Author Archives: Monica Lichti

Worship Service and Announcements for September 1-8, 2024

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2024

Our faith in a God of love leads us, by the power of the Spirit,
to follow Jesus in doing justice, loving mercy,
and walking humbly with God.

To livestream the worship service:
On Sunday morning, around 9:20 a.m., 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 below 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/OUma3qVIp30?feature=share

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
September 1, 2024
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Christ Candle Lighting

Centering Music—The Kingsfold Trumpet (Alfred Fedak)
Will Wiebe-Friesen

Welcome & Prayer—Carol Peters

Land Acknowledgment & Presentation of Brochure
—Raylene Hinz-Penner

*Hymn—For the Fruit of All Creation–VT 124

Children’s Conversation—Joanna Harader

Worship Music–Pastorale from Three Lyric Pieces (Raymond Haan)–Will Wiebe-Friesen

Scripture Reading—James 1:17-27—Vernon Goering

*Hymn—True Evangelical Faith—VT 439

Sermon—The Both/And Challenge of Faith—Joanna Harader

*Hymn—Sing a New World into Being—VT 809

Prayers of God’s People—Carol Peters

*Hymn—Go, My Friends, in Grace—VT 810

*Benediction

Postlude—Jesus, Lover of My Soul (arr. Don Hustad)
Will Wiebe-Friesen

* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Audio visual—Ben Lichti

Land Acknowledgement 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.

GOING BEYOND LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
*Read Sarah Augustine and Sheri Hostetler, So We and Our Children May Live: Following Jesus in Confronting the Climate Crisis, and prepare to attend Sarah Augustine’s presentations when she is on campus during Fall Festival at Bethel College Oct. 5-7, Sat. at 2 p.m., Sunday morning and/or Monday Convocation. Sarah will preach at the BCMC Fall Fest Sun. worship service, Oct. 6, 10 a.m.
*Follow the Apache Stronghold Prayer Journey which began July 13 and continues to the Supreme Court “to stop the shattering of the human existence and to protect Mother Earth.” They are in Cherokee, NC this weekend and plan to be in Washington DC by Sept. 8.
*BCMC is joining an amicus brief on behalf of the Apache Stronghold case.  All amicus brief signers are invited to send representatives to join Apache Stronghold in Washington DC on Sept. 10 and 11.

The memorial service for Marilyn Stucky (Marilyn died June 20) will be Sat., Aug. 31, 11 a.m. at BCMC, with a lunch in fellowship hall following the service.
For the live-stream link for the memorial service press here

Pastor Joanna will have office hours at the 1887 Cafe in the Schultz Student Center every Thursday morning from ten to noon. She would love for you to stop by for a chat!

The Next Week at BCMC: September 1-8, 2024
Sunday, September 1, 2024
9:30 a.m.   Worship
10:45 a.m. Safe Sanctuary Training in the Sanctuary
YouTube Link for this Sunday:
https://youtube.com/live/OUma3qVIp30?feature=share
Monday, September 2, 2024—Labor Day—Office will be closed; church locked
Tuesday, September 3, 2024—Office will be closed
Wednesday, September 4, 2024
8 am to 12 p.m. Community Playschool will be in kitchen/Fellowship Hall
7:30 p.m.   Chancel Choir rehearsal in the Sanctuary
Thursday, September 5, 2024
12:30 p.m. Staff Meeting
5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Community Playschool Open House in Playschool rooms
6:30 p.m.    Chancel Bell rehearsal in Room B7
7 p.m.          Church Board meeting in Room 14
Sunday, September 8, 2024—Installation for Pastor Joanna Harader
9:30 a.m.   Worship
10:45 a.m. Junior and Youth Sunday School Begins

BCMC Offering for Aug. 25, 2024: General Fund $5,795; Community Playschool $500; Kitchen Fund $15; Solar Fund $1,517.95; Monica Gross Memorial $50.

ANNUAL SAFE SANCTUARY TRAINING FOR THOSE WHO RELATE TO YOUTH

Annual Safe Sanctuary Training for Those Who Relate to Youth will be Sept. 1 during the Sunday School time in the Sanctuary.

SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHING YEAR BEGINS SEPTEMBER 8
The Sunday School teaching year will officially begin September 8 and we are in need of teachers and helpers to teach 3 age levels of our youth: pre-k, elementary, and middle school. Even if you are the slightest bit interested, please listen to the call and email Jill Robb at
jill@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org

Save the Date: Peace Witness Event, Sept. 15-16
This is a reminder of the BCMC Witness Commission plans for a peace witness event around Peace Sunday on September 15-16. Our church along with the Bible and Religion Department of Bethel College and in collaboration with area churches invites you to engage with Christianity and Democracy led by well known author, academic, and presenter, David P. Gushee (https://davidpgushee.com).

The Schowalter Singers, a resident choir from Schowalter Villa, will present its fall concert, “Our Journey to Heaven,” Sun., Sept. 8, at 7 p.m., at Whitestone Mennonite Church, 629 Crescent Dr., Hesston. The concert is free and open to the public. Another opportunity to see the concert will be 3 p.m., Wed., Sept. 11, at the Schowalter Villa chapel, 200 W. Hickory, St., Hesston.

DESSERT RECEPTION – SEPTEMBER 22, 2024
Save the Date for the Annual Dessert Reception for Bethel College students September 22 at 6 p.m. This year it will be held ON the Bethel College campus—on a sidewalk going to Haury Hall—just a few feet from the BCMC grounds. Please bring a dessert to share and be willing to engage with students. Chairs will be set up in circles.

Dorothy Unruh turns 103 on September 12, 2024! Send birthday messages and blessings to Dorothy at 1407 Hillcrest Road, Newton, KS 67114.

CHANCEL BELLS NEEDS PLAYERS
The Chancel Bells will begin practicing September 5 for our fall music. I need several players to complete the choir. This commitment ideally would be for the entire year, but I can work with a month at a time. We are easy to work with and very forgiving if you are a new player. Please consider making this contribution to the worship of our church. I am excited to begin with some new music and some that hasn’t been done for several years. Our library has many options. Contact Verlene: verlenegarber@gmail.com or 620-217-5266.

LAST CALL–SIGN UP FOR ANABAPTIST WORLD GROUP SUBSCRIPTION
Now is the 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 $44. If interested in joining the group plan, contact Monica Lichti in the church office as soon as possible. New subscribers can also receive a one-year subscription for the discounted rate of $44. To subscribe email office@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org
Bring in or mail your $44.00 to the office or place it in the offering plate Sunday. 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 Nov. 2024. Anabaptist World would like us to renew the subscription now so that you receive the magazine without interruption.

Community Playschool is gearing up for the start of another school year on September 10. We have 15 children and 8 volunteers lined up to participate in two classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We are offering a HUGE thank you to the youth group and their sponsors for clearing out debris from the perimeter of the playground. This happened on July 6 during their service/learning week. It was brutally hot that day, and they worked tirelessly to clear out several years of leaf clutter that gathers at the fence. We are so grateful to them for this effort! We hope you all can venture down the north hall in the lower level often after September 10 to see signs of our program at work right here at BCMC!
— Jeanette Leary and Kasey Newell, co-directors

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

EVERENCE ANNOUNCEMENTS

For Everence Toolkit press here

FreedUp: Everence® is offering a new stewardship training program. The FreedUp program is a way for everyone to get their finances in order – and gain a deeper faith perspective on your money. Everence facilitators will lead the sessions. The upcoming option for participants is Mondays at 8 p.m. ET beginning Oct. 7; ending Nov. 18. Register at everence.com/partners.

LET EVERENCE^® HELP MAKE MEDICARE AN EASY STEPMedicare Mondays

Join us for an informal conversation about Medicare. We’ll cover the following:Enrollment details and deadlines.Social Security – when do I start?Prescription drug coverage.Plans that supplement Medicare. The webinars will be presented by Everence professionals, and there will be plenty of time for your questions. All webinars held on the second Monday of the month at 2 and 8 p.m. (Eastern Time):September 9October 14November 11 December 9Learn more and register

September and October Webinars from EVERENCE®
Finances and You with topics that integrate your faith and finances! This is a free, four-part webinar series where you’ll hear how Everence® can help you make important financial decisions that reflect your faith values. The webinars will be presented by Everence professionals and there will be time for your questions. All webinars held on Wednesdays at 2 and 8 p.m. (Eastern Time) For more information, visit everence.com/national. Or Email:
national@everence.com with any questions.
· Sept. 11 Seminar:  Why give now? 12 strategies to maximize your generosity in 2024. No matter income or age, explore how you can make a difference in the world by stretching the impact of your giving to the missions, ministries and organizations you care about. Presented by: Lyle Miller, Stewardship Consultant & Phil Pratt, Charitable Consultant
· Sept. 18 Seminar: Getting our lives together, Giving our lives away, and Giving our deaths away. For those of us interested in integrating our faith with our finances, we often find ourselves focusing on different concerns throughout our lives. Intentionally embracing these unique periods of our lives can encourage growth in our stewardship journey and help form us into the image of Christ. Presented by: Colin Saxton, Stewardship Theologian and Director of Church Relations
· Sept. 25 Seminar:  Social Security: Understanding your benefits. Come and learn the ins and outs of social security that will provide you clarity as you consider your social security future. Presented by: Steve Lane, AWMA®, CFP®, Financial Consultant
· Oct. 2 Seminar: Investing 202.   Mutual funds, pensions, stocks, bonds, IRA’s, Roth IRA’s, 401k’s, Real estate. The list seems to go on and on for investment options. This presentation will help you sort through your investment options and other considerations as you explore what investments make sense for you. Presented by: Michael Burton, CFP®, CEPA®, Financial Consultant

Bethel College Announcements:
· Sat., Sept. 14 – Duo piano recital: Dr. Christina Liu (Bethel College) and Dr. Brett Janssen (Central Christian College), 4 p.m., Ad Building chapel at Bethel College
· SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, Sept. 15, Forum on Democracy and Christianity with David Gushee, Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics at Mercer University, 3 p.m., Memorial Hall at Bethel College; sponsored by Bethel College Mennonite Church and the Bethel Department of Bible and Religion. Gushee will also speak in convocation Mon., Sept. 16, 11 a.m., in Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center.

