BETHEL COLLEGE MENNONITE CHURCH
August 29, 2021
Prelude—Lord Jesus Christ Be Present Now (Walther) ; A Mighty Fortress is Our God (arr. Johnson) — Verlene Garber, organist
Christ Candle Lighting—Dawn Yoder Harms
Call to Worship and Prayer
Hymn—Summoned by the God Who Made Us —VT 1
Children’s Conversation—Megan Kohlman
Recognition of BCMC Joining Supportive Communities Network—Leann Toews
Scripture Reading—Micah 3:5,9-10; 6:6-8
Sermon—Such a Marvelous Business—Nathan Koontz
Hymn—God is Working This Purpose Out—VT 770
Prayers of God’s people
Hymn—Sing a New World Into Being—VT 809
Benediction
Postlude—The Old Hundredth (Pachelbel) — Verlene Garber, organist
VT = Voices Together
Audio visual—Ben Lichti
Pastors—Renee Reimer, Nathan Koontz, Dawn Yoder Harms
Leann Toews will be using the following terms in her presentation in
abbreviated form.
BMC: Brethren, Mennonite Council for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Interests
SCN: Supportive Communities Network
GLBTQ persons will be referred to as “Queer” rather than delineated groups.
Supportive Communities Network
Supportive Communities Network (SCN) is a program of Brethren, Mennonite Council for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Interests (BMC). After a time of education about SCN and a congregational survey conducted by the Inclusion Task Group on behalf of the Church Board completed in March of 2021, results showed overwhelming support for BCMC to join SCN. The Church Board affirmed the congregational results on April 9, and soon thereafter joined SCN on behalf of BCMC. Today we celebrate and recognize this relationship with Leann Toews presenting on behalf of SCN.
Banner: The Rainbow Flies into the Prairie Bearing Gifts
Austin Prouty was asked to design a banner for today’s recognition of BCMC joining Supportive Communities Network. Regarding the banner Austin writes, “The Rainbow Flies into the Prairie Bearing Gifts. The journey hasn’t been smooth, but it’s the uncertainties, the fluctuations, the lived experience that allow its true brilliance to shine. New challenges surely loom in the distance, and the trek is ongoing. But light has started touching the land, and there is hope on the horizon.” We thank Austin for this wonderful gift as we visualize opening to the rainbow’s flight and gifts.