Table of Contents
“What is your only comfort
to be courageous
in life and in death?” *
So begins one of the prayers in a beautiful book written by K.J. Ramsey I ran across when I was just starting to walk down the path of uncertainty leading to a cancer diagnosis. Full of photos and prayers and poems structured around the lines of Psalm 23, this book lives up to its title: The Book of Common Courage: Prayers and Poems to Find Strength in Small Moments. I’ve returned to it again and again to fuel courage and find comfort. I would highly recommend the book! This particular prayer, and question, caught my eye this past week as I sat with Romans 6, because I think it’s a question Paul might have resonated with. He is careful to hold life and death together in his teaching, because Jesus is present in it all, and God’s saving presence is real at every point and in every moment. The prayer is quite long, so I won’t include all of it here, but offer a bit more to hopefully fuel courage and offer comfort and hope for this day…
What is your comfort
to be courageous
in life and in death?
That everywhere I go, I belong
-body and soul, in all my days,
all my doubts and even
all my despair,
and my coming death-
to you, my Savior
and my friend, Jesus Christ.
Lord Jesus,
there is nothing in life
and no manner of death
that can separate me
from your friendship.
Everywhere I go,
you go with me.
You are always glad
to be with me
Because you became like me,
I can become like you.
Because you felt
fear, anger, and betrayal,
even in my anguish,
I can partake of your life.
Because you were faithful to feel
and trust,
even in my fear,
I can be faithful too.
Your trust in the Father
to work goodness and life
re-creates my own.
Your courage in the face of death
had made the Father mine,
the Spirit present,
and my future secure. ….
*The Book of Common Courage: Prayers and Poems to Find Strength in Small Moments.
K.J. Ramsey. Zondervan. 2023. pg 24)
Pastor Tonya
NOTE: Our next THIS WEEK will post on June 6.
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, MAY 28 – NOTHING CAN SEPARATE US
Pentecost Sunday
Acts 2:1-4; Romans 8:14-39; (Matt 28:16-20)
- Preacher: Pastor Tonya Ramer Wenger
- Worship Leader: Carol Moore
- Children’s Time: DeAnna Goering
- Scripture Reader: Don Wiens
- Pianist: TBD
- Ushers: Susan Combs
- Nursery Attendant: TBA
- Sound Tech: Murray Reimer
- Live Stream Tech: Jay Gehring
SUNDAY, JUNE 4 – PEACE WITH GOD
Seeking God’s kingdom brings peace
Matthew 6:5-13
- Preacher: Pastor Tonya Ramer Wenger
- Worship Leader: Maggie Pounds
- Children’s Time: DeAnna Goering
- Scripture Reader: Cathia Krehbiel
- Pianist: TBA
- Ushers: Don Wiens & Russell Goering
- Nursery Attendant: Anna Crable
- Sound Tech: Earl Ediger
- 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.
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
- May 24 – Congregational Ministry Team – 6:30pm
- May 27 – FMC serves at the Christian Soup Ministry
- June 1 – Congregational Ministry Team & Coordination Teams – 6:30pm
- June 4 – Congregational meeting – vote on extending Pastor Tonya’s call @ FMC. Everyone is invited to the meeting, which will also include a budget update and information about opportunities for our congregation. A potluck meal will follow the meeting. Please bring a dish to share and enjoy the fellowship.
- June 18 – Worship @ 10:00am at Camp Mennoscah (see announcement below in STRENGTHENING)
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 evening LPC group will meet: Thursday June 29 @ 6:30pm and Wednesday August 9 @ 6:30pm
Dates are still being determined for the afternoon group – stay tuned here!!
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.
- June 4 Peace With God: Your Kingdom Come (Mt 6:5-13) Seeking God’s kingdom brings peace
- June 11 Peace With God: Born of the Spirit (John 3:1-21) Believing in God brings peace
- June 18 (10:00am at Camp Mennoscah!) Peace With God: Vine and Branches (John 15:1-17) Abiding in Jesus brings peace
- June 25 Peace Within: Known and Loved (Psalm 139:1-18) God’s presence brings peace
SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL
The spring Sunday School quarter will end on Sunday May 28. The Adult Bible Study and Discussion Class will take a break over the summer. Senior Youth plans are pending (stay tuned!). The “Younger Adults” will meet on the Sundays when class is also offered for children.
