BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
WORSHIP SERVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
September 21, 2025–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.
Announcement for Saturday, September 20 2025
Climate Change Conference virtual meeting: The Witness Commission invites you to a virtual seminar on climate change, sponsored by Central Seminary and the Buttry Center for Peace and Nonviolence in the KC metro area. The virtual meeting is Sat., Sept. 20, 9 to 11:45 a.m., and is free for online guests. The seminar focuses on faith responses to climate change. Join members of the Witness Commission in the chapel, Sept. 20, to hear the keynote speakers at this seminar.
To livestream the worship service for Sunday, September 21:
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/IptX4PkotvE?feature=share
BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
September 21, 2025
Peace Sunday
Christ Candle Lighting
Centering Music–Thou True Vine That Heals the Nations–(arr. Raymond Haan)
Will Wiebe-Friesen
Welcome & Prayer–Heather Esau Zerger
*Hymn–Christ is Alive! Let Christians Sing–VT 359
Children and Youth Conversation– Esther Kreider Eash
Worship Music– Children of the Heavenly Father (arr. Robert Scholz)
Chancel Choir; Joel Garber, director; Will Wiebe-Friesen, accompanist
Scripture Reading–Matthew 5:33-48–Lauren Friesen
*Hymn–How Can We Worship Caesar’s Cross–VT 308
Sermon–Concerning Coercion–Nathan Koontz
*Hymn–Rain Down–VT 703
Prayers of God’s People
*Hymn–For the Healing of the Nations–VT 705
*Benediction
Postlude–Christ is Alive! Let Christians Sing (arr. J. Wayne Kerr)
*You are invited to stand
VT—Voices Together
Audio-visual—Ben Lichti
All young people aged 16-25 are encouraged to attend the final two sessions on conscientious objection (c.o.). Both sessions will meet at 10:45 in the chapel room. Sunday, September 21, we will learn about the history of conscientious objection and go on a field trip to see the new exhibit at the Kauffman Museum: “Voices of Conscience”. On September 28, participants will receive resources and support for creating their own c.o. file. Bethel College students can receive convocation credit for the September 28 session. On September 28, participants are invited to a pizza lunch hosted by the Agape Sunday School class.
The Week at BCMC: September 21—28, 2025
Sunday, September 21, 2025
Worship 9:30 a.m. Worship
Livestream Link: https://youtube.com/live/IptX4PkotvE?feature=share
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
4 p.m. Worship Commission—Room 14
Wednesday, September 24 , 2025
8-10 a.m. Pastor Joanna will be at the 1887 Café— Bethel College campus
7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir rehearsal—Sanctuary
Thursday, September 25, 2025
7 p.m. Deacon Commission—Room 14
Saturday, September 27, 2025
2-4 p.m. Worship Learning Communities Workshop—Fellowship Hall
Sunday, September 28, 2025
9:30 a.m. Worship with sermon by Joanna Harader; music by Holly Swartzendruber and Lucy Burch; Retirement Blessing for Pastor Elizabeth Schmidt
In February, Pastor Elizabeth let us know of her plans to retire this fall. Sept. 28 will be her final Sunday on the pastoral staff here at Bethel College Mennonite Church. We are deeply grateful for her ministry here and pray for God’s guidance and blessing as she enters a new season of life. A farewell reception for Elizabeth will be held in the Fellowship Hall Sept. 28 from 2 to 4 p.m.
Thanks to everyone who joined us for our first Messy Church Wednesday, September 10! And a special thanks to those who helped with the meal. We talked about how God is mighty and powerful while also caring for us intimately and tenderly. The paper fish races were a highlight of the night. Congratulations to Rachel on her victory and to Mara as a close runner-up! Remember to pray for your prayer partners this month. Messy Church is the second Wednesday of each month from 6-7:30. We hope you can join us on October 8.
Worship is a central spiritual practice for us at Bethel College Mennonite Church, and we rely on many people within our church community to make it happen! The Worship Commission is hosting a worship participant workshop on Sat., Sept. 27, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Bethel College Mennonite Church. As a large group, we will briefly talk about BCMC worship and then break into smaller groups to offer input and support in particular areas. This is for everyone interested in worship leading, scripture reading, leading children /youth conversation, or being an usher or greeter–whether you have done it before or not. All are welcome!
