BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
February 8, 2026
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 for Sunday, February 8:
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/th7WFYPcaAc?feature=share
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
February 8, 2026
Christ Candle Lighting
Centering Music— Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child, Spiritual, (arr. T. Wilhelmi)
Will Wiebe-Friesen
Welcome & Prayer—Bill Braun
*Hymn—God, Be the Love— VT 43
Children and Youth Conversation—Joanna Harader
Worship Music— If Ye Love Me (Thomas Tallis)–Chancel Choir; Joel Garber, director; William Wiebe-Friesen, accompanist
Scripture Reading—Isaiah 58:1-5—Elaine Schurr
*Hymn—Lord Jesus, Come and Overturn (v. 1-2)—VT 146
Scripture Reading—Isaiah 58:6-12—Elaine Schurr
*Hymn—Lord Jesus, Come and Overturn—(v. 3-4)—VT 146
Sermon—Wider Worship—Nathan Koontz
*Hymn—As the Waters Rise around Us—VT 708
Offering Invitation & Prayers of God’s People
*Hymn—Let There Be Light— VT 714
*Benediction
Postlude—Little Prelude and Fugue in G Maj. (J.S. Bach)
*You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Keyboard- William Wiebe-Friesen
Audio visual—Ben Lichti
The Week at BCMC: February 8—15, 2026
Sunday, February 8, 2026—Worthy Worship
9:30 a.m. Worship
10:30 a.m. Coffee/water/tea in the Gathering Place and Cookies to celebrate the 100th birthday of Willye Hinz! Happy Birthday Willye!
YouTube Link for the worship service this Sunday:
https://youtube.com/live/th7WFYPcaAc?feature=share
10:45 a.m. Congregational meeting in the Sanctuary
YouTube Link for the congregational meeting:
https://youtube.com/live/I2qX5XxBouw?feature=share
11:45 a.m. Lunch in Fellowship Hall served by the Senior High Youth Group
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
9 a.m. Women’s Fellowship Executive Board—Lois Goertzen’s Home
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
6 p.m. Open Table—Fellowship Hall
Faith Formation has set our Wednesday night schedule for this semester. Thank you to those who shared their thoughts with us through the survey and through conversations. We recognize that the six-week meal and fellowship schedule is valued by many people and also received very positive feedback about the monthly intergenerational worship–particularly from our families with school-aged children. We are preserving both elements. The “Messy Church” from last year is now called “Open Table,” but the idea is the same: a time to learn, worship, and connect across generations. On Open Table Wednesdays, all ages–including high school youth–are invited to participate. The youth group will have a brief gathering after Open Table in the youth room upstairs. There are fliers in the literature racks in the front foyer with the full schedule.
7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal—Sanctuary Chancel
Thursday, February 12, 2026
3 p.m. Cancer Care Group—BCMC Nursery
6 p.m. Chancel Bells Rehearsal—Rm B7
6:30 p.m. Gifts Discernment Committee meeting—Jeanette Stucky’s Home
7 p.m. Church Board—Room 14
Saturday, February 14, 2026
11 a.m. Memorial Service for Joan Brubacher—Sanctuary
Sunday, February 15, 2026—Transfiguration
9:30 a.m. Worship with sermon by Joanna Harader; music by Chancel Bells
9-11 a.m. Quilts for the Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale displayed under the
balcony
“Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” will be Sun, Feb. 22, at noon. Hosts provide main dish, beverage, and maybe bread. Guests are assigned a side dish (vegetables, salad, dessert) or maybe bread. Experience this event interacting with some of our congregational members, as assigned, on a social level. There will be sign-up sheets in the Gathering Place, this Sunday, Feb. 8.
Women’s Fellowship General Meeting (Men invited) will be Tues., Feb. 17, at 7 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Program by James Wilson, General Manager of Et Cetera Shop, sharing with powerpoint “Newton Et Cetera Shop Vision and Mission.” Current BCMC Volunteers at Et Cetera will also share. Come and enjoy.
The Gifts Discernment Commission is at work to connect willing workers to the following open positions: moderator-elect, Church Board, Hospitality commission, Faith Formation commission, and Deacons. If the Spirit moves you to a new experience, please contact a GDC member: Francis Toews, Jerry Buller, Dorothy Nickel Friesen, Barb Koontz, or Jeanette Stucky.
