BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
May 2, 2021
Fifth Sunday of Easter

Prelude—Sanctus (Gounod)—Joel Garber and Verlene Garber; piano/organ duet                         

Christ Candle Lighting—Doug Siemens

Land Acknowledgement

Welcome and Prayer                                                                                                                         

Hymn—Here in This Place—VT 10          

Children’s Conversation—Peggy Sauder                                                                                        

Scripture Reading—Acts 8:26-40; 1 John 4:7-21—Doug Siemens, Bethany Schrag

Sermon—Abiding in Love–Nathan Koontz

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

Prayers of God’s people—Doug Siemens

Hymn—Go, My Friends, in Grace—VT 810

Benediction—Nathan Koontz

Postlude                                                                                                                                          

VT = Voices Together

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Worship leader—Doug Siemens

Children’s conversation—Peggy Sauder

Musicians—Verlene Garber, Tim Schrag, Bethany Schrag, Renee Reimer, Ben Lichti

Audio visual—Ben Lichti

Pastors—Renee Reimer, Nathan Koontz, Dawn Yoder Harms

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
April 25, 2021

Prelude—Verlene Garber, organ

Christ Candle Lighting—Adam Robb

Welcome and prayer                                                                                                                        

Hymn—All People That on Earth Do Dwell—VT 5

Children’s Conversation—Julianna Schrag

Mentor/Mentee Dedication—Renee Reimer       

Congregation responds: We are thankful for these young people, their parents, and their mentors. It is our prayer that our church can continue to be a place for our youth to grow. We as a church promise to support and pray for these mentoring relationships. May God bless each of you as you continue to grow together.

Scripture Reading—Psalm 23— John 10:11-18—Adam Robb

Sermon—The Loving Shepherd—Dawn Yoder Harms

Hymn—My Shepherd Will Supply My Need—VT 640

Kingdom Report—Heather Esau Zerger— Chair, Staff Congregation Relations Committee

Prayers of God’s people—Adam Robb

Hymn—We Shall Walk Through the Valley—VT 574

Benediction—Dawn Yoder Harms

Postlude

VT = Voices Together

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Musicians—Esther Kreider Eash, Renee Reimer, Barbara Thiesen, Dawn Yoder Harms

Ron Gaber, John Mark Koontz, William Eash, Verlene Garber

Audio visual—FrancisToews

Pastors—Renee Reimer, Nathan Koontz, Dawn Yoder Harms

CREATION CARE SUNDAY
A new heaven and a new earth
April 18, 2021

GATHERING IN PRAISE

Prelude—Music from Nature                           

Christ candle—Kathy Stucky
Welcome and prayer
Hymn of praise—All Creatures Worship God Most High—VT 81—verses 1-4, 7
Children’s conversation—Lorna Harder and Dwight Platt

SEEING THE WOUNDS AROUND US

Scripture Reading—Luke 24:36-48—David Kreider
Connecting with Scripture—Dawn Yoder Harms
World Reflection—Dwight Platt
Prayer for those suffering from environmental injustice—Doug Harms
with congregational response: Lord, hear our prayer
Hymn of lament—As the Waters Rise Around Us—VT 708

SEEING WITH FRESH EYES

Scripture—2 Peter 3:13
Connecting with Scripture—Dawn Yoder Harms
World Reflection—Lorna Harder

RESPONDING

Prayers of God’s people—Dawn Yoder Harms
Sending Hymn—Touch the Earth Lightly—VT 145
Benediction—congregation in unison—VT 1002
Worship planned and led by the Creation Care Committee—Lorna Harder, Dwight Platt, David Kreider, Kathy Stucky, Doug Harms, Dawn Yoder Harms

Musicians—Esther Koontz, Matthew Schloneger, Rebecca Schloneger, Erich Boschmann, Eli Regier

AV technician—Ken Lamp

In-person worship schedule  for Sunday, April 11: This Sunday, the Issues and Christianity and Open Circle Sunday School classes and their family members are invited to attend. For those Issues and Christianity and Open Circle members (and their families) who are attending this Sunday, you can enter by the front doors (west) or the south automatic doors.  All other doors to the church will be locked.   Worship Service starts 10 minutes into the video. Sound does not immediately start.

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
April 11, 2021, 9:30 am
Holy Hilarity Sunday

Prelude
                                                                                                                                 
Lighting the Christ Candle—Cliff Dick and Marlene Ewert

Welcome and prayer—Cliff Dick and Marlene Ewert

Hymn—God bless you merry sinner                                                                                         
(Tune: God Bless Ye Merry Gentlemen)

God bless you merry sinner,
you’re forgiven it is true;
Remember Christ your Savior
has lived and died for you,
and lives again as King of Kings,
of saint and sinner, too.
Oh, tidings of Easter peace and joy,
peace and joy.
Oh, tidings of Easter peace and joy.

