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O Lord and Divine Master, make me an instrument of your peace … where there is doubt, [let me sow] faith. This line of the St Francis Peace Prayer is our focus this week, leading us into worship this coming Sunday (July 4). As we cultivate life with God for the world, we practice sowing seeds of faith amid doubt. You’ve probably heard it said, too, that faith and doubt are two sides of the same coin. We’ll always live with both, and doubt certainly has its rightful place. Yet as we orient our lives toward God, hopefully we learn to lean more and more into faith … something powerful enough, according to Jesus, to move mountains. Faith is active, and has the power to move us in unexpected ways (perhaps that’s the mountain Jesus was talking about!).
Alongside this line of the Peace Prayer I’m also listening this week to a number of other sources to dig deeper into this theme of sowing seeds of faith amid doubt as instruments of God’s peace in the world:
Jesus’ teaching: “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”
The story of the hemorrhaging woman in Luke 8:40-48 seeking Jesus out, touching just the hem of his cloak, and finding herself healed by Jesus.
And this powerful poem:
The Garments of God (by Jessica Powers)
God sits on a chair of darkness in my soul.
He is God alone, supreme in His majesty.
I sit at his feet, a child in the dark beside Him;
my joy is aware of His glance and my sorrow is tempted
to nest on the thought that His face is turned from me.
He is clothed in the robes of His mercy, voluminous garments
not velvet or silk and affable to the touch,
but fabric strong for a frantic hand to clutch,
and I hold to it fast with the fingers of my will.
Here is my cry of faith, my deep avowal
to the Divinity that I am dust.
Here is the loud profession of my trust.
I will not go abroad
to the hills of speech or the hinterlands of music
for a crier to walk in my soul where all is still.
I have this potent prayer through good or ill:
here in the dark I clutch the garments of God.
-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!
Masks and distancing are now optional in the church building for those who have been fully vaccinated and are 2 weeks past their last shot. In keeping with CDC guidelines, we ask that unvaccinated people continue to wear masks. In addition, we ask any adults working with children to also wear masks while in the building. Recognizing that not everyone is eligible to receive the vaccine, including children, and that there are some with immune-compromised people in their lives, we ask that we work together to be sensitive to the needs, decisions, and well-being of all.
SUNDAY, JULY 4: Cultivating Life with God for the World – Sowing seeds of faith amid doubt
(Matthew 5:5; Luke 8:40-48)
- Preacher: Tonya Ramer Wenger
- Worship Leader: Eldon Wagler
- Children’s Time: Susan Combs
- Scripture Reader: TBD
- Organist: Pauline Buller
- Ushers: Susan Combs & Joretta Martens
- 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
- June 30 – Faith Formation Coordination Team meets – 5:30pm
- July 6-10 – MCUSA Convention (Pastor Tonya and Pauline Buller, FMC delegates, will attend virtually)
- July 13-16 – Pastor Tonya on family vacation
- July 19-23 – Pastor Tonya at Women Touched by Grace Retreat in Indiana
- July 29 – Congregation Ministry Team meets – 4:30pm
- July 31-August 1 – Western District Conference Annual Assembly – hybrid event (virtual & in-person)
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 GROUP
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.
SUMMER WORSHIP SERIES – CULTIVATING LIFE WITH GOD FOR THE WORLD (MAY 30-AUG 1)
Guided by the Peace Prayer of St. Francis and Jesus’ Beatitudes we’ll dig deeper in our life with God, discovering how such a life is not just for us, but for the sake of this world God loves. We’ll explore what it might look like to allow God to make us into ‘instruments’ of God’s peace, love, pardon, faith, hope, light, and joy.
UPPER ROOM and REJOICE! devotional magazines
UPPER ROOM and REJOICE! 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)
- July 4
- July 18
- August 1
- August 15
Adult Sunday School Bible Study @ 10:45AM (See summer schedule below)
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.
- July 4 – “How to Be a Neighbor” – Jim Unruh, facilitator
- July 18 – “Who Is Your Neighbor? – Calvin Buller, facilitator
Check your email for the ZOOM link or contact Pastor Tonya.
STRENGTHENING Community Connections…
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. The updated bylaws/constitution will be available two weeks prior to this meeting. Following the meeting, the Senior Youth will provide a fundraiser Hamburger Fry lunch. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend the meeting, however only members and associate members will cast votes.
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, STRENTHEN, 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?
AFTER WORSHIP FELLOWSHIP TIME 2ND SUNDAYS IN JULY AND AUGUST
Plan to stay after worship for a more extended fellowship time with coffee/tea (and maybe treats!) on the second Sundays of the month through the summer. We’ll plan to gather outside in the columbarium area for this time of fellowship, weather permitting.