We offer sympathy to the family of Lela Schmidt. Lela was a long-time and cherished helper in the Community Playschool which meets in the BCMC basement and she was a long-time BCMC member. Lela died Wed., Sept. 17 at Paramount, Newton.
Sunday, in the Catacombs Sunday school class, Room B5, Janet and Lauren Friesen are presenting an account with pictures of their recent trip to Poland . Guests are welcome.
The BCMC Pastoral Search Committee is asking you to fill out the survey about congregational and pastoral priorities found here – https://forms.gle/BxKTcaisDo4FDEAV6 – Please fill it out by September 28. See the email sent out about the survey for more details. If you would prefer paper copies of the survey, please contact the church office.
The nursery has openings for one volunteer each Sunday in October. If you are interested in joining the list of volunteers who choose to spend a delightful and always interesting hour in the church nursery, please let Barb Voran or Margaret Toews (mctoews1@gmail.com) know. The process of training has been made very easy and we would love to have more names on our list!
BCMC Offering for September 14: General $4,202; Bethel College $50; Wed. Night Supper $154; Sr Hi Youth $400; Kitchen Fund $14.
The 19th Annual United Way Chili Cook-Off is Sat., Sept. 27, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 6th & Main, Newton. Tickets are $5 in advance and $8 at the gate and can be purchased from Community Playschool because Playschool is once again participating in the cook-off! Buy tickets from Community Playschool (meets Tuesdays and Thursdays in the BCMC basement from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.—come after Playschool is over—or contact director Jeanette Leary.) Come eat chili and have a wonderful time at the Chili Cook-Off!
Bring your pets to the church playground for a pet blessing on Sunday, October 12, at 3 p.m.! This event is a special request from one of our younger community members and will be a fun time to gather, appreciate our animal companions, and give thanks for God’s creation. All animals (that do not pose a danger to people or other animals) are invited to come with their people to receive a blessing.
There is a new prayer app available for parents of children (birth through pre-teen) called Unbridled Prayers. The app provides a short prayer and optional activity for each day. You can find information to download the app at Unbridled Prayers.
Resources for addressing the Problem of Christian Nationalism
- Drew Strait, Professor of New Testament and Public Faith at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, presented a seminar at our recent Western District Conference assembly on “Why Biblical Interpretation Matters for Challenging Christian Nationalism.” Dale Schrag shared briefly about this seminar at Sunday’s congregational meeting and has provided a link to a video of the seminar available online.
- Joanna has posted a manuscript of Sunday’s sermon on Matthew 5:1-20. The sermon from August 31 also addresses Christian Nationalism.
- This Sunday, September 21, the special Sunday School class on Conscientious Objection will take a field trip to the Kaufmann Museum to see the Voices of Conscience exhibit. Join us in the chapel at 10:45 Sunday morning, or take a trip to the museum on your own sometime soon!
- From Western District Conference: “Christian nationalism threatens democracies and the church’s witness around the world. How do we challenge it?” Mennonite Church of the Servant in Wichita, KS invites folks to join a fall book study focusing on Drew Strait’s book, Strange Worship: Six Steps for Challenging Christian Nationalism. We will be meeting on zoom every Wednesday evening in October at 7pm. If you would like to join these sessions, email ltschlosser@yahoo.com and a zoom link will be sent to you at the end of September. We welcome everyone to be a part of this timely study and conversation! A limited number of copies of the book will be available through the WDC Resource Library. Contact Jennie Wintermote at crlib@mennowdc.org to reserve a copy.
Camp Mennoscah Announcements
· Registration for the Fall Scrapbook and Crafts Retreat, Oct. 10-12, is open. Activities and lodging will be in the dining hall and bunkhouses. Register at https://campmennoscah.campbrainregistration.com
· Camp Mennoscah’s Annual Meeting is at Hope Mennonite Church, 868 N. Maize Rd., Wichita, Oct. 19, 6:30 p.m. All are invited to attend. A silent auction for a few items will take place.
