BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR SUNDAY,
SEPTEMBER 15, 2024–PEACE 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/hkQ4EV-UhIA?feature=share
Sunday School with David Gushee
There will be a special Sunday School session with David Gushee in the sanctuary following worship at BCMC. All are welcome to join for a brief presentation and then time for question and answer. If you would like to watch this Sunday School session remotely, please click the following link: https://youtube.com/live/-0S6Kd7W_Wg?feature=share
Sunday, September 15, 9:30 a.m. Worship Service
We welcome David P. Gushee. The BCMC Witness Commission invites you to this peace witness event around Peace Sunday today and tomorrow at Bethel College. Our church along with the Bible and Religion Department of Bethel College and in collaboration with area churches invites you to engage with Christianity and Democracy led by well known author, academic, and presenter, David P. Gushee (https://davidpgushee.com).
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
September 15, 2024
Peace Sunday
Christ Candle Lighting
Centering Music—O God, Thou Faithful God (Peeters)
Verlene Garber
Welcome & Prayer—Nathan Koontz
*Hymn—Come, Let Us All Unite to Sing—VT 7
Children’s Conversation—Joanna Harader
Worship Music—Barcarole op. 19, no. 5 (Gade)
Abby Koontz
Scripture Reading—Romans 13:1-7; Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 72:1-7; Matthew 22:15-22
Darlene Dick, Roger Juhnke
Sermon—Biblical Parameters for Thinking about Government—David P. Gushee
*Hymn—Let There Be Light—VT 714
Prayers of God’s People
*Hymn—Rain Down—VT 703
*Benediction
Postlude—Poco Vivace from Kleine Praludien und Intermezzi (Schroeder)
Verlene Garber
* You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Keyboard- Verlene Garber
Audio visual—Ben Lichti
The Week at BCMC: September 15-22, 2024
Sunday, September 15, 2024—Peace Sunday
Worship 9:30 a.m. — Faith Formation for Junior and Youth 10:30 a.m.
Volunteers in the Nursery today are Megan Kohlman and Kevin Neufeld
YouTube Link for the worship service this Sunday:
https://youtube.com/live/hkQ4EV-UhIA?feature=share
10:30 a.m. Faith Formation in the Sanctuary—David Gushee will look at some of the key biblical texts on government and Christianity: YouTube Link:
https://youtube.com/live/-0S6Kd7W_Wg?feature=share
Monday, September 16, 2024
7 p.m. Finance Committee & Church Board joint workshop in Room 14
Tuesday, September 17, 2024
7 p.m. Women’s Fellowship Meeting in Fellowship Hall
Hola! Women’s Fellowship is starting their Fall programs with a trip to Spain. Plan to join Sarah Turner and her host sister Laura to learn more about this beautiful country. Tuesday, September 17, at 7 p.m. in Fellowship Hall.
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir rehearsal in the Sanctuary
Thursday, September 19, 2024
6: 30 p.m. Chancel Bell rehearsal in Room B7
6:30 p.m. Abuse Prevention and Response Committee meeting in Room 14
Sunday, September 22, 2024
9:30 a.m. Worship with sermon by Joanna Harader
10:30 a.m. Faith Formation
6 p.m. Dessert Reception for Bethel College students on the sidewalk in front of Haury Hall, sponsored by the BCMC Relations Team with assistance from the BCMC Hospitality Commission. Save the Date for the Annual Dessert Reception for Bethel College students. This year it will be held ON the Bethel College campus—on a sidewalk going to Haury Hall—just a few feet from the BCMC grounds. Please bring a dessert to share and be willing to engage with students. Chairs will be set up in circles.
BCMC Offering for Sept. 8: Gen. Fund $8,494; Columbarium Fund $1,095; Caring Fund $50; Kitchen Fund $29.30; Solar Fund $230; Monica Gross Mem. $100.
