BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR SUNDAY,
November 24, 2024–Thanksgiving Sunday
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 9:20 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/qptQnR9NMDc?feature=share
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
November 24, 2024
Thanksgiving
Christ Candle Lighting
Centering Music—Morning Has Broken [VT 495] (arr. R. Lau)—Will Wiebe-Friesen
Welcome & Prayer—VT 864—Megan Kohlman, Addison Zerger
*Hymn—Come Away from Rush and Hurry— VT 9
Children’s Conversation—George Leary & BCMC Youth Group
Worship Music—Cum Sancto Spiritu (Antonio Vivaldi)
Chancel Choir; Joel Garber, director; Will Wiebe-Friesen, accompanist Chancel Choir
Scripture Reading— Joel 2:21-27; Matthew 6:25-33—Lee Suderman
*Hymn—Sometimes a Light Surprises— VT 618—Rebecca Schloneger, violin
Sermon—Thanksgiving, Poetry & the Sun—Nathan Koontz
*Hymn—Nothing Is Lost on the Breath of GodI—VT 653
Prayers of God’s People—Heather Zerger, Lily Schloneger
*Hymn—For the Fruit of All Creation—VT 124—(People with November birthdays come forward for a blessing, please bring a hymnal)
*Birthday Blessing & Benediction
Postlude—Now Thank We All Our God (J.S. Bach/Virgil Fox)—Will Wiebe-Friesen
* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Keyboard- Will Wiebe-Friesen
Audio visual—Ken Lamp
Today’s choir anthem is the final movement from Vivaldi’s Gloria, a setting of the fourth century hymn text Gloria in excelsis Deo. This movement’s text, Cum Sancto Spiritu in gloria Dei Patris, amen, is translated: With the Holy Spirit in the glory of God the Father, amen. The postlude is derived from Bach’s cantata Nun danket alle Gott (Now Thank We All Our God, VT 114). This setting of the hymn, arranged by the American organist Virgil Fox (1912-1980), was made popular through Fox’s flamboyant organ, smoke, and light shows of the 1970’s. Perhaps not the most authentic Bach, it remains an enthusiastic presentation of this hymn of thanksgiving.
The Week at BCMC: November 24—December 1, 2024
Sunday, November 24, 2024
9:30 a.m. Worship: sermon by Nathan Koontz —10:30 a.m. Faith Formation
Attendants in Nursery today: Barb Voran and Joanna Harader.
YouTube Link for the worship service this Sunday:
https://youtube.com/live/qptQnR9NMDc?feature=share
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
4 p.m. Worship Commission meeting by Zoom
Wednesday, November 27, 2024—No Chancel Choir Rehearsal Tonight
Thursday, November 28, 2024—Happy Thanksgiving!
No Chancel Bell Rehearsal Tonight—Church office closed and church will be locked
Friday, November 29, 2024—Church office will be closed
Sunday, December 1, 2024—First Sunday of Advent
9:15 a.m. Prelude by Open Road (Open Road is an a cappella men’s ensemble from Bethel College)
9:30 a.m. Worship with sermon by Joanna Harader
10:30 a.m. Faith Formation
The Repair Coalition has asked us to remember, as we come upon Thanksgiving time, how our families have benefitted from past and present colonization, access to originally Indigenous lands, and how we continue to benefit from colonization today. Check the poster, “How To Be An Ally to Indigenous Peoples,” which offers us some great ally practices beginning with “Care for the Earth: Give Thanks Frequently.” Talk about the suggestions at your Thanksgiving table.
You are invited to share a poinsettia for the sanctuary for the Christmas season. BCMC will purchase the poinsettias, and have them delivered to the church. To contribute, email the following to the office or fill it out and put it in the offering plate:
Donor’s: name:
In memory of:
Or in honor of:
Make a payment of $10.00 (made out to BCMC and designated “Flower Fund”) place in the offering plate or bring to church office by Nov. 24. There will be forms at a table in the back of the sanctuary this Sunday, if you wish to fill out a form in person. Contributors may pick up a poinsettia Dec. 24 after the 4:30 p.m. Christmas program or after the 11 p.m. program; or, if you can, leave them for the service on Dec. 29.
