Givens will receive the spiritual and financial resources they need to continue sharing Christ’s love through food and shelter at the Maria Skobtsova House, in Calais, France.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Give thanks for musicians, artists, poets, prophets, pastors and preachers whose gifts enrich WDC congregations’ worship and witness during the Advent season.

Bethel College Mennonite Church is an open and affirming congregation
centered in the life and teachings of Jesus. Embracing the divine within each
person, we warmly welcome any and all into fellowship without regard to race, ethnic background, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability,
economic status, marital status, or age.

Worship service and announcements for November 30, 2025

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH

WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
November 30, 2025–First Sunday of Advent

Our faith in a God of love leads us, by the power of the Spirit,
to follow Jesus in doing justice, loving mercy,
and walking humbly with God.

To livestream the worship service for Sunday, November 30:

On Sunday morning, around 9:20 a.m. 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/Uk0S6MYNtnA?feature=share

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
Advent 2025: Spacious Faith
First Sunday of Advent: November 30, 2025

Prelude Music—Will Wiebe-Friesen

Welcome—Jim Robb

Advent Candle-Lighting

Call to Worship (by Mark Rupp)—Robb family

Leader: In this season of waiting, we come with hearts open wide
                to wonder, to longing, to paying attention.
People: We come to make space for God,
                and to find that God has already made space for us.
Leader: As we light the candles of Advent,
                we remember the witnesses who told the story of Christ,
                each with a unique voice and vision of the good news.
People: Their faith invites us to live with spacious faith,
                trusting that God meets us in many ways,
                and that the story of Jesus is still unfolding among us.
Leader: Mark’s gospel begins not with a cradle, but with a call;
                a voice crying out, “Prepare the way!”
                In the wilderness, Mark finds good news stirring,
                reminding us that God’s story breaks in wherever we are.
People: We light this first candle for Mark’s faith,
                a faith that runs toward hope,
                and finds God on the move.
Leader: Come, Christ of spacious faith.
                Widen our hearts, deepen our hope,
                and make us ready to receive you again.
People: Come, Light of the World.

Prayer—Jim Robb

*Hymn—Come Away From Rush and Hurry—VT 9

Children and Youth Conversation—Esther Koontz

Worship Music—Ave Maria (Bach/Gounod)—Doyle Preheim

First Scripture Reading—Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11—Heather Zerger

*Hymn—Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord—VT 219 [Sing 4 times]

Second Scripture Reading—Mark 1:1-8—Heather Zerger

Silence

Sermon—Strange Beginnings–Joanna Harader

Silence

*Hymn—Comfort, Comfort, O My People—VT 212

Communion—Nathan Koontz, Joanna Harader

Offering Invitation and Prayers of God’s People—Jim Robb

*Hymn—Bless’d Be the God of Israel—VT 223
[Those with November birthdays are welcome to come forward during this hymn to receive a birthday blessing.]

*Benediction

Postlude–Andante (Schubert)–Mary Jo Preheim, piano

* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Piano—Mary Jo Preheim
Organ—Will Wiebe-Friesen
Audio visual—Ben Lichti
Hymn Leader—Payne Claassen

The text of Ave Maria is the Annunciation informing Mary that she will bear a son, Jesus.

The Week at BCMC: November 30—December 7, 2025
Sunday, November 30, 2025
9:30 a.m.   Worship service live-stream link:

https://youtube.com/live/Uk0S6MYNtnA?feature=share

Tuesday, December 2, 2025
12 p.m.     Bethel College Concert Choir Rehearsal—Sanctuary
7 p.m.       Pastor Search Committee—Room 14
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
11 a.m.     Messiah Sing—Sanctuary
Thursday, December 4, 2025
6 p.m.        Chancel Bell Rehearsal—Room B7
7 p.m.        Church Board—Room 14
Sunday, December 7, 2025—Second Sunday of Advent
9:15 a.m.    Prelude by the Bethel College a cappella men’s group, Open Road
9:30 a.m.    Worship with sermon by Nathan Koontz; music by Chancel Choir
11 a.m.       College students and other young adults are invited to a pizza lunch in the fellowship hall. Pizza-making will happen during the Sunday School hour, to be followed by pizza-eating!

