BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
December 7, 2025–Second Sunday of Advent
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, December 7:
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/2Fu8XDh_Gug?feature=share
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
Advent 2025: Spacious Faith
Second Sunday of Advent: December 7, 2025
Prelude Music—Open Road
Land Acknowledgement & Welcome—Jill Robb
Advent Candle-Lighting— Lexi Nickel, Faith Peterson
Call to Worship (by Mark Rupp)
Leader: In this season of waiting, we come with hearts open wide to wonder, to longing, to paying attention.
People: We come to make space for God,
and to find that God has already made space for us.
Leader: As we light the candles of Advent,
we remember the witnesses who told the story of Christ,
each with a unique voice and vision of the good news.
People: Their faith invites us to live with spacious faith,
trusting that God meets us in many ways,
and that the story of Jesus is still unfolding among us.
Leader: We light this first candle for Mark’s faith, a faith that runs toward hope, and finds God on the move. Matthew’s gospel reminds us that the story of Christ is grounded,
rooted in the hopes of those who came before.
God’s promise stretches across generations,
making space for all who hunger for righteousness.
People: We light this second candle for Matthew’s faith, a faith that trusts the story is big enough to hold us all, and honors those who carried the flames of peace.
Leader: Come, Christ of spacious faith. Widen our hearts, deepen our hope, and make us ready to receive you again.
People: Come, Light of the World.
Prayer—Jill Robb
*Hymn—Come Away From Rush and Hurry—VT 9
Children and Youth Conversation—Adam Robb
Worship Music—What Sweeter Music (Herrick/Stopford)–Chancel Choir; Joel Garber, director; Will Wiebe-Friesen, accompanist
First Scripture Reading—Isaiah 7:10-14–Hugo Boschmann
*Hymn—O Come, O Come, Immanuel—VT 210
Second Scripture Reading—Matthew 1:18-25–Hugo Boschmann
Silence
Sermon—Storytelling–Nathan Koontz
Silence
*Hymn—Oh, How Shall I Receive Thee—VT 215
Offering Invitation and Prayers of God’s People—Jill Robb
*Hymn—Hark! the Glad Sound!—VT 217
*Benediction
Postlude—How Shall I Receive Thee (arr. J. Payne)
Will Wiebe-Friesen
* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Keyboard—Will Wiebe-Friesen
Audio visual—Ben Lichti
Hymn Leader—Payne Claassen
Welcome and thank you to Bethel College’s Open Road for bringing us the prelude Sunday morning! The prelude starts at 9:15 a.m.
Land Acknowledgement from words by Mark Charles and VT #878
As we do on the first Sunday of each month, we acknowledge that we worship
on the land of the Kanza, Osage, and Wichita.
We thank them for their care and respect for this land and acknowledge the
injustice of their forced removal.
We ask the Spirit to heal our histories and find new paths of right relationships
with them and all of creation.
The Week at BCMC: December 7—14, 2025
Sunday, December 7, 2025—9:15 a.m. Prelude by Bethel College’s Open Road
9:30 a.m. Worship service live-stream link:
https://youtube.com/live/2Fu8XDh_Gug?feature=share
11 a.m. College students and other young adults are invited to a pizza lunch in the fellowship hall. Pizza-making will happen during the Sunday School hour, to be followed by pizza-eating!
Monday, December 8, 2025
3 p.m. Memorial service for Florine Eitzen—Kidron Bethel, Kidron Hall
Please remember in your prayers the family of Florine. Florine died Sept. 8 at Kidron Bethel Village.
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
9 a.m. Women’s Fellowship Executive Board at Lois Goertzen’s home
4 p.m. Staff Congregation Relations Committee—Room 14
7:30 p.m. Finance Committee—Room 14
Wednesday, December 10, 2025—Messy Church
6 p.m. Messy Church will include sharing a meal, singing a few carols, enjoying Christmas scenes and stories by our youngest BCMC “characters,” and assembling MCC infant kits. We hope you can join us!
Menu for the supper: Pizza casserole, Fruit salad, Festive brownies
As part of our Messy Church worship on December 10, we will assemble infant care kits. As we prepare for this session, we are asking for monetary or physical donations for the supplies of the kits. If you would like to donate monetarily, please place checks or cash in the marked fishbowls that are in the back of the sanctuary. Physical items (listed below) can be placed in the pack-and-play in the Gathering Place.
