BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
November 23, 2025
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, November 23:
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/uO0vklGGlAU?feature=share
If you have not already filled out the intent form please take a moment to do so now! Thank you!
| Stewardship Invitation from Bethel College Mennonite Church Finance Committee: The Finance Committee of Bethel College Mennonite Church invites you to join in the faithful work of financial stewardship by sharing your intended giving for 2026. Information from the intent forms is used to help determine the budget for 2026. BCMC’s Church Board will recommend a final budget for approval at the congregational meeting on January 25, 2026. To indicate the contributions you plan to make to the general budget in 2026, please complete and return the online intent form by Monday, November 24. You can access this form by pressing the button below. If you would like a paper copy you can pick one up from the ledge in the Gathering Place or call the church office. For the online form press this button. |
The Worship Service for Sunday, November 23, 2025
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
November 23, 2025
Christ Candle Lighting
Centering Music—Crown Him With Many Crowns [VT 408]
(arr. J. Westenkuehler)–Will Wiebe-Friesen, organ
Welcome—Sondra Koontz
*Hymn—Lift Your Glad Voices—VT 340
Children and Youth Conversation—Judy Harder
Worship Music—Ye Choirs of New Jerusalem (C.V. Stanford)
—Chancel Choir; Joel Garber, director; Will Wiebe-Friesen, accompanist
Scripture Reading— Matthew 28:1-15—Sheryl Goering
*Hymn—Now the Green Blade Rises–VT 353
Sermon—Good News/Fake News—Joanna Harader
*Hymn—Christ Has Arisen, Alleluia!–VT 34
Prayers of God’s People—Sondra Koontz
*Hymn—Christ the Lord Is Risen Today—VT 346
*Benediction
Postlude--I Know That My Redeemer Lives [VT 347] (arr. D. Wood)–Will Wiebe-Friesen
* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Keyboard—Will Wiebe-Friesen
Audio visual—Ben Lichti
The Week at BCMC: November 23—30, 2025
Sunday, November 23, 2025
9:30 a.m. Worship service live-stream link:
https://youtube.com/live/uO0vklGGlAU?feature=share
Monday, November 24, 2025
10 a.m. Library Committee—Room 14
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
1-5 p.m. Kitchen & Fellowship Hall will be used by Dr. Will Wiebe-Friesen for a chemistry lab
6-8 p.m. Immigration Task Force—Room 14
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
3 p.m. Cancer Support Group—Church Nursery
Thursday, November 27, 2025—Thanksgiving Day—Church will be locked; church office closed
Friday, November 28, 2025—Church office will be closed
Sunday, November 30, 2025—First Sunday of Advent
9:30 a.m. Worship with sermon by Joanna Harader; music by Mary Jo and Doyle Preheim; communion will be served
The church office will be closed Nov. 27-28 for the Thanksgiving Day holiday.
Pastor Nathan Koontz is on vacation November 24-29.
BCMC Offering for November 16: General Fund $6,292; MCC Infant Care Kits $362; MCC Meat Canning $80; Library Reserve Fund $8; Flower Fund $15; Kitchen Fund $24; Solar Fund $1,031.19.
Messy Church on December 10 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!
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 will located in the back of the sanctuary beginning November 30. 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
You are invited to share a poinsettia for the sanctuary for the Christmas season. BCMC will purchase the poinsettias and deliver them to the church. To contribute, email the following to the office or fill it out and put it in the offering plate: Donor’s: name:
In memory of:
Or in honor of.:
Make a payment of $15.00 (made out to BCMC and designated “Flower Fund”) place in the offering plate or bring to church office by Nov. 23. There will be forms at a table in the Gathering Place this Sunday, if you wish to fill out a form in person. (Contributors may pick up a poinsettia Dec. 24 after the 5:30 p.m. Christmas program or after the Dec. 24, 9 p.m. program; or, if you wish, leave them for the service on Dec. 28.)
College students and other young adults are invited to a pizza lunch on Sun., Dec. 7, in the fellowship hall. Pizza-making will happen during the Sunday School hour, to be followed by pizza-eating!
Trans Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is an annual observance on November 20 that honors the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence. This year, KIFA’s LGBTQ+ Working Group decided to put together a prayer in video form to honor Trans Day of Remembrance, and to remind us all that we’re all beloved children of God. You can watch the video prayer on YouTube! Or check it out on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok!
This week the Senior High youth group had a discussion about the food pantry and then went shopping to buy food for the pantry!
Advent begins next Sunday, November 30! 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: Each Sunday of Advent (November 30, December 7, 14, 21) worship will begin with special prelude music at 9:15.
