BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 2024
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:
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/1piuKvFxRYs?feature=share
Don Kaufman Memorial Service
The memorial service for Don Kaufman is Saturday, April 13, 2024, 11 a.m. in the BCMC Sanctuary. A lunch will follow in the Fellowship Hall. The live stream link for the service is: https://youtube.com/live/_XqZ-Ikg-AY?feature=share
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
April 14, 2024
Third Sunday of Easter
Christ Candle Lighting
Centering Music—Here I am Lord (Shutte/Tucker)—Chancel Bells, Verlene Garber, director
Welcome and Prayer—Wynn Goering
*Hymn—Listen, God is Calling—VT 765
Children’s Conversation—Kathy Stucky
Kin_dom Report—Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale—Jim Robb
Anthem—I Got Shoes (Arnold)–Chancel Bells
Scripture Reading—Ephesians 4:1-7,11-13—Sandra Zerger
.
Sermon—Live Worthy of Your Calling–Roger Neufeld Smith
*Hymn—Here I Am, Lord—VT 545
Prayers of God’s People
*Hymn—Be Thou My Vision—VT 549
Benediction
Postlude
*You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Keyboard—Karen Unruh
Audio-visual—Francis Toews
This Week at BCMC: April 14-21, 2024
Sunday, April 14, 2024
9:30 a.m. Worship Service; 10:45 a.m. Faith Formation
YouTube Link for this Sunday:
https://youtube.com/live/1piuKvFxRYs?feature=share
Monday, April 15, 2024—Office will be closed
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
7 p.m. Women and Girls Tea in Fellowship Hall sponsored by Women’s Fellowship
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
6:30 p.m. Gifts Discernment Committee meeting in Room 14
7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir rehearsal in the Sanctuary
Thursday, April 18, 2024
7:00 p.m. Bethel College Women’s Association meeting in Fellowship Hall
Sunday, April 21, 2024—Creation Care Sunday
9:30 a.m. Worship with sermon by Roger Neufeld Smith; music by
Chancel Choir 10:45 a.m. Faith Formation
3 p.m. Trip Report from Denny and Dori Loepp on their visit to Cambodia to see Max Ediger —in Fellowship Hall
All women and girls are invited to the Women’s Fellowship Tea, Tues., April 16, 7 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Program: “And A Little Taste of Theatre” with Judy Harder. All are invited—come join us!
Future Events at BCMC:
· Trip Report on a Visit to New BCMC Member Max Ediger on April 21:
Max Ediger joined the BCMC fellowship in the last year to become our most distant member, currently living in Cambodia. Max has spent his life in service in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand, much of it with MCC. Recently, his childhood friend, Dennis Loepp and wife Dori of Turpin, OK, traveled to visit Max and tour with him in Vietnam and Cambodia. They will give an informal report on Max’s work, family and their travels together at BCMC Fellowship Hall on Sun. Apr.21, at 3 p.m. Max’s cousins and friends in the area will join interested persons in our congregation to hear this report. You are welcome!
· April 27-28 BCMC Church Retreat at Camp Mennoscah! See below for registration.
**May 3-5 Candidating Weekend at BCMC – See announcement below.
· May 19, congregational meeting in the sanctuary during the Sunday school hour
BCMC Retreat at Camp Mennoscah
Registration is LIVE for the BCMC Camp Mennoscah Retreat, which is on April 27 & 28! Arrival can officially happen after 1 PM on Saturday, and you are welcome to come for Saturday, Sunday, or both, with the option to spend the night. The retreat concludes with Sunday morning worship at 10 AM and lunch at 11:30 AM. If interested in attending, you can use the link here: Camp Mennoscah Retreat Registration – April 27/28, 2024 to sign up. This is very helpful in terms of planning for meals. If you would like more information about the retreat, it can be found at this link: BCMC Mennoscah Retreat Information. If you have any questions, please reach out to Adam Robb in church OR via email or phone – both of which are in the directory!
Roger Neufeld Smith will be in Newton until Sunday afternoon, April 14, when he will drive back to Topeka. He will be back in Newton on Wednesday morning, April 17 and stay in Newton until Sunday afternoon, April 21. Roger checks his email and phone regularly. Feel free to contact him via email, text or phone (785-220-1968.)
BCMC Offering for April 7: General Fund $26,596.16; MCC Meat Canning $500; Caring Fund $50; Kitchen Fund $22; Solar Fund $15,572.32
The current library theme is Poetry! We want to highlight our new “Mennonite Poetry” corner as well as the many other fine poetry books we have in the library. Those are found behind the check out desk as well as the south wall of the children’s/youth room. Keep reading and keep puzzling! Library Committee
Please join Kansas Mennonite Men’s Chorus at their concert on April 21, 4 p.m. at Tabor College. The concert will include the Newton Children’s Community Choir, the Flannelbacks, and the Menno Brass.
