March 26, 2023 – Lent 5: Called to Life
Based on CDC Guidelines Harvey County is still in green status indicating
low risk for COVID. You are invited to choose whether you wear a mask or social distance. Both are optional.
To livestream the worship service:
On Sunday morning, around 9:20, go to BCMC’s webpage at bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org and click the green button labeled LIVE STREAM on the right side of the screen, which will take you to the worship service. If you get a message in the black box that the video is unavailable, click the gray box belows that says “View Live Stream on YouTube”. Anytime after the service concludes, you can watch a recording of the service at your convenience by clicking the same green LIVE STREAM button. Again, you will probably have to go to the gray box that says “View Live Stream on YouTube”. That will transfer you to the BCMC YouTube Channel. You will have to click on the tab “Videos” to see all of the BCMC videos. Click the red button to see the bulletin/order of service.
OR – click on this link for this Sunday: https://youtube.com/live/5yMZyI-ZPyQ?feature=share
The memorial service for Grace Schroeder is Saturday, March 25, 2023 at 11 a.m. It will be live-streamed. Here is the link: https://youtube.com/live/drMJn-XT2hk?feature=share
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
March 26, 2023
Lent 5: Called to the Life
Prelude—O Sacred Head, Now Wounded—Settings by Brahms, Buxtehude, Walther—
Karen Schlabaugh, organ
Christ Candle Lighting— Raylene Hinz-Penner
Call to Worship
Leader: Out of the depths we cry to you.
People: O Lord, hear our cry.
Leader: If you kept a record of sin, who would stand a chance?
People: O Lord, hear our cry.
Leader: But with you there is forgiveness.
All: We wait for you, O Lord. We hope in your word. Blessed be your name.
Welcome and Prayer
*Hymn—Come, Let Us All Unite to Sing—VT 7
Children’s Conversation— Kathy Stucky
*Hymn— New Earth, Heavens New— VT 377
Scripture Reading—Ezekiel 37:1-10; John 11:1-6, 17, 20-27, 32-44
Sermon—The Resurrection and the Life—Nathan Koontz
*Hymn— Christ Has No Body Here but Ours— VT 568
Prayers of God’s People
*Hymn— Blest Be the Tie That Binds— VT 831
People with March birthdays come forward for a blessing, please bring a hymnal
*Birthday Blessing & Benediction
Leader: Put your hope in the Lord.
People: The Lord is unfailing love,
Leader: and with God is full redemption.
People: God will bring us up from our graves.
All: God will redeem life into wholeness.
Postlude— In Thee Lord, Have I Put My Trust (J. C. Bach) Karen Schlabaugh
* You are invited to stand
VT = Voices Together
Keyboard- Karen Schlabaugh
Audio visual— Francis Toews
This Week at BCMC: March 19-26, 2023
Sun, Mar. 26, 2023—Lent 5: Called to Life
9:30 am Worship YouTube Link for this Sunday is: https://youtube.com/live/5yMZyI-ZPyQ?feature=share
The church nursery is staffed during worship and Sunday School
10:30 am Faith Formation—Intergenerational class meets in Fellowship Hall; High School – Room 24 Adult Classes: Agape Class meets in the nursery; Bible Study (Rm 14); Catacombs (Rm B5); Fellowship (B7); Fine Arts (Rm 22); Issues and Christianity (Rm 23); Open Circle (Room 21) Seekers (Rm 28)
Mon., Mar. 27, 2023
10 am Staff meeting in Room 14
Wed., Mar. 29, 2023
6 pm Wednesday night meal in Fellowship Hall
7 pm Senior High Youth Group
7:30 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal in the Sanctuary
Thurs., Mar. 30, 2023
4 pm Hospitality Commission meeting in Room 14
6:30 pm Chancel Bell rehearsal in Room B7
Sun, Apr. 2, 2023—Lent 6: Called to Worship—Palm Sunday
9:30 am Worship with sermon by Nathan Koontz; music by Matt and Rebecca Schloneger
2:30 pm Mennonite Men’s Chorus rehearsal in the sanctuary
The worship service on Easter Sunday, April 9, will begin at 10 a.m. There will be no Sunday school. There will be a Sunrise Service by the Senior High School Youth Group on Easter Sunday at 7 a.m. at the Prouty Home, 332 N. Hoover Road, Newton.
