Table of Contents
Lord,
Give me the strength to endure
the imperfections of the human condition.
Create within me a reservoir of forgiveness.
Guide me past the bitter pain of betrayal
toward the peace that I may find only in you.
AMEN
Prayer written by Vicki Shurelds, from Timbrel Magazine 2009 Bible Study
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 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, JULY 23 – PEACE WITH OTHERS – Isaac and His Neighbors
Peacemakers sometimes walk away from conflict
Genesis 26:12-33
- Preacher: Tonya Ramer Wenger
- Worship Leader: Maggie Pounds
- Children’s Time: Jennalee Boggs
- Scripture Reader: Dennis Boggs
- Pianist: Shelley Kauffman
- Song Leader: TBD
- Ushers: Susan Combs & Joretta Martens
- Nursery Attendant: Stephanie Gehring
- 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.
CALENDAR – LOOKING AHEAD
- July 22 – FMC serves at the Christian Soup Ministry
- July 26 – Congregational Ministry Team @6:30pm
- August 6 – Sadie Nisly Peace Essay, Farewell Blessing for Krehbiel family, and Celebrate Delon & Joretta’s 50th anniversary during fellowship time
- August 13 – Back to School Blessing of the Backpacks
- August 27 – Final Sunday of Summer Worship Series & Celebration of Communion
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
The next LPC groups will meet on Tuesday August 8 at 1:00pm or Wednesday August 9 @ 6:30pm. All are welcome (content is the same at both gatherings), even if you’ve never come before.
SUMMER WORSHIP – SEEKING PEACE TOGETHER
Our Summer worship series comes from MennoMedia (written by Joanna Harader) and will lead us on an exploration and application of Biblical themes of peace: Peace With God, Peace Within, Peace With Others, and Peace With Creation.
July 23 Peace With Others: Isaac and His Neighbors (Genesis 26:12-33)
Peacemakers sometimes walk away from conflict
July 30 Peace With Others: Abigail and David (1 Samuel 25:1-35)
Peacemakers act creatively to prevent violence
COMMUNION – SUNDAY AUGUST 27
As we end our summer series, Seeking Peace Together, we will also celebrate communion together.
SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL & FELLOWSHIP TIME
Using a curriculum exploring The Lord’s Prayer, Sunday School will be offered for preschool-6th grade two Sundays/month, as follows. Many thanks to all who volunteered to teach or bring snacks for the group.
July 16 and 23 ….. August 6 and 20
Fellowship Time following the worship service will continue every Sunday. Enjoy this time to offer greetings, share stories, and nurture the connections that bind us together in this congregation and in the family of God.
Senior Youth and the “Younger Adults” will also meet on the Sundays when class is also offered for children. The Adult Bible Study and Discussion Class will take a break over the summer.
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 Wednesday office hours on June 7 and 14)
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)
- 4th (or 5th) 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)
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. These are her scheduled retreats for the remainder of this year:
- September 10-13 (second Transforming Community retreat; back in office on Sept 14)
- December 10-13 (third Transforming Community retreat; back in office on December 14)
CONGREGATIONAL BUDGET MEETING and ANNUAL MEETING PLANNED
Mark your calendar for these dates:
- Budget meeting – October 29
- FMC annual meeting – December 3
Details about both meetings will be coming.
WESTERN DISTRICT CONFERENCE ASSEMBLY: AUGUST 11-13, 2023
Our delegate slate is filling up and will be published soon, but even if you are not a delegate, there are many ways to participate either in person or virtually. Check this link for the schedule and registration details: https://mennowdc.org/2023-wdc-annual-assembly/ . Through worship and workshops the assembly will help us explore listening to God and to each other through our theme, “Holy (Wholly) Listening.” The assembly takes place at Tabor Mennonite Church, rural Newton, beginning with the opening session Friday evening at 7:00pm. Nathan Koontz will be the preacher.
Anabaptist World . . . FMC’s group subscription at greatly reduced price
This magazine – 16 issues per year – is an independent publication giving voice to the faith and ministry of anabaptists around the world. Every issue is full of news and stories that inform and challenge our perspectives and help us to see God at work in the world. The special group subscription rate of $39.00 per year is available. Please complete the blue half-sheet form (available on the table in the foyer) and submit with your $39.00 payment by August 22. Make checks payable to First Mennonite Church and write AW group subscription in the memo. Issues are sent directly to your home address. If you have questions, please see Pauline in the church office.
