BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
DECEMBER 1, 2024 — 1ST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
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.
To livestream the worship service:
On Sunday morning, around 9:00 a.m., (preludes during Advent begin at 9:15 a.m.) go to BCMC’s webpage at bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org and click the green button labeled LIVE STREAM on the right side of the screen, which will take you to the worship service. If you get a message in the black box that the video is unavailable, click the gray box below that says “View Live Stream on YouTube”. Anytime after the service concludes, you can watch a recording of the service at your convenience by clicking the same green LIVE STREAM button. Again, you will probably have to go to the gray box that says “View Live Stream on YouTube”. That will transfer you to the BCMC YouTube Channel. You will have to click on the tab “Videos” to see all of the BCMC videos. Click the red button to see the bulletin/order of service.
OR – click on this link for this Sunday: https://youtube.com/live/Ep7rbW4DUpk?feature=share
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
December 1, 2024
First Sunday of Advent
Prelude Music—What Child Is This [VT 267]; Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming [VT 216]
In Lonely Mountain Ways [VT589]; Hark, I Hear The Harps Eternal (arr. Alice Parker)
Open Road
Advent Candle Lighting— Dale & Margo Schrag; Mara & Adam Oswald
Scripture Reading—Isaiah 40:27-31
Litany:
Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Holy One is the everlasting God,
Creator of heaven and earth.
God’s every flows through the world
even when we are bone-tired.
God’s power gives strength
to the vulnerable and weak.
Do you not know? Have you not heard?
When we wait on the Holy One,
God will renew our strength.
We shall run! We shall fly!
We shall walk boldly together
toward the promises of God.
Lighting the candle of Hope
Land Acknowledgement, Welcome & Prayer—Adam Robb
*Hymn—Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus—VT 218
Children’s Conversation—Jill Robb
Worship Music— Nearer, My God, To Thee (arr. James L. Stevens)—
Open Road
Scripture Reading—Genesis 38:1-27—Esther Kreider Eash, Raylene Hinz Penner, Brad Kohlman, Kevin Neufeld
*Hymn—There is a Line of Women—VT 546
Sermon—Tamar: Advent Waiting—Joanna Harader
*Hymn—Poor of the Earth—VT 213
Communion—Nathan Koontz, Joanna Harader
Prayers of God’s People—Adam Robb
*Hymn—My Soul Proclaims with Wonder—VT 222
*Benediction
Postlude— O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Held)—Verlene Garber
* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Keyboard- Verlene Garber
Audio visual—Francis Toews
Join Fine Arts Class in the Chapel for Advent sessions following Pastor Joanna’s book, Expecting Emmanuel. Whether or not you have purchased the book, you are welcome to join and listen, ponder, and share.
The Week at BCMC: December 1—8, 2024
Sunday, December 1, 2024—Advent 1
9:15 a.m. Prelude by Open Road. 9:30 a.m. Worship: sermon by Joanna Harader 10:30 a.m. Faith Formation
Attendants in Nursery today: Megan Kohlman & Margaret Toews
YouTube Link for the worship service this Sunday:
https://youtube.com/live/Ep7rbW4DUpk?feature=share
Monday, December 2, 2024
7-9 p.m. Messiah Sing Rehearsal in the Sanctuary
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
11 a.m. Messiah Sing in the Sanctuary—hosted by Bethel College
7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal in the Sanctuary
Thursday, December 5, 2024
5:15 p.m. Hospitality Commission meeting in Fellowship Hall
6:30 p.m. Chancel Bells Rehearsal in Room B7
7 p.m. Church Board meeting in Room 14
Friday, December 6, 2024
11 a.m. Memorial service for Kurt Friesen in the Sanctuary
Saturday, December 7, 2024
8:30—11 a.m. Community Playschool Staff Christmas Brunch in Fellowship Hall
Sunday, December 8, 2024—Second Sunday of Advent
9:15 a.m. Advent Prelude by BCMC musicians
9:30 a.m. Worship with sermon by Nathan Koontz; music by Chancel Choir
10:30 a.m. Faith Formation
BCMC Offering for Nov. 24: Gen. Fund $5,579.50; Wed. Supper $215.55; Caring Fund $500; Flower Fund $180; Kitchen Fund $13; Women’s Fellowship $759; Solar Fund $500.
