Every year in November, approximately 1,000 school kits are packed and sent to Mennonite Central Committee for children around the world.
SCHOOL KIT NIGHT
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. The MCC Canner will be at Bethesda November 13-17, 2023.
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.
FAITH & LIFE BOOKSTORE
Faith & Life Bookstore from Newton, Kansas, brings out a large selection of books and gifts for purchase at our Youth Christmas Market fundraiser in December. Preorders are a great way to make sure you get the items you want!
MESSIAH CONCERT
Every three years, Bethesda Mennonite Church presents "The Messiah" by G. F. Handel.
This community wide choir, accompanied by the Nebraska Symphony Chamber Orchestra and talented soloists, is a spectacular event you won't want to miss!
CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
Sunday, December 17, 2023 @ 7:00 p.m.
Featuring Chancel Choir, The A*MEN, & the Worship Band
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE
A Christmas Eve service will not be held this year (2023). Enjoy the holiday season with family and friends!
NEW YEAR'S EVE COMMUNION
Every year on New Year's Eve a special service of communion and remembrance is held. Join us December 31!
NEBRASKA MCC SALE
The Nebraska Mennonite Relief Sale is a two-day charity event that takes place every year at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds in Aurora, Nebraska. For over 40 years, Mennonite and Anabaptist churches from Nebraska and Colorado have worked together to raise funds for Mennonite Central Committee by selling food, quilts, craft items and more.
This year's sale takes place March 31 - April 1, 2023.
Go to the site below for additional 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 Church Cemetery
11:00 a.m. Mennonite Cemetery
(In the event of inclement weather, services will be cancelled.)
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
June 5-9, 2023 8:30 - 11:30 a.m.
"Ready, Set, Move" by Orange
Ready, Set, Move this summer with a VBS experience that encourages every child to follow Jesus here, there, and everywhere!
CENTRAL PLAINS MENNONITE CONFERENCE
"Where Do We Go From Here?"
Central Plains Annual Meeting will be hosted by Nebraska Mennonite churches in York Nebraska at the Holthus Convention Center June 15-18, 2023. Visit the Central Plains Mennonite Conference website to learn more and to register.
LENT
WHAT IS LENT & WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
Have you ever wondered what people are talking about when they say they are giving something up for Lent?
Lent is a season of 40 days, not including 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 often described as a time of preparation and an opportunity to go deeper with God. This means that it's a time for personal reflection that prepares people's hearts and minds for Good Friday, Easter, and every day of the week. The three main things people focus on during Lent are prayer, fasting (abstaining from something to reduce distractions and focus more on God) and giving.
- Prayer during Lent focuses on our need for God's forgiveness. It's also about repenting from our sins and receiving God's mercy and love.
- Fasting is a common practice during Lent. The idea is that giving up something that's a regular part of life (like eating dessert or scrolling through social media) can be a reminder of Jesus' sacrifice. That time can also be replaced with more time connecting with God.
- Giving money or doing something good for others is a way to respond to God's grace, generosity and love.
It's important to note that doing these things can never make us earn or deserve Jesus' sacrifice. People are flawed and will never be good enough for a perfect God. But Jesus has the power to rescue us from ourselves by offering the free gift of salvation!
Join us in the sanctuary Wednesday @ 12:00 p.m. for an Ash Wednesday service.
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 make 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.
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.
2023 Communion Dates:
April 6, 2023 Maundy Thursday
May 28, 2023 Pentecost Communion
October 1, 2023 Worldwide Communion
December 31, 2023 New Year's Eve
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.
The next Parent Child Dedication will take place May 14, 2023, on Mother's Day. Please call the church office if you would like your child dedicated.
POTLUCK
Join us on the last Sunday of every month as we 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!