BETHESDA MENNONITE CHURCH – July 26, 2020

WELCOME

OUR MISSION STATEMENT A community caring for all God’s people, being transformed by

Christ’s love, serving others as a witness of God’s grace and peace.

REACH, GROW, SERVE

In July, the Deacons conducted Pastor Seth’s annual review. During

this time, we discussed the joys and challenges of his ministry, and his

gratitude and love for you as a congregation. July also marks the

conclusion of 5 years of ministry for him at Bethesda. According to

policy, a congregational vote is required to call Pastor Seth for

another 5-year term. We as the Board of Deacons unanimously

affirm the calling of Pastor Seth to another 5-year term, therefore

notice is given of a Congregational Meeting to take place Sunday,

August 9, 2020, immediately following the worship service for the

purpose of affirming Pastor Seth to another 5-year term as Pastor of

Preaching and Outreach at Bethesda Mennonite Church.

Absentee ballots will be available Monday, July 27, and must be

requested by members in writing, in person, or by phone.

Board of Deacons

Please keep the following baptism students in prayer as they prepare

for baptism, Sunday, August 9, 2020:

Merrick Maltsberger, Morgan Maltsberger, Madelyn Maltsberger,

Tucker Bergen, Trev Peters

College students, we want to stay in touch with you when you head

off to college. Please fill out the online College Student Contact

Form on Bethesda’s Home page at https://www.bethesdamc.org.

Please let us know this information even if your college and/or

address has NOT changed so we know we have the most up-to-date

information.

CONTACT US

Bethesda Mennonite Church 930 16th Street PO Box 130 Henderson, NE 68371-0130

Phone: 402-723-4562

Pastor Seth: 717-824-5998; Pastor Gene: 580-660-5796; Pastor Andrea: 402-710-3195

Email: bethesda@mainstaycomm.net

Website: www.bethesdamc.org

Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Worship services are available via:

• Livestream @ http://bethesdamc.org/watch-live

• Facebook

• Radio @ KOOL 103.5 FM

• Cobalt Cable Channel 3207

WEEKLY EVENTS

MONDAY, JULY 27 8:00 p.m. Church Council

TUESDAY JULY 28 8:30 a.m. Staff Meeting

WEDNESDAY JULY 29 12:00 p.m. Bulletin

Announcements Due

SUNDAY AUGUST 2

9:30 a.m. Worship

Message: Pastor Seth

Offering: MC USA

Pianist: Sandra Quiring

Faith@Home

Death

Sympathy is extended to

Steve and Shar Michel in

the death of Steve’s

mother, Shirley Michel, who

passed away July 22, 2020.

Services were held at the

First United Methodist

Church in York Friday, July

24, 2020.

CHURCH FAMILY

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH

CONCERNS, GRIEF OR FAMILY NEEDS… Jean Siebert, Jane Brehm, JoAnn Epp, Rachelle

Schweitzer, Charlie Quiring, Alton Friesen, Fred

Weisheit, Steve Michel Family, Martha Hiebner

Family

Death Martha Hiebner, 92, died July 22, 2020.

Graveside services were held July 25, 2020. She

is survived by children Karen (Donald) Mierau,

Elaine (Randall) Sweigart, and son Robert

Hiebner; grandchildren Christine (Scott) Lagalo

and Kevin (Jennifer) Sweigart, Jeffrey (Tina)

Mierau, Jonathan (Bobbie) Mierau, Lindsey

(Justin) Makovicka, Kristopher Hiebner, Braden

Hiebner, Grant (Carly) Hiebner, Whitney (Lance)

Loganbill, Jordan Hiebner, Mattison (Josh)

Booth; 19 great-grandchildren; brother Carl

Peters; and sisters-in-law Inez Hiebner, Eleanor

Adrian, and Elizabeth Nunnenkamp.

Thank you!

We are grateful to God for our church family

and Pastors, the prayers and words of

encouragement, the Zoom prayer group and

Bible study, for skilled surgeons and medical

teams, for local healthcare workers, therapists

and providers. Harlan is recovering well from his

hip surgery. Thank you!

Harlan Braun Family

ATTENTION ALL PARENTS, TEACHERS AND

VOLUNTEERS!!! “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the

kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14) These

well-known words of Jesus give us a picture of God’s love for children. For

this welcome to be truly extended to children in the context of our

congregation, our church must be place of refuge and safety. May the

process of protecting the children in the care of our congregation be

marked with healthy relationships as we travel together on this journey

toward growth in caring, trust, and wholeness.

