THIS WEEK @ FMC – October 5-11, 2022

This Sunday Oct 9 join us for a hymn sing-along at 3:30pm. The link above to join is incorrect. Here is the correct link: https://youtu.be/Z03mB-khNRQ (which you may need to copy and paste in your browser). Pre-service music will begin around 3:15pm. We look forward to singing songs of our faith together, led by LeRoy Esau and John Esau. We hope you’ll join us in person or on the livestream.

As we remember our brothers and sisters around the world with whom we shared communion this past Sunday on World Communion Sunday, I offer this song and prayer for your meditation.  This hymn text is found in the new Voices Together hymnal, and is written by Lloyd Stone (stanzas 1 and 2) and Georgia Harkness (stanza 3):

This is my song, O God of all the nations,

a song of peace for lands afar and mine.

This is my home, the country where my heart is:

here are my hopes, my dreams, my holy shrine;

but other hearts in other lands are beating

with hopes and dreams as true and high as mine.

My country’s skies are bluer than the ocean,

and sunlight beams on clover leaf and pine.

But other lands have sunlight too, and clover,

and skies are ev’rywhere as blue as mine.

So hear my song, O God of all the nations,

a song of peace for their land and for mine.

This is my prayer, O God of all earth’s kingdoms,

Your kingdom come; on earth your will be done.

O God, be lifted up till all shall serve you,

and hearts united learn to live as one.

So hear my prayer, O God of all the nations,

myself I give you; let your will be done.

    — 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.

COVID-19 safety suggestions 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 with drinks following the worship service each Sunday

Enjoy a time of fellowship with coffee, tea or juice following the worship service each Sunday. Join us in the Common Grounds room.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9:  Re-Member: Moses Reminds Others

O God, in your power, you freed the Israelites from their enslavers. And through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, you freed us from our bondage, too.  Help us to remember your great deeds of power, and also the smaller ways you show up. For when we remember what you have done, it strengthens hope for what you will do. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

(Exodus 19:1-9; Leviticus 26:40-45; Mt 5:17)

• Preacher: Pastor Jim Unruh
• Worship Leader: Maggie Pounds
• Children’s Time: Cathia Krehbiel
• Scripture Reader: Hilda Iwashige
• Special Music (piano): Bailey Krehbiel
• Pianist: Tonya Ramer Wenger
• Ushers: Russ Wedel & Diane Ziemer
• Nursery Attendant: Cheryl Warkentin
• 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 (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. 

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 plate is placed at the back of the sanctuary for your Sunday morning donations.  You are also welcome to send a check to 52 Rambler Rd Hutchinson KS 67502. 

CALENDAR – LOOKING AHEAD

• October 5 – WNAF: Anabaptist Streams Converging in Central KS
• October 7 – Faithful Community Coordination Team – 9:30am
• October 9 – 3:30pm Hymn Sing-Along and Refreshments following (in person & livestream)
• October 12 –WNAF: The making of Arms Wide Open, our forthcoming 100^thanniversary history book
• October 13 – Faith Formation Coordination Team – 4:00pm
• October 19 – WNAF: Conversation with Former FMC Pastors
• October 22-23 Centennial Celebration Events (see below)
• October 31 – Halloween Donuts on the Lawn (talk to Jonathan Wenger for details)

 CENTENNIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

• RSVP EXTENDED TO OCTOBER 8 ON OUR WEBSITE: https://hutchfmc.org/fmc-centennial-celebration/  Questions? Email centennial@hutchfmc.org or call the church office 620-662-9385.

• CENTENNIAL CHOIR – All singers are welcome to join the choir for the October 23 worship service. Rehearsals will be two Wednesdays – October 12 and 19 at 7:30pm, with a warm-up rehearsal on Sunday, October 23 at 8:30am. Come join us at the first rehearsal. See Calvin Buller if you have questions or would like to have the music in advance.

• CALLING ALL PIE MAKERS AND BREAD BAKERS! – One of the fun events taking place during FMC’s Centennial Celebration is the borscht supper on Saturday, October 22. The menu will include different breads and all kinds of pie. These items can be purchased for the dinner but we all know HOMEMADE is better and we welcome any and all donations! Sign up sheets will be available starting in October. In the meantime, freeze your extra loaves, zwieback and pies and be thinking about what you might like to make and donate to the borscht supper!

