December 22, 2024 Worship Service & Announcements - Bethel College Mennonite Church

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
DECEMBER 22, 2024 — FOURTH 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/HP6Jtv8dOLI?feature=share

BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
December 22, 2024
Fourth Sunday of Advent

Prelude Music—The First Noel–Abby and Caleb Koontz
The Avalanche–Emerson Gering
O Little Town of Bethlehem, White Christmas, Somewhere in My Memory– Lincoln Kohlman, saxophone
Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy–Olivia and Verlene Garber
We Three Kings–Miles Brubacher

Advent Candle Lighting—Dick and Barb Koontz and grandchildren

Scripture Reading—Luke 1:30-35
    Litany:
We gather in holy space to hear holy words:
Do not be afraid.

We gather in holy time to hear a holy promise:
Mary’s son will reign forever.

We gather in this holy moment to sense the holy in our midst:
Let the Holy Spirit come upon us.
Let the power of the Most High overshadow us.

Let us worship the Holy One with anticipation and joy

Lighting the candle of Power

Welcome & Prayer—Joanna Harader

*Hymn—Joy to the World—VT 240

Worship Music—Der Friedenfurst (CE Leslie)
Chancel Choir; Joel Garber, director; Will Wiebe-Friesen, accompanist

Prayers of God’s People—Joanna Harader

*Hymn–There is a Line of Women—VT 546

Intergenerational Story-Telling
Scene 1–Mary’s Home
*Hymn—To Us a Child of Hope Is Born—VT 259

Scene 2–Elizabeth’s Home
Hymn—Magnificat— VT 97–Lucy Burch, flute
Remain seated. Children will sing through once.
Congregation joins on Canon I in a round as directed.

Scene 3–Shepherd’s Camp
Hymn—Angels We Have Heard on High—VT 249
Handbells: Faith Burch, Olivia Garber, Ethan Garber, Lincoln Kohlman,
Brett Gaeddert and Miles Brubacher

Scene 4
Hymn—Solemn Stillness, Weary Street—VT 276
Bethany Schrag, Suzanne Burch, John Mark Koontz, Simon Koontz
(The congregation is invited to join on the chorus after verses 2 & 3)

Litany Benediction
Congregational response: “We are wonders, blessed wonders.”

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—Ben Lichti

Sunday’s anthem, “Der Friedensfürst,” is a favorite of many German-speaking Mennonite congregations, particularly those in Latin America and Canada. It was composed by an American in English (“The Prince of Peace”) and subsequently translated into German in the 1890’s. It was written in the popular style of the day and is dearly loved by those who grew up with it. The paraphrased text contains these words: Listen, the angel choirs are singing, to you oh mighty Prince of Peace! To us a child is born today, and his glory fills the wide world. And he is called wonderful, the Prince of peace. Glory to God in the highest, and peace—God’s peace—on earth. Sing Hosanna! Amen.

Thank you to all the participants in the Story-Telling!
Maisie Brubacher, Miles Brubacher, Faith Burch, Lucy Burch, Suzanne Burch, Payne Claassen, El-jah Coffer, Brett Gaeddert, Collin Gaeddert, Ethan Garber, Olivia Garber, Emma Gering, Emerson Gering, Adah Hodge, Tim Hodge,
Brad Kohlman, Lawrence Kohlman, Lincoln Kohlman, Ani Koontz, John Koontz, Naomi Koontz, Simon Koontz, Marlin Lichti, Kevin Neufeld, Adam Oswald,
Mara Oswald, Adam Robb, Gabby Robb, Jake Robb, Florence Schloneger,
Lily Schloneger, Dale Schrag, Bethany Schrag, Tim Schrag, Jeanette Stucky,
Steve Stucky, Addie Zerger

Thanks to others assisting: Verlene Garber, Deb Gering, Mary Ellen Hodge,
Jill Robb.

And a special thank you to Judy Harder, our producer and director!!

