BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH 
WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR
SUNDAY, AUGUST 6, 2023
 

To livestream the worship service:
On Sunday morning, around 9:20, go to BCMC’s webpage at bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org and click the green button labeled LIVE STREAM on the right side of the screen, which will take you to the worship service. If you get a message in the black box that the video is unavailable, click the gray box belows that says “View Live Stream on YouTube”.   Anytime after the service concludes, you can watch a recording of the service at your convenience by clicking the same green LIVE STREAM button.  Again, you will probably have to go to the gray box that says “View Live Stream on YouTube”.  That will transfer you to the BCMC YouTube Channel.  You will have to click on the tab “Videos” to see all of the BCMC videos. Click the red button to see the bulletin/order of service. 
OR – click on this link for this Sunday: https://youtube.com/live/R5OB4b4fuko?feature=share
 

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BCMC Worship Service
August 6, 2023
 
Prelude—Prelude and Fugue in C (JS Bach)—Will Wiebe-Friesen
 
Christ Candle Lighting
 
Welcome and Prayer—Raylene Hinz-Penner
 
*Hymn—Here in This Place—v.1,2,4—VT 10
 
Kin-dom Report—MCC School Kit Challenge-Lincoln Kohlman
 
Children’s Conversation—Esther Koontz
 
Land Acknowledgement—Raylene Hinz-Penner
 
*Hymn—By the Waters of Babylon—VT 695
 
Scripture Reading—VT 13—and VT 783—Darlene Dick
John 4:3-7, 9-10,19-24—Darlene Dick and Raylene Hinz-Penner
 
Sermon—Finding a Place in the World–Roger Neufeld Smith
 
*Hymn—Let Us Build a House—v.1,2,5–VT 36  
 
Prayers of God’s People
 
*Hymn—Be Thou My Vision—v. 1,2,5—VT 549
 
Benediction—The Lord Lift You Up—VT 832 
 
Postlude—The Kingsfold Trumpet (Alfred Fedak)—Will Wiebe-Smith
 
Audio-visual – Ken Lamp
Guitar—Roger Neufeld Smith
Scripture Reader—Darlene Dick
Keyboard—Will Wiebe-Friesen

Land Acknowledgement compiled by Florence Schloneger from words by Mark Charles and VT #878 
As we do on the first Sunday of each month,  
  we acknowledge that we worship  
  on the land of the Kanza, Osage, and Wichita.   
We thank them for their care and respect for this land      
  and acknowledge the injustice of their forced removal. 
We ask the Spirit to heal our histories 
  and find new paths of right relationships with them 
  and all of creation.   

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                              This Week at BCMC:  August 6—13, 2023
Sun., August 6, 2023
9:30 a.m. Worship with sermon by Roger Neufeld Smith
YouTube Link for this Sunday is:  https://youtube.com/live/R5OB4b4fuko?feature=share
10:45 a.m.  Faith Formation—High School (Room 24)   Adult Classes:  Agape Class meets in the nursery; Fellowship (B7); Fine Arts (Rm 22);
Issues and Christianity (Rm 23); Open Circle (Room 21)  Seekers (Rm 28)
The church nursery is staffed during worship and Sunday School
 
10:45 a.m.  “Growing Up in Gaza—Bringing Peace and Justice to Israel-Palestine” will be presented by Tareq Abuhalima, today, 10:45-11:45 a.m. in the sanctuary.  The purpose of this event is to create a safe space for education and dialogue about the Israel-Palestine conflict.  Tareq, a graduate student with Bluffton University, will share his experiences growing up in Gaza, working for the Youth Vision Society, and his “Gaza Twinning” relationship with Manhattan Mennonite Church.  Bob Atchison from the Manhattan Mennonite Church will be present for the discussion.  Bob serves with Menno PIN (Mennonite Palestine Israel Network) and also with the Western District Conference Israel-Palestine Task Force.   The presentation and following dialogue will also address antisemitism and other issues that surround this intractable conflict.
Bob and Tareq will also be presenting a workshop, “ Creating Relationships and Understanding in Gaza” at the Western District Conference Assembly August 12.
Mon., August 7, 2023
10 a.m.  Staff Meeting in Room 14
Tue., August 8, 2023
12 noon  Mid-Kansas Investment Club meets in Fellowship Hall
Wed., August 9, 2023
4 p.m.     Creation Care Committee meeting in Room 14
Sun., August 13, 2023—Worship will be at 10 a.m.
10 a.m.  Worship with sermon by Pastor Nathan Koontz
August 13 BCMC worship with BC New Students
Next Sunday worship will begin at 10 a.m. on August 13 as we welcome new students from Bethel to our church.  The new students will join us for worship and then for a time of fellowship afterwards.  Please come and welcome our new neighbors! 

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 Please join us Sunday, August 6 during the Sunday School hour to help pack MCC School Kit bags in Fellowship Hall.  Because of your generous
 donations, enough supplies were able to be purchased for approximately 200 school supply bags!  Supplies for the bags are set up in an assembly style to facilitate easy assembly.  
 
Roger’s Whereabouts :  Pastor Roger will be in Newton until Sunday afternoon. Then Roger (and Cynthia) will be helping their daughter move from Durham, North Carolina to Los Angeles, CA. So Roger will be “on the road” for a couple of weeks. He will probably NOT have internet access for much of this time. But he will try to check his email and text messages when he can. Email roger@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org or text or call (785-220-1968.)  Roger plans to be back in the BCMC office on Wednesday, August 23.
 
Congratulations to Pastor Elizabeth Schmidt
Elizabeth Schmidt, Congregational Care Coordinator here at BCMC, received a License for Special Ministry from the Western District Conference Ministerial Leadership Commission on August 2.  We will be celebrating this milestone of pastoral ministry on September 3 during worship.  We are so thankful for Elizabeth’s call and gifts in ministry.
 
BCMC Offering for July 30, 2023:  General Fund $2,707; MCC $25; Living Stones $175; Kitchen Fund $14; Women’s Fellowship $50.

My thanks to the many of you for the get well cards, telephone calls, food, even a Prayer Shawl, John cooking so many meals and taking me to every appointment.  As promised recovery is slow!  —Bernice Esau
 

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A Message from the BCMC Church Board
On the advice of the Faith Formation Commission, the BCMC board renewed contracts for Jill Robb, our Faith Formation Coordinator (.2 FTE), and George Leary, our Youth Coordinator (.3 FTE), for an additional year.  The contracts offer continuity through the summer as well as the coming program year.  The church is so fortunate to have the inspired and dedicated work of each of these fine staff; please offer your appreciation to them!

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Senior High Youth Group 23-24.  As we begin a new year of youth group activities, our first task is to renovate our meeting space (room 24).  Plans include painting the walls, increasing/improving the seating, and adding technology.  We need your help.  We are searching for good quality two person love seats.  If you have a love seat to donate, please contact George at 316-587-6910 or george@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org, or catch me in person.  Thank you.

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Mennonite Central Committee is looking for a driver with a semi tractor that would be willing to transport cardboard paper bales for recycling from the MCC warehouse in North Newton to Wichita. This is an immediate need, but MCC anticipates needing help like this 4-5 times per year. If you can help or have questions, please reach out to Duane Unruh at MCC at 785.760.1390 or duaneunruh@mcc.org.

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AUGUST 20/AUGUST 27 Repair Network Discussions:
The BCMC Task Group for Indigenous Justice, in its continuing work on dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery as a call for the Christian Church, invites the congregation to two post-worship discussions in the Fellowship Hall on August 20 and August 27.  We will discuss the Repair Network, a coalition of 30 churches across the U.S. that supports church communities in education, solidarity and reparative action alongside Indigenous Peoples.  We will share the seven steps recommended by the Repair Network to join and how BCMC has been working on those the past couple of years.  We will also talk about what it would mean for BCMC to become a part of the Coalition.  Please join our discussions with your ideas, comments, and questions.

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The August/September Library theme is called “What’s For Dinner?” In the doldrums of this extreme heat, come check out one of the library’s books on food: either to find a new dish to prepare or sit back and enjoy a new read in the cool comfort of your own home. We’d love to help you find your next read.

