Table of Contents
“God of the galaxies, God of the starburst and sunlit morning, God of the forest and shining sea, God of the blooming desert and rolling grasslands – shine on us today and bless us with your presence.” (Anne Rowthorn)
PLEASE NOTE: Our next THIS WEEK will post on May 9. Check these announcements regularly for updates.
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
Along with recommending that everyone traveling on planes, trains, buses, and other public transportation wear masks, the CDC also recommends that as COVID-19 numbers and other illness spike, wearing a mask indoors in public spaces is a good idea. Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines. Get tested if you have symptoms. Stay home if you are not feeling well.
SUNDAY, APRIL 30 – Paul’s Mission: Healing at Lystra and Gospel to the Gentile World
Sermon Title: Why are you doing this? Why do we do mission? To point to the goodness, love, and mercy of the God of creation, not to ourselves.
Acts 14:8-18; Phil 2:4-6
- Preacher: Rev. Lee Lever
- Worship Leader: Pastor Tonya Ramer Wenger
- Children’s Time: Delon Martens
- Scripture Reader: Joel Iwashige
- Pianist: Peggy Stucky
- Ushers: Jay & Stephanie Gehring
- Nursery Attendant: Glenda Hooper
- Sound Tech: Earl Ediger
- Live Stream Tech: Jonathan Wenger
SUNDAY, May 7 – Celebration of the Ministry of Camp Mennoscah
Acts 10:1-35, 44-48
- Preacher: Tammy Duvanel Unruh
- Worship Leader: Maggie Pounds
- Children’s Time: Tammy Duvanel Unruh
- Scripture Reader: TBA
- Pianist: Shelley Kauffman
- Ushers: Russ Wedel & Diane Ziemer
- Nursery Attendant: Joel & Hilda Iwashige
- Sound Tech: Earl Ediger
- Live Stream Tech: Jonathan Wenger
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 can also now make a donation directly from our website (www.hutchfmc.org) using a credit card or your banking account. You are also welcome to send a check to 52 Rambler Rd Hutchinson KS 67502.
THE LAND IS NOT EMPTY (by Sarah Augustine) . . . book study invitation open to everyone
An FMC study group has begun reading and discussing this book on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 1:00pm. Our second meeting will be May 17, at 1:00pm at FMC. Please speak with Julie Goering if you would like to join us. The author of this book, Sarah Augustine, will be joining us for worship on July 9, during her time in Hutchinson helping lead the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery Annual Meeting, which will be held here at FMC that weekend. We look forward to opportunities to learn from her and others in the Coalition, and anticipate a thoughtful discussion of her work in this book. In the book, “Augustine unpacks the harm of the Doctrine of Discovery—a set of laws rooted in the fifteenth century that gave Christian governments the moral and legal right to seize lands they ‘discovered’ despite those lands already being populated by Indigenous Peoples. The laws were legitimized by the church and justified by a misreading of Scripture.”
CALENDAR – LOOKING AHEAD
- April 30 – Rev. Lee Lever preaching, and also presenting a review of our pastor/congregation review (Check below for details to access the presentation on Zoom.)
- May 7 – Tammy Duvanel Unruh will preach and share the Children’s Time
- May 7 – Noon fundraiser meal for FMC’s Sunday at Camp Mennoscah on June 18
- May 27 – FMC serves at the Christian Soup Ministry
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.
LPC: Listening-Prayer-Conversation Groups
Two monthly LPC (Listening-Prayer-Conversation) groups are offered each month. May gatherings will be: Wednesday May 10 at 6:30pm and Tuesday May 16 at 1:00pm. Zoom is available for either gathering, but let Pastor Tonya know ahead of time.
APRIL 30 WORSHIP and PRESENTATION of APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY REPORT
Rev. Lee Lever will be with us on April 30, offering the sermon in our worship service. During the Sunday school hour, Rev. Lever will present his report of the pastor/congregation review in which we, as a congregation, participated on February 19. This is an opportunity to hear a summary of our reflections about how God’s Spirit is moving among us; what we value as an Anabaptist congregation located in Hutchinson, Kansas; and how Pastor Tonya’s ministry is leading us into the mission and ministry we envision for our congregation. This is an important step in the process toward a congregational vote to extend Pastor Tonya’s ministry with us. Her current agreement with FMC ends this August. The congregational meeting planned for June 4, will include a ballot to extend her ministry here.
MAY 7 WORSHIP and FUNDRAISER for FMC’s Sunday at Camp Mennoscah on June 18
Tammy Duvanel Unruh from Camp Mennoscah will be our guest preacher on Sunday May 7. After Sunday School, stay for a fundraiser lunch to support our church’s weekend out at camp on June 17 and 18.
WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL @ 11:00AM (except for the 5th Sundays of the month)
Preschool-8th Grade: SHINE! Curriculum: Your Kingdom Come
- 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)
ADULT Sunday School:
- 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). Currently this class is viewing and discussing a webinar series titled “Beyond Incarceration: A hard look at dismantling the prison system and building healthy communities” offered by Mennonite Central Committee and Mennonite Church USA. You can learn more and view the webinars yourself during the week at this link: Beyond Incarceration Webinar series
- “Younger Adults” Class meets in the adult education room in the basement.
UPPER ROOM and REJOICE! devotional magazines
New issues of UPPER ROOM and Rejoice! are available above the mailboxes. Please let us know if you would like a copy mailed to you.