Life Enrichment program at Bethel College for Wednesday, Sept. 4. Life Enrichment is for people age 60 and above and is an excellent way to continue learning and meet people from the surrounding area in a relaxed setting.
Sept. 4—9:30 a.m. “Climate Change and Health: Harms and Opportunities,” Dwight Krehbiel, North Newton
Sept. 4—10:50 a.m. “STRATACA: One of the Eight Wonders of Kansas,” Rachel Terry, Strataca operation manager, Hutchinson

Bethel College Women’s Association needs your donations of baked goods and craft items! Home-made pies, poppyseed rolls, zwieback, cinnamon rolls, other baked goods and treats for Market-in-the-Round at Fall Festival are welcome. In addition, home-made jams/jellies and craft items are needed. All of these items can be delivered to the Music Library in Luyken Fine Arts Center from 1 – 5 p.m., Fri., Oct. 4. All proceeds will benefit Bethel College. If questions email:
bcwa@belthelks.edu Volunteers are needed as well to staff the booths. To sign up, use this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0E4CA8A72FA3F58-50920044-fall/102465998#/

Camp Mennoscah Announcements

Summer is over and volunteer work days have been adjusted! Volunteers for the HVAC work at the Retreat Center are welcome Monday – Friday. A lack of construction skills should not keep you from helping out with this project. Willing hands are what is needed! Let us know when you are available, so we can prepare for you. For anyone interested in working on a weekend, two weeks notice is needed. Contact Isaac at 316-217-5626 to sign up.
Other events and happenings:

Thank you to the many summer youth camp volunteers, both far and near, long-time and new! Camp Mennoscah had a successful summer because of you. 403 campers had the absolute bestest of camp weeks! (If not, we’ll try harder next summer.)See you at Fall Fest on October 5th at Bethel College!
Registration for the Fall Scrapbook and Crafts Retreats is open! The dates are November 1-3 and November 15-17. Lodging and crafting will be held at Main Camp in the bunkhouses and dining hall. Register here. We’ll see you for another fun weekend!
Annual Meeting is on September 22! Mark your calendars and watch for details.
Tasks to keep Camp Mennoscah running smoothly continue into the fall and winter seasons. Volunteers are needed for grounds and deep cleaning, plus a variety of other things. Contact us at 620-297-3290, 316-293-7313 (text) or olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org.

Mennonite Central Committee Announcements
MCC immigration-focused learning tour in South Texas, Oct. 6-11: MCC learning tours present a unique opportunity to engage directly with the work done by MCC and partner organizations. The tour will give participants the chance to meet with law enforcement officials from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), gain insights into the complexity of immigration enforcement, including deportation and apprehensions, and visiting migrant response shelters. The tour will shed light on the challenges faced by migrants on their journey and raise awareness about the asylum process, and conditions faced by displaced and uprooted individuals. Find out more and register for the trip by Sept. 20. Questions, please contact Becky Teiwes, MCC Central States Borderlands Program Coordinator at beckyteiwes@mcc.org.

Join MCC Great Lakes for the Dismukes Project Learning Tour on October 9-13: This learning tour provides a unique experience to learn more about Black history and experiences in the coalfields of Appalachia, while also learning the incredible story of Dr. Henry Dodford Dismukes, an African American physician in the early 1900’s. Participants will visit various sites connected with Dr. Dismukes, hear from local speakers, learn about MCC’s work to preserve Black history in the area and attend the Dismukes Gala featuring John Ellison. Learn more and register at mcc.org/dismukes-learning-tour. Tickets are also available separately for the Dismukes Gala on October 12 at mcc.org/dismukes-gala. Learn more about Dr. Dismukes and the project, including a video and podcast, at mcc.org/dismukes.

Mennonite Disaster Service Announcement

2024 MDS Region 3 Annual Meeting

Join us in Hydro, OK for the 2024 MDS Region 3 Annual Meeting. We are gathering on November 15-17 to hear updates on what MDS is doing around the country and in our region.This isn’t just a business meeting! Our theme is “Spreading the News: Effective (and timely!) communication within your unit.” Plenary sessions and workshops are available to help everyone get involved in the work of MDS.We will worship together, eat together, and have fun together. Nathan Luitjens, Executive Conference Minister of Central Plains Mennonite Conference is speaking Friday evening during worship. The MDS Communications Team is leading several sessions over the weekend. On Saturday evening we will spend our time enjoying each other’s company while also enjoying a fun night of games and entertainment. And the MDS Storm Encounter trailer will be there! We hope to see you there!For more information or to register, go to Region 3 Annual Meeting – Mennonite Disaster Service (mds.org) or contact Region 3 Administrative Assistant Chris Becker at cbecker@mds.org or 717-383-8981.We look forward to gathering together at this year’s MDS Region 3 Annual Meeting.

For Mennonite Men “Engage” press here
For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here
Mennonite Church USA Announcements

MC USA’s Climate Justice Ministry has selected two recipients and one honoree for the Generation Z Energy and Spirit Challenge. The award winners are Taftsville Chapel Mennonite Fellowship, Taftsville, Vermont, and The Freeman Project, Freeman, South Dakota. Hillcrest Academy, Kalona, Iowa, has received an honorable mention. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/gen-z-energy-spirit-challenge
Mennonite Church USA presented Tina Schlabach and Abby Endashaw with the 2024 MC USA Bring the Peace award. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org//btp-2024-award-winners

Check out the summer issue of Equipping, Mennonite Church USA’s quarterly resource newsletter for pastors and leaders here: mennoniteusa.org/equipping-july-2024 Subscribe to Equipping here: mennoniteusa.org/equipping-subscribe

Menno Shorts

The MC USA Women in Leadership steering committee gathered in Valley Village, California, on July 16-18, to plan the 2025 Women in Leadership Summit. Open to all women across MC USA, this one-day event will be on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in Greensboro, North Carolina, immediately preceding the Follow Jesus ’25 convention. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/women-in-leadership-plan

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Today is the Day of Prayer for Creation, promoted by Season of Creation, an ecumenical organization of prayer and action. Mennonite Church USA and Mission Network are members of this global community. Join in lamenting the harm human beings have inflicted on the Earth, and pray that we will discover unity, as we work together as caretakers of God’s creation.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Pray for WDC Commissions beginning the new program year, and give thanks for new commission members elected at the recent WDC Annual Assembly.

Bethel College Mennonite Church is an open and affirming congregation
centered in the life and teachings of Jesus. Embracing the divine within each person, we warmly welcome any and all into fellowship without regard to race, ethnic background, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability,
economic status, marital status, or age.

2024 08 25 worship service

press here for the video

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
August 25, 2024

Christ Candle Lighting

Centering Music—There’s Nothing Worth More [VT 369]–(arr. Rogers)–Meghann Rogers

Welcome & Prayer—Elizabeth Schmidt

*Hymn—What Is This Place—VT 22

Children’s Conversation—Blessing of the Backpacks—Jill Robb

Hymn—May God Grant You a Blessing—VT 845

Scripture Reading—1 Kings 8:1,6,10-11, 22-30, 41-43; Ephesians 6:10-20—Karen Ediger

Sermon—More Than Meets the Eye—Nathan Koontz

*Hymn—Beloved, God’s Chosen—VT 164

Prayers of God’s People

*Hymn—For the Healing of the Nations—VT 705
People with August birthdays come forward for a blessing, please bring a hymnal

*Birthday Blessing and Benediction

Postlude—May You Be Rooted and Grounded [VT 396]–(arr. Rogers)
Meghann Rogers

* You are invited to stand

VT—Voices Together

Audio visual—Ken Lamp

Worship Service and Announcements for August 25, 2024

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR SUNDAY, AUGUST 25, 2024

Our faith in a God of love leads us, by the power of the Spirit,
to follow Jesus in doing justice, loving mercy,
and walking humbly with God.

For our youth to feel supported and loved for the 2024-2025 school year, we will be blessing their backpacks by giving them a tag to remind them they are being prayed over by members of our congregation.

