Bethel College Mennonite Church Worship Service and Announcements for
March 10, 2024
Fourth Sunday of Lent
Christ Among Us, the Way of Mercy
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/UPnKwtKXcJk?feature=share
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
March 10, 2024
Fourth Sunday of Lent
Christ Among Us, the Way of Mercy
Christ Candle Lighting
Centering Music—As the Deer Runs to the River (Uehlein)
Karen Unruh
Call to Worship—William Eash
One: Give thanks to God, for God is good!
Many: God’s love endures forever.
One: Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story.
Many: God’s love endures forever.
One: We may make careless choices and lose our way.
Many: God’s love endures forever.
One: We call out to God when we are in trouble.
Many: God’s love endures forever.
One: God rescues us from our anxieties and fears.
Many: God’s love endures forever.
One: God’s word sets us free to walk in newness of life.
Many: God’s love endures forever.
One: God gathers us in, from the east and the west, from the north and the south. All: For God’s unfailing love, we give thanks to the Creator of all that is good. (based on Psalm 107:1–3, 17–22)
*Hymn—How Many Times We Start Again—VT 553
Children’s Conversation—Barb Koontz
Anthem—Sonata in F Major second movement (Handel)–Rebecca Schloneger; Karen Unruh accompanist
*Hymn—There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy—VT 156
Scripture Reading—John 3:14-21; Ephesians 2:8-10—Keith Harder
Sermon—Finding Grace, Walking in Grace
Nathan Koontz
*Hymn—I Sought the Lord—VT 161
Prayers of God’s People
Prayer of Confession
One: Merciful God, we forget that you are the light of the world.
Many: Forgive us for our short memories.
One: Remind us that you are rich in mercy
Many: when we wander away from you.
One: Loving God, convict us of your immense love
Many: that shines brightly on us.
All: Merciful God, light of the world, we come seeking new life in you.
*Hymn—The Lord Your God Is with You—VT 173
*Benediction
Postlude—Sent Forth By God’s Blessings (arr. Leavitt)–Karen Unruh
* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Keyboard- Karen Unruh
Audio visual—Francis Toews
YouTube Link– https://youtube.com/live/UPnKwtKXcJk?feature=share
Daylight Savings Time Begins Sunday, March 10
Spring forward and remember to set your clocks
one hour ahead.
The memorial service for Nancy Hilty is Saturday, March 9, 11 a.m. at BCMC with a light lunch following in the fellowship hall.
The link for the live stream of the service is: https://youtube.com/live/fxM2uBu4bJ4?feature=share
Lilies for Easter.
You are invited to share an Easter lily for the sanctuary on Easter Sunday, March 31. BCMC will purchase the lilies. The cost will be $10 per lily. Make checks to BCMC designated “Flower Fund.” Contributors may pick up lilies to take home after the Easter worship service. You will be able to designate in honor of someone or in memory of someone with your Easter lily. There will be a table in the Gathering Place this Sunday, March 10 for you to sign up for a lily.
You can email the office if you wish to purchase a lily and drop your $10 payment in the offering plate on Sunday. Be sure to designate if you wish the lily to be in memory or honor of someone.
Office email: office@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org
Future Events at BCMC:
·March 10, 2024, 9:30 a.m. Worship at BCMC with Faith Formation following at 10:45 a.m. The live stream link for Sunday is:
https://youtube.com/live/UPnKwtKXcJk?feature=share
· March 11-15 is Spring Break. The church office will be closed this week due to staff, Pastor Nathan Koontz and Monica Lichti, taking vacation time. Monday through Wednesday you can contact Elizabeth Schmidt at elizabeth@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org; Thursday through Sunday you can contact Roger Neufeld Smith at roger@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org. Contact them directly as no one will be monitoring the office phone.
There will be no all-church emails next week.
The church building will be open on Wednesday, March 13 for Wednesday night supper and Chancel Choir rehearsal. It will be open also on Monday and Thursday evenings for the Newton Chorale rehearsals.
· March 23, 11 a.m., memorial service for Elizabeth Raid followed by lunch.
