THIS WEEK @ FMC - August 14-27, 2024 - First Mennonite Church

Table of Contents

God of wonder and curiosity,

open my mind to the

amazing world around me today.

When I am confused or curious,

guide me to wise people

Who can help me

understand new things.

And no matter how long

it takes for me to learn,

I know you are always

My patient teacher.

Amen.

Credit: illustratedministry.com

PLEASE NOTE: Our next THIS WEEK post is scheduled for August 27.

SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP at 9:30am

The link to join is on our website: www.hutchfmc.org Join 5 minutes early for announcements. The bulletin can be found under the BULLETINS tab on our home page.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 18 – QUEST: THE AWAKENED TRAVELER, “THE REFLECTION”

(The sixth in an 8-week series)

When we begin to broaden our experience of lands and peoples in our travel, or in our own towns and cities, we may move through a personal crisis if the plurality of religious thought and practice has not come into close view in our lives before. And yet, if we continue to reflect and open, what feels so different may not be as far from us as we first imagined. The light we seek and life-sustaining river that runs through the “Kin-dom” of God is full of common themes across religions: peaceful coexistence, food and shelter, love and compassion for those suffering and oppressed. How can deeper reflection about our own hesitation to connect to the wider human family free us to explore more possibilities for a better world?

Scripture: Revelation 21:22-26

Preacher: Jim Unruh
Storyteller: Heidi Unruh
Worship Leader: Delon Martens
Song Leader: Calvin Buller
Children’s Time: Jennalee Boggs
Scripture Reader: Hilda Iwashige & Lucia Iwashige
Ministry Moment: Faith Formation Coordination Team
Organist: Pauline Buller
Ushers: Cheryl Warkentin & Marlene Thode
Nursery Attendant: Diane Ziemer
Sound Tech: Earl Ediger
Live Stream Tech: Jay Gehring

SUNDAY, AUGUST 25 – QUEST: THE AWAKENED TRAVELER, “RETURNING HOME”

(The seventh in an 8-week series)

As we begin to bring our series on travel to a close, we contemplate what it means to return home. After stretching our spirits and our love to include more of the glorious creation and its peoples, we return to a home that will never be the same to us. We have returned with “guests”–memories of new friends and new perspectives. Perhaps we also return with new convictions to be more active and loving citizens of humanity right where we reside. Jesus says “abide in me” and follows that up with the commandment to love one another. The beauty of travel as a spiritual act is, as Rick Steves says, that our prized souvenirs are the “strands of different cultures we decide to knit into our own character.”

Scripture: John 15:1-17

Worship Leader: Joel Iwashige
Preacher: Tonya Ramer Wenger
Storyteller: Ken Neufeld
Song Leader: TBA
Children’s Time: Stephanie Gehring
Scripture Reader: Delon Martens
Ministry Moment: Faithful Stewardship Coordination Team
Organist: Pauline Buller
Ushers: Russ Gaeddert & Diane Ziemer
Nursery Attendant: No one assigned
Sound Tech: Murray Reimer
Live Stream Tech: Jonathan Wenger

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.

VOLUNTEERS FOR READING SCRIPTURE

If you would be willing to read scripture, please sign up on the bulletin board opposite the mailboxes. We welcome readers of all ages, and we’d be happy to bring a mic to you if you would prefer reading from your seat.

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.

CALENDAR – LOOKING AHEAD

August 18 – Sr. Youth Kick-off event beginning with lunch
August 23 – Charlene McNeely memorial service, 10:30am, in our sanctuary
August 25 – Assemble MCC School Kits after worship in the fellowship hall
Sept 1 – Sr. Youth Hamburger fundraiser (after worship)
Sept 8 – Sunday school fall classes begin for all ages
Sept – NO Craft Night in September; regular schedule resumes with the October 14 gathering.

REMINDER: If you are last one out of the church building, be SURE the doors lock behind you.

ANABAPTIST WORLD . . . current readers and new subscribers

Our church has a group subscription to the Anabaptist World, a publication that connects us to the wider anabaptist community with thoughtful articles, news from around the world, and stories to keep us informed. The group subscription offers this publication at $39.00 for one year (12 issues) – a greatly reduced price from individual subscriptions of $54.00. Our group subscription expires in November. If you are a current subscriber in our group plan, please let the church office know whether you wish to continue. If you are interested in becoming a subscriber in our group, please let us know that too. Forms are available on the table in the foyer. As a new or renewing subscriber, please make checks payable to First Mennonite Church, (memo: Anabaptist World). Payment due August 20. As a part of our group plan, you would receive each issue at your home address. If you wish to take a look at a current issue, please pick up a copy from the table (under the TV monitor) in the foyer. Join us! It’s a great read!

