Hope Mennonite Church

06/02/2026

https://youtu.be/X-2-tCMqto8
Here is the full poem titled The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus (1884) Special thanks to Jesse Graber for singing this tune that Ben Schrag composed.

The New Colossus
BY EMMA LAZARUS
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

https://youtu.be/X-2-tCMqto8

05/31/2026

Sourdough bread of life, proofed for you. That's what Jesus would say today right? Today we will receive communion from one another as we remember and give thanks for the life Jesus continues to offer the world. And yes, Pastor Ruth proofed and baked the bread for today as she prayed for each person connected to Hope Mennonite.

05/20/2026

Our liturgical fairies are at it again. Pentecost here we come. Reminder to wear red, orange, yellow, or pink this Sunday!

05/19/2026

The month of May is Mental Health Awareness month. I (Ruth) share part of an adaptation of Psalm 91 that I wrote for those who have faced or are facing mental health crises.

Dear beloveds who dwell in the shadow of emotional or mental disturbance:

When the terrors of the night come,
when there is crippling anxiety, trembles, unwanted voices, panic, and fatigue,
when you are weighed down at noon with depression,
may angelic wings shelter you,
shielding you from further harm.

May we all find a sweet abode of beloveds to guide us through the struggle.

05/15/2026

https://www.kansas.com/opinion/guest-commentary/article315727588.html

On International Conscientious Objector’s Day, Mennonites are among “peace churches” concerned by new automatic draft registration system.

05/15/2026

In today's Wichita Eagle
Article by Pastor Ruth

On International Conscientious Objector’s Day, Mennonites are among “peace churches” concerned by new automatic draft registration system.

05/14/2026

Can it be that we are already planning our first summer brunch? Sign up here for our May 31 brunch during second hour. See comments for RSVP form.

05/10/2026

A hymn giving thanks for Mothering of all kinds.

God of Eve and God of Mary,
God of love and mother-earth,
thank you for the ones who with us
shared their life and gave us birth.

As you came to earth in Jesus,
so you come to us today;
you are present in the caring
that prepares us for life's way.

Thank you that the Church , our Mother,
gives us bread and fills our cup,
and the comfort of the Spirit
warms our hearts and lifts us up.

Thank you for belonging, shelter,
bonds of friendship, ties of blood,
and for those who have no children,
yet are parents under God.

God of Eve and God of Mary,
Christ our brother, human Son,
Spirit, caring like a Mother,
take our love and make us one!

A video from LiturgyShare.org to aid hymn selection and to practise singing with music only. Lyrics are copyrightedPublisher: https://www.ocp.org/en-us/song...

05/08/2026

Hope Home is getting the egress window today for safety for the occupants.

05/06/2026

From Pastor Ruth: In and through Christ, we are members one of another. This is an image of the church found in 1 Corinthians. To me, this feels beautifully daunting. It makes me think of the game Twister--the body of Christ all trying to move in mutual partnership, but often unable to do so without some people being pushed off the mat, some people doing the pushing, and some people just turning away because it is too painful or awkward. Or the mat is just not accessible to a person. Period.

Tonight during an 8:30 pm zoom call (as well as Sunday during worship and Sunday School hour), we are going to talk about the ability piece in our church welcome statement (see below). Anabaptist Disabilities Network has given us some excellent prompts as we share stories, learn from another, and grow in our sensitivity and sharing of the communal "mat." If you would like to join the zoom call tonight, email me (Ruth) for a link. Sunday worship and second hour will also be an opportunity for folks to join this conversation.

We are an open and affirming congregation, embracing all people to full participation in the life and ministry of our church regardless of age, race, marital status, sexual orientation, economic status, gender identity, citizenship, ability, ethnicity, or any other factor subject to discrimination or exclusion in our world. We recognize and give thanks for the diverse opinions among us and are united as we strive to model a community of faith offering justice, peace, love, and compassion in the name of Christ.