Table of Contents
God’s glory is on tour in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon.
Madame Day holds classes every morning, Professor Night lectures each evening.
Their words aren’t heard, their voices aren’t recorded,
But their silence fills the earth: unspoken truth is spoken everywhere.
God makes a huge dome for the sun—a superdome!
The morning sun’s a new husband leaping from his honeymoon bed,
The daybreaking sun an athlete racing to the tape.
That’s how God’s Word vaults across the skies from sunrise to sunset,
Melting ice, scorching deserts, warming hearts to faith.
The revelation of God is whole and pulls our lives together.
The signposts of God are clear and point out the right road.
The life-maps of God are right, showing the way to joy.
The directions of God are plain and easy on the eyes.
God’s reputation is twenty-four-carat gold, with a lifetime guarantee.
The decisions of God are accurate down to the nth degree.
God’s Word is better than a diamond, better than a diamond set between emeralds.
You’ll like it better than strawberries in spring, better than red, ripe strawberries.
There’s more: God’s Word warns us of danger and directs us to hidden treasure.
Otherwise how will we find our way? Or know when we play the fool?
Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh!
Keep me from stupid sins, from thinking I can take over your work;
Then I can start this day sun-washed, scrubbed clean of the grime of sin.
These are the words in my mouth; these are what I chew on and pray.
Accept them when I place them on the morning altar,
O God, my Altar-Rock, God, Priest-of-My-Altar.
(Psalm 19 – The Message)
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!
STATEMENT FROM CMT to the congregation regarding the Delta variant:
We are a caring congregation. We recognize that health and life are gifts that we honor for ourselves and others. Because of the rapid increase in our community of the Delta-variant, the virus’ ease of transmission, and the recommendations from the CDC, we are strongly recommending that everyone wear a mask while inside the church building and practice social distancing as we did several months ago. We want to protect our children and those individuals at high health risk and/or are unable to receive the vaccine. It is anticipated that the next 4-6 weeks are critical in slowing down the spread of this mutant. Let each of us do our part to mitigate the potential serious consequences to our church family and our community during this time. (Delon Martens, Jennalee Boggs, Julie Esau, Kevin Martin Nisly, Carol Moore, Tonya Ramer Wenger, Jim Unruh)
SUNDAY, AUGUST 15: Season of Creation – A Home for All?
Wisdom From Our Home Planet
(Prov 1:20-33; Psalm 19; James 3:1-12; Mark 8:-27-end)
Blessing of the Backpacks & Litany of blessing for the beginning of school
- Preacher: Jim Unruh
- Worship Leader: Heidi Unruh
- Children’s Time: Cathia Krehbiel
- Scripture Reader: Jean Gaeddert
- Pianist: Peggy Stucky
- Worship Music: Sadie Pritchett
- Ushers: Don Wiens & Russell Goering
- Sound: Jay Gehring
- 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
- August 17 – Faith Formation Coordination Team – 4:00pm
- August 19 – Congregation Ministry Team – 4:30pm
- August 29 – Congregational Meeting & Youth Fundraiser Lunch
- September 1 – Congregation Ministry Team and all Coordination Teams – 7:00pm
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.
DEEPENING in Christ…
PRAYER GROUPS
Meets Thursday mornings from 10-11am in the Prayer Room. All are welcome.
A small ecumenical Centering Prayer group meets on ZOOM Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:30-1:30pm. If you’d like to learn more and receive the link to participate, contact Pastor Tonya.
WORSHIP AUGUST 8-SEPT 5: SEASON OF CREATION: A HOME FOR ALL?
The legacy and legends of Saint Francis have inspired many to care more deeply and intentionally for all of creation as our ‘brothers and sisters’ sharing planet Earth with us. And so, as we brought our ‘Cultivating Life With God for the World” worship series to a close on August 1, we are turning next to a worship series inviting us to explore how our life with God impacts ALL of creation and asking what we can do to truly make this a home for all.