Our Bethel College Mennonite Worship Commission has worked with worship leaders at Columbus Mennonite Church to develop material for this year’s Advent theme: Spacious Faith. We invite you to make room for the holy in your hearts and in your life during this sacred season.
· Advent Worship: Worship will begin with special prelude music at 9:15 a.m.
· Advent Sunday School: Pastors Nathan and Joanna will lead an elective Sunday School class for the four weeks of Advent using the book With God in Every Breath by Whitney R. Simpson. Join us in the chapel after worship!
· Special Events: Be sure to check out the Advent & Christmas schedules that you received via email and that are available near the front and south entrances. And be sure to mark your calendars for our special Christmas Messy Church on Dec. 10 and our contemplative Longest Night service on Dec. 21.
· Advent Grounding: Our Spacious Faith web page offers prayers and practices to help you stay grounded in God’s peace and love in the midst of a hectic holiday season.
Click on the link: Advent 2025: Spacious Faith | Spacious Faith

You are welcome to pick up a copy of our Spacious Faith Advent Calendar at the back of the sanctuary Sunday morning.

In this season of Advent, we are reminded of Mary, Joseph and Jesus moving from place to place in search of safety and a home. Immigrants in our own community are also seeking these things for themselves and their families. Casa Betania Mennonite Church in Newton is ministering to many of these people and has established a fund to help with legal and documentation expenses. Our BCMC Immigration Task Force invites you to support local immigrants by sending a check to Casa Betania at Iglesia Mennonite Casa Betania, Box 102, Newton, KS 67114, and designate immigration/documentation fund on the memo line. (If you would like to be added to the email list for the Immigration Task Force, contact Ron Flickinger or Wes Schmidt-Tieszen.)

The majority of our Advent books are now displayed in the library! Those of you that have family members coming for the holidays may want to check out our holiday books for visiting relatives. We have quite the selection for all ages.
Also, we have very generous congregational members that donate books to our library. Sometimes these books don’t quite fit our library needs or we may already have that book. We are now using these books as a fundraiser, just like our donated puzzles. If you find a book/puzzle you would like to purchase, just put your donation in the little envelope. Come check us out!

Messy Church on December 10 will include sharing a meal, singing a few carols, enjoying Christmas scenes and stories by our youngest BCMC “characters,” and assembling MCC infant kits. We hope you can join us!

As part of our Messy Church worship on December 10, we will assemble infant care kits. As we prepare for this session, we are asking for monetary or physical donations for the supplies of the kits. If you would like to donate monetarily, please place checks or cash in the marked fishbowls that will located in the back of the sanctuary beginning Nov. 30. Physical items (listed below) can be placed in the pack-and-play in the Gathering Place.
Contents of Infant Kits (NEW items only, sizes 6-12 months)
· 3 gowns/sleepers (flannel or similar warm, soft material)
· 3 undershirts/onesies (short or long sleeves)
· 1 receiving blanket [lightweight fleece or flannel, minimum 75 cm x 75 cm (30 in x 30 in), larger sizes preferred]
· 4 large, heavy-duty safety pins
· 1 large bar mild soap (leave in wrapper)
· 1 pair of socks
· 1 cap

Birthday calendars – with photos of art at BCMC by Weldon Schloneger – are available in the back of the sanctuary this Sunday for a suggested donation of $10. Checks may be written to BCMC with Women’s Fellowship written in the memo line. Birthday calendars stay current in subsequent years.

BCMC Offering for November 23: General Fund $11,856; MCC Infant Kits $190; Gen. Fund 2026 $400; Salvation Army $300; Kitchen Fund $26; Women’s Fellowship $300.

