Author Archives: Monica Lichti

Worship Service and Announcements at BCMC–2026 02 22

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
February 22, 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, February 22:

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/NPBWQMIZAO4?feature=share

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
February 22, 2026
1st Sunday of Lent: Rooted Resistance

Christ Candle Lighting

Centering Music— Let Us Break Bread Together [VT 482] Spiritual, (arr. Dale Wood) Will Wiebe-Friesen

Welcome and Call to Worship—Nathan Koontz

One: Come into God’s presence, you who imagine and you who seek, you who disrupt and you who repair.
All: By the Spirit, we gather in hope.
One: Come into God’s presence, you who live in this wide and wild world, navigating beauty and uncertainty, temptation and trial.
All: In Christ, we gather as children of God.
One: Come into God’s presence, singing for joy and for justice; bringing prayer and worship, your most faithful acts of resistance.
All: To God be the glory! We gather to praise!

Opening Prayer

*Hymn—Plenty Good Room—Handout

Kindom Report—Snow Camp—Sr. High Youth

Children and Youth Conversation—Naomi Krause

Worship Music— Locus Iste (Anton Bruckner)
            “This place was made by God, a priceless mystery it is without reproof.”—Chancel Choir; Joel Garber, director; Will Wiebe-Friesen, accompanist

Scripture Reading—Jeremiah 29:1, 4-9—Erich Boschmann

*Hymn—Be Thou My Vision—VT 549

Scripture Reading—Matthew 4:1-11—Erich Boschmann

Sermon—Rooted Resistance–Joanna Harader

Breath Prayer—In the wildness / I belong to God.

*Hymn—We Shall Walk Through the Valley—VT 574

Communion— Nathan Koontz & Joanna Harader
Communion Music—Life-Giver, Maker, God of All [VT 38] (JS Bach; BWV 662)

–Prayer of Confession and Assurance of Pardon
–Invitation to the Table
–Sharing the Meal
–Prayer of Thanksgiving

Receiving the Offering and Prayers of God’s People

*Hymn—Lead Me, Guide Me—VT 601
Those with February birthdays are welcome to come forward during this hymn to receive a birthday blessing.

*Charge and Benediction

Postlude—I Will Arise and Go to Jesus [VT 300] (arr. Mark Hayes)—Will Wiebe-Friesen, piano

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

Throughout the month of February, which is Black History Month, I have included a piece of music by a black composer or that comes from the music tradition of black enslaved people in the United States. Today’s centering music is the familiar song Let Us Break Bread Together [VT 482], which likely comes to us from the oral tradition of the Gullah/Geeche people along the coast of South Carolina. A fourth stanza, not included in Voices Together, begins, “We will all pray together on that day,” which according to hymnologist Jon Michael Spencer, suggests is an eschatological reference envisioning hope and a reformation of the established social order beyond human history. It has also been hypothesized that the refrain’s words, “facing the rising sun,” comes from Islamic West African worship practices. Though this hymn is certainly much older, it was first published in 1925 in Saint Helena Island Spirituals by Nicholas Ballanta, a very significant collection that included 103 Gullah spirituals. (paraphrased from C. Micahel Hawn. History of Hymns: “Let Us Break Bread Together.” The United Methodist Church.)

The Week at BCMC: February 22—March 1, 2026
Sunday, February 22, 2026—1st Sunday of Lent: Rooted Resistance
9:30 a.m.   Worship           10:30 a.m. Coffee/water/tea in the Gathering Place

“Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” is today, at noon, a way for BCMC folks to get acquainted with other BCMC folks that they might not know very well. Today guests will find their destination for dinner in their mailboxes. Have fun!

2:30 p.m. February 22 —  GATHERING OF Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS)
ALUMS AND FRIENDS with updates from AMBS and news about the Institute of Mennonite Studies by Jamie Pitts, Professor of Anabaptist Studies, at 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. in the BCMC Fellowship Hall. Light refreshments and time for Q&A. Everyone is welcome to learn about Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary.

YouTube Link for the worship service this Sunday:
https://youtube.com/live/NPBWQMIZAO4?feature=share

Wednesday, February 25, 2026
6 p.m.        Wednesday night supper in Fellowship Hall—Please bring your own tableware to facilitate the clean-up—Bring a soup bowl
7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal—Sanctuary Chancel
Thursday, February 26, 2026
6 p.m.        Chancel Bells Rehearsal—Rm B7
7 p.m.        Deacon Commission—Room 14
6 p.m.        Justice Symposium on Immigration—Community Dinner
7 p.m.        Justice Symposium on Immigration—Legal Panel Discussion
Sunday, March 1, 2026—Second Sunday in Lent
9:30 a.m.   Worship with sermon by Nathan Koontz

BCMC Offering for Feb.15:  General $19,175; Wed. Supper $90; MCC Sale $250; Sr Hi Youth $3,376; Library Reserve Fund $5; Kitchen Fund $26; Larry Penner Mem. $150.

This Lent, we will explore The Work of Imagination, led by material from
Illustrated Ministry.
“This is the work of imagination: to envision a world remade by mercy, to trust that healing is possible even in the shadow of empire, and to practice love that outlasts despair.”
Please plan to join us for Sunday morning worship, and consider participating in these special Lenten opportunities:
· Sundays, Feb. 22-March 29 during Sunday School hour: elective Sunday school class using The Work of Imagination devotionals, in the Chapel
· Wednesdays, Feb. 25-March 25 @ 6 p.m.: Church Community Suppers in the Fellowship Hall
· Thurs., April 2, 5:30 p.m.: All-Age Maundy Thursday Worship in the Chapel
· Thurs., April 2, 7 p.m.: Maundy Thursday Worship with communion in the Sanctuary
· Easter Sunday, April 5: NO Sunday School
* Easter Sunrise Worship @ 7 a.m.
* Worship Service @ 10 a.m. to include welcoming new members!