Our backpack blessing for our youth (and adults) will be this Sunday, August 25 during the children’s story. Please have your child(ren) bring their backpack to have our congregation bless their year.

If you have a work bag you would like to be blessed by the congregation, PLEASE bring it with you to church so we can give you a tag for your bag!

— Jill Robb, Faith Formation Coordinator

The Next Week at BCMC: August 25—September 1, 2024
Sunday, August 25, 2024—Blessing of the Backpacks
9:30 a.m. Worship. Jeanette Leary will be the volunteer in the nursery.
YouTube Link for this Sunday:
https://youtube.com/live/bVTAA8eiK1g?feature=share

Wednesday, August 28, 2024
7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir rehearsal in the Sanctuary
Thursday, August 29, 2024
6 p.m. Hospitality Commission meeting in Fellowship Hall
Saturday, August 31, 2024
11 a.m. Memorial Service for Marilyn Stucky in the Sanctuary; Lunch in the Fellowship Hall will follow immediately after the service
Sunday, September 1, 2024
9:30 a.m. Worship with sermon by Joanna Harader
Monday, September 2, 2024—Labor Day—Office will be closed; church locked; Tuesday, September 3, 2024—Office will be closed

BCMC ANNOUNCEMENTS

The memorial service for Marilyn Stucky (Marilyn died June 20) will be Sat., Aug. 31, 11 a.m. at BCMC, with a lunch in fellowship hall following the service.

Dorothy Unruh turns 103 on September 12, 2024! Send birthday messages and blessings to Dorothy at 1407 Hillcrest Road, Newton, KS 67114.

The Chancel Bells will begin practicing September 5 for our fall music. But, I need several players to complete the choir. This commitment ideally would be for the entire year, but I can work with a month at a time. We are easy to work with and very forgiving if you are a new player. Please consider making this contribution to the worship of our church. I am excited to get going again with some new music and some that hasn’t been done for several years. Our library has many options. Contact Verlene: verlenegarber@gmail.com or 620-217-5266

If you’ve been a nursery volunteer in the past or would like to become a new nursery volunteer, please notify Sara Dick, new nursery schedule coordinator, at saradick1@gmail.com. The schedule is posted in the nursery and will be updated as folks volunteer. Please notify Sara rather than sign yourself up for shifts directly on the schedule, so she knows where we need helpers and where we’re all set. Thank you for caring for our youngest attenders and their families!

Pastor Joanna will have office hours at the 1887 Cafe in the Schultz Student Center every Thursday morning from ten to noon. She would love for you to stop by for a chat!

We offer sympathy to Pauletta (Stan) Brodhagen and Connie (Rex) Esau on the death of their sister, Patricia Kay Rupp. Patricia died Sun., Aug. 11, in Moundridge. Memorial services were held at Eden Mennonite Church on August 15.

Greetings on behalf of Faith Formation!
The Sunday School teaching year will officially begin September 8 and we are in need of teachers and helpers to teach 3 age levels of our youth: pre-k, elementary, and middle school.
Sunday School Safe Sanctuary training will be September 1 during the Sunday School time in Fellowship Hall.
Even if you are the slightest bit interested, please listen to the call and email Jill Robb at jill@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org

Save the Date: Peace Witness Event, Sept. 15-16
The BCMC Witness Commission is very pleased to announce plans for a peace witness event around Peace Sunday on September 15-16. Our church along with the Bible and Religion Department of Bethel College and in collaboration with area churches invites you to engage with Christianity and Democracy led by well known author, academic, and presenter, David P. Gushee (https://davidpgushee.com).

Looking ahead to November, the Library theme for the next few months will be Religion and Politics. There are books that might help answer questions about our current political climate. A partial display is behind the library desk.

BCMC Offering for Aug. 18, 2024: General Fund $10,075; Kitchen Fund $23.30; Solar Fund $275.

Now is the 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 $44. If interested in joining the group plan, contact Monica Lichti in the church office as soon as possible. New subscribers can also receive a one-year subscription for the discounted rate of $44. To subscribe email office@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org
Bring in or mail your $44.00 to the office or place it in the offering plate Sunday. 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 Nov. 2024. Anabaptist World would like us to renew the subscription now so that you receive the magazine without interruption.

The deadline for announcements for the week’s upcoming Sunday’s BCMC bulletin is Thursday morning. It may not be possible to include an announcement if it is received later.

Bethel College Announcements:
· Mon., Aug. 26“The Rose Aesthetic,” works by Gwen and Victor Rose, opens in the Regier Gallery in Luyken Fine Arts Center at Bethel College (reception Sept. 19). Gallery hours are Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 2-4 p.m.
· Sat., Sept. 14 — Duo piano recital: Dr. Christina Liu (Bethel College) and Dr. Brett Janssen (Central Christian College), 4 p.m., Ad Building chapel at Bethel College
· SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, Sept. 15, Forum on Democracy and Christianity with David Gushee, Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics at Mercer University, 3 p.m., Memorial Hall at Bethel College; sponsored by Bethel College Mennonite Church and the Bethel Department of Bible and Religion. Gushee will also speak in convocation Mon., Sept. 16, 11 a.m., in Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center.

The Life Enrichment program at Bethel College plans to start up again on Wednesdays from Aug. 28-Nov. 20 this Fall. Life Enrichment is for people age 60 and above and is an excellent way to continue learning and meet people from the surrounding area in a relaxed setting.
· Cost: $40 per semester or $4 per week; first-time attendees get a free day
· Time: Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m.-11:50 a.m. for two-session dates; Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. for three-session dates
· Location: All sessions will be in Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center on the Bethel campus
· Lunch cost: $7 full meal; $5 soup/salad/dessert. Please purchase tickets for lunch by 10:30 a.m. with cash, or check payable to “Aladdin Foods.”
August 28—9:30 a.m. “The Case for a Mennonite Work College,” Jon C. Gering, president, Bethel College
August 28—10:50 a.m. “The Harvey Girls: Women’s Roses in Railroads, Kansas and U.S. History,” Dr. Michaeline Chance-Reay, professor emeritus of women’s studies and education, Kansas State University, Manhattan

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

We’re just a few weeks away from the Western District Women in Mission Women’s & Girls’ Retreat on September 7-8 at Camp Mennoscah with our theme of Peaceful Practices. Registrations are due by August 30. The retreat brochure and registration form are on our website at this link:
https://www.westerndistrictwomeninmission.org/events
If you plan to come Saturday morning to tie comforters, please remember that lunch is not provided, so bring a sack lunch. Questions? Send an e-mail to westerndistrictwomen@gmail.com.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

FreedUp: Everence® is offering a new stewardship training program. The FreedUp program is a way for everyone to get their finances in order – and gain a deeper faith perspective on your money. Everence facilitators will lead the sessions. The upcoming option for participants is Mondays at 8 p.m. ET beginning Oct. 7; ending Nov. 18. Register at everence.com/partners.

SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER WEBINARS FROM EVERENCE^®
Finances and You!
Discover topics that integrate your faith and finances!Don’t miss this free, four-part webinar series. You’ll hear how Everence^® can help you make important financial decisions that reflect your faith values.The webinars will be presented by Everence professionals and there will be plenty of time for your questions.All webinars held on Wednesdays at 2:00 and 8:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)Learn more and register SEPTEMBER 11
Why give now? 12 strategies to maximize your generosity in 2024.No matter your income or age, explore how you can make a difference in the world by stretching the impact of your giving to the missions, ministries and organizations you care about.Presented by: Lyle Miller, Stewardship Consultant & Phil Pratt, Charitable Consultant SEPTEMBER 18
Getting our lives together, Giving our lives away, and Giving our deaths away.For those of us interested in integrating our faith with our finances, we often find ourselves focusing on different concerns throughout our lives. Intentionally embracing these unique periods of our lives can encourage growth in our stewardship journey and help form us into the image of Christ. Presented by: Colin Saxton, Stewardship Theologian and Director of Church Relations SEPTEMBER 25
Social Security: Understanding your benefitsDoes the thought of figuring out social security make you want to curl up in a ball and cry? Well, help is on the way. Come and learn the in’s and out’s of social security that will provide you clarity as you consider your social security future.Presented by: Steve Lane, AWMA^®, CFP^®, Financial Consultant OCTOBER 2 Investing 202Mutual funds, pensions, stocks, bonds, IRA’s, Roth IRA’s, 401k’s, Real estate- this list seems to go on and on and on for investment options. This presentation will help you sort through your investment options and other considerations as you explore what investments make sense for you.Presented by: Michael Burton, CFP^®, CEPA^®, Financial ConsultantFor more information, visit everence.com/national. Please email national@everence.com with any questions.

Et Cetera Shop Volunteer Experience
Do you want to expand your social circle? Do you want to make new friends?
Do you want to be a part of a mission that serves our local communities and the world? Then join us for our Volunteer Experience Sat., Aug. 31 from 9-11 a.m., as we explore the mission and vision of the Newton Et Cetera Shop!
We will journey through the history of the shop, our current vision, the work of our volunteers, and how you might become a part of this vital mission in our community! This event is open to all!

Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp Announcements
LABOR DAY WORK & PLAY RETREAT – If you, your family or a group of friends want to enjoy the holiday weekend at Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp, 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 (August 30-September 2, 2024), we’ll be serving (foodservice & HK) along with additional work projects in preparing our facilities/grounds for the coming winter.

MDS FIRE, HAZARD & DISASTER MITIGATION – On October 8-12, 2024, Mennonite Disaster Service and Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp will continue their critical partnership in the work of forest thinning, chipping slash and moving/removing logs. A desire for 10 or more volunteers are needed each day to accomplish the tasks at hand. Volunteers for foodservice are also encouraged and welcomed to help in support of the week’s efforts. Please visit the volunteer page at www.rmmc.organd select “MDS FIRE MITIGATION & TREE THINNING & LIMBING” or “VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES & SIGN-UP” (foodservice) to register for the week or for the days you are able to come.

For Mennonite World Conference “Info” press here
Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here
Mennonite Disaster Service “On the Level” press here
Mennonite Men Webinar “Living outside the—Man Box” press here
Mennonite Mission Network “News from around the world” press here

Mennonite Church USA Announcements

Call for blogs! Members of MC USA who were not raised in a Mennonite tradition or people who grew up in MC USA but feel that they have actively chosen to remain Mennonite as they grew into their faith are invited to submit a 500-900 word “Menno by Choice” blog about why they have actively chosen to be a Mennonite. Learn more here: mennoniteusa.org/form-choice-request View the PDF here: mennoniteusa.org/choice-slide

Menno Snapshots

Steve Griffin, the pastor of Bellwood Mennonite Church, Milford, Nebraska, chronicles his journey from leaving the Pentecostal church to Calvinism and to finally finding his home in Anabaptism. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/pentecostalism-to-anabaptism

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Mennonite Mission Network requests prayer for the 25 congregations that make up Colombia Mennonite Church (IMCOL). Pray that IMCOL will realize its goals of strengthening its Anabaptist identity and organizational capacity.

Western District Conference Prayer Request: As the sun sets on another day, let’s welcome the gift and blessing of tomorrow. Let’s pray and be thankful for the opportunities to build relationships and share the love of Christ. Let’s pray for resolve and encouragement along with perseverance to keep trying. Let’s pray for our leaders and those called and willing to church plant and support church planting across WDC. Let’s be thankful for a new day! -WDC Church Planting Commission

2024 08 18 worship service

press here for the video

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
August 18, 2024
Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost

Christ Candle Lighting

Centering Music—Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing (arr. Lau)–
Will Wiebe-Friesen

Welcome & Prayer—Adam Robb

*Hymn—Be Thou My Vision—VT 549

Children’s Conversation—Esther Koontz

Worship Music—Lead me Lord  (Wesley)
Chancel Choir; Joel Garber, director; Will-Wiebe Friesen, accompanist

*Hymn—Come and Seek the Way of WisdomI—VT 196

Scripture Reading—1 Kings 3:3-14; Mark 10:35-45—Jeanette Stucky and Coralee Shenk

Sermon—The Glory of a Heart that Listens
Joanna Harader

*Hymn—Will You Let Me Be Your Servant—VT 778

Prayers of God’s People—Adam Robb

*Hymn—God of Grace and God of Glory—VT 716

*Benediction

Postlude–Wer nur den lieben Gott lässt walten (JS Bach)

* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Audio visual—Francis Toews

Worship Service and Announcements for August 18, 2024

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR SUNDAY, AUGUST 18, 2024

Our faith in a God of love leads us, by the power of the Spirit,
to follow Jesus in doing justice, loving mercy,
and walking humbly with God.

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
August 18, 2024
Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost

The Next Week at BCMC: August 18—25, 2024
Sunday, August 18, 2024—Welcome to Joanna Harader
9:30 a.m.   Worship
YouTube Link for this Sunday:
https://youtube.com/live/YCmTrnD5WVU?feature=share
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
9 a.m.       Women’s Fellowship Executive Board meeting in Room 14
7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir rehearsal in the Sanctuary
Thursday, August 22, 2024
4 p.m.   Witness Commission meeting in Room 14
7 p.m.   Deacon Commission meeting in Room 14
Sunday, August 25, 2024—Blessing of the Backpacks
9:30 a.m. Worship with sermon by Nathan Koontz
4 p.m.        Newton Community Children’s Choir parents’ meeting in sanctuary

A reminder that the next Women’s Fellowship Executive Board meeting will be Wednesday, August 21 at 9 a.m.

Pastor Joanna will have office hours at the 1887 Cafe in the Schultz Student Center every Thursday morning from ten to noon. She would love for you to stop by for a chat!

The memorial service for Marilyn Stucky (Marilyn died June 20) will be Sat., Aug. 31, 11 a.m. at BCMC, with a lunch in fellowship hall following the service.

BCMC Offering for Aug. 11, 2024: General Fund $7,502; Mennonite Central Committee $200; Sr Hi Youth $200; Kitchen Fund $10; Solar Fund $80.

The Chancel Bells will begin practicing September 5 for our fall music. But, I need several players to complete the choir. This commitment ideally would be for the entire year, but I can work with a month at a time. We are easy to work with and very forgiving if you are a new player. Please consider making this contribution to the worship of our church. I am excited to get going again with some new music and some that hasn’t been done for several years. Our library has many options. Contact Verlene:
verlenegarber@gmail.com or 620-217-5266

If you’ve been a nursery volunteer in the past or would like to become a new nursery volunteer, please notify Sara Dick, new nursery schedule coordinator, at saradick1@gmail.com. The schedule is posted in the nursery and will be updated as folks volunteer. Please notify Sara rather than sign yourself up for shifts directly on the schedule, so she knows where we need helpers and where we’re all set. Thank you for caring for our youngest attenders and their families!

Greetings on behalf of Faith Formation!
The Sunday School teaching year will officially begin September 8 and we are in need of teachers and helpers to teach 3 age levels of our youth: pre-k, elementary, and middle school.
Sunday School Safe Sanctuary training will be September 1 during the Sunday School time in Fellowship Hall.
Even if you are the slightest bit interested, please listen to the call and email Jill Robb at jill@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org

We offer sympathy to the family of Monica Gross. Monica died August 15 at Kidron Bethel Village Health Care. Please remember in your prayers Monica’s daughters Cheryl Britsch and Camille Tantibanchachai and their families. The date and time for the memorial service will be announced soon.

Save the Date: Peace Witness Event, Sept. 15-16
The BCMC Witness Commission is very pleased to announce plans for a peace witness event around Peace Sunday on September 15-16. Our church along with the Bible and Religion Department of Bethel College and in collaboration with area churches invites you to engage with Christianity and Democracy led by well known author, academic, and presenter, David P. Gushee (https://davidpgushee.com).

The 2024 issue of Bethel College’s online journal Mennonite Life can now be viewed at ml.bethelks.edu The issue includes articles by Rod Ratzlaff, Mark Jantzen and Rachel Pannabecker related to the 150th anniversary of Mennonite immigration to North America from the Russian Empire, as well as the text from last spring’s Bible Lectures by César García and Sandra Báez, several other articles, and book reviews.

Last Call for those who subscribe to the devotional Rejoice through the BCMC group subscription. The last issue of Rejoice (Sept.-Oct.-Nov.) is in your mailboxes or in the mail. Therefore, it is time to renew for the coming year. The bulk subscription price is $35.93. The devotional is mailed to BCMC and your copy will be either placed in your mailbox here at church, or mailed to you. If you wish to subscribe (even if you have not subscribed before) place your check in the offering plate or bring or mail to the office with “Rejoice subscription” in the memo line.

Dear BCMC congregation:
The Solar Panel committee would like to bring you an update on our solar project.
1. About our pledges:
a. A total of $192,180 has been pledged — that is enough to pay for the entire project! A big thank you to BCMC! We are overwhelmed by your generosity!
b. To date $150,609.86 of the pledges have been received!
c. The remaining $41,109.14 pledges are expected to be received over the remaining pledge period for the years 2025 and 2026.
2. To follow the solar panels “at work”:
a. there is a link you can access to follow “minute by minute” how the solar collectors convert solar energy into electricity: Use the following link:
https://monitoringpublic.solaredge.com/solaredge-web/p/site/public?name=BCMC#/dashboard
b. This link will be available on the BCMC website in the near future.
c. Look at the bulletin boards in the Gathering Space for a large printout of the solar panels at work. Look for regular updates of these graphs.
d. Check out the solar equipment at ground level on the east side of the church. The “humming” you hear indicates that the inverters are at work.
3. The application for the 30% Federal Energy grant is in process. Applications for this energy grant can only be applied for once the project is finished. For BCMC the application will be processed in the next Federal tax cycle of 2025. The grant amount comes to about $58,000.
4. If you have questions concerning the BCMC Solar Panel project, please contact any member of our committee: Dwight Krehbiel, Margaret Toews, Lorna Harder and Hugo Boschmann

Looking ahead to November, the Library theme for the next few months will be Religion and Politics. We’ve pulled some books that might help answer questions about our current political climate. A partial display is behind the library desk.

