BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
January 21, 2024
Third Sunday after Epiphany
Christ Candle Lighting
Centering Music—Adoration (Florence B. Price) –Will Wiebe-Friesen
Welcome and Prayer—Jon Zerger
*Hymn—Could It Be That God Is Singing—VT 42
Children’s Conversation—Kevin Neufeld
Anthem—Fairest Lord Jesus (Derek Hakes)–Chancel Choir; Riley King, director; Will Wiebe-Friesen, accompanist
Scripture Reading—Psalm 62:5-12; Mark 1:14-20—Carol & Jerry Buller
Sermon—Image of God, Activity of God—Nathan Koontz
*Hymn—O God, Great Womb—VT 176
Child Blessing for Elizabeth Robb—VT 970
Prayers of God’s People
*Hymn—Will You Come and Follow Me—VT 540
Benediction
Postlude—Fugue from Sonata 6 (Mendelssohn)–Will Wiebe-Friesen
* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Keyboard- Will Wiebe-Friesen
Audio visual—Ken Lamp
Category Archives: Worship Services
View the worship service for January 14, 2024
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
Martin Luther King, Jr. Sunday
January 14, 2024
Prelude—Karen Unruh
Christ Candle Lighting
Welcome and Prayer—Raylene Hinz-Penner
Hymn—Guide My Feet—VT 816
Children’s Conversation—Glen Ediger
Special Music—Garber Quartet
Scripture Reading—James 2:1-4,8-9,12-17—Justin Zerger
Sermon—Lessons from Ordinary Heroes—Roger Neufeld Smith
Hymn—Precious Lord—VT 610
Prayers of God’s People
Hymn—Lift Every Voice–VT 611
Benediction
Postlude
Audio-visual—Francis Toews
YouTube Link: https://youtube.com/live/IGzMYP8srXw?feature=share
View the worship service for January 7, 2024
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
January 7, 2024
Epiphany
Christ Candle Lighting
Centering Music—We Three Kings (D. Bish)–Will Wiebe-Friesen
Land Acknowledgement
Welcome and Prayer—Dale Schrag
*Hymn—Arise, Your Light Is Come!—VT 273
Children’s Conversation—Trent Voth
Anthem—See Whose Glory Fills the Skies (George Elderkin)–Chancel Choir; Riley King, director; Will Wiebe-Friesen, accompanist
Scripture Reading—Malachi 4:1-5; Mark 1:1-11—Addie Zerger
Sermon— Epiphanies with David, Mark, and Jesus—Trent Voth
*Hymn—Spirit of the Living God—VT 740
Prayers of God’s People
*Hymn—O Beautiful Star of Bethlehem—VT 275
Benediction
Postlude—Nun ist sie erschienen (S. Vincent)–Will Wiebe-Friesen
* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Keyboard- Will Wiebe-Friesen
Audio visual—John Thiesen
Welcome Guest Speaker Trent Voth
We extend a warm welcome to Trent Voth as he preaches and facilitates the children’s conversation on January 7. Trent just completed his first semester as professor of Bible and Religion at Bethel College. He grew up in the Halstead area but he and his wife, Stephanie, and two sons, Devereaux (De-Ver-Row) and Darien moved back to the area from Toronto, Ontario, where Trent completed his PhD at the University of Toronto. Trent has a particular interest in The Gospel of Mark, anabaptist theologies, vocational discernment, and indigenous justice.
Preparing for Worship
As we gather for worship each Sunday in the sanctuary, the Worship Commission invites and encourages us to become quiet as we light the Christ Candle. Prelude music has now been changed to Centering Music. The Worship Commission invites your feedback as we experiment with a new order of worship.
Land Acknowledgement compiled by Florence Schloneger 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.
