BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
February 22, 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 22:
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/NPBWQMIZAO4?feature=share
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
February 22, 2026
1st Sunday of Lent: Rooted Resistance
Christ Candle Lighting
Centering Music— Let Us Break Bread Together [VT 482] Spiritual, (arr. Dale Wood) Will Wiebe-Friesen
Welcome and Call to Worship—Nathan Koontz
One: Come into God’s presence, you who imagine and you who seek, you who disrupt and you who repair.
All: By the Spirit, we gather in hope.
One: Come into God’s presence, you who live in this wide and wild world, navigating beauty and uncertainty, temptation and trial.
All: In Christ, we gather as children of God.
One: Come into God’s presence, singing for joy and for justice; bringing prayer and worship, your most faithful acts of resistance.
All: To God be the glory! We gather to praise!
Opening Prayer
*Hymn—Plenty Good Room—Handout
Kindom Report—Snow Camp—Sr. High Youth
Children and Youth Conversation—Naomi Krause
Worship Music— Locus Iste (Anton Bruckner)
“This place was made by God, a priceless mystery it is without reproof.”—Chancel Choir; Joel Garber, director; Will Wiebe-Friesen, accompanist
Scripture Reading—Jeremiah 29:1, 4-9—Erich Boschmann
*Hymn—Be Thou My Vision—VT 549
Scripture Reading—Matthew 4:1-11—Erich Boschmann
Sermon—Rooted Resistance–Joanna Harader
Breath Prayer—In the wildness / I belong to God.
*Hymn—We Shall Walk Through the Valley—VT 574
Communion— Nathan Koontz & Joanna Harader
Communion Music—Life-Giver, Maker, God of All [VT 38] (JS Bach; BWV 662)
–Prayer of Confession and Assurance of Pardon
–Invitation to the Table
–Sharing the Meal
–Prayer of Thanksgiving
Receiving the Offering and Prayers of God’s People
*Hymn—Lead Me, Guide Me—VT 601
Those with February birthdays are welcome to come forward during this hymn to receive a birthday blessing.
*Charge and Benediction
Postlude—I Will Arise and Go to Jesus [VT 300] (arr. Mark Hayes)—Will Wiebe-Friesen, piano
* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Keyboard—Will Wiebe Friesen
Audio visual—Ben Lichti
Throughout the month of February, which is Black History Month, I have included a piece of music by a black composer or that comes from the music tradition of black enslaved people in the United States. Today’s centering music is the familiar song Let Us Break Bread Together [VT 482], which likely comes to us from the oral tradition of the Gullah/Geeche people along the coast of South Carolina. A fourth stanza, not included in Voices Together, begins, “We will all pray together on that day,” which according to hymnologist Jon Michael Spencer, suggests is an eschatological reference envisioning hope and a reformation of the established social order beyond human history. It has also been hypothesized that the refrain’s words, “facing the rising sun,” comes from Islamic West African worship practices. Though this hymn is certainly much older, it was first published in 1925 in Saint Helena Island Spirituals by Nicholas Ballanta, a very significant collection that included 103 Gullah spirituals. (paraphrased from C. Micahel Hawn. History of Hymns: “Let Us Break Bread Together.” The United Methodist Church.)
The Week at BCMC: February 22—March 1, 2026
Sunday, February 22, 2026—1st Sunday of Lent: Rooted Resistance
9:30 a.m. Worship 10:30 a.m. Coffee/water/tea in the Gathering Place
“Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” is today, at noon, a way for BCMC folks to get acquainted with other BCMC folks that they might not know very well. Today guests will find their destination for dinner in their mailboxes. Have fun!
2:30 p.m. February 22 — GATHERING OF Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS)
ALUMS AND FRIENDS with updates from AMBS and news about the Institute of Mennonite Studies by Jamie Pitts, Professor of Anabaptist Studies, at 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. in the BCMC Fellowship Hall. Light refreshments and time for Q&A. Everyone is welcome to learn about Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary.
YouTube Link for the worship service this Sunday:
https://youtube.com/live/NPBWQMIZAO4?feature=share
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
6 p.m. Wednesday night supper in Fellowship Hall—Please bring your own tableware to facilitate the clean-up—Bring a soup bowl
7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal—Sanctuary Chancel
Thursday, February 26, 2026
6 p.m. Chancel Bells Rehearsal—Rm B7
7 p.m. Deacon Commission—Room 14
6 p.m. Justice Symposium on Immigration—Community Dinner
7 p.m. Justice Symposium on Immigration—Legal Panel Discussion
Sunday, March 1, 2026—Second Sunday in Lent
9:30 a.m. Worship with sermon by Nathan Koontz
BCMC Offering for Feb.15: General $19,175; Wed. Supper $90; MCC Sale $250; Sr Hi Youth $3,376; Library Reserve Fund $5; Kitchen Fund $26; Larry Penner Mem. $150.
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:
· 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: NO Sunday School
* Easter Sunrise Worship @ 7 a.m.
