Table of Contents
During Pastor Tonya’s introduction to the Luke sermon series on “The Jesus Way”, she mentioned Alexander John Shaia’s summary of the “four gospels path.” For Shaia, each gospel explores a different question:
- Matthew, “how do we face change?”
- Mark, “how do we move through suffering?”
- John, “how do we receive joy?”
- Luke, “how do we mature in service?”
Luke is a gospel “on the road”, not a final destination, but to be discovered by walking and learning with Jesus. Service means showing Christ-like love to folks, and asking who offers and can receive this love.
I think that in this season of our world, the folks seeking to serve and share their gifts of time, talent, and treasure will stand out in a way that proclaims the good news of God. There are many who are struggling. There are far more, in my opinion, who are seeking self-protection, saving their talent and treasure for themselves. I am sometimes part of this group–especially during a crisis.
Before this series started, Pastor Tonya and I were having a conversation about how we can create space to let the words and actions of Jesus in Luke speak to us beyond Sunday morning. One idea we came up with was to create a zoom community on Tuesday evenings to listen to the words from Luke again, and then have a conversation about what is the good news and how we can respond.
So, next Tuesday evening at 7 pm, I invite you to join me in conversation. I will be trying this experiment each Tuesday during this sermon series. I want to create a space where we listen, ask questions, consider service experiments, and show care to one another as we journey with Jesus on the road.
At a critical time in my time on the road, the gospel of Luke had a profound impact on my life and I have enjoyed studying it since. I would enjoy reading and listening with you in this season.
— Pastor Jim
SUNDAY MORNING Worship Live Stream @ 9:30am
The link for Sunday morning worship (as well as archives of past worship services) is found on our website: www.hutchfmc.org!
CMT ANNOUNCEMENT LIMITING IN-PERSON GATHERINGS
Based on recommendations of the FMC Re-Opening Taskforce (Carol Moore, Dohn Fast, Joretta Martens, Todd Esau) and the Reno County Health Department regarding the current increase in community spread of COVID-19, the CMT (Congregational Ministry Team – Russ Wedel, Delon Martens, Julie Esau, Kevin Martin Nisly, Mike Dirks, and both pastors) has decided to limit in-person gatherings at the church to 10 (preferably less). This includes worship and Sunday School. We encourage everyone who can to join in worship via the live stream and Sunday School by Zoom. Masks, physical distancing, and handwashing are required of everyone in the building. We realize this is not the situation any of us want to be in, and feel it is an important step to take as we care for each other and our neighbors in the community. CMT and the Re-Opening Taskforce will continue to evaluate this policy, based on data from the Reno County Health Department.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 17: Sermon at Nazareth
- Preacher: Tonya Ramer Wenger
- Worship Leader: Calvin Buller
- Children’s Time: DeAnna Goering
- Scripture Reader: TBA
- Pianist: Peggy Stucky
- Sound: Jasper Nisly
- Live Stream: Jonathan Wenger
SHARING JOYS & CONCERNS
During each worship service, you are invited to text your prayer joys and concerns – usually to Pastor Tonya, but sometimes it will be someone else, and we’ll give you that info at the time!! You are also welcome to send prayer joys & concerns during the week.
Since our worship link is now public, when you submit prayer requests be sure to let us know if you’d prefer it NOT be shared on Sunday morning. We can keep requests more private by only sharing them in the weekly prayer email sent out on Tuesdays.
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 by Thursday each week.
CALENDAR – LOOKING AHEAD
- January 19 – Luke: Jesus words & actions speak to us, sermon conversation with Pastor Jim, 7:00pm on zoom
- January 24 – Anabaptist World Fellowship Sunday & “One Lunch” Offering (see details below)
DEEPENING in Christ…
PRAYER GROUP
This group meets Thursday mornings from 10-11am in the library (with masks and distancing). All are welcome.
NARRATIVE LECTIONARY – GOSPEL OF LUKE – SERMON AT NAZARETH
We have returned to the Narrative Lectionary to study the Gospel of Luke. We’ll follow Luke’s story of Jesus all the way through Lent and Easter. Here’s a look at upcoming worship themes in January:
- January 17: Sermon at Nazareth (Luke 4:14-30) Pastor Tonya preaching
- January 24: Anabaptist World Fellowship Sunday: Following Jesus Together Across Barriers (Luke 5:1-11; Isaiah 55:1-6; Philippians 2:1-11). Pastor Tonya preaching. ONE LUNCH OFFERING (see below)
- January 31: Healing on the Sabbath (Luke 6:1-16)
JANUARY 2020 SPECIAL OFFERING
As part of our observance of Anabaptist World Fellowship Sunday (Jan 24), you’re invited to contribute to the One Lunch Offering to support the ministries of Mennonite World Conference (MWC) – our global faith family. During January, donate what you would spend on ‘one lunch’ – send your check made out to FMC with “One Lunch for MWC” in the memo line. Thank you!!