For a BCMC Advent and Christmas Schedule press here
There are also copies of this schedule available in the south entrance on the glass table.
Worship Commission thanks those who have participated in worship services this year with children’s conversation, scripture reading, worship leading. A special thanks to William Eash, Dale Schrag, Adam Robb, and Lois Preheim who each spent several months as the volunteer Worship Coordinator, matching persons with worship tasks. Additional thanks goes to all who worked with banners and visuals, audio visuals, ushering, music-making and more — to make worship at BCMC integrated and vibrant.
Dear church family,
Over the next two weeks, many of the Friesen and Neufeld family members will be gathering to remember Kurt’s life and grieve his loss. The family would appreciate any gifts of food especially on the following days:
Dec 2 and Dec 4
Please text 316 393-7964 to let them know what you are bringing.
Thanks so much. Pastoral Staff.
Going Beyond Land Acknowledgement:
Give the beautiful illustrated new book, The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer, Potawatomi scientist and author of Braiding Sweetgrass, to everyone you know this Christmas and spread the word on the back cover: “All flourishing is mutual.” The little book’s beautiful cover of birds and red berries looks like Christmas and its message is restorative: “Serviceberries show us another model, one based upon reciprocity rather than accumulation, where wealth and security come from the quality of our relationships, not from the illusion of self-sufficiency.”
The Deacons Commission is working on a “Thinking of You” campaign for people who are isolated due to health concerns. For the next few Sundays, we will have a table under the dove banner in the Gathering Place with pages for your comments to members of our church whom we haven’t been able to see for a while. Please stop by and write a short greeting or sign your name to let them know we are thinking about them. For those of you who are unable to attend worship but can stop by the church during the week, these letters will remain on the table during the week for anyone to write a note before we send them out. Thank you! —Deacon Commission
Birthday calendars – with photos of BCMC by Weldon Schloneger – are available in the back of the sanctuary on Sunday for a suggested donation of $10. Checks may be written to BCMC with Women’s Fellowship written in the memo line. These birthday calendars are great gifts and work well for keeping track of birthdays of family and friends. Donations will be used for WF ministries.
Lauren Friesen will have a book signing at the Carriage Factory Art Gallery on Dec. 7, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. His “Prairie Lands, Private Landscapes” and “Theatre and Aesthetics” will be available for signing.
A note from APRC: As a safety measure, the outside doors to the church building will be locked when anyone is alone in the building. We ask that you enter through the north door by the church office where a note will be posted with the office phone number. You may call the church office to let you in. Thank you for your understanding,
Abuse Prevention and Response Committee
Camp Mennoscah Announcements
Reserve your tasty verenike casserole meal here! Camp Mennoscah is holding a Verenike Casserole fundraiser on December 14th at 5:30pm to support the many aspects of camping ministry! Your donations will help campers and guests “Build on the Rock and Play in the Sand!” The meal consists of verenike casserole, seasoned green beans, zweiback, and fruit crisp. Camp feeds your soul and this favorite youth camp meal will feed your belly!
Meals will be available for pick-up or dine-in at Faith Mennonite Church between 5:30-6:30pm on December 14th. A whole pan of verenike casserole is also available for reservation (no sides, ~12 servings). Suggested donation of $20 per meal or $40 per pan.
Other events and happenings:
A huge basket of gratitude and thanks to the group of volunteers from Hope Mennonite Church who worked on the Retreat Center HVAC project! There are more tasks to be done and your gift of time is valuable to Camp Mennoscah’s ministry.
- The Board of Directors has written a letter regarding the challenges Camp Mennoscah is facing. The letter can be found here.
- There are currently materials on hand for 18 of 35 projects remaining on the HVAC renovation at the Retreat Center. Work groups can be of any size (within reason). Contact Isaac at 316-217-5626 or Olivia at 316-293-7313 to set up a time for you or your group. If you are interested in working on a weekend, advance notice of two weeks is needed. A lack of construction skills should not keep you from helping. Willing hands and the ability to follow directions are the only requirements. (Activities for those under 18 are limited and likely not at the Retreat Center.)
