BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
August 9, 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 9:
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/FKU6MCDJFBE?feature=share
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
August 9, 2026
Christ Candle Lighting
Centering Music—Thou True Vine That Heals the Nations (arr. R. Haan)
Will Wiebe-Friesen
Welcome & Prayer—John Waltner
*Hymn—Come, Let Us All Unite to Sing—VT 7
Children and Youth Conversation; Backpack Blessing Esther Kreider Eash
Worship Music—Notturno (Ottorino Respighi)
Abby Koontz
Scripture Reading—Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28—Diana Torline
Hymn—Kyrie eleison—VT 678
Sermon—Dysfunctional Families—Nathan Koontz
*Hymn—Healer of Our Every Ill—VT 644
Offering Invitation & Prayers of God’s People
*Hymn—Go, My Friends, in Grace— VT 810
*Benediction
Postlude–Prelude in Classic Style (G. Young)
*You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Keyboard—Will Wiebe-Friesen
Audio visual—Ken Lamp
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 August 2: Gen. $5,575.20; Harvest of Love $1,250; Camp Mennoscah $1,000; Safe House $250; Kitchen Fund $13.12.
The Week at BCMC: August 9—16, 2026
Sunday, August 9—Worship with sermon by Nathan Koontz
Livestream link: https://youtube.com/live/FKU6MCDJFBE?feature=share
Backpack Sunday is August 9
During worship this Sunday, August 9, we will have a backpack blessing. Students, teachers, and others are encouraged to bring a backpack (or other school/work bag) and receive a blessing for the new school year.
Tuesday, August 11
2 p.m. Facilities Committee meeting in Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, August 12
6 p.m. Open Table in Fellowship Hall. Our first Open Table of the semester will be from 6-7:30 p.m. 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.
Sunday, August 16—Bethel College Sunday
9:30 a.m. Worship with sermon by Joanna Harader
Save the Date – Leadership Retreat, September 26, Dyck Arboretum 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Everyone serving on commissions and/or committees is invited! More information will be coming. —BCMC Board
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.
More BCMC Calendar Items
Calling all singers! The Chancel Choir will soon reconvene for a new season of providing worship music for BCMC. We welcome anyone who enjoys singing to join us for Wednesday evening rehearsals from 7:30-8:30 and on Sunday mornings approximately twice a month. Our first rehearsal is scheduled for Aug.26, and our first Sunday to sing during worship will be Sept. 13. For more information, please feel free to contact Will Wiebe-Friesen, music co-coordinator.
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. The next information session about the scope and cost of an AV upgrade will be held in the sanctuary Aug. 23. All are welcome. – Margaret Toews, Moderator
BCMC Retreat at Camp Mennoscah
The Camp Mennoscah retreat is coming up soon! You are invited to join the BCMC community at Camp Mennoscah on Saturday, August 29 and/or Sunday, August 30 for a time of fellowship and worship with each other. There will be opportunities to play in the river, spend time in nature, spend time with each other, and on Sunday, worship together. Several members of the senior high youth group will be baptized, so this will be a very special worship service together.
We will do a potluck meal on Saturday night for dinner, and then breakfast and lunch will be provided on Sunday for those who are interested. Tent camping, cabin, and staff house are available for those who wish to spend the night from Saturday to Sunday. More information and the schedule can be found here:
2026 BCMC Retreat Schedule
And, for those of you who are ready to register, you can do that here:
2026 BCMC Retreat Registration
Registration helps us understand how many people will be coming so we know how many meals to prepare. Registration also helps make sure that the correct fees are paid to Camp.
Thanks, and we look forward to worshiping and fellowshipping together at Camp!
Cheesecake Fundraiser
A member of Casa Betania has reached out to our congregation to sell cheesecake as a fundraiser to help support her family. She is selling two sizes: small for $4 each and large for $12 each. Please text, call (316.323.8372) or email your choice to me at kthrnsimmons@gmail.com by August 10. Your order will be delivered to the church on August 15 for pick up on August 16 where a moneybox will be available for payment by the refrigerator. Thanks for supporting Casa Betania. –Kathryn Simmons
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” and “Anabaptist World”
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.
It’s time also to renew the BCMC group subscription to Anabaptist World, a monthly magazine featuring voices from across the Anabaptist-Mennonite world. To sign up with the congregation’s plan the subscription is $54 for a year. If you wish to renew or want a new subscription to “Anabaptist World”, place a check for $54 in the offering plate or bring to the church office.
If you wish to subscribe to both “Rejoice” and “Anabaptist World” you can combine the payments and write just one check.
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).
Many thanks to our Bethel College Mennonite Church delegates to Western District Conference Assembly this 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.
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!
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 Kansas Mennonite Relief 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.
From Mennonite Central Committee (MCC)
Missing in Brooks County documentary screening at MCC in North Newton – Mon., Aug. 24 from 12 p.m.-3 p.m. and Tues., Aug. 25 from 6 p.m.-9 p.m! We’re excited to bring you two opportunities to view this Peabody Award winning documentary featuring MCC partner organization South Texas Human Rights Center. The film features two families searching for their loved ones many miles away from the U.S./Mexico border. Please RSVP for this event at mcc.org/brooks-county-movie-screening so we can plan accordingly!
Kit bags needed at MCC! It’s school kit season which means thousands of kit bags are needed to hold the school supplies and serve as backpacks for the recipients. The MCC Material Resources Center in North Newton is running critically low on these sewn bags. Consider hosting a kit bag making event with your family or church; you sew them and MCC will add the strings to tie them. Don’t know how to sew? Please contact Brocia Mueller at brociamueller@mcc.org for instructions and questions. And it’s not too late to help us collect 30,000 school kits for 30,000 children by August 31 see mcc.org/school-kit-challenge for details!
Beyond the Headlines: Haiti, Temporary Protected Status, and the Church webinar on Wednesday, August 19 at 1 p.m. CT/ 12 p.m. MT. Please join MCC in listening to Haitian voices and exploring faithful action. In this webinar, we will hear stories from a pastor whose congregation has welcomed Haitian families, an MCC staff member who has been at the forefront of the work in Haiti, and a leader from The Haitian Bridge Alliance, a nonprofit organization that provides humanitarian, legal, and social services to Haitian communities. Register today at mcc.org/events/beyond-headlines-haiti-temporary-protected-status-and-church.
Kidron Bethel Village in North Newton will celebrate a century of connection, care, laughter and life well-lived with its “Celebrating a Century” event on Thursday, August 27, from 3:30 to 6 p.m., at Kidron Bethel Village, 3001 Ivy Dr., North Newton. The come-and-go event will include historical displays and light refreshments.
The Newton Et Cetera Shop is in the midst of celebrating its 50th anniversary. Since 1976, the shop has been a Christian resource meeting human needs by providing quality, affordable, recycled merchandise for the community, while encouraging stewardship and recycling. Through this effort, we are able to financially contribute to local and global missions. We are currently seeking active, community-minded groups and individuals to help us in our effort. Volunteers are a vital part of our operation by processing merchandise and clerking. If you or your group are interested in helping those in your community and around the world, then sign up to volunteer. Volunteer applications can be picked up in the shop at 619 N Main in Newton. You can also sign up online at newtonetceterashop.com/volunteer. We hope to hear from you soon!
Hesston College Announcements
| Hello! We would love for you to be a part of our community at Hesston College. We hope you will consider sharing these bulletin announcements with your congregation. If you are not familiar with Hesston College, we are a Christ-centered college located in Hesston, Kansas, 30 miles north of Wichita. While we are an Anabaptist higher education institution, we like to think of ourselves as a Mennonite college for all. Every person, no matter their faith background, can thrive and grow on our diverse campus. Thank you for the work your church does! We look forward to connecting with and working with your congregation. Questions? Please call 620-327-8147 for more information.Opening Weekend at Hesston College – August 14 to 16 The Hesston College campus is excited for new and returning students arriving for the new school year! There are many weekend events and opportunities for students, including the final event, Nest Olympics, which the community is invited to watch beginning Sunday evening, August 16 at 7 p.m. at Sieber Field.Fall sports seasons begin at Hesston College August marks the arrival of the first home games for our volleyball and soccer teams. Lark volleyball opens their home schedule on Tuesday, August 25, while the Lark soccer teams begin home games on August 20 (men) and August 22 (women). Please visit the athletic website at HCLarks.com for schedules of all athletic programs, and come out to support the Larks! |
Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements.
For NAMI Kansas Annual Conference press here
For Mennonite World Conference “Courier” press here
For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here
For Mennonite Mission Network “Seeds of Peace” press here
For Mennonite Disaster Service press here
For Mennonite Central Committee “In Touch” press here
For Mennonite Women USA “Women’s Voices” press here
KIPCOR Announcement about Coffee at KIPCOR on August 26, 8:30 to 10 a.m. press here
Western District Conference Prayer Request:
Give thanks for the generous hospitality of Iglesia Luz del Evangelio in hosting WDC Annual Assembly activities this weekend in Dallas, TX, and pray for God to bless and strengthen their congregation for ministry in the year ahead.
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: The Service Adventure unit in Colorado Springs, Colorado, begins today, with new unit leaders Elliot and Jane Radzanowski. Pray for the new leaders and this year’s participants as they settle into their year of service away from friends and family.
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.