The Deacon Commission invites you to donate to our Caring Fund budget, which has been depleted due to needs in our community. A fishbowl will be available for you in the back of the sanctuary. Thank you for your continued support. – The Deacon Commission
Pastor Roger Neufeld Smith will travel back to Topeka Monday at noon. He will be back in Newton on Wed., Apr. 5. Roger checks his phone daily while he is in Topeka, so feel free to contact him by phone or email when he’s not in Newton.
The financial figures at the end of February indicate that 2023 ranks 13th in the last 16 years in the percent of the budget collected. Collections have been $16,500 less than expenditures, which comes to 13% of the budget collected and 16.7% of the year spent. We have two major expenses on the horizon: the required update of the fire safety system and replacement of the HVAC unit in the nursery. – Finance Committee
BCMC Offering for March 19, 2023: General Fund $10,651.66; Wed. Supper $251.21; Living Stones $283; Flower Fund $100; Women’s Fellowship $50.
Wednesday night supper March 29 in Fellowship Hall at 6 p.m. (Beef vegetable curry with rice, ice cream for dessert) Sign up on the bulletin board or by emailing office@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org
Please bring your own table service. Not doing so adds significant effort for the cleanup crew. – Hospitality Commission
April 14 and 15, the dates of the Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale (KMRS) are rapidly approaching. A new activity, assembling hygiene kits, will be in the Pride of Kansas Building April 14 from 6 p.m.-8 p.m., (this is a corrected date from previous bulletin announcement) and supplies are needed for these kits. A kit contains one adult toothbrush in the package, one bar of soap in the package, one good quality nail clipper, a hand towel of bright color, medium weight (16×26), and one wide toothed comb. If you would like to donate any of these supplies, please bring them to the baked goods sign up table at the back of the church Mar. 19 or Mar. 26. We have sign up sheets for pies, zwieback, and other baked goods. Stop by and sign up! Thank you! – BCMC KMRS Team: Steven and Elaine Schurr, Bill and Esther Eash, Dale and Margo Schrag
The annual meeting of the Community Playschool Corporation will be held Mon., April 10, 7:15 p.m. in the Bethel College Mennonite Church Fellowship Hall. Interested members of the congregations supporting Community Playschool are invited to attend. Entrance to the building will be at the south side of the church and make your way to the lower level of the church by stairs or elevator.
The Central Kansas Master Chorale, under the direction of Dr. Joel Garber, will give their final concert of the season, Sun., March 26, 3 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in McPherson. The chorale will feature Requiem for the Living by American composer Dan Forrest who composed the work as a tribute requiem for both the living and the past. The chorale dedicates this performance to victims and survivors of COVID 19, an experience which began three years ago this month. Audience members will be invited to name a COVID ribbon and tack it to the cross in Trinity’s sanctuary. In its second year, the Central Kansas Master Chorale is a collection of select vocalists from around the area committed to advancing the art of choral music by performing great works of the past and present, fostering music education, and enriching and inspiring the culture of our broad community. Even though all participants bring special talents and gifts, art is achieved only through continual dedication and hard work. Garber holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Oklahoma, a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Missouri-Columbia, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Vocal Performance from Bethel College, and an Associate of Arts degree from Hesston College. Admission is free to the event but donations will be accepted.
Lilies for Easter. You are invited to share an Easter lily for the sanctuary on
Easter Sunday, April 9. The Worship Decoration Committee will purchase the lilies. The cost will be $10 per lily. Make checks to BCMC designated “Flower Fund.” Contributors may pick up lilies to take home after the Easter worship service. You will be able to designate in honor of someone or in memory of someone with your Easter lily. There will be a table in the Gathering Place this Sunday, March 26, for you to sign up for a lily.