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Children and Youth of BCMC:  Read a book.  Earn a Book on or before August 27:  Summer vacation is almost over, but you can still earn a book for the New Hope Shelter for each BCMC library book you check out, read, and return. And parents, grandparents, and friends of youth, you can help by checking out a book from the children’s collection and reading it too, or with a child. The challenge is to fill a whole shelf of books for homeless children and youth.  Visit the table outside the door to the children’s room of the BCMC church library for more information.  

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The Mennonite Central Committee School Kit Challenge is going strong, thank you for helping us meet our goal of gathering 10,000 school kits in the month of August!  School kits now include four new blue or black ballpoint pens. The MCC material resources center in North Newton is very low on pens and notebooks. Please keep these needs in mind as you see these items for sale this month. Buy online and ship it to MCC or bring items to MCC in North Newton (121 E. 30th St, North Newton, KS 67117). Questions are always welcome, please contact katemast@mcc.org or 316-283-2720. A full list of MCC kit contents and other challenge resources can be found at mcc.org/school-kit-challenge.

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The Women’s & Girls Retreat will be Sept. 9 & 10 at Camp Mennoscah sponsored by Western District Women in Mission. Retreat theme is “Women Talking, Listening and Creating.” Come for a time of friendship, fellowship, and story-telling with Tammy Duvanel Unruh, Wendy Funk Schrag and others. Registration information and more details will be on the Western District Conference website, in the church bulletin, on the church bulletin board.  Follow the Western District Women in Mission on Facebook. 

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You’re invited to the Camp Mennoscah celebration of a summer of faith formation with some of your favorite camp songs.  All ages, campers and others–everyone is invited  Saturday, August 5, at 2 p.m. at Hope Mennonite Church in Wichita. There will be a freewill offering and iced coffee for purchase. Free pop will be available, but no popcorn this time. Singing will be held inside. Tell all your camp friends and come sing (or listen) your heart out!

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Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements
Fund Development Coordinator:  Western District Conference is pleased to announce that Mike Lamb will begin September 1 as Fund Development Coordinator for WDC.  In this new role, he will promote resource development for congregations and encourage congregational and individual giving to support WDC’s ministries of resourcing congregations, of sustaining ministers, and cultivating church planting partnerships. Mike recently retired as Vice President responsible for planned giving, annual giving and regional development with the Wichita (KS) State University Foundation, and previously served as Director of Admissions at Bethel College. He is active in community and Mennonite organizations, and he and his wife Susan are members of Hesston Mennonite Church where he has held a variety of leadership roles. We welcome Mike as he joins WDC’s mission of empowering Anabaptist Mennonite congregations to witness and invite others to faith in Jesus Christ, dwell in just and loving relationships, and connect to God’s mission in the world!
 

Registration for our WDC Annual Assembly has been extended through Thursday, Aug 3! If you haven’t had a chance yet, be sure to get registered and join us next week Aug 11-13 at Tabor Mennonite Church, Newton, KS. Virtual registration is also available! There are so many fun and faithful workshops, intergenerational faith formation (fun, really!), MennoGrass concert, worship, and much more! Register here: https://mennowdc.org/2023-wdc-assembly-registration/  For general Assembly Information Visit: https://mennowdc.org/2023-wdc-annual-assembly/ For Delegate Information visit: https://mennowdc.org/2023-assembly-delegate-information/ -note that the delegate session now starts at 9:30am on Sat, Aug 12

Register Here!

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Tabor Mennonite Church’s annual MennoGrass Concert will be on Saturday, August 12 as a part of WDC’s Annual Assembly! Everyone is welcome to come (even if you’re not registered for the Assembly)! The meal will begin at 5:30 and will be catered by Carlos’ Kitchen & Cater. Musical performances by Michelle & Friends, The Hopeful Blues and The Flannelbacks will begin at 6pm. Please bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on. Donations to help cover the cost of the meal are welcome.

For Mennonite Mission Network News and Beyond press here
 

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Mennonite Church USA Announcements
The Mennonite Church USA Delegate Assembly acted on three proposed organizational resolutions at its meeting on July 7-8, 2023, in Kansas City, Missouri. The assembly of more than 300 registered delegates approved resolutions to clarify the MC USA bylaws and streamline its agency structure, while narrowly voting down a proposal to meet less frequently. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/news/delegates-vote

The Mennonite Church USA Delegate Assembly installed Jon Carlson as the moderator for the new biennium and provided strong affirmation for a slate of new Executive Board members and other nominees, including incoming Moderator-elect Marty Lehman. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/news/da-carlson

Mennonite Church USA Executive Director Glen Guyton used a surprising pop culture reference to launch his state of the denomination report to delegates at the MC USA Delegate Assembly, held in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 7-8, 2023. Read more about his address here: mennoniteusa.org/news/state-denomination23 View the PowerPoint slide here: mennoniteusa.org/slide-theme-fj 

Catch up on all the happenings at MennoCon23 and the Youth & Young Adult Climate Summit by reading the KC Sauce, MC USA’s daily convention newsletter, here: mennoniteusa.org/kcsauce

Subscribe to our Convention Newsletter for exciting news and updates about future MennoCons here: mennoniteusa.org/mennocon-newsletter View the PowerPoint slide here: mennoniteusa.org/menncon-slide-newsletter
 

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Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request:  Mennonite Mission Network requests prayer for staff at Northeast Asia Regional Peacebuilding Institute (NARPI) as they prepare to begin their two-week summer training session in South Korea. Pray for fruitful relationship building and learning as NARPI brings together peacemakers from China, Japan, Mongolia, Russia, South Korea and Taiwan.
Western District Conference Prayer Request:   Pray for all who will participate in the WDC Annual Assembly next weekend, Aug 11-13, as we gather for worship, work and fellowship around the theme Holy (Wholly) Listening / Escuchar con Atención a Dios y al Pueblo.

WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
FOR BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH JULY 30, 2023
 

To livestream the worship service:
On Sunday morning, around 9:20, go to BCMC’s webpage at bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org and click the green button labeled LIVE STREAM on the right side of the screen, which will take you to the worship service. If you get a message in the black box that the video is unavailable, click the gray box belows that says “View Live Stream on YouTube”.   Anytime after the service concludes, you can watch a recording of the service at your convenience by clicking the same green LIVE STREAM button.  Again, you will probably have to go to the gray box that says “View Live Stream on YouTube”.  That will transfer you to the BCMC YouTube Channel.  You will have to click on the tab “Videos” to see all of the BCMC videos. Click the red button to see the bulletin/order of service. 
OR – click on this link for this Sunday: https://youtube.com/live/IdJkXfzk1HI?feature=share
 

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BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
July 30, 2023
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
Prelude— Two preludes on Early American Folk Hymns:
Promised Land (arr. Diane Bish)—Antioch (arr. Dale Wood)
— Will Wiebe-Friesen

Christ Candle Lighting

Welcome and Prayer—Sondra Bandy Koontz

*Hymn—When in Our Music God Is Glorified— VT 83

Children’s Conversation

Worship Music— Nun ist sie erschienen (arr. Larry Nickel )
                                  Joan Griffing, violin; Will Wiebe-Friesen, piano 

Scripture Reading—Genesis 29:15-28; Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52—Joe Peters

Message—The Kingdom of Process—Nathan Koontz

*Hymn of Response— My Love Colors Outside the Lines—VT 582

Prayers of God’s People

*Hymn—God, Whose Giving—VT 745
People with July birthdays come forward for a blessing,
please bring a hymnal.

*Benediction

Postlude– Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (arr. Janet Linker)—Joan Griffing, violin; Will Wiebe-Friesen, organ

* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Violin—Joan Griffing
Keyboard—Will Wiebe-Friesen 
Audio visual—Francis Toews

Welcome and thank you to Joan Griffing who brings us the worship
music this morning and will accompany on hymns.

