DANFORTH MENNONITE CHURCH
416-422-2406

We welcome all guests who have joined us.

 

Danforth Mennonite Church
March 17, 2024
Order of Service

Welcome/Land Acknowledgement

Call to Worship

Introduction

Opening hymn:  #511 VT Come On Children, to the Gospel Feast

Announcements

Offering

Offertory Prayer

Hymn: #280 VT O Carpenter, Why Leave the Bench

Prayer Time

Hymn: #358 BH Oyenos mi Dios

Scripture: Luke 13: 22-35

Hymn: #556 BH Lord thou hast searched me

Message:   The Narrow Door

Closing hymn: VT #610 Precious Lord, Take My Hand

Benediction

 

Leading Us in Worship
Message                           John E.
Worship Leader           Sue S.
Song Leader                   Kathy W.
Musicians                        Roger H. (piano)
Greeters                          Leslie & Fazal S.
Zoom Host                     Bonnie W.
A/V Technician            Murray L.

Hymn of the month: VT# 280 O Carpenter,    Why Leave the Bench

Adult Discussion Class

Starting April 14^th, we will be studying the book “Baby and the Bathwater”.  If you need a copy of the book, speak to Bonnie.

For this Sunday’s class please read the following passages out of Luke’s Gospel: 13:22-35.

Primer:
The centre of Luke is a complex piece of ancient artistry. There are three main parts, each having their own complex pattern. The three main parts are as follows:
The Bent Woman with parables 13:10 -21
*The Parable of Banquet surrounded by journey theme 13:22-35
The Man with Dropsy with the banquet scene in the Pharisee’s house. 14: 1- 24.

This coming Sunday we will focus on the central parable of the banquet. The sermon is entitled, “The Narrow Door.” Bring some questions you might have about this parable. Here’s some questions that came to my mind:

Questions:
Who are these people knocking?
Who’s the head of the household?
Why are they told to depart?

Digging Deeper:
The Head of the House uses the words of a deeply troubled psalmist. Please read Psalm 6. Who is the Psalmist? What is the trouble?

See you Sunday.
John

Feel free to bring your own Bible or grab one from the Church.

 

Call to Worship

Leader: The dust that shapes the journey, the cross that guides it, the colour that surrounds it, the light that fades through it,
the Word that foretells it, the wilderness that invites it —

All:   This is Lent, and into its wilderness God calls us

Leader:    Come, friends, Christ is heading for Jerusalem.

 

Scripture reading

Setting: We are on the road in the cool of the morning.  Jesus teaches as he walks along with his disciples, a small crowd of both men and women. 

²² And He was journeying through from one city and village to another, teaching as he went, making his journey to Jerusalem. ²³ And someone said to Him, “Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?”

And He said to them, ²⁴ “Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. ²⁵ Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock on the door, saying, ‘Lord, open up to us!’ then He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ ²⁶ Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets’; ²⁷ and He will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you are from; depart from Me, all you evildoers.’ ²⁸ In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but yourselves being thrown out. ²⁹ And they will come from east and west and from north and south, and will recline at the table in the kingdom of God. ³⁰ And behold, some are last who will be first and some are first who will be last.”

³¹ Just at that time some Pharisees approached, saying to Him, “Go away, leave here, for Herod wants to kill You.” ³² And He said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I reach My goal.’ ³³ Nevertheless I must journey on today and tomorrow and the next day; for it cannot be that a prophet would perish outside of Jerusalem. ³⁴ O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not have it! ³⁵ Behold, your house is left to you desolate; and I say to you, you will not see Me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’”

 

Our Lent table display

THE ROCKS
The rocks remind us that Jesus alone is worthy of our adoration and praise. It reminds us that Jesus said if the people wouldn’t praise Him, the rocks would.
“I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out. [Luke 19:40]
 

THE SAND
The sand reminds us of the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). He was alone, tempted, and hungry; yet He resisted sin and lived a perfect life.
In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. [Isaiah 40:3]

THE CANDLES
The candles remind us that Jesus is the light of the world. And the light always overcomes the darkness.
In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. [John 1:4-5]

On the first Sunday of Lent, all seven candles are lit. As each week of Lent passes, one candle is extinguished. Unlike Advent where a new candle is lit each week and the light slowly gets brighter, during Lent each week gets progressively darker, until there is complete darkness on Good Friday.

