BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
August 24, 2025
Backpack Sunday

Christ Candle Lighting

Centering Music–Semplice (Robert Schumann)–Mary Jo Preheim

Welcome & Prayer–Adam Robb

*Hymn–Just As I Am, without One Plea–VT 560 

Children and Youth Conversation-Backpack Blessing–Jill Robb

Scripture Reading–Matthew 2:13-23–Dianne Epp

*Hymn–Jesus Entered Egypt–VT 279

Sermon–Hosting Jesus–Nathan Koontz 

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

Prayers of God’s People 

*Hymn–Go, My Friends, in Grace–VT 810

*Benediction 

Postlude– Andante (Franz Schubert)–Mary Jo Preheim

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

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
August 17, 2025
Bethel College New Student Sunday

Christ Candle Lighting

Centering Music–My Soul Cries Out [VT 412] (arr. Wiebe-Friesen)–Will Wiebe-Friesen                                                          

Welcome Brad Kohlman

*Hymn–Come, Thou Fount–VT 563

Children and Youth Conversation–Esther Koontz

Worship Music–Waitin’ for the Light to Shine (Roger Miller)                                                                           
Ben Lichti, trumpet; Suzanne Burch, guitar

Kin-dom Report–Ani Koontz

Scripture Reading–Matthew 1:18-25–Adah Hodge

*Hymn–Helpless and Hungry–VT 268

Sermon–God-With-Us–Joanna Harader

*Hymn–Joy to the World–VT 240

Prayers of God’s People

*Hymn–The Lord Lift You Up–VT 832

*Benediction

Postlude–Toccata on Joy to the World (Brenda Portman) 

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

Waitin’ for the Light to Shine is from the musical Big River, based on Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Born to an abusive father and then taken in by seemingly pious people whom he watches mistreat enslaved persons, Huck has decided to run away and help his friend Jim escape enslavement. He laments that he has “lived in the darkness for so long,” not realizing that he himself is a bearer of the light that he seeks. — Ben Lichti

Hymn Requests this Sunday
· The Lord Lift You Up is a blessing hymn which fills my soul. I miss her very much–but love her gift of music! —Dorothy Nickel Friesen

· “I sat with a good friend while she was in a coma and dying from brain cancer. I held her hand and sang this song to her several times over four days as she passed away. Patty Shelly gave us this beautiful gift.”
   –Pam Epp

· Come Thou Fount–Jake Robb’s favorite hymn

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
August 10, 2025
Camp Sunday
 
Christ Candle Lighting
 
Centering Music–Verlene Garber
 
Welcome–Mara Oswald
            
*Hymn–What Is This Place–VT 22
 
Camp Slide Show–with music from Verlene Garber
 
Children and Youth Conversation–Kevin Neufeld
 
*Hymn–Rain Down–VT 703
 
Scripture Reading–Acts 9:10-20–Kerm Gingerich
                       
Sermon–Another Way–Joanna Harader
 
Prayer Hymn–Seek Ye First (v. 1, 2, 1)–VT 417
 
Prayers of God’s People–Mara Oswald
 
*Hymn–You Shall Go Out with Joy–VT 847                         
 
*Benediction    
                             
Postlude
 
* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Audio visual—Ken Lamp

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
August 3, 2025

Christ Candle Lighting & Land Acknowledgement–Lyn Krause                                           

Centering Music–For the Beauty of the Earth  (arr. Lee Dengler)–Karen Unruh                                             
Welcome–Joanna Harader

*Hymn–“Great is Thy Faithfulness”–VT 419

Children and Youth Conversation–Joanna Harader

Worship Music–Valse Sentimentale No. 2 (Eric Christian von Fricken)–Abby Koontz

Scripture Reading–Ephesians 4:11-16–Adam Robb

*Hymn–One Is the Body–VT 386

Sermon–Putting Faith Into Action–Mandy Todd, KIFA                                                
Hymn–We are People of God’s Peace–VT 797

Prayers of God’s People

*Hymn–The Love of God–VT 162

*Benediction    

Postlude–Earth and All Stars  (arr. John Leavitt)
   Karen Unruh 

* 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:  
COME pray with us in the BCMC sanctuary at 11 a.m. Wed., Aug. 6 for the Apache Stronghold as they go to court to try to save Oak Flat from desecration by copper mining.  On that date Apache Stronghold and allies will be at the Sandra Day O’Connor Courthouse in District Court in Phoenix and those of us not able to be with them in Phoenix will be praying and sending pictures of our groups across the country who stand in solidarity.  We in central Kansas want to be among that number praying.  Come and bring others.  Try to be here a bit early so that we can be on line together at 11 a.m. CDT as a part of a great host of allies.   Among the allies of the Apache Stronghold are environmental groups, political groups, land justice groups, Arizona groups, and surely those of us Christians who would wish to help in the dismantling of the Doctrine of Discovery which has caused so much harm to our Indigenous sisters and brothers.  Let us pray together in solidarity with them for respect for religious freedom.

