Congregational Meeting, Sunday, November 21st at 10:45am
Please use this Zoom Link to join the Special Congregational Meeting remotely to vote on the proposed Abuse Prevention and Response Policy. This meeting’s sole purpose is to vote on the proposed policy, there will not be a time of discussion during the meeting. We will use the poll function for zoom attenders. Paper ballots will be available for in-person attenders.
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 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 button. Click the red button to see the bulletin/order of service.
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
November 21, 2021
A Service of Gratitude
Prelude—Cello Concerto in D minor (Lalo)—Caleb Garber cellist, Lisa Schmidt pianist
Christ Candle Lighting—Nathan Koontz
Introit—VT #9 Come Away from Rush and Hurry – vs. 1—Chancel Choir
William Eash, director; Verlene Garber accompanist
Welcome
*Hymn— Now Thank We All Our God—VT 1
Children’s Conversation—Megan Kohlman
Worship Music—Do Not Fear (Fred Gramann)—Chancel Choir
Scripture Reading—Psalm 118:1-9; 22-29—Vern Preheim
Sermon—Gratitude in the Midst of Grief—Renee Reimer
*Hymn—Praise, I Will Praise You Lord—VT 131
Prayers of God’s people—Nathan Koontz
*Hymn—Great Is Thy Faithfulness—VT 419
Benediction—Renee Reimer
Benediction Response—VT #839 Go Ye Now in Peace— Congregation join the choir on the second singing of the verse
VT = Voices Together
Audio visual—Ken Lamp
Pastors—Renee Reimer, Nathan Koontz, Dawn Yoder Harms
The Koinonia Sunday School class is looking for breakfast goodies for the next 5 Sundays. Please contact Pastor Renee if you’d like to bring something on one of those Sundays.
Pastor Renee is collecting empty shoe boxes (or similar size boxes) for a church Advent project. If you have any you’d be willing to donate, please leave them on the back pew of the sanctuary (by the nursery).
This week at BCMC
Monday, November 22
8—10 am Bethel College Classes in the Sanctuary
10 am Library Committee Meeting in Room 14
2—3 pm Bethel College Class in the Sanctuary
Tuesday, November 23
9—11 am Community Playschool
Wednesday, November 24—No choir practices tonight or Youth Group
Thursday, November 25—Thanksgiving Day—Church closed—
Happy Thanksgiving!
Friday, November 26—Office Closed; Church Locked
Sunday, November 28—First Sunday of Advent
For an Intro to Advent (Advent devotional-“Dare to Imagine”) – Press here
9:30 am Worship Service in the Sanctuary
10:30 am Faith Formation
bcmcXpress
Our congregation’s stewardship process, known as the bcmcXpress, provides us with opportunity to reflect on our commitment to seeking God’s treasure together through the sharing of our financial resources. It also provides us with a concrete way to Xpress BCMC’s values, priorities, and commitments: to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.
In that spirit, you are invited to participate in the ministry at BCMC by discerning a financial commitment for 2022. To indicate the contributions you plan to make to the general budget and Living Stones in 2022, please complete the online intent form (https://flinthillsdesign.wufoo.com/forms/bcmcxpress-2022-intent-to-give/) by December 3, 2021 . If you plan to give via the electronic transfer system in 2022, please make a request via email to Mike Claassen (treasurer@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org). This is separate from the online giving option found on the website.
Information from the intent forms will be combined to determine total commitments for 2022. Based on the intents received, the Church Board will recommend a final budget for approval at the congregational meeting in January 2022.
Press here for the entire letter sent to the congregation: Congregational Letter
Press here for the 2022 BCMC Budget: Budget Narrative
Don’t Forget to Return your Gifts Discernment Survey!
Sharing our Gifts
As a way of gathering up our gifts, skills, and talents for this kin-dom work, BCMCs Gifts Discernment Committee (GDC) invites you, whatever your age, to consider the gifts you would like to share with the congregation (and beyond) by completing BCMC’s Sharing Our Gifts Survey by November 28, 2021.
If you are in high school or older, you can:
If you are in middle school-age or younger, you can:
Thank you for sharing the gift of who you are
as we follow Jesus
in doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God.
The Gifts Discernment Committee: Dale Schrag (chair), Norma Johnson, Elaine Prouty, Frank Stucky, Dawn Yoder Harms (staff liaison)
Staff Schedules: Pastor Nathan Koontz will be gone from Nov. 23-28. Pastor Renee Reimer will be gone from Nov. 24-27.