Mark your Calendars for Candidating Weekend
Candidating weekend for our pastoral candidate, Joanna Harader, will be May 3-5, 2024. Please be on the lookout soon for details of the schedule of events for the weekend. We encourage all to participate in the opportunities to get to know Joanna and her husband, Ryan Ellett. The congregational vote on whether to call Joanna as our Co-Pastor will take place on May 19, 2024 during the congregational meeting. The vote has been scheduled for two weeks following Joanna’s candidating weekend because Sunday, May 12 is Bethel College Baccalaureate at BCMC.
BCMC Pastor Search Committee
Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements.
Save the Date! Western District Conference Annual Assembly, August 2-4, First Mennonite Church, Beatrice, NE. Assembly is the primary resourcing and fellowship event of the year. Many workshops, onsite and virtual. Faith formation and Family Festival for all ages. Worshipping God together. Join us!
Women & Girls Save the Date! Edimental Gardening for Every Growing Space, featuring Renata Goossen will be sponsored by Western District Women in Mission at Faith Mennonite Church, Newton, Fri., April 19, 5-6 p.m. Browse and purchase plants from Renata’s Plant Bus. Bring a salad to share for supper to start at 6 p.m. The evening program, 6:30—7:30, will feature music by Prairie Highway and Renata speaking on her topic of edimental gardening, plants that are both edible and ornamental. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more details about the evening schedule and our other WDWM activities.
Bethel College Announcements
· Sun., April 14– Bethel College Heritage Roll of Honor Memorial Service, 2 p.m., Administration Building chapel or online at https://youtube.com/live/iZJ0fdOHc8M?feature=share Reception following in the Mantz Library lounge.
· Sun., April 14 – Junior recital by Bethel College student Peter Buller, piano and oboe, 7 p.m., Administration Building chapel
· Weds., April 17 – Bethel College Orchestra, directed by Kris Hilding, 7 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center
Thurs., April 18 – You’re invited to a virtual estate planning webinar, hosted by Bethel College Advancement and led by Cindy Wiens and Randy Pankratz, Adrian & Pankratz LLC, Newton; Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82173808179 This webinar is free, with no pre-registration required – just show up using the Zoom link. Questions? Contact George Leary, Director of Development, 316-284-5226 or gleary@bethelks.edu
· Fri., April 19 – Bethel College’s Faculty Lecture Series concludes with Siobhán Scarry, professor of English, “’To Wander or to Dwell’: Contending with Gendered Constructions of the Citizen/Subject in Poems about Nature,” 11 a.m., Kidron Hall at Kidron Bethel Village
· Sat., April 20 – Senior recital by Bethel College student Phillip Balzer, piano, 7 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center
· Sun., April 21 – Senior recital by Bethel College student Josie Epp, piano, 4 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center
· Sun., April 21 – Sunday-Evening-at-the-Museum with Dr. Kim Perez, Fort Hays State University, 7 p.m., Kauffman Museum auditorium. Perez’s topic is the role and impact of pioneering women in ornithology, particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Perez will also speak in convocation at Bethel College Mon., April 22, 11 a.m., in Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center. These lectures are supported by the Bethel College Women’s Association Carolyn Schultz Lectureship.
· Weds., April 24 – Bethel College Wind Ensemble, directed by Chris Miertschin, Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center
· Sat., April 27 – “Walking the Talk: Listening Relationships in a Changing Climate,” symposium at Bethel College, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center. Free and open to the public. Keynote speaker is Dr. Sheena Wilson, University of Alberta, along with others from across Kansas; see https://www.bethelks.edu/academics/convocation/walking-the-talk/walking-the-talk-listening-relationships-in-a-changing-climate/
· Sun., April 28 – Masterworks concert at Bethel College, 4 p.m., featuring the Bethel College Oratorio Chorus, orchestra and soloists, performing Britten’s Rejoice in the Lamb and Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem, with Dr. Henry S. Waters conducting; Memorial Hall
· Now in the Regier Gallery in Luyken Fine Arts Center at Bethel College – annual Student Art Exhibit, featuring the work of 41 students (artist books, ceramics, drawing, graphic design, painting and print-making) through Fri., April 19. Gallery hours are Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun. 2-4 p.m.
Bethel College Women’s Assocation Task Group will host a 4-session reading/discussion of So We and Our Children May Live by Sarah Augustine and Sheri Hostetler in the upcoming months before Sarah Augustine visits our area during Fall Festival at Bethel College. Watch for time and place. Anyone interested in reading and thinking together is invited.