STRENGTHENING Community Connections…
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
- Tuesday and Thursday 9:00am – 2:00pm
- Wednesday – 10:00am – 1:00pm (NO office hours on the 4th Wednesday of the month)
*** Office hours may be unpredictable during the next two weeks.***
PASTOR TONYA’S HOURS/SCHEDULE
- Monday: Day Off
- 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)
4th Wednesdays** (8-5pm) set aside as “Day Apart with God” for silence, reading, prayer & journaling – will NOT be checking email or responding to texts/calls (except for emergencies)
Upcoming VACATION – May 4-9 in California for Magdalena’s graduation.
DELEGATES FOR MENNOCON23 AND WESTERN DISTRICT CONFERENCE ASSEMBLY
We are still looking for delegates from our congregation to attend Western District Conference Assembly, which will be held at Tabor Mennonite Church, rural Newton August 11-13. Contact Jennalee Boggs if you are interested. FMC delegates to MC USA in July will be Delon Martens, Pastor Tonya, and Micah Wenger (youth delegate).
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.
STRETCHING to Serve as Christ Served…
SUNDAY MORNING DONATIONS FOR RENO COUNTY FOOD BANK:
APRIL: Pasta
MAY: Pancake mix & syrup
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.
SALTHAWK COMMUNITY SUPPORT announcements
Donations of Chapstick and deodorant are always needed. You can place these and other toiletries, along with any teenage appropriate clothing/shoes (a recent specific request was hoodies) in the basket at church or drop off directly at Trinity United Methodist Church. Financial donations for ongoing program costs are also invited throughout the year.
HUTCHINSON REFUGEE PROJECT
This pilot program is dedicated to growing the workforce in Hutchinson while creating a caring, supportive community for refugees who are starting new lives in the United States. A number of people from FMC are exploring our involvement in creating a support group of 6-10 people to walk with a refugee family. Check out www.hutchinsonrefugeeproject.com. If you are interested in getting involved talk to any of the following, who are just some of those currently involved: Jonathan Wenger, Joel Iwashige, Hilda Iwashige, Donna Davis.
FMC SERVES AT THE CHRISTIAN SOUP MINISTRY IN HUTCH ON MAY 27
Our church has made a commitment to serve at the Christian Soup Ministry on the 4th Saturday of every other month. Our next opportunity to serve is May 27. Help is needed to cook (starting around 2:00pm) to deliver meals around 4:00pm, and to serve the meal at 5:00pm. Donations of salad greens are also requested. Bring to the soup kitchen on the 27th. A signup sheet is posted below the “Sign Up” bulletin board in the church foyer. Questions? Contact Kevin Martin Nisly or Sadie Nisly.
CARE PORTAL MINISTRY
CarePortal creates connections between children and families in need and those who would like to help them. Caseworkers identify the needs, submit requests through the online system known as CarePortal, local church and nonprofit representatives and individuals are notified of the needs, and then help is provided. Russ Gaeddert is the new Care Portal contact person for our congregation. He has started forwarding the needs that he receives from local case workers to the FMC email group. If you would like to help, you will respond to Russ and he will assist with making the connection so that the family is helped.
Thank you so much for the tremendous aid that you all have given in the past and for the ways you will help in the future!
KANSAS MENNONITE RELIEF SALE . . . preliminary 2023 sale totals
- Feeding the Multitude – $82,308
- General Auction – 129,303
- Quilt Auction – $108,260
- Quilters Corner – $34,133
- Run for Relief – $30,221
- Silent Auction – $19,915
Estimated Sale Total for April 14th & 15th, 2023 – $590,487
Thank you for the generosity that bring the people and resources together to make this contribution to MCC!
MENNONITE FRIENDSHIP COMMUNITIES seeks applicants for two positions
Mennonite Friendship Communities is looking for a full-time Renovations/Maintenance person. This position mainly works in Independent Living apartments and duplexes. Experience preferred. Benefit package available. Contact Stacey at SFrager@MennoFriend.com for more information.
Mennonite Friendship Communities is seeking a Certified Dietary Manager. This full-time position is tasked with providing residents with nutritionally balanced and cost-effective meals. If you are interested, please contact Stacey Frager – Sfrager@MennoFriend.com.
CAMP MENNOSCAH announcements
Summer Youth Camp Registration is now open! We welcome you to register here for the upcoming summer season! Detailed information about our Summer Youth Camps and our Program Directors can be found here, on the Camp Mennoscah website.
Camp Mennoscah is looking for counselors for the 2023 summer youth camps. Click here to fill out the informational survey! Counselors must be at least 17 years old and 5 years older than the campers. Weekly program directors will contact people, as needed. If you have questions, contact Camp Mennoscah at olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org or call 620-297-3290.
Nurses and kitchen staff needed for summer youth camps. Nurses are needed for the weeks of June 18-23, Junior I Camp; and July 9-14, Junior High II Camp. Head cooks needed for PreJunior II, June 25-29. Kitchen helpers and volunteers are also needed. Be part of an amazing, faith-filled camp experience! Contact us at 620-297-3290 or olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org
BETHEL COLLEGE announcements
Sun., April 30 – Masterworks concert at Bethel College, 4 p.m. (NOTE TIME CHANGE), featuring the Bethel College Oratorio Chorus, orchestra and soloists, performing Mozart Krönungsmesse (“Coronation Mass”) and Beethoven Fantasia, Op. 80 (“Choral Fantasy”); Memorial Hall