BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
September 24, 2023
Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost
 
Prelude— Sarabande from French Suite No 5 (J. S. Bach)
Adagio from Sonata no. 60, Hob XVI/50  (Franz Joseph Haydn)—Meghann Rogers
 
Christ Candle Lighting
 
Call to Worship and Prayer—Jim Robb
 
*Hymn—Holy Spirit, Come With Power—VT 57
 
Children’s Conversation—Esther Kreider Each
 
Scripture Reading—Jonah 3:10-4:1—Elaine Schurr
 
*Hymn—God, Give Me Time—VT 144
 
Scripture Reading—Matthew 20:1-16
 
Sermon—The First Shall Be Last—Nathan Koontz
 
*Hymn—Rain Down— VT 703
 
Prayers of God’s People
 
*Hymn— Sing Praise to God Who Reigns— VT 101
People with September birthdays come forward for a blessing, please bring a hymnal
 
*Benediction
 
Postlude—Christ, Be All Around Me (Voices Together No. 848)—Meghann Rogers
 
 
* You are invited to stand
VT = Voices Together
Keyboard- Meghann Rogers
Audio visual— John Thiesen

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH

September 17, 2023

Peace Sunday: Climate Action for Peace

Prelude—There is no Shadow (Brenda Portman)–Will Wiebe-Friesen

Christ Candle Lighting

Call to Worship and Prayer—Nathan Koontz

*Hymn—All Thing Bright and Beautiful—VT 177

Kin-dom Report—Vernon Goering

Children’s Conversation—High School Youth Group

Scripture Reading—Psalm 36:5-9; Psalm 65:5-8—Roger Juhnke

A Joyful Vision—Darlene Dick

*Hymn—Touch the Earth Lightly— VT 145

Anthem—Love the Lord Your God (Patty Shelly)—Chancel Choir, Riley King, director; Will Wiebe-Friesen, accompanist

Scripture Reading—Matthew 6:25-34; Isaiah 24:4-7—Zona Galle

Lamenting and Reflecting—Keith Harder

*Hymn—The Garden Needs Our Tending Now—VT 788

Prayers of God’s People

*Hymn—There’s a Wild Hope In the Wind—VT 828

*Benediction

Postlude—Trumpet Tune (David German)—Will Wiebe-Friesen

* You are invited to stand

VT—Voices Together

Audio visual— Ken Lamp

We give thanks and credit to the Mennonite Central Committee’s worship resources for this peace Sunday service. Many of the readings, images, and ideas for this service were provided by the 2023 MCC Peace Sunday Packet: Climate Action for Peace.

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
September 10, 2023
 
Prelude—In Summer (Charles Albert Stebbins)—Karen Schlabaugh; My Lord What a Morning (Eithun)—Chancel Bells; Verlene Garber, director
 
Christ Candle Lighting
 
Welcome and Prayer—Brad Kohlman
 
*Hymn—What Is This Place?—VT 22  
 
Children’s Conversation—“Backpack Blessing”—Jill Robb
 
Worship Music—Steal Away & Swing Low (Moklebust)—Chancel Bells
 
Scripture Reading—Isaiah 61:1-4; Acts 6:1-7—Sheryl and Kevin Goering
 
Sermon—Church Politics—Roger Neufeld Smith
 
*Hymn—The Church of Christ Cannot be Bound—VT #392  
 
Prayers of God’s People
 
*Hymn—Heart With Loving Heart United—VT 813  
 
Benediction—The Lord Lift You Up—VT 832
 
Postlude—Karen Schlabaugh

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

 BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH

                                                                     September 3, 2023

                                        Celebration of Ministry License for Elizabeth Schmidt

Prelude—“Here I am, Lord” (arr. Wagner); “Come thou fount of every blessing” (arr. Lau)—

Will Wiebe-Friesen

Christ Candle Lighting

Call to Worship—Dorothy Nickel Friesen

Land Acknowledgement—Judy Friesen

Invocation

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

Children’s Conversation—Kathy Stucky

*Hymn—There Are Many Gifts—VT 374

Scripture Reading—Exodus 3:1-4; Mark 12:28 – 31; Ephesians 3:17-21—

Jim and Beaty Robb; Adam, Jill, Gabby, and Jake Robb

Sermon—“Called to be Present”—Kathy Neufeld Dunn

Worship Music—O Christ, Surround Me—Octet—(God Be the Love  VT 43)

Litany for Elizabeth Schmidt: License for Specific Ministry (see insert)

Prayers of God’s People

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

*Benediction

Postlude—“Allegro Maestoso from Water Music” (G.F. Handel)—Will Wiebe-Friesen

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*You are invited to stand

VT—Voices Together

Keyboard—Will Wiebe-Friesen

Audio visual—Ben Lichti

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Service of Licensing for Specific Ministry for
Elizabeth Schmidt – Congregational Care Coordinator Bethel College Mennonite Church
September 3, 2023

Congregational Moderator: Today we give thanks that Elizabeth Schmidt has been called to specific ministry as Congregational Care Coordinator of Bethel College Mennonite Church, to work together with all who share in the ministry of Christ in this congregation. Elizabeth, you have been called to listen carefully to the joys and sorrows of God’s people here, to pray with and witness to God’s presence in people’s lives, to love and serve the people among whom you work, as our congregation moves into the future with hope.

