Table of Contents
This coming Sunday you’ll find a new hymnal in our pews: Voices Together. Voices Together was published by MennoMedia in 2020 and we have been able to purchase copies for use in our church with generous memorial funds given in memory of Rich and Velma Ratzlaff, and Marcie (and Ron) Woelk.
The Introduction to Voices Together, written by Bradley Kauffman (project director and general editor) on behalf of the Mennonite Worship and Song Committee, is worth reading:
“We worship God in Christ, through the Spirit with vibrant currents of music, spoken words, visual art, and movement. Voices resound a capella and flow through microphones and speakers. Pipe organs and electric guitar, gamelan and hammered dulcimer, all join in a chorus of worship. Communities across Mennonite Church USA and Mennonite Church Canada are living the Psalm 150 vision: Let everything that has breath praise God!
In worship, we grow together in relationship with God and with one another. We remember, rehearse, and are shaped by the stories of God’s people across time and distance. Worship invites us to bring to God our great joys, deep sorrows, offerings of time and talent, and earnest questions. Together in worship we are called and sent to live into God’s vision of healing and hope not just for ourselves, but for our communities and all of creation.
A hymnal holds together stories about who God is and what God does. It shapes God’s people, placing each of us in God’s story as beloved individuals and members of Christian communities. This collection’s title, Voices Together, reflects and celebrates the rich and varied expressions of worship we offer to God. Great care has been taken to assemble a collection where worshippers may find themselves and their stories honored and expressed. Voices Together invites us to sing one another’s songs and cultivate authentic relationships within our neighborhoods and around the world.
In these pages, visual art, Scripture, spoken prayers and readings, and other supports for the practices of the church are gathered alongside songs as expansive ways to explore the rhythms of Christian faith and life. …
We pray that Voices Together will help us grow in awareness of how God is at work in the world, and help us join the activity of the Spirit. May the meanings of these words, images, and songs deepen over time and through repetition, as personal faith grows and changes with the Holy Spirit’s leading, and as they find expression in changing local and global contexts.”
I’m looking forward to exploring this new hymnal with you as we sing the songs familiar to us and as we learn new songs to deepen and sustain our faith.
We do invite you to take home (for a donation of your choice to the church) one or more of our former songbooks (Sing the Journey, Sing the Story) and/or the blue Hymnal Worship Book to nurture your devotional life at home. Sing & Rejoice will be available after Oct 23. Even if you don’t sing or read music, the prayers and poetry in these books are an amazing gift.
Pastor Tonya
SUNDAY MORNING Worship at 9:30am
The link to join is on our website: www.hutchfmc.org Join 5 minutes early for announcements.
COVID-19 safety suggestions for ourselves and others
CMT affirms these recommendations offered by the CDC: Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines. Get tested if you have symptoms. Wear a mask if you have symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19. Wear a mask on public transportation. You may choose to wear a mask at any time as an additional precaution to protect yourself and others. If you are at high risk for severe illness, consider wearing a mask indoors in public and taking additional precautions.
FELLOWSHIP TIME with drinks following the worship service each Sunday
Enjoy a time of fellowship with coffee, tea or juice following the worship service each Sunday. Join us in the Common Grounds room.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16: Re-Member: It Will be Easy to Forget
O God, sometimes we forget. We tell ourselves that the good things in our lives are because we are so fabulous; and we fail to see your hand at work. In wilderness times our eyes are closed to your tender presence. Cure our amnesia, God, and wake us up to your steadfast love and mercy. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
(Deuteronomy 8:11-19)
- Preacher: Pastor Tonya Ramer Wenger
- Worship Leader: Delon Martens
- Children’s Time: Diane Ziemer
- Scripture Reader: Lona Willems
- Pianist: Peggy Stucky
- Ushers: Cheryl Warkentin & Marlene Thode
- Nursery Attendant: Lona Willems
- Sound Tech: Earl Ediger & Allen Yoder
- Live Stream Tech: Jay Gehring
SHARING JOYS & CONCERNS
During each worship service, you are invited to text your prayer joys and concerns – usually to Pastor Tonya. You are also invited to send prayer joys & concerns during the week. The recording of our worship service is public, so let us know if you’d prefer your request to only be shared via email during the week.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announcements are scrolled Sunday mornings before (beginning around 9:25) and after the worship service. There will be no spoken announcements unless there are pressing announcements that did not make it into the PowerPoint. Please send any announcements you’d like to have included to the church office by Thursday each week.
