HOSPITALITY: A Space where change can take place

During month of February, the focus of our worship turns to “hospitality.”  While the word “hospitality” is often associated with images of “entertaining guests,” we will reflect on hospitality as the spiritual practice of welcome.    We begin by remembering that our welcome of “the other” is rooted in God’s unconditional welcome of us.

Anchoring our reflection these coming weeks are these words from Henri Nouwen (in Reaching Out):  “Hospitality means primarily the creation of a free space where the stranger can enter and become a friend instead of an enemy.  Hospitality is not to change people, but to offer space where change can take place.”   

Looking ahead…

February 5:  Hospitality:  God’s Welcome

Sermon: Dawn Yoder Harms;  Psalm 36:5-9; Luke 7:36-50;   Romans 15:7

Reflection question:  When have you met God in the stranger?

Communion;   Worship music: Chancel choir

February 12:  Life-Changing Hospitality 

Sermon: John Tyson;  Acts 10:1-48

Reflection question:  When have you experienced hospitality as “a space where change takes place?”

Worship music:  Chancel Bells

Noon:  Guess who’s coming to dinner?

February 19:  Obstacles to hospitality

Sermon:  Dawn Yoder Harms;  Luke 10:38-42

Reflection question:  What gets in the way of your extending welcome/hospitality to others?

February 26:  Welcoming “strangers in the land“

Sermon:  John Tyson;   Deuteronomy 10:12-13, 17-19;  Exodus 23:9

Reflection question:  How might we extend God’s welcome as we interact with migrants in our community?

Worship music:   Jr. Choir

Saturday, December 24—Christmas Eve

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH WISHES YOU A JOYOUS CHRISTMAS!  JOIN US AS WE CELEBRATE WITH TWO CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES

7:00 p.m.   Peace Before Us—Worship led by children and youth—Sanctuary

11:00 p.m.  Candlelight service of Lessons and Carols with anthems by the Chancel Choir, Chancel Bells and congregational singing—Sanctuary

December 18 is the Fourth Sunday in Advent 

The Holy Way
Walking in the Way of God’s Heart
Advent 2016 – Epiphany 2017
Bethel College Mennonite Church

As we move into this season of Advent-Christmas-Epiphany, we prepare to celebrate the arrival of Jesus, the One who embodies God’s heart.  Week by week, we will listen for where this heart invites us—toward peace, harmony, healing, and restoration in our world.  May the stories we hear, the music we savor, and the offerings we share during this season draw us into the way of God’s heart. 

Sunday scripture readings and worship schedule:  

Nov. 27, Advent 1 God’s peace is at hand
Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 122; Matthew 24:36-44; Romans 13:11-14

9:00 a.m. Prelude by Bethel College Brass Quintet

9:30 a.m. Worship with Communion, music by Chancel Choir
and Cherub Choir

Dec. 4, Advent 2 God’s harmony is at hand
Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Matthew 3:1-12;
Romans 15:4-13

9:00 a.m. Prelude by Chancel Bells; Karen Loucks and Vada Snider

9:30 a.m. Worship with music by Chancel Bells

Dec. 11, Advent 3 God’s healing is at hand
Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 146:5-10 or Luke 1:46-55; Matthew 11:2-11; James 5:7-10    

9:00 a.m. Prelude by Erich Boschmann; Alahna Wheat; Maggie Dungan and Brent Dungan; Nancy Hilty

9:30 a.m. Worship with music by Chancel Choir

Dec. 18, Advent 4 God’s restoration is at hand
Isaiah 7:10-16; Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; Matthew 1:18-25
Romans 1:1-7

9:00 a.m. Prelude by Menno Ringers; Verlene Garber, organ

9:30 a.m. Worship with music by Junior Choir

Dec. 25, Christmas (note schedule) Jesus is born!
Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 148; Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)

9:45 a.m. Prelude by Verlene Garber, organ

10:00 a.m.  Worship with Christmas carol singing

No Sunday School

Jan. 1, 2017, Epiphany God’s day of radiance is at hand

Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14; Matthew 2:1-12; Ephesians 3:1-12

9:45 a.m.   Prelude Mark Kreider, piano

10:00 a.m. Worship; music by Andrew Thiesen, trombone

11:00 a.m.  Fellowship and coffee—bring goodies to share

No Sunday School

Advent giving project:

You are invited to participate in this year’s Advent giving project of relief kits for Mennonite Central Committee to distribute throughout the world. This is a major need for MCC right now!  Children and youth are invited to donate: large bars of bath soap (3 or more oz.), plastic bottle shampoo (13-24 oz.), and adult-size toothbrushes. Adults are invited to

donate: large bars of laundry soap, bath towels, wide-tooth combs, fingernail clippers, adhesive bandages, and sanitary pads. Donations will be collected in the back of the sanctuary. Thanks to Faith Formation and Witness Commissions for coordinating this project. All donations will be dedicated on Christmas Sunday.

SPECIAL EVENTS AT BCMC

• Saturday, December 24, Christmas Eve

* 7 p.m.   Peace Before Us—Worship led by children and youth

BCMC Sanctuary

* 11 p.m. Candlelight service of Lessons and Carols with anthems by  Chancel Choir, Chancel Bells and congregational singing

BCMC Sanctuary 

• Sunday, January 8, 2016

4 p.m.  Candle-lighting in memory of BCMC members and friends who died in 2016 — BCMC Sanctuary