Table of Contents
“The great Easter truth is not that we live newly after death, but that we are to be new here and now by the power of the resurrection.”
–Phillips Brooks (1835-1893 American Episcopal clergyman)
PLEASE NOTE: Our next THIS WEEK will post on April 25. Check these announcements regularly for events planned for April.
SUNDAY MORNING Worship at 9:30am
The link to join is on our website: www.hutchfmc.org Join 5 minutes early for announcements.
COLD, FLU and COVID-19 safety suggestions
Along with recommending that everyone traveling on planes, trains, buses, and other public transportation wear masks, the CDC also recommends that as COVID-19 numbers and other illness spike, wearing a mask indoors in public spaces is a good idea. Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines. Get tested if you have symptoms. Stay home if you are not feeling well.
SUNDAY, APRIL 16 – Great Commission
Matthew 28:16-20; (Psalm 40:9-10)
- Preacher: Jim Unruh
- Worship Leader: Nick Krehbiel
- Song Leader: Cathia Krehbiel
- Children’s Time: Diane Ziemer
- Scripture Reader: Stephanie Gehring
- Pianist: Peggy Stucky
- Ushers: Don Wiens & Russell Goering
- Nursery Attendant: Fred & Mary Wade
- Sound Tech: Earl Ediger
- Live Stream Tech: Jay Gehring
SUNDAY, APRIL 23 – Peter’s Vision
Voices Together Dedication and Celebration with Cynthia Neufeld Smith
Matthew 28:16-20; (Psalm 40:9-10)
- Preacher: Cynthia Neufeld Smith
- Worship Leader: Calvin Buller & Pastor Tonya
- Song Leaders: Cynthia Neufeld Smith and vocal ensemble
- Children’s Time: Cynthia Neufeld Smith
- Scripture Reader: TBA
- Keyboardists: Peggy Stucky, Pastor Tonya, Pauline Buller
- Other musicians: Cathia Krehbiel, Stephanie Gehring, Bryan Kehr
- Ushers: Dennis & Jennalee Boggs
- Nursery Attendant: Julie Esau
- Sound Tech: Murray Reimer
- Live Stream Tech: Sadie Nisly
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 and after worship. 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.
OFFERINGS
We welcome, and are grateful for, your financial donations to our ministry here in Hutchinson. Instead of collecting an offering during worship (except on special occasions), an offering box is placed at the back of the sanctuary for your Sunday morning donations. You can also now make a donation directly from our website (www.hutchfmc.org) using a credit card or your banking account. You are also welcome to send a check to 52 Rambler Rd Hutchinson KS 67502.
THE LAND IS NOT EMPTY (by Sarah Augustine) . . . book study invitation open to everyone
You are invited to join an FMC study group, which will be reading and discussing this book over the next 5 months. Discussion will take place here at FMC on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 1:00pm, April through August. Our first meeting will be April 19, at 1:00pm at FMC. Please speak with Julie Goering if you would like to join us. The book is available for purchase through local book sellers or on-line vendors. The author of this book, Sarah Augustine, will be joining us for worship on July 9, during her time in Hutchinson helping lead the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery Annual Meeting, which will be held here at FMC that weekend. We look forward to opportunities to learn from her and others in the Coalition, and anticipate a thoughtful discussion of her work in this book. In the book, “Augustine unpacks the harm of the Doctrine of Discovery—a set of laws rooted in the fifteenth century that gave Christian governments the moral and legal right to seize lands they ‘discovered’ despite those lands already being populated by Indigenous Peoples. The laws were legitimized by the church and justified by a misreading of Scripture.”
CALENDAR – LOOKING AHEAD
- April 14-15 – Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale – State Fair grounds
- April 23 – Celebration and dedication of our new hymnals, Voices Together
- April 30 – Rev. Lee Lever preaching, and also presenting a review of our pastor/congregation review
REMINDER: If you are last one out of the church building, be SURE the doors lock behind you.
DEEPENING in Christ…
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.
LPC: Listening-Prayer-Conversation Groups — NO APRIL GATHERINGS
Two monthly LPC (Listening-Prayer-Conversation) groups are offered each month. Due to Pastor Tonya’s schedule, these groups will NOT meet in April.
APRIL 23 DEDICATION OF NEW VOICES TOGETHER HYMNAL
We are excited to welcome Cynthia Neufeld Smith, a member of the Voices Together Hymnal Committee, to lead us in a Dedication service of our new hymnal. Cynthia is helping give shape to the service and will be bringing the sermon that morning as well.
