BCMC ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Pony Express is on its way!  This is BCMC’s annual financial commitment process, to prepare for the 2010 budget.  Please consider prayerfully how God is calling you to support the mission and ministry of BCMC in the coming year.  Financial intent forms will be returned via neighborhood packets during worship next Sunday, November 22.  

Senior high youth outing to Camp Mennoscah — we will leave the church at 6 p.m. , Nov. 20 and return by 5 p.m. , Nov. 21. Bring sleeping bag, pillow and warm, work clothes! Those who can, please come to the church right after school on Fri., Nov. 20 to help rake leaves. Pizza will be ordered for those who rake leaves.  

 

As you plan holiday schedules, please note that BCMC will not host a Thanksgiving Day service this year.  The Nov. 22 Sunday worship service will focus on the theme of Thanksgiving and the Kidron Bethel Village community will also have a Thanksgiving service Wed., Nov. 25 at 2 p.m. in Menno Hall.

 

Wednesday night schedule change for senior high youth: The youth group meets 7-7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays Nov. 18, Dec. 2 and Dec. 9. For youth joining Chancel Choir those weeks, rehearsals are 7:30-8:30 p.m.  

 

Celebrate Thanksgiving by sharing God’s blessings with others through contributions to:

~ BCMC Caring Fund, an above budget fund administered by the Deacon Commission to provide assistance such as rent, utilities, food or other emergency needs for members of the congregation or wider community. Write checks to BCMC and designate “Caring Fund.”

~ Harvest of Love , an annual campaign in November and December co-sponsored by the Newton Ministerial Alliance and Salvation Army to stock a food pantry for hungry families in our community.  Congregations and other community groups and individuals are invited to give generously toward the goal of 50,000 pounds of food and $35,000.  Here at BCMC you may put non-perishable food items on the front bench under the balcony. For financial contributions make checks to “Harvest of Love” and send to Salvation Army , 314 N. Main , Newton , 67114. 

 

A reminder if you have borrowed medical equipment from someone in the congregation:  Be sure to return equipment to the owner when you are finished with it.  If you lend your equipment to someone, put your name on it and make a note of where it is going so it can be traced when needed.  Thank you. ~ The Health Cabinet

 

A new Sunday school option is available beginning Nov. 22 in Room B-7.  This will be an organizational gathering for interested participants.  The focus of this class will be on Bible-centered discussion to promote growth in faith and new understandings of Biblical meanings.  Input from the class participants will determine materials used and subjects for discussion. Visitors to our worship service and others who have not become involved in a Sunday school class are especially welcomed. For more information, or if you are interested but can't attend on Nov. 22, please contact Jeanette Stucky, 283-3248.

 

Ruth R. Harder and Nathan Koontz co-lead a prayer and song gathering with the college community Fridays at 7:30 a.m. at the Agape House. If you would like to provide breakfast rolls or muffins on occasion for this ongoing weekly gathering, contact Ruth R. Harder.  

 

Support Offender/Victim Ministries by buying Dillon’s certificates from Judy Kliewer at a table near the mail boxes the second Sunday of the month after worship service.

More U.S. troops in Afghanistan ?   See the literature rack for copies of a brochure from Mennonite Church USA urging prayer and action in response to the situation in Afghanistan . ~ Witness Commission

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMING EVENTS IN THE AREA

Life Enrichment: Wednesday, Nov. 18 at Schultz Student Center Dining Hall, 1:00 p.m. , Thanksgiving Dinner.    Meditation – Dale Schrag.

 

The Newton Community Chorale , led by Ron Garber , will present its

annual concert Fri., Nov. 20, 7:00 p.m. at Bethel College Mennonite Church . The 50-voice chorale will provide an evening of classical sacred music including several versions of Now Thank We All Our God and Psalm 150. The concert will include a free will offering .

   

Open House 2 to 4 p.m. , Nov. 21 at 11 Lakewood Circle in Campus Woods Estates, North Newton , Kidron Bethel Village ’s residential addition. Information: Marilyn King, 284-2900, ext. 232.

 

Hesston College and Ten Thousand Villages Newton present

"Inviting Artisans to our Banquet" with Doug Dirks of Akron , PA.   Doug will share artisan stories, Sun., Nov. 22, 4 p.m. , Hesston Mennonite Church , 309 S. Main. A reception will follow the presentation.  Please come learn more about the work of Ten Thousand Villages in the lives of artisans around the world.

