View this email in your browser November 20, 2022Based on CDC Guidelines Harvey County is in green status indicating low risk for COVID. You are invited to choose whether you wear a mask or social distance. Both are optional.To livestream the worship service: On Sunday morning, around 9:20, 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 belows 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’s worship service: https://youtu.be/UBHFNUCm4A8 BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH November 20, 2022 All Abilities Belong in the Kin-dom of God Prelude—The Thanksgiving Suite (Callahan)—Verlene Garber, organ Christ Candle Lighting Welcome and Prayer—Todd Schlosser *Hymn— We Praise You, O God, Our Redeemer—VT 34 Children’s Conversation—Barb Koontz Anthem—Hark the Glad Sound—Chancel Choir Scripture Reading—2 Samuel 4:4, 9:1-13—Todd Schlosser Luke 5:17-26—Emma Gering Matthew 11:1-6 Metta Lieb Sermon—The Accessible Kin-dom—Elizabeth Schmidt *Hymn— Summoned by the God Who Made Us—VT 1—(Verses 3 & 5 in unison) Prayers of God’s People Litany of Release and Blessing for Todd Schlosser—See Insert—Ada Schmidt-Tieszen, Nathan Koontz *Hymn—The Lord Lift You Up (3 times)—VT 832 *Benediction—Todd Schlosser Postlude—Nettleton (Steffen)—Verlene Garber * You are invited to stand VT = Voices Together Audio visual— Ken Lamp Pastors—Nathan Koontz, Todd Schlosser Litany of Release and Blessing for Todd Schlosser Church Board Chair: As sisters and brothers in this faith community, today we give thanks for your interim ministry among us, Todd. We say farewell to you and we ask God to bless the journey ahead – yours and this congregation’s work to move forward. Congregation: All praise be to our God. In God there is one Body, one Spirit. There is one hope in God’s call to us all. Todd: We have shared much significant ministry together in the time I have been your Interim Pastor. Church Board Chair: Because of this, the goodbyes are hard. Be assured we are grateful for all that we’ve accomplished together. We thank God for you and your vital Interim Ministry among us. Todd: I leave with cherished memories, as well as gratitude. You took a chance on me, when I had been out of pastoral ministry for several years. Thank you for your trust in me. Nathan: God has blessed us richly through your ministry. I will personally miss you as a ministry partner. We now bless you as you begin a new chapter in your life and ministry journey. Church Board Chair: Do we now release Todd as our Interim Pastor? Congregation: With the help of God, we do. We give thanks for Todd’s faithful leadership and now acknowledge this transition in the life of our congregation. We will pray for God’s continued guidance in his life. Church Board Chair: Todd, do you release us from our loyalty to you as our Interim Pastor? Do you release the members from turning to you and depending on you to provide the pastoral ministries they seek? Todd: With the help of God, I do. When we meet in the future, we will be brothers and sisters in Christ, not Interim Pastor and church members. I will hold the congregation and its ministries in my prayers. Church Board Chair: Todd, may God bless and guide you on the next steps of your journey. May you ultimately form new, caring relationships in a new and beloved faith community. May God bless you and guide you in your next ministry. May God bless and guide this congregation into a hopeful future as it continues kingdom work and seeks new leadership. May God bless and guide each of us in the new relationship that we now will share. Amen.Welcome Elizabeth Schmidt and the Accessibility Resolution We are glad to have Elizabeth Schmidt preaching this Sunday and introducing the MCUSA Accessibility Resolution. This resolution passed unanimously in May of 2022 at the Special Delegate Assembly and gives specific suggestions on how MCUSA communities can grow in grace, joy and peace without barriers that prevent individuals with disabilities from participating in church life. Elizabeth has a passion for promoting accessibility and affirmation of all people of all abilities. Elizabeth recently stepped down from being Executive Director of Harvey-Marion County Community Developmental Disability Organization (CDDO) and currently serves as a part-time Quality Assurance Specialist for the organization. We are glad she can share with us this Sunday! Stewardship Week A reminder that today we need to be wrapping up the bcmcXpress Stewardship Campaign for 2022. Be assured that your pledge of support will ‘OPEN DOORS’ Remember the challenges and needs are great. Mother Teresa said “Give, but give until it hurts.” Remember Mark 12:44 and the story of the poor widow giving her last cent. If you have not yet pledged, please do so. No amount is too small or too large. If you have returned your pledge, Thank you very very much! The Finance CommitteeThanks and Farewell