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This week at FMC

THIS WEEK @ FMC – January 4-10, 2023

“Think of the year as a house: door flung wide in welcome…”  So begins a beautiful Epiphany prayer written by author, poet, artist Jan Richardson (find more of her work at www.paintedprayerbook.com).  I love this invitation and the blessing she has written to unpack the metaphor and invitation even further. 

The Year as a House: A Blessing  (by Jan Richardson)

Think of the year as a house: door flung wide in welcome,
threshold swept and waiting, a graced spaciousness
opening and offering itself to you.

Let it be blessed in every room.
Let it be hallowed in every corner.
Let every nook be a refuge
and every object set to holy use.

Let it be here that safety will rest.
Let it be here that health will make its home.
Let it be here that peace will show its face.
Let it be here that love will find its way.

Here let the weary come
let the aching come
let the lost come
let the sorrowing come.

Here let them find their rest
and let them find their soothing
and let them find their place
and let them find their delight.

And may it be in this house of a year
that the seasons will spin in beauty,
and may it be in these turning days
that time will spiral with joy.

And may it be that its rooms will fill
with ordinary grace
and light spill from every window
to welcome the stranger home.

Wherever you make your home, may it be blessed, and may you enter this Epiphany and the coming year in peace.  (written by Jan Richardson)

So much of this blessing resonates with my prayers for each of you … for safety, health, peace and love; for rest and healing, beauty and joy, and always ‘ordinary grace and light’ shining through every moment to welcome you home.                                      

— Pastor Tonya

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 for ourselves and others

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, JANUARY 8, 2023 – Jesus’ Baptism

Matthew 3:1-17; (Psalm 2:7-8)

  • Preacher: Pastor Jim Unruh
  • Worship Leader: Nick Krehbiel
  • Song Leader: Pastor Tonya
  • Children’s Time: DeAnna Goering
  • Scripture Reader: TBA
  • Organist: Pauline Buller
  • Ushers: Don Wiens & Russell Goering
  • Nursery Attendant: TBA
  • Sound Tech: Adam Pounds
  • 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 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. 

2022 INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTION REPORTS . . . a note from our treasurer

Since the IRS has raised the standard deduction threshold and those with IRA’s can send funds directly to charitable organizations to help meet their minimum required distributions, the need to receive your annual contribution report has been diminished for income tax purposes.  Therefore, instead of stuffing mailboxes with annual giving reports, if you would like to receive your giving report from FMC, please let me know I will get you yours.  You can reach me at mikedirks@earthlink.net or 620-474-1224. Mike Dirks

CALENDAR – LOOKING AHEAD

  • January 8 – M&Ms meet – 11:00am
  • January 9 – Craft Night – 6:30-8:00pm in the library
  • January 10 – Congregational Ministry Team (CMT) – 6:30pm
  • January 16 – Family Night (intergenerational fellowship – everyone invited) – 6:30pm
  • January 22 – Anabaptist World Fellowship Sunday – celebrating with One Lunch offering
  • January 25 – CMT and the four Coordination Teams meeting together – 6:30pm

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 BEGINNING Second Week of January 2023

Pastor Tonya will be offering something new beginning January 2023 … an opportunity to participate in a monthly LPC group:  Listening-Prayer-Conversation.  The hour will be simply structured to create space for listening to scripture and Spirit, praying with and without words, and conversation with God and others.  Two options will be offered each month: Second Tuesday from Noon-1pm or Second Wednesday from 6:30-7:30pm.  There is also the possibility of adding a Zoom option to either one of these times.  If possible, please RSVP to Pastor Tonya if you plan to attend, but also feel free to just come (unless you want to join on Zoom – in that case, an RSVP is necessary).

WINTER-SPRING 2023 WORSHIP SERIES – GOSPEL OF MATTHEW

This winter and spring (through Easter) we will be listening to the Gospel of Matthew, using the Narrative Lectionary.  Pastor Jim will start us off this coming Sunday, January 8, with the story of Jesus’ baptism in Matthew 3.  We encourage you to spend time reading along in Matthew as we journey through the Epiphany season, and then Lent (beginning Feb 22) which will lead us to Easter Sunday on April 9.

WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL  @ 11:00AM (except for the 5th Sundays of the month)

Preschool-8th Grade: SHINE! Curriculum:  Fall of a Kingdom

  • 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)

ADULTS:

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. This group will resume its study about Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery. You can learn more here: https://dofdmenno.org/         

“Younger Adults” Class meets in the adult education room in the basement.