Hymn Request for August 3
The Love of God (VT 162) “The last verse is a unique expression of faith.” —Lee Suderman

Great is thy Faithfulness (VT 419)  I first heard it sung by MCC workers on the dyke in Holland when I was a refugee. The words completely resonated with my experience of fleeing my homeland.  “All I have needed Thy hand hath provided.  Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.” — Justina Neufeld

 BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
  July 27, 2025
 
Christ Candle Lighting                                                            
 
Centering Music–Adagio (Mozart)–Mary Jo Preheim
 
Welcome–Dorothy Nickel Friesen

*Hymn–Holy, Holy, Holy!–VT 76

Children and Youth Conversation–Tim Hodge
 
Worship Music–Sing Ye a Joyful Song (Dvorak)–Doyle Preheim
 
Scripture Reading–Luke 11:1-4, Matthew 6:7-13–Justin Zerger    
 
*Scripture Response Hymn–Praise God–VT 71
                       
Sermon–Pray, then, in this way . . . –Joanna Harader
 
*Hymn–Be Thou My Vision–VT 549
 
Prayers of God’s People
 
*Hymn–My Jesus, I Love Thee–VT 133
Those with July birthdays are welcome to come forward during this hymn to receive a birthday blessing.
 
*Benediction    
                             
Postlude–Maestoso (Handel)–Mary Jo Preheim  
 
* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Audio visual—Ken Lamp

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
     July 13, 2025
    Hymns, Poetry, Prayer and Scripture for God’s Justice and Peace

 
Christ Candle Lighting–Karen Ediger                                                             
 
Centering Music–Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing (arr. Robert Lau)–Will Wiebe-Friesen                  

Welcome–Karen Ediger                                                                                                                           
*Hymn–Here in this Place–VT 10

Children and Youth Conversation–Rebecca Schloneger
 
*Hymn–Could it Be that God Is Singing–VT 42

Scripture Reading–Matthew 5:1-16–Mary Ann Boschmann
 
Hymn–Let There Be Light–VT 714
 
Hymn–Longing for Light–VT 715
 
Prayer–We Pray This Day (by Anne Weems)
                       
Hymn–What Comfort Can Our Worship Bring–VT 623
 
Hymn–A Voice Was Heard in Ramah–VT 278
 
Commissioning and Blessing for Lyn Krause–Elizabeth Schmidt
 
Responsive Reading–VT 1043
 
*Hymn–God of Grace and God of Glory–VT 716
 
Hymn–This Is My Song–VT 710
 
Reading–Hymn for the Hurting (by Amanda Gorman)

Hymn–Jesus Loves Me–VT 516
 
Hymn–God Speaks to Us in Bird and Song–VT 539
 
Prayers of God’s People                                                        
 
*Hymn–My Soul Cries Out–VT 412 

*Benediction    
                             
Postlude–Precious Lord Take My Hand (arr. Jack Schrader)–Will Wiebe-Friesen
    
* You are invited to stand   
VT—Voices Together     Audio visual— Ben Lichti

Hymn Request this Sunday:
Jesus Loves Me (VT 516) “It is a bottom line song, tells it like it is, encompasses the whole story of God’s love. 🙂  -Al Peters

BCMC Indigenous Justice Task Group prayer request.
When the Repair Coalition for dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery asked its members to send representatives to Oak Flat, in perilous circumstances now with an imminent takeover by Resolution Copper possible, Lyn Krause from the BCMC Task Group answered the call to go. Dr. Wendsler Nosie and the Apache Stronghold will lead attendees from all over the U.S. in spiritual ceremonies on the sacred lands of Oak Flat July 18-20. Please pray for Lyn for safe travels and rich spiritual blessings as he represents the support of BCMC for protecting the sacred lands of Oak Flat.

  BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
  July 6, 2025 
Christ Candle Lighting                                                 
 
Centering Music   
 
Land Acknowledgement and Welcome–Ada Schmidt-Tieszen                                                                                
*Hymn–Precious Lord, Take My Hand–VT 610

Children and Youth Conversation–Kohlman Family
 
Scripture Reading–2 Kings 5:1-5a–Lyn Krause

*Hymn–Be Still My Soul, verse 1–VT 664
 
Scripture Reading–2 King 5:5b-7–Lyn Krause
 
*Hymn–Be Still My Soul, verse 2–VT 664
 
Scripture Reading–2 Kings 5:8-14–Lyn Krause
 
*Hymn–Be Still My Soul, verse 3–VT 664                          
                     
Sermon–I’d Rather my Soul be Busy–Joanna Harader
 
*Hymn–Healer of Our Every Ill–VT 644
 
Prayers of God’s People–Ada Schmidt-Tieszen
 
MennoCon Blessing–Elizabeth Schmidt
 
*Hymn–When We Walk with the Lord–VT 570
 
*Benediction    
                             
Postlude                          
 
* You are invited to stand   
VT—Voices Together    Audio visual— Ken Lamp

  BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
  June 29, 2025

Christ Candle Lighting                                                   

Centering Music–Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of Creation– (Johann Gottfried Walther)–Karen Schlabaugh                                                    

Welcome–Darlene Dick

*Hymn–Great Is Thy Faithfulness–VT 419

Children and Youth Conversation–Joanna Harader

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

Scripture Reading–Amos 5:21-24, Mark 2:1-12–Carol Peters          

Sermon–Walking Home Together–Jeff Koller

*Hymn–Bless the Arms That Comfort–VT 527

Prayers of God’s People

*Hymn–Heart with Loving Heart United–VT 813
Those with June birthdays are invited to come to the front during this hymn to receive a birthday blessing.