All Western District Conference women are invited to join a virtual event sponsored by Western District Women in Mission Tues., Apr. 25. Jenny Gehman, spiritual director, retreat speaker, and writer, will present “Holy Host: the Hospitality of God.” Join us in person or virtually. Our in-person gathering will be at First Mennonite Church in Newton, beginning with a salad potluck at 6 p.m., followed by Jenny joining virtually from Pennsylvania at 6:45 p.m. There is no cost to this event, but please register by April 23 by emailing westerndistrictwomen@gmail.com so you can receive a Zoom link if joining virtually. Please email your RSVP if attending in person and bring a salad to share. Church groups can consider gathering together to watch the Zoom. For more information, contact Wendy Schrag at 316-841-5245.
Singers wanted: Bethel College’s annual Masterworks concert will be Sunday, April 30, with choir and orchestra under the direction of Dr. Henry Waters performing Beethoven “Choral Fantasy” and Mozart “Coronation Mass.” The community is invited to participate. Practices begin Tuesday, April 4, 6-8 p.m. in the choir room in Luyken Fine Arts Center on the Bethel campus, and take place the other Tuesdays in April (11, 18, 25), with a four-hour rehearsal Sat., April 29 (3-7 p.m.; dinner provided), and performance at 4 p.m. on Sunday, with a call time of 3 p.m. Scores and rehearsal tracks will be provided. Sign up using this form: https://forms.gle/rqjK4dgSpYieVTvP8 or come to the first rehearsal on April 4.
New Hope Shelter is in need of the following: Pinesol, Scotch Tape, Laundry Pods, Dishwasher Pods, Dishwashing Soap, 8 1/2 x 11 copy paper, 55+ gallon trash bags, Coffee, Creamer, Sugar, Bread, Napkins, Mayonnaise, Granola bars, Pudding Cups. If you can provide some of these supplies, they can be taken to New Hope, 900 West Broadway, Bldg. #7.
Life Enrichment for March 30—Krehbiel Auditorium
9:30 “Theatre as Restorative Justice,” Lauren Friesen, Ph.D., David M. French Professor Emeritus of Theater at the University of Michigan
10:50 “Petroglyphs of the Kansas Smoky Hills,” Rex Buchanan, Lawrence
Bethel College Announcements:
From Henry S. Waters, DMA
Director of Choral Music and Associate Professor of Music
Bethel College Musical This Weekend
You do not want to miss seeing tick…tick…BOOM! this weekend!!
Show times:
Friday, March 24 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, March 25 at 7:30 PM
Sunday, March 26 at 2:00 PM
Performance run time is 90 minutes with no intermission.
Get tickets:
https://www.bethelks.edu/fine-arts
Before Rent, there was tick, tick… BOOM!. This autobiographical musical by Jonathan Larson, the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning composer of Rent, is the story of a composer and the sacrifices he made to achieve his big break in theater.
Cast: Hayden Honomichl (Jon), Emily Guldner (Susan), Tristan England (Michael), and Josué Coy Dick (multi-role)
Director: Katie Schmidt, Bethel College Class of 2015
Technical Director of Theater: Damon Klassen
Music Director: Dr. Henry Waters
Rehearsal accompanist and pit: Dr. Christina Liu
· Sun., March 26 and Mon., March 27 – Staley Lectures at Bethel College with Phuc Luu, theologian, philosopher and artist based in Houston, author of Jesus of the East. Sun.: 7 p.m., “Ida B. Wells, the sinned against, and Minjung theology: African-American and Asian voices in harmony,” Administration Building chapel; Mon.: 11 a.m., “‘Where does all the pain go?’: God’s broken body, trauma and the healing of han,” Krehbiel Auditorium
· Tues., March 28 – Bethel College Jazz concert, directed by Joel Boettger, 7 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium
· Thurs., March 30 – “What’s happening in the statehouse?,” a forum on Kansas politics featuring journalists from The Kansas Reflector, moderated by Adam Strunk, managing editor of Harvey County Now, 7 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium. Forum co-sponsors are the Bethel Department of Communication Arts and HCN. The Kansas Reflector is a nonprofit, online publication with Kansas’ largest statehouse bureau. The public is invited.