• WANTED: FMC MEMORABILIA . . . FMC CENTENNIAL MEMORY MUSEUM – As we prepare for our church’s 100-year celebration (Oct 22-23), we are wanting to set up a display of FMC Memorabilia. Please check your closets, bookshelves, filing cabinets, drawers, attics, etc. for items that highlight life at FMC over the years! Treasures may include (but are not limited to): caps, t-shirts, hymnals, pictorial directories, wedding attire (if you were married at FMC), bulletins, Sunday school materials, etc. We plan to have these items on display throughout the celebration weekend. Please contact Marlene Thode or Jean Gaeddert if you have items available for this Memory Museum display. Thank you. 

• NEEDED: Childcare helpers still needed for Wednesday evenings Oct 12 and 19; nursery care providers for Sunday afternoon October 9 Hymn sing-along at 3:30pm.  Volunteer to Pastor Tonya

FMC CENTENNIAL . . . LightHouse Service Day and Partner/Mentorship opportunities

The Centennial Committee of FMC is hosting a service day at LightHouse on Tuesday, October 11, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.. The address is 1005 N. Washington. We may be setting cabinets, installing doors, putting down underlayment, etc. (we will know their needs more specifically as we get closer to the 11th). Rick Hooper will be supervising us. Tools are provided unless you prefer to bring your own. Bring your own water container – a cooler of water is provided for refills. If there would be someone who would like to provide lunch for the workers, that would be much appreciated. If you are interested in helping, contact Russ Gaeddert at 620-200-2985. Thank you for considering to help with this project!

On Monday October 24th, 6:00-7:30pm, First Mennonite is hosting the LightHouse information meeting for potential partners and mentors. Dinner is provided. If you have interest in learning more about LightHouse and the role that mentors will play in supporting residents, please RSVP to Heidi or Jim.

OCTOBER WNAF (Wednesday Nights at First) + 1 SUNDAY CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION EVENTS

*All Wednesday evening programs listed below will have an option to join by Zoom and will be recorded.  Contact Pastor Tonya (tonya@hutchfmc.org) for the link, or check the FMC church email closer to the time.  We are also planning to provide childcare for nursery-5^th grade for the Wednesday evening programs – if possible, please RSVP to Pastor Tonya if you need childcare.

OCT 5  Dale Schrag: Anabaptist Streams Converging in Central KS

            5:30-6:15pm Dinner

            6:20-7:20pm Program

OCT 9 (Sunday) LeRoy Esau and John Esau: Hymn Sing-Along

            3:30pm Sing-Along in the sanctuary (and livestreamed – link will be on our website)

            Refreshments following

OCT 12  June Galle Krehbiel, Bonnie Swenson & Delon Martens, reflecting on the making of our 100^th anniversary history book: Arms Wide Open

            5:30-6:15pm Dinner

            6:20-7:20pm Program

            7:30-8:39pm Choir Rehearsal (for Oct 23 Centennial Worship Service)

OCT 19  In-person conversation with former FMC Pastors: Marlin & Betta Kym, Debbie Schmidt, LaVerle Schrag, Miles Reimer, Nathan Koontz

5:30-6:15pm Dinner

            6:20-7:20pm Program

            7:30-8:39pm Choir Rehearsal (for Oct 23 Centennial Worship Service)

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION WEEKEND SCHEDULE – OCTOBER 22-23, 2022

SATURDAY OCT 22

2:00-3:30  Open House at LightHouse (1005 N Washington Hutchinson KS)

2:30 Dedication & Blessing at LightHouse:  In honor of our 100^th anniversary, we have raised over

$26,000 (and counting) to support the construction and ministry of LightHouse. LightHouse is a house being renovated into 8 one bedroom apartments, intended to address the growing need for transitional housing for youth 18-21 years old in our community.

3:00-5:00pm Cookies/Refreshments and Activities for All Ages at First Mennonite (52 Rambler Rd)

Outside:

Inflatable Obstacle Course, Corn Hole, Bubbles, Ladder Ball, Chalk

CRAFT: First Church Model Kit – option to build there or take the kit home

      4:30pm – gather for a GROUP PHOTO beside the 100 display!

Inside: Memorabilia Museum of historical items to peruse; purchase your copy of the new 100^th anniversary history book; sit and visit with old and new friends; and more!