The Week at BCMC: December 22—29, 2024
Sunday, December 22, 2024—Advent 4
9:15 a.m. Prelude     9:30 a.m. Worship
10:30 a.m. Faith Formation
YouTube Link for the worship service this Sunday:
https://youtube.com/live/HP6Jtv8dOLI?feature=share

Activity bags are available for our littles during the church service! The 10 bags are filled with a coloring book/page, crayons, and a library book. After using the activity bag, please make sure all the supplies are in the bag and hang on the hook at the back of the sanctuary. Library books will be switched out on a monthly basis.   Jill, Faith Formation Coordinator

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2024—CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES
4:30 p.m.    Christmas Eve Community Worship in the Sanctuary
11 p.m.       Lessons and Carols Worship in the Sanctuary

Wednesday, December 25, 2024—Merry Christmas!
Sunday, December 29, 2024—Christmas Sunday
10 a.m. Worship (note the later beginning time for the worship service)—No Sunday school—Please bring Christmas goodies or snacks to share after the worship service!

The Church office and building will be closed on Christmas Day. The church office and building will also be closed December 26, 27, 30, and 31.

BCMC Offering for Dec. 15: Gen. Fund $23,735.46; Gen. Fund 2025 $10,000; Caring Fund $225; Library Reserve Fund $17; Kitchen Fund $17.

The following is a BCMC financial report of the general fund income and expenses on November 30, 2024 (91.7% of the year).
Total income $427,969 80% of budget
Total expense $454,305 85% of budget
Net income -$26,336          From BCMC Finance Committee

Join Fine Arts Class in the Chapel for Advent sessions following Pastor Joanna’s book, Expecting Emmanuel.

Service of Remembrance
As we are in the holiday season that brings joy with the promise of new life and love birthed into our world, there is also grief as we miss those who have passed from this world in 2024. In order to recognize and mourn the loss of our loved ones from 2024, Bethel College Mennonite Church is hosting a Service of Remembrance on January 5, 2025 at 4 p.m., in the BCMC sanctuary.

There will be a congregational meeting on Sun., Jan. 26, during the Sunday School hour in the sanctuary. The meeting will be available through streaming options. An agenda will be available in the near future. The following items will be included on the agenda: The Church Board recommends the approval of Melanie Mueller to the Witness Commission and approval of the 2025 BCMC Budget.

The Witness Commission has donated money from the excess funds we were given to use for projects beyond our walls to Max Ediger’s School for Peace in Myanmar. Max joined our church several years ago and was instrumental in the foundation of this school.

The current Library Theme is Advent/Christmas. Come on in and find ideas for Christmas activities, devotions, even fiction books set around the holidays. And, if you’re looking for a unique Christmas gift, our committee always has a Wish List. Why not consider giving a book in their honor/memory or purchase one of our puzzles for a suggested donation of $5? As always, Happy Reading/Puzzling!

Night in the Barn December 22: All are welcome to come and experience the wonder of the Christmas story through its characters, animals, lights, and sounds in an interactive walking tour and live nativity. Come and go from 5-7 p.m. Sun., Dec. 22 at PatchWork Farms (373 E. 70th, Newton). Call 620-345-6867 for more information.

New Bluestem U lifelong learning courses for winter and spring 2025 are now open for registration. Courses are available for individuals age 55 and better. This semester’s offerings include STEAM, theatre, astronomy, bird watching and a free author’s series. See more information and registration at bluestemu.org. Bluestem U is a lifelong learning program of Bluestem Communities in partnership with Bethel College and Hesston College.