Contents of Infant Kits (NEW items only, sizes 6-12 months)
· 3 gowns/sleepers (flannel or similar warm, soft material)
· 3 undershirts/onesies (short or long sleeves)
· 1 receiving blanket [lightweight fleece or flannel, minimum 75 cm x 75 cm (30 in x 30 in), larger sizes preferred] • 4 large, heavy-duty safety pins
· 1 large bar mild soap (leave in wrapper) • 1 pair of socks • 1 cap
7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal—Sanctuary
Thursday, December 11, 2025
6 p.m. Chancel Bell Rehearsal—Room B7
Sunday, December 14, 2025—Third Sunday of Advent
9:15 a.m. Prelude by Lindsay & Marshall Anderson, Abby Koontz, and
Lawrence Kohlman
9:30 a.m. Worship with sermon by Joanna Harader; music by Chancel Bells
Do you need some space for quiet, for contemplation, even for grief in this Advent season? Plan to join us for a Longest Night Service on Sunday, December 21, at 6 p.m. in the chapel room. Let us ground ourselves in God’s peace and goodness as we navigate this complicated season.
Birthday calendars – with photos of art at BCMC by Weldon Schloneger– are available in the back of the sanctuary for a suggested donation of $10. Checks may be written to BCMC with Women’s Fellowship written in the memo line. Birthday calendars stay current in subsequent years.
Our Bethel College Mennonite Worship Commission has worked with worship leaders at Columbus Mennonite Church to develop material for this year’s Advent theme: Spacious Faith. We invite you to make room for the holy in your hearts and in your life during this sacred season.
· Advent Worship: Worship will begin with special prelude music at 9:15 a.m.
· Advent Sunday School: Pastors Nathan and Joanna will lead an elective Sunday School class for the four weeks of Advent using the book With God in Every Breath by Whitney R. Simpson. Join us in the chapel after worship!
· Special Events: Check out the Advent & Christmas schedules that you received via email and are available near the front and south entrances. Mark your
calendars for our contemplative Longest Night service on Dec. 21.
· Advent Grounding: Our Spacious Faith web page offers prayers and practices to help you stay grounded in God’s peace and love in the midst of a hectic holiday season. Click on the link: Advent 2025: Spacious Faith | Spacious Faith
For the next few Sundays, the Deacon Commission has a table under the dove banner in the Gathering Place with pages for your comments to members of our church whom we haven’t been able to see for a while. Stop by and write a short greeting or sign your name to let them know we are thinking about them. The letters will remain on the table during the week for anyone to write a note before we send them out. Thank you!
Women’s Fellowship Christmas Program in the sanctuary for everyone Tues., Dec. 16, 7 p.m. Program: “History of Bethel College Mennonite Church Bell Choir” which began in 1969, inspired by Associate Pastor Esko Loewen, with first choir director, J. Randall Zercher for the youth. Comments by some former directors and players. Music by Chancel Bells, Verlene Garber, director. Refreshments in the Gathering Place. Everyone invited.
The poinsettias in the church have been donated by congregants. Aldine Sprunger’s donation of a poinsettia in memory of Keith Sprunger was inadvertently left out of the poinsettia list. (Lists of the donors can be found at the back of the church.) Thank you to Susie Swartley for spending many hours decorating the church for Christmas!
We have an Advent puzzle! Stop by the tables set up in the gathering place and help us put
together our new Advent puzzle. We hope to finish it before Christmas Eve.
Are you new(ish) to Bethel College Mennonite Church? Interested in learning more about
the congregation? Curious about membership at BCMC? Pastors Nathan and Joanna will
lead two elective Sunday School sessions early next year in the chapel. Anyone is welcome to
attend either or both of these classes.
–January 18: Introduction to Bethel College Mennonite–This session will provide a brief history
of the congregation and an orientation to the church mission and structure.
–February 1: Membership at BCMC–In this session we will discuss the membership process
and answer questions that people bring.
*Contact a pastor for more information.
Mennonite Women is providing an online Advent devotional calendar called “The
Gathering.” The daily reflections are provided by women in leadership across Mennonite Church
USA and seek to respond to the pain of family separation, especially separation caused by ICE
raids and deportations.
You are invited to a Holiday Open House at the Bethel College Mennonite Church office from 1-4 p.m. on Thursday, December 18. Stop by for some festive treats, good conversation, and general Christmas cheer. Monica, Nathan, and Joanna would love to see you!
Holiday office schedule: The BCMC office will be closed December 24-January 2. While
pastors and staff will be working some of these days, they will not hold regular office hours.
Please be in touch by phone or email if you need to contact the office during this time. Note that
Joanna will be on vacation December 26-January 1.
Current status on the search for an associate pastor: All our paperwork has been sent to Western District Conference and the job description is posted. The search committee will continue to work with conference minister Kathy Neufeld Dunn, who will share information with us about potential candidates. If you have names of people who may be interested in the position, you can send them to search committee chair Megan Leary at megleary28@gmail.com
The majority of our Advent books are now displayed in the library! Those of you that have family members coming for the holidays may want to check out our holiday books for visiting relatives. We have quite the selection for all ages.