Yearly Safe Child Protection Forms will be filled out online by all who work

with children/youth. Go to www.bethesdamc.org. Click Bulletins &

Resources, then Child Protection & Forms.

• If you are a volunteer/teacher, fill out the Volunteer for

Children/Youth (teachers, nursery workers, youth leaders etc.).

• If you are a parent, fill out the Trip Permission form and the Youth

Permission/Waiver form (one per child please) for children

attending any BMC activity (Sunday School, Midweek, etc.).

• If you will drive children/youth to any event, fill out the Driving

History Record Release form.

• Forms are due Sunday, September 13, 2020.

ANNOUNCING… “VBS 2020: FAITH@HOME!” Theme: Don’t Be Afraid

Throughout the Bible God’s people are told over and over again, “Do

not be afraid.” But when we go through a time of crisis and change, it is

natural to feel afraid and uncertain. So where do we turn? Over the next

6 weeks, we will learn from Jesus how to follow him beyond our fears.

Every Sunday through August 16, check the Faith Formation website in

the afternoon for the weekly video, discussion questions and suggested

activities: http://www.bmcfaithformation.com/faithhome.

If you haven't registered your family, you are still welcome to join us!

However, if you want a printed packet or snack bag you will need to

contact the church office to see if there are extras.

If you have any questions, please contact Christa Janzen (574-304-7948)

or Pastor Andrea.

YOUTH All Zoom links and resources can be found @

www.bmcfaithformation.com.

High School Youth will regather again via Zoom, Wednesday, August

5, at 7:00 p.m.

Catechism 2020 WILL NOT meet today, July 26, 2020.

FINANCIALS Worship Offering: July 19, 2020

Worship Attendance: 105

Mennonite Church USA/Mission Network $400.00

Central Plains Mennonite Conference $400.00

Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary $300.00

Bethesda General Operating Receipts $9,410.00

Henderson Ministerial Association $250.00

Sunday School Projects $25.00

Regular Sunday School Offering $50.00

Total $10,835.00

**Please Note: Regular Sunday School offering is part of the general

operating budget. You are encouraged to give an extra amount in

your local church offering rather than write a separate check or

designation for Sunday School. Thank you.

We have been overwhelmed by your positive response to this

request. Through our love and care during this time, many have

experienced the love of Christ. Since May, we have been able to help

close to 300 families who lost their jobs and income during the lockdown

by providing care packages of essential food items and other sundries to

each family. Additionally, this past week before the school term opened

on July 1, we were also able to assist struggling families with school supplies

and uniforms for more than 200 students. Thank you to the churches and

individuals who have joined us to support us in showing God’s love during

these challenging times.

We have some exciting developments in our ministries. One of our

believers, Grandpa Nah, offered us a new parcel of land to build a church

in his village in BunDaeng. For the past 15 years, we were using the house

of one of our believers, Leun. We thank God and also Grandpa Nah for

this opportunity for the church to have its own land. Because of recent

engagement with local community members through the COVID-19 care

package initiative, we have had additional people join our Sunday

worship in Sengaroun church (our new church planting in Roi Et led by

pastor Utane and his wife Ponh). The church is continuing to grow and

now we have over 20 in the congregation. The house currently being used

for church is getting too small, so Ponh has also offered land to build a

new church. Please pray that we are able to raise sufficient funds to build

this church.

Last week, two groups from different districts approached us with an

interest to be affiliated with the Living Water Church. One group has 14

believers but has no leader, so they need help with teaching and

outreach. The other group is about 68 km from us has 8 believers and

about 50 kids but has no church and pastor to guide them (right now one

lady who is a teacher is a key leader and offers her house for Sunday

worship). We are in the process of reviewing the opportunity for these

groups to potentially affiliate with Living Water Church. In the meantime,

please keep these groups in your prayers, and pray that their believers

can continue to be strong and grow spiritually even though they are

currently lacking resources and pastors.

Thanks again for your wonderful partnership and faithfully prayers and

financial supports. May God continue to bless the church and each one

of you as we continue to serve Him. Praise be to God!

With our love and prayers,

Pat & Rad

CCLI License #1410480