Press here for the December 20, 2020 Worship Service

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
Dec 20, 2020
Advent 4:
 Preparing the way

Prelude— Children and Youth                                                                                                           

Advent Candle Lighting— Kate Brubacher and Grayson Murphy family

O come, o come, Immanuel—Hymnal a Worship Book #172

Welcome and prayer— Cliff Dick

Call to Worship

Jesus, God sent you in mercy to be Emmanuel, God-with-us.

Teach us the compassion of God.

Jesus, your life took flesh in the mercy of Mary’s womb.

We rejoice in the compassion of Mary.

Jesus, your family took shape in the mercy of Joseph’s welcome.

We give thanks for the compassion of Joseph.

Jesus, your holy family knew the struggle of the poor, when they were refused the mercy of shelter in Bethlehem.

Teach us the compassion of God;

Lead us in the ways of justice and mercy.

Children’s conversation— Cow Christmas Pageant— Farmer Derek Klingenberg

O come, all ye faithful—Hymnal a Worship Book #212

Scripture— Luke 1:26-38— Many Voices

Homily— A Grace Like Mary— Renee Reimer                                                                                  

What Child is this—Hymnal a Worship Book #215                                                                            

Prayers of God’s people— Marlene Ewert

Silent Night— Bethel College Concert Choir [Hymnal a Worship Book #193]

---

Musicians: John Mark Koontz and Jonah Schloneger
Scripture Readers: Nathan Koontz, Marlene Ewert, Cliff Dick, Rosie Epp, Amelia Kouame
Pastors: Renee Reimer, Nathan Koontz, Dawn Yoder Harms

Press here for the December 13, 2020 Worship Service

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
Dec 13, 2020
Advent 3:
Preparing for Restoration

Prelude—Andrew Thiesen

Advent Candle Lighting—Lucy and Faith Burch                    

O come, o come, Immanuel— verses 1 and 5 HWB 172

Welcome and prayer             

Rejoice, rejoice, the Savior comes—Sing the Story # 4

Children’s conversation                     

Scripture—Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
                    Luke 1:46b-55      

Sermon—Preparing for restoration—Dawn Yoder Harms

My soul proclaims with wonder—Hymnal a Worship Book #181

Prayers of God’s people                     

My soul cries out—Sing the Story # 124

My soul cries out with a joyful shout that the God of my heart is great,
and my spirit sings of the wondrous things that you bring to the ones who wait.
You fixed your sight on your servant’s plight, and my weakness you did not spurn,
so from east to west shall my name be blest. Could the world be about to turn?

REFRAIN:

My heart shall sing of the day you bring. Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near, and the world is about to turn.
Though I am small, my God, my all, you work great things in me,
and your mercy will last from the depths of the past to the end of the age to be.
Your very name puts the proud to shame, and to those who would for you yearn,
you will show your might, put the strong to flight, for the world is about to turn.

REFRAIN

From the hall of power to the fortress tower, not a stone will be left on stone.
Let the king beware for you justice tears every tyrant from his throne.
The hungry poor shall weep no more, for the food they can never earn;
there are tables spread, every mouth be fed, for the world is about to turn.

REFRAIN

Though the nations rage from age to age, we remember who holds us fast:
God’s mercy must deliver us from the conqueror’s crushing grasp.
This saving word that our forebears heard is the promise which holds us bound,
‘til the spear and rod can be crushed by God, who is turning the world around.

REFRAIN

Benediction                

Worship leaders:  Cynthia and Dave Linscheid

Musicians:  Bethany and Tim Schrag, Ben Lichti, Renee Reimer, Suzy Burch, Verlene Garber

Audio visual:  Francis Toews

Pastors:  Renee Reimer, Nathan Koontz, Dawn Yoder Harms

Worship visuals           Carol Buller, Judy Friesen, Sharon Koehn, Kathy Stucky, Brenda Turner

Click here for the December 6, 2020 Worship Service

Bethel College Mennonite Church
December 6, 2020
Advent 2:
Preparing the way through repentance

Prelude—the Garber Family

Advent Candle Lighting—Brad and Megan Kohlman and family

O come, o come, Immanuel— verses 1 and 3 Hymnal A Worship Book # 172

Welcome and prayer—Nathan Koontz

Comfort, comfort, O my people— Hymnal A Worship Book #176

Children’s conversation—Doug and Dawn Yoder Harms

Scripture—Isaiah 40:1-11—Gwen Neufeld
                   Mark 1:1-8—Erich Boschmann