Volunteer opportunity: The next volunteer training session for New Hope Shelter is on Monday, August 19th at 7:30 pm. BCMC is one of 24 area congregations regularly providing volunteers to New Hope, and about five times a year we fill a week’s worth of evening slots in coordination with Faith Mennonite Church. Volunteers provide food for an evening meal or spend time at the shelter with the residents, along with an on-site staff supervisor. More help is always welcomed, and can be regular or occasional. If you’d like to learn about the work of New Hope or consider volunteering, please plan to attend the August 19 session at 308 South Meridian Road, Newton, KS. New Hope serves homeless men, women, and children from Harvey, Butler, Marion, and McPherson counties. -Cynthia Linscheid

FreedUp: Everence® is offering a new stewardship training program. The FreedUp program is a way for everyone to get their finances in order – and gain a deeper faith perspective on your money. Everence facilitators will lead the group sessions, including the first get-acquainted session. There are two upcoming options for participants to choose from:
· Tuesdays at 2 p.m. ET beginning Aug. 20; ending Oct. 1 or
· Mondays at 8 p.m. ET beginning Oct. 7; ending Nov. 18.
Register at everence.com/partners.

We’re just a few weeks away from the Western District Women in Mission Women’s & Girls’ Retreat on September 7-8 at Camp Mennoscah with our theme of Peaceful Practices. Registrations are due by August 30. The retreat brochure and registration form are on our website at this link:
https://www.westerndistrictwomeninmission.org/events
If you plan to come Saturday morning to tie comforters, please remember that lunch is not provided, so bring a sack lunch. Questions? Send an e-mail to westerndistrictwomen@gmail.com.

Bethel College Announcements:
· Sun., Aug. 18 – Sunday-Afternoon-at-the-Museum, 3 p.m., with Lorna Harder, professor emeritus of biology at Hesston College and former curator of natural history at Kauffman Museum, on the 40th anniversary of the museum’s tallgrass prairie reconstruction; museum auditorium (corner of Main & 27th streets, North Newton).
· SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, Sept. 15, Forum on Democracy and Christianity with David Gushee, Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics at Mercer University, 3 p.m., Memorial Hall at Bethel College; sponsored by Bethel College Mennonite Church and the Bethel Department of Bible and Religion. Gushee will also speak in convocation Mon., Sept. 16, 11 a.m., in Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center.

It’s almost here – 150th celebration on August 23-25, at Eden Mennonite Church. Throughout the last year we have celebrated with Zwingli movie, Ukraine speaker, Quilt show, plowing and planting with horses and binding and shocking wheat, Jerry Juhnke talking about genealogy, the historical drama, unveiling the memorial sculpture by Ann Zerger and Chip Parker, and now comes more to enjoy: seminars, Readers’ Theater, poppyseed break, threshing Red Turkey wheat, ethnic supper, entertainment. Children’s activities. We still have t- shirts and mugs and books for you to remember the weekend. And lots of meeting new and old friends under the banner of “Schweitzers AND Friends.”
Better register now. All the events will be recorded and put on the www.swissmennonite.org website so you can see anything you missed. I can’t wait. See you there. – Kathy Goering

Saturday, Aug. 24, will be the final Schweitzers & Friends 150^th celebration Pioneer Event with a demonstration of threshing and milling of Turkey Red Hard Winter Wheat which was raised using horse drawn and vintage equipment, just west of the Moundridge Museum complex. We will be using a McCormick-Deering threshing machine powered by an antique tractor to thresh the bundles of Turkey Red we bound and shocked back on June first. There will also be an 1874 grist mill, milling demonstration providing a unique opportunity to have Turkey Red wheat flour available for purchase. Along with the threshing and milling events, Vintage Farm Equipment, with some of the great machines of the past, will be on display all day. These events will start with the farm equipment display beginning at 9 a.m., just west of the Moundridge Museum Complex. We will be setting up the threshing and milling demonstration all morning with our official start at 3 p.m. There will be limited bleacher seating and concessions (including K3 Creamery) available to help you enjoy these unique pioneer events and celebrate the 150th Schweitzers & Friends anniversary celebration. The whole community is invited to join us! —Glen Goering

A Message from the Mennonite Central Committee Peace & Justice Ministries

Dear Bethel College Mennonite,Apache Stronghold invites you to join in a journey of prayer to save the Apache sacred land of Oak Flat, or Chi’chil Bildagoteel,from copper mining. The proposed mine would cause the sacred land to collapse, leaving a crater more than 1,000 feet deep and two miles wide. Apache Stronghold invites others to join on this prayer journey to “stop the shattering of the human existence and to protect Mother Earth.” On July 13, Apache Stronghold began the prayer journey with the Lummi Nation in Washington state. They are traveling across the U.S., visiting with Indigenous supporters and spiritual leaders for prayer and ceremony in 20 locations before reaching Washington, D.C. Apache Stronghold will gather for a final prayer vigil on September 11 at the U.S. Supreme Court, to be held in conjunction with the filing of their appeal against Resolution Copper. You can support the prayer journey in the following ways: Keep Apache Stronghold in your prayers.Sign the petition to support Apache Stronghold in their quest for justice.Write to your members of Congress and urge them to save Oak Flat.Join in person at points along the prayer journey. You can follow Apache Stronghold on Instagram @protectoakflat for more details or connect with them via email.Come to Washington, D.C., for events with Apache leaders from September 8-10, and the final prayer vigil on September 11.

Save Oak Flat from copper mining

In peace and solidarity, Daniela Lázaro-Manalo
Racial Equity Advocacy and Education Coordinator Kirstin De Mello
Climate Advocacy and Education Coordinator National Peace & Justice Ministries
MCC U.S.

For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here

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

From Mennonite Church USA
Save the date! MC USA is pleased to announce that the 2025 biennial national gathering and leading faith formation event, Follow Jesus ‘25, will take place July 8-12, 2025, at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, North Carolina. Learn more here: mennoniteusa.org/convention

Menno Snapshots

Spiritual director Jane Hoober Peifer laments the difficulties of staying present while at her listening post. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/confessions-spiritual-director

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Mennonite Mission Network requests prayer for Ben and Laurel Woodward-Breckbill, who are preparing to serve as directors of the Paris (France) Mennonite Center. Pray that God and God’s people will provide all the necessary resources, so that the Woodward-Breckbill family can begin ministry this month.

Western District Conference Prayer Request: Give thanks for WDC church communities observing the 150th anniversary of Mennonites coming to Kansas and Nebraska. Pray for God’s wisdom, both as we celebrate the gifts of the past and as we pursue paths for healing the harm and injustice that is also part of our story as Mennonites.

2024 08 11 worship service

press here for the video

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
August 11, 2024
Welcome Pastor Joanna Harader
and New Students from Bethel College

Christ Candle Lighting

Centering Music—Cynthia Neufeld Smith

Welcome—Brad Kohlman

Opening Prayer—Tobin Wise

*Hymn—Summoned by the God Who Made Us—VT 1

Old Testament Reading—Deuteronomy 6:4-9—Lilith Jackson

Gospel Reading—Matthew 22:37-40—Emma Graber

Children’s Conversation—Roger Neufeld Smith

Worship Music—When the Morning Stars Together—Chancel Choir, Chancel Bells and
Congregation—Joel Garber, Chancel Choir director; Verlene Garber, Chancel Bells director;
Will Wiebe-Friesen, accompanist

New Testament Reading – Corinthians 3:6-11—Taryn Paulino

Sermon – When the Ground is Shifting —Joanna Harader

*Hymn of Response—We Are People of God’s Peace—VT 797

Prayers of God’s People—Brad Kohlman

*Hymn—Guide My Feet— VT 816

Benediction

Blessing—The Lord Lift You—VT 832

Postlude

* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Audio visual— Ben Lichti

Worship service and announcements for August 11–18, 2028

Remember — this Sunday’s service (August 11) begins at 10 a.m.

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR SUNDAY, AUGUST 11, 2024

Our faith in a God of love leads us, by the power of the Spirit,
to follow Jesus in doing justice, loving mercy,
and walking humbly with God.

To livestream the worship service:
On Sunday morning, around 9:45 a.m., 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 below 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/-gAYqNYB6V4?feature=share

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
August 11, 2024
Welcome Pastor Joanna Harader
and New Students from Bethel College

The Next Week at BCMC: August 11—18, 2024

Sunday, August 11, 2024
10 a.m.   Worship
YouTube Link for this Sunday:
https://youtube.com/live/-gAYqNYB6V4?feature=share

Come to the Gathering Place after the worship service for cake to say farewell to Pastor Roger Neufeld Smith and to welcome Pastor Joanna Harader!

Tuesday, August 13, 2024
5:30 p.m.   Faith Formation Commission meeting in Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir rehearsal in the Sanctuary
Thursday, August 15, 2024
9:30 a.m. Solar Panel Project Group meeting in Room 14
Friday, August 16, 2024
11 a.m. Inurnment Service for Phyllis Carlson in the BCMC Columbarium
Sunday, August 18, 2024—Welcome to Pastor Joanna Harader
9:30 a.m.    Worship with sermon by Pastor Joanna Harader; music by the
Chancel Choir

The memorial service for Marilyn Stucky (Marilyn died June 20) will be Sat., Aug. 31, 11 a.m. at BCMC, with a lunch in fellowship hall following the service.