Kauffman Museum invites you to visit during the holidays. The museum is closed Mondays, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day; open 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve; open regular hours Thurs.-Sun. (9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays, 1:30-4:30 p.m. weekends). The current special exhibit is “Unlocking the Past: Immigrant Artifacts and the Stories They Tell.” Permanent exhibits “Of Land and People,” “Mirror of the Martyrs” and “Mennonite Immigrant Furniture.” The museum store is also open during those hours, with books, games, art and other gift items (including from Ten Thousand Villages) for sale; see https://www.kauffmanmuseum.org/museum-store

Music On Site presents Amahl and the Night Visitors, a classic Christmas opera, performed live with singers from around the country. This is a story of a young boy who gives everything to the promised Child. Free admission, ticket required.
Sun., Dec. 22, 2 p.m. Westwood Presbyterian Church, 8007 W Maple St., Wichita
See the church bulletin board for ticket information. Or go to: https://www.musiconsite.org/2024-season (Music On Site, Inc. is a Kansas-based 501(c)(3) music production company that works to close opera’s opportunity gap across socioeconomic divisions by cultivating opera education and appreciation in K-12 students in rural communities, and advancing and promoting the careers of those pursuing a career in opera.)

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. REGISTER HERE: https://forms.gle/pXViB4fzH8y3u7WM7
Payment can be made online: https://www.convergepay.com/hosted-payments?ssl_txn_auth_token=%2Bd%2Fr1xrRRCaZybUyv2z%2FeAAAAZON0fyjV

Hesston College Music Department will host a program called Anabaptism at Five Hundred: Hymn Festival Sun., Jan. 19, 2025, 3 p.m., at Hesston Mennonite Church. The Hymn Festival coincides with the 500th anniversary of the first Anabaptist adult baptisms in Zurich, Switzerland in 1525. This event will also celebrate the release of the Anabaptist Community Bible. The public is invited to this community wide celebration that involves singers from surrounding churches, as well as audience participation in the singing of hymns, led by Russell Adrian and Karen Unruh. The core of the program will be historical narrative by Ken Rodgers tracing important hymns and texts throughout the past five centuries.

Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements.
For Mennonite Disaster Service “On the Level” press here
Merry Christmas greeting from Mennonite Mission Network press here
For Mennonite World Conference “Info” press here

Prairie View’s 71st Anniversary

Buy Tickets Here!

Camp Mennoscah Announcements

There has been a change in age groups for the camps. There are two Junior Camps for those going into grades 6, 7and 8 in the fall of 2025. There is one Junior High Camp for grades 8 and 9. Other age groups remain the same. Registration will open in February 2025. The theme for the 2025 summer is Another Way, looking at how Jesus invites us to re-imagine who we are and to live in another way.

Other events and happenings:

We are overwhelmed with the support given at the Verenike Casserole meal this past Saturday! Thank you to everyone who attended and gave so generously, the people who helped with preparations and planning, and those who were unable to attend but held Camp Mennoscah in their thoughts and prayers!
If you missed the first camper story from the summer staff this past summer, you can find it on the Camp Mennoscah website. These stories tell of the faith formation and relationship building–and fun!–that happens. Keep your eyes out for the next story! (Feeling led to give a gift or volunteer? Give online or contact olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org for assistance.)
Not-here-for-Christmas hoodies! Camp Mennoscah will be selling hoodies available early 2025 by order only. An online order form will be available soon.
Still projects left to do 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.)

Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp Announcements

Volunteers needed at Rocky Mountain! Camp needs your help to assist with Foodservice/Housekeeping for our upcoming Jr and Sr High Snow Camps, January 24-26 and February 14-16. Please visit the camp website at rmmc.org and follow the link to the volunteer information and sign up to join us.

Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp is host to Colorado Roots Music Camp I (June 1-7, 2025) and Camp II (August 10-16, 2025). We are happy to announce the instructors and classes for the 2025 camps have been selected and are listed on the website. Our instructors are some of the top players in the nation, but they were chosen because they’re known by peers and students as great instructors for all levels. For more information and registration, visit the camp website at rmmc.org

From the Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale
In the busyness of the next few days as we prepare for all our Christmas celebrations, let’s remember the Christmas season is a time to celebrate love, joy, and generosity by honoring the birth of Jesus Christ. It symbolizes the light that comes into the world amidst darkness because of the birth of a tiny, special baby, God’s Son. As we celebrate, let’s also remember those that are struggling due to loss of loved one, health, and other personal matters. May we all find peace as Jesus came for all of us!

