BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
August 2, 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, August 2:
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/km-EHrgkDQQ?feature=share
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
August 2, 2026
Christ Candle Lighting
Centering Music—If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee (J.S. Bach)
Will Wiebe-Friesen
Land Acknowledgement
Land Acknowledgement from words by Mark Charles and VT #878
As we do on the first Sunday of each month, we acknowledge that we worship
on the land of the Kanza, Osage, and Wichita.
We thank them for their care and respect for this land and acknowledge the injustice of their forced removal.
We ask the Spirit to heal our histories and find new paths of right relationships with them and all of creation.
Welcome and Opening Prayer— Dorothy Nickel Friesen
*Hymn—Gathered Here— VT 3
Children and Youth Conversation— Megan Kohlman
Worship Music— Burch Family
Scripture Reading— Genesis 32:22-31—Justin Zerger
*Hymn Come, O Thou Traveler Unknown (v. 1-3, 5)— VT 191
Sermon— Hard Blessings— Joanna Harader
*Hymn—God of Many Faces— insert
Receiving the Offering and Prayers of God’s People
*Hymn— Guide My Feet— VT 816
*Benediction
Postlude–Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah (arr. P. Manz)
* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Keyboard–Will Wiebe-Friesen
Audio visual— John Thiesen
To donate to BCMC go to the website: bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org and click on the red “SUPPORT BCMC” button. BCMC appreciates you and your support of Bethel College Mennonite Church and its ministry!
BCMC Offering for July 26: Gen.$10,235.34; MCC $100; Plant Fund $25; Caring Fund $25; Kitchen Fund $6; Solar Fund $500.
The Week at BCMC: August 2—9, 2026
Sunday, August 2—Worship with sermon by Joanna Harader
Sunday school hour: AV update – Bill Eash and Jon Zerger met with two audio visual companies and BCMC received bids from each focusing primarily on improving sound in the sanctuary and Fellowship Hall. Information sessions about the scope and cost of an AV upgrade will be held in the sanctuary Sunday, August 2 and Sunday, Aug. 23. The content is expected to be the same in both sessions. All are welcome. – Margaret Toews, Moderator
Tuesday, August 4
2 p.m. Memorial for Mildred Voran—Sanctuary
Thursday, August 6
4 p.m. Staff Congregation Relations Committee in Room 14
7 p.m. Church Board in Room 14
Sunday, August 9—Back to School Sunday—Backpack Blessings
9:30 a.m. Worship with sermon by Nathan Koontz
More BCMC Calendar Items
Bethel College needs helpers for our fall athlete move-in on Fri., Aug. 7, which will last from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. These helpers will be assisting students as they move their belongings into their rooms. Anyone willing to help for any amount of time can contact Amy Marshall, the campus pastor, directly at amarshall@bethelks.edu.
Mark your calendars for our church retreat at Camp Mennoscah, Aug. 29-30. All are invited for a supper, festivities, and an overnight at camp on Saturday, Aug. 29. Our worship service will be at Camp Mennoscah on Sunday morning, Aug. 30, and will include several youth being baptized in the river! Breakfast and lunch will be available on Aug. 30. Retreat registration information will be available soon.
Our first Open Table of the semester will be Wed., Aug. 12, from 6-7:30 p.m in the Fellowship Hall. We will begin with a meal and then have an interactive time of worship and Bible study for all ages. Open Table will be the second Wednesday night of each month, and this semester’s topic is: Monsters in the Bible! Join us for this time of learning and connecting across generations.
Bethel College Mennonite Church will have a table at the Bethel College Ministry and Community Fair on Aug. 26. We would love to offer Bethel students and staff some homemade cookies–as an act of hospitality and as incentive for them to come to our table and learn about the church. If you would be willing to make some cookies for this event, please let Joanna know. Thanks! (joanna@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org)
This fall, plan to join Joanna for a Bible study on the book of Revelation. We will meet on Thursday mornings at 11 a.m. in Room 14 during the months of September and October (September 3-October 29).
Subscription Renewal time for “Rejoice”
It’s time to renew the BCMC group subscription for the devotional magazine “Rejoice”. The September-October-November issue is in your mailboxes here at the church. If you wish to renew or want a new subscription to “Rejoice”, place a check for $39.55 in the offering plate or bring to the church office. The deadline for subscriptions for “Rejoice” is August 12.
We have some amazing children who are part of our Bethel College Mennonite Church community, and you have an opportunity to spend some time and share your faith with them on Sunday mornings! We are starting to put together our Fall schedule for children’s Sunday School. If you would like to serve as a teacher or helper for our preschool or elementary-aged groups, please contact Pastor Joanna (joanna@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org).
Sympathy Notices
We extend sympathy to the family of Marvin Dirks. Marvin died Sat., July 25, in Colorado. Please keep his wife, Ruthann, and their whole family in your prayers during this time. The memorial service in Colorado will be held Sat., Aug. 8, at 10 a.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church in Loveland, CO. An inurnment service at the Bethel College Mennonite Church columbarium will be later this fall.