UPPER ROOM and REJOICE! devotional magazines

This new year brings opportunity to begin a new tradition . . . begin each day with a reading from one of the devotional magazines—REJOICE! or UPPER ROOM. New issues 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

PASTOR TONYA’S HOURS/SCHEDULE

  • Monday: Sabbath Day
  • 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)

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.

COORDINATION TEAMS & CMT (CONGREGATIONAL MINISTRY TEAM) MEET JAN 25

As we begin the new year, all Coordination Teams (Faith Formation, Faithful Community, Service and Outreach, and Stewardship) will meet with the Congregational Ministry Team on Wed January 25 at 6:30pm.  We’ll welcome new members, review our shared mission and purpose, and prayerfully look toward the year ahead.  If you are a member of one of these teams or the CMT, please plan to attend and participate in this gathering.

CRAFT NIGHT @ FMC

Craft night returns as a regularly scheduled event on the 2nd Monday of each month. Join us on January 9, 6:30-8:00pm in the church library. Bring your project – knitting, crocheting, other crafts – and enjoy this time of friendship and ministry together.

FAMILY NIGHT . . . intergenerational, all are welcome, invite a friend

The “Younger Adults” Sunday school class invites anyone to join them on Monday, January 16, at 6:30pm at the church. Enjoy fellowship, games, and a craft (tentatively early Valentine card making).  Consider inviting a friend to join in!  Questions? Contact Maggie Pounds.

STRETCHING to Serve as Christ Served…

SUNDAY MORNING DONATIONS FOR RENO COUNTY FOOD BANK:  

JANUARY: Peanut Butter (FEBRUARY: 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, tooth paste and tooth brushes.  Travel size – new & unopened – are desirable.

LAST CALL – DONATIONS FOR CHRISTMAS GIVING PROJECTS . . . deadline is January 9

Hats and mittens for Salvation Army . . . place your donations in the basket on the table in the foyer.

Baby Bundles for Mennonite Central Committee . . . additional contributions are accepted to cover the $25.00 cost per bundle or for shipping costs. Write checks to FMC and write “Baby Bundles” in the memo.

ANABAPTIST WORLD FELLOWSHIP SUNDAY . . . celebrated with One Lunch offering

On Sunday, January 22, we will be joining Anabaptist-related churches around the world with the common   theme, “Jesus Christ: Our Hope,” which was chosen and developed by the churches of Africa. Typically planned for the fourth Sunday of January, we commemorate the first Anabaptist baptism that took place on January 21, 1525 in Zurich, Switzerland. Anabaptist World Fellowship Sunday provides an opportunity to remember our common roots and celebrate our worldwide koinonia.  To support the work of Mennonite World Conference, we invite every member to contribute the cost of at least one lunch in their own community to support the networks and resources of our global Anabaptist church family. A special “One Lunch” offering will be received that morning. Checks may be made payable to FMC, with “One Lunch” in the memo.

FMC SERVES AT THE CHRISTIAN SOUP MINISTRY IN HUTCH ON JANUARY 28.

Our church has made a commitment to serve at the Christian Soup Ministry on the 4th Saturday of every other month. Our next opportunity to serve is January 28. Help is needed to cook (starting around 2:00pm) to deliver meals around 4:00pm, and to serve the meal at 5:00pm. Donations of applesauce and salad greens are also requested. Bring to the church the Sunday before, or to the soup kitchen on the 28th. A signup sheet is posted on the “Sign Up” bulletin board in the church foyer. Questions? Contact Kevin Martin Nisly or Sadie Nisly.

KANSAS MENNONITE MEN’S CHORUS . . . inviting singers for April concerts

KMMC is inviting men to join the rehearsals beginning Sunday, January 29, in preparation for the concerts planned for April 16 and 23. The chorus’ motto, “We sing that others may live,” speaks to their goal of raising funds for the work of Mennonite Central Committee around the world. Join in the blessings of singing and sharing God’s love through KMMC. Talk to Calvin Buller for more information.

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. 

Mark your calendars for our January 21, 2023 SALTHAWK FUNDRAISER: Taste of Hutchinson – The Men Cook at the Hutchinson Art Center.  Tickets will be $40 each.  7-8:30pm.

BETHEL COLLEGE announcements

Mon., Jan. 16 – Bethel College celebration of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, featuring Marche Fleming-Randle, “Together We Can Be the Dream,” 7 p.m., Memorial Hall

CAMP MENNOSCAH announcements

Interviews for Summer Staff Starting Soon!  We are seeking stunning summer staff to fill the following leadership positions for the 2023 summer:  crafts, lifeguard, music, nature, office, and grounds.  These positions are typically filled by college-age students, are summer-long and receive a stipend.  Let us know who you think would make a great summer staffer at Camp Mennoscah.  It’s a summer of fun, service and faith formation!