April 13-19, 2022

All are invited to come to the church any time Wednesday-Friday from NOON-7:00pm this week to walk the Stations of the Cross as part of your Holy Week journey with Jesus.  An electronic version of these Stations is also available for those unable to come in person (just email Pastor Tonya at tonya@hutchfmc.org to receive it). 

In the midst of all the upheaval and uncertainty we feel in the world, there is comfort in remembering the extent to which God has entered into and shared human life with us … experiencing even the pain of betrayal, the agony of suffering, and the desolation of death.  The prayer below from the Iona Community’s Facebook page calls us to trust in God’s presence and recall our common humanity bound together through the tears we all weep … leading us to choose the way that leads to peace.

Jesus wept

• Jan Sutch Pickard

(A prayer for the Monday of Holy Week, taken from Iona Dawn: through Holy Week with the Iona Community)

      —-Pastor Tonya

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! 

FELLOWSHIP TIME is back with coffee/tea/juice between Worship and Sunday School!! 

A signup sheet is posted for you to sign up to host this social time.

SUNDAY, APRIL 17:  Easter Sunday 

Terms of Resurrection – Easter

John 20:1-18; (Psalm 118:21-29)

Prayer of the Day:  Resurrected Lord, You faced down the power of death and the grave and you rose victorious. We, like Mary, have soaked the ground with tears of despair over a broken world, and we have forgotten how to hope. Call us by name and point us to the living, and the hopeful; the rising, and the rejoicing. We raise our Alleluias to you, for you are risen indeed! Amen.

• Preacher: Tonya Ramer Wenger
• Worship Leader: Maggie Goering Pounds
• Children’s Time: Susan Combs
• Scripture Reader: Star Gipson
• Organist: Pauline Buller
• Ushers: Don Wiens & Russell Goering
• Nursery attendant: TBA
• Sound Tech: Earl Ediger & Allen Yoder
• Live Stream Tech: Jay Gehring

SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES MEET @ 11:00am – EXCEPT ON 5^TH SUNDAYS when there is no Sunday School!!

…AND, THERE IS NO SUNDAY SCHOOL ON EASTER SUNDAY!!

SHARING JOYS & CONCERNS

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

• April 13-15 (Wed-Fri) Stations of the Cross open NOON-7:00pm in FMC foyer/sanctuary for prayer
• April 14 – 6:00pm Maundy Thursday meal & worship service (with communion)
• April 15 – Noon Community Good Friday Service @ Trinity UMC (hosted by area Women Clergy)
• April 17 – SUNRISE SERVICE (6:40am) outside at church; EASTER Breakfast (9am), WORSHIP (10am) & ALL CHURCH GROUP PHOTO (after worship) taken for the 100^th anniversary … plan to attend!!
• April 21 – Congregational Ministry Team (CMT) – 4:30pm
• April 24 – Mentors & Mentees – 11am-12:30pm
• April 24 – Kansas Mennonite Men’s Chorus – 7:00pm – Bethel College Memorial Hall, North Newton
• April 28 – Faith Formation Coordination Team – 4:00pm
• May 1 – Kansas Mennonite Men’s Chorus – 7:00pm – Bethany College Presser Hall, Lindsborg

KANSAS MENNONITE MEN’S CHORUS (KMMC) . . . CONCERTS April 24 and May 1

“We Sing That Others May Live.”  This motto of KMMC is an extension of MCC’s motto:  “Relief, development and peace in the name of Christ.”  KMMC seeks to raise funds for MCC as they raise their voices in praise to God.  You are invited to attend their concerts and give generously to the work of MCC.

• April 24 @ 7:00pm – Bethel College Memorial Hall, North Newton
• May 1 @7:00pm – Bethany College Presser Hall, Lindsborg

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…

HOLY WEEK 2022

• April 13-15 (Wed-Friday) NOON-7:00pm each day:  Stations of the Cross will be open in the FMC foyer/sanctuary for your praying.  Invite your friends, too!
• April 14 @ 6:00pm Maundy Thursday worship service including communion and a meal.  In person only.
• On April 15, Good Friday, plan to attend the Noon Good Friday Service at Trinity UMC in person.  Pastor Tonya is helping to host this event with other area women clergy.  Alternately, you could watch our Good Friday Service from last year here: https://youtu.be/WiAzft8uDdI 

EASTER (APRIL 17) SCHEDULE

• 6:40am – Sunrise Service outside @ church (bring your own chairs!)
• 9:00am – Potluck Breakfast/Brunch.  Bring food to share and your own table service!
• 10:00am – EASTER WORSHIP  (as you enter worship, pick up a flower to adorn the cross – and after the group photo, be sure to take a flower or two home with you! Look for a box with vases under the front pew, and return the vases to the box under the mailboxes when your flowers have faded.)
• All Church GROUP Photo immediately following the worship service – for all who are gathered!