*Benediction    

Postlude–Tuba Tune in D Major–(C.S. Lang)–Karen Schlabaugh                           
* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Audio visual—Francis Toews

Jeff Koller serves Mennonite Disaster Service as Regional Board Chair for MDS Region 3. Jeff is responsible for disaster response and recovery efforts in the fourteen-state region bounded on the east by the Mississippi River and on the west by the Rocky Mountains. He also serves on the MDS National Board of Directors.
Jeff and his wife Becky live on a farm near Elyria KS and have two adult children and four grandchildren. Jeff is active in leadership roles in his home church, and in the wider church conference.

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
June 22, 2025
Second Sunday after Pentecost

 
Christ Candle Lighting                                                           
 
Centering Music–Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (Manz)–Karen Unruh, organ                                                          
Welcome–Jim Robb

*Hymn–We Long to Know Her–VT 44       

Children and Youth Conversation–Kathy Stucky
 
Worship Music–Collin and Brett Gaeddert
 
Scripture Reading–Psalm 42:1-5; I Kings 19:11-13–Crystal Gaeddert
 
*Hymn–Lord, You Sometimes Speak–VT 537
 
Sermon–What are you doing here?–Joanna Harader
 
*Hymn–Here I Am, Lord–VT 545
 
Prayers of God’s People–Jim Robb
 
*Hymn–Move in Our Midst–VT 827
 
*Benediction
 
Postlude–Sent Forth by God’s Blessing (Weber)–Karen Unruh
 
 
* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Audio visual—Ben Lichti

 BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
 May 25, 2025
 Sixth Sunday of Easter 
 
Christ Candle Lighting
 
Centering Music—Master Tallis’ Testament (Herbert Howells)—Will Wiebe-Friesen         
 
Welcome—Lauren Friesen
                                               
*Hymn—God Sent His Son—HWB 345
           
Children and Youth Conversation—BCMC Youth
 
High School Graduate Recognition—Faith Formation Commission
 
God of wisdom and transitions, today we hold in prayer these beloved young people: Lucy, Payne, Adah, Ani, Mara, Chris, Lily, and Abram.
 
Thank you for their presence as part of our church community.
 
We pray your blessings for them as they have graduated from high school and transition into the next stage of their lives.
 
Grant them your protection and guide them as they go.
 
We know Jesus came that we might all have life and have it abundantly. So even in the midst of struggles and grief, may these dear ones know the abundant life they have in you.
 
We pray they will have good friends, meaningful activities, and deep joy.
 
Holy Parent, guide and guardian, we send them with our love and know that they are forever within your love.
 
May you, O God, bless them and keep them.
May your very face shine on them and be gracious to them.
May your presence embrace them and give them peace.
 
Amen. 
 
*Hymn—Here from all nations (verses 1, 3, 4,5)—HWB 296
 
Scripture Reading—Revelation 22:1-5, 16-17—Adam, Gabby, and Jake Robb
                                              
Sermon—Life-Giving Water—Joanna Harader         
 
*Hymn—Oh, have you not heard—HWB 606
           
Prayers of God’s People         
 
*Hymn—O Power of Love—HWB 593
(During the hymn those with May birthdays come forward
to receive a birthday blessing.) 
 
*Birthday Blessing and Benediction 
                                                  
Postlude—Tongues of Fire: Pentecost Dance (A. Fedak)—Will Wiebe-Friesen                    

* You are invited to stand
HWB—Hymnal A Worship Book
Audio visual—Ken Lamp

There is much that could be said about today’s music! The centering music, Master Tallis’s Testament, was composed by English composer Herbert Howells (1892-1983) in 1940. It begins with a quiet presentation of a theme inspired by 16th century composer Thomas Tallis and is developed in three variations that build in volume and complexity, contrasting 16th century modality with lush 20th century harmonies. The postlude, by living composer Aldred Fedak, is perhaps less substantial than the Howells, but I think it’s a pretty neat musical description of the Holy Spirit coming at Pentecost in Acts 2: “Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.” Even though it is not yet Pentecost, I wanted to share this piece as I always seem to be out of town when Pentecost actually rolls around. Finally, the hymn O Power of Love deserves mention. A favorite hymn tune and text of many, it is somewhat befuddling why it was omitted from Voices Together. At any rate, its text by Tersteegen (Ich bete an die Macht der Liebe) and tune by Bortniansky seem a perfect match that Mennonites living in Russia adopted soon after its initial publication in the Choralbuch in 1825. It remains a much beloved Kernlied, the so-called core songs of the Russian Mennonites.
— Will Wiebe-Friesen