We extend sympathy to the family of Fred Obold. Fred died July 28 at a hospital in Oregon after a cancer tumor surgery. Fred and Ruth Obold were members at BCMC from 1994 until 2017 when they moved to Portland, Oregon and joined the Portland Mennonite Church. Fred was an interim pastor at BCMC in 2009. Please remember Fred’s wife Ruth and their family in your prayers
The Library Committee would like to thank Brandon Friesen and Mark Janzen for not only sharing their expertise on computers but donating a refurbished computer to the library. Not only does the new to us computer work better than the previous one, it also saved us money that we can use on books.
Many thanks to our Bethel College Mennonite Church delegates to Western District Conference Assembly next weekend: Anita Breckbill, Ron Flickinger, Francis Toews, Margaret Toews, Dale Schrag, Dorothy Nickel Friesen, and Joanna Harader. Feel free to reach out with any questions about the work of our conference.
Max Ediger, a Bethel College Mennonite member living and ministering in Cambodia, is looking for people who would be willing to offer tutoring via zoom in math and science for a few Burmese students. These students are preparing for their GED exams in anticipation of attending college. If you would like to help, you can contact Max directly via email; his address is available in the church directory and from the church office.
Sun., Aug. 16: Sunday-Afternoon-at-the-Museum program at Kauffman Museum with Bradley Schmidt, translator, on Elina Penner’s debut novel Nachtbeeren/Nightberries, 3 p.m., in the museum auditorium. Penner was born in the Soviet Union in a Low German Mennonite family, who immigrated to Germany in 1991, when she was 4. Her debut novel deals with family and immigrant travails in a new homeland. Schmidt was born into a Mennonite family, grew up in the Goessel community, graduated from Bethel College and is currently a translator and educator living in Leipzig, Germany. He will discuss Penner’s novel and the process of translating High and Low German for English readers.
Save the Date!! — Blueprint for the Future | September 22 – New Hope Shelter
Join us on September 22 for Blueprint for the Future, a Christ-centered evening celebrating what God is doing through New Hope Shelter and casting the vision for the years ahead. Enjoy dinner, dessert, music, testimonials, and fellowship — and be part of an evening that supports the mission and future of this ministry. Check out the Save the Date below for all the details, and use the link or scan the QR code to reserve your tickets today. Seating is limited!
International Students at Bethel College Request help to fill gift baskets for new international students
Dear Friends of Bethel,
For decades, Bethel College has been a home away from home for students from around the world. While studying in a new country is exciting, arriving in the United States also brings many challenges. New international students must adjust to a new culture, college life, and life far from family—often with only a few personal belongings.
You can help make that transition a little easier.
The International Students Club has created a registry of essential items to help welcome new international students and provide some of the everyday necessities they’ll need during their first weeks at Bethel. These items will be included in welcome baskets to help students feel cared for and at home from the moment they arrive.
You can view the registry here. Purchased items can be shipped to:
Bethel College
300 E. 27th St.
North Newton, KS 67117
Attn: Karin Kaufman Wall, International Students Club Advisor
Items may also be dropped off at the Leisy House (24th & College Ave).
Please mark any purchased items on the gift registry so we can keep track of what is still needed. If you would prefer to give financially, donations may be made to Bethel College with “International Students Fund” in the memo line.
Thank you for helping create a warm and welcoming beginning for our newest international students. Every gift—whether large or small—helps students feel supported and reminds them that they are already part of the Bethel community.
With gratitude,
The International Students Club
Elena Jugović
Co-President
International Students Club
Labor Day Work and Play@ Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp: September 4-7, 2026. Spend your holiday weekend at Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp for the annual Work and Play Retreat and help us prepare for the Winter to come. In exchange for your help with camp projects during the retreat, there is no charge for the weekend. Visit the camp website at rmmc.org “Work and Play Retreats” to learn more about the weekend and to register.
Hey Quilters! As the hot temperatures keep you inside and you decide to sort through your quilting supplies and fabric stash, don’t forget that Quilters corner is seeking your donations year round to help us have another successful KMRS sale in 2027! Donations can be dropped off at Mennonite Central Committee Center in North Newton labeled for QC or if you need pick up or help sorting call Ann Yoder Smith 919-604-3282. Thank you!…
Mennonite Women and Girls Retreat at Camp Mennoscah
IT’S TIME TO REGISTER for the annual Mennonite Women in Mission Womens & Girls (ages 8 – high school) Retreat at Camp Mennoscah on September 12-13. Detailed schedule information and registration is at www.mennonitewomeninmission.org. 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. Questions? Email mennonitewomeninmission@gmail.com.
Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements.
For Mennonite Mission Network “Church Resources” press here
For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here
For Mennonite Men “Engage” press here
For Mennonite World Conference “Info” press here
Mennonite Mission Network “Urgent Prayer Request” press here
For Mennonite Church USA Announcements press here
| From Mennonite Central Committee U.S. National Peace & Justice Ministries Peace Camp – October – in Puerto Rico 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. |
MCC U.S. National Peace & Justice Ministries
920 Pennsylvania Ave. SE
Washington, D.C. 20003
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Give thanks for WDC’s diverse congregations, and pray for Annual Assembly participants from across WDC as they gather next weekend for worship, workshops, intergenerational activities, children’s and youth programs, delegate business, shared meals and fellowship
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Joseph and Rachel Givens are shifting away from working at the Maria Skobtsova House and beginning to work with new partners in the Calais, France, area. Pray for them during this time of transition
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.