Using a curriculum exploring The Lord’s Prayer, Sunday School will be offered for preschool-6th grade two Sundays/month, as follows (pending securing Sunday School teachers – if you’d be willing to help teach OR provide snacks for the group, please contact Cheryl Warkentin):
- June 11 and 25
- July 9 and 23
- August 6 and 20
Fellowship Time following the worship service will continue. 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.
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 this month on Wednesday, May 31)
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 (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)
MAY ‘Day Apart’ will be taken on the 5th Wednesday (May 31)
Pastor Tonya’s Upcoming Sabbatical dates (spread out between summer 2023-summer 2025)
- June 5-16 – Sabbatical Time Away, including first Transforming Community Retreat in Chicago June 11-13
- 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)
FMC’S CAMP MENNOSCAH WEEKEND – JUNE 17 & 18 (WORSHIP @ CAMP ON JUNE 18!)
Be sure to mark your calendars!!! Worship on Sunday June 18 will NOT be at 52 Rambler Road, but will instead be at 10:00am at Camp Mennoscah, near Murdock KS (9458 SE 40 St, Murdock, KS 67111). If you are uneasy about driving that far please let Delon or Pastor Tonya know and we will do our best to help facilitate a ride for you. And if you are nervous about walking on uneven ground, know that you can be dropped off at the dining hall and can walk through the dining hall out to the pavilion for worship.
The schedule for the weekend is below and the sign up sheet is out on the table in the foyer – please sign up so we know how to plan!! Please also note the request, if you are staying for lunch on Sunday, to bring a salad or dessert to contribute to our lunch together.
SATURDAY
Arrive after 4:00pm
- 5:30pm Potluck Dinner – bring food to share!
- 6:30-7:30pm Pool open
- –Also bring games to play, ultimate frisbee, walking the trails, playing in the river (make sure to bring dedicated river clothes/shoes), etc.
- –Stay in cabins overnight (choose any cabin when you arrive) – bring bedding, toiletries, flashlight, etc.
SUNDAY
(Those staying overnight – bring your own breakfast, or coordinate with the others staying overnight)
- 10:00am Worship
- 11:15-12:15pm Pool Open
- 12:30pm Lunch (bring a salad or dessert to share; main dish provided)
- 1:30pm Clean up
- 2:00pm departure
DELEGATES FOR MENNOCON23 AND WESTERN DISTRICT CONFERENCE ASSEMBLY
We are still looking for delegates from our congregation to attend Western District Conference Assembly, which will be held at Tabor Mennonite Church, rural Newton August 11-13. Contact Jennalee Boggs if you are interested. FMC delegates to MC USA in July will be Delon Martens, Pastor Tonya, and Micah Wenger (youth delegate).
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:
MAY: Pancake mix & syrup
June: Crackers
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.
CRAFT NIGHT @ FMC
Craft night is June 12, 6:30-8:00pm in the church Fellowship Hall. Bring your project – knitting, crocheting,
other crafts – and enjoy this time of friendship and ministry together. Any questions . . . contact Cheryl
Warkentin or Diane Ziemer
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.
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 Joel Iwashige. There is a two-part training coming up next week on Tuesday May 23 and Thursday May 25.
FMC SERVES AT THE CHRISTIAN SOUP MINISTRY IN HUTCH ON MAY 27
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 May 27. Help is needed to deliver meals (pick up meals to deliver at 3:45pm and to serve the meal at 5:00pm. Donations of salad greens needed. Bring to the soup kitchen on the 27th. A signup sheet is posted below the “Sign Up” bulletin board in the church foyer. Questions? Contact Kevin Martin Nisly or Sadie Nisly.
WESTERN DISTRICT CONFERENCE seeks business manager
Staff position opening: Western District Conference seeks a half-time Business Manager beginning July 10, at WDC’s North Newton, KS, office (some remote work possible). Responsibilities include financial management, bookkeeping, reporting and payroll. Qualifications include organizational, computer and communication skills, bookkeeping or accounting experience, and willingness to support WDC’s mission and priorities. For position description and application form visit: https://mennowdc.org/wdc-staff-position-opening/. Interested applicants please submit application form and letter of interest to the Conference Minister at heidirk@mennowdc.org.