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

These groups meet for an hour once/month in the Common Grounds room and are facilitated by Pastor Tonya. The format allows for time in prayer by yourself and also with the group. Any are welcome to join, or to just come and check it out! It’s also possible to join on Zoom if you prefer.

The Tuesday group next meeting Tuesday August 13 at 1:00pm
The Wednesday evening group next meeting is at 6:30 on Wednesday, August 14

SUMMER 2024 SUNDAY SCHOOL

The summer Sunday School series will wrap up on August 18, with classes for preschool-3^rd grade, 4^th-7^th grade, 8^th-12^th grade. The younger groups are using the Shine curriculum that follows the Peace With Creation Peace Path in The Peace Table (Bible Story book). Additionally, Circle of Grace curriculum will be covered with each class, led by Tanya Martin Nisly and Jonathan Wenger.

Preschool-3^rd grade – meet in the basement classrooms
4^th-7^th grade – meet upstairs in Jr Youth room
8^th-12^th grade meet upstairs in Sr Youth room

Both the Adult Discussion Class and the Adult Salt & Light study class will be taking a hiatus during the summer.

QUEST: THE AWAKENED TRAVELER WORSHIP SERIES (JULY 14-SEPT 1)

August 18 – “The Reflection” : the inner work we’re invited into when we bump up against disorienting differences. Isaiah 65:17-25; Revelation 21:22-26 (Pastor Jim preaching; Heidi Unruh storytelling)

August 25 – “Returning Home” : when we travel far away from the familiar, we return changed, and find the familiar holds more than we had noticed before. Psalm 36:5-9, John 15:1-17 (Pastor Tonya preaching)

September 1 – Stories from within the congregation about “The Reflection” and/or “Returning Home”: Magdalena Wenger, Jean Gaeddert

Be sure to pick up a hard copy of the Quest Guided Reflection Journal on the table outside the sanctuary (or use the electronic copy sent out via email – contact Pastor Tonya if you need it resent!). This journal makes use of a variety of Rick Steves video clips to dig into the various themes of the series. The hard copy has QR codes to scan to access the videos; the electronic copy has links to click on.

PHOTO INVITATION – “SOUL-WIDENING ADVENTURES”

As part of our Quest: The Awakened Traveler worship series, we invite you (beginning Sunday July 21) to bring 1 or 2 physical photos to the church to add to a collection of photos depicting some aspect of a ‘soul-widening adventure’ you have had. When have you been a traveler – not merely a tourist? Is there a journey you’ve embarked on that especially sparked your curiosity, wonder, reflection and transformation? Please label the back of your picture with your name and add it to the collection that will be found to the left of the large screen TV in the foyer. When the series is over (Sept 1) you can take your picture(s), or they will be put in your church mailbox later that week.

UPPER ROOM and REJOICE! devotional magazines

UPPER ROOM – The July-August issue has finally arrived! Be sure to pick up a copy above the mailboxes
Rejoice! – new issues for August-September will be available soon above the mailboxes.

STRENGTHENING Community Connections…

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

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

PASTOR TONYA’S HOURS/SCHEDULE

Office hours:

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)

Upcoming “Day Apart with God” dates (for silence, reading, prayer & journaling – will NOT be checking email or responding to texts/calls (except for emergencies). Next “Day Apart” is August 28.

Pastor Tonya’s Sabbatical dates (spread out between summer 2023-summer 2025)

Pastor Tonya has joined a study program called, “Transforming Community.” Retreats take place in Chicago. Her next scheduled retreat is September 15-18.

WEST NILE VIRUS information

Currently South Central Kansas is in the high risk area for getting bitten by a mosquito infected with the West Nile virus. This is a seasonal epidemic that flares up in the summer and continues into the fall.

What Can I Do to Prevent West Nile virus?

When outdoors, use mosquito repellents
Wear long sleeves and pants. Mosquitoes are most active from dusk to dawn.
Make sure you have good screens on windows and doors.
Empty containers of standing water, change bird baths weekly

Symptoms of West Nile

Symptoms range from no symptoms (80%) to severe (1 in 150). Seek care for fever, headache, neck stiffness, body aches, nausea, vomiting, disorientation, tremors, vision loss, numbness.

West Nile is spread by infected mosquitoes, not human to human contact.