Congregational Meeting and Membership Vote:
Congregational Meeting Set for September 29:
The next congregational meeting will be at 10:45 a.m. during the Sunday School hour on September 29. The meeting will be held in the sanctuary and made available live on YouTube only while the meeting is in progress; it will not be recorded. Remote viewers can text their votes to a number announced at the beginning of the meeting. Agenda items will include a vote for a change of Membership Guidelines and an update from pastors and moderators. The youth will host a fundraising luncheon following the meeting.
Future congregational meetings will be held at 10:45 a.m. on January 26 and May 4, 2025.
Proposal for Action at the BCMC Congregational Meeting Sept. 29, 2024
The Church Board and Deacons recommend removing the “Welcoming Statement” (approved January 28, 2024) from Article IV: Membership. Both the Deacons and the Inclusive Task Group desire that the Welcoming Statement be separate from the membership guidelines. The current Welcoming Statement will continue to be used in BCMC publications but can be changed and updated under the leadership of the Inclusive Task Group. The revised membership guidelines for the congregational vote on September 29 read as follows:
Article IV: Membership (Revised)
Membership in the Bethel College Mennonite Church is open to all who affirm their faith in God, who seek to center their lives in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, who are open to the presence and guidance of the Holy Spirit, and who have received baptism as the symbol of their commitment and covenant.
Bethel College Mennonite Church welcomes into fellowship and membership all persons who commit to Jesus Christ, without regard to their race, ethnic background, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, economic status, marital state, age, or other factors which can lead to discrimination and marginalization.
Members offer themselves to support Mennonite principles and to share in the life and work of this congregation.
After a discussion between the pastoral team and the BCMC board, we have decided to postpone the annual leadership retreat, usually held in the fall, to a yet-to-be-determined date in late 2024 or early 2025. This postponement will:
1. Allow our pastoral and moderator teams to continue their work of clarifying and defining their roles.
2. Allow pastors and moderators to create a leadership retreat that best equips leaders of commissions and committees for our current model of pastoral
leadership.
In the meantime, we encourage committees and commissions to contact Brad Kohlman if they have questions or concerns. Look for an update on the timing of the leadership retreat later this fall or early winter.
Notes for your calendars
· The Central Kansas Master Chorale presents a Choral Festival, Sunday, Sept. 15, 3 p.m. at the Hesston Mennonite Church, 309 S. Main St., featuring the Newton High School Choraleers, Hesston College Bel Canto Singers, and the Central Kansas Master Chorale, directed by Joel Garber, accompanist Karen Unruh. All are invited.
· The family of Paul Harms invites you to a 90th Birthday Celebration for Paul on October 6 from 3 to 5 p.m. in the BCMC Fellowship Hall.
· The worship service on Fall Fest Sunday, October 6, will begin at 10 a.m. in the BCMC sanctuary.
· Wednesday night suppers will begin on Oct. 16 and run through Nov. 20.
Abuse Prevention and Response Policy
The Abuse Prevention and Response Committee, at the request of the Faith Formation Commission, has approved a provisional change to the Abuse Prevention and Response Policy that will allow our nursery to be staffed by one approved adult and one approved youth volunteer. (II.A.3) This change takes effect immediately. Over the coming months, the APRC will be reviewing the policy in full and will bring an updated version of the policy to the congregation for approval some time in 2025.Copies of the policy are available on the church website and in the office. If you have questions about the policy or changes to suggest, please reach out to one of the pastors or a member of APRC.
September and October Webinars from EVERENCE®
Finances and You with topics that integrate your faith and finances! This is a free, four-part webinar series where you’ll hear how Everence® can help you make important financial decisions that reflect your faith values. The webinars will be presented by Everence professionals and there will be time for your questions. All webinars held on Wednesdays at 2 and 8 p.m. (Eastern Time) For more information, visit everence.com/national. Or Email:
national@everence.com with any questions.
