Living Stones I Update:  Thanks to generous contributions received lately and throughout the project, internal debt for Living Stones I has now been paid off as we move into phase II!

Living Stones II Update:  The stone cleaning, tuck pointing and sealing is finished.   Regier Construction will begin the ramp work whenever it stops raining!  When work on the ramp begins, the front entrance will be closed and other entrances will need to be used for several weeks.  We appreciate your understanding and cooperation while these improvements are being made!

On Sunday, June 26:  All BCMC members are requested to remain after the benediction to vote by ballot on the following:

 CHURCH BOARD MOTION

…that BCMC hire Dawn Yoder Harms as Lead Pastor for a three-year term running from November 1, 2016 through October 31, 2019.

Dawn Yoder Harms will candidate for the role of lead pastor at BCMC on June 19.

9:30 AM: Worship w/ sermon by Dawn Yoder Harms.

10:45 AM: Dawn will share her faith journey in the sanctuary.

All children and emerging youth are invited to attend VBS May 31 to June 3!

The theme of VBS this year is Surprise! Stories of Discovering Jesus. 

At VBS, children and emerging youth learn more about the Bible through creative teaching, arts, music, and active play. All participants enjoy spending time with one another and making new friends!

Here is the Registration Form for 2016! It is due to the church office by May 15.

9:30 a.m.    Worship
10:30 a.m.   Fellowship time
10:50 a.m.   Faith Formation

Worship with sermon by Dorothy Nickel Friesen; music by Chancel Choir.

BCMC is moving to a new method of sending out emails to members and friends of the church. Please visit this page to choose your personal preferences for how you would like to receive your information.

BCMC’s annual ice cream and dessert social for Bethel College students will be August 23, 7 p.m. on the BCMC front lawn.  BCMC members, please bring a dessert or ice cream topping!  Ice cream, dishes, and beverages are provided. We look forward to a fun evening and a chance to welcome students back to campus!

Christian Churches Together (an ecumenical association of which our denomination, Mennonite Church USA, is a member) is calling Christians to wear black to church this Sunday, Dec. 14, as a symbol of solidarity with the message that “Black Lives Matter” and a witness for racial justice in our nation.

For more information see:

http://www.mennoniteusa.org/christian-churches-together-not-a-time-to-be-silent/

http://christianchurchestogether.org/

Sunday’s reading from Isaiah 61 states:  The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor…to comfort all who mourn.

In that spirit, let us join us in wearing black to BCMC this Sunday!

Keep Awake! is the theme for worship at BCMC during the season of Advent 2014 through Epiphany 2015.  During this season we await and celebrate the coming of Christ. Through the birth of Jesus and the in-breaking of God’s shalom, God reveals the divine mystery and sheds new light on all things! Join BCMC to observe this season through worship, scripture study, and other special events. Look for discussion and reflection questions in the bulletin and on the website each Sunday.

Here is  the schedule of Sunday scripture readings and worship:

Nov. 30, 1^st Sunday of Advent:  Isaiah 64:1-9; Psalm 80:1-7,17-19; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 13:24-37. 9 a.m. Prelude by string quartet – Rebecca Schloneger and Jason Wong, violin; Keith Neufeld, viola; Danny Friesen, cello.  9:30 a.m. Worship with Communion, music by Chancel Choir

Dec. 7, 2nd Sunday of Advent:  Isaiah 40:1-11; Psalm 85:1-2,8-13; 2 Peter 3:8-15a; Mark 1:1-8.  9 a.m. Prelude by Christopher Shaw, organist.  9:30 a.m. Worship with music by Junior Choir

Dec. 14, 3rd Sunday of Advent:  Isaiah 61:1-4,8-11; Psalm 126; 1 Thess. 5:16-24; John 1:6-8,19-28. 9 a.m. Prelude by Howard Glanton, guitarist. 9:30 a.m. Worship with music by Cherub Choir and Chancel Choir

Dec. 21, 4th Sunday of Advent:  2 Samuel 7:1-11,16; Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26; Luke 1:26-55; Rom. 16:25-27. 9 a.m. Prelude by Chancel Bells. 9:30 a.m. Worship with music by Menno Ringers and Chancel Bells

Dec. 28, Sunday after Christmas: Isaiah 61:10-62:3, Psalm 148, Galatians 4:4-7, Luke 2:22-40. 9:30 a.m. Prelude of vocal solos by members and friends of BCMC. 10:00 a.m. Worship with Christmas carol singing. 11:00 a.m. Fellowship and coffee – bring goodies to share (no Sunday school).

Jan. 4, 2015, Epiphany (regular Sunday morning schedule resumes). Isaiah 60:1-6, Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14; Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12. 9:15 a.m. Prelude by Mark Kreider, pianist. 9:30 a.m. Worship

Participate in this year’s Advent giving project by supporting Harvest of Love. This annual campaign sponsored by Newton Ministerial Alliance and Salvation Army gathers non-perishable food and donations to assist households in need in Harvey County. To contribute make checks payable to “Harvest of Love” and send to Salvation Army at 208 W. 6^th, St., Newton, KS 67114. You may also bring non-perishable food items to BCMC and place them on the first pew under the balcony, near the south entrance of the sanctuary. Thanks to Kathy Stucky and members of Witness Commission for taking items to Salvation Army.

Other special events at BCMC and Bethel College:

Wednesday, December 3 – 11 a.m. – Bethel College Messiah-sing. Community members are welcome to come sing or listen – BCMC Sanctuary

Friday, December 5 – 8 p.m. – Christmas Gala Jazz Concert – Krehbiel Auditorium, Bethel College

Saturday, December 6 – 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Five Places of Christmas includes Luyken Fine Arts Center and Kauffman Museum at Bethel College

Sunday, December 7 – 8:00 p.m. – Lighting of the Green at Bethel College

Wednesday, December 24, Christmas Eve – 7 p.m.  Worship led by children and youth, BCMC Sanctuary. 11 p.m. – Candlelight service of Lessons and Carols with anthems by Chancel Choir and congregational singing– BCMC Sanctuary

Sunday, January 4, 2015 – Epiphany Sunday – 7 p.m. Communion service and candle-lighting in memory of BCMC members and friends who died in 2014 – BCMC Sanctuary

To read previous posts, click on “Current Happenings” below.