February 23-March 8, 2022 - First Mennonite Church

Table of Contents

Today, I invite you to join in prayer for Ukraine, using a prayer provided Mennonite Central Committee (originally included in the 2017 Peace Prayers Packet) https://mcc.org/stories/crisis-ukraine

Our loving God,

As you look down on your children in Ukraine, we ask that you bring this military conflict to an end as quickly as possible. Change the hearts of those who cling to evil and aggression. Help us to realize that violence cannot solve our problems. Heal the hearts of those who have lost loved ones. Be merciful to veterans of this conflict. Help their families and society as a whole understand and accept them. Please build up the broken economy of our country. Build it up so that stability can be an instrument for peace in society. Above all, help us build bridges of mutual understanding, regardless of political, religious, social and cultural differences. Help us learn to stop condemning and comparing, and to turn to understanding and forgiveness. Raise up your church to do the work of peacebuilding. Bring about your reconciliation. Lord, grant that people in Ukraine seek you and know you. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

—-Pastor Tonya

NOTE: Our next THIS WEEK will post on March 10. Office hours may also vary during the next two weeks.

SUNDAY MORNING Worship In Person & 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! Join at 9:25am to see the announcements!

REVISED STATEMENT FROM CMT (Congregational Ministry Team) to the congregation regarding COVID precautions.

This statement is based on recommendations from our COVID Response Team (Carol Moore, Joretta Martens, Todd Esau, Dohn Fast).

CMT encourages you to protect yourself and your loved ones by wearing masks, social distancing, and washing your hands or using hand sanitizer in our church building and elsewhere.

Jesus is the light of the world – brings light to the eyes of a man born blind

John 9:1-41; Psalm 27: 1-4

Preacher: Tonya Ramer Wenger
Worship Leader: Calvin Buller
Scripture Reader: Nick Krehbiel
Children’s Time: Cathia Krehbiel
Organist: Pauline Buller
Ushers: Russ Wedel & Russell Goering
Nursery attendant: Cheryl Warkentin
Sound Tech: Murray Reimer
Live Stream Tech: Sadie Nisly

SUNDAY, MARCH 2: First Sunday of Lent

Word Turns Flesh: Jesus Raises Lazarus

Prayer of the Day: When you raised Lazarus from the dead, you turned death to life and despair to hope. Help us see and believe that you join the pain and grief of our lives as well as our deepest joys, and are still at work turning the world around. Amen.

John 11:1-44; Psalm 104:27-30

Preacher: Jim Unruh
Worship Leader: Delon Martens
Scripture Reader: Nick Krehbiel
Children’s Time: Star Gipson
Organist: Shelley Kauffman
Ushers: Susan Combs & Joretta Martens
Nursery attendant: Alex de Carvalho & Jade Piros de Carvalho
Sound Tech: Micah Wenger
Live Stream Tech: Jonathan Wenger

SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES MEET @ 10:45am – EXCEPT ON 5^TH SUNDAYS when there is no Sunday School!!

During each worship service, you are invited to text your prayer joys and concerns – usually to Pastor Tonya. You are also welcome 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 by Thursday each week.

CALENDAR – LOOKING AHEAD

March 2 – Ash Wednesday Worship Service, and beginning of Lent
March 23 – “Berlin Exodus” – presentation marking 75th anniversary, 7:00pm fellowship hall
April 10 – Palm Sunday and beginning of Holy Week
April 17 – EASTER & ALL CHURCH PHOTO taken for the 100^th anniversary … plan to attend!!

FMC CENTENNIAL . . . LightHouse Giving Opportunity

The LightHouse addresses the growing need of transitional housing for youths ages 18 to 21 in Hutchinson. The property at 1005 N. Washington Street is currently being renovated into eight one-bedroom apartments.

Interfaith Housing & Community Services is leading this community project. Progress is underway thanks to the help of volunteers renovating this building, which was built in 1887. The Centennial Committee would like for FMC to raise $22,000 by October 2022 to help with these expenses. These dollars will help with construction costs, furnishings for the apartments and ongoing maintenance expenses.

