Table of Contents
Belonging is something all of us long for, no matter our age or status. A book I’m reading named it “one of the great spiritual hungers of our day.” (Kara Powell and Brad M. Griffin. 3 Big Questions that Change Every Teenager Baker Books. 2021).
This question of belonging was the focus of our last Mentor & Mentee (M&M) gathering. Ahead of time, I invited this group of youth and their adult mentors to take a picture of their ‘happy place’ or a place where they feel like they belong, and bring it along. We saw pictures of family members, friends, and places in nature. Mine (unfortunately I forgot to take the picture!) would have been our kitchen table, which I pray is not just a place of belonging for me but for anyone who gathers there with us (despite our crumbs and clutter).
I wonder what that picture would be for you? How would you describe what or who makes you feel like you belong? On the flip side, what factors contribute to you feeling like you don’t belong?
We discussed those questions, and more, like these: What are things you practice or do to help others feel a sense of belonging? Is our church a place where you feel like you belong? Where others feel they belong? Why or why not?
In the book I mentioned earlier the authors share answers to this question of where we belong, or where we fit: Where I feel safe to be me. Where we share something in common. Where I feel like I’m needed. And then they offer a ‘bigger’ Christ-centered answer to this question: I belong WITH God’s people. This answer emerges in part from Jesus’ intimate conversation, footwashing lesson, and prayer with and for his disciples recorded in John 13-17. There we learn the practice of servant love embodied in footwashing, we hear Jesus teach a new commandment – to love one another as he loves us, and we receive his prayer that all disciples would be one, as he and the Father are one.
There is also a sense in which we belong to a story, to a history, to an unfolding shared reality. The introduction to our Advent Devotional booklet, From Generation to Generation, picks up on this sense of belonging. The authors write:
“From Generation to Generation… reminds us of the ways our lives, histories, actions, and stories are interconnected and woven together. The work of God is always unfolding – in and through us. This Advent, may you remember that you belong – to a story etched into the wrinkles of time, to generations that have come before and will come after, to a love that won’t let you go.” (The Sanctified Art Creative Team)
May it be so this Advent, for ALL of us!
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.
COLD, FLU and 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. Choose to wear a mask at any time as an additional precaution to protect yourself and others. Stay home if you are not feeling well.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27: From Generation to Generation: There’s room for every story
(Matthew 1:1-17; Isaiah 2:1-5)
Sermon: Maggie Goering Pounds
Worship Leader: Anna Crable, Nick Krehbiel, Natasha Esau, Cathia Krehbiel
Readers: Hilda Iwashige, Lucia Iwashige, Jalen Crable, Jennalee Boggs
Song Leaders: Ryan Shetler, Cathia Krehbiel
Special Music: Maggie Goering Pounds, Cathia Krehbiel, Hilda Iwashige
Children’s Time: Jade Piros de Carvalho & Adam Pounds
Scripture Reader: Joel Iwashige
Organist: Pauline Buller
Ushers: Alex Carvalho and Jade Piros de Carvalho
Nursery Attendant: Russell & Julie Goering
Sound Tech: Murray Reimer
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 and after worship. 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 box 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
- November 24-27 – Pastor Tonya on vacation
- November 26 – FMC serves at the Soup Kitchen
- November 27 – First Sunday of Advent
- December 4 – Budget and Annual Congregational Meeting; Sr Youth Fundraisers
- December 21 – Longest Night Service (5:45pm), Soup Supper (6:30pm), Christmas Caroling (7:15pm)
- December 24 – Christmas Eve Service – 7:00pm
- December 25 – (Sunday) Christmas Day worship – 9:30am (No Sunday School)
DECMEBER 4 BUDGET AND ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
Everyone – members, associate members, and attenders – are invited to be part of the fun on December 4. Please note the different schedule for the morning:
8:45am Silent Auction Items DUE in the fellowship hall (or bring the week prior)
9:00am Silent Auction bidding begins
9:30am-10:30am Worship (as usual)
10:30-10:45 fellowship time & bidding on the Silent Auction (fundraiser for Senior Youth Group)
10:45-11:30am Sunday School
11:30am Soup Meal (borscht and/or chili) begins in Fellowship Hall
(continue bidding on Silent Auction items)
12:15pm – Bidding ends on Silent Auction items
Meeting begins in Fellowship Hall (also available on Zoom)
CHOIR REHEASALS continue on Wednesdays at 7:30pm (NO REHEARSAL November 23)
All singers are invited to join the choir. We’ll rehearse Wednesdays at 7:30. Plans are to sing during two Sunday worship services – December 11 and 18.
REMINDER: If you are last one out of the church building, be SURE the doors lock behind you.
DEEPENING in Christ…
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.
ADVENT & CHRISTMAS 2022 WORSHIP: FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION
This year’s Advent theme and resources come to us from A Sanctified Art: From Generation to Generation, inspired by a line from Mary’s song:
“Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. (Luke 1:48b-50)
From Generation to Generation….
