BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR AUGUST 13, 2023
THE WORSHIP SERVICE THIS SUNDAY, AUGUST 13, WILL BEGIN AT 10 A.M. FOLLOWED BY A RECEPTION ON THE CHURCH FRONT LAWN. THERE WILL BE NO SUNDAY SCHOOL.
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/0YMMXD_D4Y4?feature=share
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH August 13, 2023 Welcome Bethel College!
Prelude—The Spacious Firmament on High (arr. DeCou); I Sing the Mighty Power of God (arr. Payne)—Will Wiebe-Friesen
Christ Candle Lighting
Welcome—Brad Kohlman
Opening Prayer—Tobin Wise
*Hymn—Could It Be That God Is Singing—VT 42
Children’s Conversation—Julianna Schrag, Jacob Schrag, Timothy Schrag
*Hymn—My Soul Proclaims with Wonder—VT 222
Scripture Reading—Numbers 27:1-11— Aaliyah Hunt
Message—Intersecting Lines—Nathan Koontz
*Hymn of Response—There Is a Line of Women—VT 546
Prayers of God’s People
*Hymn—I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say—VT 536
*Benediction
Postlude—Jesus, Lover of My Soul (arr. Hustad)—Will Wiebe-Friesen
* You are invited to stand VT—Voices Together Keyboard—Will Wiebe-Friesen Audio visual— Ben Lichti
This Week at BCMC: August 13—20, 2023 Sun., August 13, 2023—BCMC Worship will be at 10 a.m. with Bethel College New Students We welcome new students from Bethel College to BCMC. Come join in a time of fellowship afterwards on the church front lawn and welcome our new neighbors! No Sunday school this Sunday YouTube Link for this Sunday is: https://youtube.com/live/0YMMXD_D4Y4?feature=share
Mon., August 14, 2023 11 a.m. Worship Commission meeting by Zoom Wed., August 15, 2023 7 p.m. Youth Group meeting Thurs., August 16, 2023 4 p.m. Witness Commission meeting in Room 14 Sun., August 20, 2023 9:30 a.m. Worship with sermon by Pastor Nathan Koontz 10:45 a.m. The Indigenous Justice Task Group in Fellowship Hall 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.
Chancel Choir: BCMC’s Voluntary adult Chancel Choir will begin our 2023-24 season with the first practice on August 30. The choir will meet in the sanctuary at 7:30 pm. If you like to sing and like to sing with others, come and help to “Make a Joyful” noise. Chancel Bell Choir: The BCMC Bell Choir will begin practicing on August 24. We meet at 6:30 p.m. in Room B7. If your music abilities include reading music and know how to count, you are invited.
BCMC Offering for July 30, 2023: General Fund $9,287.33; Living Stones $250. We had hoped to make it “4 in a row” but ;unfortunately July was a down month. Our receipts were $4000 below expenses for the month and are currently about $12000 below expenses ‘’year to date. As we go into the later parts of the year, we need to make the church budget a priority in our thoughts and prayers. We all know the challenges and we certainly have the ability to accomplish the goal. As usual, thank you so much for your efforts. —Finance Committee
Roger’s Whereabouts : Pastor Roger (and Cynthia) are helping their daughter move from Durham, North Carolina to Los Angeles, CA. 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 Wed., Aug. 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.
A Celebration of Life/Memorial service for Frances Siemens will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 9, at Bethel College Mennonite Church. Frances Eleanor (Schultz) Siemens died July 25, 2023 at Kidron Bethel Village. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Bethel College.
You’ll want to mark your calendars for the BCMC/Bethel College Ice Cream Social set for September 17, 6:30 p.m. on the BCMC front lawn. Come to enjoy ice cream with Bethel students and faculty. The Bethel College Relations Team (Darlene Dick, Ron Flickinger, Tim Hodge, Matt Koontz) ask that you bring a dessert or toppings to go with the ice cream.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Kidron Bethel Village and Bethel College will host “Can Our Actions Cool the Planet?”, an interactive presentation and discussion on variables that impact global temperature change, at 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 17 in Kidron Bethel Village’s Kidron Hall, 3001 Ivy Dr., North Newton. The presentation will be given by Josh Kennell, a senior biology major at Bethel College. The presentation is free and open to the public. It is time to renew the BCMC group subscription to Anabaptist World, a monthly magazine featuring voices from across the Anabaptist-Mennonite world. If you sign up with the congregation’s plan, you receive this publication at the discounted rate of $39. If interested in joining the group plan, please contact Monica Lichti in the church office by August 18. New subscribers can also receive a one-year subscription for the discounted rate of $39. To subscribe: email the church office: office@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org Bring in or mail your $39.00 payment to the office or place it in the offering plate on Sunday. Be sure to mark your checks with “Anabaptist World” in the memo line. If you are currently receiving Anabaptist World through the BCMC group subscription plan it will expire November 25, 2023. Anabaptist World would like us to renew the subscription now so that you will receive the magazine without interruption.