We offer sympathy to the family of Joan Brubacher. Joan died Jan. 11. Please continue to remember Joan’s husband Wade, their children Anne, Kate, and Jacob and their families in prayer. The memorial service for Joan will be Sat., Feb. 14, 11 a.m. at BCMC.
2025 Giving Update
Thank you to all who contributed financially to our church for 2025! Your
generosity is much appreciated as we seek to do justice, love mercy, and
walk humbly with God. The Finance Committee is pleased that our financial
contributions for 2025 were close to our 2025 expenses. A full report will be
forthcoming in the lead up to our congregational meeting February 8.
BCMC Offering for February 1: General $5,560; Plant Fund $50; Kitchen Fund $20; Solar Fund $50.
Joanna’s 1887 Cafe office hours this semester will be on Thursdays from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. You are welcome to stop by for a chat!
Installed in the Gathering Place by the Visual Arts Committee are the last three banners created to celebrate BCMC’s centennial in 1997. Six banners were designed by Bob Regier and then pieced and quilted by members of the congregation. The themes of Witness, Creation Care and Community are featured in this set as key components of the mission of BCMC.
This Lent, we will explore The Work of Imagination, led by material from Illustrated Ministry.
“This is the work of imagination: to envision a world remade by mercy, to trust that healing is possible even in the shadow of empire, and to practice love that outlasts despair.”
Please plan to join us for Sunday morning worship, and consider participating in these special Lenten opportunities:
· Wed., Feb. 18 @ 6:30 p.m.: Ash Wednesday worship in the sanctuary
· Sundays, Feb. 22-March 29 during Sunday School hour: elective Sunday school class using The Work of Imagination devotionals in the chapel
· Wednesdays, Feb. 25-March 25 @ 6 p.m.: Church Community Suppers in the fellowship hall
· Thurs., April 2 @ 5:30 p.m.: All-Age Maundy Thursday Worship in the chapel
· Thurs., April 2 @ 7 p.m.: Maundy Thursday Worship with communion in the sanctuary
· Easter Sunday, April 5:
* Easter Sunrise Worship @ 7 a.m.
* Worship Service @ 10 a.m. to include welcoming new members!
* NO Sunday School
Bethel College/Kauffman Museum Announcements
· Sun., Feb. 8: Sunday-Afternoon-at-the-Museum, 3 p.m., with Prisca Barnes, founder of Storytime Village Inc., “The Dockum Drugstore Sit-In,” Kauffman Museum auditorium. This program is in conjunction with the special exhibit “Voices of Conscience: Peace Witness in the Great War.”
· Tues., Feb. 10: Bethel College Organ Recital Series: YunJung Lee, 7 p.m.
Administration Building chapel
· Thurs., Feb. 12: Closing reception for Marco Hernandez Guillen and “Reclaiming My Roots,” 6-7 p.m., Regier Art Gallery in Luyken Fine Arts Center at Bethel College. Gallery hours are Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 2-4 p.m.
· Tues., Feb. 17: Bethel College Chamber Orchestra concert, Kris Hilding, director, 7 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center
· Weds.-Fri., Feb. 25-27: Bethel College and KIPCOR present the biennial Justice Symposium, with immigration advocate Karen González, author of Beyond Welcome and The God Who Sees. González will deliver the Peace Lecture Weds., Feb. 25, at 7 p.m. in Kidron Hall at Kidron Bethel Village. For a complete schedule, see https://kipcor.org/event/2026-justice-symposium/
· SAVE THE DATE: Bethel College spring musical, Alice by Heart, March 6, 7 and 8 in Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center
Hesston College Announcements
· Hesston College Community Day Feb. 14: Winter Community Day at Yost Center, Feb. 14, starting at 11 a.m. continuing through the afternoon. Come enjoy free admission for basketball games, free popcorn, free haircuts provided by Hesston College alumna Christy Pickerill of CC’s Family Hair and free rally towels to the first 100 fans. Lincoln Perk and Sage & Juliet Coffee Co. are teaming up with a coffee truck to serve coffee drinks and baked goods, and the HC Grill Club and flag football team will serve burgers to purchase for lunch. For a full schedule check out hesston.edu/communityday.