—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: Be sure to check out the Advent & Christmas schedules that you received via email and that are available near the front and south entrances. And be sure to mark your calendars for our special Christmas Messy Church on December 10 and our contemplative Longest Night service on December 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
We offer sympathy to Tillman and Jennifer King (Goshen, IN) and Ethan and Amy King (Newton, KS) and their extended families on the death of their father, Vernon King, Nov. 2, 2025, in Goshen, IN. Vernon and Shirley King were members of BCMC from Nov. 13, 1977 to Nov. 29, 2015 when they moved their membership to Eighth Street Mennonite Church, Goshen, IN. Shirley was an organist at BCMC for many years. While in Newton, Vernon started Suntree Construcion and designed and built homes in Newton. For Vernon’s obituary, press here
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 request to essc@bethelcollegemennonitechurch.org, preferably at least 4 weeks before the event. Thank you, ESSC (Karen Ediger, Brad Kohlman and Margaret Toews)
The Harvest of Love food bank in Newton is experiencing higher need than in the past. More people are signing up for food boxes. They appreciate any shelf-stable gifts of food as well as monetary gifts. If you bring shelf-stable food to the church, you can place it in the south entryway and we can deliver it to the Salvation Army/Harvest of Love food bank. They also appreciate monetary gifts which they use to order food. Their shelves are pretty empty by the time their monthly order comes in. Make checks payable to “Harvest of Love.” You can place your check in the jars (marked Harvest of Love) at the back of the sanctuary or mail it directly to: Harvest of Love, 208 W. 6th, Newton, KS 67114. They appreciate any help we can give them! Thank you for your generosity! – Deacon Commission
Kidron Bethel Village will host its annual Holiday Market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sat., Dec. 6, at Kidron Hall, 3001 Ivy Dr., North Newton. Holiday Market features local vendors selling their items and goods, and is a chance for residents and the community to shop for holiday gifts. The market is a fundraiser for the Health Care Benevolent Fund, a ministry of Kidron Bethel Village that assists residents who, due to unforeseen circumstances, are no longer able to cover the full cost of their care.
The Newton Treble Clef Annual Vespers will be Sun., Dec. 7, 3 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 900 Columbus, Newton. The prelude will begin 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.
Bethel College Announcements
· Calling all bakers and craft makers! You are invited to make items for 5 Places of Christmas for Sat., Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Goerz House on the BC campus. Bethel College Women’s Association will be selling baked goods, candy, craft items and poinsettias. Your homemade cookies, zweibach, cinnamon rolls, peppernuts and poppyseed rolls are great sellers. This year we are especially asking for homemade candies like fudge, peanut clusters, peanut butter balls and peanut brittle, as well as other non-chocolate candies. We would also like Christmas craft items to sell. Please bring your items to Goerz House, 2512 College Ave., North Newton Fri., Dec. 5, between 2- 5 p.m. or Sat., Dec. 6, from 9:30 – 10 a.m. Thank you for your support of Bethel College.
· Sun., Nov. 30: Celebrate the beginning of Advent at Kauffman Museum, 3 p.m. in the museum auditorium, with a Deutsche Weihnachtslieder (German hymn sing) led by BC emeritus faculty William Eash, Merle Schlabaugh and Karen Schlabaugh (playing the historic Teschemacher parlor organ). Even if you don’t sing, or don’t sing German, you are welcome to come and listen!
· Tues., Dec. 2: BC Wind Ensemble concert, Chris Miertschin, director, 7 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center
· Weds., Dec. 3: Singalong to Christmas portions of Handel’s Messiah, 11 a.m., with chamber orchestra and soloists, BCMC. Scores provided.
· Weds., Dec. 3: Senior Art Exhibit I opens, featuring ceramics by Bethel College student Abby Chappell Deckert. Exhibit is open through Dec. 12 (reception TBA) in the Regier Gallery in Luyken Fine Arts Center at Bethel College. Gallery hours are Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun. 2-4 p.m.
· Thurs., Dec. 4: Jazz Holiday Gala, directed by Chris Miertschin, 7 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center at Bethel College
· Sat., Dec. 6: Five Places of Christmas, featuring Kauffman Museum and the Bethel College Women’s Association at Goerz House, both on the Bethel campus, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Other locations are Carriage Factory Gallery, Harvey County Historical Museum and Warkentin House, all in Newton.
· Sun., Dec. 7: 40th annual Lighting of the Green, 8 p.m. on the BC campus.