“Whereas Advent is a season of ever-increasing light anticipating the incarnation of Christ, Lent is a season of ever-decreasing light approaching His crucifixion. Light is gradually extinguished to symbolize the journey through the wilderness and toward the cross and tomb.”

On Good Friday it appeared that darkness and death had won. The Light had been extinguished.

But thanks be to God that it doesn’t end there! “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. [1 Corinthians 15:55-57]

Sin and death have been defeated! On Resurrection Sunday all seven candles are lit as we celebrate the hope, life, and victory we have because of Jesus. He is risen, He is risen indeed!

 

DANFORTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

The DMC choir

is preparing a hymn (VT # 359 Christ is Alive! Let Christians Sing!) for Easter Sunday morning.

All are welcome to attend.
Never any auditions.

There will be short practices after Sunday church services for about 5-10.  See Kathy Wert for further details.

Easter Potluck Breakfast
Sunday, March 31, 2024
9:30 am in the Fellowship Hall

Please bring finger foods for all to share.  Coffee, tea, and juice will be served.

10:45 am We are invited to the sanctuary for some pre-service
Easter hymn singing.

Everyone is welcome.

 

Treasurer’s Report: We received $7,964 in offerings in February. Our budget calls for $8,114 each month in offerings. Due to the absence of a paid Pastor we now have a $6,633 operating surplus.

In February there was $300 donated to the Benevolence Fund and $100 donated to the Food Bank Fund. Also $300 was given with direction towards our Danforth Grow Hope budget line. $280 was used from the Spirit of MDS Fund as Honorariums for the Healthy Eating Program coordinator.

Donations to Danforth Mennonite Church are always welcome through Sunday morning offerings, mailed cheques or email transfers at dmmc2174@gmail.com. Please contact Roger H. if you would like to join the monthly giving program which happens through bank transfers on the 15th of each month. Thank you to all for your generous support for the work of our church.

 

Good Friday service

The Ministry Support Team
(Cindy, Dalton, Margaret and Shannon)
will lead us in the service on
March 29^th at 10:30 a.m.

 

Worship Schedule reminder

March 24
Speaker                   Carol O.
Worship leader   Dalton J.
Song Leader          Kathy W.
Musicians               Roger H. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                 Cindy R., Bethany W.
ZOOM host           Bonnie W.
A/V Tech                 Fazal S.

Good Friday       Margaret A., Shannon E., Dalton J., Cindy R.
 

March 31
Speaker                      John E.
Worship leader     Margaret A.
Song Leader            Dalton J.
Musicians                 Bonnie W. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                    Vic G., Murray L.
ZOOM host             Mike D.
A/V Tech                   Don B.

 

Ladies Walking group

On Tuesday, March 19 at 10:30 am (weather permitting), we will meet at Bluffers Park (1 Brimley Road South).  Take Brimley Road to the bottom of the hill and follow to the right and park in the lot near the washrooms.

An email will go out on Monday March 18 to confirm the place and time.

If you need to be picked up or dropped off, please check in with fellow walkers or email Bonnie.

 

Do you have some ideas for our next newsletter?

Please contact Bonnie.
Our next edition covers January – April.

 

 

 

WIDER CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Welcome the Stranger-GTA is expecting an Afghan refugee family to arrive sometime in May or June 2024. This is a family of three, mother, father and six-year-old daughter.  The team of WtS volunteers are now looking for an apartment, hopefully less than $1,900 per month inclusive, in Stouffville, with access to public transportation.  WtS is also asking for household items to furnish the apartment. We do not have storage so let us know if you have items that we can count on when the family arrives. Send a note to Carolyn carolyn.reesor @ gmail.com  or 416.580.4271 or Andrew arm5 @ sympatico.ca or 647.879.5040 if you have leads on an apartment or household items.

 

You are invited to worship with the
St. Clair O’Connor Community.
Your presence and support are appreciated.
7:00 p.m.

March 17 – hymn sing
March 31 – an Easter service by The Church of St. Bedes.

 

As we celebrated MNLCT's 40th Anniversary in 2023, we are so grateful that you have been a part of our community! Together we celebrated our achievements, remembered when the centre was founded, grown and served more clients – tens of thousands of newcomers since 1983.
 