· Fri., March 31 – The public is invited to the final round of Bethel College’s C. Henry Smith Peace Oratorical Contest, 7:30 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center. Sponsored by Mennonite Central Committee, the annual competition takes place on North American Mennonite college campuses, with an overall winner chosen from among the campus winners. The original speeches deal with contemporary peace concerns.
· Fri., March 31 – Senior recital by Bethel College student Bryce Wilson, saxophone, 7 p.m., Administration Building chapel
· Sat., April 1 – 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.
· Wed., April 5 – Bethel College Chamber Orchestra concert, directed by Kristopher Hilding, 7 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium
· Thurs., April 6 – Junior recital by Isaac Tice, voice, 7 p.m., Administration Building chapel
· Now in the Regier Gallery in Luyken Fine Arts Center at Bethel College – “Printing the Plains: Relief Prints by Ian Huebert,” through Fri., April 14. Gallery hours are Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun. 2-4 p.m.
· SAVE THE DATE: Mon., April 17 – Rachel Stroer, president of The Land Institute in Salina, will speak at Bethel College.
The Newton Et Cetera shop is looking for a new General Manager. In the next couple of weeks we will have a job description ready to go, but if you know anyone that is interested – let them know that more details and a full job description will be coming very soon. If you have questions you can contact Elaine Schurr, BCMC Et Cetera Board representative.
Bohne berrogie bake day for the Mennonite Central Committee Sale is April 8 at Moundridge High School. Volunteers wanting to help, can sign up on the Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale website.
Verenika making day is April 1 at the Parkview MB Church, 610 S. Main St., Hillsboro with shifts in the morning, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., and afternoon 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. (will include cleanup after we make the target # of Verenika-if you are able and willing to stay and help) Volunteers, go to the Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale website to sign up.
Men and Boys Retreat, March 31-April 2. Come to Camp Mennoscah for this long-standing, guys-only retreat! Enjoy time fishing, canoeing, worshiping, sitting by the fire, or visiting with friends in fellowship. There will be a variety show on Saturday evening and a worship service on Sunday morning. The official beginning to the weekend is Saturday morning, but many arrive on Friday.
Meals can be purchased for Saturday night, Sunday morning and lunch. No pre-registration. Registration and payment will take place upon arrival. For more information contact Kevin Neufeld at 316-322-5515.
Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements and share them with your congregation!
For Mennonite Mission Network News from Around the World press here
For Mennonite World Conference press here
For Mennonite Mission Network press here
For Mennonite Church USA MennoCon23 What To Expect press here
For KIPCOR Upcoming Events press here
Camp Mennoscah Announcements
- Please note that Youth Volunteer Weekend, March 24-25, has been cancelled due to the small number of campers. Everyone is invited to join the April 22 Work and Play Day. (Those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.)
- Do you drink coffee that comes in a large tin can? Camp Mennoscah is looking for lids that fit on a #10 can for a sorting and storage project. We’ll take just the lids or the lids and cans. Contact us at olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org or call 620-297-3290.
- Nurses needed for the weeks of June 18-23, Junior I Camp, and July 9-14, Junior High II Camp. As a nurse, you are a vital part of camp life. Your work to keep everyone healthy and well means campers and staff are ready to play and learn during their time at camp. Nurses receive either a stipend or a camper discount up to full camp fees. Contact us at olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org or 620-297-3290. Nurses must be a registered nurse (RN).
- Head cooks needed for PreJunior I, June 11-15, and PreJunior II, June 25-29. The head cook is in charge of leading kitchen staff in the preparation of meals and snacks. Camp Mennoscah can provide a menu, if wanted, and will order groceries and get kitchen staff. Head cooks receive either a stipend or a camper discount up to full camp fees. Contact us at olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org or 620-297-3290.
- Some families have asked how this summer will look. Summer youth camps will be very similar to pre-2020 with cabin use. If we do not have enough counselors, as happened in 2022, we would likely use a tent to allow more campers to attend. A nurse is still working on some of the protocols, but quarantine or close contact groups will not be used. Based on the final protocol/guidelines, general illness may mean the camper would go home sooner than in past years. Camp Mennoscah does not expect to test for COVID. Parents/Guardians would be responsible for any testing.