5:30pm Borscht Supper begins in the basement fellowship hall (RSVP by Oct 8)

SUNDAY OCT 23

            8:30am Choir Rehearsal in the Sanctuary

            9:30am WORSHIP Arms Wide Open – Set Free to Serve & Love One Another (Gal 5:13-14)

• Former and present pastors will share a scripture and prayer of blessing for First Mennonite
• Centennial Choir sings

            11:00am Fellowship & Transition to Potluck Lunch in the basement fellowship hall

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…

FALL WORSHIP thru OCTOBER 16, 2022  

            October 9: Re-Member: MOSES REMINDS OTHERS (Exodus 19:1-9; Leviticus 26:40-45)

                        Pastor Jim preaching

            October 16: Re-Member: IT WILL BE EASY TO FORGET (Deuteronomy 8:11-19)

                        Pastor Tonya preaching

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.     

FALL WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL  @ 11:00AM (no Sunday School on the 5^th Sundays)

Preschool-5^th Grade: SHINE! Curriculum:  Fall of a Kingdom

• Preschool-Kindergarten (basement – rooms 1&2)
• 1^st-5^th (basement – rooms 5&6)

6^th-8^th (upstairs to the right)

Senior Youth: 9^th-12^th grade (upstairs to the left)

ADULTS:

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

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.                

LPC: Listening-Prayer-Conversation Groups BEGINNING 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 plan is for a once/month simply structured hour of listening to scripture and Spirit, praying with and without words, and conversation with God and others. More details and plans will be shared later in November. 

STRENGTHENING Community Connections…

HALLOWEEN DONUTS ON THE LAWN IS BACK!!!

After a COVID induced hiatus, we are planning to be back on the church lawn on Oct 31 serving homemade donuts to the hundreds of trick-or-treaters in the church neighborhood.  If you’ve never helped before, perhaps this is the year to join the fun!!  Costumes welcome but not required (and traditionally there’s opportunity for FMC kids and youth to go trick-or-treating as part of the evening!).

Jonathan Wenger will mix up enough dough for about 500 donuts.  Helpers will be needed to: cut the donuts in the basement kitchen, carry donuts out to the lawn, fry donuts, and hand out donuts.  We’ll also need help setting up and cleaning up.  It takes many hands to make this operation run smoothly.  If you can, please let Pastor Tonya or Jonathan know if you plan to come and help, or feel free to show up at the last minute!!  Set up will begin at 4pm and we’ll start rolling and cutting donuts around 4:30pm.  Come when you can!

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)

STRETCHING to Serve as Christ Served…

SUNDAY MORNING DONATIONS FOR RENO COUNTY FOOD BANK:                                               

OCTOBER: Canned Soup (especially tomato & cream of mushroom)

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.

HOFFNUNGSAU SAUSAGE MISSION SUPPER fundraiser

Hoffnungsau Mennonite Church, 43 13^th Avenue, Inman, will hold its annual Sausage Mission Supper on Saturday, October 22, 5:00 – 6:30.  This will be a curbside pick up meal featuring our traditional menu of German sausage, mashed potatoes with gravy, creamed peas, zwiebach, applesauce and pie.  Cost will be a free will offering with all proceeds going to support The Mary Magdalene House, Hutchinson.  This is a ministry to taste the goodness of God and specializes in pastoral counseling with families dealing with mental illness, working through addiction, adoption issues, marital problems, etc.  Check out their website at www.marymagdalenehouse.com   Call or text Barb (620-543-6863) or Teresa (620-242-2357) NOW to order meals.  

COLLECTING BIBLES for missions

Zoar Mennonite Brethren Church (Inman) is collecting Bibles not being used anymore to take to missions. Let’s not just let the gospel decorate our shelves but put what we don’t use anymore to good use.  Diane Ziemer has provided a box in the foyer into which you may put your old/unused Bibles, and will deliver them for us.