· Sept. 18 Seminar: Getting our lives together, Giving our lives away, and Giving our deaths away. For those of us interested in integrating our faith with our finances, we often find ourselves focusing on different concerns throughout our lives. Intentionally embracing these unique periods of our lives can encourage growth in our stewardship journey and help form us into the image of Christ. Presented by: Colin Saxton, Stewardship Theologian and Director of Church Relations
· Sept. 25 Seminar: Social Security: Understanding your benefits. Come and learn the ins and outs of social security that will provide you clarity as you consider your social security future. Presented by: Steve Lane, AWMA®, CFP®, Financial Consultant
· Oct. 2 Seminar: Investing 202. Mutual funds, pensions, stocks, bonds, IRA’s, Roth IRA’s, 401k’s, Real estate. The list seems to go on and on for investment options. This presentation will help you sort through your investment options and other considerations as you explore what investments make sense for you. Presented by: Michael Burton, CFP®, CEPA®, Financial Consultant
Everence will hold a Medicare webinar Tues., Sept. 17, 6:30 p.m. including topics: when and where to sign up for Medicare, what Medicare does (and doesn’t) cover, Medicare Parts A, B, C and D in clear, understandable language plus
budgeting for health care costs in retirement. There will be time for questions. Information 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. Attendance recommended for those approaching retirement or those ready to sign up for Medicare.
| Dear Bethel College Mennonite,Join MCC, the Church of the Brethren, and the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) for a webinar on climate and peace! Learn from partners around the world how climate change is driving conflict within their communities and how they are acting to address this crisis.United in our call to stand for peace worldwide, many of us see climate change as one of the biggest obstacles to this goal. Hear how you can take action to advocate for international climate assistance and to support peace globally!Webinar: Climate and peace: Stories from around the worldDate: Sept. 25, 2024Time: 11:00 am EDT |
| Speakers will include Sibonokuhle Ncube, Mennonite Mission Network’s regional co-director for Africa and Europe; Lenny Thomas Aniah, gender-based violence coordinator for the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria; and Victor Odinda, climate solutions partner advisor for MCC Cambodia. Daren Caughron, legislative manager, sustainable energy and environment for FCNL, will share expertise on how you can encourage Congress to support climate finance for peace.We look forward to seeing you on September 25! |
Bethel College Announcements:
· Sun., Sept. 15: Forum on Democracy and Christianity with David Gushee, 3 p.m., Memorial Hall sponsored by Bethel College Mennonite Church and the Bethel Department of Bible and Religion. The afternoon’s events will include a keynote by Dr. Gushee and discussion around tables. Gushee will also speak in convocation Mon., Sept. 16, 11 a.m., in Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center.
· Tues., Sept. 17: Bethel College Orchestra, directed by Kris Hilding,
7 p.m., Memorial Hall
· Thurs., Sept. 19: Guest piano recital: Dr. Brian Hsu, 7 p.m., Ad Building chapel
· Thurs., Sept. 19: Artist reception for Gwen and Victor Rose and “The Rose Aesthetic,” 6-8 p.m., Regier Gallery in Luyken Fine Arts Center. Exhibit closes the same evening. Gallery hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays; 2-4 p.m. Sundays.
· Thurs., Sept. 26: The Bethel College Wind Ensemble presents “dinner and a show,” 6:30 p.m., Memorial Hall. Tickets are $20 per person or $200 for a full table (8 people). Call 316-284-5202, or go to Thresher Shop on the Bethel campus, Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-5 p.m., to buy tickets. You must have a ticket to attend this concert.
· Bethel College’s Fall Festival is Oct. 3-6, with most activities taking place Sat., Oct. 5, on campus. Features include music, food, class reunions, football, the musical “9 to 5”, and the 50th-anniversary celebration for the social work program. See https://www.bethelks.edu/fallfest/ for the complete schedule.
· Sat., Oct. 5: Sarah Augustine will give a keynote address for the 50th anniversary of Bethel College social work, 2 p.m., Kidron Hall at Kidron Bethel Village. She will also speak Sun., Oct. 6, 9:30 a.m., at Bethel College Mennonite Church, and Mon., Oct. 7, for convocation in Krehbiel Auditorium. The public is invited to any and all events. Augustine is the founder and co-chair of the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery, author of The Land is Not Empty (2021) and co-author of So We and Our Children May Live (2023).