for Pastor Todd: We have greatly appreciated Pastor Todd Schlosser for his strong and collaborative leadership, wise counsel, optimistic and calm steadiness during transition, and the warm relationships he has built during his time as our interim pastor. He will be missed, but we wish him well as he moves down the road to Tabor Mennonite Church. There will also be an extended coffee time with refreshments in the Gathering Place with a basket for cards or notes. Thank you so much, Todd! A note to all of you! As we begin this week of Thanksgiving and as we part ways, it is appropriate for me to voice my gratitude and appreciation for the time we have spent together. BCMC is a wonderful place with dear people and a future full of potential. Please know, these last many months as your interim pastor have been a life-giving blessing to me. Thank you! As you continue your journey of faith together, may God’s presence rest gently among you and may the Holy Spirit stir within and guide you as you continue to engage the calling of being followers of Jesus. Until we meet again… This Week at BCMC: November 20—November 27, 2022Sunday, November 20 9:30 am Worship with sermon by Elizabeth Schmidt; music by Chancel Choir; this is Pastor Todd Schlosser’s last Sunday at BCMC, there will be a cookie reception in the Gathering Place after the worship service 11 am Faith Formation—Intergenerational class of pre-school through high school meets in Fellowship Hall — Adult Classes: Agape Class (Nursery); Bible Study (Rm 14); Catacombs (Rm B5); Fellowship (B7); Fine Arts (Rm 22); Issues and Christianity (Rm 23); Mosaic (Rm 20); Open Circle (Room 21); Seekers (Rm 28); Sojourners (Chapel) YouTube link for today’s service: https://youtu.be/UBHFNUCm4A8 Mon.-Tues., Nov. 21- 22—Community Playschool is not in session this week. Wed., Nov. 23—No Choir practice or other events this week Thurs., Nov. 24—Thanksgiving Day Church will be locked and office closed Fri., Nov. 25—Office will be closed today Sun., Nov. 27—First Sunday of Advent 9:30 am Worship with sermon by Jim Robb; November birthday recognition; communion will be served; Advent prelude by Rebecca Schloneger 10:30 am Faith Formation “Restoration is Near!” is the theme of the Advent at Home 2022 worship guide which can be found at the Mennonite Church USA (MC USA) website: https://mennoniteusa.org/adventathome. Using the theme developed for Leader magazine, the guide offers weekly and daily Scriptures from the lectionary texts, worship rituals, prayers, activities, and background information to help individuals and households of all ages prepare for Advent through Epiphany. If you prefer printed copies of the worship guide, these are located on the ledge between the mailboxes in the Gathering Place. It will soon be time to share a poinsettia for the sanctuary during the Christmas season. Look for an announcement in next week’s emails and bulletin. Children and Youth Ornaments, November 27! During worship on the first Sunday of Advent, November 27, we will be inviting each child and youth in our congregation to put a custom ornament with their name engraved, onto the Christmas tree in the front of the sanctuary. Please encourage children and youth and their caregivers to come on this Sunday to participate in this special event! All Mentors/Mentees are invited to a Newton Salvation Army Food Pantry food drive on Nov. 20, 2-4 p.m. Meet at Frank and Kathy Stucky’s house at 721 Bobtail Court. If possible, bring a wagon. We will be collecting nonperishable items from the Sand Creek Station neighborhoods.Bethel College Announcements Mon., Nov. 21 – Bethel College Wind Ensemble concert, directed by Joel Boettger, 7 p.m., featuring works by Bernstein, Vaughn Williams, Sweeney, Sparke and Ticheli, Krehbiel Auditorium, Luyken Fine Arts Center Sat., Dec. 3 – Five Places of Christmas, the annual holiday open house, includes Kauffman Museum and Goerz House on the Bethel College campus, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. No charge for admission. The Bethel College Women’s Association (BCWA) is the host at Goerz House, where there will be baked goods, candy by the pound and other items for sale. Kauffman Museum features Ten Thousand Villages and many other gift items in the museum store, a Weave Your Own Ornament activity, the special exhibition “Reeds and Wool: Patterned Screens of Central Asia” and the permanent exhibits indoors and out. (Other Five Places of Christmas locations: Warkentin House, Harvey County Historical Museum and Carriage Factory Gallery, all in Newton.) All bakers and craft makers are invited to make items for 5 Places of Christmas on Saturday, December 3 at Goerz House, Bethel College, Bethel College Women’s Association will again be selling baked goods, candy, craft items and poinsettias. Christmas candy, cookies, zwieback, peppernuts, poppyseed rolls and cinnamon rolls are always