Prairie View is offering free youth mental health first aid training on Aug. 16 and 30, 8:30 a.m.—5 p.m. It is also offering free mental health first aid training (for adults) on Aug. 18 and 23, 8:30 a.m.—5 p.m. Both trainings are at the Prairie View Auditorium, 1901 E. 1st St., Newton. See the church bulletin board for more details.
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.
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.
LABOR DAY WORK & PLAY RETREAT at Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp – If you, your family or a group of friends want to enjoy the holiday weekend at RMMC, there are 16 spaces available to register. The weekend is offered as a day of work and play (Sat. or Sun.) with a Monday morning sendoff after breakfast. This year (September 1-4, 2023), we’ll be serving (foodservice & HK) along with additional work projects in preparing our facilities/grounds for the coming winter. FALL FAMILY FUN RETREAT – Young families and children (activities orientated for 2-8 year olds) are invited to RMMC this fall offering the perfect opportunity for your family to enjoy quality time, together, in the mountains. This is the age group that are too young to attend summer camps at RMMC, but ready to be introduced to the RMMC experience. The weekend is inviting all young families that have connections with the Mennonite Community and beyond. The weekend is coming Sept. 29-31, 2022 so visit the camp web page (rmmc.org) for additional information and to register online.
Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements.
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 Seeds of Peace press here For Mennonite Mission Network News and Beyond press here
For Mennonite Central Committee In Touch press here
Mennonite Church USA Announcements Mennonite Church USA has named Nancy Kauffmann, former board president of Dove’s Nest and longtime Mennonite church leader, as the interim denominational minister of Church Safety for MC USA’s Church Vitality office. This new position was created so that the denomination could address the need for continued abuse education and prevention work. Read the announcement here: mennoniteusa.org/news/interim-minister-church-safety
Approximately 300 youth, young adults and their sponsors gathered in Kansas City at the Kansas City Convention Center on July 7, 2023, for the Youth & Young Adult Climate Summit. The summit focused on climate change, including climate anxiety, social justice and advocacy themes. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/news/encouraged-challenged-climate-summit
Follow Jesus In this Menno Snapshots blog, Glen Guyton, executive director of MC USA, introduces and reflects on the new theme for the next biennium, “Follow Jesus.” “MC USA’s role in our society is more critical than ever. Our message of peace, love, community and reconciliation is needed in this hurting world,” Guyton said. Read more about the new theme here: mennoniteusa.org/follow-jesus View the slide graphic here: mennoniteusa.org/fj-qr
Menno Snapshots The pandemic was a time of great anxiety but also a time for reflection and healing. Jesica Lynn Nichols, a member of Lowville (New York) Mennonite Church, reflects on how and why she became a Mennonite during the pandemic. Read more of her story here: mennoniteusa.org/blessings-amid-pandemic
Lisa Longacher, a development officer for Hesston College shares about how her art can be used for positive change. Longacher co-led a youth seminar, “Art for Change: Exploring Your Creativity,” at MennoCon23. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/art-for-change
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Everett and Miriam Ramer are serving with Mennonite Mission Network’s SOOP program in Quebec, Canada, for more than two months. Pray for them as they work at Maison de l’Amitié (Friendship House) in Montréal and Camp Péniel, which offers a Jesus-centered experience for children and youth.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Give thanks for the gracious hospitality shared by Tabor Mennonite Church in hosting WDC Annual Assembly this weekend, with a closing worship service and seminars this morning.
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
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
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.
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!
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
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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!
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/
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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. 30th 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.
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.
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.
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/
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.
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.
Hope Mennonite Church – 868 N Maize Rd, Wichita, KS 67212
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!
For Mennonite Mission Network News from around the World press here For Mennonite Mission Network News and Beyond press here
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
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
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
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
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
“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
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. 30th 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.
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.
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. 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
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.
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/
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. 30th 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.
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
The 2023 issue of the Bethel College journal Mennonite Lifeis 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.
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!!
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
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
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.
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: