BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
August 23, 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 23:
On Sunday morning, around 9:20 a.m. go to BCMC’s webpage at bethelcollegemennonitechurc
OR – click on this link for this Sunday: https://youtube.com/
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
August 23, 2026
Christ Candle Lighting
Centering Music—My Lord, what a Morning (arr. Austin)—Verlene Garber
Welcome and Opening Prayer—Adam Oswald
*Hymn—God, Be The Love—VT 43
Children and Youth Conversation—Glen Ediger
Worship Music—Spring (by Beeftik)—Olivia Garber, piano; Eliya Lehman, flute
Scripture Reading—Genesis 45:1-15; Exodus 1:8-14—Mara Oswald
*Hymn—O Healing River—VT 706
Sermon—The Economy of God—Joanna Harader
*Hymn—Let Justice Flow Down—VT 791
Receiving the Offering and Prayers of God’s People
*Hymn—Lead On, O Cloud of Presence—VT 194
[Those with August birthdays are welcome to come forward during this hymn to receive a birthday blessing.]
*Benediction
Postlude—Praise Him (Larson)—Verlene Garber
* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Keyboard–Verlene Garber
Audio visual—Ken Lamp
To donate to BCMC go to the website: bethelcollegemennonitechurch.
BCMC Offering for August 16: Gen. $5,012; Wed. Supper $114; Library Reserve Fund $20; Kitchen Fund $16.
The Week at BCMC: August 23—30, 2026
Sunday, August 23—Worship with sermon by Joanna Harader
Livestream link: https://youtube.com/live/QSV9_
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. An information session about the scope and cost of an AV upgrade will be held in the sanctuary today, during the Sunday school hour. All are welcome. – Margaret Toews, Moderator
Monday, August 24
5:30 p.m. Kansas Repair Communities meeting in Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, August 26
7 p.m. Youth Group Pool Party at Susie & Bill Swartley home, 9 Circle Dr., Newton
7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir rehearsal in the Sanctuary
Calling all singers! The Chancel Choir reconvenes Aug. 26 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 Sunday to sing during worship will be Sept. 13. For more information, please feel free to contact Will Wiebe-Friesen, music co-coordinator.
Thursday, August 27
2 p.m. Deacon Commission in Room 14
6 p.m Chancel Bells rehearsal in Room B7
Saturday & Sunday, August 29 & 30—BCMC Retreat at Camp Mennoscah
You are invited to join the BCMC community at Camp Mennoscah Sat., Aug. 29 and/or Sun., Aug. 30 for a time of fellowship and worship with each other. Several members of the senior high youth group will be baptized, so this will be a very special worship service. 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 Saturday night. There are Retreat schedules in the Gathering Place. If you cannot register on-line, you can contact the church office. For more information or questions contact Adam Robb. Sunday breakfast is at 8 a.m.; Worship Service at 10 a.m.; Lunch at 11:30 a.m.
Pastor Joanna’s schedule is shifting a bit as she begins teaching a section of Basic Issues in Faith and Life at Bethel College this semester. Her “day” off will be Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Her 1887 Cafe hours will be 11:45-1:30 each Wednesday.
LEADERSHIP RETREAT IN SEPTEMBER
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
More BCMC Calendar Items
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!
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).
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@
Kansas Interfaith Action is again doing paid relational voter to voter outreach for the fall election. We really would like to have a captain for this work who is from Newton. I am attaching a graphic describing the position. It makes a great, flexible part time job for students but it doesn’t have to be a student either. I would welcome any referrals you can provide!! Send them to this email address sellwood@
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!
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.
Bluestem Communities is launching a new semester of the Bluestem U lifelong learning program for individuals age 55+. Three courses will be offered, for $50 each. Registration and more information is available at bluestemu.org. The semester courses are as follows: “Chemistry 101: Chemistry in and around us”, taught by Jim Yoder; “Suing for Peace: A guide to resolving life’s conflicts”, taught by Robert Hull, Keren Kandel, Erin Omole, Bill Rich, Tim Voth and Aimee Voth Siebert; and “Buggies, Bonnets and Boundaries: A study of Amish faith, life and culture”, taught by John Sharp.
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/
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.
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-
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-
Bethel College Announcements
Mon., Aug. 24: “Alive with Wonder,” fabric art by Hattie Lee Mendoza, opens in the Regier Art Gallery in Luyken Fine Arts Center at Bethel College (reception Sept. 17). Gallery hours are Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 2-4 p.m.
Weds., Aug. 26: The staff of KIPCOR, the Kansas Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution at Bethel College, invites you for coffee, pastries and conversation, 8:30-10 a.m. at Kaufman House (2515 College Ave., North Newton). Starting in September, Coffee with KIPCOR will be on the third Wednesday and start at 8 a.m.
Life Enrichment, the series at Bethel College for adults age 60 and older, resumes for the fall semester on Wednesday, Aug. 26, with Wynn Goering, “Seeing Into the Life of Things” (9:30 a.m.), and Tommy Richardson, “What is GAF and Why is GAF in Newton?” (10:50 a.m.). Details here, along with a link to the complete fall schedule.
Fri., Aug. 28: Bethel College Music Faculty Showcase Recital, 7 p.m., Administration Building chapel, featuring Dr. Christina Liu, piano, Dr. Russell Adrian, piano, Dr. Holly Swartzendruber, soprano, Dr. Jonathan Poquette, trumpet, and Dr. Kelly Poquette, flute
Sun., Aug. 30: “Piece / Work: The Art of Mary Lou Goertzen,” a special exhibit of ceramics and textiles, opens at Kauffman Museum, 1:30 p.m., with a presentation about Goertzen and her work by exhibit curator Dr. Rachel Epp Buller, 3 p.m., Kauffman Museum auditorium
The Bethel College Board of Directors has named its presidential search committee, following the resignation of Jon Gering, who completed his service on June 30. Co-chairs of the committee are current board member Cynthia A. Doyle Perkins, Indianapolis, and Becky Bartell, Hesston (Whitestone Mennonite Church). Others are Sal Lujano, Clark Oswald (Bethel College Mennonite Church), Zandra Sawatzky (Shalom Mennonite Church) and Jon Zerger (BCMC), all of Newton. The committee invites comments and suggestions to any of them, or at presidentialsearch@bethelks.
Hesston College Announcement
| 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!For “Schweitzer Salt” newsletter press here |
Western District Conference Fund Development Coordinator opening: Western District Conference seeks a quarter-time Fund Development Coordinator beginning September 1, 2026. Responsibilities include nurturing congregational communications and donor relationships, relating to congregational advocates, working with the Stewardship Commission to coordinate fundraising initiatives, and engaging with Everence as a resource for financial stewardship. For more information see the position description here. Interested candidates should send a resume, and names and contact information for three references to Conference Minister Heidi Regier Kreider at heidirk@mennowdc.org.
Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements
For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here
For Mennonite Disaster Service “On the Level” press here
KIPCOR Announcement about Coffee at KIPCOR on August 26, 8:30 to 10 a.m. press here
For Anabaptist Disabilities Book Resources List press here
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Give thanks for persons elected to new WDC leadership roles at Annual Assembly and pray for God’s guidance and wisdom for them as they begin a new year of service.
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Christy Harrison, Peter Sensenig, and their three children are relocating from Montbéliard Calais, France, to Beirut, Lebanon, this month. This will be their second move to a new continent in under two years. Pray for them as they transition into their new home and say goodbye to the friends they made in France.
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.