great sellers. Please bring your items on Friday, December 2 from 1:30-4:30pm or Saturday, December 3, from 8:30-10:00am to Goerz House. Thank you for your support of Bethel College.Invitation to support our sister church: Iglesia Menonita Casa Betania in Newton plans to welcome a Mennonite pastoral couple from Mexico to provide transitional ministry beginning Jan. 2023, for up to 6-12 months. Casa Betania is working with Western District Conference to seek affordable lodging and transportation for the pastoral couple, and to invite financial contributions to help cover expenses during this time. If you know of a small, low-cost apartment (e.g. one that is part of someone’s home) or a car available for loan, please contact WDC at 316-283-6300 or wdc@mennowdc.org. Financial contributions may be sent to Iglesia Menonita Casa Betania, Box 102, Newton, KS, 67114. Thank you for sharing in support for this Anabaptist ministry among Spanish-speaking members of our community!The Newton Treble Clef Annual Vespers will be Sun., Dec. 4, 3 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 900 Columbus, Newton. The prelude will begin at 2:45 with Vada Snider, flute; and Karen Loucks, piano. Program includes the prelude; Treble Clef Chorus; Hearts 4 Him–Men’s Ensemble; Josue Coy Dick, violin solo; Prairie Bronze Handbell Ensemble. A freewill offering will be taken for the scholarship fund that will be awarded to high school seniors pursuing a music major. Mennonite Central Committee Announcements · Mennonite Central Committee Buckets of Thanks – This Thanksgiving season, show your gratitude and provide hope to those in need by collecting relief supplies for MCC. The supplies you donate will fill a Bucket of Thanks (aka an MCC relief kit) for people affected by conflict or disaster around the world. For more information, including supply lists and a ready-to-use curriculum for children, visit: mccbuckets.org. · MCC Material Resources Center in North Newton critically low on inventory: Supplies for MCC kits are so low that kits cannot be processed for shipping. You can help by helping to fill the following needs: New infant onesies and sleepers (3-12 month sizes); shampoo (20 oz or more), thin sanitary pads (28 count minimum) and dark colored bath and hand towels. Buy online and ship it to MCC or bring item to MCC in North Newton (121 E. 30th St, North Newton, KS 67117). Questions are always welcome, contact katemast@mcc.org or 316.283.2720. A full list of MCC kit contents can be found at mcc.org/kits. · MCC is seeking a Constituency Engagement Manager: This new role is designed to help the MCC’s in the U.S. plan and implement a cohesive engagement strategy for specific priority audiences including alumni, churches, congregations of color, plain communities and young adults. With a focus on convening and strategizing, this person will be part of the Communications and Donor Relations network and will work in close collaboration with other departments and regional MCC’s. This full-time position will preferably be located in Akron, Pa., but location is flexible within any MCC office in the U.S. Apply online by Nov. 18 at mcc.org/constituency-engagement-manager. For more information contact Amber Falcón at 574-534-4133 or AmberFalcon@mcc.org. Everence and MCC to host hygiene kit-making event on Nov. 29 You can help make the world a better place by joining Everence® and MCC to assemble hygiene kits on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 6:30-8:30 p.m. The kits will be distributed through worldwide relief organizations to places like crowded refugee camps where unclean conditions can lead to the spread of serious diseases. The event will take place at Hesston Mennonite Church Community Center. You can also help by donating supplies to MCC or your Everence office in North Newton or by making a financial contribution to MCC. For more details, contact MCC at 316-283-2720 or Everence at 316-283-3800. Dear Bethel College Mennonite,When Charles Baraka and his family arrived in Madison, Wisconsin, in December 2018, they weren’t sure what their future would hold. “From the refugee camp to the USA is something that makes everyone very happy because it’s like from death to life.”The realities of resettlement in the United States, however, were very difficult to navigate. Step by step, Baraka and his family overcame obstacle after obstacle as they adjusted to a new culture, endured Wisconsin winters and formed new relationships. Within a few months, Baraka and his wife, Gilbertine, began finding ways to help other newly arrived refugees adapt to the U.S. Over the past four years, they have developed a community of welcomers to assure newly arrived refugees that they are not alone in Madison.Join us for this month’s Newcomer Hospitality Network virtual meetup to hear more about Baraka’s journey and his advice for those engaged in welcoming work.What