· March 28, 6:30 p.m. Maundy Thursday service in the sanctuary
· March 31—Easter Sunday—Sunrise service at 7 a.m. (details later); Easter prelude at 9:45 a.m. followed by Worship service at 10 a.m. in the sanctuary
· April 13, 11 a.m., memorial service for Don Kaufman followed by lunch.
(All lunches after memorial services are in the BCMC fellowship hall.)
Monica Gross will be turning 100 years old on March 23! Her family is requesting a card shower for her. Monica Gross’ address is 3056 Ivy Court, Apt. 6, North Newton, KS 67117.
Sunday morning, March 17, our church will have the honor of hosting Mennonite World Conference General Secretary César García and his wife, Sandra Báez, Pastor and Executive Assistant to the General Secretary. César will preach in our worship service. The Seekers and Open Circle Sunday School classes have invited both César and Sandra to share during the Sunday School hour about their work with Mennonite World Conference. Everyone is invited to attend this SS session. César and Sandra will also deliver the Bethel College Hartzler Bible lectures on Sunday evening and Monday morning, March 17 & 18.
The live-stream for Sunday morning, March 17 is: https://youtube.com/live/Bs3jm9V5ADE?feature=share
Sign up for the March 13 Wednesday night supper. The menu is: Potato Green Bean Soup, Green Grapes, Pistachio Lush; Please bring your own tableware to facilitate clean-up—Bring a bowl for soup!
Sign up here: office@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org
This Week at BCMC: March 10—17, 2024
Sunday, March 10, 2024
9:30 a.m. Worship YouTube Link for this Sunday:
https://youtube.com/live/UPnKwtKXcJk?feature=share
The church nursery is staffed during worship and Sunday School
10:45 am Faith Formation—Intergenerational class meets in Room 26; High School-Room 24 Adult Classes: Agape Class meets in the nursery; Bible Study (Rm 14); Catacombs (Rm B5); Fellowship (B7); Fine Arts (Rm 22); Issues and Christianity (Rm 23); Open Circle (Room 21) Seekers (Rm 28)
March 10—17, 2024—BCMC office will be closed for spring break
Monday, March 11, 2024
6:30 p.m. Newton Chorale Rehearsal in the sanctuary
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
9 a.m. Women’s Fellowship Executive Board meeting at Marlene Faul’s home, 3000 Wildwood Way, North Newton
Wednesday, March 13, 2024—Wednesday meal and program
6 p.m. Wednesday night meal in fellowship hall—Menu: Potato Green Bean Soup, Green Grapes, Pistachio Lush; Please bring your own tableware to facilitate clean-up—Bring a bowl for soup!
6:45 p.m Wednesday program in fellowship hall
7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal in the sanctuary
Thursday, March 14, 2024
6:30 p.m. Newton Chorale rehearsal in the sanctuary
Sunday, March 17, 2024—Lent 5 9:30 a.m. Worship with sermon by César
García 10:45 a.m. Faith Formation César García and his wife Sandra Báez
will share about their work with Mennonite World Conference
ALL WOMEN are invited to the Women’s Fellowship meeting Tuesday, March 19, at 7:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Topic for discussion: “The Impact of Patriarchy in our Lives as Women.”
Deacon Commission is providing an opportunity to send greetings to our most distant member, Max Ediger, of Pursat Province, Cambodia. For the next few Sundays we will have a table at the back of the sanctuary with pages for your greetings and messages for Max. For those who are unable to attend worship but can stop by the church during the week, the letters will be available for anyone to write a note before we send them out. Thank you! Deacon Commission
Thank you, Riley King! A heartfelt THANK YOU to Riley King for his two years as BCMC Chancel Choir Director. Riley and Melinda are moving to Virginia this summer. Riley, best wishes to you in the next chapter of your life.
Roger drove back to Topeka on Thursday night (3/7). While he is biking with Cynthia in Missouri March 10-13 he may not be checking his email but he will return to Newton on Thursday, March 14 and will be in Newton until Monday, March 18. During this time Roger will be checking his email and phone regularly. So feel free to contact him via email, text or phone (785-220-1968.)