Merry Christmas, my friends! May your celebrations be joyous!
For the KMRS Christmas Letter from Jim Robb press here

Camp Mennoscah Announcements
There has been a change in age groups for the camps. There are two Junior Camps for those going into grades 6, 7and 8 in the fall of 2025. There is one Junior High Camp for grades 8 and 9. Other age groups remain the same. Registration will open in February 2025. The theme for the 2025 summer is Another Way, looking at how Jesus invites us to re-imagine who we are and to live in another way.

Other events and happenings:

We are overwhelmed with the support given at the Verenike Casserole meal this past Saturday! Thank you to everyone who attended and gave so generously, the people who helped with preparations and planning, and those who were unable to attend but held Camp Mennoscah in their thoughts and prayers!
If you missed the first camper story from the summer staff this past summer, you can find it on the Camp Mennoscah website. These stories tell of the faith formation and relationship building–and fun!–that happens. Keep your eyes out for the next story! (Feeling led to give a gift or volunteer? Give online or contact olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org for assistance.)
Not-here-for-Christmas hoodies! Camp Mennoscah will be selling hoodies available early 2025 by order only. An online order form will be available soon.
Still projects left to do 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.)

From the Mennonite Mission Network

Greetings from Mennonite Mission Network,There are openings still available for our Just Peace Pilgrimage trips this spring and registration deadlines are approaching. Please consider using this in your bulletins.Blessings to you all this holiday season!

Mennonite Mission Network invites you to join a Just Peace Pilgrimage this spring. Embark on one of these life-changing learning experiences:United States Civil Rights Pilgrimage — Explore the history, significance, and ongoing implications of the civil rights movement in the United States.Unique opportunity: Young adults are invited to join Glen Guyton, MC USA executive director, for an enlightening journey. To foster dialog and understanding you are invited to join this pilgrimage with a partner of a different race. Christ at the Borders(Calais, France) — Thousands of people migrate to Calais in hopes of crossing the English Channel and entering the United Kingdom to find a better life. Meet those walking alongside the vulnerable who search for a peaceful home and the travelers themselves.Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples(Yakima, Washington) — Led by Sarah Augustine. Become better acquainted with Indigenous Peoples, their connection to the land upon which we live, and the consequences of settler colonial history.For more information and to sign up, visit MennoniteMission.net/JustPeace
or contact Stephanie Weaver at StephanieW@MennoniteMission.net.

For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here

Mennonite Church USA Announcements
Subscribe to PeaceMail to receive MC USA’s blogs, news and resources in one weekly email. Subscribe to PeaceMail here: mennoniteusa.org/peacemail

Menno Snapshots

A few weeks ago, Matt Pritchard, associate conference minister of emerging communities for MC USA’s Central District Conference, read “A Confession of Evangelical Conviction,” a non-partisan statement endorsed by more than 300 evangelical pastors, leaders and organizations. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/polarized-times

Olivia Krall, archives coordinator for the MC USA Archives, provides helpful archival tips for those interested in preserving their family history. Learn more here: mennoniteusa.org/archival-tips

Pastor Katerina Gea, a member of MC USA’s Women in Leadership Steering Committee, shares about the Community Care and Trauma Healing gatherings her church has been hosting to support Palestinian solidarity. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/healing-and-community-care

Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: As we enter the week of Christmas and remember Jesus’ birth, millennia ago, in a land crushed by oppression, join Mennonite Mission Network in looking for the surprising ways that the Prince of Peace is being born in our own fractured communities today. Let us continue to pray and act in ways that build peace.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Give thanks for all WDC congregations as they celebrate the birth of Jesus and share the good news of God’s will for peace on earth.

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.