is the Newcomer Hospitality Network?The Newcomer Hospitality Network is a virtual meetup space for those welcoming newcomers to connect with one another in a small group setting, Participants can share their experiences and discuss topics relevant to welcoming refugees and asylum seekers in their communities.When?To accommodate welcomers with different work schedules, we offer the same meeting twice – once in the morning and once in the evening:Register for Tuesday, November 29 from 10:30 – 11:45 AM ESTRegister for Tuesday, November 29 from 7:30 – 8:45 PM ESTIf you’d like to join us, register for the day and time that works best for you!Peace,Charity Stowell Newcomer Connections Coordinator MCC U.S. National Peace & Justice MinistriesWestern District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements. For Anabaptist Disabilities Network press here For Mennonite Disaster Service On the Level click here For Mennonite Mission Network News and Beyond click here Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp AnnouncementsJr. High (Jan. 20-22) and Sr. High (Feb. 17-19) Snow Camps are coming again in 2023! – The time has come to enjoy the beauty and chill of RMMC in the winter once again. Come play in the snow and on the ice and then be ready to come inside for good food, fellowship and worship together. For Jr. High, Brett Klingenberg (KS farmer/rancher/pastor) will provide the input for the weekend and Eli Regier will lead music. For Sr. High, Luke Unruh (First Mennonite Church Newton, KS) will be sharing and Rachel Miller will be leading our worship music. Visit the camp web page (www.rmmc.org) for additional snow camp details and to register that you’re headed to the Colorado Rockies to start the new year!Young Adult Snow Camp (Feb. 17-19) is again sharing the weekend of activities, worship and meals with Sr. High Snow Camp participants. Last year, participants with Service Adventure units along with college students, joined in to volunteer and help facilitate and participate in the retreat. Visit the camp web page (www.rmmc.org) for additional information.Scrapbook Retreat, Jan. 27-29 is your opportunity to create paper or digital photo books and share ideas and good conversation with other scrapbook participants. Lisa Longacher will return as our program resource for the retreat and help facilitate a variety of activities. Please come for retreat and community in God’s creation here at Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp. Register online (www.rmmc.org) and save a space to join in. Mennonite Church USA Announcements #MennoCon23 MennoCon23, Mennonite Church USA’s largest faith formation gathering, will be held July 3-8, 2023, in Kansas City, Missouri. There will be programming for all ages, including a one-day Climate Summit for youth and young adults. See the tentative block schedule here: mennoniteusa.org/dates-location-mennocon23 Menno Snapshots In this blog, Glen Guyton, executive director of Mennonite Church USA, speaks out against the tokenization of immigrants and people of color. “Over and over in our system, those in the dominant culture have used immigrants and other people of color as political pawns to justify their bias, insecurity and phobias.” Read his reflection here: mennoniteusa.org/tokenizing Artist Mandy Martin of Salford (Pennsylvania) Mennonite Church created “Justice Grows in the Garden” for Salford 2022 Gardening for Peace event, featuring RAWtools, a ministry partner of Mennonite Church USA. See Mandy’s art and video here: mennoniteusa.org/justice-grows-garden Learn, Pray, Join: Mass Incarceration Casa Alterna, is a ministry of hospitality that serves asylum seekers who have recently arrived in the U.S. It’s co-founder, Anton Flores-Maisonet, reflects on the story of one of the asylum seekers that he had the privilege of welcoming to his house. His story is part of Mennonite Church USA’s Learn, Pray, Join: Mass Incarceration” initiative. Read it here: mennoniteusa.org/b-attitude Stay in the know about what’s happening in Mennonite Church USA (MC USA) by subscribing to PeaceMail, MC USA’s official news source. Subscribe to the weekly newsletter here: mennoniteusa.org/peacemail Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Alfonsina and José Oyanguren, who are serving through Mennonite Mission Network, have lived among Indigenous communities in Argentina’s Chaco region since 2004. Pray for them as they promote Indigenous culture and languages through Bible-study materials and educational opportunities, among other ministries of presence. Western District Conference Prayer Request: In this Thanksgiving week, offer a prayer of gratitude for members of WDC congregations and communities who care for the land, grow and harvest food, prepare meals, and share generously with a hungry world. |
Bethel College Mennonite Church
A congregation of Mennonite Church USA in North Newton, Kansas