OFFERINGS
We welcome, and are grateful for, your financial donations to our ministry here in Hutchinson. Instead of collecting an offering during worship (except on special occasions), an offering plate is placed at the back of the sanctuary for your Sunday morning donations. You are also welcome to send a check to 52 Rambler Rd Hutchinson KS 67502.
CALENDAR – LOOKING AHEAD
- October 12 –WNAF: The making of Arms Wide Open, our forthcoming 100thanniversary history book Choir rehearsal at 7:30pm
- October 13 – Faith Formation Coordination Team – 4:00pm
- October 19 – WNAF: Conversation with Former FMC Pastors; Choir rehearsal at 7:30pm
- October 22-23 Centennial Celebration Events (see below)
- October 24 – LightHouse meeting for partners and mentors – FMC 6:00-7:30pm
- October 31 – Halloween Donuts on the Lawn (talk to Jonathan Wenger for details)
- December 4 – Budget and Annual Congregational Meeting
CENTENNIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
- The RSVP deadline has passed. However, we don’t want that to hinder your participation on October 22-23. If you’d like to come to the Saturday or Sunday meals, email centennial@hutchfmc.org with the number attending, or talk to Pastor Tonya.
- Thanks to all who volunteered to help in various ways on Oct 22-23. We could still use some volunteers to help set up for the potluck at 8:30am on Sunday Oct 23.
- CENTENNIAL CHOIR – All singers are welcome to join the choir for the October 23 worship service. Rehearsal on Wednesday October 12 & 19 at 7:30pm, with a warm-up rehearsal on Sunday, October 23 at 8:30am.
- CALLING ALL PIE MAKERS AND BREAD BAKERS! – We’ve had a great response, but would welcome more bread and pies for the borscht supper on Saturday, October 22. Sign up sheets are on the table in the foyer. Thank you for your donations!!
- WANTED: FMC MEMORABILIA . . . FMC CENTENNIAL MEMORY MUSEUM – Items for the FMC Memorabilia Museum are still being collected for our centennial weekend. Please have your items at the church by Sunday, October 16. Please contact Marlene Thode or Jean Gaeddert if you have questions. Thank you.
- NEEDED: Childcare helpers still needed for Wednesday evenings Oct 12 (one more person) and 19. Volunteer to Pastor Tonya
FMC CENTENNIAL . . . Partner/Mentorship opportunities
OCTOBER WNAF (Wednesday Nights at First) CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION EVENTS
*All Wednesday evening programs listed below will have an option to join by Zoom and will be recorded. Contact Pastor Tonya (tonya@hutchfmc.org) for the link, or check the FMC church email closer to the time. We are also planning to provide childcare for nursery-5th grade for the Wednesday evening programs – if possible, please RSVP to Pastor Tonya if you need childcare.
OCT 12 June Galle Krehbiel, Bonnie Swenson & Delon Martens, reflecting on the making of our 100th anniversary history book: Arms Wide Open
- 5:30-6:15pm Dinner
- 6:20-7:20pm Program
- 7:30-8:30pm Choir Rehearsal (for Oct 23 Centennial Worship Service) in the choir loft
OCT 19 In-person conversation with former FMC Pastors: Marlin & Betta Kym, Debbie Schmidt, LaVerle Schrag, Miles Reimer, Nathan Koontz
- 5:30-6:15pm Dinner
- 6:20-7:20pm Program
- 7:30-8:30pm Choir Rehearsal (for Oct 23 Centennial Worship Service) in the choir loft
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION WEEKEND SCHEDULE – OCTOBER 22-23, 2022
SATURDAY OCT 22
2:00-3:30 Open House at LightHouse (1005 N Washington Hutchinson KS)
2:30 Dedication & Blessing at LightHouse: In honor of our 100th anniversary, we have raised over
$26,000 (and counting) to support the construction and ministry of LightHouse. LightHouse is a house being renovated into 8 one-bedroom apartments, intended to address the growing need for transitional housing for youth 18-21 years old in our community.