UPPER ROOM and REJOICE! devotional magazines
The January/February issue of UPPER ROOM is available above the mailboxes. Please let us know if you would like a copy mailed to you. REJOICE! magazine (December – February issue) copies are gone. Please let the office know if you would like for us to order one for you.
SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE
- Kindergarten – 6th grade: Sunday @ 4:00pm on ZOOM
- 7th-8th grades: Sunday @ 11:30am on ZOOM
- High School youth: Sunday @ 11:00am – currently meeting online
Adult Sunday School @ 11am on Sundays on ZOOM (Meets the first three Sundays of the month)
Below is the schedule for this Adult Bible Study using the Salt and Light discussion guide written this quarter by Timothy J. Geddert, professor of New Testament at Fresno Pacific University (copies available at the church, or can be sent to you):
- JAN 17 – Hope Because of Christ (1 Peter 1:1-12) Tonya Ramer Wenger facilitating
- JAN 24 & 31 – NO SUNDAY SCHOOL unless someone volunteers to facilitate a conversation; call the church office for a leader’s guide and more information
Check your email for the ZOOM link or contact Pastor Tonya. If you are unable to access ZOOM and want to participate, you may come in person.
Masks and physical distancing practices will continue for all in-person gatherings at the church.
STUDY GROUP ON ZOOM – ROADMAP TO RECONCILIATION 2.0
Building on the fall discussion of Michael T. McRay’s book, I am Not Your Enemy, we are reading, Roadmap to Reconciliation 2.0, by Brenda Salter McNeil. This group meets Wednesday evenings from 7:00-8:00pm. Facilitators are Pastor Tonya and Julie Goering. Focused on ‘getting practical,’ we’ll glean insight from Salter McNeil about how to move ‘communities into unity, wholeness and justice.’ Salter McNeil offers this definition: “Reconciliation is an ongoing spiritual process involving forgiveness, repentance and justice that restores broken relationships and systems to reflect God’s original intention for all creation to flourish.” (26)
You can still join in this study if you are interested! Contact Pastor Tonya for more information.
STRENGTHENING Community Connections…
FMC DIRECTORY updates
Please send changes in your address, cell phone or land line numbers, and email addresses to the church office. We rely on these connections during these unusual times. Please make sure the contact information we have for you and for your children is current. Thank you for getting this to the office by January 31.
BEAUTIFUL SALT CITY PODCAST
A future story tells us what we want (vision), why we want it (values), and how we will create it (resources). Our own Pastor Jim Unruh talks with people in our community to learn their life stories and to dream together for a future story for our beautiful salt city. Find it here: https://hutchfmc.org/beautiful-salt-city-podcast/ and check back each Saturday/Sunday to listen to a new conversation! The MOST RECENT EPISODE is a conversation Pastor Jim had with high school and college students about “Student Life During a Pandemic.”
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
- Tuesday and Thursday 9:00am – 2:00
- Wednesday 10am-1pm (Closed this week Wednesday, January 13)
SUNDAY MORNING SCRIPTURE READERS NEEDED
Let the church office or Pastor Tonya know if you are willing. We’d especially like to have more male voices!
STRETCHING to Serve as Christ Served…
OUR SUNDAY MORNING DONATIONS FOR FIRST CALL FOR HELP
Personal care/hygiene items such as these are appreciated: toilet paper, laundry detergent, bath soap, Kleenex, deodorant, disposable razors, paper towels, shampoo, dish soap, hand/body lotion. Travel size – new & unopened – are desirable.
Food bank donations may be brought to the Salvation Army. At this time the Food Bank is particularly in need of the following: tomato soup, cream of mushroom soup and green beans.
SERVING AT THE SOUP KITCHEN ON JANUARY 23
The Soup Kitchen is open again. We have all the applesauce we need, but could use two volunteers to help with food prep and three drivers for delivery routes on the 23rd. Please volunteer directly to Jane or Eldon Wagler.
BETHEL COLLEGE ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mon., Jan. 18, 6:30 p.m. – Bethel College’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration will feature spoken word artist M’Vyonne Payne and former pro athlete and motivational speaker Chris Singleton. The event will be held in Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center, with COVID protocols in place, and will also be live-streamed via YouTube at bit.ly/bethelks-mlk2021 Sponsors are the Bethel College Diversity Council, Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Student Life Office, with support from the Bethel College Women’s Association.