Also, we have very generous congregational members that donate books to our library. Sometimes these books don’t quite fit our library needs or we may already have that book. We are now using these books as a fundraiser, just like our donated puzzles. If you find a book/puzzle you would like to purchase, just put your donation in the little envelope. Come check us out!
In this season of Advent, we are reminded of Mary, Joseph and Jesus moving from place to place in search of safety and a home. Immigrants in our own community are also seeking these things for themselves and their families. Casa Betania Mennonite Church in Newton is ministering to many of these people and has established a fund to help with legal and documentation expenses. Our BCMC Immigration Task Force invites you to support local immigrants by sending a check to Casa Betania at Iglesia Mennonite Casa Betania, Box 102, Newton, KS 67114, and designate immigration/documentation fund on the memo line. (If you would like to be added to the email list for the Immigration Task Force, contact Ron Flickinger or Wes Schmidt-Tieszen.)
You are welcome to pick up a copy of our Spacious Faith Advent Calendar at the back of the sanctuary this morning.
The Education and Service Scholarship Committee (ESSC) has updated its application for young adult service grants. For a copy of the application please send a requestto essc@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org, preferably at least 4 weeks before the event. Thank you, ESSC (Karen Ediger, Brad Kohlman and Margaret Toews)
Bethel College Announcements
The 40th Annual Lighting of the Green on the Bethel College campus is Sunday, Dec. 7 at 8 p.m.
Mon., Dec. 8: Reception for Senior Art Exhibit I, “Forms of Nature,” and Abby Chappell Deckert, 6-8 p.m., Regier Art Gallery in Luyken Fine Arts Center at Bethel College. The exhibit of ceramics and ceramic sculpture closes Fri., Dec. 12. Gallery hours are Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun. 2-4 p.m.
Will Wiebe-Friesen and Rebecca Schloneger will be playing in the orchestra for Tabor College’s annual performance of portions of Handel’s Messiah. The free concert is today, Dec. 7, 4 p.m., Richert Auditorium in Tabor’s fine arts center.
The Newton Treble Clef Annual Vespers is Sunday, Dec. 7, 3 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 900 Columbus, Newton. Prelude begins at 2:45 featuring The Schrag Siblings. Program includes: Treble Clef Chorus, Prairie Bronze Handbell Ensemble, and Hearts 4 Him. A freewill offering will be taken for the scholarship fund that will be awarded to high school seniors who are pursuing a music major. We invite you to be our guest and begin your Christmas Season.
Eden Mennonite Church, 401 18th Ave., Moundridge, invites you to their production of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” by Barbara Robinson, Sat. Dec. 13, 7 p.m., doors open 6:30 p.m., and Sun., Dec. 14, 2 p.m., doors open 1:30 p.m. In this hilarious Christmas play, a couple struggling to put on a Christmas pageant is faced with casting the Herdman kids, probably the most inventively awful kids in history. Come see this funny and heartwarming telling of the Christmas story. Admission is free.
Bluestem U, the lifelong learning program of Bluestem Communities for individuals age 55 and better, is kicking off the new year with three new classes. Courses include: “Life Upon the Wicked Stage: Classics of Western Theatre” taught by Lauren Friesen, “Health, the Human Face of Climate Change” taught by Dwight Krehbiel, and “Biblical Literature (Bib Lit) Crash Course” taught by Kevin Wilder. Courses are $50 a piece. See bluestemu.org for more information, including dates, times and locations.
From Camp Mennoscah
Progress on the retreat center at Camp Mennoscah continues to be made thanks to your support! With the drains, ladders, and grates addressed in the basement egress pits, we are moving on to inside painting, exterior concrete pads, and ceiling grids getting hung for the suspended ceiling in the basement, all of which we expect to have done within the next two weeks. This work is possible only through a combination of your on-going support, and funds from our financial reserves which were utilized to get the project started. Any organization’s financial reserves are vital to long-term health of a non-profit, so if you are in a position to help us re-build those reserves with your year-end giving, please text “RESERVES” to 6207552583 to discuss your giving options with our Director of Development.
Mennonite Central Committee Announcements
MCC Christmas Giving – Choose gifts that honor your loved ones and change lives across the globe. MCC has 20 alternative gift options for you to choose from this Christmas season starting at just $12. Cards and e-cards are available to accompany your gift. Start here mcc.org/christmas and if you have any questions please contact the MCC Central States office at centralstates@mcc.org or 316.283.2720.