November 27 (First Sunday of Advent): There’s room for every story (Mt 1:1-17; Isaiah 2:1-5)
Maggie Pounds preaching. Planned & led by the “Younger Adults” Sunday School class.
December 4 (Second Sunday of Advent): God meets us in our fear (Luke 1:26-38; Isaiah 11:1-10)
Pastor Tonya preaching
December 11 (Third Sunday of Advent): We can choose a better way (Mt 1:18-25; Isaiah 35:1-10)
Pastor Tonya preaching
December 18 (Fourth Sunday of Advent): FESTIVAL OF NINE LESSONS & CAROLS
December 24 (Saturday – Christmas Eve) @ 7:00pm: We tell this story (Luke 2:1-20)
December 25 (Sunday – Christmas Day) @ 9:30am: God dwells with us (John 1:1-14; Luke 2:15-21)
January 1 (Sunday – New Year’s Day) @ 9:30am: We keep seeking (Mt 2:1-12; Mt 2:12-23)
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). During Advent this group will be using the Advent Devotional booklet, From Generation to Generation as a guide for reflection and conversation. Copies are available in the foyer at church, or electronically (request from the church office).
“Younger Adults” Class meets in the adult education room in the basement.
UPPER ROOM and REJOICE! devotional magazines
REJOICE! and UPPER ROOM . . . new issues 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.
If you are interested in this and aren’t already on Pastor Tonya’s email list (you would have received an email this past week if you are on the list), please let her know! If you did receive the email, please reply ASAP.
STRENGTHENING Community Connections…
ARMS WIDE OPEN – FMC’s history book
The amazing story of First Mennonite Church’s 100 years is told in the history book prepared for our centennial celebration. Copies of the book are available for $25.00 (cash or check). You can also now purchase a book online at a price that includes the cost of shipping (click on the “DONATE” button on our website to find this option). Check with the church office to pick up a book.
DECEMBER WEDNESDAY EVENING EVENT ON DECEMBER 21
Be sure to put Wednesday evening December 21 on your calendar to gather at church for an opportunity to remember loved ones who have died in the past year, eat supper together, and then go Christmas Caroling in the church neighborhood. You can come to one or more of the events. Schedule is as follows:
5:45pm Longest Night Service in the sanctuary (we’ll also plan to livestream)
6:30pm Soup Supper
7:15pm Christmas Caroling in the church neighborhood (dessert and hot drinks following)
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
- Tuesday and Thursday 9:00am – 2:00pm (Closed this week Thursday for Thanksgiving)
- 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)
November 24-27: Pastor Tonya is taking vacation time. Contact Pastor Jim with pastoral care emergencies.
STRETCHING to Serve as Christ Served…
SUNDAY MORNING DONATIONS FOR RENO COUNTY FOOD BANK:
NOVEMBER: Canned Fruit
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.
FMC’s donations for the month of October were 98 pounds and about 115 items. Thank you for your generosity.
SALTHAWK COMMUNITY SUPPORT announcements
Current specific needs at Hutchinson High School and HMS8 include: boys belts (sizes 34-35-36), chapstick, deodorant, hoodies, and winter coats.
“Santa Sacks” (due DEC 1!) will again be provided for students most in need in Hutch High, MidTown at Avenue A, and Hutch Middle School 8. Each sack will include ear buds, gift certificates to Sweet Treats and to Sammy’s Shack (clothing, grooming supplies and snack venues located at the school), and other items. Salthawk Community Support has a lofty goal of providing Santa Sacks for 150 students at HHS, 100 students at
MidTown and 30 students at HMS8. Salthawk depends on monetary donations – large gifts and small gifts – to make this happen. Working together as a community, we can make a difference in the lives of 280 students this Christmas. To be included in this project, please make your donation by December 1 in one of these ways:
- Checks directed to Salthawk Community Support, 1602 North Main Street, Hutchinson KS 67501
(If you prefer, you can leave your check at church by Nov 29 and Pastor Tonya will deliver checks to Trinity. Be sure to make out your check to Salthawk Community Support!!)
- Online at www.trinityhutch.org (Salthawk is a ministry of Trinity United Methodist Church)
Note: all donations are fully tax deductible and you will receive a letter of acknowledgement for your gift.
Mark your calendars for our January 21, 2023 SALTHAWK FUNDRAISER: Taste of Hutchinson – The Men Cook at the Hutchinson Art Center. Tickets will be $40 each. 7-8:30pm.
FMC SERVES AT THE CHRISTIAN SOUP MINISTRY IN HUTCH ON NOVEMBER 26.