 

The Newton Community Children’s Choir Winter Concert with musical guests Rosewood Winds, is Mon., Nov. 23, 7 p.m., First Mennonite Church, 429 E 1^st, Newton.  Bring non-perishable goods for the Salvation Army Community Assistance Program and receive $1 off admission price.  Admission is $5 Adults, $3 Students, and Pre-K free.  Austin Prouty and Sarah Turner from our congregation are members of the choir.  Brenda Bartel is the Director.

 

The Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale House Against Hunger is nearing completion. The public is invited to an Open House at 604 Church Drive , Inman, 1 to 5 p.m. Sun., Nov. 29 (Weather permitting).

 

Do your holiday shopping Thurs. Dec. 3. at Ten Thousand Villages and support Community Playschool with your purchases from 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m.   A percentage goes to Playschool.  That is the Newton Parade of Lights night!  Our church is a sponsor of the Playschool.

 

Marlene Bogard, Western District Conference Minister of Christian Nurture and Resource Librarian is offering to facilitate a Marriage Enrichment event in early Spring 2010 for married or engaged couples in the Newton area.  The focus is on improving communication, conflict resolution, and clarifying marriage expectations.  Several weekends are available, beginning with Feb. 12-14 (Valentines Day!)   If enough couples at BCMC are interested, we could host an event just for BCMC.  If you have interest in participating, please notify the church office, or contact Marlene directly at 283-6300 or . 

 

Cobalt Gallery, 605 N. Main, behind Pages Bookstore hosts two skilled artists in simultaneous shows:  Ken Gingerich, Art Director, MCUSA (At home in the middle kingdom: Making peace with our place in the universe) and Fremont Regier (Winterpast Woodturning: Turned "found wood" including many native and exotic woods scavenged and collected over many years) both on display through Nov 30.  For info: www.cobaltgallery.net , cobaltgalleryyahoo.com, or 316-283-3002

Homeless Shelter Training Sessions:

Thursday, December 3, 6:30 pm;

Tuesday, December 15, 6:30 pm; Friday, December 18, 10:00 am; Tuesday, December 29, 6:30 pm

 

Christmas hymn sing - Mark your calendars for a special musical evening on Sat., Dec. 12, 7-8:30 p.m. at BCMC led by Dr. William Eash .  This is a fundraiser with proceeds divided 50% for Western District Conference Vision 2012 and 50% for Bethel College . Let's sing together!

 

Harvey County Homeless Shelter 4th Annual Christmas dinner and musical theatre is Dec. 10, 11, & 12 at Shalom Mennonite Church at 7 p.m. Individual tickets are $15. For information or reservations contact Darla or Christa at 316-283-3729 or eventhchs-ks.com. Celebrate the holidays and support the homeless shelter.

 

 

 

 

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

In response to the needs of flooding and earthquake survivors in Asia , Mennonite Central Committee is increasing its appeal for donations to $250,000.  The additional contributions will allow MCC and its partners to respond to extensive flooding damage in southern India and Cambodia and to provide permanent housing for people in Indonesia , where earthquakes devastated entire villages.  Please donate by sending checks designated Asia Disasters to MCC Central States PO Box 235 North Newton , KS 67117 or online at donate.mcc.org.

 

A new documentary from Third Way Media will premiere Oct. 4 and run through Nov. 28 on NBC-TV (at the discretion of local stations). This will be of special interest to any congregation actively involved in prison ministry.
Long Road Back: Ex-Offenders’ Struggle For Acceptance takes an inside look at the lives of ex-offenders trying to find their way after prison. The program follows Jamie as she tries to find work and reestablish broken relationships, and Tim as he tries to shake his sentence and the negative press connected with his name. More information and a place to share personal stories, is available at www.LongRoadBack.com. For list of current stations airing, go to Interfaith Broadcasting Commission. If you don’t see your NBC station, call your local affiliate to inquire. Even though there are not a lot of stations reporting that they are airing the program at this point, we wanted Mennonite churches to know what is being done on their behalf in the public media, and give the opportunity for people to contact their local station, and to invite people to the Web site. You can also reserve your DVD copy of the program with study guide for $24.95 by calling 800-999-3534.