“The Work of Imagination” Lenten devotional booklets are available in the Gathering Place. These booklets provide brief readings and thoughtful questions for each week of Lent and provide a thoughtful accompaniment to our worship themes for the season.

Poems and Prayers Group for Lent
Pastor Nathan will be facilitating a poems and prayers group in the BCMC chapel on Tuesdays at 11 during lent. This will be an informal time to bring a poem or prayer that speaks to you and share it with the group. Readings will be followed by silence and discussion. Your selection could be something that you have written, or something that someone else has written. You do not need to consider yourself a poet to attend. Simply bring an open heart and joy for the truth revealed when words and phrases rub in illumined ways. Our first session begins at 11 on Feb. 24.

We offer sympathy to the family of Al Penner. Al died at home February 18.
Please remember Al’s wife, Sue, in your prayers, along with their children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and extended family and friends. The memorial service will be Sat., March 7, 11 a.m. at BCMC.

Margaret Toews and Barb Voran, along with Faith Formation, are looking for more volunteers for our BCMC nursery during worship on Sunday mornings. Fifteen people volunteered to spend time with our young ones this past year. We would like to have 18 people who are willing to spend one Sunday every other month in the nursery. This is a wonderful opportunity – never a dull moment! Let Margaret Toews, Barb Voran or Brad Kohlman know if interested.

“Mennonites in Poland” is currently being highlighted in the church library along with the Mennonite Polish Studies Association Newsletter. This newsletter summarizes the 2025 Poland trip led by Mark Jantzen and John Thiesen which many in the congregation have taken or will take this summer. We also have many new books that were donated and are now ready for checkout.
Please stop by and enjoy!

Education and Service Scholarship Committee (ESSC) is helping Simon Koontz to attend a week-long seminar in Los Angeles on Creative Resistance: Art, Faith & Social Change, beginning March 20. We wish Simon a rewarding week in California.

The Gifts Discernment Commission is at work to connect willing workers to the following open positions: moderator-elect, Church Board, Hospitality Commission, Faith Formation Commission, and Deacon Commission. If the Spirit moves you to a new experience, please contact a GDC member: Francis Toews, Jerry Buller, Dorothy Nickel Friesen, Barb Koontz, or Jeanette Stucky.

Bethel College/Kauffman Museum Announcements
· Sun.-Mon., Feb. 22-23: Bethel College will host Jamie Pitts, professor of Anabaptist studies at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, for the Staley Lectures: “Becoming a ‘Front Light’ for Justice? Mennonite Positions on Social Transformation,” Sun., Feb. 22, 7 p.m., Ad Building chapel; “Would Jesus Kill Hitler?,” Mon., Feb. 23, 11 a.m., Krehbiel Auditorium. The lectures are inspired by the Gospel of Matthew and Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s The Cost of Discipleship and are free and open to the public.
· Life Enrichment, the series at Bethel College for adults age 60 and older, meets most Wednesday mornings during the school year in Krehbiel Auditorium. Feb. 25 programs: 9:30 a.m., “Prisoner of War Stories: WW2 POW Camp in Peabody,” Marcia Sebree, Peabody Historical Society; 10:50 a.m., “Importance of a Free Press in a Democratic Society,” Doug Anstaett, former editor and publisher of The Newton Kansan. First-time attenders get one session free. See https://www.bethelks.edu/academics/life-enrichment/ for details and a link to the complete spring schedule.
· Weds.-Fri., Feb. 25-27: Bethel College and KIPCOR present the biennial Justice Symposium, with immigration advocate Karen González, author of Beyond Welcome and The God Who Sees. González will deliver the Peace Lecture Weds., Feb. 25, at 7 p.m. in Kidron Hall at Kidron Bethel Village. The symposium also includes a legal panel discussion on Thurs., Feb. 26, 7 p.m. at Bethel College Mennonite Church and a Know your Rights training Fri., Feb. 27, 7 p.m., in the 1887 Cafe on the Bethel campus. For a complete schedule, see https://kipcor.org/event/2026-justice-symposium/ For a complete schedule, see https://kipcor.org/event/2026-justice-symposium/
· Thurs., Feb. 26: Bethel College Wind Ensemble concert, Chris Miertschin, director, 7 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center
· Fri., March 6 & Sat., March 7, 7 p.m., Sun., March 8, 2 p.m.: Bethel College music and theater departments present: Alice by Heart, a retelling of Alice in Wonderland set during the London blitz of World War II, Krehbiel Auditorium.
Friday night performance interpreted for the D/deaf community. Ticket purchase required, at https://www.bethelks.edu/fine-arts/theater/theater-department-presents/#tickets, at Thresher Shop in Schultz Student Center weekdays 8 a.m.-5 p.m., or at the door. Contains adult content and is not intended for young audiences.
· Now in the Regier Art Gallery in Luyken Fine Arts Center at Bethel College, “Daily Commitments,” an exhibit by Rachel Epp Buller, through March 12. She will be creating a new work every day the exhibit is open, so plan to go back several times! Gallery hours are Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 2-4 p.m.