Sermon—Dawn Yoder Harms

Bless’d be the God of Israel— Hymnal A Worship Book #174

Kingdom Report from the Inclusion Task Group—Megan Kohlman

Prayers of God’s people—Nathan Koontz

Go, my friends, in grace—Sing the Story #57

Benediction— Dawn Yoder Harms

---

Musicians:       Sara Dick, Esther Koontz, Rebecca Schloneger
Matt Schloneger, Erich Boschmann, Nathan Koontz, Doug Harms

Audio visual:   Ken Lamp

Pastors:           Renee Reimer, Nathan Koontz, Dawn Yoder Harms

Click here for the November 29 Worship Service

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
First Sunday of Advent.   November 29, 2020.   Preparing the Way

Prelude–Sunflower Trio,Matt & Rebecca Schloneger, Ken Rodgers

Lighting of the Advent Candles—Adam and Jill Robb and family

Hymn— O come, O come Immanuel—lyrics by Rev. Dr. Barbara Lundblad

“O come, O come, Emmanuel  And bless the place your peo-ple dwell
Melt ev’ry weapon craft-ed for war  Bring peace u-pon the earth for-ever more
Rejoice, rejoice! Take heart and do not fear, God’s chosen one, Emmanuel, draws near.
O come, strong branch of Jes-se, free  Your own from Satan’s ty-ranny,  Forge justice for the poor and the meek, Grant safety for the young ones and the weak. Refrain
O come now, living water, pour your grace, And bring new life to ev’ry withered place; Speak comfort to each trem-bling heart: “Be strong! Fear not, for I will ne’er depart.”   Refrain“

Welcome and prayer—Dawn Yoder Harms

Hymn—Come, thou long-expected Jesus—HWB 178

“Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free
from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art,
dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.
Born thy people to deliver, born a child, and yet a king,
born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal Spirit, rule in all our hearts alone.
By thine all sufficient merit, raise us to thy glorious throne.”

Children’s conversation— Esther Koontz

Scripture— Isaiah 64:1-9; Mark 13:24-37 — Esther Kreider Eash & William Eash

Meditation— Keep awake—Nathan Koontz

Hymn of response—Come! Walk in the light—STS 10

Communion— Renee Reimer, Nathan Koontz

Prayers of God’s People—Dawn Yoder Harms 

Sending hymn—Hark! The glad sound! — HWB 184

“Hark! the glad sound! The Savior comes! the Savior promised long!
Let every heart prepare a throne, and every voice a song.
On him the Spirit largely pours, exerts its sacred fire,
wisdom and might and zeal and love, his holy breast inspire.
He comes the prisoners to release, in Satan’s bondage held.
The gates of brass before him burst, the iron fetters yield.
He comes the broken heart to bind, the bleeding soul to cure,
and with the treasures of his grace to enrich the humble poor.
His silver trumpets publish loud the jubilee of the Lord.
Our debts are all remitted now, our heritage restored.
Our glad hosannas, Prince of peace, thy welcome shall proclaim,
and heaven’s eternal arches ring with thy beloved name.” 

Benediction
____________________________________________________________

Musicians:  Esther Kreider Eash, William Eash, John Mark Koontz, Renee Reimer,

Dawn Yoder Harms, Ron Garber, Verlene Garber

Audio and Visual:  Ken Lamp

Pastors:  Dawn Yoder Harms, Renee Reimer, Nathan Koontz

November 22, 2020 Thanksgiving Worship Service

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
THANKSGIVING WORSHIP
November 22, 2020

 Prelude—Verlene Garber

Welcome and Lighting the Christ Candle—Nathan Koontz               

Call to worship and Prayer                                                                                         

Hymn of praise—Praise to God, immortal praise—Hymnal A Worship Book #91  

                    (see words printed below)