The more time spent outside increases the risk of being bitten. People over the age of 50 are more likely to develop serious symptoms if they do get sick. There is no vaccine to mitigate the effects of West Nile

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 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:

August: Peanut Butter September: Canned Meat/Tuna

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, toothpaste and toothbrushes. Travel size – new & unopened – are desirable.

MENNONITE CENTRAL COMMITTEE announcements

School Kits! FMC will assemble school kits on August 25.

There will be tasks for persons of all ages – young children on up! Lend your hands to providing these tools for learning to students around the world. Our goal is to collect enough supplies to fill 40 kits . . . or more! The date to bring all items for the school kits has been extended until August 18. We have plenty of metal pencil sharpeners. Please place supplies in the purple bin provided. On August 25 we will assemble the school kits in the fellowship hall following the worship service.

MCC Material Resources Center in North Newton critically low on inventory: An MCC kit cannot be distributed until each item for the kit is assembled, but some supplies in the Material Resources Center are so low that kits cannot be processed for shipping. You can help by filling the following needs: new infant sleepers (6-12 month sizes); hand towels (dark colored); bar soap; bath towels (dark colored, light to medium weight); wide toothed combs (6-8 inches long); laundry soap (such as Fels Naptha or Zote brands); and shampoo (20 oz min). Buy online and ship it to MCC or bring items to MCC in North Newton (121 E. 30th St, North Newton, KS 67117). Questions are always welcome, please contact brociamueller@mcc.org or 316.836.5045. A full list of MCC kit contents can be found at mcc.org/kits.

Soft Plastic Recycling is now available at MCC! We invite you to start a new habit of recycling all soft plastics (plastic bags, bread bags, any plastic packaging that you can stretch) at MCC Central States in North Newton! This is a NEW and ONGOING recycling project. Plastics must be clean, dry and free of food waste. A basket under the table in the foyer is designated to receive your recyclables. You may also bring your soft plastic recycling to MCC any time, placing them in the marked bin outside the warehouse. Once at MCC, the plastic is baled into 1000 pound bales. These bales are then sold to the TREX company. They melt down the plastic and use it in making their deck boards. Questions, please contact duaneunruh@mcc.org.

KANSAS MENNONITE RELIEF SALE . . . QUILTER’S CORNER seeks donations

The MCC Sale Quilter’s Corner is looking for donations of quilts, quilt tops, fabric, books, magazines and vintage linens for our next sale. We hope to have an October sale if we receive enough donations. Donations can be dropped off at the MCC Center in North Newton labeled for Quilter’s Corner or at Stitches Quilt Shop in McPherson. If you have questions, please contact Ann Yoder Smith at 919-604-3282.

ANABAPTIST COMMUNITY BIBLE now available for preorders!

Celebrate 500 years of Anabaptism with the Anabaptist Community Bible. This study Bible features commentary from 60 Anabaptist scholars, biblical insights from 16th-century Anabaptists, and marginal notes from nearly 600 study groups from Anabaptists around the globe. Click here and scroll down to view the options and to place an order… https://rb.gy/gacw7p

CAMP MENNOSCAH announcements

WDC WOMEN IN MISSION . . . ANNUAL WOMEN’S & GIRLS’ RETREAT

Women & Girls! Western District Women in Mission retreat September 7-8 at Camp Mennoscah!
Bring a friend!
Theme: Peaceful Practices with Kristine Regehr as our keynote speaker
Girls’ Programming for 5th grade – high school with Janna Duerksen

Registration is due August 30. Retreat brochure and registration form are available at: https://www.westerndistrictwomeninmission.org/register

Come early at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning to tie Camp Mennoscah t-shirt comforters. They will also be available to tie throughout retreat. We hope to get 6 comforters tied and give them to Camp to sell as fundraisers. At least 15 years of past camp T-shirts are in the comforters! (Note: Saturday lunch is not provided.)

HESSTON COLLEGE announces on-campus Bible classes

Lifelong learning is a goal of many individuals. Did you know Hesston encourages community members to enroll in Bible courses? We even have a discounted rate for senior citizen attenders. This coming fall semester we have opportunities to take two Bible classes on campus: Biblical Literature (at two different times) and Missional Leadership on Monday evenings. These classes will only be offered in person this semester. To learn more, visit hesston.edu/bible. If you are interested in enrolling in a course, contact Michele Hershberger at michele.hershberger@hesston.edu.