AUG 15: Season of Creation – A Home for All? Wisdom From Our Home Planet
Pastor Jim preaching
AUG 22: Season of Creation – A Home for All? Peacemaking as Home-Building
Pastor Tonya preaching
AUG 29: Season of Creation – A Home for All? Praying for Our Home Planet & Its People
Guest Preacher – Jim French
SEPT 5: Season of Creation: A Home for All? A Home and a Hope for the Future
Pastor Tonya preaching
BLESSING OF BACKPACKS (BACK TO SCHOOL BLESSING)– AUGUST 15
On Sunday August 15, in anticipation of the fall school year starting, we will offer a ‘blessing of the backpacks’ for all children, youth and college students, along with any teachers or others working in education this year! Bring your school backpack or something else you use for school regularly if you’d like, but it’s not required!! Blessings and a small pin expressing our love will be given.
AUGUST 22 SUNDAY SCHOOL – GET A TASTE OF WESTERN DISTRICT CONFERENCE ASSEMBLY
On August 22 you are invited to stay after worship to watch together and have some discussion of one of the worship sermons from the recent WCD Assembly. Childcare will be provided!
UPPER ROOM and REJOICE! devotional magazines
REJOICE! and UPPER ROOM . . . new issues beginning in September are available above the mailboxes. Please let us know if you would like a copy mailed to you.
SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE/MEETING DATES
All groups except Senior High meet from 10:45-11:30 (Sr High meets at 11:45am) on August 15!!
Adult Sunday School CLASSES @ 10:45AM (See summer schedule below)
- YOUNG(ER) ADULT Class (studying “What is the Church and Why Does it Exist?) – this group meets in the basement Sunday School classroom and is facilitated by group members.
- BIBLE STUDY: You are invited to join this class on ZOOM or in person in the Common Grounds room. Below is the schedule for this Adult Bible Study using the Salt and Light discussion guide. Copies of the summer study guide are available on the table in the foyer. Please call the office if you would like a copy sent to you. The summer theme is, Facing Life’s Challenges, written by Wilma Ann Bailey.
August 15 – “Job’s Response to Suffering: Protest” – Sara Blodgett, facilitator
Check your email for the ZOOM link or contact Pastor Tonya.
SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS NEEDED!!
The signup sheet is up on the church’s “Sign Up” bulletin board!! We are seeking groups of at least 4 teachers to sign up to teach on a rotation (likely 3 Sundays at a time, but that is negotiable!) for each of these classes: PreK-Kindergarten, 1st-5th grade, and 6th-7th grade.
This rotation system would result in each person in the group of 4 teaching roughly three 3-week stints between September 2021 and May 2022. We also need to have helpers for at least the Pre-K-Kindergarten class, which is a good option for those of you who prefer not to teach but are willing to give love and attention to our kids! Please prayerfully consider this opportunity to be involved in the faith formation of the youngest in our congregation, who are truly delightful and a gift to us!! We will again be using the SHINE Curriculum from MennoMedia. And, if you’d be interested in helping teach the Youth Group, please talk with Jonathan Wenger to volunteer. Questions? Talk with Cheryl Warkentin or Pastor Tonya.
STRENGTHENING Community Connections…
SENIOR YOUTH (8TH-12TH GRADE) KICK-OFF ON AUGUST 22 @ CAMP MENNOSCAH (BLUESTEM)
Youth 8th-12th grade are invited to the Youth Group Kick-Off with Jonathan Wenger, Tanya Martin Nisly and Pastor Tonya on Sunday August 22. Timeframe is approximately 2:00pm-7:00pm with dinner included. Watch for more details very soon!!! We will plan to carpool to and from the church.
AUGUST 29 CONGREGATIONAL MEETING & FUNDRAISER LUNCH
Plan to remain in the sanctuary on August 29 after worship for a short congregational meeting regarding changes/updates to FMC’s bylaws and constitution, specifically related to integrating our “new” organizational structure. The updated documents will be available two weeks prior to this meeting. Following the meeting, the Senior Youth will provide a fundraiser Hamburger Fry lunch. Right now we expect this to be a meal you can take home with you. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend the meeting, however only members and associate members will cast votes. IF YOU’D LIKE TO JOIN THE MEETING VIRTUALLY, please let Pastor Tonya or Delon Martens know by Sunday, August 22.