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 – 2:00
- Wednesday 10am-1pm
PASTOR TONYA’S HOURS & UPCOMING VACATION SCHEDULE
- Monday: Sabbath Day
- Tuesday-Friday: generally working 9am-5:30pm(ish)
- Available evenings and weekends (cell phone is most reliable)
- Tuesday July 13-Friday July 16 – vacation
- Monday July 19-Friday July 23 – Women Touched by Grace Retreat
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!
VOLUNTEER TO TEND FMC’s ROSE GARDEN
Faithful Stewardship Coordination Team is seeking a volunteer to tend the rose garden near the north entrance of the church building. Anyone interested is invited to talk with Allen Yoder. Many thanks to Lorene Graber and Cliff Dick for serving as our rose garden care takers .
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.
KANSAS MENNONITE RELIEF SALE (KMRS). . . July 2 and 3, 2021, at the Kansas State Fair grounds
Stay connected and don’t miss a thing at this year’s MCC Relief Sale! Get live updates and other up-to-the-minute information via Facebook, Instagram & Twitter. Go to @kansas.mccsale on Facebook and @ksmccsale on both Instagram and Twitter to like and follow. The KMRS website https://kansas.mccsale.org/ offers lots of information about items selling in the General Auction, the quilt auction and other venues.
Volunteers are still needed at a variety of venues at the KMRS. To find out more about volunteer openings, please go to the KMRS website and click the Volunteer link https://kansas.mccsale.org/ or email Barb Reeves <BJ.Reeves@live.com>
CAMP MENNOSCAH announcements
Family Weekend at Camp Mennoscah on July 17-18! If you are looking for a weekend to escape, Family Weekend offers a smorgasbord of camp activities for you to choose from and plenty of time to roam the river and be with your family and friends. Register at campmennoscah.org and contact 620-297-3290 with questions!
Extra help and hands needed for summer youth camps! Camp Mennoscah has paid and volunteer positions for grounds, maintenance and custodial positions. For those of college age, there is a weekly stipend position that could be a lifeguard, grounds, or custodial position. Contact Camp Mennoscah at 620-297-3290 or olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org for details. You will make camp an amazing experience for everyone!
Work Day at Camp Mennoscah is planned for August 28. We’ll remind you again, but save the date. You make camp great!
WESTERN DISTRICT CONFERENCE announcements
Anyone interested in serving as a delegate for FMC to Western District Conference Annual Assembly is encouraged to talk with Pastor Tonya by July 4 so we can submit our delegate list. The delegate session will be conducted virtually on Saturday, July 30. Worship and seminars will be hybrid events. Cost of attendance will be by donation with suggested contributions posted on the website. More details are posted at https://mennowdc.org/2021-wdc-annual-assembly/
WDC Women’s Retreat . . . September 11-12 (in-person) – mark your calendar
Staff position opening: WDC seeks a full time Administrative Assistant to work out of its North Newton, KS office, beginning August 25. Responsibilities include office management, communications, records management, scheduling, and administrative support for staff. Qualifications include strong organizational, computer and communication skills, ability to collaborate as part of a team, and willingness to promote WDC’s mission and priorities. For more information, position description and application materials, contact Heidi Regier Kreider, Conference Minister, at heidirk@mennowdc.org or 316-283-6300.
MENNONITE CENTRAL COMMITTEE announcements
MCC requests donations of dark colored hand towels for hygiene kits or cash for relief kits. Both hygiene and relief kits have been used for COVID-19 relief efforts around the world. Both towels or cash donations may be brought to the MCC booth at the Sale on July 2-3, located in Sunflower North, where the General Auction takes place. Or bring towels to the MCC Central States Office in North Newton. Send cash contributions to MCC Central States, 121 E. 30th, PO Box 235, North Newton, KS 67117.
MENNONITE CHURCH USA announcements
Want to be an integral part of a young adult’s life? Become a unit leader for Service Adventure, a gap-year program for ages 17-20 from Mennonite Mission Network. Unit leaders, who are at least 24 years of age, serve as mentors to the young adults in the Service Adventure household. Leaders are needed in Johnstown, PA. Learn more by contacting SusanN@MennoniteMission.net.
EVERENCE to hold Social Security and retirement income planning webinar
Everence will host a Social Security and retirement income planning webinar, on Tuesday, June 16 at 6:30 p.m. Attendees will learn about Social Security strategies, risks that can impact retirement savings and strategies to help income last throughout retirement. The workshop is free. Register soon by contacting Darlene Buller at 316-283-3800, 877-467-7294 or darlene.buller@everence.com.