Will Wiebe-Friesen and Rebecca Schloneger will be playing in the orchestra for Tabor College’s annual performance of portions of Handel’s Messiah. The free concert is Sun., Dec. 7 at 4 p.m., Richert Auditorium in Tabor’s fine arts center.

The Harvest of Love food bank in Newton is experiencing higher need than in the past. More people are signing up for food boxes. They appreciate any shelf-stable gifts of food as well as monetary gifts. If you bring shelf-stable food to the church, you can place it in the south entryway and we can deliver it to the Salvation Army/Harvest of Love food bank. Their shelves are pretty empty by the time their monthly order comes in. Make checks payable to “Harvest of Love.” You can place your check in the jars (marked Harvest of Love) at the back of the sanctuary or mail it directly to: Harvest of Love, 208 W. 6th, Newton, KS 67114. They appreciate any help we can give them! Thank you for your generosity!
– Deacon Commission

Bethel College Announcements
· Calling all bakers and craft makers! You are invited to make items for 5 Places of Christmas for Sat., Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Goerz House on the BC campus. Bethel College Women’s Association will be selling baked goods, candy, craft items and poinsettias. Your homemade cookies, zweibach, cinnamon rolls, peppernuts and poppyseed rolls are great sellers. This year we are especially asking for homemade candies like fudge, peanut clusters, peanut butter balls and peanut brittle, as well as other non-chocolate candies. We would also like Christmas craft items to sell. Please bring your items to Goerz House, 2512 College Ave., North Newton Fri., Dec. 5, between 2- 5 p.m. or Sat., Dec. 6, from 9:30 – 10 a.m. Thank you for your support of Bethel College.
· Sun., Nov. 30: Celebrate the beginning of Advent at Kauffman Museum, 3 p.m. in the museum auditorium, with a Deutsche Weihnachtslieder (German hymn sing) led by BC emeritus faculty William Eash, Merle Schlabaugh and Karen Schlabaugh (playing the historic Teschemacher parlor organ). Even if you don’t sing, or don’t sing German, you are welcome to come and listen!
· Tues., Dec. 2: The Bethel College Student Alumni Association invites alumni and friends to join faculty, staff and students any time between 10 a.m.-4 p.m. to help decorate the campus by putting up lights. Come to the Fine Arts Center lobby for instructions. Lights will be turned on at 6:30 p.m., with popcorn and hot chocolate to follow, before the Wind Ensemble concert at 7.
· Tues., Dec. 2: BC Wind Ensemble concert, Chris Miertschin, director, 7 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center
· Weds., Dec. 3: Singalong to Christmas portions of Handel’s Messiah, 11 a.m., with chamber orchestra and soloists, BCMC. Scores provided.
· Weds., Dec. 3: Senior Art Exhibit I opens, featuring ceramics by Bethel College student Abby Chappell Deckert. Exhibit is open through Dec. 12 (reception TBA) in the Regier Gallery in Luyken Fine Arts Center at Bethel College. Gallery hours are Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun. 2-4 p.m.
· Thurs., Dec. 4: Jazz Holiday Gala, directed by Chris Miertschin, 7 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center at Bethel College
· Sat., Dec. 6: Five Places of Christmas, featuring Kauffman Museum and the Bethel College Women’s Association at Goerz House, both on the Bethel campus, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Other locations are Carriage Factory Gallery, Harvey County Historical Museum and Warkentin House, all in Newton.
· Sun., Dec. 7: 40th annual Lighting of the Green, 8 p.m. on the BC campus.

The Education and Service Scholarship Committee (ESSC) has updated its application for young adult service grants. For a copy of the application please send a request to essc@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org, preferably at least 4 weeks before the event. Thank you, ESSC (Karen Ediger, Brad Kohlman and
Margaret Toews)

Kidron Bethel Village will host its annual Holiday Market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sat., Dec. 6, at Kidron Hall, 3001 Ivy Dr., which features local vendors selling their items and goods, and is a chance to shop for holiday gifts. The market is a fundraiser for the Health Care Benevolent Fund, a ministry of Kidron Bethel Village that assists residents who, due to unforeseen circumstances, are no longer able to cover the full cost of their care.