If you toured the retreat center at Camp Mennoscah in the last few months, or came to help on one of our work days, you probably saw gaping holes in the guest room walls and wondered what the plan was with upcoming winter temperatures. We are thrilled to announce that the room HVAC units have all been installed, allowing the retreat center to be sealed against freezing temperatures and blowing snow, one more sign of the significant progress being made to get the building operational again in time for 2026 summer camps! Your financial investment in the youth of our community remains vital as we work on suspended ceilings, light fixtures, systems testing, and more that remains to be paid for, and you can text “CAMP” to 620-755-2583 to get details on ways to offer your time, talent, or treasure. – Eric Litwiler, director of development
Food Fund-raising Event in the area:
· First Mennonite church of McPherson will be selling verenika and bohne beroggi made fresh, then frozen, by members of the church. Gravy and sauce will not be provided, but recipes will be attached. Orders will be taken until Sat., Dec. 6. Pick up date is Sat., Dec. 13 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the church 1161 E. Ave A in McPherson. Cost is $12 for half a dozen. Place your order through Facebook page – First Mennonite Church of McPherson or their website: www.firstmennonitechurchmcpherson.org. Pay at time of pick up
by check,cash, or Venmo.
An exhibit titled, “Art From the Hearth” will be featured in the Regier-Friesen Gallery located in Hesston College’s Laban Peachey Center (325 S. College Dr., Hesston) Nov. 3 through 28. The exhibit includes various artists’ created bowls, cups, plates, teapots, etc. and includes recipes in which to fill them. Normal exhibit hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and admission is free.
Give back on Giving Tuesday at Mennonite Central Committee, Dec. 2 from 6:30-8 p.m. Make plans to join us on Giving Tuesday! Bring your family and friends to this casual, come-and-go, all-ages event. Kick off your holiday shopping by picking gifts for your friends and family from the MCC Christmas Giving Guide. Pack hygiene kits, tie comforters, make a cardboard comforter block craft, and enjoy snacks. Find out more at mcc.org/giving-Tuesday.
Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) is responding to the impact of Hurricane Melissa. Please pray for the people who have been affected by this disaster. MCC is working with local partners to provide food, hygiene items and other emergency supplies. We welcome your donations at mcc.org/hurricane-melissa.
Jamaica Mennonite Church has been hard hit by Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm that caused widespread destruction in the Caribbean. Please remember those affected in prayer, and consider making a donation to help our sister churches recover from this devastating storm. 100% of donations will go directly to Jamaica Mennonite Church. Donations can be made online here (temporarily under Climate Justice), noting “JAMAICA” in the note field.
Buhler Mennonite Church needs your help to package 50,000 meals on Sat., Dec. 6, at the Sand Hills Event Center, 4601 N Plum St, Hutchinson, through the Outreach Program. Contact them at 620-543-2733 or bmcpastor@gmail.com There is a job for all ages 7 to 147 years of age. You can work one shift or both shifts -1st Shift (Arrive 8:45am for the 9-11:00am) 2nd Shift (Arrive 10:45am for 11 a.m.-1pm). Job orientation is provided and no previous experience is needed!
Eden Mennonite Church, 401 18th Ave., Moundridge, invites you to their production of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” by Barbara Robinson, Sat. Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.) and Sun., Dec. 14, 2 p.m. (doors open at 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.
Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements.
For Anabaptist Disabilities Network press here
For Mennonite Disaster Service Volunteer Update press here
For Mennonite Disaster Service On the Level press here
For Mennonite Mission Network News and Beyond press here
For Mennonite Men “Engage” press here
Mennonite Church USA Announcements
Menno Snapshots
Rachel Ringenberg Miller, MC USA denominational minister for ministerial leadership, provides tips for growing intergenerational congregational connections. Read her Menno Snapshots blog here:
https://www.mennoniteusa.org/intergenerational-connections/
Need a speaker for your worship service or event? MC USA would love to help! Are you planning a worship service, youth gathering, church assembly or special event — and looking for a speaker who can bring a message grounded in Anabaptist faith, peace, justice, and community? Request an MC USA speaker here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/request-a-speaker/
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Anicka Fast, who serves with Mennonite Mission Network and Mennonite World Conference, is working on the first volume of the Global Anabaptist Forebears series, a joint effort between Boston University’s Center for Global Christianity and Mission, Mission Network and Mennonite World Conference. Pray for inspiration and stamina as Anicka edits the series, conducts history-writing workshops and seeks funding.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Give thanks for generous financial contributions that support WDC congregations and our shared ministry within WDC.
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.