* Worship Service @ 10 a.m. to include welcoming new members!
“The Work of Imagination” Lenten devotional booklets are available in the Gathering Place. These booklets provide brief readings and thoughtful questions for each week of Lent and provide a thoughtful accompaniment to our worship themes for the season.
Poems and Prayers Group for Lent
Pastor Nathan will be facilitating a poems and prayers group in the BCMC chapel on Tuesdays at 11 during lent. This will be an informal time to bring a poem or prayer that speaks to you and share it with the group. Readings will be followed by silence and discussion. Your selection could be something that you have written, or something that someone else has written. You do not need to consider yourself a poet to attend. Simply bring an open heart and joy for the truth revealed when words and phrases rub in illumined ways. Our first session begins at 11 on Feb. 24.
We offer sympathy to the family of Al Penner. Al died at home February 18.
Please remember Al’s wife, Sue, in your prayers, along with their children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and extended family and friends. The memorial service will be Sat., March 7, 11 a.m. at BCMC.
Margaret Toews and Barb Voran, along with Faith Formation, are looking for more volunteers for our BCMC nursery during worship on Sunday mornings. Fifteen people volunteered to spend time with our young ones this past year. We would like to have 18 people who are willing to spend one Sunday every other month in the nursery. This is a wonderful opportunity – never a dull moment! Let Margaret Toews, Barb Voran or Brad Kohlman know if interested.
“Mennonites in Poland” is currently being highlighted in the church library along with the Mennonite Polish Studies Association Newsletter. This newsletter summarizes the 2025 Poland trip led by Mark Jantzen and John Thiesen which many in the congregation have taken or will take this summer. We also have many new books that were donated and are now ready for checkout.
Please stop by and enjoy!
Education and Service Scholarship Committee (ESSC) is helping Simon Koontz to attend a week-long seminar in Los Angeles on Creative Resistance: Art, Faith & Social Change, beginning March 20. We wish Simon a rewarding week in California.
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 Deacon Commission. 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.
Bethel College/Kauffman Museum Announcements
· Sun.-Mon., Feb. 22-23: Bethel College will host Jamie Pitts, professor of Anabaptist studies at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, for the Staley Lectures: “Becoming a ‘Front Light’ for Justice? Mennonite Positions on Social Transformation,” Sun., Feb. 22, 7 p.m., Ad Building chapel; “Would Jesus Kill Hitler?,” Mon., Feb. 23, 11 a.m., Krehbiel Auditorium. The lectures are inspired by the Gospel of Matthew and Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s The Cost of Discipleship and are free and open to the public.
· Life Enrichment, the series at Bethel College for adults age 60 and older, meets most Wednesday mornings during the school year in Krehbiel Auditorium. Feb. 25 programs: 9:30 a.m., “Prisoner of War Stories: WW2 POW Camp in Peabody,” Marcia Sebree, Peabody Historical Society; 10:50 a.m., “Importance of a Free Press in a Democratic Society,” Doug Anstaett, former editor and publisher of The Newton Kansan. First-time attenders get one session free. See https://www.bethelks.edu/academics/life-enrichment/ for details and a link to the complete spring schedule.
· 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. The symposium also includes a legal panel discussion on Thurs., Feb. 26, 7 p.m. at Bethel College Mennonite Church and a Know your Rights training Fri., Feb. 27, 7 p.m., in the 1887 Cafe on the Bethel campus. For a complete schedule, see https://kipcor.org/event/2026-justice-symposium/ For a complete schedule, see https://kipcor.org/event/2026-justice-symposium/
· Thurs., Feb. 26: Bethel College Wind Ensemble concert, Chris Miertschin, director, 7 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center
· Fri., March 6 & Sat., March 7, 7 p.m., Sun., March 8, 2 p.m.: Bethel College music and theater departments present: Alice by Heart, a retelling of Alice in Wonderland set during the London blitz of World War II, Krehbiel Auditorium.
Friday night performance interpreted for the D/deaf community. Ticket purchase required, at https://www.bethelks.edu/fine-arts/theater/theater-department-presents/#tickets, at Thresher Shop in Schultz Student Center weekdays 8 a.m.-5 p.m., or at the door. Contains adult content and is not intended for young audiences.
· Now in the Regier Art Gallery in Luyken Fine Arts Center at Bethel College, “Daily Commitments,” an exhibit by Rachel Epp Buller, through March 12. She will be creating a new work every day the exhibit is open, so plan to go back several times! Gallery hours are Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 2-4 p.m.
Coming soon to Hesston College’s Black Box Theater, “Xanadu” March 5 to 7 at 7 p.m. and March 8 at 2 p.m. We all remember the wild 1980 movie “Xanadu” with Olivia Newton John and Gene Kelly! No? Well, that’s ok. It did have great music, but that story…wow. A Greek muse from Mount Olympus comes to earth to help a struggling artist open the world’s first roller disco and, of course, fall in forbidden love. Fast forward to 2007 when the stage musical, with an award winning script, opens on Broadway to fantastic reviews. What changed? Not much. The awesome music from the movie is still featured and the weird story is the same, but the musical has some hilarious additional characters and the source material is lovingly parodied. And don’t worry, there will still be roller skating. We can’t wait to bring this huge show to our small stage and have you singing “Xanadu” on your way out! hesston.edu/theatre.
Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Announcements
· Help cover MCC 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 a form.
· You are invited to the Mennonite Central Committee Central States annual meeting on Sat., March 7, 11 a.m. at MCC Central States, 121 E. 30th St, North Newton.
The Swiss Mennonite Cultural and Historical Association’s annual meeting will be March 8, 2:30 p.m. at Hopefield Mennonite Church, 1823 Aztec Lane, Moundridge. Guest Speaker, Glen Ediger, a Bethel College graduate, will speak on “Mennonites, Farming, Wheat and Threshing Stones”. Entertainment will be provided by Sam Shilts. There is no need to rsvp. Of course, poppyseed rolls will be served after the meeting. We hope to see you there!
The unseasonable weather has been a blessing at Camp Mennoscah, as those who participated in a work day on Mon., Feb. 16, were able to build forms and lay out rebar in preparation for two exterior concrete pads that were poured the following day. The pads meet code on the 600 amp electrical service installed at the retreat center, and also provide a home for the exterior HVAC units that control the basement and main floor common areas. This, along with window trim, baseboards, bathroom shelving, carpet repairs, and more was also done on the 16th, and we thank those who joined us for that work, and those who support these efforts financially through their $20 monthly recurring gift using the “Donate here” button at www.CampMennoscah.org.
Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp Announcement
Men’s Retreat is 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.
1) Save the Date: Supportive Communities Network (SCN) Meeting Thursday, March 19th for 90 minutes virtuallyat 1:30pm Eastern | 12:30pm Central | 11:30am Mountain | 10:30am Pacific. Our guest presenter, a trans chaplain, will train leaders on offering queer and trans spiritual care, particularly in times of escalating oppression and repression, utilizing a trauma-informed lens. Details and registration (free) to follow in March!
2) PLEASE share the following BMC 50th Gathering blurb in your bulletin, newsletter, and especially with lgbtqia+ individuals and families in your church or organization. Help us reach our people! We do have a Solidarity Fund to support folks coming from Canada or other far/expensive distances.
Rooting our Stories: Reveling in 50 years of Queer and Trans Anabaptist Resilience
Join the Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBT Interests (BMC) for a gathering rooted in sacred story and joyful revelry, as we mark our 50th Anniversary on May 29-31 in Minneapolis! This festive weekend will include storytelling, singing, ritual/worship, workshops, artmaking, games, shared meals, and honoring this incredible 50-year legacy of LGBTQIA+ Anabaptist resistance and resilience. Find event details, safety/accessibility info, and registration on our 50th webpage. www.bmclgbt.org/50th
Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcement.
For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here
| Mennonite Voluntary Service Live out your faith through service! Applications are open for the 2026-27 term. This one-year volunteer experience is open to individuals age 20+, with the option to extend placements for an additional one to two years. Serve with nonprofits addressing critical community needs, such as health, education, immigration and more. You won’t do it alone, though! By living with peers in a unit house and growing with a local faith community, MVSers join in the global movement to work for peace and a more just world. Ready to jump in? Go to MennoniteMission.net/MVS to learn more and apply. Placements are available in the following locations: Alamosa, Colorado; Chicago, Illinois; San Francisco, California; and Tucson, Arizona. |
| Service Adventure Can a gap year change your life? Only if you’re up for adventure! Applications are now open for the 2026-27 term. Service Adventure is a 10-month volunteer experience for young adults ages 17-20. Live in community with peers and unit leaders, serve with local nonprofit agencies, and grow in your faith with a supporting church congregation! Learn more and apply at MennoniteMission.net/ServiceAdventure. |
For Mennonite Women USA “Grapevine” press here
For Anabaptist Disabilities Network “Remembering Dean Preheim-Bartel” press here
For Mennonite Disaster Service “On the Level” press here
From Mennonite Church USA
MC USA’s Women in Leadership ministry welcomes three new steering committee members who will guide efforts to empower women, dismantle patriarchy and strengthen justice-centered leadership across the denomination. Read more here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/news/wil-steering-committee/
Menno Snapshots
Nancy Kauffmann, senior consultant for Church Safety at MC USA, warns that churches must consistently follow their abuse-prevention policies to ensure real safety, accountability and trust for all. Learn more here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/safe-church-policies/
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Anicka Fast trains and mentors historians and archivists in Africa, Asia and Latin America, to help promote a recognition of global Anabaptist history. She and her family currently reside in the Netherlands but are planning to move back to Canada this summer. Pray for heartwarming farewells as they prepare for their move and a smooth transition into their new home, especially for the children and their schooling.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Pray for strong, trusting relationships between leaders, congregations, and the communities they serve. [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, immigration status, gender identity,
sexual orientation, ability, economic status, marital status, or age.