Across the U.S.–Mexico borderlands — and in communities far beyond them — people of courage and compassion are responding daily to the realities of migration. MCC believes that listening to these stories helps us live more deeply into our values of peace, hospitality, and justice. Join us for Borderlands & Beyond Monthly Charlas, a new conversation series led by the MCC U.S. Immigration Network featuring MCC partners, community leaders, and borderlands practitioners who will share their work, struggles, insights, and hopes. Each charla provides a welcoming space to learn, ask questions, and explore how we can participate in faithful advocacy and accompaniment. Find out more and register for the Zoom link: mcc.org/events/borderlands-and-beyond-monthly-charlas-mcc.
Date: Every 3rd Thursday of the month (January to December 2026)
Time: 4:00 PM PT / 5:00 PM MT / 6:00 PM CT / 7:00 PM ET
Location: Online via Zoom
MCC’s high school essay contest is now open! The annual MCC U.S. National Peace & Justice Ministries essay contest highlights the perspectives of youth on significant public policy issues and promotes the involvement of young people in faithful witness to government authorities. Submissions may be in English or Spanish. (A continuación véase la información en español.) The contest is open to Mennonite, Brethren in Christ and other Anabaptist youth of high school age and to all youth who attend Mennonite high schools within the United States, including Puerto Rico. Regional prizes will be awarded, with the top three essays being submitted to the national competition. Regional top prize is $200 and the national contest grand prize is $1000. Contest topics, rules and resources can be found at mcc.org/events/high-school-essay-contest. The deadline for submitting entries is February 27, 2026. Essays should be submitted to centralstates@mcc.org, questions can be directed to beckyteiwes@mcc.org.
The chill of winter is settling in and that means it’s time for MCC’s Great Winter Warm-up! From January to March, the goal is 10,000 comforters to help spread warmth, joy and comfort to people around the world. Start plans now to gather with friends and family to make comforters for MCC this winter! Find inspiring stories and instructions at mcc.org/gww.
For MCC “In Touch” newsletter press here
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 Women USA “A Year of Sisterhood” press here
For Mennonite World Conference press here
From Mennonite Church USA
Advent is underway, and MC USA invites you to deepen your worship at home with our 2025 Advent at Home guide. This year’s theme, “Be Amazed,” follows MennoMedia’s Leader magazine and offers weekly reflections and practices for individuals, families and households of all ages. The guide is free to all MC USA congregations and is available now as a downloadable PDF. (Spanish translation coming 11/26)
https://www.mennoniteusa.org/advent-at-home-2025/
The MC USA Executive Board recently shared a letter to all MC USA constituents regarding a recent decision by Mennonite World Conference. The letter expresses the Executive Board’s deep concern and reaffirms MC USA’s ongoing commitment to unity and peacemaking within the global Anabaptist community. Please read it here in English https://bit.ly/3JUKeGT and en español: https://bit.ly/4iizLBA.
Mennonite Church USA invites you to a 90-minute webinar on navigating pastoral transitions led by Rachel Ringenberg Miller, denominational minister for Ministerial Leadership, on Mon., Jan. 12 at 4 p.m. PST/7 p.m. EST. This session will offer guidance for congregations navigating or anticipating a pastoral change, with practical tools for discernment and visioning. Register here: https://bit.ly/3XisPLk
There’s still time to join The Great Menno Give! MC USA staff, Mennonite Mission Network, and MennoMedia are coming together during this season of giving for a special initiative: The Great Menno Give. We invite you to join with others across our church family in a collective act of generosity that empowers mission, education and faith formation. Please give here: https://bit.ly/4ohMber
Mennonite Church USA is seeking a Human Resources/Finance Assistant (.5 FTE) to support a wide range of HR and financial functions for the MC USA Executive Board. Experience and knowledge in accounting are preferred, with a minimum of a two-year Business degree or equivalent experience. MC USA is committed to diversity among staff and welcomes people of diverse backgrounds and abilities to apply. The application deadline is January 5, 2026. Learn more here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/employment
Big changes are coming to the health coverage market in 2026. Are you ready? Watch MC USA’s recorded webinar, “Navigating Change: Health Coverage in 2026,” about what’s ahead and how it could affect your premiums. The first half is a broad overview of market shifts in 2026 and the second half focuses on The Corinthian Plan, MC USA’s healthcare plan for pastors and church workers. View it here: http://bit.ly/4qv8jV5
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Joseph and Rachel Givens and their two sons, who are serving with MMN, are on the front lines of ministry to people fleeing persecution and death. Pray that the Givens will receive the spiritual and financial resources they need to continue sharing Christ’s love through food and shelter at the Maria Skobtsova House, in Calais, France.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Give thanks for musicians, artists, poets, prophets, pastors and preachers whose gifts enrich WDC congregations’ worship and witness during the Advent season.
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.