Conference Minister: (to Elizabeth):  I now ask you these questions:

Do you believe that you are truly called by God and God’s church to this ministry?

Elizabeth: I believe I am so called.

Conference Minister: Will you respect and be guided by the beliefs and practices of the Mennonite Church and the work of this congregation and conference?

Elizabeth: With God’s help, I will.

Conference Minister: Will you be faithful in the study of scripture, seeking the word of God and the mind of Christ? And will you do your utmost to pattern your life in accordance with the teachings of Christ, so that through your ministry the reconciling of love of Christ may be known and received?

Elizabeth: With God’s help, I will.

Conference Minister: Will you persevere in prayer, asking God’s grace, both for yourself and for others, offering all your labors to God through the power of the Holy Spirit?

Elizabeth: With God’s help, I will.

Conference Minister: May God who has given you the will to do these things give you the grace and power to perform them.

[to the congregation):  Sisters and brothers of this congregation, do you accept your role in calling Elizabeth into ministry? Will you honor her calling and also your own? Will you search the scriptures and pray with her? Will you speak the truth in love? Will you, too, listen carefully and prayerfully to your siblings here? And will you join with her wholeheartedly in the ministries of Bethel College Mennonite church? If so, please respond: We will, by God’s grace.

Congregation: We will, by God’s grace.

Conference Minister: (to fellow ministers of BCMC)  Hearing Elizabeth’s commitment to the work of ministry and the afirmation of this congregation, will you prayerfully support her as colleagues and siblings in Christ? Will you listen carefully to her when she is weary or wounded? Will you celebrate with her the many blessings that she will witness among God’s people here?

If so, please respond, “We will, by God’s grace.

Fellow BCMC Ministers: We will, by God’s grace.

Conference Minister: (to Elizabeth) Elizabeth, hearing this affirmation of God’s call, and on behalf of the Western District Conference, I declare that you are licensed as the Bethel College Mennonite Church Congregational Care Coordinator. May God bless you and the congregation in this ministry.

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
August 27, 2023

Prelude—Andante and Allegro (Ropartz)—Ben Lichti, trumpet

Christ Candle Lighting

Welcome and Prayer—George Leary

Hymn—Come, Thou Fount—VT 563

Children’s Conversation—Crystal Gaeddert

Worship Music—Little Adagio (Bizet, arr. Beeler)—Ben Lichti

Scripture Reading—Mark 1:29-35; John 15:1-5—Richard Friesen

Sermon—The Inward Journey— Roger Neufeld Smith and Dale Schrag

Hymn—How Firm a Foundation—VT 592

Prayers of God’s People

Hymn—Precious Lord, Take My Hand—VT 610—People with August birthdays come forward for a blessing, please bring a hymnal.

Benediction

Postlude/Benediction response—What a Wonderful World (Weiss/Thiele, arr. Pyeon)—Ben Lichti

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Keyboard—Will Wiebe-Friesen

Audio-visual—John Thiesen

VT—Voices Together

YouTube Link:  https://youtube.com/live/VEn3fkBxF7E?feature=share

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
August 20, 2023

Prelude—Von Gott will ich nicht lassen  (J.C. Bach); Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele (Johann Gottfried Walther); Nun bitten wir  (Dietrich Buxtehude ; Ein’ feste Burg ist under Gott (Walther)–Karen Schlabaugh

Christ Candle Lighting

Welcome and Prayer–Ada Schmidt-Tieszen

*Hymn—Praise With Joy the World’s Creator— VT 428

Children’s Conversation—Kevin Neufeld

*Hymn—O Praise the Gracious Power—VT 87 Congregation sing verses 1-2,6-7; Octet sing verses 3-5; All sing refrain

Scripture Reading—Psalm 67; Matthew 15:10-28—Mike Ingenthron

Message—Is That Sarcasm I Hear?—Nathan Koontz

*Hymn of Response—Together—VT 389 Octet verse 1, Congregation only verse 2, Octet verse 3, All verse 4

Prayers of God’s People

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

*Benediction

Postlude— Allegro  (J.S. Bach)—Karen Schlabaugh               

* You are invited to stand

VT—Voices Together

Keyboard- Karen Schlabaugh

Audio visual— Francis Toews

YouTube Link:  https://youtube.com/live/bQ5WBCgc7UI?feature=share

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
August 13, 2023
Welcome Bethel College!