WESTERN DISTRICT GIVING OPPORTUNITY
We invite you to share a gift with WDC to help our congregations Witness & invite others to faith in Jesus Christ, Dwell in just & loving relationships, and Connect to God’s mission in the world. Your generous gifts are appreciated as we look toward our fiscal year end on January 31 and meeting our budget goal! You may make a contribution by sending a check to Western District Conference, PO Box 306, North Newton KS 67117. You may also give securely online at https://mennowdc.org/. Click on the Donate to WDC button – top right. Thank you for your generosity!
KANSAS MENNONITE RELIEF SALE date set for JULY 2-3, 2021
Please put July 2 and 3, 2021 on your church calendar for this year’s Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale to be held at the Kansas State Fair grounds. We are hoping and praying that COVID-19 will be under control by July so we can hold the sale this year.
MCC SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
Canner Operator: MCC is looking for new canner operators! This two-year service term is unique and offers the opportunity to travel around the U.S. and Canada, working as a team while meeting new people! Check out mcc.org/canning for details!
Join MCC for a series of “MCC and me” webinars to hear more about service opportunities. Are you ready to step out and into service? To gain new skills and experiences while working for relief, development and peace in the name of Christ?
MCC is working to adapt our programming as the situation with COVID-19 develops. All sessions relate to anticipated service needs, though timing and some other details may be subject to change.
- February 25 at 10 a.m. EST: Sharing With Appalachian People (SWAP) summer staff
- February 25 at 8 p.m. EST: International service worker
- March 6 at 12 p.m. EST: International service worker
- March TBD: Mobile Meat Canner
For more information and to register: mcc.org/mcc-me-webinar-series-service-opportunities
CAMP MENNOSCAH ANNOUNCEMENTS
Applications for Camp Mennoscah Summer Staff positions are now being accepted! Although there is a chance positions will change to meet the needs of pandemic-impacted summer youth camps, the current summer staff leadership positions are naturalist, crafts leader, lifeguard, grounds/maintenance, music leader, office, and all-round/media. For those 21 years old or older, there is also a Director of Support opening. Find the application and information online at www.campmennoscah.org under Summer Youth Camps!
Celebrate the new year by coming to Camp Mennoscah! Camp Mennoscah is a wonderful space for families and groups needing space to spread out! Facilities for differently sized groups are available with a variety of gathering areas. Trails and fields are waiting to be hiked and used for fun activities, too! Contact Camp Mennoscah at 620-297-3290 or office@campmennoscah.org to reserve. You are invited to enjoy this sacred space!
A few extra Camp Mennoscah hoodies are available! (Adult sizes only.) Contact Camp Mennoscah at 620-297-3290 or olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org Grab yours before they’re gone!
The Camp Mennoscah Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Olivia Bartel has accepted the position of Executive Director. Olivia has an undergraduate degree from Bethel College and a Master of Arts from AMBS with a focus in Theological Studies. She has been with Camp Mennoscah since 2008 and is a familiar face on campgrounds and at camp sponsored events. Please join us in congratulating Olivia on her promotion and welcoming her to the role of Executive Director.
2020 Camp Mennoscah Winter Newsletter link is here: https://www.campmennoscah.org/vimages/shared/vnews/stories/5a54210a58fa4/Ninnescah%20News%20Winter%202020.pdf
In this issue, read about:
— Our 2021 plans for Camp Mennoscah!
— Sharing baptism at Camp Mennoscah
— Getting out for Scrapbooking Retreat
— Our Donors from November 1, 2019-October 31, 2020
— Meet our new Board members
— Other news we hope you will find interesting!
Reopening for summer camps will mean extra precautions to keep the campers safe. Your donation today will help camp prepare for the 2021 summer camping season. Thank you for supporting Camp Mennoscah!
MENNONITE MEN (MCUSA) WEBINAR ON RACIAL RECONCILIATION
Seeking the Beloved Community: From Racism to Reconciliation
As part of God’s reconciling work, we are called to dismantle racism and build relationships across racial divides. On Saturday, January 23, 2021 from 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. EST, Mennonite Men will be hosting a zoom meeting, open to all genders, with members of Seeking the Beloved Community, a group of Black and White men in Elkhart, Indiana, who have been engaged in this work for seven years. A number of these are pastors and members of Mennonite congregations. If you have questions, please contact Chris Fretz by email at ChrisF@mennonitemen.org
To learn more about the event click this link: C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\Temp\mso48CF.tmp (mennonitemen.org)
To register for this event click this link: https://seekingthebelovedcommunity.netlify.app/
Everence to hold Medicare webinar: Tuesday, Jan. 19
Everence will host its popular workshop, Make Medicare an easy step, as a webinar on Tuesday, Jan. 19 at 6:30 p.m. Attendees will learn about the various Medicare plans and what they cover; plans that supplement Medicare; and enrollment details and deadlines. This webinar is free. Please register by contacting our office at 877-467-7294, 316-283-3800 or central.kansas@everence.com.