Give back on Giving Tuesday at Mennonite Central Committee, 121 E. 30th St., North Newton, Dec. 2 from 6:30-8 p.m. Join us at this casual, come-and-go, all-ages event. Kick off your holiday shopping by picking gifts for your friends and family from the MCC Christmas Giving Guide, pack hygiene kits, tie comforters, make a cardboard comforter block craft, and enjoy snacks. Find out more at mcc.org/giving-Tuesday.

Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) is responding to the impact of Hurricane Melissa. Please pray for the people who have been affected by this disaster. MCC is working with local partners to provide food, hygiene items and other emergency supplies. We welcome your donations at mcc.org/hurricane-melissa.

Eden Mennonite Church, 401 18th Ave., Moundridge, invites you to their production of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” by Barbara Robinson, Sat. Dec. 13, 7 p.m., doors open 6:30 p.m., and Sun., Dec. 14, 2 p.m., doors open 1:30 p.m. In this hilarious Christmas play, a couple struggling to put on a Christmas pageant is faced with casting the Herdman kids, probably the most inventively awful kids in history. Come see this funny and heartwarming telling of the Christmas story. Admission is free.

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

For Mennonite Church USA Advent at Home 2025 press here

Camp Mennoscah Announcement
Do you have a vision for the future of Camp Mennoscah? We are currently engaging in conversations with individuals who are interested in serving on the Board of Directors. Diversity of viewpoints, backgrounds, opinions, and experiences with Camp Mennoscah are all sincerely desired as you discern this opportunity to engage with the denomination. For a preliminary discussion regarding this opportunity, text “BOARD” to 6207552583.–
Eric Litwiller
Director of Development
Camp Mennoscah
620.755.2583
Click HERE to invest in the future of Kansas youth!

Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp Announcements

Jr. High (Jan. 16-18) and Sr. High (Feb. 13-15) Snow Camps are coming again in 2026! – The time has come to start planning to enjoy the beauty and chill of RMMC in the winter once again. Come play in the snow and on the ice and then be ready to come inside for good food, fellowship and worship together. Visit the camp web page (www.rmmc.org) for additional snow camp details and to register that you’re headed to the Colorado Rockies to start the new year!

Young Adult Snow Camp (Feb. 13-15) Young Adult Snow Camp continues to join the Jr. and Sr. High Snow Camp activities and fellowship with participants serving as program assistants AND participants at just the right young adult price . . . free!

Scrapbook Retreat, (Jan. 30-Feb.1) This your opportunity to create paper or digital photo books and share ideas and good conversation with other scrapbook participants. Lisa Longacher will return as our program resource for the retreat and help facilitate a variety of activities. Please come for retreat and community in God’s creation here at Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp. Register online (www.rmmc.org) and save a space to join in.

For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here
For Mennonite Mission Network “News from Around the World” press here

From Mennonite Church USA
Join the great Menno Give this #GivingTuesday. Mennonite Church USA Executive Board, Mennonite Mission Network, and MennoMedia are joining together in this special event promoting the work of Anabaptist faith formation, education and mission. Your contribution of any size will make a lasting difference. Support The Great Menno Give here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YM1N/campaign/C-156XK

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Mennonite Mission Network requests prayer for Jonah and Memee Yang, as they offer trainings in Southeast Asia that focus on discipleship, equipping youth and families, and holistic community building. Pray for Jonah, as he teaches Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary’s Journey Missional Leadership Development program, and for Memee, as she works with women, using the Sister Care curriculum.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Give thanks for the pastors, leaders, and congregations in WDC who share Christ’s love through new church plants and mission initiatives. Pray that God continues to guide them with vision, courage, and joy. -WDC Church Planting Commission

Bethel College Mennonite Church is an open and affirming congregation
centered in the life and teachings of Jesus. Embracing the divine within each
person, we warmly welcome any and all into fellowship without regard to race, ethnic background, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability,
economic status, marital status, or age.