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This week at FMC

May 11-18, 2021

Table of Contents

“With God for the world.”  This is one way M. Robert Muholland, Jr. describes the spiritual journey in his book The Deeper Journey: The Spirituality of Discovering Your True Self.  This is a book I read during Lent, and I keep quoting it because it really had an impact on me!! 

“With God for the world” is an important corrective to the more common posture of being “In the world for God.”  This past Sunday I close my sermon with a prayer based on a daily ‘rule of life’ Muholland suggests at the end of his book.  This daily rule of life is cultivating unexpected hope in me as I trust and expect that “all day long [God] is working for good in the world.”  Upon request, I’m including it here for you to return to if you wish!

Gracious God, we pause to breathe deeply of your presence, acknowledging and trusting you are the context of our being and the content of our living.  New every morning is your love, and all day long you are working for good in the world.

God, our desire is to have you be the primary reality in our lives.  Stir up in each of us the desire to be yours in all things today.  Holding this desire, we meditate on what this day holds for us.

In all that we are and all that we do this day, free us from anxious care for ourselves so that we can fully abandon ourselves to you.  Help us to have you be the sole content of our lives today.  Orient us more and more towards you.  Keep us rooted in your word. Open us to your Spirit speaking to us through the words of scripture on the page and in our daily living.

And now we pause in silence … turning our gaze toward You at the core of our being, trusting you are our true life.  Here may we discover our life hidden with Christ in You, O God.    [silence]    AMEN. 

-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! 

CMT ANNOUNCEMENT LIMITING IN-PERSON GATHERINGS

The 2021 Congregational Ministry Team (Delon Martens-chair, Jennalee Boggs-chair-elect, Julie Esau, Kevin Martin Nisly, Carol Moore, and the pastors) affirms the recommendations of the RE-Opening Task Force – Carol Moore, Dohn Fast, Joretta Martens, Todd Esau, Pastor Tonya).   We continue to lean toward caution, keeping in place the precautions of masks, physical distancing, hand washing and no gathering in the foyer.  Currently, you no longer have to call ahead, but the same precautions are in place which will continue to limit the number in the sanctuary.  Overflow options will be available.  CMT and the Re-Opening Taskforce will continue to monitor data from the Reno County Health Department, and make decisions accordingly. 

SUNDAY, May 16:  Celebrating Ministry of Camp Mennoscah (7th Sunday of Easter)

  • Preacher:  Renetta Gooden, chair of Camp Mennoscah Board of Directors
  • Worship Leader:  Delon Martens
  • Children’s Time:  Bonnie Swenson, member Camp Mennoscah Board of Directors
  • Scripture Reader: TBD
  • Musicians:  Magdalena Wenger, Tonya Ramer Wenger
  • Ushers:  Stephanie & Jay Gehring
  • 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

  • May 11 – Service & Outreach Coordination Team @ 7:00pm
  • May 20 – Congregational Ministry Team @ 5:00pm
  • “Guess Who’s Coming to the Yard!” – June 6 & 13 (registrations due May 23 – see details below)
  • June 20 – FMC Retreat at Camp Mennoscah (no services @ 52 Rambler Rd) – see details below)

GRADUATION EVENTS

  • Hesston College Commencement – Saturday, May 1 – www.hesston.edu/commencement
  • William Jewell College Commencement – Saturday, May 15, 9:00am ceremony via livestream.
  • Bethel College Commencement – Sunday, May 16, 4 p.m., at Thresher Stadium (seating restrictions)
  • Hutchinson High School GraduationSunday, May 23, at 2 p.m. at Gowans Stadium (seating restrictions, will also be livestreamed)
  • Goshen College Commencement – Sunday, April 25

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 (with masks and distancing).  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. 

