BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
June 28, 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, June 28:
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/FdSbFyFWkPk?feature=share
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
June 28, 2026
Christ Candle Lighting
Centering Music—Holy God, We Praise Thy Name, (arr. Diane Bish )
Will Wiebe-Friesen
Welcome and Opening Prayer–Marshall Anderson
*Hymn–We Long to Know Her–VT 44
Children and Youth Conversation–Esther Koontz
Litany of Blessing and Release for Jill Robb–Nathan Koontz & Joanna Harader
Nathan: Today we give thanks to Jill for answering the call to serve as Faith Formation Coordinator for Bethel College Mennonite Church back in September of 2022, during a time of pastoral transition.
Congregation: We are grateful for Jill’s presence and ministry among us.
Jill: I am grateful for the leading of the Holy Spirit and the support of this congregation as I have worked to help nurture the faith of our young people and strengthen relationships across the generations.
Joanna: Jill, we have been blessed by your faith, by your love, by your creativity, your humor, and your enthusiasm. You are a gift to this congregation.
Congregation: We give thanks for your loving presence among us.
Nathan: Do you, the people of Bethel College Mennonite Church, bless Jill as she steps away from her role as Faith Formation Coordinator and resumes her place as a beloved member of BCMC?
Congregation: With the help of God, we do. We give thanks for Jill’s service and now release her from her official staff role.
Joanna: Jill, do you release your responsibilities as Faith Formation Coordinator and look forward to continuing your relationship with BCMC as a church member?
Jill: With the help of God, I do. It has been an honor to serve on staff with BCMC and I look forward to continuing in ministry with this congregation as a church member.
Nathan: Jill, may God bless you and your family in this time of transition. May you continue to be led by the Spirit as you discern new ways to participate and minister with us here at BCMC.
Joanna: And may God bless this congregation as we are led by the Spirit in discerning new leadership and new ways of forming faith for people of all ages.
Congregation: God, who is Alpha and Omega, we thank you for your faithfulness in all our beginnings and endings, and for the companions you provide for us on the journey. Amen.
(last line from VT 962)
Worship Music–What Wondrous Love is This (arr. Dale Wood)–
Will Wiebe-Friesen
Scripture Reading–Genesis 22:1-14—Nathan Koontz
*Hymn–Great Is Thy Faithfulness–VT 419
Sermon—Loyalty and Faithfulness–Joanna Harader
*Hymn–My Shepherd Will Supply My Need–VT 640
Receiving the Offering and Prayers of God’s People
*Hymn–God Be the Love–VT 43
Those with June birthdays are welcome to come forward during this hymn to receive a birthday blessing.
*Benediction
Postlude–Be Thou My Vision (arr. Heather Sorenson)–Will Wiebe-Friesen
* You are invited to stand
VT–Voices Together
Keyboard–Will Wiebe-Friesen
Audio visual—Bill Eash
Live-stream Link– https://youtube.com/live/FdSbFyFWkPk?feature=share
The Week at BCMC: June 28—July 5, 2026
Sunday, June 28
9:30 a.m. Worship with sermon by Joanna Harader
Livestream Link: https://youtube.com/live/FdSbFyFWkPk?feature=share
June is Pride month! Newton Pride is hosting Popsicles in the Park today, Sunday, June 28, from 2-5 p.m. at Athletic Park. Come join the celebration!
Monday, June 29—Church office will be closed
Sunday, July 5
9:30 a.m. Worship with sermon by Nathan Koontz
BCMC Announcements
Aldine Sprunger’s birthday may have come and gone, but the party isn’t over yet! Please join her family in celebrating Aldine’s 90th birthday Sunday, June 28, 2-4 p.m. at Kidron Hall (3001 Ivy Dr., North Newton, KS 67117). We will be enjoying root beer floats as well as some of Aldine’s other favorite treats. No cards or gifts please. All are invited!
This Summer share your love of reading by recommending a book you’ve checked out of our library. Blank recommendation forms are available at the checkout desk. Your short review will be attached to the book and featured on a table outside the library to entice other readers.