YouTube Link:  https://youtube.com/live/IdJkXfzk1HI?feature=share

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 This Week at BCMC:  July 23-August 6, 2023

Sun., July 30 2023
9:30 a.m.  Worship with sermon by Pastor Nathan Koontz; music by Joan Griffing; July birthday recognition
YouTube Link for this Sunday is:  https://youtube.com/live/IdJkXfzk1HI?feature=share
The church nursery is staffed during worship and Sunday School
10:45 a.m.  Faith Formation—High School (Room 24)   Adult Classes:  Agape Class meets in the nursery; Fellowship (B7); Fine Arts (Rm 22);
Issues and Christianity (Rm 23); Open Circle (Room 21)  Seekers (Rm 28)
Mon., July 31, 2023
10 a.m.  Staff Meeting in Room 14
Thurs., August 3, 2023
4 p.m.  Staff Congregation Relations Committee Meeting in Room 14
7 p.m.  Church Board Meeting in Room 14
Sun., August 6, 2023
9:30 a.m. Worship with sermon by Roger Neufeld Smith
“Growing Up in Gaza—Bringing Peace and Justice to Israel-Palestine” will be presented by Tareq Abuhalima, Sun., Aug. 6, 10:45-11:45 a.m. at BCMC.  The purpose of this event is to create a safe space for education and dialogue about the Israel-Palestine conflict.  Tareq, a graduate student with Bluffton University, will share his experiences growing up in Gaza, working for the Youth Vision Society, and his “Gaza Twinning” relationship with Manhattan Mennonite Church.  The presentation and following dialogue will also address antisemitism and other issues that surround this intractable conflict.

Roger’s Whereabouts :  Pastor Roger will be back in the BCMC office on Wednesday, August 2 and be in Newton until Sunday afternoon, August 6. Then Roger (and Cynthia) will be helping their daughter move from Durham, North Carolina to Los Angeles, CA. So Roger will be “on the road” for a couple of weeks. He will probably NOT have internet access for much of this time. But he will try to check his email and text messages when he can. Email roger@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org or text or call (785-220-1968.)  Roger plans to be back in the BCMC office on Wednesday, August 23.

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BCMC Offering for July 23, 2023:  General Fund $3,829; Sr Hi Youth $200; Columbarium Fund $2,000; Living Stones $140; Kitchen Fund $16.

Senior High Youth Group 23-24.  As we begin a new year of youth group activities, our first task is to renovate our meeting space (room 24).  Plans include painting the walls, increasing/improving the seating, and adding technology.  We need your help.  We are searching for good quality two person love seats.  If you have a love seat to donate, please contact George at 316-587-6910 or george@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org, or catch me in person.  Thank you.

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We offer sympathy to Richard Siemens, Doug Siemens and LuAnn Zook,their children Angus and Zoe Siemens, Charlotte Siemens and David Sprunger and their children Samuel, Jacob, and Anna, and their extended family, on the death of Frances Siemens yesterday, July 25 at Kidron Bethel Village, North Newton.  Memorial service details are yet to be determined. 

We offer sympathy to Mildred and Myron Voran and their family on the death of Mildred’s sister, Elva Claassen Unruh on July 25 at Kidron Bethel Village. 

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Looking Ahead
For a Bethel College Mennonite Church calendar with dates for 2023/2024 congregational meetings, Wednesday night suppers, Christmas and Easter programs, and other important dates, press here

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Colorado Peaches are coming!  The Palisade peaches on the Western Slope are supposed to be a good crop this year thanks to the moisture during the winter and spring.  Please email patsydirksen@mcc.org to place your peach order from July 24-August 5. Two sizes are available: 10 lbs. for $30 and 18 lbs. for $41. Checks should be made payable to Beth-El Mennonite Church with “Peaches” in the memo line and payment (cash/check only) is due by August 5 to MCC in North Newton (121 E. 30^th St.).  Peaches will be available for pickup from the MCC Material Resources Center on Monday, August 21. This is a fundraiser for the Rocky Mountain Mennonite Relief Sale held in Rocky Ford, Colorado October 20-21. 

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There is still time to fill out the Faith Formation Survey!

Greetings from Faith Formation!  

Faith Formation is asking that ALL who are interested in being a part of building intergenerational relationships within the church fill out the attached survey.

If you are a parent of a youth who will attend the Intergenerational Sunday school class or who will be a part of Jr High Club or Senior High Youth Group, you may fill out the following Release Form for the 2023-24 school year.

Intergenerational Sunday school will follow this format from week to week.  Teachers may decide to switch up the weeks to fit their needs.

Week 1:  Introduction of the Bible story. Activity related to the Bible story.

Week 2:  Reader’s Theatre or continuation of the Bible story.

Week 3: Craft or games

Week 4: Interview an adult who has joined us for the month (ask the week prior to interview)

The weekly schedule will follow the format below:

Following the service until 10:45 am

• Arrival and snack (groups will be mixed ages at each table)
• Questions of the day to discuss at table groups
• Opening prayer and announcements

10:45 am – 11:15 am

• Bible Story/Activity

11:15 am – 11:30 am

• Clean up, Journal, or other activity with the teachers
• Closing prayer and dismissal

Mark your calendar for the Sunday School Orientation/Safe Sanctuaries Date:  August 20 from 12:00-1:00 pm.  We will have a pizza lunch.

Intergenerational Survey: https://forms.gle/upn5yizoKEUvqumZ7

Youth Release Form:  https://forms.gle/AfyQ7fV5RXHUJZqp7

2023-24 Faith Formation Calendar:  https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0?cid=ZmFpdGhmb3JtYXRpb25jb21taXNzaW9uQGJldGhlbGNvbGxlZ2VtZW5ub25pdGVjaHVyY2gub3Jn

Thank you and have a wonderful summer!

Faith Formation Sunday School team

Jill Robb

Kathy Stucky

Rebecca TschetterDeb Gering

Mary Ellen Hodge
 

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The August/September Library theme is called “What’s For Dinner?” In the doldrums of this extreme heat, come check out one of the library’s books on food: either to find a new dish to prepare or sit back and enjoy a new read in the cool comfort of your own home. We’d love to help you find your next read.

It’s time for the MCC School Kit Challenge! Help us meet our goal of gathering 10,000 school kits in the month of August. By donating items like notebooks and pencils, you can help kids in places like Syria, Ukraine and South Sudan who have been forced to flee their homes or struggle to afford basic school supplies. Join this effort to share a tangible message of God’s love with children around the world. Learn more about this challenge and download a free activity resource at mcc.org/school-kit-challenge.
Lincoln and Lawrence Kohlman have joined the MCC School Kit Challenge! Their goal is to pack and donate 100 school kits by the end of August. We estimate that they will need about $850 (plus 100 bags) to meet this goal, although we will use the money we raise to make as many kits as we can! We hope that we can do more with the money when school supplies go on sale.  How can you help?  To donate, see Lincoln or Lawrence. To make bags for the school kits we want to pack, use the MCC website for directions and let us know how many you plan to make.   We will plan to host a time to pack school kits. Let us know if you want to be invited! 

Children and Youth of BCMC:  Read a book.  Earn a Book on or before August 27:  Summer vacation is almost over, but you can still earn a book for the New Hope Shelter for each BCMC library book you check out, read, and return. And parents, grandparents, and friends of youth, you can help by checking out a book from the children’s collection and reading it too, or with a child. The challenge is to fill a whole shelf of books for homeless children and youth.  Visit the table outside the door to the children’s room of the BCMC church library for more information.  

The Women’s & Girls Retreat will be Sept. 9 & 10 at Camp Mennoscah sponsored by Western District Women in Mission. Retreat theme is “Women Talking, Listening and Creating.” Come for a time of friendship, fellowship, and story-telling with Tammy Duvanel Unruh, Wendy Funk Schrag and others. Registration information and more details will be on the Western District Conference website, in the church bulletin, on the church bulletin board.  Follow the Western District Women in Mission on Facebook. 

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

Have you registered for WDC Annual Assembly yet? There are so many fun and faithful workshops, intergenerational faith formation (fun, really!), MennoGrass concert, worship, and much more! Registration closes this Sunday, July 30! Register here: https://mennowdc.org/2023-wdc-assembly-registration/  Visit: https://mennowdc.org/2023-wdc-annual-assembly/  for more info on this summer’s Assembly! WDC Assembly 2023 Registration is open below! Registrations are due by July 30!

Register Here!

 BCMC still could use more delegates for the WDC Assembly.  Delegates can also attend virtually. BCMC would be eligible to send 15 delegates to the Assembly.  If you would like to be a delegate contact the BCMC office.

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Hope Mennonite Church is delighted to invite you to an evening of fun and inspiring music Sunday, August 27 at 6:30 p.m. You will be entertained by the lead vocalists of Everyday Lights, Paul Austin and Jennifer (Hope) Chlumsky from Salina, KS. They combine a variety of musical styles including folk, bluegrass, jazz, country, and traditional hymns. Many of their songs are original. The band recently performed at the Smokey Hill River Festival in Salina, The Farm in Minneapolis, KS and various private parties.