MAY 16 WORSHIP CELEBRATING THE MINISTRY OF CAMP MENNOSCAH

On May 16 we plan to celebrate the ministry of Camp Mennoscah with Renetta Gooden (from the Camp Mennoscah Board of Directors) as our guest preacher.  Typically on this Sunday we have done a fundraiser meal to help pay for our church’s retreat out at Camp Mennoscah the third Sunday in June.  While we are not doing a meal this year, we still invite your donations to help fund this time away at camp where we can gather for an outdoor worship service, swimming in the pool, and lunch together.  Costs for this event are not covered in our church budget.  Basic rental for one-day use is $325, with additional costs for overnight camping, pool rental and lunch.  Your contributions over the next several weeks are greatly appreciated to help make this opportunity available for all.

PENTECOST WORSHIP ON MAY 23 – OUTSIDE WITH COMMUNION

Plan to gather for another outdoor worship service (weather permitting!) in our parking lot on Sunday May 23 to celebrate Pentecost.  Like we did on Easter, bring lawn chairs if you can and we’ll also have some folding chairs available.  We will celebrate communion together as part of the service.

CAMP MENNOSCAH RETREAT/SUNDAY WORSHIP – JUNE 20!!

Mark your calendars for Sunday morning worship at Camp Mennoscah on June 20!!  Worship will be at 10:00am, swimming at 11:00, and lunch served at 12:15pm.  (Signup for lunch is requested on the sheet in the foyer or call the church office.)  If you would be interested in coming out to camp Saturday evening and staying overnight in cabins (or you could bring a tent), please let the church office know, and then we’ll plan accordingly depending on how many are interested.

UPPER ROOM and REJOICE! devotional magazines

UPPER ROOM and REJOICE! are available above the mailboxes.  New issues of both are now available beginning with May devotionals. Please let us know if you would like a copy mailed to you. 

SPRING SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE

  • Preschool: 10:45-11:30am
  • Kindergarten – 6th grade: 10:45-11:30am
  • 7th-8th grade: 10:45-11:30AM
  • High School youth:  11:45AM (in person at the church)

Adult Sunday School Bible Study @ 10:45AM (Meets the first three Sundays of the month)

NOTE THE NEW TIME: 10:45-11:30AM!!!!!   You are invited to join this class on ZOOM or in person in the fellowship hall.  Below is the schedule for this Adult Bible Study using the Salt and Light discussion guide.  This will be our last Sunday on the theme, Living for God, written by Leonard Beechy.  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.

  • MAY 16 – “Jesus Transformed,” Luke 9:18-36. Pastor Jim facilitating
  • NO Adult class on May 23 or 30.

Check your email for the ZOOM link or contact Pastor Tonya. 

YOUNG(ER) ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS @ 10:45am

Gather with other young(er) adults in this newly formed class at FMC!  The group will be discerning and deciding together the focus and content of their time together. 

NO SUNDAY SCHOOL ON MAY 30!!!

SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE

Over the summer, we’re planning to have Sunday School the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month, with the exception of June which will be the 1st and 4th Sundays.  Watch here for more details!

Masks and physical distancing practices will continue for all in-person gatherings at the church.

STRENGTHENING Community Connections…

GUESS WHO’S COMING TO THE YARD 2.0!

Sign up by May 23 to participate in our second “Guess Who’s Coming to the Yard!” event.  This is a pandemic friendly version of “Guess Who’s Coming to Lunch!” that was well received last fall.  Sign up to be a host (of 6-8 people) or a guest.  Choose between Sundays June 6 and June 13 at 6:30pm. Sign up by MAY 23 on the sheet on the table in the foyer or call the church office.

CELEBRATING WITH OUR GRADUATES – MAY 23 BLESSING

We celebrate with the following graduates and their families, and will officially recognize and bless them

on May 23.  As is our tradition, we’ll be gifting our high school graduates with mugs and their Christmas ornament. 

  • Hutchinson High School: Jacob Unruh, Jay Sylvester
  • William Jewell College:  Michaela Esau
  • Hesston College:  Alex Miller
  • Bethel College: Jeff Kauffman
  • Goshen College: Laura Miller

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    

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

PASTOR TONYA’S HOURS

  • Monday:  Sabbath Day
  • Tuesday-Friday:  generally working 9am-5:30pm(ish)
  • Available evenings and weekends (cell phone is most reliable)

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!

