Bethesda Mennonite Church | Special Events

PARENT CHILD DEDICATION

Parent Child Dedication is a special time for parents to affirm their intention to raise their child in an environment where the child’s faith will flourish. In this act of consecration, we praise God and also bring the newborn/child into a relationship with the body of Christ. In this service, parents commit themselves to this calling.

Children are safe in the care of God. When they are able to be accountable for their own actions, they are able to make the church's faith their own and declare their wish for baptism.

Plan to have your child dedicated May 12, 2019. Contact the church office for details.

BAPTISM

Baptism is one of the foremost commands given by Christ to his disciples. Jesus himself requested water baptism at the beginning of his ministry and sent his followers to "go and bake disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit..." (Matthew 28:19)

Baptism is an outward symbol of an inward transformation that occurs through the acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of your life. It is also a pledge before the church of your covenant with God. If you are interested in being baptized, please talk to one of our pastors.

Baptism will be held Sunday, June 16, 2019.

CENTRAL PLAINS MENNONITE CONFERENCE

You are invited to Iowa Mennonite School in Kalona, Iowa, June 20-23, 2019, to worship learn and fellowship together at Central Plains Mennonite Conference. The theme for this gathering is "A Covenant People: Living in the Holy Spirit."

Dr. Cheryl Bridges Johns, Professor of Spiritual Renewal and Christian Formation at Pentecostal Theological Seminary in Cleveland, TN will share three sermons at the conference.

Registration forms and packet information are located on the table outside the church office or sign up online at http://www.centralplainsmc.org/annual-meeting-2019.html

Registration prices increase significantly on June 1, 2019, so be sure to register early!

COMMUNION

We believe the Lord's Supper is a sign by which the church remembers the new covenant which Jesus established by his death. The bread is a sign of Christ's body and the cup is a sign of the new covenant in his blood. In this meal, the church renews its covenant to be the body of Christ in the world and to live the life of Christ on behalf of others. In the communion meal, all are invited to the Lord's table to renew their covenant with God and with each other.

2019 Communion Dates:

Sunday, January 27

Thursday, April 18 Maundy Thursday Service

Sunday, June 16 Baptism Sunday

Sunday, August 18

Sunday, October 6 World Wide Communion Sunday

Tuesday, December 31, New Year's Eve Service

NEBRASKA MCC SALE

Each year in Canada and the United States, thousands of volunteers come together to raise money for Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) for the relief of suffering in the world. Annually over $5 million is raised at these events with an average of 85% sent to the field to help those in need. The Nebraska MCC Sale is an annual event you wont want to miss!

This year, join us Friday and Saturday, April 5-6, 2019, at the Aurora Fairgrounds in Aurora, Nebraska, for the 39th Annual Nebraska MCC Sale. Go to the sale site for more information!

MEMORIAL DAY SERVICES

Memorial Day Services are held each year at the following cemeteries:

9:00 a.m. Friesen (West) Cemetery

10:00 a.m. Bethesda Mennonite Cemetery

11:00 a.m. Mennonite Cemetery

In the event of rain, a joint service will be held at 10:00 a.m. at Bethesda Mennonite Church.

LENT SERVICES

What is Lent and why does it last 40 days?

Lent is a season of 40 days, not counting Sundays, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday. The 40 days represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, enduring the temptation of Satan and preparing to begin his ministry.

Lent is a time that offers us an opportunity to come to terms with the human condition and brings our need for a Savior to the forefront. Lent is a time to open the doors of our hearts a little wider and understand our Lord a little deeper.

MONTHLY POTLUCK

On the last Sunday of every month, we get together to share a potluck meal in the Fellowship Hall. Feel free to join us anytime - no need to bring a dish if you are not able. Remember, we're Mennonites! There is never a shortage of food!

HENDERSON GARAGE PARTY

The churches in the Henderson community partner with one another to create a Christ-centered family friendly event which seeks to transform the evening of October 31 (6:00-8:00 p.m.) from a festival of fear and darkness to a celebration of God's blessing and faithfulness.

SCHOOL KIT NIGHT

Every year in November, approximately 1,000 school kits are packed and sent to Mennonite Central Committee for children around the world. Last year, 1,028 school kits were packed!

FAITH & LIFE BOOKSTORE

During MCC Canner, the Faith & Life Bookstore from Newton, Kansas, brings out a large selection of books and gifts for purchase. Preorders are a great way to make sure you get the items you want.

MCC CANNER PROJECT

Every year MCC’s Mobile Meat Canner travels across the United States and Canada meeting volunteers who prepare cans of turkey, beef, chicken and pork to be sent around the world. However, this year (2018) the mobile canning unit will not follow its normal route and schedule. Only one position was filled of the four-person crew so the canner will only stop at a few limited locations. We will have the opportunity to join with our fellow Nebraska congregations and can at the MCC Resource Center November 8, 9, & 10, 2018. For more information, contact Brent Swartzendruber or Jay Dee Janzen. The Facebook page "Nebraska MCC Canning" has been set up to assist with information and coordination in the coming months.

Over 30,000 people a year volunteer to fill, weigh, wash and label every can. The finished cans are shipped to our partners, providing important nutrients when meat is hard to purchase. In the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK, or North Korea), where meat is scarce, MCC shares canned meat with our partners to supplement meals for children as well as patients with tuberculosis or hepatitis. For more information go to https://mcc.org/get-involved/canning.