With this being a holiday weekend, we’ll be looking for additional volunteers!! Help is needed on November 26 to cook (starting around 2:00pm), to deliver meals around 4:00pm, and to serve the meal at 5:00pm. Donations of applesauce and salad greens are also requested. Bring to the church the Sunday before, or to the soup kitchen on the 24th. A signup sheet is posted on the “Sign Up” bulletin board in the church foyer. Questions? Contact Kevin Martin Nisly or Sadie Nisly.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29
GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of radical generosity. GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Since then, it has grown into a year-round global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. Below are several organizations seeking support on Giving Tuesday:
Western District Conference – DONATE HERE
Mennonite Education Agency – DONATE HERE
Mennonite Church USA – DONATE HERE
Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary – DONATE HERE
Bethel College – DONATE HERE
InterFaith Housing & Community Services – DONATE HERE
MENNONITE CENTRAL COMMITTEE announcements
MCC Buckets of Thanks: This Thanksgiving season, show your gratitude and provide hope to those in need by collecting relief supplies for MCC. The supplies you donate will fill a Bucket of Thanks (aka an MCC relief kit) for people affected by conflict or disaster around the world. For more information, including supply lists and a ready-to-use curriculum for children, visit: mccbuckets.org.
Everence and MCC to host hygiene kit-making event on Nov. 29
Give back on Giving Tuesday with an evening of Service & Snacks, Nov. 29 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Hesston College Mennonite Church! Join Everence® and MCC for an evening of service! We’ll make MCC hygiene kits, tie comforters, write holiday cards to incarcerated people with MCC partner organization Offender Victim Ministries (OVM) and enjoy snacks! Bring your family and friends to this opportunity to give back on this Giving Tuesday! Find out more! You can also help by donating supplies to MCC or the Everence office in North Newton or by making a financial contribution to MCC. For more details, contact MCC at 316-283-2720 or Everence at 316-283-3800.
MCC Material Resources Center in North Newton critically low on inventory: An MCC kit cannot be shipped until every single item for the kit is assembled, but some supplies are so low that kits cannot be processed for shipping. You can help by helping to fill the following needs: New infant onesies and sleepers (3-12 month sizes); shampoo (20 oz or more), thin sanitary pads (28 count minimum) and dark colored bath and hand towels. Buy online and ship it to MCC or bring item to MCC in North Newton (121 E. 30th St, North Newton, KS 67117). Please contact katemast@mcc.org or 316.283.2720 or click here mcc.org/kits.
Free resource: Learning about generosity with MCC! Make talking about generosity with your children easy by using this free resource. The printable worksheets help kids explore the basics of generosity at an elementary school level. The resource contains downloadable worksheets, activity ideas, a story about how generosity makes a difference, make-your-own bookmark craft and alternative Christmas gift ideas. Click here to sign up: MCC generosity resource.
BABY BUNDLES for MENNONITE CENTRAL COMMITTEE
Again, it is time to be thinking about the Infant Baby Bundles. They have been part of First Mennonite Christmas celebrations for many years. We will again be able to offer completed bundles for a donation of $25.00 each. We were blessed to be able to purchase items for the bundles last year and received lots of donated items. The cost of these items has now doubled with inflation. God certainly blessed this mission beyond our dreams. Make your checks out to First Mennonite Church, and write “Baby Bundles” in the memo. The Infant Baby Bundles will be dedicated during the 7:00pm Christmas Eve service. For His Glory, Deanna Mace and Jane Kroeker
CAMP MENNOSCAH announcements
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/
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
Bethel College Women’s Association . . . Five Places of Christmas
BCWA warmly invites you to enjoy the holiday magic of the historic Goerz House as part of Newton’s annual Five Places of Christmas celebration on Saturday, December 3. Find handcrafted gifts for all ages and unique Bethel-themed items, as well as a variety of homemade baked goods including cookies, pies, peppernuts and more. Also available will be homemade candy by the pound. All proceeds go to support Bethel College projects. Bring a friend and enjoy. Other locations include Kauffman Museum on campus, as well as the Carriage Factory Gallery, Harvey County Historical Museum and Warkentin House in Newton.
All bakers and crafters are invited to make items for 5 Places of Christmas on Saturday, December 3 at Goerz House, Bethel College. Bethel College Women’s Association will again be selling baked goods, candy, craft items and poinsettias. Christmas candy, cookies, zwieback, peppernuts, poppyseed rolls and cinnamon rolls are always great sellers. Please bring your items on Friday, December 2 from 1:30-4:30pm or on Saturday, December 3 from 8:30-10:00am to Goerz House.
SWISS MENNONITE CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
Do you know when many of your ancestors came to America? 1874. This is 2022; that’s almost 150 years later. The Schweitzers and their descendants want to celebrate. We’ve scheduled August 23-25, 2024, at Eden Mennonite Church near Moundridge KS as the place. We’re calling this event “Schweitzers and Friends” to include others with similar history. Put the date on your calendar. You are invited. You can be a part.
Coordinator Danielle Goering would like to hear your ideas (wgdg@cox.net or 602-448-7215). This celebration may include learning more about our history, telling stories, singing, eating some favorite foods, watching wheat harvested, and much more as well as being with relatives and friends. What a celebration we will have! Anyone interested in more information about this celebration, please respond to the email address above.