Prayer Network is an email ministry of the Deacon Commission to provide prayer support when requested. To be added to the list, contact: office@bethelcollegemennonitechurch or call Monica at 316-283-3667. Thank you to the people who already are on the prayer network.
Budget update: October was a major shot in the arm to the church’s fiscal health. At the end of September, we had an expense over income deficit of $32,895. At the end of October, that deficit had been cut to $18,593. Thank you for coming through to make such amazing progress, but we aren’t done. We have two months to go to complete the recovery. Also remember that if you have to make a required minimum distribution (RMD) before the end of the year, you can direct it to the church, which is a charitable organization for income tax purposes.
Living Stones II update: The fellowship hall/kitchen renovations are complete and paid for! Please continue to contribute to Living Stones as you are able to begin preparing for other upgrades or renovations that may become necessary.
We offer sympathy to Willis Harder and family on the death of Willis’ brother, Donald C. Harder, Nov. 9, Wheat State Manor, Whitewater.
Helen Bargen’s 90th birthday is on November 26! Her family invites you to participate in a card shower to help her celebrate. You can send cards to:
Helen Bargen
3054 Ivy Ct. Rm 32-S
North Newton, KS 67117
New Hope Shelter
As the end of 2021 approaches, we want to say THANK YOU for your partnership throughout the year. As of 9/30, New Hope Shelter had already served more than 200 men, women and children this year. The loving support of our church volunteers and supporters enables us to serve those in crisis for short windows of time as they find stability and start anew. A recent quote from a former resident who is employed full-time in a steady job since New Hope: “Through the small group opportunities that were offered, the many one on one encounters with staff and volunteers, I experienced the love of God in new and powerful ways. The holidays could have been very sad and depressing. Instead, they were some of the most meaningful times I have experienced in recent years.” We invite your continued prayers and support as we continue to serve, love and equip in the months ahead.
–New Hope Shelter, 900 W. Broadway, Building 7, Newton. 316-283-7711
Bethel College Events
All bakers and craft makers are invited to make items for 5 Places of Christmas on Saturday, December 4 at Goerz House on Bethel College campus. Bethel College Women’s Association will again be selling baked goods, craft items, and poinsettias. Christmas candy, zwieback, peppernuts, poppyseed rolls and cinnamon rolls are always great sellers. Please bring your items to Goerz House on Friday, December 3 from 1:30-4:30pm or Saturday, December 4 from 7:00-9:00am.
Thank you for your support of Bethel College!
Mon., Nov. 22 – Bethel College Wind Ensemble Winter Concert, 7 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center. Bethel’s current COVID-19 protocols require physical distancing and mask-wearing indoors with groups of 10 or more.
Sat., Dec. 4 – Five Places of Christmas, the annual holiday open house, includes Kauffman Museum and Goerz House on the Bethel College campus, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. No charge for admission. The Bethel College Women’s Association (BCWA) is the host at Goerz House, where there will be baked goods and other items for sale. Please plan to wear a face covering indoors and follow all COVID-19 protocols requested by the venue. (Other locations: Warkentin House, Harvey County Historical Museum and Carriage Factory Gallery, all in Newton.)
Hesston College Event
– Dec. 4 7 p.m. You are invited to a theatre and music performance that explores what coming “home for Christmas” means for a diversity of people and cultures. Music and Theatre Present: Home For Christmas
Hesston Mennonite Church
https://www.hesston.edu/academics/departments/fine-arts/music/ All performers fully vaccinated for COVID-19 will perform without masks. Audience members are required to wear masks. No tickets are required, but a free-will offering will be accepted following the performance. Program and livestream available at www.hesston.edu/music.
Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements
Camp Mennoscah Announcements
Giving Tuesday is November 30. There aren’t any gimmicks this year to encourage you to give, just stories. Remember the camper who stayed after campfire to talk to counselors about faith and life struggles. Think of the awe-filling trips in inner tubes down the river at night and the campfires with the starry heavens above. Spend a moment with your own memories of Camp Mennoscah. Encourage everyone to follow Jesus Christ by supporting the faith formation ministry of Camp Mennoscah here. Checks can be sent to Camp Mennoscah, PO Box 65, Murdock, KS 67111.
Other events and happenings:
Summer staff applications open! Applicants should be 18 years old or older and in agreement with the Camp Mennoscah mission statement. Information and the online application can be found here! Call or email with questions!
Christmas Gathering on Dec. 18 at 2:30pm! Join us in the Dining Hall at Camp Mennoscah for afternoon fun–bring games to play indoors or out. Camp will provide popcorn and generic pop. (Masks recommended and encouraged for inside activities.)