- Scholarship funds for campers are needed. If Camp Mennoscah gives the same amount in scholarships as last year, the account will be depleted. Donations to the Scholarship Fund are most welcome. Gifts can be made online or sent to Camp Mennoscah, PO Box 65, Murdock, KS, 67111 with “Scholarship Fund” in the memo. Share the gift of faith formation and friends with others!
- You may have heard the HVAC in the Retreat Center is not working. Never fear! There will be portable A/C units this summer in the Retreat Center.
- Click to register! Summer youth camp registration is open and Camp Mennoscah is receiving registrations. The summer theme is FruitFULL Faith. Get ready to learn and sing about the Fruit of the Spirit this summer–it’s not a coconut!
Hesston College Announcements
March 28 – Home on the Range: Breeding Biology of Prairie Chickens
Join the Dyck Arboretum on March 28 at 7 p.m. for Home on the Range. Dr. Jackie Augustine, Audubon of Kansas executive director, will discuss the biology of greater and lesser prairie chickens, species that she has studied for nearly 20 years. These charismatic birds perform impressive displays to gain mating opportunities. Come hear about the rolling prairie, the antics of prairie chickens, and the challenges of studying these declining species. Learn more at dyckarboretum.org/events.
March 30 – Music Department Recital
The Performing Arts department at Hesston College will present student recitals on March 30 at noon. This recital will feature vocal students Jesse Kanagy, Andrew Miller, Ginny Miller, Sadie Oesch, and Eli Stoll. Join in person at Hesston Mennonite Church or watch the live stream at hesston.edu/livestream.
April 2 – Sunflower Performing Arts
Join the Sunflower Performing Arts on Sunday, April 2 at 3 p.m. to hear pax duo. Exceptional percussionists Micah Detwiler and Tristan Swihart will bring a multi-media percussion concert integrating acoustic percussion and lighting design. The concert will be held at Hesston Mennonite Church. Find more information and purchase tickets at hesston.edu/sunflower-performing-arts.
Mennonite Church USA Announcements
The Mennonite Church USA Executive Board welcomed Mosaic Mennonite Conference Moderator Angela Moyer Walter and Assistant Moderator Roy Williams to its online Zoom meeting on Jan. 28, 2023. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/news/eb-mosaic-moderators
Menno Snapshots
After a three-year hiatus, Mennonite educators from 14 different schools from across the United States and Albania gathered together in Leesburg, Virginia, Feb 2-4, for the Mennonite Educators Conference, which was hosted by Mennonite Education Agency, the education agency of Mennonite Church USA. Jenn Esbenshade, director of curriculum at Lancaster (Pennsylvania) Mennonite School, reflects on her time at the conference here: mennoniteusa.org/better-together-2
Hopedale (Illinois) Mennonite Church recently sponsored a two-day comforter blitz for Mennonite Central Committee, a ministry partner of Mennonite Church USA, on Jan. 21 and Feb. 4. On Sunday, Feb. 5, Hopedale Mennonite Church blessed the people who made the comforters and prayed for the recipients of the comforters. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/making-comforter
What are the anchors that hold you in both your work and your own personal wellness? Ingrid Friesen Moser, wellness coordinator with Mennonite Church USA’s The Corinthian Plan, the health plan for MC USA pastors and church workers, discusses what has anchored her over the years. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/my-well-being-anchor
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Mennonite Mission Network requests prayer for Naomi Tice. Naomi serves as the administrative assistant for volunteer placements with Christliche Dienste (German Mennonite Voluntary Service), an agency that sends German youth to participate in Mission Network service programs. Pray for Naomi as she lives in a Christian community and builds relationships with German Mennonites.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Like Paul in the book of Romans, we ask for your prayers for believers who share the good news of Jesus with their neighbors, for the volunteers and pastors who lead our congregations, and for the planters of the Gospel seed. -WDC Church Planting Commission