ET CETERA SHOP to hold ESTATE SALE on JUNE 2 & 3
Recently the Et Cetera Shop was the recipient of household items from the estate of Frieda Lindburg. Frieda was a longtime volunteer at the Et Cetera Shop and enjoyed ironing. Rather than incorporating all the items into our inventory, the decision was made to conduct an estate sale of her items, which include furniture including antiques, linens, kitchen ware, décor, lawn ornaments, yard tools and more. That sale will be held on June 2 (10am-7pm) & June 3 (8am-2pm) at 329 West 5th in Hutchinson (Builders Bargains Conference Room).
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.
We need your toilet paper (rolls)! There is a crafts project this summer needing empty, clean toilet paper rolls or paper towel rolls. Approximately 300 rolls are needed for the full summer. Send them with a camper or someone else coming to camp. We’ll collect them and use them for Junior 1 & 2, Junior High 1 & 2 and Senior High. (If you want to bring full ones, we’d take those, too. We’re not picky.)
Custodial-housekeeping help is needed at Camp Mennoscah. This is a 10 hours per week position and is paid hourly. The work times are flexible, but must fit within the group and retreat scheduling, which varies from week to week. The position requires an application, references, and background check. Contact Olivia at 620-297-3290 or olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org for details.
Camp Mennoscah is looking for people to provide a “main course” for approx. 12 people during the week of May 29-June 2. Camp will provide the extras for the meal and staff do the meal prep as a team building exercise. If you would like to provide the full meal, wonderful! During this week, summer staff do training for Youth Development, the Staff Handbook, Reducing the Risk of Abuse, and more. This week prepares the staff to create great camp experiences for a summer of campers. Contact Olivia at 620-297-3290 or olivia.bartel@campmennoscah.org for details.
PRISONER CARE KITS for men in HUTCHINSON CORRECTIONAL FACILITY
The United States is home to about 4% of the world’s population[1] and almost 16% of its prisoners[2]. People of color in the U.S. are incarcerated at disproportionate rates.[3]
MCC Central States is working toward rectifying these imbalances and meeting the basic human needs of prisoners by offering a prisoner care kit. 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.
MCC is partnering with OVM to distribute prisoner care kits to indigent men at Hutchinson (KS) Correctional Facility. These are the items needed for kits. The greatest needs are deodorant, lotion, and toothpaste. Please limit your generosity to the items listed.
Prisoner care kit contents (new items only):
- 1 deodorant (minimum 2.25 oz.)
- 1 bottle of lotion (maximum 2 oz.)
- 1 tube of toothpaste (minimum 6 oz.)
- 1 bar of soap (minimum 4 oz.)
- 1 pair of white underwear (briefs)*
- 1 pair of white crew socks*
- 1 white crewneck undershirt*
*Clothing items are accepted in two sizes: men’s L and men’s XL. Please choose one of these sizes and purchase underwear, socks, and undershirt in the same size.
Selah’s Song! – INVITATION from NEWTON MENNONITE VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Selah’s Song! is an original musical by Johnny Wideman with music by the beloved Mennonite musician, Bryan Moyer Suderman. It is a heartwarming musical about how a young girls’ courage inspired a village and whose song became an anthem for peace. Theatre of the Beat, from Toronto, is touring the show across the US and Canada on the way to a Peacebuilding conference in Virginia. Click here to read more Selah’s Song! Friday, June 2 @ 6pm at Bethel College Mennonite Church (N. Newton). Admission by donation will support Camp Mennoscah.
EVERENCE® to hold May 30 MEDICARE WEBINAR
Everence will hold an informative Medicare webinar on Tuesday, May 30, starting at 6:30 p.m. Topics will include, when and where to sign up for Medicare, what Medicare does (and doesn’t) cover, Medicare Parts A, B, C and D in clear, understandable language plus budgeting for health care costs in retirement. There will also be time for your questions. 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.