A big thank you to those of you who have already donated! You can see the progress that has already been made on our LightHouse thermometer in the foyer. Checks may be made out to FMC, with “LightHouse” on the memo line. Thank you for your support!

DEEPENING in Christ…

FMC WORSHIP CONTINES TO EXPLORE THE GOSPEL OF JOHN…

February 27 – The Man Born Blind (John 9:1-41) Pastor Tonya preaching

ASH WEDNESDAY “The Good Shepherd” – MARCH 2, 2022 @ 7:00pm

Join together with our friends from Community Church of the Brethren for our Ash Wednesday service, held in the FMC sanctuary on March 2 at 7:00pm. The service will include scripture, prayer, song, and imposition of ashes. Attend in person or online.

LENT 2022 – TURNING (Gospel of John)

Our Lent worship theme will continue to guide us through the Gospel of John, using worship resources created by a group called WorshipWell. The series theme, TURNING, is explained like this:

“Pouring over the Lenten texts from John’s Gospel, we are dizzied by all of the turning: God turning toward humanity’s pain as Jesus weeps at raw and unbearable grief; Jesus turning the stench of Lazarus’ death into something confusingly hopeful; Jesus turning into a servant, stooping to wash feet, turning clear water brown with the disciples gathered dust, turning them toward loving and serving their neighbor. Then humanity’s turning away: Peter turning his back on his best friend; Pilate turning and twisting the truth for political gain; The fickle and riled up crowds turning from “hosanna” to “crucify.’’ Then the turning of the earth as grave becomes garden, death turns to life, mourning to dancing.

John’s Gospel invites us into a season of intentional turning. Our hearts turn with compassion for those who grieve. Our lives turn toward our neighbor in acts of solidarity and service. Our eyes turn toward the cross and we see Jesus turning the world upside down with love.”

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on March 2. The first Sunday of Lent is March 6 when Pastor Jim will be preaching on the theme “Word Turns Flesh: Jesus Raises Lazarus” (John 11:1-44).

LENT GIVING PROJECT for RENO COUNTY FOOD BANK

Each Sunday in Lent we invite you to bring a specific item for our Sunday morning worship food collection for the Reno County Food Bank. You are also welcome to drop items off during the week. Please place your donations in the laundry basket at the back of the sanctuary.

March 6 – Peanut Butter
March 13 – Canned meat/tuna
March 20 – Canned fruit
March 27 – Canned soup
April 3 – Pasta (macaroni, etc.)

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 Tuesdays (ZOOM) and Thursdays (in person @ FMC) from 12:30-1:30pm. If you’d like to learn more, contact Pastor Tonya.

WINTER 2021 SUNDAY SCHOOL @ 10:45am (NO SUNDAY SCHOOL on 5^th SUNDAYS!)

CHILDREN & YOUTH: Becoming Disciples (SHINE Curriculum from MennoMedia)

PreK-Kindergarten (basement, room 3 – or outside)
1^st-5^th grade (basement, rooms 1-2 – or outside)
6^th– 7^th grade (all the way upstairs in the Jr Youth room – or outside)
8^th -12^th grade (all the way upstairs in the Sr Youth room)

ADULTS:

Younger Adults Class – meeting in the basement adult Sunday School Room

Adult Bible Study/Discussion – meeting in the basement fellowship hall. This group is using The Bible Project’s Reflections Bible Study to guide study and conversation, which includes a short video on a Biblical theme, topic, or book. Check it out here: https://bibleproject.com/bible-studies/reflections/ and feel free to watch the videos during the week if you choose in preparation for shared discussion.

NEW ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL OPPORTUNITY

What: An additional Adult SS. Class – Salt & Light MennoMedia S.S. material will be used for basis of interaction and discussion.

When: Meet Feb. 27^th to get acquainted and pass out S.S. books.
How Long: We will meet for one quarter, March – May.
Where: Prayer Room (right beside elevator in basement)
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. on first four Sundays each month.

Reminder: No Sunday School on the 5^th Sundays of the month!!

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.

