Table of Contents
God makes a way. I have longed believed this, but the past few weeks have given me concrete opportunities to put this belief into practice. Traveling internationally is exhilarating, exhausting, and humbling. Being a foreigner in another country is something we all should experience every now and then. As foreigners we are reminded the world doesn’t revolve around what we already know and understand, including our native language. We have to be creative about communication and flexible when things do not go as planned. Which they inevitably don’t, and certainly didn’t for us the past couple weeks.
When I finally made it to worship on the first full day of Mennonite World Conference, the international worship choir was leading this song: “Here I am to worship, here I am to bow down, here I am to say that you’re my God.” I looked around me to see people from many nations singing and worshipping God with me. I thought of Jonathan, and others, quarantined with COVID. I felt the lingering fatigue associated with my bout with food poisoning and likely jet lag. And I was vividly reminded that worship happens any place and anytime no matter the circumstances, crossing all kinds of barriers. God is God when things go as planned and when things fall apart.
We sang songs during Mennonite World Conference from Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and North America. We danced, laughed, and I at least cried because that is what happens to me when I feel God’s Spirit moving.
A favorite song, speaking into my experience, emerged early for me. The song is from Nigeria, titled “Way Maker” (text and music written by Osinachi Kalu Egbu). I’ll close with the words of this song as a prayer:
You are here, moving in our midst;
I worship you, I worship you.
You are here, working in this place;
I worship you, I worship you.
(Refrain) You are: Way Maker, Miracle Worker,
Promise Keeper, Light in the darkness,
my God, that is who you are.
You are here, touching every heart;
I worship you, I worship you.
You are here, healing every heart;
I worship you, I worship you. (Refrain)
You are here, turning lives around;
I worship you, I worship you.
You are here, mending every heart;
I worship you, I worship you. (Refrain)
That is who you are…
Even when I don’t feel it, you’re working.
You never stop, you never stop working.
-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!
COVID-19 case increase prompts suggestions for safety for ourselves and others
With the increase in Covid cases in our community, please use whatever precautions are prudent for your own health and well-being, and for the safety of others around you – let us be particularly mindful of those who are immuno-compromised. Feel free to wear a mask in church and while you are out in the community, particularly if you choose to be part of large group activities. Wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your face, and stay home if you do not feel well. Don’t hesitate to contact your healthcare provider so you can begin treatment early and make sure your immunizations are current.
FELLOWSHIP TIME following the Worship Service has been suspended for a time.
SUNDAY, JULY 17: FACES OF OUR FAITH: Adam & Eve
Genesis 2
- Preacher: Pastor Tonya Ramer Wenger
- Worship Leader & Scripture Reader: Delon Martens
- Children’s Time: Nick Krehbiel
- Organist: Pauline Buller
- Ushers: Glenda & Rick Hooper
- Nursery Attendant: Fred & Mary Wade
- Sound Tech: Earl Ediger & Allen Yoder
- Live Stream Tech: Jay Gehring
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 (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 to the church office by Thursday each week.
CALENDAR – LOOKING AHEAD
- July 21 – Congregational Ministry Team (CMT), 3:00 pm
- July 29-31 – Western District Conference annual assembly, Camp Copass, Denton TX
FMC CENTENNIAL . . . LightHouse Giving Opportunity
To date, the total raised for the LightHouse project is $26,875, which exceeds the goal we set of raising $22,000! Thank you for your tremendous generosity! The $22,000 will be used for construction costs and furnishings for the apartments. But we are not finished! More dollars are needed for ongoing maintenance needs, so your donations are still very much appreciated from now until October and beyond. As contractors complete their work, we anticipate inviting volunteers for painting, trim work, cabinet installation, floor work, etc. Interfaith’s goal is to have the building finished by sometime this fall or winter.
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…
SUMMER 2022 WORSHIP – FACES OF OUR FAITH
Created by A Sanctified Art, our summer worship series will explore ordinary people of faith – those doing what they can with what they have to make a difference. The worship series invited us into stories of those often overlooked in our Biblical narratives. Using visual art and prompts for reflection (study journal pages are available for each character explored), we hope to dig deep into the worlds of these characters, entering their stories with curiosity and openness to what they might teach us. As we journey with these characters, may they remind us that we all play a role in shaping God’s story of redemption and grace. May they awaken us to the faces of our faith in our world today. And may they encourage us to know that no action is ever too small to make a difference.