We are grateful for you! We continue to get calls from volunteers and receive gifts of items off the Wish List. These items and projects help with the faith formation that happens at Camp Mennoscah. The list has more wishes and there are more projects to do. We can accommodate every group size, skill set and length of project you would like to tackle. Email office@campmennoscah.org or call 620-297-3290 to volunteer. See the Wish List for other ways to support Camp Mennoscah!
Camp Mennoscah has openings for a part-time custodial/housekeeping position (10 hours) and a part-time office/administrative position (30 hours with benefits). Some of the office/administrative tasks can be done from home. Contact Olivia at olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org for more information.
Camp Mennoscah is seeking a full-time Director of Development, Marketing & Communications to lead our ongoing operational and advancement needs. This position reports directly to the Board of Directors while taking directive from the Executive Director when related to operational considerations. As a member of a small, very hands-on staff, the role is expected to be highly collaborative. This professional must embrace the mission of Camp Mennoscah, have an established background in coordinating nonprofit donation strategies, possess strong written, interpersonal, leadership and relationship building skills, and work as an independent contributor with good organization and follow-through. Most of the work will commence off campus, however some in-person time at camp is required. This role involves organizing broad-based fundraising initiatives, advocating for Camp Mennoscah through speaking engagements, promotional materials, and social media, as well as recruiting volunteers, and building relationships with board members, donors and staff. Our ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree, a minimum of five years of fund development experience, or equivalent experience in church relations, and a passion for Camp Mennoscah. They should also be familiar with office related applications, and other technology used for communication and social media. Experience with CampBrain and the associated donor database is a plus. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled and early submission is encouraged. Please send application materials (resume, cover letter, references and salary requirements) to campmennojobs@att.net.
For Mennonite Disaster Service On the Level press here
For Mennonite World Conference Courier press here
For Mennonite Mission Network Giving Tuesday press here
For Mennonite Mission Network News and Beyond press here
Mennonite Church USA Announcements
Are you looking for a meaningful Christmas gift for friends or family? Give a gift of peace and inspiration with the “Pause: Play, Breathe, Pray” card deck! Developed by Mennonite Church USA Faith Formation leaders, each card has a different image on one side and a prayerful pause on the other. Learn more here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/pause-play-breathe-pray
Calling all pastors and faith formation leaders! Registration is now open for Pastors & Leaders | Deep Faith 2022, a joint conference of Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS) and Mennonite Church USA Faith Formation. Join us Feb. 21-24, 2022, either virtually or in person on the AMBS campus in Elkhart, Indiana, to explore the theme, “Formed in the Wilderness, Leading in Hope.” Learn more here: ambs.edu/pastorsandleaders.
Menno Snapshots
Ruth Goring, Mennonite author of children’s books, wrote about how her faith community nurtured her writing and art for children. Read her blog, “Picture books for the kin-dom of God,” here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/kin-dom-of-god.
Learn, Pray, Join: Cost of Poverty
In his blog, “Seeing poverty up close around the world,” Stanley Green, executive conference minister of Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference, recounts his experiences with poverty in Cambodia, South Africa and Argentina, where he saw people impoverished due to low wages, lack of education, gentrification and systemic oppression. Read about his experiences here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/seeing-poverty-up-close
Learn, Pray, Join: Cost of Poverty
In his blog, “Poverty and climate injustice,” Doug Kaufman of the Center for Sustainable Climate Solutions explains how climate injustice affects people experiencing poverty and communities of color disproportionately, which causes further economic and ecological problems. Read how churches can help people in these vulnerable communities here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/poverty-climate-injustice
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Liz Breckbill and Erin McWilliams are participants in Mennonite Mission Network’s Alamosa, Colorado, Mennonite Voluntary Service unit. Pray for them as they extend the ministry of the Anabaptist Fellowship of Alamosa, through educating local youth on environmental issues in their community and contributing to environmental restoration.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Give thanks for God’s faithfulness, goodness and generosity, and the many ways that WDC congregations share these gifts so that God’s healing and hope flow through us to the world.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Rev. Dr. Velda Love, United Church of Christ Minister for Racial Justice, will share on the complicity of the Church in racism and how all can journey as a witness and transformative presence with God’s beloved inclusive global community. Dr. Love’s work centers on addressing historical and contemporary injustices resulting from systemic, structural and individual racism. She develops and leads trainings and workshops on reparatory racial justice including the UCC Join the Movement Toward Racial Justice Campaign. Register for the webinar