STRENGTHENING Community Connections…

REMEMBER ROCKS

During the Feb 20 worship service, Jean Gaeddert shared a story she wrote and her son illustrated, titled Remember Rocks. If you are interested in purchasing a copy of this story for yourself, please click on the following link. Or, you may simply contact Jean at 620-663-1240.

THE BERLIN EXODUS . . . March 23 . . . a 75th anniversary observance

The Berlin Exodus (Berlin Escape) in 1947, is the theme of an evening presentation on Wednesday, March 23, at 7:00pm in our fellowship hall. This event marks the 75^th anniversary of the moving of 1,200 Ukrainian Mennonite refugees located in Berlin through the Russian occupied territory of Berlin and East Germany, to a waiting ship in Bremerhaven, West Germany. MCC worker, Peter Dyck, orchestrated the escape during the last days of World War II, working with the American military, the Dutch government and the country of Paraguay in this highly secretive venture. Calvin Buller will lead the evening presentation on March 23, which will include the playing of an audio recording with Peter Dyck telling the story in his own words.

ALL CHURCH PHOTO WILL BE TAKEN EASTER 2022

Plan to attend our Easter worship service on Sunday April 17, which will include taking an all church photo. We plan to have a photographer join us to take this ‘snapshot’ of history in our 100^th year!

ADDRESS, PHONE, EMAIL, BIRTHS and DEATHS . . . the church office needs updates for you and for your children!!

Please send us changes as soon as possible. A new directory will be printed soon.

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/. While new episodes are not being added right now, this is your chance to catch up on previous conversations!

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS – office hours will be irregular through the 10^th of March.

Tuesday and Thursday 9:00am – 2:00pm
Wednesday 10am-1pm

PASTOR TONYA’S HOURS/SCHEDULE

Monday: Sabbath Day
Tuesday-Friday: generally working 9:00am-5:30pm
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)

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.

STRETCHING to Serve as Christ Served…

MENNONITE FRIENDSHIP COMMUNITIES (mfc) Liverwurst & Fried Mush Supper.

Enjoy traditional delicacies and support mfc this Friday, February 25 at Journey @ Yoder. Serving 5:00-8:00pm. Donations received help provide care for nursing home residents who have outlived their financial resources.

DRIVE-THRU VERENIKE SUPPER – First Mennonite, Halstead – February 26.

Drive thru and pick up your meal(s) 4:00-7:00pm on February 26, at First Mennonite Church in Halstead (427 West 4^th). The menu is verenike, ham gravy, sausage, pickle and cookie. Cost is by donation – proceeds benefit Harvey County domestic violence services and homeless shelters and the Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale.

EVERENCE^® Medicare webinar . . . Tuesday, March 8.

Everence will hold an informative Medicare webinar on Tuesday, March 8, starting at 6:30 p.m. Topics will include, when and where to sign up for Medicare, what Medicare does (and doesn’t) cover, Medicare Parts A, B, C and D in clear, understandable language plus budgeting for health care costs in retirement. There will also be time for your questions. Information will be presented by staff from the Everence offices in Central Kansas. To register contact Everence at 316-283-3800, 877-467-7294 or central.kansas@everence.com. Attendance recommended for those approaching retirement or those ready to sign up for Medicare.

MENNONITE DISASTER SERVICE . . . building cabinets in Goessel

The MDS Kansas Unit has purchased a Cabinet Facility in Goessel, KS. The goal of this purchase is to increase the number of volunteers helping MDS while we build the cabinets for MDS builds. Contact Cleo for details on how you can volunteer there. Contact: Cleo Koop – (316) 282-0797 – cleohkoop@gmail.com

MENNONITE CENTRAL COMMITTEE (MCC)

All are welcome to join the fun at 14^th annual MCC Comforter Blitz on March 7, 8 and 9 at the Journey Yoder Campus, one mile north of Yoder, KS. Times are Monday and Tuesday 9-5, and Wednesday 9-4. Come and have a good time while helping others. No sewing skills required. Lunch is available by donation each day, or you may bring your own sack lunch. You can bring snacks to share during work day. Masks are highly encouraged and plan to practice social distancing. This event is hosted by Kansas Friends of MCC, to make good quality, beautiful comforters for MCC to send for warmth, comfort, and love all around the world. Please contact the MCC Central States office with questions at #316-283-2720, or check the Comforter Blitz Facebook Page, “MCC Comforter Blitz for Kansas”.