Save the Date for a Brass and Organ Concert on July 29, 7 p.m. at BCMC. The concert will feature Christopher Shaw at the organ and Intrepid Brass, a brass quintet from Wichita.
We are seeking delegates from Bethel College Mennonite Church to attend the Western District Conference Annual Assembly, August 7-9, in Dallas Texas. This is an important time for us to form connections with the broader church as we pray, learn, and worship together! For those unable to make the trip, there is also an option to participate virtually. If you are interested in serving as a delegate, please contact Pastor Joanna or a member of the Gifts Discernment Committee (Dale Schrag, Barb Koontz, Dorothy Nickel Friesen).
Western District Conference Annual Assembly – Registration is now open! Please register by July 26! Visit our Assembly webpage to learn more about Assembly at https://mennowdc.org/2026-annual-assembly/ It is up to registrants to make their own lodging arrangements. The reservation deadline for WDC’s block of rooms is July 24 so move fast to make your reservation! Join us at Iglesia Luz del Evangelio, Dallas, TX August 7-9, 2026.
Camping season has started and is underway! BCMC has the following youth at camps over the next few weeks:
June 28-July 3–Payne Claassen at Camp Barnabas, 901 Teas Trail, Purdy, MO 65734
Please consider writing to our youth while they are at camp! Address labels are located in The Gathering Place for you to use. Thank you for supporting our youth while they explore their faith in their various roles at camp.
BCMC Prayer Network: The Prayer Network is email-based comprised of Deacon Commission members and BCMC congregants. Participants make a one-year commitment to this prayer ministry which is coordinated by Pastors and the Office and Facilities Manager. Pastors respond to prayer requests and determine when and how these requests are distributed. Specific prayer requests are shared only with the permission of the person(s) involved. If you would like to join the BCMC prayer network, please email your interest to office@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org. Thanks to all who serve BCMC in the Prayer Network.
The Worship Commission is planning for a hymn sing service on July 26. If you have a hymn request, send it to Pastor Joanna by July 13. Please include a sentence or two about why you appreciate the requested hymn.
The library’s loss is your gain. We have weeded books out of the library that don’t fit our needs anymore. They are on the top shelf of the cart outside of the library. Please help yourself and add a donation of your choice to the envelope provided on the right. (This helps fund our online catalog!) Happy Summer Reading!
BCMC Offering for June 21: Gen. Fund $8,079; Caring Fund $250; Kitchen Fund $22.
Community and Other Church Announcements
Mennonite Central Committee’s School Kit Challenge is back! Join the 2026 School Kit Challenge and help MCC provide 30,000 school kits for 30,000 kids this summer. School kits provide access and essential supplies to children and families navigating war, displacement or financial struggles. MCC is collecting school kits from June through August. Look for School Kit Challenge signs when you drop kits off at MCC so staff can be sure to get your kits counted! To learn more about this challenge and to download a free activity guide, visit mcc.org/school-kit-challenge. Questions? Please contact brociamueller@mcc.org or 316.836.5045. Kits can be dropped off at MCC Central States, 121 E. 30th in North Newton, KS.
Mennonite Central Committee Grandparent Days, July 13 & 14, 9:30-11:30 a.m. each day. Gather your grandchild(ren) to pack MCC school kits at the Material Resources Center in North Newton. You’ll be helping MCC reach our 2026 School Kit Challenge goal of 30,000 school kits this summer! There is more information at mcc.org/grandparent-days or you can contact brociamueller@mcc.org or call her at 316.836.5045.
Mennonite Mission Network is seeking a Service Engagement Coordinator. This position is full-time, fully remote or hybrid in the Newton, KS or Elkhart, IN offices. This role builds relationships with congregations, schools, partners, and prospective participants while supporting recruitment, engagement, training, and outreach efforts. Working collaboratively across the organization, the coordinator helps people explore, connect with, and thrive in service experiences that support Mennonite Mission Network’s mission locally and globally. Visit MennoniteMission.net/employment for more information.
