BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
August 10, 2025–Camp Sunday
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/mFsSQTi0RC4?feature=share
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
August 10, 2025
Camp Sunday
Christ Candle Lighting
Centering Music–Verlene Garber
Welcome–Mara Oswald
*Hymn–What Is This Place–VT 22
Camp Slide Show–with music from Verlene Garber
Children and Youth Conversation–Kevin Neufeld
*Hymn–Rain Down–VT 703
Scripture Reading–Acts 9:10-20–Kerm Gingerich
Sermon–Another Way–Joanna Harader
Prayer Hymn–Seek Ye First (v. 1, 2, 1)–VT 417
Prayers of God’s People–Mara Oswald
*Hymn–You Shall Go Out with Joy–VT 847
*Benediction
Postlude
* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Audio visual—Ken Lamp
Hymn Requests
Rain Down requested by Payne Claassen
What Is This Place: Joining membership we (my wife, Jeanette and I) found this a powerful welcoming hymn. “This is the place where we can receive what we need to increase: God’s justice and God’s peace.” How powerful an ending!–Steve Stucky
The Week at BCMC: August 10—17, 2025
Sunday, August 10, 2025—Worship 9:30 a.m. with sermon by Joanna
Harader
https://youtube.com/live/mFsSQTi0RC4?feature=share
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
2 p.m. Facilities Committee meeting in Fellowship Hall
4 p.m. Worship Commission meeting in Room 14
Friday, August 15, 2025
10 a.m. Sharon Stucky Inurnment at the BCMC Columbarium
2 p.m. Memorial Service for Sharon Stucky at Kidron Bethel Village,
Kidron Hall
Saturday, August 16, 2025
10 a.m. Marion Deckert Inurnment at the BCMC Columbarium
11 a.m. Memorial Service for Marion Deckert in the BCMC Sanctuary
Sunday, August 17, 2025—Bethel College New Student Sunday—Worship 10 a.m. with sermon by Joanna Harader; special music by Ben Lichti (Note the later beginning worship time of 10 a.m.)
2:30—4:30 p.m. Newton Community Children’s Choir Parents’ Meeting in the Sanctuary
Backpack Sunday is coming August 24! Bring to church worship service your backpacks, briefcases, tote bags, whatever you might carry to school or to work, for a special blessing August 24.
BCMC Offering for August 3: General $6,061; MCC $525; Bethel College Scholarship Fund $1,750; Kitchen Fund $17; Solar Fund $50.
Upcoming Memorial Services
· August 15, 2 p.m. Sharon Stucky Memorial at Kidron Bethel Village,Kidron Hall
Memorial Services at BCMC:
· August 16, 11 a.m. Marion Deckert Memorial
· August 30, 11 a.m. Keith Rhoades Memorial
· September 15, 11 a.m. Ilene Schmidt Memorial
Save the date of September 14 for a Congregational Meeting during the Sunday School hour followed by a fundraising lunch served by the Senior High Youth Group.
The BCMC Bell Choir is beginning practice on August 21, 2025. Persons who have some experience reading and counting music, are invited to come and “give it a try.” We meet at 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays in BCMC Room B7.
Calling youth and adult singers: The BCMC Chancel Choir welcomes you! We sing two Sundays each month with Director Joel Garber and Organist Will Wiebe-Friesen. Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. FIRST REHEARSAL is August 20. There are no auditions — just come and join the fun!
It’s that time of year for our Sunday School year to begin and our youth need your help to teach Sunday School! Faith Formation is looking for teachers and helpers for the 2025-2026 school year. If you feel the nudge to spend an hour with our amazing elementary or middle/high school youth please email Jill Robb at jill@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org.
Pastor Joanna will host a board game night at her house on Tues., Aug. 26, from 7-? (Email Joanna for address/directions.)
This fall, Faith Formation and Hospitality Commission will be offering “Messy Church” on the second Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. beginning Sept. 10. This will be instead of the previous 6-week meal and program sessions we have had in the past. Messy Church is an ecumenical program that provides “A way of being church for all-ages to join in experiencing fun and faith formative activities. Found throughout the globe. Based on the values of all-ages together, celebration, creativity, hospitality, and centering ourselves in Christ.” We hope you will join us for these times of fellowship and worship.
Joanna’s 1887 Cafe office hours this semester will be from 8-10 a.m. on Wednesdays beginning Aug. 20. Stop in and say “hi”!
BCMC SUMMER READERS: Be Part of the Picture—Between now and the end of August, take a digital photo of you and your book or of you reading with others. Send the photo as an attachment to office@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org Become part of the BCMC photo collage of summer readers on display in the Gathering Place.
NEED SOMETHING TO READ THIS SUMMER? Visit the BCMC library to check out a book from the display of books most checked out by BCMC readers. ALSO, ask to see our wish list. Perhaps you own and have already read a book on the list. We appreciate donations. And, one last request. If you have the book, King by Jonathan Eig, please leave a note on our desk or return it. The computer did not properly check it out.
BCMC Mission quilters are looking for more hand quilters for our group. Experienced quilters are welcome and we are willing to teach new quilters. We meet on Mondays from 1-5 p.m. Carol Flickinger comes to read to us for one hour while we quilt. We also have a snack at 3 p.m. If you are interested, contact Rose Haury at : haury@juno.com or 316-288-0079 . Please join us.