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:
July: Hamburger or Tuna Helper
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.
SOUP KITCHEN VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES – SATURDAY JULY 22
Thanks for all the volunteers signed up so far! We could use a couple more people to help serve and clean up (4:45-6:00pm), and there is 1 delivery route still open. Donations of applesauce or green salad would also be helpful.
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.
The Hawks Nest at HMS-8 is currently looking for the following items in preparation for next year:
- Board games, art supplies, card games
- Moon chairs/bean bag chairs, Big Joe Chairs, floor chairs/giant pillows
- Xbox 360 games (age appropriate)
- Wii games (age appropriate)
- Ping Pong Accessories, as they have a ping pong/air hockey table
You can message Kylie Campbell on the Salthawk Community Support Facebook page if you need items picked up, or call her at (620) 474-5563.
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 have committed to be part of 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 Joel Iwashige. Training (5 hours) through International Rescue Foundation is now available virtually, and is required for all who are involved.
CAMP MENNOSCAH announcements
The Camp Sing will be August 5 at Hope Mennonite Church in Wichita. This is a time to celebrate a summer of faith formation and camp songs! All ages, campers and others–everyone is invited! Details will be forthcoming. Put it on your calendar so you don’t miss out.
The Women & Girls Retreat will be September 9 & 10 at Camp Mennoscah sponsored by Western District Women in Mission. The theme this year is “Women Talking, Listening and Creating.” Come for a time of friendship, fellowship, and story-telling in a variety of forms with Tammy Duvanel Unruh, Wendy Funk Schrag and others. Watch for details and registration information on the WDC website and this newsletter. Follow us on Facebook: Western District Women in Mission.
Registration for the Fall Scrapbook and Crafts Retreats is open. The retreats are scheduled for Nov. 3-5 and Nov. 10-12. All retreat activities will happen at the Main Camp facilities with cropping and crafts in the dining hall and lodging in the bunkhouses. (The Retreat Center will be undergoing HVAC renovations.) Single rooms are not available. Contact us at 620-297-3290 with questions or issues. We’ll see you in the fall!
PRISONER CARE KITS for men in HUTCHINSON CORRECTIONAL FACILITY
MCC Central States is partnering with OVM to distribute prisoner care kits to indigent men at Hutchinson (KS) Correctional Facility. Donations of basic hygiene and clothing are welcome for these kits to help MCC share God’s love and compassion for all in the name of Christ by reminding people that their needs are not forgotten. A basket in the foyer is designated for your donations. See the list there.
MENNONITE CENTRAL COMMITTEE announcements
Tell the young adults in your life! MCC is organizing two Peace Camps this year for those ages 18-30 who are hungry to connect, root themselves in intentional, theological reflection and apply that to the real-world work of peace and justice in their communities. The registration cost is $200 and all other expenses are covered, including travel, lodging and food! July 23-28: Peacebuilders Training in Colorado Springs, CO. Oct. 15-20: Descolonizando la construcción de paz | Decolonizing Peace training in Puerto Rico in Spanish. Information and registration can be found at https://mcc.org/peace-camps.
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 onesies and sleepers (3-12 month sizes); notebooks (70 sheets) and black or blue ballpoint pens. 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 316.283.2720. A full list of MCC kit contents can be found at mcc.org/kits.
MENNONITE DISASTER SERVICE opportunity
The Kansas MDS (Mennonite Disaster Service) Unit is sponsoring a Learning and Service trip to Red Lake MN. August 18-26, 2023. Participants will leave on Friday traveling to Minneapolis MN., staying two nights, learning about Native American culture, eating at Owamni Native American restaurant and learning about long term recovery from disasters. Your cost will be three nights lodging and meals on the days we travel. MDS is covering the transportation, meals and lodging while on the MDS project in Red Lake MN. We will be replacing siding, windows and doors with MDS from Monday through Friday. To make your reservations or for more information contact Wayne Stucky at wstucky@cox.net 785-554-8756 or Cleo Koop at cleohkoop@gmail.com or call 316-282-0797.