BCMC Offering for March 3: General Fund $25,086; Wed. Supper $446; Plant Fund $50; Library Reserve Fund $15; Kitchen Fund $29; Solar Fund $2,650; Alice Suderman Mem. $850; Richard Siemens Mem. $50.
Chancel Choir Director Position at Bethel College Mennonite Church –– Bethel College Mennonite Church (North Newton) is looking for a Chancel Choir Director to begin in August 2024. This is a part-time position, August 15-May 15. As part of the team of musicians on the church staff, the director is responsible for music selection, rehearsals, and performances of the Chancel Choir. The choir sings approximately two times per month during September—May and participates in a Christmas Eve Lessons and Carols service and Easter Sunday service. Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings from 7:30-8:30. Inquiries should be addressed to Barbara Thiesen, BCMC Music Coordinator at thiesenjba@gmail.com
Application forms are available from Monica Lichti, BCMC Office/Facilities Manager at 316-283-3667 or office@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org
Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale (KMRS) is April 12 & 13, 2024 at the Kansas State Fair Grounds in Hutchinson. One month from now!
· The My Coins Count jug is now 65 pounds of bills and coins! It is now too heavy to sit on the table, so it’s on a dolly beside the table in the Gathering Place. Thanks for continuing to add coins and bills on Sunday mornings between now and April 7 so more people can have better access to clean water.
· Auction Items! BCMC members have donated many items to be sold at one of 4 different KMRS auctions. You can see pictures and descriptions of some of these offerings on the KMRS website under “Auction Item Listings” … and watch for the quilt gallery coming soon.
· Volunteers needed! The volunteer page at https://kansas.mccsale.org/ lists opportunities for April 6 (make Bohne Beroggi in Moundridge or Verenike in Hillsboro) or for April 12-13 to serve or sell food, fry verenike, help with auctions, and more. If you have trouble signing up online, ask for help from one of the BCMC liaisons.
· Upcoming Dates:
- March 13: The last day for SS classes to submit funds for the final bidding round on March 14. Thanks to donors, all sale expenses are covered before the sale so proceeds go directly to MCC programs.
- March 17: First day to sign up to bake pie or zwieback. Look for tins, bags, and sign up sheets.
- · More Information:
- KMRS posterboard & table in the Gathering Place for information, forms, and the My Coins Count jug.
- KMRS website: https://kansas.mccsale.org/
- BCMC liaisons: Steve & Elaine Schurr, William & Esther Kreider Eash, and Brad & Diane Born.
Creation Care: Thank you very much for supporting our plastic bag recycling project. With your help we have collected 900 pounds and hope to reach our goal of 1,000 pounds in March. With this goal met BCMC will receive a composite bench from the Trex Corporation. Vernon and Jane Goering
Bethel College Announcements
Bethel College is on spring break March 11-15. Most offices and services are open but some may be on reduced hours. The Regier Art Gallery in Luyken Fine Arts Center is closed.
Sun., March 17 & Mon., March 18 – Bible Lectures at Bethel College with César García, general secretary of Mennonite World Conference, and Sandra Báez, pastor and executive assistant to the general secretary; Sunday: 7 p.m., Administration Building chapel; Monday: 11 a.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center. The overall topic for the lectures is “Contemporary Ecclesiologies.”
Thurs., March 21 – Artist talk by Marguerite Perret, 7 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center at Bethel College; sponsored by BCWA’s Carolyn Schultz Lectureship. Perret’s exhibit, “Transmutation Speculation: Fluid Nature,” is in the Regier Art Gallery (regular hours: Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun., 2-4 p.m.; closed for spring break, March 10-17).
NOTE DATE CHANGE: Fri., March 22, Sat., March 23, Sun., March 24 – Spring play at Bethel College, Rancho Mirage by Steven Dietz, Fri. & Sat., 7:30 p.m., Sun., 2 p.m. matinee, Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center). Friday evening performance interpreted for the d/Deaf community. Ticket purchase required (buy on campus weekdays at Thresher Shop; online at https://www.bethelks.edu/fine-arts/theater/theater-department-presents/; or at the door). NOTE: Adult content, not suitable for children.