BCMC Offering for Aug. 4, 2024 General Fund $8,981; Mennonite Central Committee $100; Caring Fund $100; Kitchen Fund $27; Mission Quilters $130.80; Solar Fund $1,050.

Save the Date: Peace Witness Event, Sept. 15-16
The BCMC Witness Commission is very pleased to announce plans for a peace witness event around Peace Sunday on September 15-16. Our church along with the Bible and Religion Department of Bethel College and in collaboration with area churches invites you engage with Christianity and Democracy led by well known author, academic, and presenter, David P. Gushee (https://davidpgushee.com).

A new book, THE CHURCH BY THE PLAYGROUND: THE STORY OF THE SHARING COMMUNITY IN ROSEDALE, by Dorothy Nickel Friesen, has been published by Rainbow Mennonite Church. The book will be launched at Rainbow Aug. 10 and 11 and at Kidron Bethel/Kidron Hall on Thurs., Aug. 15 at 2 p.m. (Faith and Life Bookstore will sell books.) The public is invited to hear Dorothy share, sign books, and tell this unique urban ecumenical ministry history.

For those who subscribe to the devotional Rejoice through the BCMC group subscription, the last issue of Rejoice (Sept.-Oct.-Nov.) will be coming soon. Therefore, it is time to renew for the coming year. The bulk subscription price is $35.93. The devotional is mailed to BCMC and your copy will be either placed in your mailbox here at church, or mailed to you. If you wish to subscribe (even if you have not subscribed before) place your check in the offering plate or bring or mail to the office with “Rejoice subscription” in the memo line.

It’s School Kit Challenge Time!
Lincoln and Lawrence Kohlman and Gabby and Jake Robb are participating in the Mennonite Central Committee School Kit Challenge again this year. Last year we packed 311 school kits. We will pack school kits on Sun., Aug. 11, after Fellowship Time. Please join us!

If you’ve been a nursery volunteer in the past or would like to become a new nursery volunteer, please notify Sara Dick, new nursery schedule coordinator, at saradick1@gmail.com. The schedule is posted in the nursery and will be updated as folks volunteer. Please notify Sara rather than sign yourself up for shifts directly on the schedule, so she knows where we need helpers and where we’re all set. Thank you for caring for our youngest attenders and their families!

Volunteer opportunity: The next volunteer training session for New Hope Shelter is on Monday, August 19th at 7:30 pm. BCMC is one of 24 area congregations regularly providing volunteers to New Hope, and about five times a year we fill a week’s worth of evening slots in coordination with Faith Mennonite Church. Volunteers provide food for an evening meal or spend time at the shelter with the residents, along with an on-site staff supervisor. More help is always welcomed, and can be regular or occasional. If you’d like to learn about the work of New Hope or consider volunteering, please plan to attend the August 19 session at 308 South Meridian Road, Newton, KS. New Hope serves homeless men, women, and children from Harvey, Butler, Marion, and McPherson counties. -Cynthia Linscheid

A reminder that the next Women’s Fellowship Executive Board meeting will be Wednesday, August 21, at 9 a.m. in Room 14 for a planning meeting.

Bethel College Announcements:
· Sun., Aug. 18 – Sunday-Afternoon-at-the-Museum, 3 p.m., with Lorna Harder, professor emeritus of biology at Hesston College and former curator of natural history at Kauffman Museum, on the 40th anniversary of the museum’s tallgrass prairie reconstruction; museum auditorium (corner of Main & 27th streets, North Newton).
· The 2024 issue of Bethel College’s online journal Mennonite Life can now be viewed at ml.bethelks.edu The issue includes articles by Rod Ratzlaff, Mark Jantzen and Rachel Pannabecker related to the 150th anniversary of Mennonite immigration to North America from the Russian Empire, as well as the text from last spring’s Bible Lectures by César García and Sandra Báez, several other articles, and book reviews.
· SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, Sept. 15, Forum on Democracy and Christianity with David Gushee, Bethel College Mennonite Church and Bethel campus

We’re just a few weeks away from the Western District Women in Mission Women’s & Girls’ Retreat on September 7-8 at Camp Mennoscah with our theme of Peaceful Practices. Registrations are due by August 30. The retreat brochure and registration form are on our website at this link:
https://www.westerndistrictwomeninmission.org/events

If you plan to come Saturday morning to tie comforters, please remember that lunch is not provided, so bring a sack lunch. Questions? Send an e-mail to westerndistrictwomen@gmail.com.

Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements.
Thanks to all who participated in our WDC Annual Assembly this past weekend in Beatrice, NE!

Come to the Grace Hill Mennonite Church 150th Homecoming Celebration, August 31 – September 1. The celebration will begin at 10:00 am on Saturday with coffee and donuts, while you reminisce and browse through historical displays. The afternoon includes a light lunch, self-guided tours of the past/present Grace Hill community and faspa. Enjoy an organ concert by Pastor Chelsea Vaught from 4:00-4:30 pm. A German dinner will be held from 5:00-6:30pm, followed by “Celebrating Our History” program at 7:00 pm. On Sunday, participate in Worship at 9:30 am, followed by a potluck lunch and more time for self-guided tours, reunions and browsing displays. Contact Virgil Penner at (316) 283-6738 or gracehill1874@gmail.com for information and meal registration

Hoffnungsau Mennonite Church is celebrating their 150^th anniversary and invites you to join us Aug 31 for Community Fun Night and Sept 1 for the worship service. Saturday will be fun for the family with inflatables, cornhole tourney with cash prizes, yard games, food trucks, music entertainment and the outdoor movie “If” at dark! Sunday worship begins at 10:00am. Following Worship, we will have a catered meal at the cost of $15. Please RSVP for the meal by August 25 by calling/texting Barb at 620-543-6863 or email HoffSecretary@gmail.com with payment by Venmo @BJ-Reeves-55 or check to Hoffnungsau, 43 13^th Ave, Inman 67546. Watch Hoffnungsau Facebook for other info.

Schweitzers & Friends 150^th celebration Announcements

August 23-25 is not far ahead. So much happening. If Ethnic meal suits you, make reservation on swissmennonite.org. Bohne beroggi included. Don’t forget 3:00-5:00 Saturday Threshing and Milling Turkey Red Wheat at the field west of the Moundridge Museum. Flour for sale too.
Bo Howard sent this note: There’s still time to sign up for the Schweitzers and Friends mass choir that will participate in morning worship on Sunday, August 25. The choir will sing 3 pieces: 2 from the “Goodly Heritage” musical presented in March and 1 commissioned for the 125^th celebration. A brass ensemble will join the choir for 2 of the pieces. An additional rehearsal has been scheduled for Sunday, August 18, 1:30 pm, at Eden Mennonite Church, along with the previously scheduled 3:00 pm rehearsal August 24 and a rehearsal prior to worship August 25. Join even if you are unable to make both of the August 18th and 24th rehearsals. To sign up, go to the www.swissmennonite.org website or contact Bonita Howard at 620-386-4388. Music will be available at rehearsal or you may let Bonita know if you would like the music ahead of time.

Saturday, Aug. 24, will be the final Schweitzers & Friends 150^th celebration Pioneer Event with a demonstration of threshing and milling of Turkey Red Hard Winter Wheat which was raised using horse drawn and vintage equipment, just west of the Moundridge Museum complex. We will be using a McCormick-Deering threshing machine powered by an antique tractor to thresh the bundles of Turkey Red we bound and shocked back on June first. There will also be an 1874 grist mill, milling demonstration providing a unique opportunity to have Turkey Red wheat flour available for purchase. Along with the threshing and milling events, Vintage Farm Equipment, with some of the great machines of the past, will be on display all day. These events will start with the farm equipment display beginning at 9 a.m., just west of the Moundridge Museum Complex. We will be setting up the threshing and milling demonstration all morning with our official start at 3 p.m. There will be limited bleacher seating and concessions (including K3 Creamery) available to help you enjoy these unique pioneer events and celebrate the 150th Schweitzers & Friends anniversary celebration. The whole community is invited to join us! –Glen Goering

Sat. Aug. 24, in conjunction with the Schweitzers & Friends 150^th celebration, there will be a Vintage Farm Equipment Show. It will run from 9:00am to 5:00pm in the field West of the Moundridge Museum Complex. If you have an antique tractor, truck, implement or any equipment you would like to display, please call Glen Goering 620-242-3100.

For Mennonite Central Committee “In Touch” 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 MC USA, explains how pastors fill their work week with various activities that congregants may or may not be aware of, answering the question, “What does my pastor do all day?” Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/pastor-all-day

Subscribe to PeaceMail to receive MC USA’s blogs, news and resources in one weekly email. Subscribe to PeaceMail here: mennoniteusa.org/peacemail

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Join Mennonite Mission Network in praising God for the surge of interest in Christian service programs that has led to all openings for the coming year being filled. Pray for the new participants in Mennonite Voluntary Service and Service Adventure units as they begin their time together.