As you listen to the concert, a dessert and snack bar with sweet and salty snacks will be available.  

No tickets are necessary but a free-will donation will be gladly accepted with the proceeds going to Camp Mennoscah.

Paul is Director of Worship Ministries at the First Covenant Church in Salina.  He is married to Kandi and they have 4 awesome, talented children. Jennifer is the choir director at First Covenant.  She also happens to be married to Christopher, (a former Hope Mennonite member) a mother to 4 amazing children, a music educator, and a Tabor College Grad. 

You can preview their music at https://www.everydaylightsmusic.com/ or facebook.com/everydaylights, iTunes, Spotify, and Soundcloud.

Hope Mennonite Church – 868 N Maize Rd, Wichita, KS 67212
 

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Camp Mennoscah Announcements

It’s a celebration of a summer of faith formation with some of your favorite camp songs!   All ages, campers and others–everyone is invited to join us on Saturday, August 5, at 2pm at Hope Mennonite Church in Wichita, KS. There will be a freewill offering and iced coffee for purchase. Free pop will be available, but no popcorn this time. Singing will be held inside. Tell all your camp friends and come sing (or listen) your heart out!

Other events and happenings:

• Need a bunk-like bed?  Camp Mennoscah will be taking apart the bunks used with the large tents since there has not been a recent need for them.  These bunks have the lower bed at essentially ground level.  If you would be interested in purchasing one, contact us at 620-297-3290 before August 5.
• Registration for the Fall Scrapbook and Crafts Retreats is open. The retreats are scheduled for Nov. 3-5 and Nov. 10-12. All retreat activities will happen at the Main Camp facilities with cropping and crafts in the dining hall and lodging in the bunkhouses. (The Retreat Center will be undergoing HVAC renovations.) Single rooms are not available. Contact us at 620-297-3290 with questions or issues. We’ll see you in the fall!

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For Mennonite Mission Network News from around the World press here
For Mennonite Mission Network News and Beyond press here

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Mennonite Church USA Announcements

Menno Snapshots

Rachel Ringenberg Miller, denominational minister for ministerial leadership for Mennonite Church USA, highlights the importance of properly compensating pastors to adequately support and lead healthy congregations. Read more about the updated Pastor Salary Guidelines and why MC USA’s Church Vitality office and Everence collaborate to update every year: mennoniteusa.org/generosity-congregation

As part of MC USA’s series on The Peace Table, the new storybook Bible from Shine, a children’s Sunday school curriculum, jointly published by MennoMedia and Brethren Press, Ruth Goring shares her process for creating child-friendly images to accompany the seven Psalms that had been selected for inclusion in The Peace Table Bible storybook. Read her journey here: mennoniteusa.org/for-children-for-all 

In honor of Juneteenth, June 19, Wilma A. Bailey, Ph.D., the first Black woman to be licensed for ministry by MC USA’s Indiana-Michigan Conference and 2023 Hope for the Future honoree, reflects on the history and importance of the expansion of the newly recognized national holiday. Read her reflections here: mennoniteusa.org/juneteenth-history

As a member of MC USA’s Women in Leadership Steering Committee, Bonita Croyle reflects on her complex experience with Mother’s Day through the expression of a written prayer. Read the full prayer here: mennoniteusa.org/complicated-mothers-day 
 

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Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request:  Mennonite Mission Network requests prayer for C. Paul and Hildi Amstutz, who have served in Paraguay since 1985. Pray for them as they invite people into deeper communion with God, through business chaplaincy, teaching and spiritual direction.

Western District Conference Prayer Request:   We pray for the newly-certified church plant of Arca de Salvación (Ark of Salvation) in Uspantán, Guatemala. We also pray for the calling of new members in the church planting commission which experiences transition as a number of its members make moves. -WDC Church Planting Commission

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WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
FOR BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH JULY 23, 2023
 

To livestream the worship service:
On Sunday morning, around 9:20, go to BCMC’s webpage at bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org and click the green button labeled LIVE STREAM on the right side of the screen, which will take you to the worship service. If you get a message in the black box that the video is unavailable, click the gray box belows that says “View Live Stream on YouTube”.   Anytime after the service concludes, you can watch a recording of the service at your convenience by clicking the same green LIVE STREAM button.  Again, you will probably have to go to the gray box that says “View Live Stream on YouTube”.  That will transfer you to the BCMC YouTube Channel.  You will have to click on the tab “Videos” to see all of the BCMC videos. Click the red button to see the bulletin/order of service. 
OR – click on this link for this Sunday: https://youtube.com/live/i_L0L-s4B28?feature=share
 

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BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
July 23, 2023

Prelude—Salut d’Amout (Edward Elgar)—Karen Schlabaugh

Christ Candle Lighting

Welcome—VT 851

Invocation—VT 857

Songs for Gathering
VT 6 Let’s walk together (piano, guitar) (Verse 1 octet, verse 2 & 3 congregation.)
VT 28 Come, Christians, join to sing (organ/acapella) (Verse 1 and 3 with organ, verse 2 acapella)

Song With Children:
VT 63 Like a rock

Song of Praise
VT 101 Sing praise to God who reigns (verses 1 and 4 in unison, 2 and 3 parts)

Telling God’s Story
            From the OT: VT 185 (Psalm 104)
VT 175 Planets humming as they wander

            From the NT: 295 (Matthew 5:3-12)
VT 290 Blessed are you

Confessing  Our Faith
VT 419 Great is thy faithfulness (acapella)

Sharing Our Stories
VT 625 Far above the noise of life (octet sing verse 1, congregation sing verse 2, octet sing the second ending)

Prayers of God’s People—VT 996

The Lord’s Prayer—VT 675 Abana Alathi—(octet sing each phrase, congregation sing repeat)

Benediction—VT 822 (Romans 15:5-6)

Sending Song
VT 769 Now I know—(Ron Garber, leader, congregation echo)

Postlude—When in our Music God is Glorified—(Robert A. Hobby)—Cynthia Neufeld Smith

Thank you to the participants of this Sunday’s hymn sing:
Song Leader—Cynthia Neufeld Smith
Audio-visual—Ken Lamp
Violin—Rebecca Schloneger  
Flute—Susie Swartley 
Guitar—Roger Neufeld Smith
Scripture Reader—Elizabeth Schmidt
Octet—Ron Garber, Verlene Garber, Cynthia Linscheid, Dave Linscheid, Virginia Mininger, Joe Peters, Bill Swartley, Susie Swartley
Accompanists—Verlene Garber and Karen Schlabaugh

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This Week at BCMC:  July 23-August 6, 2023
Sun., July 23, 2023
9:30 a.m.  Our worship will be getting more acquainted with Voices Together.
YouTube Link for this Sunday is: 
https://youtube.com/live/i_L0L-s4B28?feature=share

The church nursery is staffed during worship and Sunday School
10:45 a.m.  Faith Formation—High School (Room 24)   Adult Classes:  Agape Class meets in the nursery; Fellowship (B7); Fine Arts (Rm 22);
Issues and Christianity (Rm 23); Open Circle (Room 21)  Seekers (Rm 28)
Mon., July 24, 2023
7 p.m.  Facilities Committee meeting in Fellowship Hall
Tues., July 25, 2023
6 p.m.  Pastor Search Committee meeting in Room 14
Thurs., July 27, 2023
4 p.m.  Witness Commission meeting in Room 14
7 p.m.  Deacon Commission meeting in Room 14
 9:30 a.m.  Worship with sermon by Pastor Nathan Koontz; music by
Joan Griffing; July birthday recognition


BCMC Offering for July 16, 2023:  General Fund $3,008.33; Caring Fund $250; Memorial Funds $100; Living Stones $258.33; Francis Funk Memorial $50.

You did it again!  June was a great month with a positive balance of about $3000.  That’s three in a row!  Congratulations! If this trend continues we will wind up with a fantastic year.  Finance Committee

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“Growing Up in Gaza—Bringing Peace and Justice to Israel-Palestine” will be presented by Tareq Abuhalima, Sun., Aug. 6, 10:45-11:45 a.m. at BCMC.  The purpose of this event is to create a safe space for education and dialogue about the Israel-Palestine conflict.  Tareq, a graduate student with Bluffton University, will share his experiences growing up in Gaza, working for the Youth Vision Society, and his “Gaza Twinning” relationship with Manhattan Mennonite Church.  The presentation and following dialogue will also address antisemitism and other issues that surround this intractable conflict.

Pastors Whereabouts
Pastor Roger is in Newton this weekend. He will drive back to Topeka on Monday (7/24). He will be back in the BCMC office on Wednesday, August 2. Roger will be checking his email and text messages daily while he is in Topeka. So feel free to email, text or call (785-220-1968.) 

Looking Ahead
For a Bethel College Mennonite Church calendar with dates for 2023/2024 congregational meetings, Wednesday night suppers, Christmas and Easter programs, and other important dates, press here

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Colorado Peaches are coming!  The Palisade peaches on the Western Slope are supposed to be a good crop this year thanks to the moisture during the winter and spring.  Please email patsydirksen@mcc.org to place your peach order from July 24-August 5. Two sizes are available: 10 lbs. for $30 and 18 lbs. for $41. Checks should be made payable to Beth-El Mennonite Church with “Peaches” in the memo line and payment (cash/check only) is due by August 5 to MCC in North Newton (121 E. 30^th St.).  Peaches will be available for pickup from the MCC Material Resources Center on Monday, August 21. This is a fundraiser for the Rocky Mountain Mennonite Relief Sale held in Rocky Ford, Colorado October 20-21. 

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Don’t forget to fill out the Faith Formation Survey!

Greetings from Faith Formation!  

Faith Formation is asking that ALL who are interested in being a part of building intergenerational relationships within the church fill out the attached survey.

If you are a parent of a youth who will attend the Intergenerational Sunday school class or who will be a part of Jr High Club or Senior High Youth Group, you may fill out the following Release Form for the 2023-24 school year.

Intergenerational Sunday school will follow this format from week to week.  Teachers may decide to switch up the weeks to fit their needs.

Week 1:  Introduction of the Bible story. Activity related to the Bible story.

Week 2:  Reader’s Theatre or continuation of the Bible story.

Week 3: Craft or games

Week 4: Interview an adult who has joined us for the month (ask the week prior to interview)

The weekly schedule will follow the format below:

Following the service until 10:45 am

• Arrival and snack (groups will be mixed ages at each table)
• Questions of the day to discuss at table groups
• Opening prayer and announcements

10:45 am – 11:15 am

• Bible Story/Activity

11:15 am – 11:30 am

• Clean up, Journal, or other activity with the teachers
• Closing prayer and dismissal

Mark your calendar for the Sunday School Orientation/Safe Sanctuaries Date:  August 20 from 12:00-1:00 pm.  We will have a pizza lunch.

Intergenerational Survey: https://forms.gle/upn5yizoKEUvqumZ7

Youth Release Form:  https://forms.gle/AfyQ7fV5RXHUJZqp7

2023-24 Faith Formation Calendar:  https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0?cid=ZmFpdGhmb3JtYXRpb25jb21taXNzaW9uQGJldGhlbGNvbGxlZ2VtZW5ub25pdGVjaHVyY2gub3Jn

Thank you and have a wonderful summer!

Faith Formation Sunday School team

Jill Robb

Kathy Stucky

Rebecca TschetterDeb Gering

Mary Ellen Hodge
 

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It’s time for the MCC School Kit Challenge! Help us meet our goal of gathering 10,000 school kits in the month of August. By donating items like notebooks and pencils, you can help kids in places like Syria, Ukraine and South Sudan who have been forced to flee their homes or struggle to afford basic school supplies. Join this effort to share a tangible message of God’s love with children around the world. Learn more about this challenge and download a free activity resource at mcc.org/school-kit-challenge.
Lincoln and Lawrence Kohlman have joined the MCC School Kit Challenge! Their goal is to pack and donate 100 school kits by the end of August. We estimate that they will need about $850 (plus 100 bags) to meet this goal, although we will use the money we raise to make as many kits as we can! We hope that we can do more with the money when school supplies go on sale.  How can you help?  To donate, see Lincoln or Lawrence. To make bags for the school kits we want to pack, use the MCC website for directions and let us know how many you plan to make.   We will plan to host a time to pack school kits. Let us know if you want to be invited! 

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Children and Youth of BCMC:  Read a book.  Earn a Book.  This summer, you can earn a book for the New Hope Shelter for each book checked out, read, and returned. Visit the table outside the door to the children’s room of the BCMC church library for more information.  The challenge is to fill a whole shelf of books for homeless children and youth.
The Library Theme for June and July are Library Committee suggestions for Everybody/Junior books for the summer reading contest. As has  been noted, this contest is for anybody who checks out a book from our library, reads it independently, reads it with someone or someone reads it to a child, and then returns it. We are excited to see how many books will be purchased for New Hope Shelter.   —The Library Committee

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The Women’s & Girls Retreat will be Sept. 9 & 10 at Camp Mennoscah sponsored by Western District Women in Mission. Retreat theme is “Women Talking, Listening and Creating.” Come for a time of friendship, fellowship, and story-telling with Tammy Duvanel Unruh, Wendy Funk Schrag and others. Registration information and more details will be on the Western District Conference website, in the church bulletin, on the church bulletin board.  Follow the Western District Women in Mission on Facebook. 

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

Our theme is Holy (Wholly) Listening. We will focus on careful listening to God and each other, especially when we start from different perspectives. Speakers will include Jes Stoltzfus Buller with MCC and Nathan Koontz, as well as the testimonies of some of our WDC ministers who have spoken up and listened for ways to act in justice and hope for all God’s people. Register here: https://mennowdc.org/2023-wdc-assembly-registration/  Visit: https://mennowdc.org/2023-wdc-annual-assembly/  for more info on this summer’s Assembly! WDC Assembly 2023 Registration is now open below! Registrations are due by July 30!

Register Here!

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Colorado Peaches are coming!  The Palisade peaches on the Western Slope should be a good crop this year thanks to the moisture during the winter and spring.   Email patsydirksen@mcc.org to place your peach order from July 24-Aug. 5. Two sizes are available: 10 lbs. for $30 and 18 lbs. for $41. Checks should be made payable to Beth-El Mennonite Church with “Peaches” in the memo line and payment (cash/check only)  due by Aug. 5 to MCC in North Newton (121 E. 30^th St.).  Peaches will be available for pickup from the MCC Material Resources Center on Mon., Aug. 21. This is a fundraiser for the Rocky Mountain Mennonite Relief Sale held in Rocky Ford, Colorado Oct. 20-21. 

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Plowing with Horses—(Swiss Volhynian Mennonite Celebration Event)
The rains came Saturday evening July 15, and the field was turned to mud, so no plowing.  But the Ag Committee decided to have Plowing with Horses and Vintage Tractors Saturday, July 29, just west of the Moundridge Museum, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Concessions by Gospel Mennonite. We tasted their homemade ice cream and that really makes a trip to Moundridge double worthwhile. Come and see.  —Kathy Goering for 150th steering committee

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The 2023 issue of the Bethel College journal Mennonite Life is now live at ml.bethelks.edu and includes a poem by Cheryl Denise and prose poems by Abigail Carl-Klassen; a sermon by Sheri Hostetler; Brad Gregory’s Menno Simons Lectures from 2022; articles by Johnny Wideman and Nathan Garber; and reviews by Ben Woodward-Breckbill, Hannah Neufeld, Willmar Harder, Brad Born, Josue Coy Dick, Daniel Shank Cruz, Rachel Waltner Goossen, Joe Smucker, Kimberly Schmidt and Melanie Springer Mock.

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From the Newton Et Cetera Shop
Are you a thrifter? Are you interested in sharing your talents to make the Newton community, local area, and the world a better place for all?

Then join us Thursday, July 27th from 6:30-7:30 pm and find out how we can use you to make an impact on all those who donate, volunteer, and shop at the Newton Et Cetera Shop! All are welcome!!