EASTER SEASON WORSHIP – TERMS OF RESURRECTION

Our Easter Season worship will once again draw on worship resources provided by Worship-Well on the theme “Terms of Resurrection.”  The authors write:  “Easter is when everything changed. Like the events we use to map out the stories of our lives – births,deaths, joinings, partings – Easter is an event in the life of God and the world after which nothing was the same again. Nothing could be. In Jesus’ rising, death was unseated as the end of existence, the owner of the last word, and the hardest wall of absolute certainty. The empty tomb bears witness to a new truth. Now we live in a different world with different rules. Now we stand up. No longer bound by the limited laws dictated by death, we can live according to the terms of resurrection. We speak and sing and see the world with the language and lenses of this deep and destabilizing power that God has revealed In the risen Jesus. This takes some getting used to, friends. We need to practice. It’s why we celebrate Easter every year, and why we take fifty days to do it. It’s why we gather Sunday after Sunday to share the news and tell the stories of the ordinary people and extraordinary power that continue to flow from the dark morning of Jesus’ rising.”

Here’s a glimpse at a few upcoming worship services in this season:

APRIL 17 – EASTER SUNDAY: “I have seen the Lord!” John 20:1-18  Pastor Tonya preaching

APRIL 24 – Taking a brief break in the Narrative Lectionary (Gospel of John), we’ll be “On the Emmaus Road” with a sermon based on Luke 14 provided by WDC Conference Minister Heidi Regier Kreider. 

MAY 1 – We’ll pick up the story again in the Gospel of John with THOMAS in John 19:19-31, exploring “Terms of Resurrection” reshaping the life of disciples of the Risen Christ.   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 Tuesdays (ZOOM) and Thursdays (in person @ FMC) from 12:30-1:30pm.  If you’d like to learn more, contact Pastor Tonya. 

SUNDAY SCHOOL @ 11:00am (NO SUNDAY SCHOOL on Easter Sunday & 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. 

Adult Bible Study using Salt & Light – meets from 11:00-11:45am in the Prayer Room (right beside the elevator in the basement). 

Reminder: No Sunday School on EASTER SUNDAY & 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…

WEDNESDAY EVENINGS AT FIRST (WNAF) IS BACK!!

Thank you for your participation on April 6 in the first of two conversations about resolutions to be considered by delegates at the MC USA assembly. Info about the remaining 2 resolutions, which we will discuss on April 20, are below. You are also encouraged to watch the webinars to learn more about each of the resolutions.  If you have comments to share, please speak with one of FMC’s delegates: Pastor Tonya, Pauline Buller, or Micah Wenger.

APRIL 20:  Meal served at 5:45pm & Discussion at 6:30PM

MC USA RESOLUTIONS DISCUSSION (2 of 2)

Pastor Tonya and Pauline Buller will lead a conversation about the remaining 2 resolutions coming to delegates at the special MC USA Delegate Session at the end of May: (1) Clarification on MC USA Polity and Role of Membership Guidelines in MC USA and (2) A Resolution for Repentance and Transformation regarding violence done against LGBTQI+ persons.  The first one is a resolution coming for a vote.  The second will first come to the delegates for a vote to determine if this resolution will be discussed and voted on at the special delegate session.

EB Resolution Membership Guidelines 2021

Watch webinar here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0i-infwXac

This resolution provides a detailed background and history of the Membership Guidelines of MC USA formed in 2001 and concludes with this short resolution: 

     Therefore, we retire the Membership Guidelines as the active polity in Mennonite Church USA.