APRIL 30 WORSHIP and PRESENTATION of APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY REPORT
Rev. Lee Lever will be with us on April 30, offering the sermon in our worship service. During the Sunday school hour, Rev. Lever will present his report of the pastor/congregation review in which we, as a congregation, participated on February 19. This is an opportunity to hear a summary of our reflections about how God’s Spirit is moving among us; what we value as an Anabaptist congregation located in Hutchinson, Kansas; and how Pastor Tonya’s ministry is leading us into the mission and ministry we envision for our congregation. This is an important step in the process toward a congregational vote to extend Pastor Tonya’s ministry with us. Her current agreement with FMC ends this August. The congregational meeting planned for June 4, will include a ballot to extend her ministry here.
WOMEN IN MISSION: “HOLY HOST: the HOSPITALITY OF GOD”
All Western District Conference women are invited to join this event sponsored by Western District Women in Mission on Tuesday, April 25. Jenny Gehman, spiritual director, retreat speaker, and writer, will present on “Holy Host: the Hospitality of God.” Join us in person or virtually. Our in-person gathering will be at First Mennonite Church in Newton, Kansas, beginning with a salad potluck at 6 p.m., followed by Jenny joining virtually from Pennsylvania at 6:45 p.m. There is no cost to this event, but please register by April 23 by emailing westerndistrictwomen@gmail.com so you can receive a Zoom link if joining virtually. Please email your RSVP if attending in person and bring a salad to share. Church groups can consider gathering together to watch the Zoom. For more information, contact Wendy Schrag at 316-841-5245.
WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL @ 11:00AM (except for the 5th Sundays of the month)
Preschool-8th Grade: SHINE! Curriculum: Your Kingdom Come
- Preschool-Kindergarten (basement – rooms 1&2)
- 1st-5th (basement – rooms 5&6)
- 6th-8th (upstairs to the right)
Senior Youth: 9th-12th grade (upstairs to the left)
ADULT Sunday School:
- Bible Study using the Salt & Light study guide meets in the Prayer Room in the basement. Copies are available in the classroom.
- The Adult Discussion/Study class meeting in the fellowship hall and on Zoom (contact Pastor Tonya for the zoom link). Currently this class is viewing and discussing a webinar series titled “Beyond Incarceration: A hard look at dismantling the prison system and building healthy communities” offered by Mennonite Central Committee and Mennonite Church USA. You can learn more and view the webinars yourself during the week at this link: Beyond Incarceration Webinar series
- “Younger Adults” Class meets in the adult education room in the basement.
UPPER ROOM and REJOICE! devotional magazines
New issues of UPPER ROOM and Rejoice! are available above the mailboxes. Please let us know if you would like a copy mailed to you.
STRENGTHENING Community Connections…
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
- Tuesday and Thursday 9:00am – 2:00pm
- Wednesday – 10:00am – 1:00pm (NO office hours on April 12 or on the 4th Wednesday of the month)
PASTOR TONYA’S HOURS/SCHEDULE
- Monday: Day Off
- Tuesday-Friday: generally working 8:00am-5:30pm
“In 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)
4th Wednesdays** (8-5pm) set aside as “Day Apart with God” for silence, reading, prayer & journaling – will NOT be checking email or responding to texts/calls (except for emergencies)
***Medical Leave – Tuesday April 11-April 18 (possibly longer as needed)***
A BIG THANK YOU . . .to all of you who remembered me in many ways.
Food, flowers, cards, thoughts and prayers. All of it was appreciated. Thank you. – Esther Regier
DELEGATES FOR MENNOCON23 AND WESTERN DISTRICT CONFERENCE ASSEMBLY
We are looking for delegates from our congregation to attend MennoCon23 (Mennonite Church USA assembly in Kansas City) and/or Western District Conference Assembly, which will be held at Tabor Mennonite Church, rural Newton. Contact Jennalee Boggs if you are interested. MennoCon23 is July 3-6, with the delegate assembly to follow July 7-8. Western District Conference annual assembly is August 11-13.
ARMS WIDE OPEN – FMC’s history book
The amazing story of First Mennonite Church’s 100 years is told in the history book prepared for our centennial celebration. Copies of the book are available for $25.00 (cash or check). You can also now purchase a book online at a price that includes the cost of shipping (click on the “DONATE” button on our website to find this option). Check with the church office to pick up a book.
STRETCHING to Serve as Christ Served…
SUNDAY MORNING DONATIONS FOR RENO COUNTY FOOD BANK:
APRIL: pasta
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.