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For the Mennonite World Conference “Courier” press here
For the Mennonite World Conference “Info” press here
For Mennonite Disaster Service “On the Level” press here
For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here 
For Mennonite Mission Network Urgent Prayer Request press here
For Mennonite Men “Engage” press here 

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Mennonite Church USA Announcements

#BeTransformed

Jewel Gingerich Longenecker, dean of Lifelong Learning and co-director of the Doctor of Ministry in Leadership program at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, shares about her transformative experience applying for a position through the Spirit-led nudging of a mentor. Read her story here: mennoniteusa.org/transformed-by-mentoring

The international fellow at Mennonite Central Committee’s National Peace and Justice Ministries, Anthony Khair, has lived next to a wall for a lot of his life. “Being from Palestine, I am often seen as being from ‘the other side of the wall,’” he writes. Read his Menno Snapshots blog, “Both sides of the wall: the good side and the bad side,” here: mennoniteusa.org/both-sides-of-the-wall 

On Sunday, May 21, 2023, more than 260 people – including members of at least six local Mennonite Church USA (MC USA) congregations – gathered for a Gun Violence Awareness Day witness walk in Lansdale, Pennsylvania. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/protest-gun-violence 

In celebration of Bike to Work Day, Joel Miller, pastor of Columbus (Ohio) Mennonite Church, an MC USA congregation, wrote a poem about his experience riding his bike to work in the morning. Read the full poem here: mennoniteusa.org/bike-church-poem
 

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Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request:  Mennonite Mission Network rejoices with the Mennonite Church in Burkina Faso for the peacebuilding ministries of Calixte Bananzaro and Siaka Traoré, who helped negotiate an agreement through which Mennonites will provide care for internally displaced people and provide trauma healing, instead of paying war taxes. Pray for an end to violence.

Western District Conference Prayer Request:   Pray that children and their care-givers may grow in faith and joy as they attend summer Story Day activities at the WDC Resource Library on August 3.

 WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS  FOR JULY 16, 2023

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH

To livestream the worship service:
On Sunday morning, around 9:20, go to BCMC’s webpage at bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org and click the green button labeled LIVE STREAM on the right side of the screen, which will take you to the worship service. If you get a message in the black box that the video is unavailable, click the gray box belows that says “View Live Stream on YouTube”.   Anytime after the service concludes, you can watch a recording of the service at your convenience by clicking the same green LIVE STREAM button.  Again, you will probably have to go to the gray box that says “View Live Stream on YouTube”.  That will transfer you to the BCMC YouTube Channel.  You will have to click on the tab “Videos” to see all of the BCMC videos. Click the red button to see the bulletin/order of service. 
OR – click on this link for this Sunday: https://youtube.com/live/9NqMj78pBcQ?feature=share

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
July 16, 2023
 
Prelude—Voluntary on Tallis’ Third Tune (David Lasky)
Praise to the Lord, The Almighty (arr. Jason Payne)—Will Wiebe-Friesen
 
Christ Candle Lighting
 
Welcome and Prayer—Elizabeth Schmidt
 
*Hymn—We Are One in the Spirit—VT 387
 
Children’s Conversation—Nadine Peters and Carol Peters
 
Kin-dom Report— MCUSA Delegate Assembly—Steve and Jeanette Stucky, Tim and Mary Ellen Hodge
 
*Hymn—My Love Colors Outside the Lines–Suzy Burch and Lucy Burch
 
Scripture Reading—Matthew 25:34-40; Hebrews 13:1-3; Isaiah 43:18-19a—Lotti Boschmann, Erich Boschmann
 
Message—Our Extended Family—Al and Nadine Peters
 
*Hymn of Response— Amazing Grace—VT 163
 
Prayers of God’s People
 
*Hymn—In the Bulb There is a Flower—VT 670
 
*Benediction
 
Postlude—Psalm XIX (Marcello)—Will Wiebe-Friesen
 
* You are invited to stand
 
VT—Voices Together
Keyboard- Will Wiebe-Friesen
Audio visual— John Thiesen
 
YouTube Link: https://youtube.com/live/9NqMj78pBcQ?feature=share

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This Week at BCMC:  July 16-23, 2023
Sun., July 16, 2023
9:30 a.m.  Worship with reflections by Al and Nadine Peters on their work with Prison Fellowship, a prison ministries in Nebraska, and a report on the MCUSA Delegate Assembly from BCMC delegates Steve Stucky,
Jeanette Stucky, Tim Hodge, Mary Ellen Hodge
YouTube Link for this Sunday is: 
https://youtube.com/live/9NqMj78pBcQ?feature=share
The church nursery is staffed during worship and Sunday School
10:45 a.m.  Faith Formation—High School (Room 24)   Adult Classes:  Agape Class meets in the nursery; Fellowship (B7); Fine Arts (Rm 22);
Issues and Christianity (Rm 23); Open Circle (Room 21)  Seekers (Rm 28)
Wed., July 19, 2023
6 p.m.  Indigenous Task Group meeting in Room 14
Sun., July 23, 2023
9:30 a.m.  Our worship will be getting more acquainted with Voices Together. If you have a favorite in VT that you would like to sing, please, contact Monica Lichti in the church office with your request. NOTE: Requests may not all be used because of time limits.
 
Pastor Nathan Koontz will be on vacation July 12-21, 2023.

Roger’s Whereabouts :  Roger is out of town for vacation through July 18. He will be checking text messages and email occasionally during this time. Roger will be back in the BCMC office on Wednesday, July 19. 
 
BCMC Offering for July 9, 2023:  General Fund $11,104.37; Living Stones $200; Kitchen Fund $11.

You did it again!  June was a great month with a positive balance of about $3000.  That’s three in a row!  Congratulations! If this trend continues we will wind up with a fantastic year.  Finance Committee
  
We offer sympathy to Lotti and Harald and Erich Boschmann and their extended family on the death of Lotti’s youngest sister Marlene Zenau.  Marlene died in Germany on July 7, 2023.
 
“Growing Up in Gaza—Bringing Peace and Justice to Israel-Palestine” will be presented by Tareq Abuhalima, Sun., Aug. 6, 10:45-11:45 a.m. at BCMC.  The purpose of this event is to create a safe space for education and dialogue about the Israel-Palestine conflict.  Tareq, a graduate student with Bluffton University, will share his experiences growing up in Gaza, working for the Youth Vision Society, and his “Gaza Twinning” relationship with Manhattan Mennonite Church.  The presentation and following dialogue will also address antisemitism and other issues that surround this intractable conflict.

BCMC Prayer Network: The Prayer Network is an email-based prayer network comprised of Deacon Commission members and  BCMC congregants.  Participants make a one-year commitment to this prayer ministry which is coordinated by Pastors and the Office and Facilities Manager. Pastors respond to prayer requests and determine when and how these requests are distributed.  Specific prayer requests are shared only with the permission of the person(s) involved. If you would like to join the BCMC prayer network, please email your interest to office@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org.  Thanks to all who serve BCMC in the Prayer Network. 
 
Care Connections Opportunity:  Volunteers are needed to provide transportation for BCMCers to medical appointments, including appointments in Wichita.   If you’re available and can provide loving care for one another in this way at this time, please call Elizabeth at the church office, or send an email to elizabeth@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org. “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”  (John 13:35 ESV)

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MCC School Kits—Lincoln and Lawrence Kohlman have joined the MCC School Kit Challenge! Their goal is to pack and donate 100 school kits by the end of August. We estimate that they will need about $850 (plus 100 bags) to meet this goal, although we will use the money we raise to make as many kits as we can! We hope that we can do more with the money when school supplies go on sale.  How can you help?  To donate, see Lincoln or Lawrence. To make bags for the school kits we want to pack, use the MCC website for directions and let us know how many you plan to make.   We will plan to host a time to pack school kits. Let us know if you want to be invited! 
 
Children and Youth of BCMC:  Read a book.  Earn a Book.  This summer, you can earn a book for the New Hope Shelter for each book checked out, read, and returned. Visit the table outside the door to the children’s room of the BCMC church library for more information.  The challenge is to fill a whole shelf of books for homeless children and youth.
The Library Theme for June and July are Library Committee suggestions for Everybody/Junior books for the summer reading contest. As has been noted, this contest is for anybody who checks out a book from our library, reads it independently, reads it with someone or someone reads it to a child, and then returns it. We are excited to see how many books will be purchased for New Hope Shelter.   —The Library Committee

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The Women’s & Girls Retreat will be Sept. 9 & 10 at Camp Mennoscah sponsored by Western District Women in Mission. Retreat theme is “Women Talking, Listening and Creating.” Come for a time of friendship, fellowship, and story-telling with Tammy Duvanel Unruh, Wendy Funk Schrag and others. Registration information and more details will be on the Western District Conference website, in the church bulletin, on the church bulletin board.  Follow the Western District Women in Mission on Facebook. 