As part of the series, we will invite you to think about and name the faces of your own faith and how they have impacted you. You might wish to name friends, family members, mentors, pastors, public figures, strangers, authors, musicians, or artists … anyone and everyone who has made a lasting impact on your faith. There will be an interactive visual display in the foyer where you can add names that come to your mind (as many as you wish!) at any point in the summer.
UPCOMING WORSHIP SCHEDULE:
July 17 – Adam and Eve (Genesis 2) Pastor Tonya preaching
- Reception of Bryan & Anita Kehr as members at First Mennonite by transfer
- Blessing for Senior Youth leaving for a spiritual formation backpacking trip in Colorado with sponsors Jonathan Wenger and Tanya Martin Nisly
July 24 – Jonah (Jonah 4) 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 Thursdays (in person @ FMC) from 12:30-1:30pm. If you’d like to learn more, contact Pastor Tonya.
SUNDAY SCHOOL @ 11:00am (TWO SUNDAYS A MONTH – SEE DATES BELOW)
SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE
Sunday School will be offered for children (preschool-6th grade) on the SECOND and FOURTH Sundays during the summer from 11:00-Noon. The Younger Adults Class will meet at the same time as the children.
- July 24
- August 14 and 28
The children’s group will gather in the fellowship hall from 11-Noon on the dates listed above. Plans for Jr/Sr Youth are TBD – stay tuned!!
The two Adult Bible Study groups will take a break during the summer and begin again in the fall when weekly Sunday School for all ages will also resume.
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.
MENNONITE WORLD CONFERENCE ASSEMBLY UPDATE: INDONESIA July 5-10, 2022
(Posted July 6, the beginning of Mennonite World Conference in Indonesia)
Barriers of internet access and recording quality, of jetlag and illness, of language and culture stand in the way of MWC Assemblies but in Indonesia 5 July 2022, they did not prevent God’s people from worshipping together.
“This marks a new way of doing assembly where we can learn and fellowship in satellite locations and gather online in groups and families around the world,” says National Advisory Council member Paulus Widjaja. He cautioned against fear, “a great enemy” that causes us to exclude others.
Amid songs and dances representing Javanese culture, he presented MWC (outgoing) president J. Nelson Kraybill with a gunungan, a fan that represents the world, from Javanese theatre.
“You come to us walking on the water through the storm,” prayed J. Nelson Kraybill, acknowledging the fears facing Assembly participants.
Jesus was the greatest barrier crosser, said evening speaker Tim Geddert, on the theme of following Jesus across barriers. Jesus’ interaction with the Syrophoenician woman in Mark 7 shows both Jesus’ divinity and humanity, he says. In every Gospel passage, we should ask how we can learn from both, Tim Geddert says.
“May we throw open the doors of our lives to the disruptive Holy Spirit,” prayed Lisa Carr Pries, MWC vice president (2022-2025), in closing.
STRENGTHENING Community Connections…
FMC YOUNG ADULTS PARTICIPATING IN MISSION NETWORK SERVICE PROGRAMS (FALL 2022)
This fall both Michaela Esau and Micah Wenger are 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),
- send a check to Mennonite Mission Network (718 N Main Street, Newton, KS 67114 … for Michaela put MVS and her name in the memo line; for Micah put SA and his name)
- or donate on their personal fundraising pages:
Micah https://igfn.us/vf/SAColorado/MicahWenger
Michaela https://igfn.us/vf/MVSTucson/MichaelaEsau
NEW VIDEO BLOG (VLOG) FROM PASTOR JIM
Check out Pastor Jim’s new Video Blog (also known as a Vlog) on our church website: https://hutchfmc.org/ (scroll all the way down to the bottom of the home page!).
You’ll also find past episodes of “Beautiful Salt City Podcast” in which Pastor Jim talks with people in our community to learn their life stories and to dream together for a future story for our beautiful salt city.
JEFF KAUFFMAN has requested transfer of his church membership
We send our blessings with Jeff as he becomes a member of First Mennonite Church, Newton.
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
- Tuesday and Thursday 9:00am – 2:00pm
- Wednesday – 10:00am – 1:00pm
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)
Pastor Tonya is back from vacation and Mennonite World Conference and will be in the office as usual, except for the last weekend in July when she will be attending Western District Conference Assembly in Texas (gone July 29-31).
STRETCHING to Serve as Christ Served…
SUNDAY MORNING DONATIONS FOR RENO COUNTY FOOD BANK – ITEM OF THE MONTH FOR JULY
. . . is Hamburger or Tuna Helper!