Volunteer at New Hope Shelter: BCMC is one of 24 local congregations providing regular volunteer support to New Hope Shelter in Newton. New Hope serves homeless men, women, and children from Harvey, Butler, Marion, and McPherson counties. About five times a year, BCMC and Faith Mennonite partner to cover one week of evening shifts. We provide a meal for 25-30 people and two volunteers who stay through the evening to support an evening staff person. We can always use more help to meet this commitment, and participation can be regular or occasional. Our next shift will be May 1-7. If you’re interested or would like more details, email Cynthia Linscheid at cdlin319@gmail.com. Thank you to all who have volunteered for New Hope, either recently or in the past!
Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp Announcements
SPRUCE BEETLE PACKET WORKDAY APRIL 27TH – Since 2015, camp has continued the effort to minimize the impact of the spruce beetle’s desire to make a home and reproduce in the mature Engelmann spruce trees here at RMMC. Pheromone packets disbursed around camp facilities are intended to “communicate” to the beetles that camp’s part of the forest has a “no vacancy” sign and they should move on elsewhere. Please signup to come help with this year’s distribution by visiting our Volunteer page and select “Signup for Maintenance“. Friday night accommodations are offered by request and breakfast will be served Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m. and lunch at 12:30 p.m. Hope to have you join us!
SPRING MENNONITE QUILTERS RETREAT – Camp’s first quilters retreat for 2024 is coming April 25-28. These retreats are a great opportunity to get away and get those projects done that have been waiting. While there will be some short, fun breaks, the main focus of this weekend will be giving participants plenty of time to sew. Bring lots of projects, or that one big project you’ve been waiting to start. Sharing ideas, tips and techniques are part of the weekend along with bringing any show and tell items to share with the group. To register, please visit the camp website at www.rmmc.org.
Camp Mennoscah Announcements
Two full scholarships are available from the Camp Mennoscah Scholarship Endowment. The endowment was generously gifted to Camp Mennoscah to assist campers who would not otherwise be able to attend camp. Applications need to be received by May 1. Campers of diverse backgrounds will receive higher priority. Contact olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org for the application form.
Other events and happenings:
- Register for the 2024 Summer Youth Camps! Send a child, grandchild or invite a friend to come to a week of fun-filled faith in the midst of creation. The theme for the summer is Linked By Love and looks at how God’s love teaches us about faith and commitment. Register online!
- Learn to make–and get to eat–verenike casserole, bierocks, and Sunday Sandwiches! Parents can receive a discount up to full camp fees. No great skill is needed. The head cook will direct you in what needs to be done to make yummy meals for campers and staff. Kitchen staff are needed for PreJunior 2, Junior 1, Junior 2, Junior High 1, Junior High 2, and Senior High Camps! Contact olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org or call 620-297-3290.
- Nurses needed for the weeks of Junior High 2 (July 7-12) and Junior 2 (July 14-19). Nurses must be an RN and can receive a stipend or a parent discount. Contact us at 620-297-3290 or olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org if you are interested. You are needed to make summer youth camps healthy and successful!
- More volunteer fun than just the Retreat Center project! Many volunteers are still needed for the Retreat Center project, but volunteers are also needed for other camp tasks–mowing, clearing trails, weeding the flower beds. Contact us at 620-297-3290, 316-293-7313 (text) or olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org. Thank you to the many volunteers who have already helped with all the camp projects!
- There are openings for the Spring Scrapbook and Crafts Retreat, April 19-21! Lodging will be in the bunkhouses and activities will be in the Dining Hall. Bunkhouses are heated and space heaters will be available for the Dining Hall, if the weather is cool. This retreat is later than usual, so we’re hoping for balmy spring weather for good walks and beautiful nature. Register here!
Hesston College Announcements
April 19 to 30 – Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition
This annual exhibit will feature unique works of art created by Hesston College students through a variety of mediums. The works are judged by an outside juror and awards will be given for the best pieces. The exhibit will be held in the Regier-Friesen Gallery of the Laban Peachey Center, 325 S College Dr, Hesston, and is open to the public Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. An awards reception will be held April 24, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Katie Petersen, an art professor from Sterling College, will act as this year’s guest juror.
April 21 – Prairie Window Concert: The Brother Brothers
Join Dyck Arboretum April 21 to hear The Brother Brothers. The Brother Brothers are the indie folk duo of Adam and David Moss. The identical twins were born and raised in Peoria, Ill. and originally based in Brooklyn, but have been ultimately and profoundly shaped by a life surrounded by travel and the web of community worldwide. The recently released January Album is a collection of songs that speak to the parts of oneself that want to up and throw sedentary worldly possessions in the trash and leave town. Crust & Crumb will serve at intermission. Learn more at dyckarboretum.org/events.
April 26 to 27 – Pen to Paper to Performance
Hesston College theatre’s playwriting festival is back! “Pen to Paper to Performance” brings to life nine winning 10-minute play submissions written by area playwrights and will be performed both nights at 7 p.m. A talkback with the playwrights will follow each performance. Read more about the festival at hesston.edu/theatre.