Subscriptions—“Rejoice” and “Anabaptist World”—Last Call
· 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 (or mailed). If you wish to renew or want a new subscription to “Rejoice”, place a check for $36.63 in the offering plate or bring to the church office.
· It’s also time to renew for “Anabaptist World”. If you wish to renew through the BCMC Group subscription, please remit $54.00 payable to BCMC in the offering plate or bring to the church office.
The board is pleased to announce that we have formed a pastoral search committee to fill an opening created by Elizabeth’s upcoming retirement. Megan Leary will serve as chair. Karen Ediger, Mary Ellen Hodge, Mara Oswald, and Francis Toews are additional committee members. They will soon begin their thoughtful work alongside Western District Conference, our staff, and the board. Brad Kohlman will serve as a liaison between the committee and the board/congregation. Please keep the committee members in your prayers as their work begins.
From the Education Service and Scholarship Committee: BCMC is helping to support seven students at Bethel College this coming academic year! We are grateful for the choice our high school and college age youth are making to attend Bethel. As a result, however, the scholarship fund needs $3000 to make up the difference between the church’s budget amount and what will be needed for this year. Please consider supporting Bethel in this way. Make checks out to BCMC with Bethel College Scholarship Fund in the memo line. Thank you.
Recycling opportunities at Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) in North Newton. MCC accepts the following materials for recycling: cardboard, books, and paper. We also recycle soft plastics (any plastic packaging that you can stretch with your finger, including Amazon mailers and bubble wrap). We also accept and process wearable clothing, shoes and purses/bags. However, it is best to donate those items to an Et Cetera Shop first, if possible. When you arrive at MCC, follow the signs toward the warehouse and you’ll find bins outside under the covered roof for each recyclable item. MCC is located at 121 E. 30th Street in North Newton, questions can be directed to duaneunruh@mcc.org or
316-283-2720.
Here is a quick canning update. Mennonite Central Committee has been able to recruit a full canner crew this year! The draft canning schedule follows.
Moundridge: Oct. 28-29
Buhler/Inman/Wichita: Oct. 30-31
Hutchinson: Nov. 3-4
Newton: Nov. 5-7
Hillsboro: Nov. 10-11
This schedule leaves Saturdays Nov. 1 and 8 open. This leaves some flexibility if the dates for your group don’t work. Please let Jason Unruh (620-381-4328) know in the next couple of weeks if changes need to be made.
For Mennonite Central Committee newsletter “In Touch” press here
Online registration is open for the Womens & Girls Retreat Sept. 6-7 at Camp Mennoscah sponsored by Western District Women in Mission. Speakers are Pastor Katherine Goerzen (Tabor Mennonite Church) and Pastor Laura Goerzen (First Mennonite, Newton). For a detailed schedule go to westerndistrictwomeninmission.org, register and pay online, or print out forms to register and pay by mail. Registration is due Aug. 29. Questions: Email westerndistrictwomen@gmail.com Share the news and bring a friend!
Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements.
The 2025 issue of Mennonite Life, Bethel College’s annual online journal, is now live at ml.bethelks.edu, with a theme of anniversaries – 150 for immigration to the Great Plains of North America, 500 for Anabaptism. There are articles and reviews by Susan Fish, Ardie Goering, Don Goertzen, Peter Goerzen, Jeff Gundy, Michele Hershberger, Melanie Howard, Melanie Springer Mock, Justina Neufeld, Ken Rodgers, Mary Schertz and John Thiesen.
Greetings from the newly renovated Newton Et Cetera Shop! We’re thrilled to share our fresh new look with you and the community! On an insert, (found at the back of the church where there are bulletins) you will find a few pictures of our renovations, but they must be seen in person! Bring the insert to the shop, check out the new view, and turn it in to save 10% off your entire purchase! We want to say “Thank You” for supporting the Newton Et Cetera Shop for all these years! With the utmost gratitude, James Wilson, General Manager, Newton Et Cetera Shop
For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here
For Mennonite Mission Network “Seeds of Peace” press here
For Mennonite Women USA “Grapevine” press here
For Paris Mennonite Center Update press here
Mennonite Church USA Announcements
Last year, MC USA awarded Justice Fund grants to nine congregations involved in dismantling racism, addressing police brutality, reimagining policing and combating poverty. Read their inspiring stories and learn more about how your congregation can apply for the grant. Applicants planning to use the funds for immigration or climate justice will receive priority in 2025. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/justice-fund-2025
The big dove is here! MC USA has launched an online storefront featuring hats, sweatshirts, mugs and more. Check out the selection of merch that displays Follow Jesus, the MC USA dove and a retro line of gear from past conventions. Every sale helps support MC USA ministries! bonfire.com/store/mc-usa-gear/
Catch up on all the happenings at Follow Jesus ’25, MC USA’s national convention, July 8-12! Read Grits & Bits, the daily convention newsletter here: mennoniteusa.org/gritsandbits
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Seth and Stephany Rudeen hope to begin ministry with Mennonite Mission Network in Guatemala this month. Pray for them as they spend their first months there perfecting their Spanish, before moving on to the Q’eqchi’ (Kekchi) Bezaleel Mennonite Educational Center, where they will assist students in learning English and provide tutoring in other core subjects.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Give thanks for persons who accepted new nominations or who are continuing in elected leadership roles in WDC, and pray for God’s wisdom and joy to guide them in the year ahead.
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.