Coming soon to Hesston College’s Black Box Theater, “Xanadu” March 5 to 7 at 7 p.m. and March 8 at 2 p.m. We all remember the wild 1980 movie “Xanadu” with Olivia Newton John and Gene Kelly! No? Well, that’s ok. It did have great music, but that story…wow. A Greek muse from Mount Olympus comes to earth to help a struggling artist open the world’s first roller disco and, of course, fall in forbidden love. Fast forward to 2007 when the stage musical, with an award winning script, opens on Broadway to fantastic reviews. What changed? Not much. The awesome music from the movie is still featured and the weird story is the same, but the musical has some hilarious additional characters and the source material is lovingly parodied. And don’t worry, there will still be roller skating. We can’t wait to bring this huge show to our small stage and have you singing “Xanadu” on your way out! hesston.edu/theatre.

Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Announcements
· Help cover MCC Relief Sale expenses by participating in a Fellowship Meal this year. Choose to host or be a guest. As a guest, you will be invited to attend the host’s church worship service followed by a meal in their home. Another option is to host a fellowship meal for your own congregation. Dates are March 8 or March 15 (dates for congregational meals are flexible). Guest donation is $25 per meal (proceeds go toward MCC Sale expenses). Sign up to host or guest by Feb. 25. Contact Steve & Elaine Schurr, Bill & Esther Eash, Brad & Diane Born (BCMC’s MCC Relief Sale representatives) or Barb at bj.reeves@live.com for a form.
· You are invited to the Mennonite Central Committee Central States annual meeting on Sat., March 7, 11 a.m. at MCC Central States, 121 E. 30th St, North Newton.

The Swiss Mennonite Cultural and Historical Association’s annual meeting will be March 8, 2:30 p.m. at Hopefield Mennonite Church, 1823 Aztec Lane, Moundridge. Guest Speaker, Glen Ediger, a Bethel College graduate, will speak on “Mennonites, Farming, Wheat and Threshing Stones”. Entertainment will be provided by Sam Shilts. There is no need to rsvp. Of course, poppyseed rolls will be served after the meeting. We hope to see you there!

The unseasonable weather has been a blessing at Camp Mennoscah, as those who participated in a work day on Mon., Feb. 16, were able to build forms and lay out rebar in preparation for two exterior concrete pads that were poured the following day. The pads meet code on the 600 amp electrical service installed at the retreat center, and also provide a home for the exterior HVAC units that control the basement and main floor common areas. This, along with window trim, baseboards, bathroom shelving, carpet repairs, and more was also done on the 16th, and we thank those who joined us for that work, and those who support these efforts financially through their $20 monthly recurring gift using the “Donate here” button at www.CampMennoscah.org.

Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp Announcement
Men’s Retreat is 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.

1) Save the Date: Supportive Communities Network (SCN) Meeting Thursday, March 19th for 90 minutes virtuallyat 1:30pm Eastern | 12:30pm Central | 11:30am Mountain | 10:30am Pacific. Our guest presenter, a trans chaplain, will train leaders on offering queer and trans spiritual care, particularly in times of escalating oppression and repression, utilizing a trauma-informed lens. Details and registration (free) to follow in March!

2) PLEASE share the following BMC 50th Gathering blurb in your bulletin, newsletter, and especially with lgbtqia+ individuals and families in your church or organization. Help us reach our people! We do have a Solidarity Fund to support folks coming from Canada or other far/expensive distances.

Rooting our Stories: Reveling in 50 years of Queer and Trans Anabaptist Resilience

Join the Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBT Interests (BMC) for a gathering rooted in sacred story and joyful revelry, as we mark our 50th Anniversary on May 29-31 in Minneapolis! This festive weekend will include storytelling, singing, ritual/worship, workshops, artmaking, games, shared meals, and honoring this incredible 50-year legacy of LGBTQIA+ Anabaptist resistance and resilience. Find event details, safety/accessibility info, and registration on our 50th webpage. www.bmclgbt.org/50th

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

For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here

Mennonite Voluntary Service Live out your faith through service! Applications are open 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 nonprofits 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.
Placements are available in the following locations: Alamosa, Colorado; Chicago, Illinois; San Francisco, California; and Tucson, Arizona.

Service Adventure Can a gap year change your life? Only if you’re up for 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 Mennonite Women USA “Grapevine” press here
For Anabaptist Disabilities Network “Remembering Dean Preheim-Bartel” press here
For Mennonite Disaster Service “On the Level” press here
From Mennonite Church USA
MC USA’s Women in Leadership ministry welcomes three new steering committee members who will guide efforts to empower women, dismantle patriarchy and strengthen justice-centered leadership across the denomination. Read more here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/news/wil-steering-committee/

Menno Snapshots
Nancy Kauffmann, senior consultant for Church Safety at MC USA, warns that churches must consistently follow their abuse-prevention policies to ensure real safety, accountability and trust for all. Learn more here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/safe-church-policies/

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Anicka Fast trains and mentors historians and archivists in Africa, Asia and Latin America, to help promote a recognition of global Anabaptist history. She and her family currently reside in the Netherlands but are planning to move back to Canada this summer. Pray for heartwarming farewells as they prepare for their move and a smooth transition into their new home, especially for the children and their schooling.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Pray for strong, trusting relationships between leaders, congregations, and the communities they serve. [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, immigration status, gender identity,
sexual orientation, ability, economic status, marital status, or age.

Worship Service and Announcements at BCMC–2026 02 15

Joan Brubacher Memorial Service Tomorrow -In Person Attendance
The memorial service for Joan Brubacher will be tomorrow, Saturday, February 14 at 11. We hope all can join us in-person for this service and the faspa meal to follow. There will not be a live-stream option for participation.