· The next tee shirt comforter will be (silent) auctioned off at Bethel College’s Fall Fest on Oct. 4. Also, tee shirts and souvenirs will be available.
· Volunteers are needed for grounds work like mowing, trail maintenance, string trimming, poison ivy and sticker plant control, or any number of other things. Contact us at 620-297-3290 to discuss opportunities!
Mennonite Central Committee is hiring a Transformative Justice Program Coordinator to advance MCC Central States’s work on transformative and restorative justice, addressing mass incarceration, supporting justice-impacted people, and promoting change through education, capacity building, program development, and advocacy. This full-time position is offered in these locations: the MCC office in North Newton, or remotely in: Kansas, Texas, Colorado, Montana, Minnesota, New Mexico, or Oklahoma. View the full job description and apply online at mcc.org/cs-tjp-coordinator by October 17. Questions? Contact roxyreyes@mcc.org.
Thank you for taking part in this year’s Mennonite Central Committee School Kit Challenge! Thanks to the work of people like you throughout the U.S. and Canada, we went well above our goal of 25,000 school kits for the 2025 challenge. Working together, you, your community and other devoted supporters packed 29,639 school kits! Each of the 29,639 school kits you shared will be a gift and treasure for a student dreaming of a bright future — and for the loved ones, teachers and community members dreaming alongside them. Thank you for being part of this year’s School Kit Challenge. We hope you’ll join us again next year!
Life Enrichment is a series designed for adults age 60 and over. Sessions are in the Bethel College Fine Arts Center, Krehbiel Auditorium, on Wednesdays, 9:30—11:50 a.m. Next session: September 24
9:30 a.m. “Music Theater in the USA,” Dr. Doyle Preheim, Goshen, IN College professor emeritus of music, and Mary Jo Preheim, North Newton
10:50 a.m. “Birds of Kansas,” Bob Gress, photographer, naturalist and retired director of Great Plains Nature Center, Wichita, and Peter Janzen, writer and field birder, Wichita
QUILTERS CORNER IS HAVING A FALL SALE Fri., Oct. 3, from 4 – 7 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 4, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Mennonite Central Committee Central States Warehouse, 121 E. 30th St., North Newton. Come and shop ALL things quilting! SPECIAL ITEM FOR SALE: Husqvarna-Viking Designer Epic 1 sewing and embroidery machine with many, many accessories – $4,500. Contact person for this item is Charlotte Wenger: wengercd@gmail.com All proceeds support MCC work around the world for relief, development, and peace.
The Swiss Mennonite Cultural and Historical Association annual banquet will be Oct. 18, 5 p.m. at the Burrton City Auditorium (203 N. Burrton Ave., Burrton). Peter Buller, recent Bethel College graduate, will speak about his experience this summer at Reba Place in Chicago, connecting with bigger themes about our role as Mennonites in the world. Music provided by the Schwisters. RSVP by Oct. 11 to Dave Stucky at bigdstucky@gmail.com or text or call 620-532-4408. Cost is $25 and can be paid at the door or online at www.swissmennonite.org.
BETHEL COLLEGE WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION is looking forward to Fall Festival, our biggest money-raising event. We will have our usual New Year’s cookies, borscht and zwiebach and pie by the slice all outside Luyken Fine Arts Center and Market-in-the-Round inside. We again welcome your donations of homemade peppernuts, whole fruit pies, poppyseed rolls, zwiebach, cinnamon rolls, cookies, jams and jellies and other goodies. We’d love to have you donate your craft items as well! Please bring baked goods and craft donations to the Luyken Fine Arts Center Music Library between 1-5 p.m. Fri., Oct. 3, or 7-9 a.m. Sat., Oct. 4. If you have questions, contact us at bcwa@bethelks.edu. Volunteers are needed as well to staff the booths. To sign up, click on the following link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0E4CA8A72FA3F58-50920044-fall
Bethel College Announcements—All events free and open to the public
· Thurs., Sept. 25: Closing reception for Jordan Buschur and “Decororator,” 6-7 p.m., Regier Art Gallery in Luyken Fine Arts Center
· Bethel College’s Fall Festival is Oct. 2-5, with most activities taking place Sat., Oct. 4, on campus. Features include music, food, class reunions, football (Bethel vs. Southwestern), the play Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike by Christopher Durang, and a ribbon cutting for the new Wellness Center. See https://www.bethelks.edu/fallfest/ for the complete schedule.