Colorado peaches are coming! Palisade peaches from western Colorado are available for pre-order. Two sizes available: 9 lb. for $31 and 18 lb. for $43. An additional $1 per box has been added as fuel expenses will be higher this summer. All orders must be received and paid in full by July 15. No orders will be accepted after this date. Place orders by emailing the MCC Central States Office at patsydirksen@mcc.org or calling 316-283-2720. Cash and checks are accepted. Make checks payable to Beth-El Mennonite Church with “peaches” in the memo line. Send payments to MCC, PO Box 235, North Newton KS 67117 or drop off at the MCC office, 121 East 30th, North Newton. Estimated pick-up date is Mon., Aug. 10 at the MCC warehouse. This date will be confirmed later in July. Beth-El Mennonite Church in Colorado Springs sells the peaches as a fundraiser for bierocks ingredients that are sold at the Rocky Mountain Mennonite Relief Sale, Oct. 17 in Castle Rock, CO.
Mennonite Central Committee “Intersection”
Dear Intersections readers:
Greetings! The summer 2026 issue of Intersections on “Interfaith Engagement,” compiled by the director of MCC’s planning, learning, and disaster response department, Alain Epp Weaver, is now on the MCC website. See link here. Authors reflect how interfaith engagement forms an essential dimension of humanitarian assistance, community development, and peacebuilding work in Indonesia, Bangladesh, India, Chad, Nigeria, Canada, Iraq, and Syria.
As always, please do reach out with any thoughts or questions you might have about Intersections!
Peace,
Sara Wyngaarden
ONLINE REGISTRATION IS OPEN for the annual Mennonite Women in Mission Womens & Girls (ages 8 – high school) Retreat at Camp Mennoscah on September 12-13. Forms are available on the website for printing for mail in registration, although online is preferred and easy! Detailed schedule information and registration is at www.mennonitewomeninmission.org. Retreat starts at 10 a.m. Saturday with SoulCollage™ with Elizabeth Eells, comforter tying for MCC, and the Faith & Life bookstore open. The retreat theme is “My Time is in Your Hands” with session speakers Melissa Atchison & Audrey Ratzlaff. Girls leaders are Schyler Entz and Emily Brandt with an additional girls tie dye bandana session with Marla Sawatzky Rowe. Come join us for fun, fellowship, and inspiration! Questions? Email mennonitewomeninmission@gmail.com.
Buhler Mennonite Church & Hoffnungsau Mennonite Church invite local farmers and ag professionals to a Gathering for Farmers, Ranchers and the Ag Community Fri., July 31 at Hilton Garden Inn, Hutchinson; 8:30 a.m. is coffee and donuts and 9 a.m.—1 p.m. is the Program and Lunch. Soil & Soul brings together the people who support agriculture every day to strengthen relationships, share resources, and build support systems that help producers thrive. As the first in a two-part series, this gathering is designed for agriculture’s “front-line”professionals – bankers, lenders, implement dealers, agronomists, veterinarians, insurance and Co-op employees, healthcare providers, congregation members, and others who work closely with producers. Through shared conversation, learning, connection, and a meal, we hope to build understanding around stress and well-being while strengthening a more supportive ag community. A larger, producer-focused event will follow on Nov. 14, 2026. We hope you join us in July! For more information contact bmcpastor@gmail.com or 620-899-8918
Bethel College Announcements:
· In honor of the U.S. semiquincentennial (250 years), the Mennonite Library and Archives at Bethel College has a small exhibit of books owned by the MLA that were published in 1776. The 9 titles are in German, Dutch and French. You can view the exhibit in the MLA Mon.-Thurs., June 22-25 and June 29-July 2 (Mon. 1:30-4:30 p.m., Tues.-Weds.-Thurs. 9:30-noon and 1:30-4:30 p.m.). The MLA is closed starting July 3 and reopens in August, when the display is available for viewing again.
· Sat., July 4: Kauffman Museum first-Saturday bird walk, 7 a.m. start time in the museum parking lot at the corner of Main and 27th streets in North Newton. Experienced birders lead a walk of 1-1.5 hours in Chisholm Park and on Sand Creek Trail (terrain is mostly wood-chip path and sometimes uneven/sloping).
