Table of Contents
Then Jesus said, “This is what God’s kingdom is like. It’s as though someone scatters seed on the ground, then sleeps and wakes night and day. The seed sprouts and grows, but the farmer doesn’t know how. The earth produces crops all by itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full head of grain.Whenever the crop is ready, the farmer goes out to cut the grain because it’s harvesttime.”
He continued, “What’s a good image for God’s kingdom? What parable can I use to explain it? Consider a mustard seed. When scattered on the ground, it’s the smallest of all the seeds on the earth;but when it’s planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all vegetable plants. It produces such large branches that the birds in the sky are able to nest in its shade.”
Mark 4:26-32 (Common English Bible)
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
CMT affirms these recommendations offered by the CDC: Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines. Get tested if you have symptoms. Wear a mask if you have symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19. Wear a mask on public transportation. You may choose to wear a mask at any time as an additional precaution to protect yourself and others. If you are at high risk for severe illness, consider wearing a mask indoors in public and taking additional precautions.
FELLOWSHIP TIME is on hold for the month of August.
We will return to regular fellowship time in September when our regular Sunday School schedule resumes (Sept 11).
SUNDAY, AUGUST 14: FACES OF OUR FAITH: Our extended Anabaptist Faith Family Living as Citizens of God’s Kingdom:
Reflections from gatherings of Western District Conference, Mennonite Church USA, and Mennonite World Conference
Genesis 12:1-3; Mark 4:26-32
Blessing of Backpacks (back to school)
Sending blessing for Michaela Esau – MVS
- Preacher: Pastor Tonya Ramer Wenger
- Worship Leader: Heidi Unruh
- Children’s Time: Delon Martens
- Scripture Reader: TBD
- Pianist: Peggy Stucky
- Ushers: Jay & Stephanie Gehring
- Nursery Attendant: Cindy Kroeker
- Sound Tech: Earl Ediger & Allen Yoder
- Live Stream Tech: Joel Iwashige
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
- August 10 – Followup discussion of MC USA resolutions considered at delegate assembly in May, 7:00pm in the Fellowship Hall
- August 14 – Blessing of Backpacks in worship (Back to School!) – bring your backpacks!
- August 18 – Congregational Ministry Team (CMT), 1:00pm
- August 21 – Senior Youth Kick-off @ Camp Mennoscah (afternoon-early evening)
- August 28 – M&M Kick Off @ 11:00am, after worship
FMC CENTENNIAL . . . LightHouse Service Day and Giving Opportunities
The Centennial Committee of FMC is hosting a service day at LightHouse on Saturday, August 13, from 8:00 to around 2:00. The address is 1005 N. Washington. We will be setting cabinets, hanging doors, exterior painting and caulking. Richard Hooper will be supervising us. Tools are provided unless you prefer to bring your own. Bring your own water container. Lunch will be provided. If you are interested in helping, contact Russ Gaeddert at 620-200-2985. Thank you for considering!
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…
FACES OF OUR FAITH INVITATION…
As I read the names recently on the visual in the foyer, I felt a lot of curiosity about the stories behind those names as I’m sure each one has its own well of memory and meaning. SO … I want to invite any of you to send me a sentence or two or three (or a couple paragraphs) telling more about how it is this person shaped your faith, describing the ‘face of faith’ they showed you. If there are some willing to share stories, I’d like to include them (with your permission!) in our “Faith Formation” worship service in September. This is the Sunday we bless our Sunday School teachers and dedicate Bibles for any kindergarteners, 3rd graders, and 7th graders in our congregation. — Pastor Tonya
WORSHIP BEGINNING AUGUST 14 … LIVING AS CITIZENS OF GOD’S KINGDOM
“But our citizenship is in heaven,
and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Phil 3:20)
“You are the salt of the earth … You are the light of the world.” (Mt 5:13a, 14a)
The last three Sundays in August our worship themes will center around questions of what it looks like to live as citizens in God’s Kingdom. On August 14 Pastor Tonya will pull together themes from her experience of participating in local (Western District Conference), national (MC USA) and transnational (Mennonite World Conference) gatherings of Anabaptists. She’ll also share some learnings from ideas and themes covered a small book written by Cesar Garcia who is General Secretary of Mennonite World Conference. The book is part of Menno Media’s The Jesus Way: Small Books of Radical Faith series and is titled: What is God’s Kingdom and What Does Citizenship Look Like? On August 21 and 28 Pastor Tonya will continue exploring themes of living as citizens in God’s kingdom.
August 14 – Faces of Our Faith: Our extended Anabaptist Faith Family Living as Citizens of God’s Kingdom: Reflections from gatherings of Western District Conference, Mennonite Church USA, and Mennonite World Conference (Genesis 12:1-8; Mark 4:26-32), Pastor Tonya preaching
+ Blessing of the Backpacks (Back to school: bring your backpacks to worship!!)
+ Sending blessing for Michaela Esau and her upcoming MVS assignment in Tucson AZ
August 21 – Citizens of God’s Kingdom as Light: Relationships, Economics, Conflict
August 28 – Citizens of God’s Kingdom as Salt: How Christians Influence Societies
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.
WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL @ 11:00am FOR ALL AGES will resume on SEPTEMBER 11!
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.