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH

WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
February 15, 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, February 15:

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
February 15, 2026
Transfiguration Sunday

Christ Candle Lighting

Centering Music—Thy Presence, My Light (Eithun)—Chancel Bells, Verlene Garber, director

Welcome—Lyn Krause

*Hymn—Mountain of God—VT 11

Children and Youth Conversation—Esther Kreider Eash

Worship Music—Celebrate with Joy (arr. Dominski)—Chancel Bells

Scripture Reading—Matthew 17:1-9—John Sheriff

*Hymn—Jesus on the Mountain Peak—VT 301

Sermon—Listen—Joanna Harader

*Hymn—Move in Our Midst—VT 827

Receiving the Offering and Prayers of God’s People

*Hymn—Praise God—VT 70

*Benediction

Postlude—Trumpet Tune (Flor Peeters)—Karen Schlabaugh

* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Keyboard—Karen Schlabaugh
Audio visual—Ken Lamp

The Week at BCMC: February 15—22, 2026
Sunday, February 15, 2026—Transfiguration
9-11 a.m.   Quilts for the Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale displayed under the
balcony
9:30 a.m.   Worship
10:30 a.m. Coffee/water/tea in the Gathering Place

YouTube Link for the worship service this Sunday:
https://youtube.com/live/0j7ntevkcE4?feature=share

Sunday School with Eric Litwiller
10:45 a.m. Eric Litwiller, the Director of Development for Camp Mennoscah, will be available during the Sunday School hour in the chapel. Bring all of your camp questions for this time of informal conversation!

Were you baptized at Camp Mennoscah? If so, did you know that Camp Mennoscah’s website is set-up to accept recurring, monthly $20 donations? With the retreat center just weeks away from completion, your gift of $20/month for a single year would rebuild our savings account, allowing camp to handle the next unexpected expense. If you would like to be a part of ensuring the financial future of the place that meant so much in your faith journey, please visit www.CampMennoscah.org or text “20” to our office at 620.755.2583

Monday, February 16, 2026
Church office will be closed

Tuesday, February 17, 2026
6:30 p.m. Faith Formation Commission—Room 14
7 p.m.       Women’s Fellowship—Fellowship Hall
Women’s Fellowship General Meeting (Men invited) will be Tues., Feb. 17, at 7 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Program by James Wilson, General Manager of Et Cetera Shop, sharing with powerpoint “Newton Et Cetera Shop Vision and Mission.” Current BCMC Volunteers at Et Cetera will also share. Come and enjoy.

Wednesday, February 18, 2026—Ash Wednesday
6:30 p.m. Ash Wednesday Worship in Sanctuary
Please join us this Wednesday, February 18, at 6:30 in the Sanctuary for our Ash Wednesday worship.

We will gather for fellowship meals at 6:00 p.m. every Wednesday from February 25-March 25. It is a good time to gather together in community!

7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal—Sanctuary Chancel

Thursday, February 19, 2026
6 p.m.        Chancel Bells Rehearsal—Rm B7
6:30 p.m.   Hospitality Commission—Fellowship Hall
6:30 p.m.   Abuse Prevention and Response Committee—Room 14

Sunday, February 22, 2026—First Sunday in Lent
9:30 a.m.   Worship with sermon by Joanna Harader; music by Chancel Choir; communion will be served; report from the Sr Hi Youth on Snow Camp

BCMC Offering for February 8: General $10,977; Sr Hi Youth $3,151; Kitchen Fund $15; Larry Penner Mem. $150.

Please pray for our Senior High youth and sponsors this weekend as they attend Snow Camp at Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp. May it be a time for them to grow in their faith as they strengthen their relationships with God, each other, and God’s glorious creation.

“The Work of Imagination” Lenten devotional booklets are available in the Gathering Place. These booklets provide brief readings and thoughtful questions for each week of Lent and provide a thoughtful accompaniment to our worship themes for the season.

This Lent, we will explore The Work of Imagination, led by material from
Illustrated Ministry.
“This is the work of imagination: to envision a world remade by mercy, to trust that healing is possible even in the shadow of empire, and to practice love that outlasts despair.”
Please plan to join us for Sunday morning worship, and consider participating in these special Lenten opportunities:
· Wed., Feb. 18 @ 6:30 p.m.: Ash Wednesday worship in the Sanctuary
· Sundays, Feb. 22-March 29 during Sunday School hour: elective Sunday school class using The Work of Imagination devotionals, in the Chapel
· Wednesdays, Feb. 25-March 25 @ 6 p.m.: Church Community Suppers in the Fellowship Hall
· Thurs., April 2 @ 5:30 p.m.: All-Age Maundy Thursday Worship in the Chapel
· Thurs., April 2 @ 7 p.m.: Maundy Thursday Worship with communion in the Sanctuary
· Easter Sunday, April 5:
* Easter Sunrise Worship @ 7 a.m.
* Worship Service @ 10 a.m. to include welcoming new members!
* NO Sunday School

“Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” will be Sun, Feb. 22, at noon. The Hospitality Commission has matched people who signed up as hosts with people who signed up as guests. Guests will receive their food assignment Sunday, Feb. 15. Hosts will receive the number of guests they will host on Sunday, Feb. 15.

The Newton Mid Kansas Symphony Orchestra Winter Classics Concert is today, 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/“

A Lenten Retreat: “Yearning for Wholeness; Abiding in Hope”: Sat, Feb 21; 8:30 a.m.to noon at Hesston Mennonite Church, 309 South Main St. We live in a time of anxiousness, injustice and chaos. Do you yearn for safe space to be in touch with your inner longings, and to connect with the healing and hope of Christ that sustains us? Join us for a half day retreat which will provide intentional space to experience the presence of God through scripture, prayer, song and community in this Lenten season. Schedule will include times of individual reflection and group interaction facilitated by Wendy Miller. Contact the church office at 620-327-4885 or
hesstonmc@hesstonmc.org to sign up by Thurs., Feb 19. $10 donation suggested. We hope you will join us!