DELEGATES FOR MENNOCON21 – MC USA CONVENTION – (HYBRID) JULY 6-10, 2021

If you would you be interested in serving as a delegate for the MC USA Convention in Cincinnati OH this summer, please talk with Delon Martens (CMT Chair) or Pastor Tonya for more details.  We are encouraging participating virtually for the event this year.   See the MC USA Convention announcement in the “STRETCHING” section below for a few more details and a link to learn more.

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.

MENNONITE FRIENDSHIP COMMUNITIES (MFC) open house

Mennonite Friendship Communities welcomes you to an open house from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, May 15. Enjoy a self-paced tour of the beautiful Independent Living duplexes and apartments. Please wear a facemask, and social distancing will be encouraged as you tour the campus. Also, take advantage of the special rates: 10 percent off a life lease, or $1,500 off apartment rental over three months, plus $500 off monthly services. For more information, please call or text Kristen Birket at (620) 663-7175 or email Kristen@MennoFriend.com.

FMC SERVES AT SOUP KITCHEN – May 22

The Soup Kitchen is now serving on site and delivery.  Here are volunteer positions needed for May 22.

  • Food preparation             2:00-3:30pm
  • Delivery route                   4:00-5:30pm
  • Serve & clean up              4:45-6:00

Call Jane or Eldon Wagler, or Juliet Nisly or Kevin Martin Nisly directly to volunteer.

KANSAS MENNONITE RELIEF SALE (KMRS)

Almonds have arrived and are for sale in the Etcetera stores in Hutchinson, Newton and Hillsboro and the MCC Center in North Newton.  Selling price is $10/bag with donations welcomed.  The money will all go to MCC. 

KS MENNONITE RELIEF SALE GEAR is here!  Get your gear online at https://wearatomic.com/product-category/mcc/    The proceeds from the sale of these products go to support MCC.  

QUILTER’S CORNER –  July 2-3, 2021. Quilter’s Corner welcomes your donated QUILT-RELATED ITEMS throughout the year. These used/unused/unfinished items no longer needed in your quilt/sewing/linen closets will be sold to generate funds for MCC relief work around the world. The Fall 2020 Quilter’s Corner brought in over $23,000 for MCC. SUGGESTED ITEMS: • finished/unfinished quilt tops • finished/unfinished quilt blocks • old and damaged quilts • quilt supplies and tools • linens • cloth sacks • quilt books • quilt magazines (2011 – current) • quilt patterns • notions • fabric – cotton.  Items may be dropped off at the MCC Center in North Newton throughout the year. Boxes and bags should be labeled Quilter’s Corner. One of the baskets in the church foyer is designated for Quilter’s Corner donations.  Questions??  Rose Wiebe Haury 316-288-0079,  haury@juno.com

. . . . . . Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale will be held July 2 and 3, 2021, at the Kansas State Fair grounds. . . . . . .

CAMP MENNOSCAH announcements

Summer Youth Camp registration is open!   Register online here!  There are still openings!!!

FMC offers a camp scholarship to each child/youth associated with FMC.  The scholarship covers part of the registration fee.  Please email the church office to let us know when your child has registered to attend.

Finish the Campfire Amphitheater!  Work days are currently scheduled for the following days: May 15. Email office@campmennoscah.org or call 620-297-3290 to volunteer for this project. 

Help set up camp tents!  Volunteers are needed to help set up the HUGE tents used for this summer’s youth camps at Camp Mennoscah.  Setup will happen May 28 and 29.  Sign up by May 15 by contacting 620-297-3290 or olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org.

Camp Mennoscah is looking for additional staff to help with extra tasks necessary this summer.  The person should be at least 18 years old and will be paid the summer staff stipend.  A multiple-week/full summer commitment is preferred, but those with partial summer availability are invited to apply.  Complete the Summer Staff application at www.campmennoscah.org

Camp Mennoscah has a new tee shirt design and new colors to choose from! The design and colors can be found at www.campmennoscah.org   Pre-ordering will be available until May 15.  If you or your camper ordered a tee shirt during camper registration (including Bring a Friends), please complete the survey so we are sure to get the tee shirt you want.  (You will not be able to change colors or sizes after ordering.)  Camp tees are so much fun to wear! 