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Newton Community Theatre and Bethel College Academy of Performing Arts (BCAPA) will present The Sound of Music musical July 21-23. Join us for this beloved musical and support your community members, including Caleb Garber and Lucy Burch in the orchestra pit, Riley King is the music director, and Renee Reimer is one of the actors.  Fri., July 21 at 7:30 p.m.; Sat., July 22 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sun., July 23 at 2 p.m.  Tickets are on sale now at https://newton-community-theatre.square.site/ You can also purchase tickets at the door or reserve in advance at the Newton Rec Center (starting July 1). All ticket sales are final. No refunds or exchanges.
 

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The 2023 issue of the Bethel College journal Mennonite Life is now live at ml.bethelks.edu and includes a poem by Cheryl Denise and prose poems by Abigail Carl-Klassen; a sermon by Sheri Hostetler; Brad Gregory’s Menno Simons Lectures from 2022; articles by Johnny Wideman and Nathan Garber; and reviews by Ben Woodward-Breckbill, Hannah Neufeld, Willmar Harder, Brad Born, Josue Coy Dick, Daniel Shank Cruz, Rachel Waltner Goossen, Joe Smucker, Kimberly Schmidt and Melanie Springer Mock.

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Greetings from Faith Formation!  
Faith Formation is asking that ALL who are interested in being a part of building intergenerational relationships within the church fill out the attached survey.

If you are a parent of a youth who will attend the Intergenerational Sunday school class or who will be a part of Jr High Club or Senior High Youth Group, you may fill out the following Release Form for the 2023-24 school year.

Intergenerational Sunday school will follow this format from week to week.  Teachers may decide to switch up the weeks to fit their needs.

Week 1:  Introduction of the Bible story. Activity related to the Bible story.

Week 2:  Reader’s Theatre or continuation of the Bible story.

Week 3: Craft or games

Week 4: Interview an adult who has joined us for the month (ask the week prior to interview)

The weekly schedule will follow the format below:

Following the service until 10:45 am

• Arrival and snack (groups will be mixed ages at each table)
• Questions of the day to discuss at table groups
• Opening prayer and announcements

10:45 am – 11:15 am

• Bible Story/Activity

11:15 am – 11:30 am

• Clean up, Journal, or other activity with the teachers
• Closing prayer and dismissal

Mark your calendar for the Sunday School Orientation/Safe Sanctuaries Date:  August 20 from 12:00-1:00 pm.  We will have a pizza lunch.

Intergenerational Survey: https://forms.gle/upn5yizoKEUvqumZ7

Youth Release Form:  https://forms.gle/AfyQ7fV5RXHUJZqp7

2023-24 Faith Formation Calendar:  https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0?cid=ZmFpdGhmb3JtYXRpb25jb21taXNzaW9uQGJldGhlbGNvbGxlZ2VtZW5ub25pdGVjaHVyY2gub3Jn
 

Thank you and have a wonderful summer!

Faith Formation Sunday School team
Jill Robb, Kathy Stucky,Rebecca Tschetter, Deb Gering, Mary Ellen Hodge
 

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

BCMC needs delegates for the WDC Assembly.  Delegates can also attend virtually. BCMC would be eligible to send 15 delegates to the Assembly.  If you would like to be a delegate contact the BCMC office.

 

Continental Breakfast with our ministry partners! Come talk with reps from MCC, our colleges, Camp Mennoscah, MDS, and more on Saturday morning. Learn how you and your congregation can do ministry together with others in new and exciting ways. Local Druber’s donuts, gluten free oatmeal, coffee and more to enjoy.  Visit: https://mennowdc.org/2023-wdc-annual-assembly/  for more info on this summer’s Assembly! WDC Assembly 2023 Registration is now open below!

Register Here!

For Mennonite Mission Network News and Beyond July 5 press here
For Mennonite Mission Network News and Beyond July 12 press here

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Prairie View, Inc. is hosting a FREE MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING.  Learn how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders on July 26, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Prairie View Auditorium 1901 E. First St., Newton.  See the church bulletin board for more details or call Prairie View at 316-284-6365.  There is also a free Youth Mental Health First Aid Training on July 17 at 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Mennonite Church USA Announcements

“Conectados,” which translates to “Connected,” was the name given to the Iglesia Menonita Hispana (Hispanic Mennonite Church – IMH) Conference. The gathering took place on May 5-6, 2023, at Iglesia Sonido de Alabanza (Sound of Praise Church) in Cicero, Illinois. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/news/imh-conference

Menno Snapshots

In recognition of National Gun Violence Awareness Day, June 3, Krista Dutt, Mennonite Central Committee Chicago (Illinois) program coordinator, discusses her work in the areas of gun violence prevention and mass incarceration. Read more about her work here: mennoniteusa.org/creative-efforts-reduce-violence 

#BeTransformed

Robert Brenneman, director of criminal justice and restorative justice and professor of sociology at Goshen (Indiana) College and a seminar leader at MennoCon23, shares about the impact Mennonite congregations have in urban Central America. Read his blog here: mennoniteusa.org/gang-violence-global-church 

“Nonviolence is central to the story of Jesus and his teaching about loving enemies, and it is also visible in surprising ways in the secular world, when we have eyes to see it,” writes J. Denny Weaver, a member of Madison (Wisconsin) Mennonite Church, in his Menno Snapshots blog. Read it here: mennoniteusa.org/grain-of-the-universe 
 

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Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request:  Mennonite Mission Network requests prayer for the Youth Venture teams that are spending two weeks in Benin and Indonesia. Pray for the seven participants at each location, their group leaders and their hosts. Pray that this experience will help build the global body of Christ.
Western District Conference Prayer Request:   Pray for WDC congregations that are supporting refugees and asylum seekers, as they join God’s work of justice and care for all people.

Worship Service for July 9, 2023 at Bethel College Mennonite Church

To livestream the worship service:
On Sunday morning, around 9:20, go to BCMC’s webpage at bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org and click the green button labeled LIVE STREAM on the right side of the screen, which will take you to the worship service. If you get a message in the black box that the video is unavailable, click the gray box belows that says “View Live Stream on YouTube”.   Anytime after the service concludes, you can watch a recording of the service at your convenience by clicking the same green LIVE STREAM button.  Again, you will probably have to go to the gray box that says “View Live Stream on YouTube”.  That will transfer you to the BCMC YouTube Channel.  You will have to click on the tab “Videos” to see all of the BCMC videos. Click the red button to see the bulletin/order of service. 
OR – click on this link for this Sunday:  https://youtube.com/live/eF2TItBTi8A?feature=share

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
July 9, 2023
MennoCon Youth Sharing

Prelude— As the Wind Song (VT 373) – (Setting, Michael Burkhardt)—Karen Unruh
Maisie Brubacher and Emma Gering

Christ Candle Lighting

Welcome and Prayer—Nathan Koontz

 *Hymn—Holy Spirit, Come with Power—VT 57

Children’s Conversation— Adah Hodge and Abram Wall

*Hymn Over My Head—VT 594

Scripture Reading—Isaiah 43:19-21; II Corinthians 5:17—Lucy Burch

BCMC Youth Reflections from MennoCon—Adah Hodge, Ani Koontz, Mara Oswald

*Hymn of Response—New Earth, Heavens New—VT 377

Prayers of God’s People

*Hymn—There’s a Wild Hope in the Wind—VT 828

*Benediction

Postlude

* You are invited to stand

VT = Voices Together
Keyboard—Karen Unruh
Audio visual— Ben Lichti


YouTube Link:  https://youtube.com/live/eF2TItBTi8A?feature=share

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This Week at BCMC:  July 9-16, 2023
Sun., July 9, 2023
9:30 a.m.  Worship with Senior High Youth Group reflections on
MennoCon23 (Mennonite Church USA Convention in Kansas City)
YouTube Link for this Sunday is: 
https://youtube.com/live/eF2TItBTi8A?feature=share
The church nursery is staffed during worship and Sunday School
10:45 a.m.  Faith Formation—High School (Room 24)   Adult Classes:  Agape Class meets in the nursery; Fellowship (B7); Fine Arts (Rm 22);
Issues and Christianity (Rm 23); Open Circle (Room 21)  Seekers (Rm 28)
Tue., July 11, 2023
12 p.m.  Mid Kansas Investment Club meets in Fellowship Hall
Thurs., July 13, 2023
7 p.m.  Kansas Relief Sale Board of Directors meets in Fellowship Hall
7 p.m.  Finance Committee meets in Room 14
Sun., July 16, 2023
9:30 a.m.  Worship with reflections by Al and Nadine Peters on their work with prison ministries in Nebraska

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Sunday, July 23 – Hymn Sing
Sunday, July 23, our worship will be getting more acquainted with Voices Together. If you have a favorite in VT that you would like to sing, please, contact Monica Lichti in the church office with your request. NOTE: Requests may not all be used because of time limits.