- Giving Tuesday is December 3! You can also be part of Jesus’ work at Camp Mennoscah through prayer, volunteering, or financial gifts. Your gifts support summer youth camps, the comfort and enjoyment of guest groups, and care of the facilities. Give online at campmennoscah.org through the Donate Here button or send to Camp Mennoscah.
Bethel College Announcements
· Sun., Dec. 1: Celebrate Museum Store Sunday at Kauffman Museum, 1:30-4:30 p.m. At 3 p.m., there will be a German Christmas singalong (Deutsche Weihnachtslieder) with William Eash, Merle Schlabaugh and Karen Bauman Schlabaugh in the museum auditorium. BYOP (bring your own peppernuts/pfeffernusse).
· Last chance to see “The Pandemic Portraits,” works by Nicholas Hill, which closes Fri., Dec. 6, Regier Art Gallery. Gallery hours are Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 2-4 p.m.
· Tues., Dec. 3: Bethel College Wind Ensemble, directed by Chris Miertschin, 7 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center
· Wed., Dec. 4: Singalong to Christmas portions of Handel’s Messiah, 11 a.m., with chamber orchestra and soloists, Bethel College Mennonite Church. Scores provided.
· Thurs., Dec. 5: Gala Jazz, 7 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium
· Sat., Dec. 7: Kauffman Museum bird walk, 8 a.m. start time in the museum parking lot at the corner of Main and 27th streets (2801 N. Main St., North Newton 67117). Experienced birders lead a walk of 1-1.5 hours in Chisholm Park and on Sand Creek Trail.
· Sat., Dec. 7: Five Places of Christmas, featuring Kauffman Museum and the Bethel College Women’s Association at Goerz House, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Other locations are Carriage Factory Gallery, Harvey County Historical Museum and Warkentin House, all in Newton.
– Sun., Dec. 8: David Janzen will read from and sign his book, Once Upon a Time There Was a Three-Year-Old Grandpa, 3 p.m. at Kauffman Museum. Janzen is a long-time member of Reba Place Fellowship in Evanston, Ill., and the book is a memoir-like collection of stories and anecdotes. Copies will be available in the museum store.
– Sun., Dec. 8: 39th annual Lighting of the Green, 8 p.m. on the Bethel College campus
All bakers and craft makers are invited to make items for 5 Places of Christmas which will be Sat., Dec. 7, from 10 a.m.—3 p.m. at Goerz House, Bethel College. Bethel College Women’s Association will again be selling baked goods, candy, craft items and poinsettias. Your homemade cookies, zwiebach, cinnamon rolls, peppernuts and poppyseed rolls are always great sellers. This year we are especially asking for homemade candies such as fudge, peanut clusters, peanut butter balls and peanut brittle as well as other non-chocolate candies. We are also looking for Christmas craft items to sell. Please bring your items to Goerz House on Friday, December 6, from 2-5 p.m. or on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 9:30-10 a.m. Thank you for your support of Bethel College.
Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Announcements
· MCC Open House, Tues., Dec. 3 from 2 p.m.—4 p.m. All are welcome to come see the updated space at MCC Central States, 121 E. 30th St, North Newton, mcc.org/open-house. Bring your Christmas shopping list to get your alternative Christmas gifts purchased from our tree. Visit with MCC staff, get a tour while you enjoy some snacks. We can’t wait to see you at the Open House!
· Giving Tuesday at MCC, Tues., Dec. 3 from 6:30 p.m.—8 p.m. This annual all-ages event is focused on service and fellowship and will kick off your holiday season! Please bring new dark colored hand towels with you – the more you bring, the more hygiene kits we can pack! There will be Christmas cards to write in and comforters to tie AND snacks to enjoy. What a great way to give back on Giving Tuesday! mcc.org/giving-Tuesday
· Yule love this! Join us for a live, online event Dec. 3, 11 a.m. CST as we take you behind the scenes of MCC’s Christmas Giving Guide. Discover the impact behind each gift and how your generosity makes a difference. Learn more and register to join this event at mcc.org/yule-love-this.
Newton Community for Racial Justice will hold its annual anti-racism training Feb. 13-15, 2025. This is a date change from previous years. Training will be held at the Newton Recreation Center from Thurs. evening, Feb. 13 through Sat. afternoon, Feb. 15. Early Bird registration (until Jan. 3): $300 per participant. Regular registration (after Jan. 3): $350 per participant. Some scholarships are available. Registration link and more details to come.