In Jerusalem at Calvary
that dismal Friday morn,
amid the pain and suffering
eternal life was born.
It came with arms outstretched to us,
right through the curtain torn.
Oh, tidings of Easter peace and joy,
peace and joy.
Oh, tidings of Easter peace and joy.

So sing an alleluia,
for our Savior’s victory,
and shout to all “Hosanna!”
that we have been set free
from sin and death and devil’s grip
throughout eternity.
We’ll have tidings of Easter peace and joy,
peace and joy.
Glad tidings of Easter peace and joy.

Children’s Conversation—Marlene Ewert

Scripture Reading—Psalm 126—Cliff Dick

Exercise on Joy—Joy Remembered, Joy Anticipated—Renee Reimer

Hymn—Come, Thou Fount—VT 563

Prayers of God’s people—Cliff Dick

Sending Hymn—Go tell it on the mountain (reprise)                                                             

Go tell it on the mountain,
over the hills and everywhere,
Go tell it on the mountain
that Jesus is alive.

While soldiers watched the gravesite
that quiet Sunday dawn
there came a big commotion
and then the storm was gone.

The women found no body
their spices to anoint;
instead they found an angel,
God’s message to appoint.

Go from where He isn’t
to where He said He’d be.
An Easter-time reunion:
the hills of Galilee.

Benediction—Renee Reimer

VT  =  Voices Together

Musicians—John Mark Koontz, Eli Reiger, and Simon Koontz

Audio visual—Francis Toews

Pastor—Renee Reimer, Nathan Koontz, Dawn Yoder Harms

Church Announcement Misprints
• Coming Up—Theological Open House. We discuss thought-provoking topics. Your opinions are hardly welcome.
• The rosebud on the altar this morning is to announce the birth of David Alan Belzer, the sin of Rev. and Mrs. Julius Belzer.
• A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.
• At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be “What Is Hell?” – come early and listen to our choir practice.
• The sermon this morning: “Jesus Walks on the Water.” The sermon tonight: “Searching for Jesus.”
• Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.
• Barbara remains in the hospital and needs blood donors for more transfusions. She is also having trouble sleeping and requests tapes of Pastor Jack’s sermons.
• The church will host an evening of fine dining, superb entertainment, and gracious hostility.
• Bertha Belch, a missionary from Africa, will be speaking tonight at Calvary Methodist. Come hear Bertha Belch all the way from Africa.

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
April 4, 2021
Easter
Deep in the Feast

Prelude—Verlene Garber                                                                                                                  

Christ Candle Lighting—Natalie Graber

We light the Christ candle to welcome God’s presence among us. Sent out from worship, we carry the light of Christ with us into the world. 

Welcome and Land Acknowledgement—Dawn Yoder Harms

Call to Worship—Natalie Graber

Prayer                                                                                                                                             

Low in the Grave He Lay—VT 333          

Children’s Conversation—Esther Kreider Eash                                                                             

Scripture Reading—John 20:1-18; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11—Dawn Yoder Harms and Natalie Graber

Now the Green Blade Rises—VT 353

Sermon—Nathan Koontz

Christ the Lord is Risen Today—VT 346                                                                                       

Prayers of God’s people—Dawn Yoder Harms

Lift Your Glad Voices—VT 340                                                                                                                     

Benediction                                                                                                                                     

Postlude

VT = Voices Together

Worship leaders: Natalie Graber, Dawn Yoder Harms

Children’s conversation: Esther Eash

Musicians: Verlene Garber, William Eash, Esther Kreider Eash, Renee Reimer

Dawn Yoder Harms, Ron Garber, John Mark Koontz, Barbara Thiesen

Audio visual: Ben Lichti

Pastors: Renee Reimer, Nathan Koontz, Dawn Yoder Harms

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
March 28, 2021
Lent 6:  Palm Sunday
Deep in the current: Called to deep hope

Prelude—Rebecca Schloneger                                                                                                 

Christ Candle Lighting–Eric Massanari— We light the Christ candle to welcome God’s presence among us. Sent out from worship, we carry the light of Christ with us into the world.                                                                

Call to Worship—VT 885

Prayer                                                                                                                                               

Hymn—Hosanna, loud hosanna—VT 313                                                                              

Children’s Conversation—Esther Koontz                                                                                

Scripture Reading—Mark 11:1-11—Philippians 2:5-10                                                           

Sermon—Great Expectations, Deep Hope—Dawn Yoder Harms

Hymn—Be Thou My Vision—VT 549

Prayers of God’s people                                                                                                                

Hymn—Thuma Mina—VT 834                                                                                

Benediction                                                                                                                                      

Postlude

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VT = Voices Together

Worship leader—Eric Massanari

Children’s conversation—Esther Koontz

Musicians—Sara Dick, Esther Koontz, Matt Schloneger, Erich Boschmann, Adam Kroeker, Rebecca Schloneger

Audio visual—Ken Lamp

Pastors—Renee Reimer, Nathan Koontz, Dawn Yoder Harms

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
March 21, 2021, 9:30 am
Deep in the earth: Called to deep growth