Let’s Talk About Ukraine
As the Russian invasion of Ukraine enters its second year, the costs of the conflict continue to rise. Professor Matthew Cotton will bring us information on the historical relationship between Ukraine and Russia, the current status of the conflict, and how it has reshaped global politics in the 21st century. Matthew D. Cotton is a PhD Candidate in history at the University of Washington (Seattle). He earned his Masters degree from the University of Kansas in Russian, Eastern European, and Eurasian studies. Matt has spent time in both Russia and Ukraine.
Come learn with us on Sunday, April 21, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. at First Mennonite Church of McPherson, 1161 E. Ave. A, McPherson, Kansas. The public is invited. Refreshments served. Free to attend.
This event is part of the 150th Celebration of our Ancestors coming to the U.S. in 1874 which will culminate August 23-25, 2024 with many activities at Eden Mennonite Church, rural Moundridge.
| Join Karla Stoltzfus Detweiler, MC USA’s climate justice coordinator, and Lorraine Stutzman Amstutz, MC USA’s denominational minister for Peace and Justice, for the second of four webinars in MC USA’s “Learn, Pray, Join: Climate Justice: Seeking Shalom” initiative. This webinar will explore how we can live in resistance to a culture that spoils our home and causes disproportionate suffering for people of color, while also living in hope-filled engagement that nurtures life for all people and all of creation. Panelists will include Andrew Hudson, pastoral intern at Covenant Mennonite Fellowship; Sibonokuhle Ncube, co-regional director for Africa and Europe at Mennonite Mission Network; and Sarah Werner, communications coordinator for Central District Conference.Register hereLearn more here |
For Mennonite World Conference “Courier” press here
For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here
For Mennonite Church USA “Bring the Peace” Nominations press here
Nominations for our 2024 #BringThePeace awards are due by April 19!
The award recognizes the work of denominational peacemakers and is sponsored by MC USA’s Church Peace Tax Fund. We invite you to submit your recommendations for nominees bycompleting this form before April 19: mennoniteusa.org/btp-2024-award-nominations
We are seeking to honor two courageous peacebuilders who have a diversity of experience and are actively engaged in resisting war and promoting peace in their respective congregation and community:
- A legacy peacemaker, who has been faithful in promoting peace across their lifetime and/or life’s work.
- A young peacemaker (age 16-25), who can help to inspire other young leaders.
- The #BringThePeace awards provide each recipient with a $300 grant. The Church Peace Tax Fund, which sponsors these awards, is a way for people to engage in MC USA’s peacebuilding work. It also provides funding for educational programs that address militarism and promote ways of living out Jesus’ peace.
If you have any questions, please contact Lorraine Stutzman Amstutz, denominational minister for Peace and Justice, at Lorrainesa@mennoniteusa.org.
Mennonite Central Committee Announcement: May 26-31: Restorative Justice Peace Camp for young adults (Chicago, Illinois) – This peace camp will dive into creative ways to implement justice in local communities. Learning from experienced restorative justice practitioners in Chicago, we will witness incredible ways that transformation is possible through restorative justice. Register today! mcc.org/events/restorative-justice-peace-camp
Mennonite Church USA Announcements
Mennonite Church USA honored seven community elders at its 11th Hope for the Future Conference, Feb. 9-11, 2023, in Dallas, Texas. Read more about the seven honorees here: mennoniteusa.org/news/hftf24-honorees
Join Amy Zimbelman, Conference Minister of Mountain States Mennonite Conference, on April 23, 2024, at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT for a panel discussion of pioneering women in ministry. We will hear from Dianne Garcia, who recently planted a church ministering to asylum-seekers in San Antonio, Texas, and Marilyn Miller, who is the first woman ordained to pastoral ministry in the General Conference Mennonite Church. Register here: mennoniteusa.org/webinar/registration-wil-april23
Menno Snapshots
Nancy Kauffmann, interim denominational minister of Church Safety for Mennonite Church USA’s Church Vitality office, tells of how two churches handled situations of abuse within their own congregations and how our response can affect the light of life of the person experiencing abuse. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/light-of-life-turned-on
Equipping, Mennonite Church USA’s quarterly email newsletter for pastors and leaders, features resources submitted by MC USA conferences, congregations, agencies, ministry partners, constituency groups and affiliated schools and colleges. View the most recent issue here: mennoniteusa.org/equipping-jan-2024 Subscribe to Equipping here: mennoniteusa.org/equipping-subscribe
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: JCS International, a MMN partner in Mongolia, requests continued prayer for herder families, as they struggle to survive this year’s dzud (winter disaster), which has caused suffering across 90% of the country, with more than two million animal deaths. Pray that transportation routes will open, so aid can be delivered to remote areas.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Pray for WDC ministers gathering this week for a retreat sponsored by the WDC Ministerial Leadership 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, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability,
economic status, marital status, or age.