KANSAS MENNONITE RELIEF SALE . . . LOTS of opportunities.

Get ready for the Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale, a benefit for Mennonite Central Committee, April 8 & 9 at the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson. What can you bring as your gift to the hungry and hurting at home and abroad? Quality woodwork and needlework items, cotton tea towels, hobby items, crafts, plants and baked foods are much in demand.

Stay up-to-date on all things relating to Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale by liking us on Facebook at Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale or our website at https://kansas.mccsale.org/

My Coins Count!

This year our coins support MCC projects that provide clean water and food. Our coin jar is in the foyer to collect coins for this project.

List your quilt in the Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale Quilt Auction Buyer’s Guide.

Deadline is March 1. Please deliver your quilt, comforter or quilt related item to a quilt committee member or taken to the MCC Center in North Newton. Quilt forms are available online at https://kansas.mccsale.org/quilt-auction-registration-form/

For more information, get in touch with Julie Esau, your relief sale contact person, or Charlene Driggers, charlene.driggers@gmail.com or 620-947-1749.

Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale Quilter’s Corner.

Quilting donations are welcome and needed i.e. quilting fabrics, quilting supplies, vintage linens, unfinished quilting projects, etc. Donations may be collected by Sale liaisons at their churches and brought to Sale meetings or brought directly to the MCC Center with the indication that they are for Quilters’ Corner. If you have questions contact Ann Yoder Smith, 919-604-3282, rws.ays@gmail.com.

RUN FOR RELIEF . . . 5K Run and Walk.

Join the 25^th Annual Run for Relief! Walk, jog, run – for all ages & abilities! Invite others to sponsor your run to raise more for those in need. Entry form and waiver must be returned by March 18. Entry form is online at https://kansas.mccsale.org/run-for-relief/

Fellowship Meals . . . prepare a meal for a small group and ask for an MCC donation.

Sharing food and fellowship is a great way to celebrate the work of MCC and to support the ministries around the world. Choose any date from now till sale weekend – maybe a Sunday after church or an evening with friends you haven’t seen for a while. Direct questions to Barb at 620-543-6863. Mail your donations as follows:

MCC Fellowship Meals, Barb BJ Reeves, 121 East 7^th, Buhler, KS 67522

KMRS’s purpose is to raise funds for Mennonite Central Committee.

It takes a whole host of individuals playing their part in order that we might carry out the Lord’s bidding to care for the “least of these” found in Matt. 25. We call upon our supporting churches to donate toward the sale budget so that every dollar raised at the sale is donated to MCC. We call upon quilters to complete their quilts and to gather extra supplies to donate to Quilters’ Corner. Consider donating items to the General, Silent and even our Kid’s Auction. During the cool winter months, divide house plants and start vegetable plants to sell at Plants &Things and tea towel sets completed for Kansas Crafts. Challenge yourself to participate in the Run for Relief, a 5K run/walk the Saturday of the sale and spend the winter months gathering your pledges. Go to: https://kansas.mccsale.org/ or like us on Facebook at Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale.

Volunteering for committees or for duties on sale weekend.

There are a variety of committees along with 1000 volunteers needed the weekend of the sale. See your Relief Sale Contact liaison for details on these opportunities or visit the sale website: https://kansas.mccsale.org/

By tithing a little bit of your time each year, you have an amazing opportunity to impact your world by furthering the work of Mennonite Central Committee.

Cash gifts cover event expenses prior to the sale.

Each year, it is the sale board and supporting committees’ goal to raise funds to cover the budget leading up to the sale. The purchasing committee needs cash gifts for 45 items ranging in cost from $350 for butter to $8,800 for building rentals. By meeting the budget prior to the sale, all proceeds sale weekend can be donated to MCC. If you or your Sunday School class can support the sale budget in this way, get in touch with Julie or Todd Esau, your relief sale contact persons, or send contributions to sale treasurer, Jo Kasitz, treasurer, 1715 Casey, Newton, KS 67114.