BETHEL COLLEGE announcements

Sun., Aug. 18 – Sunday-Afternoon-at-the-Museum, 3 p.m., with Lorna Harder, professor emeritus of biology at Hesston College and former curator of natural history at Kauffman Museum, on the 40th anniversary of the museum’s tallgrass prairie reconstruction; in the museum auditorium (corner of Main & 27th streets, North Newton).

Forum on Democracy and Christianity with David Gushee, leading Christian ethicist, pastor and author. Gushee will speak Sunday, September 15, during worship (9:30 a.m.) and Sunday school (10:30 a.m.) at Bethel College Mennonite Church and, in the afternoon, will keynote a forum on democracy and Christianity. The afternoon program will run from 3-6 p.m. in Memorial Hall on the Bethel campus. It will also include a panel of local leaders and a chance for table discussion. September 16, Gushee will speak in convocation at 11 a.m. in Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center at Bethel.

MENNONITE DISASTER SERVICE (MDS) announcements

Our July Edition of On the Level is now available. In this edition, Executive Director Kevin King shares a letter of gratitude from Arcadia, Florida, volunteers install our 100th bridge allowing residents to travel home again, and homeowners are on the road to recovery thanks to volunteers working in Lytton, British Columbia. Click on this link to read more: https://conta.cc/3WnPGFw

MENNONITE IMMIGRATION TO CENTRAL KANSAS 150th ANNIVERSARY . . . events

Grace Hill Mennonite Church 150th Homecoming Celebration, August 31 – September 1. The celebration will begin at 10:00 am on Saturday with coffee and donuts, while you reminisce and browse through historical displays. The afternoon includes a light lunch, self-guided tours of the past/present Grace Hill community and faspa. Enjoy an organ concert by Pastor Chelsea Vaught from 4:00-4:30 pm. A German dinner will be held from 5:00-6:30pm, followed by “Celebrating Our History” program at 7:00 pm. On Sunday, participate in Worship at 9:30 am, followed by a potluck lunch and more time for self-guided tours, reunions and browsing displays. Contact Virgil Penner at (316) 283-6738 or gracehill1874@gmail.com for information and meal registration. The church is located at 10218 SE 12th St, Whitewater, KS 67154

Hoffnungsau Mennonite Church is celebrating their 150^th anniversary and invites you to join us August 31, for Community Fun Night and September 1 for worship service. Saturday beginning at 4:00pm, will be fun for the family with inflatables, cornhole tourney with cash prizes, yard games, food trucks, music entertainment and the outdoor movie “If” at dark! Sunday worship begins at 10:00. Following Worship, we will have a catered meal at the cost of $15. Please RSVP for the meal by August 25 by calling/texting Barb at 620-543-6863 or email HoffSecretary@gmail.com with payment by Venmo @BJ-Reeves-55 or check to Hoffnungsau, 43 13^th Ave, Inman 67546. Watch Hoffnungsau Facebook for other info.

150th SWISS VOLHYNIAN Celebration (Moundridge) August 23-25, 2024 . . .

If Ethnic meal suits you, make reservation on swissmennonite.org. Bohne beroggi included.

Saturday, August 24, we will be demonstrating our final 150^th Anniversary Pioneer Event with the threshing and milling of Turkey Red Hard Winter Wheat we have raised using horse drawn and vintage equipment, just west of the Moundridge Museum complex. We will be using a McCormick-Deering threshing machine powered by an antique tractor to thresh the bundles of Turkey Red we bound and shocked back on June first. There will also be an 1874 grist mill, milling demonstration providing us a unique opportunity to have Turkey Red wheat flour available for purchase. To compliment the threshing and milling events, Vintage Farm Equipment, with some of the great machines of the past will be on display all day. These events will start with the farm equipment display beginning at 9:00 a.m., just West of the Moundridge Museum Complex and continue through the day. We will be setting up the threshing and milling demonstration all morning with our official start at 3:00 p.m. There will be limited bleacher seating and concessions (including K3 Creamery) available to help you enjoy these unique pioneer events and celebrate the 150^th Schweitzers & Friends anniversary celebration. The whole community is invited to join us! –Glen Goering

The 2024 issue of Bethel College’s online journal Mennonite Life can now be viewed at ml.bethelks.edu The issue includes articles by Rod Ratzlaff, Mark Jantzen and Rachel Pannabecker related to the 150th anniversary of Mennonite immigration to North America from the Russian Empire, as well as the text from last spring’s Bible Lectures by César García and Sandra Báez, several other articles, and book reviews.