SALTHAWK COMMUNITY SUPPORT announcements
Donations of Chapstick and deodorant are always needed. You can place these and other toiletries, along with any teenage appropriate clothing/shoes (a recent specific request was hoodies) in the basket at church or drop off directly at Trinity United Methodist Church. Financial donations for ongoing program costs are also invited throughout the year.
WDC CHURCH PLANTING COMMISSION SUMMIT INVITATION
Would your faith community like to – Engage more deeply with your neighbors? Think creatively about truly connecting with people? Explore new ways to meet people where they already are – instead of waiting for them to come to us? We invite you to Being Church: Meeting Our Neighbors Where They Are, a two-day summit on Friday, April 21 and Saturday, April 22 in Dallas, TX. Register Here This summit provides a wonderful opportunity to learn and grow as we engage our community here in Hutchinson, and as we seek to support refugee families arriving in our town.
HUTCHINSON REFUGEE PROJECT
This pilot program is dedicated to growing the workforce in Hutchinson while creating a caring, supportive community for refugees who are starting new lives in the United States. A number of people from FMC are exploring our involvement in creating a support group of 6-10 people to walk with a refugee family. Check out www.hutchinsonrefugeeproject.com. If you are interested in getting involved talk to any of the following, who are just some of those currently involved: Jonathan Wenger, Joel Iwashige, Hilda Iwashige, Donna Davis.
DILLON NATURE CENTER LECTURE/DINNER APRIL 20, 2023: CLIMATE CHANGE – YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE … WHAT LEGACY WILL YOU LEAVE?
Join Dillon Nature Center & friends (including the Earth Matters group Pastor Tonya is a part of) on Thursday, April 20 as we welcome retired KU professor, Chick Keller, to the Taylor’s Shady Lane Cabin. He’ll examine the cause of climate change, the impacts to mankind, the plan to thwart it, and how we are responding. A light dinner is included in the fee and will be served beginning at 5:30 p.m. Program will begin at 6 p.m. Sign up through Hutch Rec here: https://secure.rec1.com/KS/hutchinson-ks/catalog (click on Nature Lecture Series). This event is limited to 30 participants, so register soon!
During the lecture several themes will be developed and supported
- Climate change is real; it is a bigger problem than the general public realizes
- There will be over $100 trillion dollars of economic construction and destruction
- We have a good plan to slow climate change down; but we are behind schedule
- There are massive programs underway to substantially reduce CO2
- Americans, while aware of climate change, are generally unwilling to change their lifestyle
- What contribution can you make?
CARE PORTAL MINISTRY
CarePortal creates connections between children and families in need and those who would like to help them. Caseworkers identify the needs, submit requests through the online system known as CarePortal, local church and nonprofit representatives and individuals are notified of the needs, and then help is provided. Russ Gaeddert is the new Care Portal contact person for our congregation. He has started forwarding the needs that he receives from local case workers to the FMC email group. If you would like to help, you will respond to Russ and he will assist with making the connection so that the family is helped.
Thank you so much for the tremendous aid that you all have given in the past and for the ways you will help in the future!
McPHERSON BRASS CHOIR concert on April 23
The McPherson Brass Choir will present their spring concert on Sunday, April 23, at 3:00pm at the McPherson Church of the Brethren. Trae Gehring is a member of this ensemble.
KANSAS MENNONITE MEN’S CHORUS . . . We Sing that Others May Live
Concerts: April 16 – 7:00pm at Tabor College; April 23 – 7:00 at Bethel College. These musical offerings and the funds raised at the concerts support the work of Mennonite Central Committee around the world.
KANSAS MENNONITE RELIEF SALE (APRIL 14 & 15) announcements
Run For Relief. As we approach the Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale in April, there are many ways in which to give to MCC. Please consider sponsoring a participant in the Run For Relief. Jean Gaeddert has participated each year, and is planning to do so again. Any amount donated would be appreciated! Thank you! (Cash or check made out to KMRS.)
The Bake Sale committee has requested 20 pies and 40 dozen zwieback from our church for the Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale. Pie tins are available on a table in the foyer- there is no need to sign up. Bring your food donations to the fairgrounds by 10 am on Friday, April 14. If you aren’t able to deliver your foods, have them at the church by 9:45 am on Friday. Please label your pies (for example: cherry) and other baked goods, especially type of bread. No cream pies can be accepted. Thanks for sharing your time, resources and talents to help take care of people in need! -Julie Esau
Invitation to make extra contributions to support earth-friendly containers for use at KMRS.