Prelude—The Spacious Firmament on High (arr. DeCou); I Sing the Mighty Power of God (arr. Payne)—Will Wiebe-Friesen

Christ Candle Lighting

Welcome—Brad Kohlman

Opening Prayer—Tobin Wise

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

Children’s Conversation—Julianna Schrag, Jacob Schrag, Timothy Schrag

*Hymn—My Soul Proclaims with Wonder—VT 222

Scripture Reading—Numbers 27:1-11— Aaliyah Hunt

Message—Intersecting Lines—Nathan Koontz

 *Hymn of Response—There Is a Line of Women—VT 546

Prayers of God’s People

*Hymn—I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say—VT 536

*Benediction

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

* You are invited to stand

VT—Voices Together

Keyboard—Will Wiebe-Friesen

Audio visual— Ben Lichti

FOR FULL SERMON CLICK HERE: https://youtu.be/itWaR1LJxig

BCMC Worship Service

August 6, 2023

Prelude—Prelude and Fugue in C (JS Bach)—Will Wiebe-Friesen

Christ Candle Lighting

Welcome and Prayer—Raylene Hinz-Penner (Elizabeth Schmidt substituted)

*Hymn—Here in This Place—v.1,2,4—VT 10

Kin-dom Report—MCC School Kit Challenge-Lincoln Kohlman

Children’s Conversation—Esther Koontz

Land Acknowledgement—Raylene Hinz-Penner (Elizabeth Schmidt substituted)

*Hymn—By the Waters of Babylon—VT 695

Scripture Reading—VT 13—and VT 783—Darlene Dick
John 4:3-7, 9-10,19-24—Darlene Dick and Raylene Hinz-Penner (Elizabeth Schmidt substituted)

Sermon—Finding a Place in the World–Roger Neufeld Smith

*Hymn—Let Us Build a House—v.1,2,5–VT 36  

Prayers of God’s People

*Hymn—Be Thou My Vision—v. 1,2,5—VT 549

Benediction—The Lord Lift You Up—VT 832 

Postlude—The Kingsfold Trumpet (Alfred Fedak)—Will Wiebe-Smith

Audio-visual – Ken Lamp

Guitar—Roger Neufeld Smith

Scripture Reader—Darlene Dick

Keyboard—Will Wiebe-Friesen

YouTube Link:  https://youtube.com/live/R5OB4b4fuko?feature=share

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
July 30, 2023
Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

Prelude— Two preludes on Early American Folk Hymns:

Promised Land (arr. Diane Bish)—Antioch (arr. Dale Wood)—Will Wiebe-Friesen

Christ Candle Lighting

Welcome and Prayer—Sondra Bandy Koontz

*Hymn—When in Our Music God Is Glorified— VT 83

Children’s Conversation

Worship Music— Nun ist sie erschienen (arr. Larry Nickel )—Joan Griffing, violin; Will Wiebe-Friesen, piano 

Scripture Reading—Genesis 29:15-28; Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52—Joe Peters

Message—The Kingdom of Process—Nathan Koontz

*Hymn of Response— My Love Colors Outside the Lines—VT 582

Prayers of God’s People

*Hymn—God, Whose Giving—VT 745

*Benediction

Postlude—Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (arr. Janet Linker)—Joan Griffing, violin; Will Wiebe-Friesen, organ

* You are invited to stand

VT—Voices Together

Violin—Joan Griffing

Keyboard—Will Wiebe-Friesen

Audio visual—Francis Toews

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
July 23, 2023

Prelude—Salut d’Amout (Edward Elgar)—Karen Schlabaugh

Christ Candle Lighting

Welcome—VT 851

Invocation—VT 857

Songs for Gathering

VT 6 Let’s walk together (piano, guitar) (Verse 1 octet, verse 2 & 3 congregation.)

VT 28 Come, Christians, join to sing (organ/acapella) (Verse 1 and 3 with organ, verse 2 acapella)

Song With Children: 

VT 63 Like a rock

Song of Praise

VT 101 Sing praise to God who reigns (verses 1 and 4 in unison, 2 and 3 parts)

Telling God’s Story

            From the OT: VT 185 (Psalm 104)

VT 175 Planets humming as they wander

            From the NT: 295 (Matthew 5:3-12)

VT 290 Blessed are you

Confessing  Our Faith

VT 419 Great is thy faithfulness (acapella)

Sharing Our Stories

VT 625 Far above the noise of life (octet sing verse 1, congregation sing verse 2, octet sing the second ending)

Prayers of God’s People—VT 996

The Lord’s Prayer—VT 675 Abana Alathi—(octet sing each phrase, congregation sing repeat)

Benediction—VT 822 (Romans 15:5-6)

Sending Song

VT 769 Now I know—(Ron Garber, leader, congregation echo)

Postlude—When in our Music God is Glorified—(Robert A. Hobby)—Cynthia Neufeld Smith

Thank you to the participants of this Sunday’s hymn sing:

Song Leader—Cynthia Neufeld Smith

Audio-visual—Ken Lamp

Violin—Rebecca Schloneger  

Flute—Susie Swartley 

Guitar—Roger Neufeld Smith

Scripture Reader—Elizabeth Schmidt

Octet—Ron Garber, Verlene Garber, Cynthia Linscheid, Dave Linscheid, Virginia Mininger, Joe Peters, Bill Swartley, Susie Swartley

Accompanists—Verlene Garber and Karen Schlabaugh