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.
FMC SERVES AT THE CHRISTIAN SOUP MINISTRY IN HUTCH ON JULY 23
Help is needed on Saturday, July 23 to cook (starting around 2:00pm), to deliver meals around 4:00pm, and to serve the meal at 5:00pm. Donations of applesauce and salad greens are also requested. Bring to the church the Sunday before, or to the soup kitchen on the 23rd. A signup sheet is posted on the “Sign Up” bulletin board in the church foyer. Questions? Contact Kevin Martin Nisly, Sadie Nisly, or Juliet Nisly.
COLORADO PEACHES FUNDRAISER FOR COLORADO MCC RELIEF SALE
Colorado peaches are back! Place your order for fresh Colorado peaches at just $27 for 10 lb. box and $38 for 18 lb. box by calling MCC at 316.283.2720 or emailing patsydirksen@mcc.org. Peaches must be ordered and paid for by July 25. The peaches are offered as a fundraiser for the Colorado MCC Relief Sale, please make payment by check to Beth-El Mennonite Church with “peaches” in the memo line.Generous volunteers Jerry & Leann Toews will bring the peaches from Colorado to MCC in North Newton for you to pick-up around August 22.
WESTERN DISTRICT CONFERENCE announcements
WDC annual assembly will be July 29-31! WDC delegates, friends, and their families will gather at Camp Copass, Denton, TX. Delegates from FMC will be Carol Moore (virtual), Ken Neufeld (in person), Tonya Ramer Wenger (in person), Delon Martens (in person) and Joretta Martens (in person).
KANSAS STATE FAIR VOLUNTEERS . . . info and form on the table in the foyer
The Kansas State Fair needs volunteers for a variety of positions. A list of jobs and sign-up forms are on the table in the foyer. Volunteers must be 16 or older and will receive free gate admission and food tickets.
MENNONITE CHURCH USA announcements
Special Session of the Delegate Assembly: What Now? . . . July 18, 2022, 6:00 CDT
The Delegate Assembly is over, and decisions have been made. What has changed? What does it mean for my conference, my congregation and me? What opportunities are there for us to live into our Renewed Commitments to “follow Jesus, witness to God’s peace and experience the transformation of the Holy Spirit”? This webinar is open to anyone. Register here: https://mcusa.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_A2PQJswhRVGqxGBG9KfezQ
Carolyn E. Yoder invites you to enter into her blog. In times that “try our souls,” it is easy to be tempted into the narrative that there is a good and a bad side. In her Menno Snapshots blog, Carolyn E. Yoder wrestles with what it means to be an Anabaptist in times like these. “These are the times that try our nonresistant/nonviolent souls. May they also be the times that accelerate the rising consciousness of another way to meet evil in the world.” Read more here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/times-that-try-our-souls
Mennonites Against Militarism – a collaboration of Mennonite Church USA and Mennonite Central Committee, U.S. – is seeking to launch an initiative to counter military recruitment of U.S. youth, called Alternatives to Military Enlistment Network (AMEN). AMEN invites interested volunteers to complete a brief survey that identifies areas in which they may engage with AMEN, including administration, web and graphic design, publicity, budgeting, fundraising and guidance/career counseling. Learn more here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/news/mennonites-against-militarism-seeks-volunteers/
Take the survey here: https://rb.gy/gbehlm
MENNONITE CENTRAL COMMITTEE (MCC) announcements
MCC School Kits (ITEMS DUE @ CHURCH BY SUNDAY JULY 24) – the following supplies fill one bag:
- 4 spiral or perforated notebooks (about 8.5” x 10.5”), 70 sheets
- 8 new unsharpened pencils
- 2 new black or blue ballpoint pens
- 1 ruler (flat, flexible plastic, 12”)
- 12 colored pencils (in packaging) [no crayons]
Place your donations in the designated basket under the table in the foyer by SUNDAY MORNING JULY 24. Kits will be packed that Sunday by the kids Sunday School class.
Notebooks and pencils are treasures for families who struggle to afford basic school supplies. School kits often are requested after disasters and help bring normalcy to children whose families have been forced to flee their homes. Last year MCC shipped 52,549 school kits to Ecuador, Jordan, Syria, Ukraine and Zambia.
MCC in need of material resources – MCC is resuming shipments of material resources to Ukraine. Go to mcc.org/kits for information on needed supplies and drop-off locations.