Pastor Nathan Koontz will be on vacation July 12-21, 2023.

BCMC Offering for July 2, 2023:  General Fund $2,785; Caring Fund $500; Library Reserve Fund $40; Living Stones $125; Kitchen Fund $6; Women’s Fellowship $50; Metta Lieb Memorial $125.

“Growing Up in Gaza—Bringing Peace and Justice to Israel-Palestine” will be presented by Tareq Abuhalima, Sun., Aug. 6, 10:45-11:45 a.m. at BCMC.  The purpose of this event is to create a safe space for education and dialogue about the Israel-Palestine conflict.  Tareq, a graduate student with Bluffton University, will share his experiences growing up in Gaza, working for the Youth Vision Society, and his “Gaza Twinning” relationship with Manhattan Mennonite Church.  The presentation and following dialogue will also address antisemitism and other issues that surround this intractable conflict.

The Search Committee has been meeting monthly to continue the process of searching for BCMC’s next pastor. There continue to be many congregations within the conference that are experiencing transitions. We ask for your continued prayers for the committee and the  congregation, as God prepares the heart of the right candidate for BCMC. The committee remains open to accepting names of possible candidates as well.

Children and Youth of BCMC:  Read a book.  Earn a Book.  This summer, you can earn a book for the New Hope Shelter for each book checked out, read, and returned. Visit the table outside the door to the children’s room of the BCMC church library for more information.  The challenge is to fill a whole shelf of books for homeless children and youth.
The Library Theme for June and July are Library Committee suggestions for Everybody/Junior books for the summer reading contest. As has already been noted, this contest is for any student who checks out a book from our library, reads it independently, reads it with someone or someone reads it to a student, and then returns it. We are excited to see how many books will be purchased for New Hope Shelter.   —The Library Committee 

BCMC Prayer Network: The Prayer Network is an email-based prayer network comprised of Deacon Commission members and  BCMC congregants.  Participants make a one-year commitment to this prayer ministry which is coordinated by Pastors and the Office and Facilities Manager. Pastors respond to prayer requests and determine when and how these requests are distributed.  Specific prayer requests are shared only with the permission of the person(s) involved. If you would like to join the BCMC prayer network, please email your interest to office@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org.  Thanks to all who serve BCMC in the Prayer Network. 

Care Connections Opportunity:  Volunteers are needed to provide transportation for BCMCers to medical appointments, including appointments in Wichita.   If you’re available and can provide loving care for one another in this way at this time, please call Elizabeth at the church office, or send an email to elizabeth@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org. “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”  (John 13:35 ESV)

Roger’s Whereabouts :  On Thursday (7/6) Roger will attend MennoCon23 in Kansas City, then represent BCMC at the MC USA Delegate Sessions on Friday and Saturday. Roger will then be on vacation in Missouri until July 19, when he will be back in the BCMC office. Roger will be checking his email and text messages occasionally during this time. 

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New Book:  Lois Barrett and Dorothy Nickel Friesen has co-edited PROCLAIMING THE GOOD NEWS:  MENNONITE WOMEN’S VOICES 1972 – 2006, published by the Institute of Mennonite Studies/AMBS.  The book launch at MennoCon23 on July 6 and at Western District Conference Assembly on August 12 will introduce 13 authors including BCMC writers John Esau and Raylene Hinz Penner in addition to Dorothy.  Faith and Life Bookstore plans a book-signing later in summer.  A book for checkout is now in the BCMC Library and WDC Resource Library.  If you would like to purchase a book, contact Dorothy (dorothynf@cox.net); cost is $29.

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Greetings from Faith Formation!  

Faith Formation is asking that ALL who are interested in being a part of building intergenerational relationships within the church fill out the attached survey.

If you are a parent of a youth who will attend the Intergenerational Sunday school class or who will be a part of Jr High Club or Senior High Youth Group, you may fill out the following Release Form for the 2023-24 school year.

Intergenerational Sunday school will follow this format from week to week.  Teachers may decide to switch up the weeks to fit their needs.

Week 1:  Introduction of the Bible story. Activity related to the Bible story.

Week 2:  Reader’s Theatre or continuation of the Bible story.

Week 3: Craft or games

Week 4: Interview an adult who has joined us for the month (ask the week prior to interview)

The weekly schedule will follow the format below:

Following the service until 10:45 am

• Arrival and snack (groups will be mixed ages at each table)
• Questions of the day to discuss at table groups
• Opening prayer and announcements

10:45 am – 11:15 am

• Bible Story/Activity

11:15 am – 11:30 am

• Clean up, Journal, or other activity with the teachers
• Closing prayer and dismissal

Mark your calendar for the Sunday School Orientation/Safe Sanctuaries Date:  August 20 from 12:00-1:00 pm.  We will have a pizza lunch.

Intergenerational Survey: https://forms.gle/upn5yizoKEUvqumZ7

Youth Release Form:  https://forms.gle/AfyQ7fV5RXHUJZqp7

2023-24 Faith Formation Calendar:  https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0?cid=ZmFpdGhmb3JtYXRpb25jb21taXNzaW9uQGJldGhlbGNvbGxlZ2VtZW5ub25pdGVjaHVyY2gub3Jn
 

Thank you and have a wonderful summer!

Faith Formation Sunday School team

Jill Robb, Kathy Stucky, Rebecca Tschetter, Deb Gering, Mary Ellen Hodge
 

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Newton Community Theatre and Bethel College Academy of Performing Arts (BCAPA) will present The Sound of Music musical July 21-23. Join us for this beloved musical and support your community members, including Caleb Garber and Lucy Burch in the orchestra pit, Riley King is the director, and Renee Reimer is one of the actors.  Friday, July 21 at 7:30p.m.; Saturday, July 22 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, July 23 at 2 p.m.  Tickets are on sale now at https://newton-community-theatre.square.site/ You can also purchase tickets at the door or reserve in advance at the Newton Rec Center (starting July 1). All ticket sales are final. No refunds or exchanges.
 

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

WDC Assembly 2023 Registration is now open below!

Register Here!

For Mennonite Central Committee In Touch press here

Mennonite Church USA Announcements

Each April, the Mennonite Church USA Church Vitality office and Everence collaborate to update the Pastor Salary Guidelines. These guidelines aid pastors, congregations, pastoral search committees and conferences in negotiating fair compensation for pastors and conference ministers. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/news/pastor-salary-guidelines 

Menno Snapshots

In celebration of Pentecost Sunday, May 28, Katerina Gea, pastor at Wild Church Fresno (California), an MC USA congregation, celebrates the ways that the Spirit moves and highlights the connection between the Spirit’s outpouring on all of creation. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/pentecost-and-spirits 

In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Andi Santoso, Mennonite Mission Network’s regional director for Asia and the Middle East, reflects on his experience as an Asian Mennonite Ministries representative at the Mennonite Church USA Constituency Leaders Council meeting in San Antonio, Texas. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/together-on-lords-table

As part of Mennonite Church USA’s “I choose to be Mennonite because …” blog series, Roger Farmer, retired pastor of Sugar Creek Mennonite Church, shares his experience of becoming a Mennonite through a life altering encounter with God and his calling to be a Conscientious Objector during the Vietnam war. Read his story here: mennoniteusa.org/god-knew-who-i-was Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request:  Mennonite Mission Network requests prayer for Matthew and Toni Krabill’s ministry at the Paris (France) Mennonite Center. Pray for them as they work with others to launch a master’s degree program in conflict transformation that will be housed at Abidjan University of the Christian Missionary Alliance in Ivory Coast.

Western District Conference Prayer Request:   Pray for the WDC Gifts Discernment Committee as they seek nominees for elected roles in WDC, and give thanks for those who are called to leadership in our conference.