3:00-5:00pm Cookies/Refreshments and Activities for All Ages at First Mennonite (52 Rambler Rd)
Outside:
Inflatable Obstacle Course, Corn Hole, Bubbles, Ladder Ball, Chalk
CRAFT: First Church Model Kit – option to build there or take the kit home
“100” Display: Large homemade wooden “100” plus a display of jars filled with
different 100 items to visually see what 100 represented in different ways looks like.
4:30pm – gather for a GROUP PHOTO beside the 100 display!
Inside: Memorabilia Museum of historical items to peruse; purchase your copy of the new 100th anniversary history book (cash or check $25, credit card $28); sit and visit with old and new friends; and more!
5:30pm Borscht Supper begins in the basement fellowship hall (RSVP by Oct 8)
SUNDAY OCT 23
8:30am Choir Rehearsal in the Sanctuary
9:30am WORSHIP Arms Wide Open – Set Free to Serve & Love One Another (Gal 5:13-14)
Former and present pastors will share a scripture and prayer of blessing for First Mennonite;
Centennial Choir sings
11:00am Fellowship & Transition to Potluck Lunch in the basement fellowship hall
11:30am Potluck Lunch begins (RSVP by Oct 8)
Meat provided; local participants, please bring large side dishes and desserts to share
REMINDER: If you are last one out of the church building, be SURE the doors lock behind you when you leave. Go out, watch the doors latch, give both door handles a tug, and make sure they are locked! Thank you.
DEEPENING in Christ…
FALL WORSHIP thru OCTOBER 16, 2022
October 16: Re-Member: IT WILL BE EASY TO FORGET (Deuteronomy 8:11-19)
Pastor Tonya preaching
PRAYER GROUPS
- A Prayer group meets Thursday mornings from 10-11am in the Prayer Room. All are welcome.
- A small ecumenical Centering Prayer group meets on Thursdays (in person @ FMC) from 12:30-1:30pm. If you’d like to learn more, contact Pastor Tonya.
FALL WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL @ 11:00AM (no Sunday School on the 5th Sundays)
Preschool-8th Grade: SHINE! Curriculum: Fall of a Kingdom
- Preschool-Kindergarten (basement – rooms 1&2)
- 1st-5th (basement – rooms 5&6)
- 6th-8th (upstairs to the right)
Senior Youth: 9th-12th grade (upstairs to the left)
ADULTS:
Bible Study using the Salt & Light study guide meets in the Prayer Room in the basement. Copies are available in the classroom.
The Adult Discussion/Study class meeting in the fellowship hall and on Zoom (contact Pastor Tonya for the zoom link). This group is currently learning about Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery. You can learn more here: https://dofdmenno.org/
“Younger Adults” Class meets in the adult education room in the basement.
UPPER ROOM and REJOICE! devotional magazines
REJOICE! and UPPER ROOM . . . new issues for September are available above the mailboxes. Please let us know if you would like a copy mailed to you.
LPC: Listening-Prayer-Conversation Groups BEGINNING January 2023
Pastor Tonya will be offering something new beginning January 2023 … an opportunity to participate in a monthly LPC group: Listening. Prayer. Conversation. The plan is for a once/month simply structured hour of listening to scripture and Spirit, praying with and without words, and conversation with God and others.
More details and plans will be shared later in November.
STRENGTHENING Community Connections…
HALLOWEEN DONUTS ON THE LAWN IS BACK!!!
After a COVID induced hiatus, we are planning to be back on the church lawn on Oct 31 serving homemade donuts to the hundreds of trick-or-treaters in the church neighborhood. If you’ve never helped before, perhaps this is the year to join the fun!! Costumes welcome but not required (and traditionally there’s opportunity for FMC kids and youth to go trick-or-treating as part of the evening!).
Jonathan Wenger will mix up enough dough for about 500 donuts. Helpers will be needed to: cut the donuts in the basement kitchen, carry donuts out to the lawn, fry donuts, and hand out donuts. We’ll also need help setting up and cleaning up. It takes many hands to make this operation run smoothly. If you can, please let Pastor Tonya or Jonathan know if you plan to come and help, or feel free to show up at the last minute!! Set up will begin at 4pm and we’ll start rolling and cutting donuts around 4:30pm. Come when you can!
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
- Tuesday and Thursday 9:00am – 2:00pm
- Wednesday – 10:00am – 1:00pm
PASTOR TONYA’S HOURS/SCHEDULE
- Monday: Sabbath Day
- Tuesday-Friday: generally working 8:00am-5:30pm
- “In Office” Hours: 9-2 Tuesday and Thursday; 10-1 on Wednesday
- Available other times by appointment.