Western District Conference Prayer Request: Pray for God’s joy and energy to be with students, teachers and their families in WDC congregations, as they anticipate the beginning of a new school year.

2024 08 04 worship service

press here for the video

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
August 4, 2024
Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost
Christ Candle Lighting

Centering Music—When Morning Gilds the Skies (Wood)– Karen Unruh

Land Acknowledgement—Raylene Hinz Penner

Welcome & Prayer—Raylene Hinz Penner

*Hymn—Could It Be That God Is Singing—VT 42

Children’s Conversation—Kevin Neufeld

*Hymn—Open My Eyes That I May See—VT 738

Scripture Reading—Ephesians 4:1-16; 1 Peter 5:1-4—Jim Robb

Sermon—Watch Your Language: Biblical Grammar and Leadership—Trent Voth

*Hymn—Christ Be in Your Senses—VT 721

Prayers of God’s People

*Hymn—We, Your People, Sing Your Praises—VT 849

*Benediction

Postlude—Sent Forth By God’s Blessing (Behnke)–Karen Unruh

* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Keyboard—Karen Unruh
Audio visual—Ken Lamp

Worship service and announcements for August 4–11, 2028

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR SUNDAY, AUGUST 4, 2024

Our faith in a God of love leads us, by the power of the Spirit,
to follow Jesus in doing justice, loving mercy,
and walking humbly with God.

* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Keyboard—Karen Unruh
Audio visual—Ken Lamp

Land Acknowledgement 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.

GOING BEYOND LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
*The Task Group is working to build a Kansas Repair community in the Newton area with several other churches. We hope to host the Apache Stronghold convoy in a prayer and learning event when they come through en route to the Supreme Court.
*Many of us from BCMC attended the 150th commemoration at Tabor Church July 14 when Annette Voth and Pauline Sharp detailed intersecting family timelines of their Russian Mennonite and Kanza People.
*”The Land We Came To,” seminar by Raylene Hinz-Penner at the Schweitzer 150th commemoration of settlement 9 a.m. Saturday, August 24, Eden Mennonite Church.
*Recent youth trip to First Americans Museum in OKC with a tour led by Nathan Hart accompanied by interested BCMC family.
*Read Augustine and Hostetler, So We and Our Children May Live: Following Jesus in Confronting the Climate Crisis before Sarah Augustine’s visit to Bethel Campus during Fall Festival.
*Seekers’ Class is considering a monthly reparations offering

Sunday, August 4, we welcome Trent Voth, Assistant Professor of Bible and Religion at Bethel College. Trent grew up in Halstead, and graduated from Tabor College, Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary, and The University of Toronto (ON) where he earned a PhD in Theology in New Testament Studies.

Everyone is invited to meet in the Gathering Place after the Sunday, August 4 worship service to celebrate Dwight Platt’s 93rd birthday with a light fruit snack!

The Next Week at BCMC: August 4—11, 2024

Sunday, August 4, 2024
9:30 a.m.   Worship
YouTube Link for this Sunday:
https://youtube.com/live/85tBUtxvV_U?feature=share

Monday, August 5, 2024
10 a.m.    Library Committee meeting in Room 14
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir rehearsal in the Sanctuary
Thursday, August 8, 2024
3 p.m.        Peace Sunday Planning meeting in Room 14
Sunday, August 11, 2024—New Student Sunday + Farewell for Pastor Roger Neufeld Smith and Welcome to Pastor Joanna Harader
10 a.m. (Note the time change for the beginning of worship) Worship with sermon by Joanna Harader; music by the Chancel Choir; Cynthia Neufeld Smith at the organ

Those who enjoy singing are invited to join as the Chancel Choir begins the year with the August 11 worship service. The anthem includes parts for choir, handbells, and congregation, and will be a meaningful way to both bid farewell to Roger Neufeld Smith and welcome to Joanna Harader. Rehearsal will take place on August 7 at 7:30 PM.

Roger Neufeld Smith will return to Newton, Tues., Aug. 6, remaining in Newton until Aug. 11. August 11 will be a special day as it is the Bethel College New Student Sunday, Roger’s last day at BCMC, and Pastor Joanna Harader’s first day at BCMC. And….there will be cake to say farewell to Pastor Roger and to welcome Pastor Joanna! Roger checks his email and phone regularly. Feel free to contact him via email, text or phone (785-220-1968.)

Pastor Nathan Koontz is on vacation July 8—August 10.
Pastor Elizabeth Schmidt will be on vacation August 5-11.

BCMC Offering for July 28, 2024 General Fund $4,914.50; Plant Fund $50; Caring Fund $250; Solar Fund $550.

BCMC Library Announcements:
· Looking ahead to November, the Library theme for the next few months will be Religion and Politics. We’ve pulled some books that might help answer questions about our current political climate. A partial display is behind the library desk.
· BCMC children and youth summer book promotion: What’s new for children and youth in the BCMC library this summer? What’s new is old. Your library committee has sorted through the shelves and uncovered some classics.
These books may look drab, but they have been loved by many, many children over many years. They are waiting for you on a special shelf in the children’s room. Come check them out. Read them with parents or grandparents who remember reading them. Create new memories. Inside each book you will find a certificate good for one book at “Book Reviews” (Newton’s Main Street used book store). Go to “Book Reviews”. Pick out a book that has been loved by another kid. Read it. Share it. Create more memories.

For those who subscribe to the devotional Rejoice through the BCMC group subscription, the last issue of Rejoice (Sept.-Oct.-Nov.) will be coming soon. Therefore, it is time to renew for the coming year. The bulk subscription price is $35.93. The devotional is mailed to BCMC and your copy will be either placed in your mailbox here at church, or mailed to you. If you wish to subscribe (even if you have not subscribed before) place your check in the offering plate or bring or mail to the office with “Rejoice subscription” in the memo line.

It’s School Kit Challenge Time!
Lincoln and Lawrence Kohlman and Gabby and Jake Robb are participating in the Mennonite Central Committee School Kit Challenge again this year. You can help with donations of money, school kit supplies, or school kit bags. Please give monetary donations to Lincoln, Lawrence, Gabby, or Jake by Wed., Aug. 7. School kit supplies and bags can be left on the tables on the Fellowship Hall stage. A list of school kit supplies and directions for sewing bags can be found on the MCC website. Last year we packed 311 school kits. Can you help us beat our record?! We will pack school kits on Sun., Aug. 11, after Fellowship Time. Please join us!

FreedUp: Everence® is offering a new stewardship training program. The FreedUp program is a way for everyone to get their finances in order – and gain a deeper faith perspective on your money. Everence facilitators will lead the group sessions, including the first get-acquainted session. There are two upcoming options for participants to choose from:
· Tuesdays at 2 p.m. ET beginning Aug. 20; ending Oct. 1 or
· Mondays at 8 p.m. ET beginning Oct. 7; ending Nov. 18.
Register at everence.com/partners.

If you’ve been a nursery volunteer in the past or would like to become a new nursery volunteer, please notify Sara Dick, new nursery schedule coordinator, at saradick1@gmail.com. The schedule is posted in the nursery and will be updated as folks volunteer. Please notify Sara rather than sign yourself up for shifts directly on the schedule, so she knows where we need helpers and where we’re all set. Thank you for caring for our youngest attenders and their families!

A reminder that the next Women’s Fellowship Executive Board meeting will be Wednesday, August 21, at 9 a.m. in Room 14 for a planning meeting.

The memorial service for Marilyn Stucky (Marilyn died June 20) will be Saturday, Aug. 31, 11 a.m. at BCMC, with a lunch in fellowship hall following the service.

Save the Date: Peace Witness Event, Sept. 15-16
The BCMC Witness Commission is very pleased to announce plans for a peace witness event around Peace Sunday on September 15-16. Our church along with the Bible and Religion Dept. Bethel College and in collaboration with area churches invites you engage with Christianity and Democracy led by well known author, academic, and presenter, David P. Gushee (https://davidpgushee.com).

Bethel College Announcements:
· Sun., Aug. 18 – Sunday-Afternoon-at-the-Museum, 3 p.m., with Lorna Harder, professor emeritus of biology at Hesston College and former curator of natural history at Kauffman Museum, on the 40th anniversary of the museum’s tallgrass prairie reconstruction; museum auditorium (corner of Main & 27th streets, North Newton).
· The 2024 issue of Bethel College’s online journal Mennonite Life can now be viewed at ml.bethelks.edu The issue includes articles by Rod Ratzlaff, Mark Jantzen and Rachel Pannabecker related to the 150th anniversary of Mennonite immigration to North America from the Russian Empire, as well as the text from last spring’s Bible Lectures by César García and Sandra Báez, several other articles, and book reviews.

Western District Women in Mission invites women and girls to the annual retreat Sept. 7-8 at Camp Mennoscah. Theme: Peaceful Practices; Kristine Regehr keynote speaker. Girls’ Programming for 5th grade-high school with Janna Duerksen. Registration is due Aug. 30. Retreat brochure and registration form are available at: https://www.westerndistrictwomeninMission.org/register Come early at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning to tie Camp Mennoscah t-shirt comforters which will also be available to tie throughout retreat. We hope to get 6 comforters tied and give them to Camp to sell as fundraisers. At least 15 years of past camp T-shirts are in the comforters!