For forty years, we have helped newcomers, immigrants and vulnerable clients to meet integration needs, form social networks, and shape their environment through community engagement. You, our supporters and donors, have helped us provide settlement services, language instruction, community emotional and mental health support, life and career coaching and training to the numerous newcomers we have seen both in-person and virtually over the years.
 
Almost 500 friends, founders, partners, former and current clients joined together on February 10 at LiUNA! Local 183 - Wilson Centre to celebrate this amazing milestone. Thank you all!

Our 40th anniversary fundraising campaign raised almost $20,000!

 

MCEC Annual Church Gathering 2024

Inspired by Hope
April 26 & 27, 2024
Leamington, ON

Be inspired by the hope we find in Jesus, hear stories of inspiration and experience the wonder and mystery of God when we meet together as a family of congregations.
More Information

 

GTA Mennonite Festival
Annual General Meeting
April 7 at 4 pm,
Rouge Valley Mennonite Church,
7452 Reesor Rd, Markham

The 2024 AGM is taking place on Sunday, April 7 at 4 PM at Rouge Valley Mennonite Church. Please join us for a delicious soup supper from MCC’s Raw Carrot Soup program, hear about the impact of your support of the GTA Mennonite Festival and learn about plans for 2024. RSVP online at gtamennonitefestival.ca/agm.

In summary, upcoming events

At Danforth
March
19  Ladies walking group – Scarborough Bluffs
23  Messy Church
26  Ladies walking group – Norway Church
29  Good Friday service 10:30 a.m.
31  Easter breakfast and service

May
11  DMC Spring Cleaning

Wider Church
March
17  SCOC evening service
20  Beyond Polarized Kvetching workshop Part 2
31  SCOC evening service

April
7  GTA Mennonite Festival AGM
14  Silent Auction at Church of the Resurrection
26 & 27  MCEC Annual Church Gathering

May
4  GTA Mennonite Church Work Bee Willowgrove
5  Celebration of Life for Dave M.

 

DANFORTH MENNONITE CHURCH
416-422-2406
 We welcome all guests who have joined us.

Danforth Mennonite Church
March 10, 2024
Order of Service

Land Acknowledgement

Welcome

Call to Worship

Opening hymn:  VT 280   O Carpenter, Why leave the bench

Announcements

Offering Prayer

Hymn:  VT #644   Healer of our every ill

Congregational Prayer

Prayer of Confession 

Scripture Luke 13: 10-17, Luke 14: 1-6

Hymn:  STS #92   Sing with all the saints in glory

Message:  New Adam, New Eve

Closing hymn:  VT #377   New Earth, Heavens New

Benediction

 

Leading Us in Worship
Message                             John E.
Worship Leader             Linda D.
Song Leader                     Ed F.
Musicians                          Bonnie W. (piano)
Greeters                             Leslie & Fazal S.
Zoom Host                        Mike D.
A/V Technician               Don B.

 

March Hymn of the month:  VT #280  O Carpenter, Why Leave the Bench

 

Adult Discussion Class

Starting April 14^th, we will be studying the book “Baby and the Bathwater”.  If you need a copy of the book, speak to Bonnie.

For this Sunday’s class please read the following passages out of Luke’s Gospel: 13:10-17; 14:1-6. The sermon title is “New Eve; New Adam.”

Question: Luke has carefully chosen to place these two healing stories close together, one of a woman and the other of a man. I am suggesting he had Adam and Eve in mind. What do you think? More generally, How does the theme of creation show up in Luke’s gospel and what does Jesus have to do with it?

See you Sunday.
John

Feel free to bring your own Bible or grab one from the Church.

 

Call to Worship

based on Psalm 107:1–3, 17–22

Leader:   Give thanks to God, for God is good!

Many:     God’s love endures forever.

Leader:   Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story.

Many:     God’s love endures forever.

Leader:   We may make careless choices and lose our way.

Many:     God’s love endures forever.

Leader:   We call out to God when we are in trouble.

Many:     God’s love endures forever.

Leader:   God rescues us from our anxieties and fears.

Many:     God’s love endures forever.

One:         God’s word sets us free to walk in newness of life.

Many:     God’s love endures forever.

One:         God gathers us in, from the east and the west, from the north and the south.

All:            For God’s unfailing love, we give thanks to the Creator of all that is good.

 

Prayer of Confession

Leader:   Merciful God, we forget that you are the light of the world.

Many:     Forgive us for our short memories.

Leader:   Remind us that you are rich in mercy

Many:     when we wander away from you.