The Gifts Discernment Commission is at work to connect willing workers to the following open positions: moderator-elect, Church Board, Hospitality Commission, Faith Formation Commission, and Deacon Commission. If the Spirit moves you to a new experience, please contact a GDC member: Francis Toews, Jerry Buller, Dorothy Nickel Friesen, Barb Koontz, or Jeanette Stucky.

Installed in the Gathering Place by the Visual Arts Committee are the last three banners created to celebrate BCMC’s centennial in 1997. Six banners were designed by Bob Regier and then pieced and quilted by members of the congregation. The themes of Witness, Creation Care and Community are featured in this set as key components of the mission of BCMC.

Buddhist Walk for Peace
As part of the wider worship that we do at BCMC that highlights peace witness and activism, today marks the end of 108 day “Walk for Peace” for Buddhist monks from Texas to Washington D.C. I invite you to research about their walk and celebrate their witness for peace. – Pastor Nathan

Bethel College/Kauffman Museum Announcements
· Tues., Feb. 17: Bethel College Chamber Orchestra concert, featuring works by Edward Elgar, Percy Grainger, Khayyam Mirazazade and Shigeru Kan-no, Kris Hilding, director, 7 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center
· Life Enrichment, for adults age 60 and older, meets Wednesday mornings in Krehbiel Auditorium. February 18 programs: 9:30 a.m., “Kansas Women in the Fight for the 19th Amendment – Did They Win?” (note title change), Donna Becker, certified first-person performer; 10:50 a.m., “Travel with a Wiseguy Exploring Off the Beaten Path,” John Wise, travel YouTuber. See https://www.bethelks.edu/academics/life-enrichment/ for details and a link to the complete spring schedule.
· Fri., Feb. 20: “Daily Commitments,” an exhibit by Rachel Epp Buller, opens in the Regier Art Gallery in Luyken Fine Arts Center at Bethel College (reception March 12). Gallery hours are Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 2-4 p.m.
· Sun.-Mon., Feb. 22-23: Bethel College will host Jamie Pitts, professor of Anabaptist studies at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, for the Staley Lectures: “Becoming a ‘Front Light’ for Justice? Mennonite Positions on Social Transformation,” Sun., Feb. 22, 7 p.m., Ad Building chapel; “Would Jesus Kill Hitler?,” Mon., Feb. 23, 11 a.m., Krehbiel Auditorium. The lectures are inspired by the Gospel of Matthew and Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s The Cost of Discipleship and are free and open to the public.
· Weds.-Fri., Feb. 25-27: Bethel College and KIPCOR present the biennial Justice Symposium, with immigration advocate Karen González, author of Beyond Welcome and The God Who Sees. González will deliver the Peace Lecture Weds., Feb. 25, at 7 p.m. in Kidron Hall at Kidron Bethel Village. The symposium also includes a legal panel discussion on Thurs., Feb. 26, 7 p.m. at Bethel College Mennonite Church and a Know your Rights training Fri., Feb. 27, 7 p.m., in the 1887 Cafe on the Bethel campus. For a complete schedule, see https://kipcor.org/event/2026-justice-symposium/ For a complete schedule, see https://kipcor.org/event/2026-justice-symposium/
· Thurs., Feb. 26: Bethel College Wind Ensemble concert, Chris Miertschin, director, 7 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center
· Fri., March 6 & Sat., March 7, 7 p.m., Sun., March 8, 2 p.m.: Bethel College music and theater departments present: Alice by Heart, a retelling of Alice in Wonderland set during the London blitz of World War II, Krehbiel Auditorium.
Friday night performance interpreted for the D/deaf community. Ticket purchase required, at https://www.bethelks.edu/fine-arts/theater/theater-department-presents/#tickets, at Thresher Shop in Schultz Student Center weekdays 8 a.m.-5 p.m., or at the door. Contains adult content and is not intended for young audiences.

Hesston College Community Day February 14
Hesston College invites you to Winter Community Day at Yost Center, February 14. Come enjoy free admission for basketball games, free popcorn, free haircuts provided by Hesston College alumna Christy Pickerill of CC’s Family Hair and free rally towels to the first 100 fans. Lincoln Perk and Sage & Juliet Coffee Co. are teaming up with a coffee truck to serve coffee drinks and baked goods, and the HC Grill Club and flag football team will serve burgers to purchase for lunch. The fun starts at 11 a.m. and continues all afternoon. For a full schedule check out hesston.edu/communityday.

Now accepting submissions for Hesston College’s playwriting festival: The Hesston College Theatre department is inviting south central Kansas playwrights to turn their stories into live performance through the return of the Pen to Paper to Performance playwriting festival. Open to first-time and experienced writers, the festival celebrates original voices and the creative process from script to stage. The theatre department will accept submissions for the 10-minute play festival through March 8 and notify eight selected playwrights March 15, with their works produced as part of the final showcase event on May 1 and 2. Playwrights whose scripts are selected will receive a percentage of box office earnings. Visit hesston.edu/news for details.

Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Announcements
· Lunch & Learn at MCC Tues., 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.
· MCC Fellowship Meals: Help cover Relief Sale expenses by participating in a Fellowship Meal this year. Choose to host or be a guest. As a guest, you will be invited to attend the host’s church worship service followed by a meal in their home. Another option is to host a fellowship meal for your own congregation. Dates are March 8 or March 15 (dates for congregational meals are flexible). Guest donation is $25 per meal (proceeds go toward MCC Sale expenses). Sign up to host or guest by Feb. 25. Contact Steve & Elaine Schurr, Bill & Esther Eash, Brad & Diane Born (BCMC’s MCC Relief Sale representatives) or Barb at bj.reeves@live.com for form to complete. We hope to cover sale expenses before the sale so all proceeds can be donated to MCC.
– 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
– 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

Camp Mennoscah Announcements

Online Registration for the Spring Scrapbook and Crafts Retreat on March 13-15 is open. Register online at https://campmennoscah.campbrainregistration.com/ Activities and lodging will be at Main Camp. (The Retreat Center is moving along quickly, but is not quite finished.)

Online Registration for the 2026 Summer Youth Camps is open. The theme for the summer is “In the Wilderness.” Through the new, strange and unknown of “wilderness,” we will discover the sacred within each person and all creation and meet God there. Summer Youth Camps are for youth in grades 3-12 (Fall 2026). Register at https://campmennoscah.campbrainregistration.com/

Scholarships are available.

1. Due to a generous donor, first-time campers and returning campers bringing a first-time camper will automatically receive a $100 scholarship until funds are depleted. Please factor this into your payment before paying full camp fees. If Camp Mennoscah has a record of a camper attending previously, staff will contact parents/guardians. Only one scholarship per camper.

2. Two full scholarships are available for campers needing assistance through a Scholarship Endowment. Campers who are racially and ethnically diverse and/or from non-Mennonite communities will be given priority; all are welcome to apply. Use the Scholarship Request Form at https://campmennoscah.socs.net/vnews/display.v/ART/5e41970817def and include supporting information in the “Amount you are asking in Scholarship” field. Contact office@campmennoscah.org with questions. Deadline is May 1, 2026.

3. Camp Mennoscah has limited scholarship funds available. Complete the Scholarship Request Form at https://campmennoscah.socs.net/vnews/display.v/ART/5e41970817def Contact us at office@campmennoscah.org with questions.

Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp Announcements

Join the Women’s Retreat at RMMC – March 6-8, 2026
2026 Theme: Breathing Through Transition
When life moves quickly, our bodies and spirits often carry more strain than we notice. This retreat offers a gentle pause – a chance to breathe deeply, rest, and reconnect with what nourishes your soul. Through worship, song, creativity, play, silence, nature, and shared stories, our retreat leaders Anita Amstutz and Geneva Shoemaker, will explore Sabbath spaces of renewal together. Come away to the mountains and exhale with kindred spirits as we cross the sacred threshold into rest. Visit the women’s retreat page and register at www.rmmc.org.Men’s Retreat at RMMC – February 27-March 1, 20262026 Theme: The Power of Service & Story: Past, Present and FutureWe each have a story worth telling…….and hearing. Retreat attendees will have opportunities to hear and to tell stories of service and it’s impact on self and others (II Corinthians 8:1-15). Paul Unruh will share with us and is a retired Social Worker who practiced in Colorado, Kansas and Alaska who is service minded, dedicated, and frequent volunteer with organizations such as Mennonite Disaster Service and Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp. Visit the Men’s Retreat page and register at www.rmmc.org.

For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here
For Mennonite Mission Network “Seeds of Peace” press here
Become a Service Adventure leader! Are you sensing God’s call to mentor 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 Michael Oyer at MichaelO@MennoniteMission.net! Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements.For Anabaptist Disabilities Announcement press hereFor Anabaptist Disabilities Network “Connections Newsletter” press hereFor Paris Mennonite Center Update press hereMennonite Church USA Announcements
MC USA’s 2026 Lent at Home Worship Guide invites households to journey through Lent with simple rituals, Scripture from John’s Gospel and opportunities for reflection. This guide, titled “Dwelling in Dissonance,” helps all ages hold grief and hope together, as we walk with Jesus toward resurrection. Available in English and Spanish. Download it here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/lent-at-home-2026

Menno Snapshots
In her Menno Snapshots blog, Shé Langley, MC USA’s director of event planning and digital marketing, shares five practical AI and automation tools churches can use to reduce burnout, improve communication and support ministry, while grounding technology use in ethical, pastoral and climate justice values. Read it here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/ai-for-churches/Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Last fall, Christy Harrison, Peter Sensenig and their three children temporarily moved to Montbéliard, France, from Chad, after their Chadian visas were not renewed, due to the political relationship between the U.S. and Chad. Pray for this family as they acclimate to their new home and ministry and as they navigate how to proceed if they are unable to return to Chad in the future.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Pray for wisdom and encouragement for ministers in WDC, as they share the good news of Jesus in local congregations and communities through preaching, teaching, compassion and courageous witness.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, immigration status,
gender identity,
sexual orientation, ability, economic status, marital status, or age.

Worship Service and Announcements at BCMC–2026 02 08

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH

WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
February 8, 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, February 8:

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
February 8, 2026

Christ Candle Lighting

Centering Music— Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child, Spiritual, (arr. T. Wilhelmi)
Will Wiebe-Friesen

Welcome & Prayer—Bill Braun

*Hymn—God, Be the Love— VT 43

Children and Youth Conversation—Joanna Harader

Worship Music— If Ye Love Me (Thomas Tallis)–Chancel Choir; Joel Garber, director; William Wiebe-Friesen, accompanist

Scripture Reading—Isaiah 58:1-5—Elaine Schurr

*Hymn—Lord Jesus, Come and Overturn (v. 1-2)—VT 146

Scripture Reading—Isaiah 58:6-12—Elaine Schurr

*Hymn—Lord Jesus, Come and Overturn—(v. 3-4)—VT 146

Sermon—Wider Worship—Nathan Koontz

*Hymn—As the Waters Rise around Us—VT 708

Offering Invitation & Prayers of God’s People

*Hymn—Let There Be Light— VT 714

*Benediction

Postlude—Little Prelude and Fugue in G Maj. (J.S. Bach)

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

The Week at BCMC: February 8—15, 2026
Sunday, February 8, 2026—Worthy Worship
9:30 a.m.   Worship
10:30 a.m. Coffee/water/tea in the Gathering Place and Cookies to celebrate the 100th birthday of Willye Hinz! Happy Birthday Willye!