· Now accepting submissions for Hesston College’s playwriting festival: The Hesston College Theatre department is inviting south central Kansas playwrights to turn their stories into live performance through the return of the Pen to Paper to Performance playwriting festival. Open to first-time and experienced writers, the festival celebrates original voices and the creative process from script to stage. The theatre department will accept submissions for the 10-minute play festival through March 8 and notify eight selected playwrights March 15, with their works produced as part of the final showcase event on May 1 and 2. Playwrights whose scripts are selected will receive a percentage of box office earnings. Visit hesston.edu/news for details.
Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Announcements
· Join Offender Victim Ministries & Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Feb. 12 from 6-8 p.m. to help pack 350 MCC prisoner care kits for men on the indigent list at Hutchinson Correctional Facility. Hear impact stories at 7:30, design a note to go into each kit, give a monetary donation to help cover the cost of the kit items, enjoy snacks. All ages welcome at MCC, 121 E. 30th St., North Newton. Find out more at mcc.org/prisoner-care or contact brociamueller@mcc.org
· Lunch & Learn at MCC Tues., Feb. 17, 12-1 p.m. Join the Global Voices Speaking Tour to hear firsthand stories of the intersection of climate and peace. Speakers Dr. Arefur Rahaman with MCC Bangladesh and David Waiswa with MCC East Africa and Sahel Region will share how they are working toward peace and climate resiliency, especially around food security. RSVP by Feb. 10 at mcc.org/global-lunch or contact patsydirksen@mcc.org, 316-283-2720. Suggested $10 donation per lunch.
· MCC Fellowship Meals: Help cover Relief Sale expenses by participating in a Fellowship Meal this year. Choose to host or be a guest. As a guest, you will be invited to attend the host’s church worship service followed by a meal in their home. Another option is to host a fellowship meal for your own congregation. Dates are March 8 or March 15 (dates for congregational meals are flexible). Guest donation is $25 per meal (proceeds go toward MCC Sale expenses). Sign up to host or guest by Feb. 25. Contact Steve & Elaine Schurr, Bill & Esther Eash, Brad & Diane Born (BCMC’s MCC Relief Sale representatives) or Barb at bj.reeves@live.com for form to complete. We hope to cover sale expenses before the sale so all proceeds can be donated to MCC.
– Mennonite Central Committee Central States annual meeting: You are invited to the MCC Central States annual meeting on Sat., March 7, 11 a.m. at MCC Central States, 121 E. 30th St, North Newton.
– Across the U.S.–Mexico borderlands — and in communities far beyond them — people of courage and compassion are responding daily to the realities of migration. MCC believes that listening to these stories helps us live more deeply into our values of peace, hospitality, and justice. Join us for Borderlands & Beyond Monthly Charlas, a new conversation series led by the MCC U.S. Immigration Network featuring MCC partners, community leaders, and borderlands practitioners who will share their work, struggles, insights, and hopes. Each charla provides a welcoming space to learn, ask questions, and explore how we can participate in faithful advocacy and accompaniment. Find out more and register for the Zoom link: mcc.org/events/borderlands-and-beyond-monthly-charlas-mcc.
Date: Every 3rd Thursday of the month (January to December 2026)
Time: 4:00 PM PT / 5:00 PM MT / 6:00 PM CT / 7:00 PM ET
Location: Online via Zoom
A Lenten Retreat: “Yearning for Wholeness; Abiding in Hope”: Sat, Feb 21; 8:30 a.m.to noon at Hesston Mennonite Church, 309 South Main St. We live in a time of anxiousness, injustice and chaos. Do you yearn for safe space to be in touch with your inner longings, and to connect with the healing and hope of Christ that sustains us? Join us for a half day retreat which will provide intentional space to experience the presence of God through Scripture, prayer, song and community in this Lenten season. Schedule will include times of individual reflection and group interaction facilitated by Wendy Miller. Contact the church office at 620-327-4885 or hesstonmc@hesstonmc.org to sign up by Thurs., Feb 19. $10 donation suggested. We hope you will join us!
Are you interested in the latest news from Camp Mennoscah? Eric Litwiller will lead an elective Sunday School session on Feb. 15 to share updates and answer questions. Join us in the chapel to hear about this important ministry!