M&M (MENTOR & MENTEE) KICK-OFF: AUG 30 @ HOMEBUILDER’S SHELTER 5:30-7:30PM
Mentors and Mentees are invited to our kick-off event on Monday, August 30 at the Homebuilder’s Shelter from 5:30-7:30pm. We’ll eat supper together – main dish provided, and each pair is invited to bring a side dish OR a dessert to share.
SEPT 1 @ 7:00PM – CMT (CONGREGATIONAL MINISTRY TEAM) & COORDINATION TEAMS MEET
All of our Coordination Teams (Faith Formation, Faithful Community, Faithful Service and Outreach, and Faithful Stewardship) will gather with the CMT on WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 1 at 7:00pm!! This gathering will provide resourcing and support as these groups, together, support the congregation in living out the mission and purpose of First Mennonite Church to DEEPEN, STRENGTHEN, AND STRETCH. Specifically, as we look toward Fall 2021 and who we are becoming in this post-COVID reality, we’ll explore some fundamental questions of church – What? Why? and How? Pastor Tonya will help guide this time using David E. Fitch’s little book, What is the Church and Why Does it Exist?
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.
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS – may vary from this schedule during the summer
- Tuesday and Thursday 9:00am – 2:00pm
- Wednesday 10am-1pm
**Wednesday August 11 office hours are 10am-Noon**
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)
**THIS WEEK taking vacation Wednesday afternoon AUG 11 beginning at Noon.**
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.
FIRST CALL FOR HELP
School supplies (new items only) are needed as families in our community prepare for school this fall. Pick up the list of needed supplies from the table in the foyer. We have a basket in FMC’s foyer to collect school supplies, or you may drop them off at 12 West 2nd Ave. (Tue or Thu 10am-3:30pm; or Wed 9am-noon).
Cash donations are appreciated and a philanthropic donor has offered to match all financial donations. Checks payable to First Call for Help (memo – School Supplies), mailed to PO Box 2203, Hutchinson KS 67504.
MENNONITE CENTRAL COMMITTEE announcements
The Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale Annual Meeting will be Thursday, August 26, 6:00 pm at First Mennonite Church, McPherson. The cost of the meal is $20.00. Please RSVP to Barb BJ Reeves at bj.reeves@live.com or 620-543-6863 by August 22. We will be checking with health information sources regarding group meetings closer to the date for everyone’s protection. The funds will go to the McPherson Housing Coalition for the construction of Oak Harbor Cottages for low income/homeless families.
WESTERN DISTRICT CONFERENCE announcements
WDC Women’s Retreat . . . September 11-12 (in-person). All women 13 years and older are invited to Camp Mennoscah for Women’s Retreat. Kathy Neufeld Dunn will be our main speaker on Re/Connecting with God and Each Other. Whether we need time to reconnect with God, with our sisters in Christ or both, Women’s Retreat is a chance to do that. Join us for a special time of focus on spiritual and emotional connection with each other and the One who loves us and cares for us beyond imagining. Covid rules and restrictions will be followed, and a few things will look different so please read the information carefully. We hope to see there! Click here for information and registration forms: https://mennowdc.org/womens-retreat-2021/.
CAMP MENNOSCAH announcements
The next Work Day is August 28 with all sorts of fun projects! Meet at the Maintenance shed at 8:30am and bring your lunch and a water bottle. Come for a partial day, if that’s what works! Call us at 620-297-3290 or email office@campmennoscah.org! You are important to Camp Mennoscah’s ministry!
BETHEL COLLEGE announcements
Voices Together: Worship and the Arts – 5th Biennial Symposium . . . November 5-8. SAVE THE DATE!
More information at bethelks.edu/worshiparts