Leader:   Loving God, convict us of your immense love

Many:     that shines brightly on us.

All:   Merciful God, light of the world, we come seeking new life in you.

 

Scripture reading

 Summary: The Bible begins with God bringing creation out of darkness and chaos.  Adam and Eve are made in God’s image and blessed with a vocation to extend God’s good rule into creation. The theme of creation is like a great river that runs through every part of the Bible.  How does this creation theme run through Luke’s gospel?  On this fourth Sunday of Lent Luke gives us some glimpses.

Luke 13: 10-17

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath
¹⁰ One Sabbath day as Jesus was teaching in a synagogue, ¹¹ he saw a woman who had been crippled by an evil spirit. She had been bent double for eighteen years and was unable to stand up straight. ¹² When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Dear woman, you are healed of your sickness!” ¹³ Then he touched her, and instantly she could stand straight. How she praised God!

¹⁴ But the leader in charge of the synagogue was indignant that Jesus had healed her on the Sabbath day. “There are six days of the week for working,” he said to the crowd. “Come on those days to be healed, not on the Sabbath.”

¹⁵ But the Lord replied, “You hypocrites! Each of you works on the Sabbath day! Don’t you untie your ox or your donkey from its stall on the Sabbath and lead it out for water? ¹⁶ This dear woman, a daughter of Abraham, has been held in bondage by Satan for eighteen years. Isn’t it right that she be released, even on the Sabbath?”

¹⁷ This shamed his enemies, but all the people rejoiced at the wonderful things he did.

Luke 14: 1-6

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath
14 One Sabbath day Jesus went to eat dinner in the home of a leader of the Pharisees, and the people were watching him closely. ² There was a man there whose arms and legs were swollen.^[a] 3 Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in religious law, “Is it permitted in the law to heal people on the Sabbath day, or not?” ⁴ When they refused to answer, Jesus touched the sick man and healed him and sent him away. ⁵ Then he turned to them and said, “Which of you doesn’t work on the Sabbath? If your son^[b] or your cow falls into a pit, don’t you rush to get him out?” ⁶ Again they could not answer.

 

Our Lent table display

THE ROCKS
The rocks remind us that Jesus alone is worthy of our adoration and praise. It reminds us that Jesus said if the people wouldn’t praise Him, the rocks would.
“I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out. [Luke 19:40]

THE SAND
The sand reminds us of the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). He was alone, tempted, and hungry; yet He resisted sin and lived a perfect life.
In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. [Isaiah 40:3]

THE CANDLES
The candles remind us that Jesus is the light of the world. And the light always overcomes the darkness.
In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. [John 1:4-5]
 
On the first Sunday of Lent, all seven candles are lit. As each week of Lent passes, one candle is extinguished. Unlike Advent where a new candle is lit each week and the light slowly gets brighter, during Lent each week gets progressively darker, until there is complete darkness on Good Friday.

“Whereas Advent is a season of ever-increasing light anticipating the incarnation of Christ, Lent is a season of ever-decreasing light approaching His crucifixion. Light is gradually extinguished to symbolize the journey through the wilderness and toward the cross and tomb.”

On Good Friday it appeared that darkness and death had won. The Light had been extinguished.

But thanks be to God that it doesn’t end there! “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. [1 Corinthians 15:55-57]

Sin and death have been defeated! On Resurrection Sunday all seven candles are lit as we celebrate the hope, life, and victory we have because of Jesus. He is risen, He is risen indeed!

 

DANFORTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

The DMC choir

is preparing a hymn (VT # 359 Christ is Alive! Let Christians Sing!) for Easter Sunday morning.

All are welcome to attend.
Never any auditions.

There will be short practices after Sunday church services for about 5-10.  See Kathy Wert for further details.

 

Easter Potluck Breakfast
Sunday, March 31, 2024
9:30 am in the Fellowship Hall

Please bring finger foods for all to share.  Coffee, tea, and juice will be served.

10:45 am We are invited to the sanctuary for some pre-service
Easter hymn singing.  Everyone is welcome.

Treasurer’s Report: We received $7,964 in offerings in February. Our budget calls for $8,114 each month in offerings. Due to the absence of a paid Pastor we now have a $6,633 operating surplus.
 