Kauffman Museum, an affiliate of Bethel College, seeks a full-time Traveling Exhibits Coordinator. Applicants should be willing to travel to venues across North America, be able to coordinate exhibit scheduling and contracts, possess exceptional interpersonal skills, have mechanical aptitude, be able to work independently and do physical labor, and enjoy working with volunteers at a variety of venues. For the link to a complete job description, see https://KauffmanMuseum.org/traveling/
Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements
Everence Financial’s webinar series, presented by Everence professionals, for 2024, continues with webinars Wednesday, March 13. Everence® can help you make important financial decisions that reflect your faith values. March 13: Retirement Income Strategies March 20: Impact Investing: Connecting your values and investments March 27: Investing 101. To register, or for more information, visit www.everence.com/national.
Everence® will hold a Social Security and retirement income workshop including topics Social Security strategies, when to begin taking benefits, risks that can impact your retirement savings plus strategies to help your income last throughout retirement, Thur., March 21, 6:30 p.m. There will also be time for questions.The in-person workshop will be at the Everence office: 3179 N. Main St. Suite 1B, North Newton. Information will be presented by staff from the Everence offices in Central Kansas. To register contact Everence at 316-283-3800, 877-467-7294 or central.kansas@everence.com.
Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp Announcements
See The RMMC News & Stories From February
Take a look at the latest/greatest happenings here at RMMC. This information can be viewed on:
- RMMC Web Page – News & Stories (under “About Us”)
- RMMC Facebook Page
- RMMC Instagram Page
| Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp is host to Colorado Roots Music Camp June 2-8, 2024. Break out of your routine and be inspired by a variety of styles, first-rate musicians, and the incredible experience of being immersed in acoustic music. Our instructors are some of the top players in the nation, but they were chosen because they’re known by peers and students as great instructors for all levels. For more information and registration, visit the camp website at rmmc.org. Wilderness Camps at Rocky Mountain. RMMC offers a wilderness experience with a unique blend of destinations and activities. Campers participate in rock climbing and rappelling on Monkey Rock, backpack a few miles to a different destination for each camp week, experience the beauty of remote wilderness areas, play games, set up a campsite and learn skills of camping outside. Our summer theme is “What’s the Forecast?”, looking to Joshua 1:9 and Matthew 28:20 to learn how can we see God amidst the calm, in the storm, and everything in between! For more information and registration, visit the camp website at rmmc.org. |
Swiss Mennonite Announcements
Three Groups, One Story video will be shown on Tuesday, March 12, at 1:30 p.m. at Pine Village Chapel in Moundridge (620-345-2901, thomas.nichols@pinevillageks.org). Southeast South Dakota is the only place in the world where Low German Mennonites, Swiss Volhynian Mennonites and Hutterites settled side by side in the 1870s near Freeman, South Dakota. An 80-minute documentary tells their stories of moving across Europe searching for refuge from persecution and a place to live peacefully. You will hear from Robert Engbrecht, Norman Hofer and S. Roy Kaufman and also from Marnette D. Hofer, executive director of the Heritage Hall Museum in Freeman. No cost. You are invited to learn about these three groups and their story.
Genealogy Seminar
Another event as a part of the 150th anniversary celebrating the Swiss Volhynian Mennonites and many other groups coming to the U.S. in 1874 is coming to this area on Monday, March 18, 2024. Jerry Juhnke is presenting a Seminar on researching your genealogy. The presentation will be free and open to all at 10 am or 6 pm at the Pine Village Wellness Center in Moundridge, Kansas, 86 22nd Ave. 620-345-2901. Jerry will also present this information at the new Newton Library on Tuesday, April 16, 6:30 pm.
Are you interested in researching your genealogy? Whether you are a beginner or seasoned veteran, you are welcome at attend a genealogy seminar entitled “Finding Your Ancestors”. Topics covered will include genealogy software, library resources, newspaper resources, church books, government resources and others. This seminar is appropriate for anyone wanting to do genealogy research.