CAMP MENNOSCAH announcements
This expression of gratitude was sent by Camp Mennoscah for contributions given by FMC above and beyond the fees for FMC’s Sunday at Mennoscah.
Greetings from Camp Mennoscah!
Thank you, First Mennonite Church of Hutchinson, for your generous gift. Camp Mennoscah’s vision to create a sacred space for people of all ages to renew themselves, their relationships, and their connection with God through Jesus Christ is realized only with your help.
On behalf of the Camp Mennoscah Board of Directors and the Camp Mennoscah staff, thank you for your donation to Camp Mennoscah. Your gift will be used to continue our mission to provide a retreat for people of all ages. Your willingness to share in our work through your giving is greatly appreciated.
We gratefully acknowledge your contribution of $344.00 for the Camp Mennoscah General Fund. Thank you for your long and continued support of our camping ministry in so many ways. With peace and prayers, Olivia Bartel, executive director
‘Tis the Season for Mowers and String Trimmers! Camp Mennoscah is looking for people to help us keep the campgrounds trimmed and looking neat. Let us know when you would be able to mow or string trim! Call 620-297-3290 or email office@campmennoscah.org –we’ll get you scheduled!
BETHEL COLLEGE announcements
The 2022 issue of Mennonite Life, Bethel College’s annual online journal, is now live at ml.bethelks.edu, with articles and reviews by Daniel Shank Cruz, Chris Dick, June Mears Driedger, Susan Kennel Harrison, Raylene Hinz-Penner, Gordon Houser, Reinhild K. Janzen, Gayle Gerber Koontz, Steve Nolt, Rachel Pannabecker, Karen Reimer, Ben Woodward-Breckbill and Melanie Zuercher.
Life Enrichment returns to Bethel College with the start of the fall 2022 semester – but It will be on a different day. Life Enrichment resumes Thursday, Aug. 25, and will be on Thursdays thereafter. Place and time remain the same: Krehbiel Auditorium, 9:30 a.m. See https://www.bethelks.edu/academics/convocation-lectures/life-enrichment for more information, and look for a brochure coming later this summer.
DOVE’S NEST
This message from Nancy Major, Dove’s Nest executive director:
It’s summer and that means a lot of kids are out and about, often without adult supervision or structured day programs. As much as we wish all kids had the opportunity to enjoy carefree, fun-filled days, we know that summer can bring additional safety concerns. Please keep your eyes and ears open and don’t ignore a gut-feeling if something doesn’t seem quite right with a child in your community. Here are some basic tips for recognizing child abuse and/or neglect and what you can do:
Recognizing Child Abuse
- If you see a child you know who’s acting differently, it could be a sign of abuse or neglect.
- When you have concerns for a child’s well-being, the indicators listed below may help guide you.
- Many of these signs could be caused by things other than abuse or neglect. However, these indicators can indicate that a child’s safety may be at risk and the situation should be assessed by a professional who is able to determine the causes of these symptoms and offer the help and assistance necessary to reduce the child’s risk.
Signs of Neglect*
- Lacks needed medical or dental care, immunizations, or glasses
- Is frequently absent from school
- Begs for or steals food or money
- Lacks sufficient clothing for the weather
- States that there is no one home to provide care
- Lacks adult supervision
Signs of Abuse
- Discloses maltreatment
- Is reluctant to be around a particular person
- Shows sudden changes in behavior or school performance
- Has unexplained bruises or injuries
Remember, if you see something, SAY something! You could save a child’s life!
If you think a child is in immediate danger, call the police at 911!
Childhelp: Call or text for crisis intervention, information, literature, and referrals. Operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 800-4-A-CHILD
Missing & Exploited Children:? Have you seen a missing child? Contact the Cybertipline 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. Reports may also be made online at www.cybertipline.com. 800-THE-LOST (843-5678)
National Runaway Safeline: The national communications system for runaway and homeless youth. Call, text, or email for youth crisis intervention. Operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. https://www.1800runaway.org/
ANABAPTIST DISABILITIES NETWORK (ADN)
ADN is grateful to offer the recording of “Dementia and Congregational Care,” a webinar held virtually on Thursday, June 16. The webinar was led by Heddie Sumner, RN, BSN, and co-hosted by Church of the Brethren Discipleship Ministries and Anabaptist Disabilities Network. Watch and view more resources at the link: https://www.anabaptistdisabilitiesnetwork.org/Resources/Webinars/Pages/Dementia-and-Congregational-Care.aspx