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

Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Announcements
· The MCC Sale Quilter’s Corner is looking for donations of quilts, quilt tops, fabric, books, magazines and vintage linens for our next sale. We hope to have an October sale if we receive enough donations. Donations can be dropped off at the MCC Center in North Newton labeled for Quilter’s Corner or at Stitches Quilt Shop in McPherson. If you have questions, please contact
   Ann Yoder Smith at 919-604-3282.
· Mennonite Central Committee Material Resources Center in North Newton critically low on inventory: An MCC kit cannot be distributed until each item for the kit is assembled, but some supplies in the Material Resources Center are so low that kits cannot be processed for shipping. You can help by filling the following needs: new infant sleepers (6-12 month sizes); hand towels (dark colored); bar soap; bath towels (dark colored, light to medium weight); wide toothed combs (6-8 inches long); laundry soap (such as Fels Naptha or Zote brands); and shampoo (20 oz min). Buy online and ship it to MCC or bring items to MCC in North Newton (121 E. 30th St, North Newton, KS 67117). Questions: phone 316-836-5045 or email brociamueller@mcc.org A full list of MCC kit contents can be found at mcc.org/kits.
· WANTED: Cars, Tractors, Pickups, Farm Machinery, Motorcycles, etc.  We are collecting items for next year’s KS Mennonite Central Committee Sale. Your donations are tax deductible and help feed and clothe thousands of people in need around the world. Call Jerry Toews at 620-367-8257 for more info.
· MCC immigration-focused learning tour in South Texas, Aug. 18-23: MCC learning tours are an opportunity to engage directly with the work done by MCC and partner organizations. The tour gives participants the chance to meet with law enforcement officials from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), gain insights into the complexity of immigration enforcement, including deportation and apprehensions, and visiting migrant response shelters. It will shed light on the challenges faced by migrants on their journey and raise awareness about the asylum process, and conditions faced by displaced and uprooted individuals. Find out more and register for the trip by Aug. 9.  Questions, contact Abraham Diaz Alonso, MCC Central States Immigration Program Coordinator at abrahamdiazalonso@mcc.org
· URGENT OPENING:  Would you or someone you know consider serving a two-year term as an MCC mobile canner operator? Do you want to gain new skills while traveling across the country? To learn more, contact Joe Miller at joemiller@mcc.org or call 717-808-2417.

Janet Harder Stucky’s emails from Mercy Ships
Janet Harder Stucky has returned to Mercy Ships, a surgical ship currently docked in Toamasina, Madagascar. Janet has joined the medical team as a clinical dietitian collaborating with the medical staff to treat local surgical patients. In this role she is responsible for the overall nutrition management of the patients in preparation for surgery, during hospitalization, and as outpatients during their healing process. Her assignment continues through mid August 2024.

Janet is a member of Bethel College Mennonite Church. When she leaves Mercy Ships she will return to her home in Chanhassen, Minnesota. She is the sister-in-law of Steve and Jeanette Stucky.

Dorothy Nickel Friesen is sharing her emails from Janet. If you wish to read emails from Janet about her work on the ship click here.

For Mennonite Mission Network “Seeds of Peace” press hereFor Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here

For Mennonite Mission Network “Urgent Prayer Request” press here

For Anabaptist Disabilities “Opening Doors Blog” press here

For Mennonite Men “Engage” press here

For an Anabaptist Biblical Seminary short course “Dive deeper into Anabaptism press here

As a supporter of Anabaptist World, we invite you to join Creation Justice Ministries for the upcoming Season of Creation. Season of Creation is a time to renew our relationship with our Creator and all creation through celebration, conversion, and commitment together. During this time, we join our siblings in the ecumenical family in prayer and action for our common home.
Join us this year in celebrating the Season of Creation. Find resources and opportunities below and on our Season of Creation Hub: creationjustice.org/seasonofcreation

The 150th Celebration of the Swiss Volhynian Mennonites Coming to U.S. in 1874 will open on Friday night, August 23, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. at Eden Mennonite Church, rural Moundridge, with the Keynote Speaker, Dr. Wynn Goering, speaking on “The Use of Memory.” Wynn grew up on a farm that was literally in Moundridge. He graduated from Moundridge High School and Bethel College and earned masters and doctoral degrees at the University of Chicago. Wynn farmed with his father and taught at Chicago, McPherson, and Bethel before becoming Bethel’s academic dean in 1991. Wynn and his wife Ardie moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico. They manage a Christmas tree farm near Goessel.
Dr. Austin McCabe Juhnke, Assistant Professor of Musicology at Ohio State University, will lead attendees through a music-historical journey on “Singing 150 Years of Schweitzer Mennonite Heritage” as Dr. William Eash, Professor Emeritus of Music at Bethel College, will lead a hymn sing.
Saturday morning, August 24, will begin with “Schweitzers Talking” Readers Theater, a cross-generational dialogue based on (probably) true and (mostly) entertaining stories told by Schweitzers. Conceived and directed by John McCabe-Juhnke and featuring the dramatic talents of Jerod Kaufman, John McCabe-Juhnke, Leann Toews, Julianna Schrag Kaufman, Aaron Tschetter, Karin Kaufman Wall. A full day of seminars is in store for Saturday with lunch at Food Trucks and supper Ethnic Meal by reservation. Children’s activities are planned. Vans are available to take visitors to see the Mennonite Monument, 1943 Marker, Hopefield Cemetery and Church. And to top off the day at 7:00 p.m. will be Menno Night Live; Schweitzers and Friends Edition: Six Swiss Sisters, Christopher Shaw, Flannelbacks, and September River.
Community Worship Service at Eden Mennonite Church. Dr. Nathan Stucky will bring the message Sunday, August 25, at 9:30 a.m. Dr. Stucky is Director of the Farminary Project at Princeton Theological Seminary. He grew up on a farm in Kansas where his love for Christian faith and agriculture first took root. A Mass Choir accompanied with brass will sing. Worship open to all.
For more information and to register, go to www.swissmennonite.org. The only cost is for Ethnic Meal ($25/plate, $10/plate children) that can be paid by credit card on the web or at the door. Schweitzers and Friends is our theme — that includes you too.

“Travels to Ancestral Lands” seminar at 150th celebration August 23-25, 2024.
At the Swiss Mennonite 150^th Anniversary on August 23-25, 2024 at Eden Mennonite Church, Moundridge, one seminar, Travels to Ancestral Lands, features the European history and ancestry of the Swiss Volhynian Mennonites. Using pictures, maps, and stories from travels, on Saturday, 9:00-10:00 a.m., the panel will explore the emigration routes from the 1500s to 1874, when our ancestors arrived in Kansas and South Dakota. Panelists will focus on1500-1600 in Switzerland, journey on to Alsace, Montbeliard in France, Poland, and Volhynia in Ukraine. You might expand your vision. Register at www.swissmennonite.org and check out the full schedule.

Mennonite Church USA Announcements
MC USA responded to the July 13 assassination attempt with a statement that called for prayer. Read the statement here: mennoniteusa.org/prayer-assassination

Season One of MC USA’s “Lead/Follow” podcast for pastors and leaders is now complete! Watch all 10 episodes on YouTube or listen on Apple or Spotify! Watch or listen here: mennoniteusa.org/lead-follow View the PDF here: mennoniteusa.org/leadfollow-pdf2

Menno Snapshots

In 2018, Ardean Friesen, a member of Silverwood Mennonite Church, asked his church to begin the process of discerning whether the congregation would become open and affirming. The two-year inclusion process let him know that he has a seat at the table. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/journey-inclusion

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Sibonokuhle Ncube, one of Mennonite Mission Network’s regional directors for Africa and Europe, is spending the summer on the African continent. Pray for her as she gets acquainted with African partners and builds on the agency’s more than 100-year-old legacy.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Give thanks for the WDC Annual Assembly this weekend, and pray that we would all be open to God’s transforming work as we join together in community.

2024 07 28 worship service

press here for the video

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
July 28, 2024

Christ Candle Lighting

Centering Music—Ave Maria— (Saint-Saens, arr. Van Camp)—Doyle Preheim & Ron Garber; Verlene Garber, accompanist

Welcome and Prayer—Mary Ann Boschmann

*Hymn—I Sing the Mighty Power of God— VT 182

Children’s Conversation—Adam Robb

Worship Music—Agnus Dei—(Bizet, arr. DeCesare)—Doyle Preheim & Ron Garber

Scripture Reading selected verses from Exodus 20, Matthew 5, John 8 & 18, and Ephesians 4—Jill Robb & Adam Robb

Sermon—To Tell the Truth—Roger Neufeld Smith

*Hymn—You Are Salt for the Earth—VT 297

Prayers of God’s People

*Hymn—Heart With Loving Heart United— VT 813
People with July birthdays come forward for a blessing, please bring a hymnal

*Birthday Blessing and Benediction

Postlude—Postlude on Llanfair (Robert J. Powell)—Karen Schlabaugh

* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Audio visual—Ben Lichti