- Available evenings and weekends (cell phone is most reliable)
STRETCHING to Serve as Christ Served…
SUNDAY MORNING DONATIONS FOR RENO COUNTY FOOD BANK:
OCTOBER: Canned Soup (especially tomato & cream of mushroom)
Personal care/hygiene items such as these are appreciated anytime: toilet paper, laundry detergent, bath soap, Kleenex, deodorant, disposable razors, paper towels, shampoo, dish soap, hand/body lotion, tooth paste and tooth brushes. Travel size – new & unopened – are desirable.
COLLECTING BIBLES for missions
Zoar Mennonite Brethren Church (Inman) is collecting Bibles not being used anymore to take to missions. Let’s not just let the gospel decorate our shelves but put what we don’t use anymore to good use. Diane Ziemer has provided a box in the foyer into which you may put your old/unused Bibles, and will deliver them for us. Bible collection continues through October 31.
MENNONITE FRIENDSHIP COMMUNITIES (mfc) . . . Mollie B & SqueezeBox with Ted Lange
This benefit event for mfc will be held Saturday, October 29, at 6:30pm at Journey @ Yoder, 3605 East Longview Rd (1 mile north of Yoder on Yoder Road). Suggested admission is $15 adults, $7 children and $50 family. Mollie B is well-known as host of the “Mollie B Polka Party” & PBS’s “Polka!” documentary. Ted Lange is a 2-time GRAMMY nominee. They have been featured in the 2018 Warner Brothers Movie, “The Mule,” starring Clint Eastwood; named male and female vocalists of the year; and inducted into the International Polka Hall of Fame. Everyone is welcome!
CAMP MENNOSCAH announcements
Camp Mennoscah sends appreciation for summer volunteers! Those that we know of from our congregation are Joretta and Delon Martens, Bonnie Swenson, Trae Gehring and Michaela Esau. It has been an amazing year so far! With the help of program volunteers, support volunteers and the Summer Staff we welcomed 371 campers to share faith & fun for eight weeks of youth camp programming at Camp Mennoscah. Many lives were influenced by our 149 dedicated volunteers and staff, most of who come from supporting churches. We are thankful and blessed by the number of people willing to share in Camp Mennoscah’s summer programming!
Camp Mennoscah merch . . . make a purchase to support camp! The Camp Mennoscah online store has been refreshed and is ready for you to fill your need for that newest Camp Mennoscah tee shirt or water bottle. Plan ahead for Christmas gift-giving! Click here: http://camp-mennoscah-store.square.site/
Work and Play Day on October 15!
Share a few hours of your time for the satisfaction of improving camp grounds and some free time wandering the trails, fishing, or whatever your favorite camp activity is. The day starts at 8:30am at the maintenance shed. If you are coming from a distance, ask about an overnight stay. Let us know you’re coming, so we can plan for you and your friends. Call 620-297-3290 or
email olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org!
We’re taking out the dam on October 16 at approx. 2:30pm!
Everyone is welcome to join in or to watch. Gather at the shelter. (The actual removal of the boards is not for young ages.) The event will go forward, whatever the weather, unless deemed unsafe. Call Camp Mennoscah at 620-297-3290, if uncertain.
Fall Scrapbook and Crafts Retreat on Oct. 28-30!
Crafters and scrapbookers are all invited to come for a weekend of creativity and friends. Lodging will be in the Retreat Center and cropping/crafting will be in the Main Camp dining hall. Space heaters will be available for both areas since the repairs for the furnaces will not be completed. Register here!
There are a great many things for volunteers to do–come be one! Any of the following are great options for groups of one or more: cutting firewood, cleaning after groups, weekend hosting, being a committee member, mowing or other maintenance/grounds tasks, making a meal for a volunteer group, or recruiting people to volunteer at camp. These are just some of the possibilities! Call us at 620-297-3290 for more information.
BETHEL COLLEGE announcements
Oct. 16-17, well-known Reformation scholar Brad Gregory from the University of Notre Dame will give the annual Menno Simons Lectures at Bethel College.