· Fri., Oct. 3, 7:30 p.m., Sat., Oct. 4, 3:30 p.m., Sun., Oct. 5, 2 p.m.: The Bethel College theater department presents Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike by Christopher Durang during Fall Festival, Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center. Ticket purchase required, in Thresher Shop in Schultz Student Center weekdays 8 a.m.-5 p.m., or at the door. Contains adult content and may not be suitable for young children.
· Kidron Bethel Village, 3001 Ivy Dr., will host its annual Country Breakfast Sat., Oct. 4, from 7 to 10 a.m., in Kidron Hall. Enjoy pancakes, sausage and eggs by donation. Proceeds benefit the Health Care Benevolent Fund, a ministry of Kidron Bethel Village, that assists residents who are unable to cover the full cost of their care.
· Sat., Oct. 4: Miroslav Volf, “Striving for Superiority and Striving for Excellence,” 10 a.m., Bethel College Mennonite Church. Volf, a Croatian Protestant theologian, is the Henry B. Wright Professor of Theology and director of the Yale Center for Faith and Culture at Yale University. His latest book, The Cost of Ambition, examines why ambition is at odds with the Christian faith.
· Sun., Oct. 19, and Mon., Oct. 20: Dr. Kat Hill, a religious and cultural historian from Scotland, will give the annual Menno Simons Lectures
[these dates are different from some previously printed material]
· Sun.-Tues., Nov. 2-4: The biennial Worship and the Arts Symposium will focus on homiletics (preaching) with special guest Dr. Luke Powery from Duke Divinity School at Duke University. The symposium will also feature an art exhibition by Merrill Krabill and the fall choral concert “Bethel Sings.”
| On September 30, from 1:00 pm – 2:15 pm EDT, MCC will host a webinar to discuss the overlapping systems of immigrant detention and mass incarceration. Through guided panel conversation, speakers will consider the shared historical underpinnings, current manifestations, and spiritual ramifications of our approach to enforcement in the U.S. Join us to learn why solidarity with affected communities is important and how you can get involved to interrupt systems of harm! |
| Speakers: Kara Hartzler is a senior appellate attorney at the Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc. Prior to joining the Federal Defenders, she served as the Legal Director and Criminal Immigration Consultant at the Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project in Arizona. She has written numerous books and articles on the intersection between criminal and immigration law; served as an adjunct immigration professor; litigated hundreds of immigration and criminal appeals before the Ninth Circuit; and testified in front of the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Immigration on the detention and deportation of citizens and other due process violations in the immigration system. Felix Rosado is a co-founder of Let’s Circle Up a restorative justice project he helped build while fighting a death by incarceration sentence. In 2022, Felix narrowly escaped that fate via governor clemency after 27 years. While incarcerated, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Villanova University and co-authored “Justice from the Inside Up: A Restorative Justice Education Facilitator’s Manual”. Felix currently serves as Healing Futures Program Manager at Youth Art & Self-Empowerment Project, Philadelphia’s first youth restorative justice diversion program, and teaches restorative justice as an adjunct professor at Chestnut Hill College and Community College of Philadelphia. |
| MCC U.S. National Peace & Justice Ministries 920 Pennsylvania Ave. SE Washington, D.C. 20003 |
For Mennonite Mission Network “News and Beyond” press here
Western District Conference invites you to visit our website to read the latest news, stories and announcements.
For Mennonite Men Announcements press here
Mennonite Mission Network Prayer Request: Mennonite Mission Network rejoices with members of the Bolivia Mennonite Church, as they celebrate their 50th anniversary. Pray for them as they set goals and plan for the future.
Western District Conference Prayer Request: Pray for leaders and participants in the Voices Together mini-webinar hosted by the WDC Resource Commission coming up on September 30, as they share ideas, resources and inspiration for meaningful worship and music (https://mennowdc.org/wdc-affinity-group-forums/).
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.