THANK YOU to the congregation for the tremendous support at the recent Habitat for Humanity pork chop dinner fundraiser. It was a great success thanks in no small part to your generosity. If you weren’t able to join us for pork chops but would still like to support Harvey County Habitat for Humanity, donations can be mailed to: PO Box 1015, Newton, KS 67114.
Kidron Bethel Village will host its annual Holiday Market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sat., Dec. 7, at Kidron Hall, 3001 Ivy Dr., North Newton. The event features local artisans selling handmade items, gifts and baked goods. Proceeds benefit the Kidron Bethel Village Health Care Benevolent Fund, which assists residents who, due to unforeseen circumstances, are unable to cover the full costs of their care.
The Newton Treble Clef Annual Vespers is Sunday, Dec. 1,, 3 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 900 Columbus, Newton. Prelude begins at 2:45 p.m. with Connie Rickard, saxophone. Program includes: Treble Clef Chorus, Prairie Bronze Handbell Ensemble, and the Schrag Siblings. A freewill offering will be taken for the scholarship fund that is awarded to high school seniors who are pursuing a music major. Be our guest and begin your Christmas season.
Announcement for Volunteers at EtCetera Shop: Mon., Dec. 2, from 7-9 p.m. EtCetera is hosting an evening just for YOU, their WONDERFUL volunteers! The store will be open just for volunteers to shop at 50% off the entire store. Snacks and drinks will be available for your leisure! Be sure to use the back door.
Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements.
For Western District Conference Giving Tuesday link press here
For Mennonite World Conference “Info” press here
For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here
Mennonite Church USA Announcements
Mennonite Church USA’s Climate Justice Ministry has awarded the 2024 Pam De Young Net Zero Energy Fund grants to four congregations: Covenant Mennonite Fellowship, Sarasota, Florida; Roanoke Mennonite Church, Eureka, Illinois; Zion Mennonite Church, Hubbard, Oregon, and Zion Mennonite Church, Souderton, Pennsylvania. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/net-zero-grant-awarded
Join MC USA’s Climate Justice Coordinator Karla Stoltzfus Detweiler in imagining a sustainable future for ourselves, our children, and our planet by participating in an online book study of the compelling and timely book, “So We and Our Children May Live” by Sarah Augustine and Sheri Hostetler. Drawing from Scripture, science, Indigenous wisdom, and personal stories, the authors invite us to open our hearts and our culture to deep, Spirit-led transformation. Register here: mennoniteusa.org/climate-justice-book-study
You are invited to participate in Follow Jesus 25 by submitting ideas for seminars. The submission deadline is December 6, 2024. MC USA is seeking a good mix of seminars, oriented to youth or adult audiences. Submit your ideas here: mennoniteusa.org/follow-jesus-25-seminar-proposal
Join the Global Anabaptist Bible Read-a-thon! This is your opportunity to take part in a once-every-500-year moment of unity and faith! MennoMedia’s Anabaptism at 500 is collaborating with Mennonite World Conference in this extraordinary event as 500 voices will join together to read through the entire Bible – from Genesis to Revelation – in multiple languages. Register here: mennoniteusa.org/global-anabaptist-bible-read-a-thon
Menno Snapshots
Olivia Krall, archives coordinator for MC USA, writes about the MC USA Archives’ Community Peacemakers Team collection and a new donation of archival materials from a CPT alumnus that tells the story of the 1997 “Rebuilders Against Bulldozers” campaign in Hebron. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/archives-cpt
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Today, Mennonite Mission Network’s Anchorage (Alaska) Service Adventure unit is participating in a community performance of Handel’s Messiah. Pray for leader Samir Knego and participants Samuel Landis, Briana Nyveldt, Armando Perez and Aviva Setiawan as they worship and share the good news of Jesus’ birth, ministry and salvation offered to all people.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Pray for pastors, musicians, artists, teachers and worship leaders in WDC congregations, as they shape worship and other special activities during the special seasons of Advent and Christmas.
Bethel College Mennonite Church is an open and affirming congregation
centered in the life and teachings of Jesus. Embracing the divine within each person, we warmly welcome any and all into fellowship without regard to race, ethnic background, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, economic status, marital status, or age.