PAYDAY LOAN REFORM INFORMATIONAL MEETING . . . RSVP requested

Various organizations across the state of Kansas have come together to confront the predatory nature of payday loans. Today, the average payday loan accumulates 391% interest in just 5 months. As the Kansans for Payday Loan Reform, we’ve been able to identify successful ways other states have reformed the payday loan industry to be fairer. To learn more, you can visit the website https://kspaydayreform.wixsite.com/website. To learn more about this work, you can attend a community conversation on October 13, 2022 at 6:30 pm at Trinity United Methodist Church located at 1602 N Main St, Hutchinson, KS. These organizations and leaders in the Reno County community are working together to host this conversation: Circles of Hope Reno County, Hutchinson Community Foundation, United Way of Reno County, Resilience Reno County, Beyond Barriers, and the Mercy and Justice Team of the Great Plains Conference of the UMC. Please RSVP here

CAMP MENNOSCAH announcements

Camp Mennoscah merch . . . make a purchase to support camp! The Camp Mennoscah online store has been refreshed and is ready for you to fill your need for that newest Camp Mennoscah tee shirt or water bottle. Plan ahead for Christmas gift-giving! Click here: http://camp-mennoscah-store.square.site/  

There are a great many things for volunteers to do–come be one!  Any of the following are great options for groups of one or more:  cutting firewood, cleaning after groups, weekend hosting, being a committee member, mowing or other maintenance/grounds tasks, making a meal for a volunteer group, or recruiting people to volunteer at camp.  These are just some of the possibilities!  Call us at 620-297-3290 for more information.

BETHEL COLLEGE announcements

Bethel College Women’s Association will appreciate donations of homemade baked goods for Market-in-the-Round at Fall Festival. Zwieback, cinnamon rolls, fruit pies, and poppyseed roll are especially needed. Please bring to Room 141 in Luyken Fine Arts Center 2-5pm on Friday Oct 7, or 7-9am on Saturday Oct 8. Email bcwa@bethelks.edu with questions.

Bethel College Fall Festival October 6-9, 2022:  For more than 50 years, Bethel College has celebrated education, diverse cultural traditions, special foods, fine arts, crafts and friendship at its annual Fall Festival, held each year on an extended weekend in late September or early October. More than 5,000 people come to Newton and the Bethel campus to enjoy an array of activities.  Features include music, food, class reunions, football, the play Quiet in the Land by Anne Chislett and the STEM Symposium honoring Professor Emeritus of Psychology Paul Lewis. See https://www.bethelks.edu/alumni/events/fall-festival for the complete schedule. Check out our Fall Festival 2022 event on Facebook at Bethel College Kansas Alumni Association (https://fb.me/e/2uPob) or follow us on Twitter: @ThresherAlumni

Fri., Oct. 7 – Artist reception for “Environmental Exposure,” sculpture by Glen Ediger, 6-8 p.m., Regier Art Gallery in Luyken Fine Arts Center at Bethel College. The exhibit is open through Fri., Oct. 21. Gallery hours are Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 2-4 p.m. (extended hours Sat., Oct. 8, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.).

Oct. 16-17, well-known Reformation scholar Brad Gregory from the University of Notre Dame will give the annual Menno Simons Lectures at Bethel College.

Thurs., Oct. 20 – The inaugural Senses & Aging Symposium, 6-8:30 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center at Bethel College, with Karen Kendrick speaking on “Hearing Loss and Fall Prevention” and Angela Loucks Alexander presenting from Australia on “Auditory Processing Disorder in Adults.” The symposium is free but registration is requested at www.bethelks.edu/academics/convocation-lectures/senses-aging-symposium

Sun., Oct. 23 – Sunday-Afternoon-at-the-Museum program with oral historian Ina Navazelskis from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, 4 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center at Bethel College (note change from usual time and location). Followed by the museum’s annual Living Endowment Dinner, featuring Justina Neufeld and Janine Wedel, for which reservations are required; e-mail kauffman@bethelks.edu or call 316-283-1612.

Nov. 4-5, “The Contemporary Relevance of Erasmus for Today: A Symposium,” with a keynote address by Dr. Greta Kroeker, University of Waterloo, Ontario, on Nov. 4, at Bethel College.

Registration is now open for “Joining Voices Together,” Bethel College’s Worship and the Arts Symposium, Sat., Nov. 12, on campus, featuring resource people Bradley Kauffman, Rachel Epp Buller, Katie Graber, SaeJin Lee, Cynthia Neufeld Smith, Adam Tice and Isaac Villegas. Register at https://www.bethelks.edu/worship-arts-registration-2022; discount for 3 or more people from the same congregation. In addition, the public is invited to a Community Evensong service, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. in Memorial Hall, which will consist entirely of congregational singing from the Voices Together hymnal, arranged around the 12 artworks found in the hymnal.