Children’s conversation—Bethany Schrag and company                                                                                    

Scripture—Ephesians 1:15-23—Tim Schrag                                                  

Meditation—I never cease to give thanks. . . .—Dawn Yoder Harms

Offering our Gratitude

Hymn of response—Lord, should rising whirlwinds—Hymnal A Worship Book #92

Prayers of God’s people— Renee Reimer                                                                                       

Sending hymn—Now thank we all our God—Hymnal A Worship Book #86

Benediction

Postlude—Verlene Garber  

Musicians:  Renee Reimer, Ben Lichti, Bethany Schrag, Tim Schrag, Suzy Burch, Verlene Garber

Pastors:  Renee Reimer, Dawn Yoder Harms, and Nathan Koontz

Worship Visuals:  Carol Buller

Audio and Visual:  Francis Toews

Praise to God, immortal praise—Hymnal a Worship Book #91 (Text: Anna L. Barbauld)

1.  Praise to God, immortal praise,
for the love that crowns our days.
Bounteous Source of every joy,
let thy praise our tongues employ.

2   For the blessings of the field,
for the stores the gardens yield,

for the joy which harvests bring,

grateful praises now we sing.

3. Clouds that drop refreshing dews,

suns that genial heat diffuse,

flocks that whiten all the plain,
yellow sheaves of ripened grain,

4.  all that spring with bounteous hand
scatters o’er the smiling land,
all that lib’ral autumn pours
from her overflowing stores;

5.   these, great God, to thee we owe,
source whence all our blessings flow;
and for these our souls shall raise
grateful vows and solemn praise.

Lord, should rising whirlwinds—Hymnal a Worship Book #92 (Text:  Anna L. Barbauld)

6.  Lord, should rising whirlwinds
tear from its stem the ripening ear, 
should the fig-tree’s blasted shoot 
drop her green untimely fruit; 

7.  should the vine put forth no more, 
nor the olive yield her store, 
though the sick’ning flocks should fall, 
and the herds desert the stall; 

8.  should thine altered hand restrain 
th’ early and the latter rain, 
blast each op’ning bud of joy, 
and the rising year destroy; 

9.  yet to thee my soul should raise 
grateful vows and solemn praise, 
and, when ev’ry blessing’s flown, 
love thee for thyself alone!

Click here for the November 15 worship service.

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
WORSHIP
November 15, 2020
Stewardship Sunday

 Prelude—Prelude on a Southern Folk Hymn (Bristol) and Hymn to Joy (Wold)—Verlene Garber

Welcome and Lighting the Christ Candle—Dawn Yoder Harms         

Call to worship and Prayer—Dawn Yoder Harms                                                  

Hymn of praise—Come, we that love the Lord—Hymnal A Worship Book #14   

Children’s conversation—Elizabeth Schmidt                                                                                                  

Scripture—Luke 10:38-42—Esther Kreider Eash                                                             

Sermon—Embodying our Mary and Martha—Renee Reimer

Hymn of response—Lord, you have come to the lakeshore—Hymnal A Worship Book #229          

Prayers of God’s people— Nathan Koontz                                                                                                  

Sending hymn—Will you let me be your servant—Hymnal A Worship Book #307   

Benediction—Renee Reimer  

Postlude—Recessional in E^b Major (Johnson)—Verlene Garber       

Musicians:  Esther Kreider Eash, William Eash, John Mark Koontz, Renee Reimer,

Dawn Yoder Harms, Ron Garber, Verlene Garber

Pastors:  Renee Reimer, Dawn Yoder Harms, and Nathan Koontz

Audio and Visual:  Ben Lichti

Press here for the YouTube link for the worship service.

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
WORSHIP
November 8, 2020
Stewardship Sunday

Welcome and Lighting the Christ Candle—Cliff Dick and Marlene Ewert

Prelude—John Mark Koontz and Jonah Schloneger                         

Call to worship and Prayer—Marlene Ewert                                                                                                                                

Hymn of praise—Here in this place—Hymnal A Worship Book #6                                              

Children’s conversation—Marlene Ewert and Cliff Dick                                                                     

Scripture—Matthew 6:19-22, 24-34—Marlene Ewert and Cliff Dick                                        

Sermon—Where your treasure, there your heart—Dawn Yoder Harms                                 

Hymn of response—Seek ye first— Hymnal A Worship Book #324                                              

Kingdom Report—Dedication of the bcmcXpress—Al Peters                                                        

Prayers of God’s people—Cliff Dick                                                                                                    

Sending hymn—Be thou my vision– Hymnal A Worship Book #545                                        

Benediction—Dawn Yoder Harms                                                                                                  

Musicians: John Mark Koontz, Jonah Schloneger

Audio Visual Technician:       Francis Toews

Press HERE for the Worship Service.