· Bethel College is hosting Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps, a top-tier competitive drum corps, on campus through July 7. They will give a free performance July 4, 8 p.m., in Thresher Stadium – everyone is welcome!
· Fri., July 17: The Bethel College alumni office invites alumni and friends to a cookout (hamburgers, hot dogs, sides, fixings, beverages and homemade ice cream; vegetarian and gluten-free options available), 6-8 p.m., around the Friesen fountain on the campus Green. There will also be live music by Jesse Graber, Ben Regier and Erin Mae. This free event is a welcome to campus for Interim President Wynn Goering, with remarks from him and others at 7 p.m. There will be a few tables and chairs on-site, but you’re welcome to bring your own lawn chairs and blankets, along with yard games to share (a few will be available).
Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here
Mennonite Women USA “Women’s Voices” press here
Mennonite Mission Network “News from around the world” press here
Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements.
| Dear Bethel College Mennonite,“For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed… in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” Romans 8:19–22What does it mean to work for peace on Earth when there is constant conflict and exploitation? What can we learn from the experiences of people struggling for dignity, rights and well-being in their homeland? Puerto Rico has experienced highs and lows including hurricanes, earthquakes, and a system of governance that seems to foster crisis.Join this camp on the beautiful island of Borikén to explore how the life of Jesus and the clamor of the land call us together to cultivate peace. It will be a week of learning, collective transformation, solidarity grounded in biblical principles, and a deep connection with the earth. During this peace camp, we will: Explore biblical foundations for peaceLearn practical tools for cultivating peaceDiscuss issues of colonization, migration, trauma, food sovereignty, and other systems that impact well-beingVisit local organizations working to cultivate peace within their specific contextsWhen: October 18-24 Where: Rio Grande, Puerto Rico Who: Young adults ages 18-30; the ability to understand and speak Spanish is required How: Register here by September 12 Cost: $250.00 (includes flight to Puerto Rico); payment guarantees your spot at the camp Requirement: Spanish comprehension, as the camp will be conducted entirely in Spanish. Peace camps are a way to encourage and support young adults in the church to live an active faith by cultivating peace. Young adults, ages 18 to 30, are invited to apply. MCC covers all travel, lodging, and meal costs beyond the $250 registration fee. We encourage churches, schools, families, and friends to support participants with the registration fee whenever possible. This is an opportunity you won’t want to miss! Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns you’d like to discuss. Otherwise, visit our website to register. |
Just Peace Pilgrimages — Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples
Hosted by the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery and led by Coalition Executive Director Sarah Augustine.
You and your community are invited to engage with contemporary Indigenous realities, explore the histories of Indigenous Peoples, and examine the complexities of Indigenous-settler relations. What might it mean for your community to stand in solidarity with Indigenous Peoples and actively contribute to the work of truth-telling and repair?
Dates: September 22-26.
Registration deadline: July 15
Contact: Stephanie Weaver, StephanieW@MennoniteMission.net
Learn more and register: MennoniteMission.net/JustPeace
Mennonite Church USA Announcements
In her recent Menno Snapshots blog, Rachel Ringenberg Miller, MC USA denominational minister for Ministerial Leadership, encourages congregations to unlock their full ministry potential by embracing the shared calling of pastors and church members through the Anabaptist belief in the priesthood of all believers. Read it here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/pastor-and-congregation/
Stay connected with the latest news, inspiring stories, upcoming events and resources from Mennonite Church USA through PeaceMail, MC USA’s biweekly e-newsletter. Mennoniteusa.org/peacemail
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Ben and Laurel Woodward-Breckbill are serving as the directors of the Paris (France) Mennonite Center. They and their two children will soon be traveling back to the United States for their two-month North American Ministry. Pray for them as they spend July visiting churches and supporters on a cross-country road trip, and August in Kansas.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Pray for church planters and their families, that they may experience strength, encouragement, and deep trust in God’s provision. -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.