SWISS MENNONITE CULTURAL & HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION fall banquet

We are excited to announce plans for the Swiss Mennonite Cultural and Historical Association Fall banquet. It will be held at the Eden Mennonite Church near Moundridge on Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. The keynote speaker will be Brian Stucky, a 1971 graduate of Moundridge High School and currently living in Goessel. As a descendant of the family who operated the Alta Mill near Moundridge, he will give a program about “Mennonite Mills in Central Kansas”. Knackie’s will cater the meal. The cost to attend is $25 per person payable at the door. RSVP by texting or calling Nancy Stucky, 620-532-5693 by October 24. 

FAITH & LIFE BOOKSTORE Christmas Pop-up shop – SAVE THE DATE!

Faith & Life Bookstore in Newton will be selling in our building on Saturday, November 19. This is a great opportunity to shop for Christmas, birthdays, and all occasions – books, inspirational materials, and so much more for all ages. This is open to the community, so plan to bring your friends and neighbors. More details to follow.

MENNONITE HEALTHCARE FELLOWSHIP announcements

Mennonite Healthcare Fellowship (MHF) invites healthcare providers in all disciplines, including allied health, and all interested in the intersection of health and faith to our Annual Gathering at MCC’s Welcoming Place in Akron, PA, October 14th-16th, 2022. The theme is: Coming Together at the Well – Renewal Through Exploring the Five Life Standards. Participants will have the opportunity to explore and discuss the Five Life Standards from More-With-Less and how they apply to health and healing as well as hear from keynote speaker Malinda Elizabeth Berry, PhD, professor at AMBS. Commuter registration is available for local participants. Registration information at mennohealth.org/annual-gathering-2022/.

MENNONITE FRIENDSHIP COMMUNITIES announcements

Position openings on mfc staff:  nursing positions on all levels, maintenance technician, dietary aides. Apply at www.mennofriend.com or call 620-663-7175.

EVERENCE® FINANCIAL WEBINAR

Wednesdays at 2 and 8 p.m. Eastern time

• Oct. 5: Retirement Readiness: Understanding your Income Options. You’ll hear sound ideas for generating a retirement income stream that lasts, including when to begin taking Social Security.

For information and registration, email national@everence.com

WDC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Multiple performances of the play “We Own This Now” written by Allison Brookins and performed by Ted & Co. are coming up in early November:

• Wednesday November 2 at 7:30pm at Tabor College
• Thursday November 3 at 7:00pm at McPherson Church of the Brethren
• Saturday November 5 at 3pm at Hope Mennonite in Wichita

What does it mean to “own” something? What is the relationship between “owning” and “taking” — and what is the relationship between “ownership” and (taking) responsibility?  … Chris has farmed the land his grandmother found as a home in Kansas after fleeing Russia almost 100 years ago. His daughter Riley is learning more about the people who were on that land before her Oma arrived, and the jarring connections she has to the fate of those people. Chris and Riley navigate their changing relationship to each other, the land they’ve been living on, and the stories they tell. Historical documents, absurd situations, and extended metaphors accompany Riley and Chris’s journey. They — and the audience — learn how the Doctrine of Discovery (the legal framework that justifies theft of land and oppression of Indigenous Peoples) is still being used and causing harm today.

WESTERN DISTRICT CONFERENCE letter to congregations

Thank you for the ways you embody God’s good news in your community and our conference!

We hope your congregation is utilizing the many benefits of being part of WDC:

• WDC Resource Library’s large collection of resources for Bible study, spiritual growth, theology, current issues and faith formation for all ages.
• Resources for safe-church policies, healthy communication and congregational discernment processes.
• Credentialing for ministers, with grants for continuing education and sabbaticals, pastor peer groups, healthy boundary training, and assistance with pastoral transitions and reviews.
• Partnerships that revitalize congregational witness through supporting a new church plant or working for justice and peace.
• Opportunities to grow in faith and love by building relationships with other congregations in diverse contexts.
• . . . And much more!

In the spirit of WDC;s recent annual assembly theme, United in Purpose, Together in Love, we seek your generous contributions to support WDC;s ministry and help meet the budget goals for this year. – Heidi Regier Kreider, Conference Minister