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
November 1, 2020
Liberation

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. 

Prelude—Erich Boschmann
                                                                                                                                        

Welcome and Lighting the Christ Candle—Nathan Koontz                                                             

Call to Worship and Prayer—Dawn Yoder Harms                                                                             

Gathering Hymns–God is here among us—Hymnal A Worship Book #16

Children’s Conversation—Esther Koontz                                                                                         

Scripture–Deuteronomy 34:1-12; Matthew 22:34-40

Hymn—O God of Loving—https://bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org/wp-content/uploads/_mediavault/2020/11/O-God-of-Loving.pdf

Note:  The composer/author of the hymn “O God of Loving” used in the service today is Paul Damico-Carper, the assistant music director and worship producer at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in St. Paul, Minnesota.  This hymn was one of the winners in a regional synod contest for the Lutheran Church (ELCA) this past September.  Paul is also the grandson of Bill and Margaret Friesen, long-time members of our congregation, who both died in the last 6 years; his parents are Michelle (who grew up in this congregation) and Dennis Friesen-Carper. 

Sermon—A God of love and liberation–Patty Shelly

Hymn of Response—O God of Loving—https://bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org/wp-content/uploads/_mediavault/2020/11/O-God-of-Loving.pdf

Litany of Return Returning Liturgy—”Giving Thanks for Renewal”

Leader: Pastor Dawn, we welcome you and Doug back from your renewal time. 

Congregation: We welcome you back with open arms. 

Pastor Dawn: I trust that you have been renewed, even as I have.

Leader: Let us pray: Spirit of God, descend upon our hearts. We thank you for this time we had apart to renew ourselves, and now for this time to reunite with one another and carry on with our ministries together once again. We pray that we minister and serve with the enthusiasm of your Spirit upon us. We pray that we, together, as your church, may be open to your Spirit’s leading in the future, to be willing to risk in faith to follow where you lead us. 

ALL: Thank you, Lord, for this time away and for this time of returning! Help us to continue to do justice, love mercy and humbly walk with you, God.  AMEN! 

Prayers of God’s People—Dawn Yoder Harms                                                                                  

Sending Hymn—Lead on, O cloud of Presence —Hymnal A Worship Book # 419

Benediction—Patty Shelly                                   

*****************************************************************************

Audio visual technician: Ken Lamp
Musicians:
Erich Boschmann
Matt Schloneger
Rebecca Schloneger
Esther Koontz
Sara Dick

Pastors:
Dawn Yoder Harms
Nathan Koontz

Press HERE for the worship service.

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
October 25, 2020
Liberation

Welcome and Lighting the Christ Candle                                                        Matthew Schloneger

Gathering hymn                                Wonderful grace of Jesus                                        HWB 150

Children’s conversation                                                                                          Gaeddert Family

Scripture                                                 Matthew 22:34-40                            Karin Kaufman Wall

Reflections          Florence Schloneger, John Kliewer, and Heidi Regier Kreider                          

Prayers of God’s people and Benediction                                                                  Renee Reimer

Sending hymn                         As I went down to the river to prayer                                      SJ 79

************************************************************************

Press here for the worship service

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
October 18, 2020
Liberation

Prelude—Lift every voice and sing—Hymnal a Worship Book 579—Jonah Schloneger, piano; John Mark Koontz, bass

Welcome and Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to worship and prayer—Cliff Dick

Gathering hymn—God loves all his many people—Hymnal A Worship Book 397

Presentation of 3^rd Grade Bibles—Renee Reimer

Scripture—Matthew 22:15-22—Brett Gaeddert

Sermon—Jesus’ health care plan—Nathan Koontz

Hymn of response—O healing river—Hymnal A Worship Book 372

Prayers of God’s people

Sending hymn—Healer of our every ill—Hymnal a Worship Book—HWB 377

Benediction—Nathan Koontz

*******************************************************************

Audio visual technician:  Ben Lichti

Musicians:  Jonah Schloneger and John Mark Koontz

Pastors:  Nathan Koontz and Renee Reimer