· Life Enrichment program at Bethel College for Wednesday, Sept. 18. Life Enrichment is for people age 60 and above and is an excellent way to continue learning and meet people from the surrounding area in a relaxed setting.
Sept. 18—9:30 a.m. “The Death Penalty: Failed Public Policy and Doubtful
Morality,” Ron Wurtz, retired public defender, Topeka
Sept. 18—10:50 a.m. “Line Dancing for Life,” Lois Palmer, assistant at Newton
Area Senior Center
Bethel College Women’s Association needs your donations of baked goods and craft items! Home-made pies, poppyseed rolls, zwieback, cinnamon rolls, other baked goods and treats for Market-in-the-Round at Fall Festival are welcome. In addition, home-made jams/jellies and craft items are needed. All of these items can be delivered to the Music Library in Luyken Fine Arts Center from 1 – 5 p.m., Fri., Oct. 4. All proceeds will benefit Bethel College. If questions email:
bcwa@belthelks.edu Volunteers are needed as well to staff the booths. To sign up, use this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0E4CA8A72FA3F58-50920044-fall/102465998#/
Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements.
Camp Mennoscah Announcements
The Annual Meeting on September 22 will be a day of worship, fun, and fellowship, followed by the annual business meeting at 5pm. Events begin at 10:30am at Camp Mennoscah. Make reservations for a picnic-style lunch here. Donations will be accepted for lunch and for the Foundation 75 Capital Campaign.
Other events and happenings:
- Summer is over and volunteer work days have been adjusted! Volunteers for the HVAC work at the Retreat Center are welcome Monday – Friday. A lack of construction skills should not keep you from helping out with this project. Willing hands are what is needed! Let us know when you are available, so we can prepare for you. For anyone interested in working on a weekend, two weeks notice is needed. Contact Isaac at 316-217-5626 to sign up.
- Registration for the Fall Scrapbook and Crafts Retreats is open! The dates are November 1-3 and November 15-17. Lodging and crafting will be held at Main Camp in the bunkhouses and dining hall. Register here. We’ll see you for another fun weekend!
- Tasks to keep Camp Mennoscah running smoothly continue into the fall and winter seasons. Volunteers are needed for grounds and deep cleaning, plus a variety of other things. Contact us at 620-297-3290, 316-293-7313 (text) or olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org.
Kidron Bethel Village will host its annual Holiday Marketing featuring local vendors on Saturday, December 7. Vendors who would like to be part of this event are now being accepted on a first-come-first-served basis. To reserve a table, contact SheriE@bluestemks.org, or call 316-836-4821. Holiday Market gives Kidron Bethel Village residents and others from the community a one-stop place 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.
For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here
Mennonite Church USA Announcements
Save the date! MC USA is pleased to announce that the 2025 biennial national gathering and leading faith formation event, Follow Jesus ‘25, will take place July 8-12, 2025, at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, North Carolina. Learn more here: mennoniteusa.org/convention View the PDF here: mennoniteusa.org/fj25_ad View the PowerPoint slide here: mennoniteusa.org/follow-jesus-25-slide
Menno Snapshots
Spiritual director Reuben Chupp shares a poem about finding silence as a means to prepare for meetings with his spiritual directees. Read more here: mennoniteusa.org/i-need-silence
Jon Carlson, moderator for Mennonite Church USA, shares his story of how he came to call the Mennonite church home the family-like belonging that has felt since joining this church. Read his story here: mennoniteusa.org/finding-home-mennonite-church
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Mennonite Mission Network’s Service Adventure participants are learning to live in new households, integrating into their hosting congregations and settling into their service assignments. Pray for the participants, as well as Samir Knego, leader of the unit in Anchorage, Alaska, and Christian and Leigha Stoltzfus, who are leading the Colorado Springs unit in Colorado.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Pray for God’s wisdom to guide WDC congregations and members, as we discern faithful responses, actions and words in this national election 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.