Camp Mennoscah is seeking to fill a part-time custodian/housekeeper position.  Hours average 10 per week and are flexible, dependent upon the camp schedule.  For more information, contact Camp Mennoscah at 620-297-3290 or olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org

Nurses needed for summer youth camps!  Camp Mennoscah needs nurses for June 17-19 (First Camp), June 20-26 (Junior I) and July 25-30 (Senior High).  Nurses receive a stipend or a discount up to full camp fees for their camper (camper does not have to attend the same camp week).  Contact us at 620-297-3290 or olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org for more information.

Congratulations, Deborah!  Camp Mennoscah’s dedicated and generous office assistant of over 7 years, is retiring!  She has reduced her hours and has graciously agreed to stay on for a time while the next assistant is found.  Camp Mennoscah is seeking someone to share in office/support operations and guest services in a position with potential growth.  Contact olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org for information.

WESTERN DISTRICT CONFERENCE announcements

The WDC Resource Library is now open to the public – Library capacity will be limited to one household in the library at a time.  The self-checkout station & library catalog computer will remain off during this phase of reopening.  Please see library staff or WDC staff for assistance in looking up items (or browse the catalog on your smartphone).  Please plan to make your visit to the library quick and not linger (couches/chairs will be turned around for the time being).  Please stop at the WDC front lobby to check whether there is anyone in the library.  Questions? Contact the library at crlib@mennowdc.org    As in the rest of the WDC offices, masks are required while you are in the library.  The library continues to offer service to any individual or congregation in WDC via the United States Postal Service–check out the online catalog here.

MENNONITE MISSION NETWORK  (MMN) expresses appreciation for FMC gifts

MMN 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 $3,938.00 in 2020!  Your prayers, participation and generous financial support empower us to bring inspiration and innovation to the church and our partners across the street and around the world, so that people of all cultures may be transformed by Jesus Christ.  – Mike Sherrill, Executive Director and CEO

MENNONITE CHURCH USA . . . WORSHIP, STUDY, PRAYER RESOURCES

MennoCon21

Mennonite Church USA has announced the registration rates for MennoCon21, its first hybrid convention, to be held in Cincinnati, Ohio, and online on July 6-10. 2021. In-person attendance is $325 per person for the five-day event and online attendance is $99. For more details, visit mennoniteusa.org/news/registration-rates-mennocon21/

Glen Guyton has been reappointed for a second three-year term as executive director of Mennonite Church USA. Read about his goals and accomplishments here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/glen-second-term

Amy Yoder McGloughlin – mom, pastor and peacemaker with Christian Peacemaking Teams – as part of its Learn, Pray, Join: Cost of War initiative. Read about Yoder McGloughlin’s journey in “From Palestine to Pennsylvania, peacemaking is not passive.” https://www.mennoniteusa.org/palestine-to-pa

Carlos Romero – first Latino executive director of Mennonite Education Agency shares about his anti-racism work in the education system in a recent interview. Read more. https://www.mennoniteusa.org/table-menno-education En español: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/por-ampliar-la-mesa

MENNONITE MISSION NETWORK, Elkhart, IN is seeking to fill two senior level positions.

Senior Executive of Ventures

Help create, foster, and deliver collaborative programs and services to our constituents and partners. 

Senior Executive of Operations

Oversee administrative and operational functions of the organization.

Detailed position descriptions are here.  Letters of interest and resumes should be emailed to StaffRecruitment@MennoniteMIssion.net.


EVERENCE announces webinars

Everence will host the following free, online webinars during the month of May; all starting at 6:30 p.m.

  • Making your wishes known Tuesday, May 11
  • Navigating education savings: 529 plans Tuesday, May 18
  • Social Security and retirement income planning Tuesday, May 25

To register, or learn more about each webinar event, please visit our webpage at https://www.everence.com/locations-and-atms/kansas