Next Sunday is the first Sunday in the Advent season. As BCMC has done in the past, there will be no centering music; instead, during Advent, there will be an extended prelude beginning at 9:15 a.m. December 1: Open Road from Bethel College; December 8: BCMC musicians; December 15: BCMC Bell Choir; December 22: BCMC young people. Come early to hear music to prepare us for the Christmas season!
To put on your calendar:
· Don’t forget to fill out your bcmcXpress on-line intent form. If you prefer, there are paper copies on the ledge in the Gathering Place.
· Jan. 25, 2025 Leadership Retreat (more details to come later)
BCMC Offering for Nov. 17: Gen. Fund $8,682; Wed. Supper $304; Caring Fund $841.50; Flower Fund $20; Kitchen Fund $7; Mission Quilters $187.60
The Deacons Commission invites you to donate to the BCMC Caring Fund budget. A fishbowl will be available for your donation in the back of the sanctuary. Thank you for your continued support. The Deacons Commission
Peace Pole Dedication We will be dedicating our newly renovated peace pole on December 1 between worship and Sunday school. Please dress warm and come to the northwest corner of the BCMC property for a short litany and photo opportunity as we bear witness to peace in our community and around the world. May peace prevail.
Invitation to join Fine Arts class for Advent! Starting on December 1, the Fine Arts class will be following the Sunday School/small group materials in Pastor Joanna’s book, Expecting Emmanuel. Fine Arts class meets in Room 22. Kindly inform Elizabeth Schmidt if you plan to join so that we can accommodate group size.
The Library Theme until the end of November is Immigration. When we chose this theme several months ago, the Committee felt that this would be a timely topic and it turns out to be even more so since the election. These books are on the east wall behind the library desk. We also have several new titles on our Recent Shelving on the west wall. Please come in and check us out. And, don’t forget that we still have many puzzles for your puzzling pleasure with a suggested donation of $5.
Bethel College Announcements:
· Sun., Nov. 24: Sunday-Afternoon-at-the-Museum program, “Diversity and Complexity in Indian Kansas,” Eric Anderson, Haskell Indian Nations University, 3 p.m., Kauffman Museum auditorium
· 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).
· 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, directed by Chris Miertschin, 7:30 p.m., Krehbiel
Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center
· Sat., Dec. 7: Five Places of Christmas, featuring Kauffman Museum and the
Bethel College Women’s Association at Goerz House, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Other
locations are Carriage Factory Gallery, Harvey County Historical Museum
and Warkentin House, all in Newton.
· Sun., Dec. 8: 37th annual Lighting of the Green, 8 p.m. on the Bethel
College campus
· Now in the Regier Gallery in Luyken Fine Arts Center at Bethel College: “The Pandemic Portraits,” works by Nicholas Hill, through Dec. 7. Gallery hours are Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 2-4 p.m.
Bake Sale items are needed for the “Friends of Kidron Holiday Market, Sat., Dec. 7, 9 a.m.—1 p.m. They are asking for donations for the Friends of Kidron bake sale booth. Popular items are cinnamon/pecan rolls, coffee cakes, breads, cakes, zwiebach, pies, cookies, cupcakes, muffins, jelly/jam, candy/fudge, and other sweets. Please drop off the baked goods Fri., Dec. 6 in Kidron Hall from 9 to 4 p.m. or Sat., Dec. 7 at 8 a.m. All proceeds benefit the Kidron Health Care Benevolent Fund.
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 will be Sun., 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.
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.
Camp Mennoscah Announcements
The Verenike Meal has returned! Save the date for a tasty verenike casserole meal on Saturday, December 14, at Faith Mennonite Church at 5:30pm. Meals will be pick up or delivery. A reservation form will be available soon.
Other events and happenings:
- The Board of Directors has written a letter regarding the challenges Camp Mennoscah is facing. The letter can be found here.
- Giving Tuesday is December 3! From the widow’s two coins to Zaccheus giving half his possessions to the men who lowered a sick person through the roof to Jesus, each person contributed to Jesus’ ministering. 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.
- 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.)
Save the Date!The 2025 Western District Conference Annual Assembly will beAug 8-9, 2025 at Hesston Mennonite Church, Hesston, KS. Along with others around the globe, next year at Assembly we plan to celebrate 500 years of Anabaptism. Please add this to your calendar and plan to join us!
Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements.
Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Announcements
A big thank you to all who donated money and or volunteered labor for this year’s Mennonite Central Committee meat canning project. The amount of $4,575 has been given so far this year for meat canning.
— Lowell Stucky, BCMC representative for MCC Meat Canning
· MCC Borderlands Peace Camp, Jan. 19-25, 2025 Young adults, ages 18-30, are invited to join MCC in El Paso, TX and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico in January. This MCC Peace Camp will explore topics of peace and justice through the lens of migration, including the Biblical mandate of hospitality. Find out more and register by January 5 at mcc.org/borderlands-peace-camp.
· Serving And Learning Together (SALT) applications now open for 2025! Each year, MCC offers 80+ unique opportunities to serve with our local partners working for relief, development and peace around the world. Explore the numerous possibilities that match your passions, skills, and experience. If you’re between the ages of 18-30, the SALT program might be the epic adventure you’ve been waiting for. Check it out at mcc.org/salt
· MCC Open House, 121 E. 30th St., North Newton, Tues., Dec. 3 from 2 p.m.—4 p.m. All are welcome to come see the updated space at MCC Central States in North Newton. Bring your Christmas shopping list to get your alternative Christmas gifts purchased from our tree, visit with MCC staff, and get a tour while you enjoy some snacks. mcc.org/open-house
· Giving Tuesday at MCC, Tues., Dec. 3 from 6:30 p.m.—8 p.m. This annual evening of service will kick off your holiday season! It is an all-ages event focused on service and fellowship. 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. 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.
For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here
For Mennonite Mission Network “News from around the world” press here
For Mennonite Disaster Service “On the Level” press here
For Mennonite Church USA “Giving Tuesday” (December 3) press here
For “Anabaptist World” Special Issue 500 Years of Anabaptism press here
| Mennonite Church USA Announcements Mennonite Church USA convention planners have released the tentative event schedule and learning track descriptions for next year’s convention, Follow Jesus ’25, which will take place July 8-12, 2025, at Koury Convention Center, in Greensboro, North Carolina. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/news/schedule-seminar-followjesus25 Call for blogs! Members of MC USA who were not raised in a Mennonite tradition or people who grew up in MC USA but feel that they have actively chosen to remain Mennonite as they grew into their faith are invited to submit a 500-900 word “Menno by Choice” blog about why they have actively chosen to be a Mennonite. Learn more here: mennoniteusa.org/form-choice-request View the PDF here: mennoniteusa.org/choice-slide View the PowerPoint slide here: mennoniteusa.org/choice-blog-slide Menno Snapshots On the one-year anniversary of the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war, Oct. 7, Amy Yoder McGloughlin, conference minister for Allegheny Mennonite Conference, reflected on how the imagery of Rachel’s tears applies to the current war. Read her reflections here: mennoniteusa.org/anniversary-israel-hamas-war Paula Holtzinger, a graduate of Eastern Mennonite University’s Center for Justice and Peacebuilding, provides insight on how to effectively handle conflict, through listening, leaning in and utilizing resources. Read her thoughts here: mennoniteusa.org/listening-leaning-in |
| MC USA, Executive Office Manager, Elkhart, Indiana (full-time, onsite) MC USA is seeking an Executive Office Manager for the Elkhart office to provide administrative assistance to the associate executive directors and administrative support to the Executive Board, Constituency Leaders Council and the Delegate Assembly. View the job description here. To request an application form, contact HR@MennoniteUSA.org or call 574-343-1310. |
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: On Thanksgiving Day, Joseph and Rachel Givens, who are serving with Mennonite Mission Network, will continue a tradition of gathering the guests of Maria Skobtsova House and the other houses of refuge around Calais, France, for a meal. Pray that on this day, God’s love will be shown, so that people fleeing violence may find community and people who are hungry may eat their fill.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: During this Thanksgiving Season, give thanks for the amazing church planting opportunities. Give thanks for the pastors & lay leaders who are ministering to the needs of people & building communities of faith, & for the many ways WDC supports them. Give thanks for the many who provide resources of finances, vision & time to the efforts of church planting. -WDC Church Planting Commission
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.