Thurs., Oct. 20 – The inaugural Senses & Aging Symposium, 6-8:30 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center at Bethel College, with Karen Kendrick speaking on “Hearing Loss and Fall Prevention” and Angela Loucks Alexander presenting from Australia on “Auditory Processing Disorder in Adults.” The symposium is free but registration is requested at www.bethelks.edu/academics/convocation-lectures/senses-aging-symposium
Sun., Oct. 23 – Sunday-Afternoon-at-the-Museum program with oral historian Ina Navazelskis from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, 4 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center at Bethel College (note change from usual time and location). Followed by the museum’s annual Living Endowment Dinner, featuring Justina Neufeld and Janine Wedel, for which reservations are required; e-mail kauffman@bethelks.edu or call 316-283-1612.
Nov. 4-5, “The Contemporary Relevance of Erasmus for Today: A Symposium,” with a keynote address by Dr. Greta Kroeker, University of Waterloo, Ontario, on Nov. 4, at Bethel College.
Registration is now open for “Joining Voices Together,” Bethel College’s Worship and the Arts Symposium, Sat., Nov. 12, on campus, featuring resource people Bradley Kauffman, Rachel Epp Buller, Katie Graber, SaeJin Lee, Cynthia Neufeld Smith, Adam Tice and Isaac Villegas. Register at https://www.bethelks.edu/worship-arts-registration-2022; discount for 3 or more people from the same congregation. In addition, the public is invited to a Community Evensong service, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. in Memorial Hall, which will consist entirely of congregational singing from the Voices Together hymnal, arranged around the 12 artworks found in the hymnal.
SWISS MENNONITE CULTURAL & HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION fall banquet
We are excited to announce plans for the Swiss Mennonite Cultural and Historical Association Fall banquet. It will be held at the Eden Mennonite Church near Moundridge on Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. The keynote speaker will be Brian Stucky, a 1971 graduate of Moundridge High School and currently living in Goessel. As a descendant of the family who operated the Alta Mill near Moundridge, he will give a program about “Mennonite Mills in Central Kansas”. Knackie’s will cater the meal. The cost to attend is $25 per person payable at the door. RSVP by texting or calling Nancy Stucky, 620-532-5693 by October 24.
FAITH & LIFE BOOKSTORE Christmas Pop-up shop – SAVE THE DATE!
Faith & Life Bookstore in Newton will be selling in our building on Saturday, November 19. Mark this date on your calendar!!
EVERENCE® Social Security and Retirement Income Workshop
To be held Tuesday, October 18 at 6:30pm, this workshop will be held in person at the Everence office in North Newton. The workshop will cover, Social Security strategies including when to begin taking benefits, strategies to help your retirement income last, and risks that can impact your retirement savings. Location: 3179 N. Main St. Suite 1B, North Newton. Those interested in attending should contact the Everence office at 316-283-3800, 877-467-7294 or central.kansas@everence.com.
WDC ANNOUNCEMENTS
Multiple performances of the play “We Own This Now” written by Allison Brookins and performed by Ted & Co. are coming up in early November:
- Wednesday November 2 at 7:30pm at Tabor College
- Thursday November 3 at 7:00pm at McPherson Church of the Brethren
- Saturday November 5 at 3pm at Hope Mennonite in Wichita
$20 adults/$10 students/indigenous people get in free.
Freewill offering to support Kanza Heritage Society at the show.
What does it mean to “own” something? What is the relationship between “owning” and “taking” — and what is the relationship between “ownership” and (taking) responsibility? … Chris has farmed the land his grandmother found as a home in Kansas after fleeing Russia almost 100 years ago. His daughter Riley is learning more about the people who were on that land before her Oma arrived, and the jarring connections she has to the fate of those people. Chris and Riley navigate their changing relationship to each other, the land they’ve been living on, and the stories they tell. Historical documents, absurd situations, and extended metaphors accompany Riley and Chris’s journey. They — and the audience — learn how the Doctrine of Discovery (the legal framework that justifies theft of land and oppression of Indigenous Peoples) is still being used and causing harm today.
KANSAS MENNONITE RELIEF SALE – QUILTER’S CORNER accepting donations
Quilter’s Corner is gladly accepting donations for the MCC sale which is April 14 and 15, 2023. Bring your fabric, notions, quilts and quilting supplies to the MCC Center in North Newton clearly labeled for Quilter’s Corner. If questions, contact Ann Yoder Smith at 919-604-3282.