The KMRS Board of Directors affirms our desire to be good stewards of all of our resources including God’s creation. Towards that end the Board supports and encourages both the Purchasing Committee, as well as other agents of the KMRS, to use as many biodegradable and/or earth friendly products as is reasonably possible. We are aware and acknowledge that despite our best efforts some biodegradable/earth friendly products may not be available through established suppliers. We are also aware of the potential for increased cost and will encourage churches and individuals to make increased donations to the sale, earmarked for this endeavor, to reduce and eliminate over time the use of non-biodegradable products.
Volunteers are URGENTLY needed . . . volunteer by clicking on this volunteer signup page https://kansas.mccsale.org/volunteer/ Click here on the DONATE page and see how you can publicize items you wish to donate to the auctions or volunteer your TIME. https://kansas.mccsale.org/donations/
MENNONITE FRIENDSHIP COMMUNITIES seeks Renovations/Maintenance person
Mennonite Friendship Communities is looking for a full-time Renovations/Maintenance person. This position mainly works in Independent Living apartments and duplexes. Experience preferred. Benefit package available. Contact Stacey at SFrager@MennoFriend.com for more information.
CAMP MENNOSCAH announcements
Summer Youth Camp Registration is now open! We welcome you to register here for the upcoming summer season! Detailed information about our Summer Youth Camps and our Program Directors can be found here, on the Camp Mennoscah website.
Camp Mennoscah is looking for counselors for the 2023 summer youth camps. Click here to fill out the informational survey! Counselors must be at least 17 years old and 5 years older than the campers. Weekly program directors will contact people, as needed. If you have questions, contact Camp Mennoscah at olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org or call 620-297-3290.
Nurses and kitchen staff needed for summer youth camps. Nurses are needed for the weeks of June 18-23, Junior I Camp; and July 9-14, Junior High II Camp. Head cooks needed for PreJunior II, June 25-29. Kitchen helpers and volunteers are also needed. Be part of an amazing, faith-filled camp experience! Contact us at 620-297-3290 or olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org
EVERENCE® APRIL WORKSHOP: Social Security and retirement income
Everence® will hold an informative Social Security and retirement incomeworkshop on Thursday, April 20, starting at 6:30 p.m. Specifics will include, Social Security strategies, including when to begin taking benefits, risks that can impact your retirement savings plus strategies to help your income last throughout retirement. There will also be plenty of time for questions. The in-person workshop will take place at the Everence office: 3179 N. Main St. Suite 1B, North Newton. Information will be presented by staff from the Everence offices in Central Kansas. To register contact Everence at 316-283-3800, 877-467-7294 or central.kansas@everence.com.
BETHEL COLLEGE announcements
Sat., April 15 – Joint junior recital by Bethel College students Angelika Donaldson, voice, and Eli Regier, saxophone, 7 p.m., Administration Building chapel
Sun., April 16 – KIPCOR Film Series presents Thirst for Justice, 2 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center. This documentary looks at three citizen groups fighting for clean water, in the Navajo Nation, Flint, Mich., and Standing Rock. An audience talkback follows the film. Free and open to the public, with a freewill offering taken to support KIPCOR and the film series.
Sun., April 16 – Senior recital by Bethel College student Julianna Schrag, voice, 4 p.m., Ad Building chapel
Sun., April 16 – Junior recital by Bethel College student Phillip Balzer, piano, 7 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center
Mon., April 17 – Rachel Stroer, president of The Land Institute, Salina, speaks at Bethel College on “Leading a Global Movement for Diverse Perennial Grain Futures,” 7 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center. Stroer will also speak in convocation at 11 a.m. (Krehbiel Auditorium) and at 2 p.m. in the Conservation Biology class (Krehbiel Science Center #121). Sponsored by the Bethel College Women’s Association and supported by BCWA’s Carolyn Schultz Lecture Endowment.
Now in the Regier Gallery in Luyken Fine Arts Center at Bethel College – “Printing the Plains: Relief Prints by Ian Huebert,” through Fri., April 14. Gallery hours are Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun. 2-4 p.m.
Weds., April 26 – Bethel College Wind Ensemble concert, directed by Joel Boettger, 7 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center
Sun., April 30 – Masterworks concert at Bethel College, 4 p.m. (NOTE TIME CHANGE), featuring the Bethel College Oratorio Chorus, orchestra and soloists, performing Mozart Krönungsmesse (“Coronation Mass”) and Beethoven Fantasia, Op. 80 (“Choral Fantasy”); Memorial Hall