View the worship service for December 31, 2023
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
December 31, 2023
First Sunday After Christmas
Prelude—Go Tell it on the Mountain—Verlene Garber & Ben Lichti
Welcome and Prayer Christ Candle—Roger Neufeld Smith
Hymn—Come Away from Rush and Hurry—VT 9
*Advent Candle Hymn—Hope Is a Candle, verses 1-5 VT 211
Advent Candle Lighting—Elizabeth, Gabby, Jake, Jill & Adam Robb
*Advent Litany—Christ—VT 916
*Hymns—O Come, All Ye Faithful (Verses 1, 3, 4)—VT 241
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing—VT 247
Scripture Reading—Isaiah 11:1-6—Roger Neufeld Smith
Hymns—What Child is This—VT 267 and Helpless and Hungry—VT 268
Holy Night, Blessed Night—VT 262
Scripture Reading—Luke 2:22-40
Children’s Conversation based on Luke 2:22-40—The Robb Family
*Hymn—Come, Join in Mary’s Prophet-Song—VT 246
Meditation—Roger Neufeld Smith
*Hymn—Joy to the World—VT 240
Prayers of God’s People
*Hymn—Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light—VT 269
Benediction—VT 1064
Postlude— In Dulci Jubilo (VT 261)–Verlene Garber and Ben Lichti
*You are invited to stand
Audio-Visual—Francis Toews
Keyboard—Verlene Garber
Trumpet—Ben Lichti
View the worship service for December 24, 2023
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
December 24, 2023
Fourth Sunday of Advent: Joy
Children’s Christmas Service
Prelude—The First Noel (Tufenkjian)—Abby Koontz
What Child is This—Brett and Collin Gaeddert
Silent Night—Caleb Koontz
French Lullaby—Lincoln Kohlman
Away in A Manger—Lucy Burch and Kenna Graber
O Holy Night—Naomi Koontz
*Advent Candle Hymn—Hope Is a Candle—verses 1-4—VT 211
Advent Candle Lighting—Lawrence, Lincoln, Megan & Brad Kohlman
*Advent Litany—Joy—VT 916
Welcome and Prayer—Nathan Koontz
*Hymn—He Came Down—VT 239—5 verses: Joy, Hope, Peace, Love, Joy
Children’s Christmas Service—Sing and Tell the Story
*Hymn—With Mary Sing Magnificat—VT 208
Prayers of God’s People
*Hymn—Angels We Have Heard on High—VT 249
Benediction
Postlude—Hark, the Herald Angels Sing—Lucy Burch and Kenna Graber
* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Keyboard—Will Wiebe-Friesen
Audio visual—Ben Lichti
SING AND TELL THE STORY!
SCENES AND SONGS
Scene 1—Mary’s Home in Nazareth
Scene 2—Elizabeth’s Home in Judean Hill Country
Song—And My Spirit Sings
Scene 3—Joseph’s Carpenter Shop in Nazareth
Scene 4—On the Road from Nazareth to Bethlehem
Song—From Nazareth to Bethlehem
Scene 5—Shepherd’s Campsite near Bethlehem
Scene 6—Bethlehem
Scene 7—Everywhere!
Song—Go Tell It On the Mountain—VT 252
STORY TELLERS AND SINGERS
Faith Burch
Lucy Burch
Payne Claassen
Collin Gaeddert
Brett Gaeddert
Emma Gering
Emerson Gering
Adah Hodge
Lawrence Kohlman
Lincoln Kohlman
Abby Koontz
Ani Koontz
Naomi Koontz
Mara Oswald
Gabby Robb
Jake Robb
Lily Schloneger
Abram Wall
Mabel Wall
Addie Zerger
Justin Zerger
THANKS
Leaders: Judy Harder, Mary Ellen Hodge, Tim Hodge, Jill Robb
Musicians: Will Wiebe-Friesen, Suzy Burch, Tim Hodge, Susie Swartley
Back Drop Design and Builders: Lauren Friesen, Ron Peters, Keith Harder
Props: Judy Harder, Glen Ediger, David Kreider, Rose Haury
Intergenerational Sunday School Activities: Deb Gering, Janet Friesen, Doug Miller, Maisie and Miles Brubacher
Others: Ben Lichti, Audio-Visual and Monica Lichti
PARENTS!
View the worship service for December 17, 2023
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
December 17, 2023
Third Sunday of Advent: Love
Prelude—Nocturno, Op. 7 (Franz Strauss); Allegro moderato from Horn Concerto No. 1 in C Minor (Franz Strauss)— Chris Miertschin, horn; Will Wiebe-Friesen, piano
*Advent Candle Hymn—Hope Is a Candle, verses 1-3—VT 211
Advent Candle Lighting—Coralee Shenk, Jeanette & Steve Stucky
*Advent Litany—Love—VT 916
Welcome and Prayer—Esther Kreider Eash
*Hymn—O Come, O Come Immanuel—VT 210
Children’s Conversation—Esther Koontz
Anthem—Christmas is Here (Dale Wood)— Chancel Choir; Riley King, director; Will Wiebe-Friesen, accompanist
Scripture Reading—John 1:1-9
*Hymn—The Light Shines in the Darkness—Bulletin insert
Adah Hodge, Mara Oswald, Lily Schloneger sing verses—Congregation sings chorus
Scripture Reading—I John 4:7-12
Sermon—God’s Love Revealed—Roger Neufeld Smith
*Hymn—Love Came Down at Christmas—VT 255
Prayers of God’s People
(Hymn Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord— VT 219)
*Hymn Love Has Come—VT 258
Benediction
Postlude—Toccata on Joy to the World (Brenda Portman)—Will Wiebe-Friesen
* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Keyboard—Will Wiebe-Friesen
Audio visual—Frances Toews