Prelude—Verlene Garber

Lighting the Christ Candle– Florence Schloneger

Welcome and prayer                                                                                                                         

Hymn—How Great Thou Art—VT 436

Children’s Conversation–Carol Flickinger

Scripture Reading—Jeremiah 31:31-34 and Psalm 51: 1-12                                                        

Sermon—Who are we now?—Renee Reimer

Hymn—I Saw a Tree by the Riverside—VT 514

Prayers of God’s people                                                                                                                    

Sending Hymn—Rain Down—VT 703

Benediction—Renee Reimer

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VT  =  Voices Together

Musicians—Verlene Garber, Bethany Schrag, Tim Schrag, Renee Reimer, Ben Lichti

Audio visual—Francis?

Pastors—Renee Reimer, Nathan Koontz, Dawn Yoder Harms

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
March 14, 2021
Lent 4 
Deep in the wilderness: Called to deep healing

Prelude—Verlene Garber, organ

Christ Candle Lighting—Bill Swartley

Welcome and prayer

Hymn—Could it be that God is Singing—VT 42 

Children’s Conversation—Natalie Graber

Scripture Reading—Numbers 21:4-9; John 3:14-17

Sermon—Called to deep healing—Dawn Yoder Harms

Hymn—Woza nomthwalo wakho (Come, Bring Your burdens to God)—VT 679                                        

Prayers of God’s people

Hymn—God, Be with Us—VT 613

Benediction

Postlude

VT = Voices Together

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Worship leaders—Bill Swartley, Natalie Graber

Musicians—Verlene Garber, Ron Garber, John Mark Koontz, William Eash, Esther Kreider Eash, Renee Reimer, Barbara Thiesen, Dawn Yoder Harms

Ushers—Mary Ann and Hugo Boschmann

Audio visual—Ben Lichti and Francis Toews

Pastors—Renee Reimer, Nathan Koontz, Dawn Yoder Harms

The service starts at about 7 minutes and 45 seconds into the video.

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
March 7, 2021—Worship 9:30 am
Lent 3
Deep in the changing sky: Called to deep wisdom

FOCUS:  In the patterns and glory of God’s creation, in God’s commandments and promises, and in the person of Jesus, we are called to obtain deep wisdom. God’s wisdom undermines our assumptions and takes us deeper than our efforts can lead us.

Prelude—Dawn Yoder Harms

Christ Candle Lighting—Jim Robb

Welcome and prayer—Jim Robb

Hymn—Morning Has Broken—VT 495                                                    

Scripture Reading—Psalm 19:1-4, 6-14                                                                                        

                                John 2:13-22                                                                                                  

Children’s Conversation—Megan Kohlman

Sermon—Source of Wisdom—Nathan Koontz

Hymn—God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens—VT 529

Prayers of God’s people—Jim Robb

Hymn—Come and Seek the Ways of Wisdom—VT 196

Benediction—Nathan Koontz

Postlude—Dawn Yoder Harms

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Worship leader—Jim Robb

Musicians—Sara Dick, Esther Koontz, Matt Schloneger, Erich Boschmann, John Mark Koontz

Ushers—Cliff Dick, Dale Schrag

Audio visual—Ken Lamp

Pastors—Renee Reimer, Nathan Koontz, Dawn Yoder Harms

Lent Visuals—Our Lenten Banners illustrate a progression created around the motif of the crown of thorns.  The series is about the contrasts, emotion, and movement of the Lenten season.  The artist, Anne Friesen Birky, lives in Denver, CO with her family and is the daughter of Duane and Elizabeth Friesen.

Thank you to Susie Swartley for hanging the banners and to Carol Buller for the centerpiece.

Press the button for the link to the worship service – the service starts about 5 and 1/2 minutes into the video

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
February 28, 2021
Lent 2

Deep in the woods: Called to deep commitment

Prelude—Calvary (Billingham)—Verlene Garber, organ

Christ Candle Lighting—Cliff Dick and Marlene Ewert

Welcome and prayer                                                                                                                      

Hymn—We Sing to You, O God—VT 80

Children’s Conversation—Cliff Dick

Scripture Reading—Psalm 22:23-31—Cliff and Marlene

                                   Mark 8:27-38                       

Sermon—Lost and Found—Dawn Yoder Harms

Hymn—Lead Me, Guide Me—VT 601

Prayers of God’s people—Marlene Ewert

Hymn—God, Be the Love—VT 43

Benediction                                                                                                                                     

Postlude

VT = Voices Together

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Worship leaders—Marlene Ewert and Cliff Dick

Musicians—Verlene Garber, Ron Garber, William Eash, Esther Kreider Eash,

John Mark Koontz, Barbara Thiesen, Dawn Yoder Harms

Audio visual—Ben Lichti

Pastors—Renee Reimer, Nathan Koontz, Dawn Yoder Harms