Do you have opinions and one hour per month to share them? Camp Mennoscah is interested in talking to those with thoughts on camp operations about serving on the Board of Directors. Don’t let your lack of experience or knowledge stop you! Diversity of thought is crucial as we work to strengthen camp governance, which means including those with concerns as well as praise, and outside opinions as well as insider knowledge. If you care about Camp Mennoscah at all – or want to – nothing will change if your ideas aren’t in the Board room where decisions are made. Text “BOARD” to 620-755-2583 for information.
Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp Announcement
Save the dates! Men’s Retreat is coming February 27- March 1 with Paul Unruh leading conversations on “The Power of Service and Story”. Women’s Retreat March 6-8, 2026 will be led by Anita Amstutz exploring “Breathing through Transition”. Please visit rmmc.org for more details and for registration.
The Newton Mid Kansas Symphony Orchestra Winter Classics Concert will be Sun., Feb. 15, 4 p.m. at Bethel College Memorial Hall. This concert features the Dwight Beckham Young Soloist winners, Seth Balzer (tuba, Bethel College) and Ryan Antle (horn, Newton High School). Advance tickets for sale online, and at Faith and Life Bookstore. Tickets will also be available the day of the concert at the door. https://nmkso.org/tickets/“
For Mennonite Church USA “Lent at Home” press here
| Dear Bethel College Mennonite, What’s the connection between severe drought and peace? How do changing weather patterns and extreme heat drive conflict or make it worse? Can peacebuilding help communities become more resilient to environmental extremes? Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) and the Anabaptist Climate Collaborative (ACC) are hosting a Global Voices Speaking Tour in February 2026 to explore these questions. You are invited to the following events in your area: February 16: Bethel College Convocation, 11:00 a.m. Schowalter Villa Retirement Community, 2:30 p.m. Hesston Mennonite Church Community Center (Hesston College), 5:30 p.m. February 17: Lunch and Learn, MCC Central States office, 12:00 p.m. |
| The event will feature two speakers from regions experiencing both the brunt of climate change and resource-related conflict: South Asia and the Sahel region in Africa. Join this unique opportunity to hear firsthand stories on the connection between climate and peace. Be a prayerful witness to our global neighbors and learn how your own commitment to peace can make a difference. Explore the full list of Global Voices Speaking Tour eventsacross the U.S. We hope to see you in the Newton area on Feb. 16 and 17! Kind regards, Kirstin De Mello Climate advocacy and education coordinator MCC U.S. National Peace & Justice Ministries |
| MCC U.S. National Peace & Justice Ministries 920 Pennsylvania Ave. SE Washington, D.C. 20003 |
For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here
Just Peace Pilgrimages — Christ at the Border Embark on a life-changing journey to Calais, France to witness and learn alongside organizations that are doing justice and relief work among the migrant population there. Fleeing for their lives, thousands of people converge in Calais hoping to cross the English Channel to find a new life in the United Kingdom. Dates: April 6-18, 2026
Registration deadline: February 15, 2026
Contact Stephanie Weaver at StephanieW@MennoniteMission.net or visit MennoniteMission.net/JustPeace to learn more.
For Anabaptist Disabilities Network press here
Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements.
For Mennonite Central Committee “In Touch” press here
For Mennonite Men “Engage” press here
Mennonite Church USA Announcements
MC USA is now accepting applications for the 2026-27 BIPOC Scholarship. The Scholarship aids students who identify as Black, Indigenous and/or People of Color who are members or active participants of an MC USA congregation and who are attending or plan to attend an MC USA-affiliated Mennonite college, university or seminary. Learn more and apply here: https://bit.ly/49LLYLi
MC USA is launching a new collaborative workshop series to help churches and leaders practice healthier ways of navigating conflict. The first training kicks off in Beaverton, Oregon on March 12-14! Discover what’s behind this new initiative and how you can take part. Read more and register at: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/news/conflict-transformation-workshop/
Menno Snapshots
Marco Güete, director of Hispanic Ministries for MC USA, highlights how Anabaptist-rooted theological education pathways equip Hispanic and Latino leaders for faithful, contextual ministry without leaving their congregations. Read his Menno Snapshots blog here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/walking-together/
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Last week, Julia and Thomas Meyers began their four-week SOOP placement at the Maria Skobtsova House (MSH) in Calais, France. Pray for them as they share in MSH’s ministry of hospitality with migrants who are seeking refuge while on their way to England.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Pray for members of the WDC Executive Board as they provide oversight, support and guidance for WDC’s mission and ministries.
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.