August 14 and 28
The children’s group will gather in the fellowship hall from 11-Noon on the dates listed above. Senior Youth, check with Jonathan Wenger or Tanya Martin Nisly for youth group plans on these Sundays.
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 ON SEPTEMBER 11!!
UPPER ROOM and REJOICE! devotional magazines
REJOICE! and UPPER ROOM . . . new issues for September are available above the mailboxes. Please let us know if you would like a copy mailed to you.
STRENGTHENING Community Connections…
AUGUST 10 – FOLLOW UP TO MC USA SPECIAL DELEGATE SESSION
Join your delegates to the MC USA May Special Delegate session (Pauline Buller, Pastor Tonya, Micah Wenger) for a follow up conversation on the resolutions considered at that session. We’ll gather at 7:00pm, cookies/drinks provided.
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 (leaving August 27). Micah will be with Service Adventure in Colorado Springs, CO (leaving this Saturday). We will be sending them both off in August (Micah on August 7 and Michaela on August 14) with our prayers and blessings.
THANK YOU to all who have donated financially to support their service terms. You can still do so if you wish, either through the church, directly to Mennonite Mission Network, or on their personal fundraising pages:
Micah https://igfn.us/vf/SAColorado/MicahWenger
Michaela https://igfn.us/vf/MVSTucson/MichaelaEsau
BREAKFAST FUNDRAISER SEPTEMBER 4 @ 9:00AM (WORSHIP AT 10:00)
Plan to come for a fun time of fellowship and good food provided by the youth group on Sunday, September 4 at 9:00am. Then stay for worship, beginning at 10:00am that morning.
GUESS WHO’S COMING TO THE LAWN? – SEPT 11 OR 18, 2022
You are invited to join a small group for a social gathering . . . we call it “Guess Who’s Coming to the Lawn?” These events will be September 11 and September 18, at 5:30pm. You choose one evening and sign up to be either a guest or a host (for a group of 6-8 people). Sign up in advance on the sheet on the table in the foyer – and please indicate whether you would like to be a guest or a host. Signup deadline is August 28. Then you will receive information about your group and location. This is such a wonderful way to get to know others in our FMC family . . . you don’t want to miss it!!
BOOK STUDY GROUP . . . invitation to join new book study – anyone is invited!!
A study group has been meeting for several years, reading and discussing a variety of books and topics. The group is starting a new book study on September 21 at 1:00pm and will continue for eight Wednesday sessions. The book, The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times, by Jane Goodall and Douglas Abrams, is available on loan through the public library, so there is no cost. Please let Julie Goering know by MONDAY, AUGUST 15, if you are interested so she can put in a book request for you.
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)
STRETCHING to Serve as Christ Served…
SUNDAY MORNING DONATIONS FOR RENO COUNTY FOOD BANK – AUGUST . . . Peanut Butter.
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.
WESTERN DISTRICT CONFERENC announcements
Women and Girls Retreat is coming! Sept. 10-11 at Camp Mennoscah. Theme is “Women’s Voices.” Registration information coming soon! This event is planned by WDC Women in Mission.
CAMP MENNOSCAH announcements
Work & Play Day on August 20! Camp Mennoscah has projects to complete and plenty to do after a busy, fun summer. You are invited to be part of this camping ministry through fellowship and service! Projects for all ages and weather are available. Let us know you’re coming so we can be prepared for you! Bring your lunch and a water bottle. The day will start at 8:30 at the maintenance shed. End your day with a leisurely kayak ride or stroll to the sandbar. Contact Olivia at 620-297-3290 or olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org to sign up. Want to volunteer either before or after August 20? Give us a call!
BETHEL COLLEGE announcements
Life Enrichment returns to Bethel College with the start of the fall 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.
Kauffman Museum at Bethel College is seeking a graphic designer who has experience with digital and print design, as well as social media, web and IT. Interest or experience in museum exhibition design and fabrication preferred. This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position. To see the complete job description and to apply, go to the https://www.bethelks.edu/about/who-we-are/career-opportunities/current-position-openings/graphic-designer-kauffman-museum For more information, contact Andi Andres at Kauffman Museum: asa@bethelks.edu or 316-283-1612.
EVERENCE® announces August Medicare workshop date
Everence will hold its popular Medicare workshop at its office in North Newton on Tuesday, Aug 9 at 6:30 p.m. Topics will include, when and where to sign up for Medicare, what Medicare covers, plus an explanation of Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D.
The in-person workshop will be held at the Everence office: 3179 N. Main St. Suite 1B, North Newton. Those interested in attending should contact the Everence office at 316-283-3800, 877-467-7294 or central.kansas@everence.com.
MENNOMEDIA (the publications arm of Mennonite Church USA)
We’re writing with gratitude to thank you for being one of the 107 congregations in Mennonite Church Canada and Mennonite Church USA that have supported MennoMedia with financial gifts so far in 2022. As you prepare for the remaining months of 2022, we invite you to consider giving additional gifts to our ministry. We commit to stewarding your gifts wisely, and we will continue working hard to develop thoughtful Anabaptist resources to enrich faith in a complex world. We love being able to equip congregations with books, curricula, and periodicals for ministry and faith formation. Thanks for your ongoing partnership. – Joe Hackman, Director of Development and Partner Engagement (excerpts from his letter)