YouTube Link for the worship service this Sunday:
https://youtube.com/live/th7WFYPcaAc?feature=share

10:45 a.m. Congregational meeting in the Sanctuary
YouTube Link for the congregational meeting:
https://youtube.com/live/I2qX5XxBouw?feature=share

11:45 a.m. Lunch in Fellowship Hall served by the Senior High Youth Group

Tuesday, February 10, 2026
9 a.m.        Women’s Fellowship Executive Board—Lois Goertzen’s Home
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
6 p.m.       Open Table—Fellowship Hall
Faith Formation has set our Wednesday night schedule for this semester. 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. 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. There are fliers in the literature racks in the front foyer with the full schedule.
7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal—Sanctuary Chancel
Thursday, February 12, 2026
3 p.m.        Cancer Care Group—BCMC Nursery
6 p.m.        Chancel Bells Rehearsal—Rm B7
6:30 p.m.   Gifts Discernment Committee meeting—Jeanette Stucky’s Home
7 p.m.         Church Board—Room 14
Saturday, February 14, 2026
11 a.m.      Memorial Service for Joan Brubacher—Sanctuary
Sunday, February 15, 2026—Transfiguration
9:30 a.m.   Worship with sermon by Joanna Harader; music by Chancel Bells
9-11 a.m.   Quilts for the Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale displayed under the
balcony

“Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” will be Sun, Feb. 22, at noon. 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. 8.

Women’s Fellowship General Meeting (Men invited) will be Tues., Feb. 17, at 7 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Program by James Wilson, General Manager of Et Cetera Shop, sharing with powerpoint “Newton Et Cetera Shop Vision and Mission.” Current BCMC Volunteers at Et Cetera will also share. Come and enjoy.

The Gifts Discernment Commission is at work to connect willing workers to the following open positions: moderator-elect, Church Board, Hospitality commission, Faith Formation commission, and Deacons. If the Spirit moves you to a new experience, please contact a GDC member: Francis Toews, Jerry Buller, Dorothy Nickel Friesen, Barb Koontz, or Jeanette Stucky.

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.

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 February 1: General $5,560; Plant Fund $50; Kitchen Fund $20; Solar Fund $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!

Installed in the Gathering Place by the Visual Arts Committee are the last three banners created to celebrate BCMC’s centennial in 1997. Six banners were designed by Bob Regier and then pieced and quilted by members of the congregation. The themes of Witness, Creation Care and Community are featured in this set as key components of the mission of BCMC.

This Lent, we will explore The Work of Imagination, led by material from Illustrated Ministry.
“This is the work of imagination: to envision a world remade by mercy, to trust that healing is possible even in the shadow of empire, and to practice love that outlasts despair.”
Please plan to join us for Sunday morning worship, and consider participating in these special Lenten opportunities:
· Wed., Feb. 18 @ 6:30 p.m.: Ash Wednesday worship in the sanctuary
· Sundays, Feb. 22-March 29 during Sunday School hour: elective Sunday school class using The Work of Imagination devotionals in the chapel
· Wednesdays, Feb. 25-March 25 @ 6 p.m.: Church Community Suppers in the fellowship hall
· Thurs., April 2 @ 5:30 p.m.: All-Age Maundy Thursday Worship in the chapel
· Thurs., April 2 @ 7 p.m.: Maundy Thursday Worship with communion in the sanctuary
· Easter Sunday, April 5:
* Easter Sunrise Worship @ 7 a.m.
* Worship Service @ 10 a.m. to include welcoming new members!
* NO Sunday School

Bethel College/Kauffman Museum Announcements
· 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
· Thurs., Feb. 12: Closing reception for Marco Hernandez Guillen and “Reclaiming My Roots,” 6-7 p.m., Regier Art Gallery in Luyken Fine Arts Center at Bethel College. Gallery hours are Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 2-4 p.m.
· Tues., Feb. 17: Bethel College Chamber Orchestra concert, Kris Hilding, director, 7 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center
· Weds.-Fri., Feb. 25-27: Bethel College and KIPCOR present the biennial Justice Symposium, with immigration advocate Karen González, author of Beyond Welcome and The God Who Sees. González will deliver the Peace Lecture Weds., Feb. 25, at 7 p.m. in Kidron Hall at Kidron Bethel Village. For a complete schedule, see https://kipcor.org/event/2026-justice-symposium/
· SAVE THE DATE: Bethel College spring musical, Alice by Heart, March 6, 7 and 8 in Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center

Hesston College Announcements
· Hesston College Community Day Feb. 14: Winter Community Day at Yost Center, Feb. 14, starting at 11 a.m. continuing through the afternoon. Come enjoy free admission for basketball games, free popcorn, free haircuts provided by Hesston College alumna Christy Pickerill of CC’s Family Hair and free rally towels to the first 100 fans. Lincoln Perk and Sage & Juliet Coffee Co. are teaming up with a coffee truck to serve coffee drinks and baked goods, and the HC Grill Club and flag football team will serve burgers to purchase for lunch. For a full schedule check out hesston.edu/communityday.
· Now accepting submissions for Hesston College’s playwriting festival: The Hesston College Theatre department is inviting south central Kansas playwrights to turn their stories into live performance through the return of the Pen to Paper to Performance playwriting festival. Open to first-time and experienced writers, the festival celebrates original voices and the creative process from script to stage. The theatre department will accept submissions for the 10-minute play festival through March 8 and notify eight selected playwrights March 15, with their works produced as part of the final showcase event on May 1 and 2. Playwrights whose scripts are selected will receive a percentage of box office earnings. Visit hesston.edu/news for details.

Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Announcements
· Join Offender Victim Ministries & Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Feb. 12 from 6-8 p.m. to help 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, give a monetary donation to help cover the cost of the kit items, enjoy snacks. All ages welcome at MCC, 121 E. 30th St., North Newton. Find out more at mcc.org/prisoner-care or contact brociamueller@mcc.org
· Lunch & Learn at MCC Tues., 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.
· MCC Fellowship Meals: Help cover Relief Sale expenses by participating in a Fellowship Meal this year. Choose to host or be a guest. As a guest, you will be invited to attend the host’s church worship service followed by a meal in their home. Another option is to host a fellowship meal for your own congregation. Dates are March 8 or March 15 (dates for congregational meals are flexible). Guest donation is $25 per meal (proceeds go toward MCC Sale expenses). Sign up to host or guest by Feb. 25. Contact Steve & Elaine Schurr, Bill & Esther Eash, Brad & Diane Born (BCMC’s MCC Relief Sale representatives) or Barb at bj.reeves@live.com for form to complete. We hope to cover sale expenses before the sale so all proceeds can be donated to MCC.
– 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.
– 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

A Lenten Retreat: “Yearning for Wholeness; Abiding in Hope”: Sat, Feb 21; 8:30 a.m.to noon at Hesston Mennonite Church, 309 South Main St. We live in a time of anxiousness, injustice and chaos. Do you yearn for safe space to be in touch with your inner longings, and to connect with the healing and hope of Christ that sustains us? Join us for a half day retreat which will provide intentional space to experience the presence of God through Scripture, prayer, song and community in this Lenten season. Schedule will include times of individual reflection and group interaction facilitated by Wendy Miller. Contact the church office at 620-327-4885 or hesstonmc@hesstonmc.org to sign up by Thurs., Feb 19. $10 donation suggested. We hope you will join us!

Are you interested in the latest news from Camp Mennoscah? Eric Litwiller will lead an elective Sunday School session on Feb. 15 to share updates and answer questions. Join us in the chapel to hear about this important ministry!

Do you have opinions and one hour per month to share them? Camp Mennoscah is interested in talking to those with thoughts on camp operations about serving on the Board of Directors. Don’t let your lack of experience or knowledge stop you! Diversity of thought is crucial as we work to strengthen camp governance, which means including those with concerns as well as praise, and outside opinions as well as insider knowledge. If you care about Camp Mennoscah at all – or want to – nothing will change if your ideas aren’t in the Board room where decisions are made. Text “BOARD” to 620-755-2583 for information.

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.

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/“

For Mennonite Church USA “Lent at Home” press here

Dear Bethel College Mennonite,
What’s the connection between severe drought and peace? How do changing weather patterns and extreme heat drive conflict or make it worse? Can peacebuilding help communities become more resilient to environmental extremes? Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) and the Anabaptist Climate Collaborative (ACC) are hosting a Global Voices Speaking Tour in February 2026 to explore these questions.
You are invited to the following events in your area:
February 16: Bethel College Convocation, 11:00 a.m. Schowalter Villa Retirement Community, 2:30 p.m. Hesston Mennonite Church Community Center (Hesston College), 5:30 p.m. February 17: Lunch and Learn, MCC Central States office, 12:00 p.m.

Join the Global Voices Tour

The event will feature two speakers from regions experiencing both the brunt of climate change and resource-related conflict: South Asia and the Sahel region in Africa. 
Join this unique opportunity to hear firsthand stories on the connection between climate and peace. Be a prayerful witness to our global neighbors and learn how your own commitment to peace can make a difference. Explore the full list of Global Voices Speaking Tour eventsacross the U.S. We hope to see you in the Newton area on Feb. 16 and 17! Kind regards, Kirstin De Mello
Climate advocacy and education coordinator
MCC U.S. National Peace & Justice Ministries

MCC U.S. National Peace & Justice Ministries
920 Pennsylvania Ave. SE
Washington, D.C. 20003

For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” 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.

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
For Mennonite Men “Engage” press here

Mennonite Church USA Announcements
MC USA is now accepting applications for the 2026-27 BIPOC Scholarship. The Scholarship aids students who identify as Black, Indigenous and/or People of Color who are members or active participants of an MC USA congregation and who are attending or plan to attend an MC USA-affiliated Mennonite college, university or seminary. Learn more and apply here: https://bit.ly/49LLYLi

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! Discover what’s behind this new initiative and how you can take part. Read more and register at: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/news/conflict-transformation-workshop/

Menno Snapshots
Marco Güete, director of Hispanic Ministries for MC USA, highlights how Anabaptist-rooted theological education pathways equip Hispanic and Latino leaders for faithful, contextual ministry without leaving their congregations. Read his Menno Snapshots blog here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/walking-together/

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Last week, Julia and Thomas Meyers began their four-week SOOP placement at the Maria Skobtsova House (MSH) in Calais, France. Pray for them as they share in MSH’s ministry of hospitality with migrants who are seeking refuge while on their way to England.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Pray for members of the WDC Executive Board as they provide oversight, support and guidance for WDC’s mission and ministries.

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 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.

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

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 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:

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.

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 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:

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.

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 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:

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:

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.