The presenter will be Jerry Juhnke. Jerry grew up in Elyria, Kansas, went to the Eden Mennonite Church, and is of Swiss Volhynian Mennonite background. A couple of years ago in preparation for the “150th Schweitzers and Friends” celebration, Jerry organized a group of genealogists and created the “Swiss Volhynian Mennonite Genealogical and Historical Project,” more commonly called the “G&H Project”.
The G&H Project meets on a monthly zoom meeting and works on a common family tree that now contains over 40,000 individuals. The group is also collecting historical information on the individuals in the tree such as family stories, photos, newspaper articles, draft cards, resident locations, marriage certificates, obituaries and even video and audio recordings. Jerry will show you how you can easily locate all this information.
The seminar will be presented on three occasions: on Monday, March 18 at 10pm and 6pm at the Pine Village Wellness Center in Moundridge, Kansas and also on Tuesday, April 16 at 6:30pm at the new Newton Library, 223 East 7th Street (on the east side of Military Park) in Newton, Kansas. The Newton Library session will also be live streamed on the Newton Library Facebook page
Mennonite Heritage & Agricultural Museum Announcement
Join museum supporters for the Heritage Dinner, April 5, 6:30 pm, at Tabor Mennonite Church, after which Mayleen Thiesen Vinson will share an entertaining and insightful portrayal of Fru Schmidt’s dilemma—what to pack for her family? Each adult ticket-holder was allowed to pack 27 cubic feet of baggage and freight. Consider that the Schmidts have ten children! Would you have packed a waffle iron, an anvil, or corncobs? Come find out! Mayleen grew up in the Goessel community and she and her husband now live just south of Wichita. She spends as much time as possible with her grandchildren and is interested in quilting, native plants and pollinators, and, of course, history. Mayleen has been a museum board member and is a long-time volunteer. Her research into the immigrant ships, the S.S. Cimbria and the S.S. Teutonia, led to a temporary museum exhibit which won an Award of Excellence from the Kansas Museum Association in 2007. She also researched and built the one-room school exhibit in the museum and is currently the museum’s Facebook administrator.
Tickets are on sale now!
Contact the museum by April 1 (620.367.8200 or email goesselmuseum@gmail.com) to reserve your tickets for the Low German sausage meal catered by Goessel Grocery & Deli. Prices are $75 per person, ages 12 and under are $15, and first-time attenders are $40.
This event will be recorded, but not live-streamed.
For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here
Mennonite Church USA Announcements
In honor of Women’s History Month, the MC USA Archives has compiled a Mennonite Women’s History timeline. Explore the rich history with this engaging resource: mennoniteusa.org/women’s-history-timeline
The Women in Leadership ministry of MC USA is releasing season three of its popular podcast, “Holding It (,) Together.” Bonita Rockingham of the Women in Leadership steering committee hosts the podcast, which is created by women for women. Learn more here: mennoniteusa.org/news/wil-podcast-season
Menno Snapshots
As part of MC USA’s “I choose to be Mennonite because …” series, Marlene Kropf, a spiritual director, and retreat leader, shares that she was born and raised a Mennonite, but after moving to an area without any Mennonite churches, she had to be creative in how she continued to worship. Read her story here: mennoniteusa.org/why-menno-kropf
Laura Pauls-Thomas, communications director of Mennonite Central Committee’s East Coast region and member of the Creation Care Committee at East Chestnut Street Mennonite Church, shares about the successful Bike Bus program at her church. Read her Menno Snapshots blog here: mennoniteusa.org/creation-care-commuting
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Laura Schlabach, who has served with MMN in Mongolia since 1993, is currently on North American Ministry in the United States. Pray that she will be able to find rest and renewal from the demands of being the only on-site member of a three-person executive director team for JCS International in Mongolia. Pray also for the smooth functioning of the organization in her absence.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance for pastors, worship planners, and musicians in WDC congregations, as they give special attention to shaping the church’s journey through the season of Lent and Easter.
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.