View the worship service from December 10, 2023
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
December 10, 2023
Second Sunday of Advent: Peace
Prelude—O Come, All Ye Faithful (VT 214); Ding Dong! Merrily on High (Dobrinski);
Coventry Carol (Eithun), Lucy Burch, Flute; Amen, Amen (Lamb)–Chancel Bell Choir, Verlene Garber, director; Members of the Chancel Bells: Lucy Burch, Suzanne Burch, Ben Lichti, Marlene Ewert, Jane Schmidt, Janet Lubbers, Brenda Turner, Carol Gebrand, Nathan Garber, Ron Garber, Gyles Garber, Caleb Garber
*Advent Candle Hymn— Hope Is a Candle, verses 1-2—VT 211
Advent Candle Lighting—Lucy and Faith Burch
*Advent Litany—Peace— VT 916
Welcome and Prayer—Adam Robb
*Hymn—Comfort, Comfort, O My People—VT 212
Children’s Conversation—Esther Koontz
Scripture Reading—Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13—Suzanne, Lucy, and Faith Burch
Sermon—A God of Peace—Nathan Koontz
*Hymn—Unexpected and Mysterious—VT 229
Prayers of God’s People
*Hymn—Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming—VT 216
Benediction
Postlude—Variations on In Dulci Jubilo (Theodore Beck)—Karen Schlabaugh
* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Keyboard—Karen Schlabaugh
Audio visual—John Thiesen
View the worship service from December 3, 2023
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
December 3, 2023
First Sunday of Advent: Hope
Prelude—Cynthia Neufeld Smith
(As the prelude music plays, you are encouraged to keep conversation to a minimum)
*Advent Candle Hymn—Hope Is a Candle— VT 211— Congregation sing verse 1 only; Susie Swartley, flute
Advent Candle Lighting—Judy Harder
*Advent Litany—Hope VT 916
Welcome—(Land Acknowledgement) and Prayer—Adam Robb
*Hymn—Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus—VT 218
Children’s Conversation—Christmas Tree Ornaments—Jill Robb
Anthem—Chancel Choir
Scripture Reading—1 Corinthians 1:3-9—Judy Harder
Sermon—The Gift of Hope—Nathan Koontz
*Hymn—Oh How Shall I Receive Thee—VT 215
Communion—Come to the Table of Grace—VT 461
Prayers of God’s People
*Hymn—Hark! the Glad Sound!—VT 217
Benediction
Postlude—Cynthia Neufeld Smith
* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Keyboard—Will Wiebe-Friesen
Audio visual—Ken Lamp
View the worship service for November 26, 2023
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
November 26, 2023
Prelude—Cello Suite No. 4 (J.S. Bach) and Bourrée (Transcribed by Alamiro Giampieri) and Justin Mathis, clarinet
Christ Candle Lighting
Welcome and Prayer—Margaret Toews
*Hymn—Sing to the Lord of Harvest—VT 122
Children’s Conversation—Jim Robb
Special Music—Romance from Five Bagatelles for Clarinet and Piano (by Gerald Finzi)
Justin Mathis, clarinet; Karen Schlabaugh, piano
Scripture Reading – Psalm 103:1-8,13-18; Philippians 1:1-7, 4:4-7 Richard Friesen and Dorothy Nickel Friesen
Sermon—Radical Gratitude—Roger Neufeld Smith
*Hymn—Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah—VT 606
Prayers of God’s People
*Hymn—God, Whose Giving—VT 745
People with November birthdays come forward for a blessing, please bring a hymnal
Benediction
Postlude—Postlude on Beata nobis gaudia (Robert Powell)—Karen Schlabaugh
*You are invited to stand VT—Voices Together Audio visual— Francis Toews
Keyboard—Karen Schlabaugh
View the worship service for November 19, 2023
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
November 19, 2023
Twenty Fifth Sunday After Pentecost
Prelude—Little Prelude and Fugue in C (JS Bach); Now Thank We All Our God (Bach/Fox)—
Will Wiebe-Friesen
Christ Candle Lighting
Welcome and Prayer—Elizabeth Schmidt
*Hymn—Guide My Feet—VT 816
Children’s Conversation—Jeanette Leary
Anthem—A Song of Thanksgiving (John Ferguson)—Chancel Choir; Riley King, director; Will Wiebe-Friesen, accompanist
Scripture Reading—Psalm 105:4-13; Luke 3:4-9; Deut. 26:1-5—Emma Gering
Sermon—Fugitives in the Family Tree—Lauren Friesen
*Hymn—Lift Every Voice and Sing—VT 611
Prayers of God’s People
*Hymn—Praise to the Living God—VT 204
Benediction
Postlude—Precious Lord Take My Hand (arr. Schrader)—Will Wiebe-Friesen
* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Keyboard- Will Wiebe-Friesen
Audio visual— Ben Lichti
Welcome to Lauren Friesen
We welcome Lauren to deliver the sermon at BCMC today. Lauren and his partner Janet joined BCMC last May. Previously they had been active at Chicago Community Mennonite Church where Lauren often preached. Prior to their time in Chicago, Lauren was a professor at the University of Michigan. We are glad that he and Janet have wandered their way into this community!