BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
August 30, 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.
BCMC will be worshipping at Camp Mennoscah this Sunday. The service will be live-streamed. Go to the BCMC website – https://
green LIVE STREAM button.
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. 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.
BCMC Retreat at Camp Mennoscah
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!
To donate to BCMC go to the website: bethelcollegemennonitechurch.
BCMC Offering for August 23: Gen.$6,981.34; Community Playschool $250; Caring Fund $450; Kitchen Fund $16; Marvin Dirks Mem. $1,000.
Sunday, August 30—Worship at Camp Mennoscah
Wednesday, September 2
7 p.m. Youth Group
7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir rehearsal in the Sanctuary
Calling all singers! 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, September 3
11 a.m. Revelation Study in the church Chapel–Join Pastor Joanna for our first Bible study on the book of Revelation. We will meet each Thursday at 11 through October 29. All are welcome!
4:30 to 6 p.m. Community Playschool Open House in the Community Playschool rooms in the church basement
6 p.m. Chancel Bell Rehearsal in Room B7
7 p.m. Church Board meeting in Room 14
Sunday, September 6—Anabaptist Identity: Jesus is the Center of Our Faith
9:30 a.m. Worship with sermon by Joanna Harader
First day of Sunday School; land acknowledgement; baptism photos; kin-dom report from Sara Valentina Ladino
Monday, September 7—Labor Day—Church Office will be closed
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.
If you are willing to let poetry be a place where the soul wrestles and wonders, please join us for poetry reading and discussion weekly on Tuesday mornings at 11 in the BCMC chapel. Bring a poem of your own or from someone else. The fall poems and prayers session begins on Tuesday, September 15.
We offer sympathy to the family of Dean Schrag. Dean died August 25 at NMC Health. Dean’s funeral was Aug. 28 at BCMC with a burial afterwards at Greenwood Cemetery in Newton.
Ruthann Dirks’ address now is: 1002 Rule Drive, Room B5, Ft. Collins, CO 80525.
Thank you to everyone who donated cookies for the Bethel College Ministry and Community fair this past Wednesday! The cookies were much appreciated by the many students who stopped by our table to learn about Bethel College Mennonite Church.
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
All volunteers who work with children and/or youth at BCMC should plan to attend one of two Safe Sanctuary workshops: Sunday, October 4, during the Sunday School hour OR Wednesday, October 7, at 6:30 p.m. (before choir). These trainings are important for our church’s efforts to be a survivor-centered community that provides a physically and emotionally safe environment for all ages. Thank you for your faithfulness in nurturing our young people. Contact Brad Kohlman or Joanna Harader with questions.
Announcements from the BCMC Indigenous Task Group
Going Beyond Land Acknowledgement:
Attend the art exhibit “Alive with Wonder” at Regier Gallery on the Bethel campus by Native Kansan and Cherokee artist Hattie Lee Mendoza which opened Aug. 24 and runs through September 17 with a reception at 6:30 on September 17. See examples of her wide-ranging work at https://hattieleeart.com
BCMC Indigenous Task Group is hosting Cherokee artist and native Kansan Hattie Lee Mendoza whose art show is currently in Regier Gallery on Bethel’s campus through September 17. The salad supper, a meet and greet at 4:30 p.m on Thursday, September 17 in the BCMC Fellowship Hall is for all who have seen Hattie’s show. She will discuss how her art connects with her Indigenous heritage. An artist’s reception will follow at Regier Gallery at 6:30 p.m.
Western District Conference (WDC) is introducing a new program to help keep lines of communication open between it and its member churches. The Conference is asking each congregation to appoint an advocate who would stay in touch with the conference offices via email and share with the congregation any news and requests that WDC might
have. At the WDC assembly in Dallas recently, it was obvious how much good work is being done in assisting immigrant churches as they work to create community in difficult circumstances. If you are interested in being a part of this work, email mtoews1@gmail.com or let any board member or pastor know. Thank you. — Margaret Toews, Board Moderator
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!
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.
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.
Bethel College Announcements
Life Enrichment, the series at Bethel College for adults age 60 and older, meets most Wednesday mornings during the school year in Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center. Sept. 2 Programs: 9:30 a.m., “The Mostaza Ceramics Story,” Isaac Shue; 10:50 a.m., “Every Quilt Tells a Story,” Chris Allen.
Sat., Sept. 5: Kauffman Museum bird walk, 7 a.m. start time in the museum parking lot at the corner of Main and 27th streets (2801 N. Main St., 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).
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
Invitation to the 10th Annual Grace Hill Community Hog Roast
Grace Hill Mennonite Church warmly invites you to attend the 10th Annual Community Hog Roast, on Sunday, Sept. 27, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the church located at 10218 SE 12th Street, Whitewater. Come for outdoor fellowship, a delicious pulled pork barbecue meal with sides served from 5 to 7 p.m., yard games and live music by the Schwisters and Brett and Caleb Klingenberg from 5:30 to 7:15 p.m. A free-will donation will be accepted with proceeds supporting the Newton, Whitewater, and Potwin food banks.
| 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 Women USA “Women’s Voices” press here
For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here
For Mennonite Mission Network “News from around the world” press here
Ready to put your gifts to work and make new friends?
Mennonite Mission Network’s SOOP program (Service Opportunities with Our Partners) is calling your name! Choose from 60 locations, flexible terms that fit your life, and opportunities open to adults 25+ and families of every age. Housing and meals are sometimes included — because who doesn’t love a little free room and board with their adventure?
Roll up your sleeves and checkout MennoniteMission.net/
For Mennonite Disaster Service “Volunteer Update” press here
For Mennonite World Conference press here
For Anabaptist Disabilities Book Resources List press here
Mennonite Church USA Announcements press here
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Pray for resources—spiritual, financial, and relational—to sustain and nurture new church plants. -WDC Church Planting Commission
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Laura and Nick Sharp and their two children have completed their year of service in La Mesa, Colombia, and have returned to their home in Kansas. Pray for this family as they transition back into life in the U.S. and as they solidify plans for this next stage of life.
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.