A Resolution for Repentance and Transformation

Watch webinar here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWN8iSrD54s

This resolution (which again, will first be voted on whether to actually consider it for discussion) begins with this opening paragraph:  Current policies of Mennonite Church USA do violence to LGBTQIA people by failing to affirm their full, God-given identities and by restricting their full participation in the life, ministries and rituals of the broader church. The rejection of LGBTQIA people by MC USA has silenced and denied ministry callings, torn apart families, forced parents to choose between their church and their child, and caused many LGBTQIA people to leave the church. In some cases, rejection by their faith community is a factor in LGBTQIA people self-harming or even dying by suicide.

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 group photo.  We plan to have a photographer join us to take this ‘snapshot’ of history in our 100^th year!  Everyone present is welcome to participate!!

FMC YOUNG ADULTS PARTICIPATING IN MISSION NETWORK SERVICE PROGRAMS  (FALL 2022)

This fall Micheala Esau and Micah Wenger are both participating in Mennonite Mission Network voluntary service programs.  Michaela will be with Mennonite Voluntary Service (MVS) in Tucson AZ.  Micah will be with Service Adventure in Colorado Springs, CO.   We are asked as a congregation to provide various kinds of support for Michaela and Micah, including prayer and financial support.  Each are asked to raise $4000 to help cover the costs of participation.  If you would like to donate to either Michaela or Micah (or both!), you can send a check to the church (note in the memo line who the donation is for), or to donate on their personal fundraising pages: 

                Micah https://igfn.us/vf/SAColorado/MicahWenger 

                Michaela (link coming soon!!)

NEW!!!   2022 FMC DIRECTORIES , , , pick up your copy in the foyer.

If you would like an electronic version, please let the church office know.

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

• 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…

OUR SUNDAY MORNING DONATIONS FOR THE FOOD BANK

The Food Bank is particularly in need of the following:  tomato soup, cream of mushroom soup and green beans.

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, tooth paste and tooth brushes.  Travel size – new & unopened – are desirable.

KANSAS MENNONITE RELIEF SALE (KMRS) . . . is history! 

Thank you for your donations, your volunteer time, your contributions and your prayers for the sale and for the work of MCC.  Check out their website for information on sale results.   https://kansas.mccsale.org/     

MENNONITE MISSION NETWORK  (MMN) . . . note of appreciation

Mennonite Mission Network exists to equip and empower the church as we partner in God’s mission around the globe.  Thank you, First Mennonite Church, for your gift of $3,465.00 in 2021!  Your prayers, participation and generous support empower us to serve and collaborate with partners across the street and around the world, so that people may be transformed by Jesus Christ.  – Marisa Smucker, Sr. Exec. Of Ventures, MMN.

WESTERN DISTRICT WOMEN IN MISSION

All women are invited to a virtual “Meet-up” on Tuesday, April 26^th, 7:00-8:30p.m.  Please join us as we hear from Barbara Gingrich, Cheryl Kaufman, and Cindy Thompson from Lorraine Avenue Mennonite Church in Wichita about their Knit4Peace project.  Then, Sarah Augustine will discuss her personal life journey and book she authored called, The Land is Not Empty: Following Jesus in Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery, (Herald Press, 2021).  Sarah is a Pueblo (Tewa) descendant and founder and co-chair of the Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery Coalition and Executive Director of a dispute resolution center in central Washington State.  Click here to learn more about this event and information on signing up – deadline Monday, April 25. https://mennowdc.org/western-district-women-in-mission-upcoming-event/

CAMP MENNOSCAH announcements

The 2022 Summer Youth Camps are waiting for you!  Registration is open!  

Check out the website https://www.campmennoscah.org/vnews/display.v/SEC/Programs%7CSummer%20Youth%20Camps.  Register online here!   The adventure of the unknown is before us! We do not know exactly what to expect for the 2022 summer, but once again we will build on the Rock and play in the sand. While we continue to hope for a summer with minimal restrictions, the pandemic may change by June and camp guidelines will change with it. Campers and staff may be asked to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test and/or wear masks when indoors.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR:  Camp Mennoscah is having a Verenike Casserole Fundraiser on April 30!  

Meal:  verenike casserole, seasoned green beans, zweiback, and fruit crisp.  Summer youth camps and retreats are a vital and living part of faith formation for youth and young adults.  Your meal donation will support Camp Mennoscah’s mission to love one another, build relationships and follow Jesus Christ. 

Registration for Work Days (April 23 and May 21) are open! You can register for the Work Days and Summer Youth Camp at the same time!  More information can be found here. Please contact Camp Mennoscah with any questions. We will not have all the answers, but we will answer as best we can.

Camp needs to prepare for groups using the dining hall and other main camp buildings this spring. Help is needed to make these spaces welcoming and ready for fellowship. We can work with your schedule, including evening and weekend hours. Tasks include basic cleaning, washing cookware and dishes and moving tables. Contact us at 620-297-3290 or olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org

Other events and happenings at Camp Mennoscah: 

• April 23 is a Work and Play Day at Camp Mennoscah!  We’re starting at 8:30am at the maintenance shed.  We’d like to complete the amphitheater project, but we need a crew with trucks and dirt haulers/diggers!  Contact Camp Mennoscah at 620-297-3290 to register or for more information.
• Nurses needed for Summer Youth Camps!  Your time and skill give campers a week of growing in Christian fellowship and experiencing God’s great creation.  Nurses need RN certification or equivalent.  Nurses are needed for June 12-18, June 19-23, June 23-25, July 3-9, and July 24-29.  Contact us at 620-297-3290 or olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org.

• Kitchen helpers needed for Summer Youth Camps!  Your time and skill give campers a week of growing in Christian fellowship and experiencing God’s great creation.  Cooks need only willing hands and the ability to follow directions.  Kitchen staff is needed for June 19-23, July 3-9 and July 17-23.  Contact us at 620-297-3290 or olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org.

• Getting ready for outside fun!  Camp Mennoscah needs to replace some outdoor sports equipment, including inner tubes, 4-square/Gaga balls, frisbees for ultimate, and inner tubes.  Check out the Camp Mennoscah Wish List on amazon.com or the Wish List.  Challenge your Sunday School class or youth group to help meet camp needs!  We’ve got many more ideas. Contact us by replying to this email.

MENNONITE CENTRAL COMMITTEE (MCC) announcements

Join the MCC Thrifty 50 Challenge! 50 years ago the first MCC thrift shop opened and now there are 85 shops that provide millions of dollars each year for MCC’s work at home and around the world.To celebrate, we’re inviting you to sign up for the Thrifty 50 Challenge to get one practical challenge sent to your inbox and have a chance to win a $25 MCC Thrift gift card every week. Visit thrift.mcc.org to find a shop near you and learn more about MCC Thrift!

MCC response in Ukraine: MCC continues to be in communication with our program partners, many of whom have reduced capacity because of the conflict. Currently, partners are responding in some regions as they are able with supplies they can secure. This includes distributing food, blankets, medications and fuel as well as other emergency supplies. The changing situations in the various cities and regions in Ukraine where there is conflict makes this work difficult and at times dangerous. MCC will continue to determine how it can support short-term needs. However, MCC’s strength continues to be mid and long-term disaster response and we are working to formulate these plans for Ukraine. MCC has been working in Ukraine for 100 years and we will continue to serve in Ukraine long after the crisis disappears from the news cycle. Donate today to support these efforts at mcc.org/ukraine

Make your voice heard! Join MCC in urging President Biden to pursue peaceful solutions in Ukraine. MCC asks the United States government to continue considering approaches that do not rely on military intervention or military support. Engage with your elected officials on this topic and many others through MCC today!

RENO COUNTY COTTONWOOD COMPLEX . . . community response

The most tangible way to help the fire victims in our community is through financial gifts.  Checks and/or cash need to be directed to United Way of Reno County, note VOAD Fire Fund in the memo.  Funds and/or gift cards can be dropped off or mailed to: United Way of Reno County, 924 North Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501
Donations can also be made online at:  United Way of Reno County |

BETHEL COLLEGE announcements

Bethel’s Summer Camp Registration is now open!

Summer Science Institute (high school age) and Kauffman Museum” Uncle Carl’s Camps (variety of ages), and Athletic Camps.  Check out this link for more information:  https://www.bethelks.edu/summer-camps

Tues., April 19 – Bethel College Orchestra concert under the direction of Kristopher Hilding, 7:30 p.m., Memorial Hall.

Sun., May 1 – Masterworks Concert, 3:00 p.m.

Tues., May 3 – Steel Drum Band Concert, 7:00 p.m. Krehbiel Auditorium

Wed., May 4 – Jazz on the Green, 8:00 p.m.