In February there was $300 donated to the Benevolence Fund and $100 donated to the Food Bank Fund. Also $300 was given with a direction towards our Danforth Grow Hope budget line. $280 was used from the Spirit of MDS Fund as Honorariums for the Healthy Eating Program coordinator.
 
Donations to Danforth Mennonite Church are always welcome through Sunday morning offerings, mailed cheques or email transfers at dmmc2174@gmail.com. Please contact Roger Horst if you would like to join the monthly giving program which happens through bank transfers on the 15th of each month. Thank you to all for your generous support for the work of our church.

 

Good Friday service

The Ministry Support Team
(Cindy, Dalton, Margaret and Shannon)
will lead us in the service on
March 29^th at 10:30 a.m.

 

Worship Schedule reminder

March 17
Speaker                  John E.
Worship leader  Sue S.
Song Leader         Kathy W.
Musicians              Roger H. (piano)
Greeters                 Leslie & Fazal S.
ZOOM host          Bonnie W.
A/V Tech                Murray L.

March 24
Speaker                     Carol O.
Worship leader    Dalton J.
Song Leader           Kathy W.
Musicians                Roger H. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                  Cindy R., Bethany W.
ZOOM host           Bonnie W.
A/V Tech                  Fazal S.

 

Ladies Walking group

On Tuesday, March 12, we will be meeting at 10:30 a.m. at Pine Hills Cemetery at St. Clair and Birchmount (enter at Birchmount entrance) for a one-hour walk.
 
An email will go out on Monday March 11 to confirm the place and time.

If you need to be picked up or dropped off, please check in with fellow walkers or email Bonnie.

 

Do you have some ideas for our next newsletter?
Please contact Bonnie.

Our next edition covers January – April.

 

 

 

 

WIDER CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Welcome the Stranger-GTA is expecting an Afghan refugee family to arrive sometime in May or June 2024. This is a family of three, mother, father and six-year-old daughter.  The team of WtS volunteers are now looking for an apartment, hopefully less than $1,900 per month inclusive, in Stouffville, with access to public transportation.  WtS is also asking for household items to furnish the apartment. We do not have storage so let us know if you have items that we can count on when the family arrives. Send a note to Carolyn carolyn.reesor@gmail.com  or 416.580.4271 or Andrew arm5@sympatico.ca or 647.879.5040 if you have leads on an apartment or household items.

 

You are invited to worship with the
St. Clair O’Connor Community.
Your presence and support are appreciated.
7:00 p.m.

March 17 – hymn sing
March 31 – an Easter service by The Church of St. Bedes.

 

Now Hiring at Fraser Lake Camp

Fraser Lake Camp is now hiring Counsellors and Lifeguards for 2024! Spend your summer on a beautiful lake, making new friends, and gaining life long skills. For more information, visit willowgrove.ca/join-our-team-fraser-lake-camp

 

Please save the date for the
GTA Mennonite Festival AGM
April 7, 5 pm.
Rouge Valley Mennonite Church.
Details to follow.

 

MCEC Annual Church Gathering 2024
Inspired by Hope

April 26 & 27, 2024
Leamington, ON

Be inspired by the hope we find in Jesus, hear stories of inspiration and experience the wonder and mystery of God when we meet together as a family of congregations.
More Information

 

In summary, upcoming events

At Danforth

March
9  Men’s breakfast
12  Ladies walking group – Pine Hills
19  Ladies walking group – Scarborough Bluffs
23  Messy Church
26  Ladies walking group – Norway Church
29  Good Friday service 10:30 a.m.
31  Easter breakfast and service

Wider Church

March
17  SCOC evening service
20  Beyond Polarized Kvetching workshop Part 2
31  SCOC evening service

April
7  GTA Mennonite Festival AGM
14  Silent Auction at Church of the Resurrection
26 & 27  MCEC Annual Church Gathering

May
5  Celebration of Life for Dave Martin

DANFORTH MENNONITE CHURCH
416-422-2406

We welcome all guests who have joined us.

 

Danforth Mennonite Church
March 3, 2024
Order of Service

Welcome

Land acknowledgment

Opening Hymn:  #78     O For A Thousand Tongues

Call to Worship

Prayer

Hymn:  #280     O Carpenter, Why Leave Thy Bench

Announcements

Offering

Prayer

Hymn:  #297 – You Are Salt For The Earth

Prayers of the People

Scripture: Luke 5: 1-11, Luke 9:51-56, Luke 18:15-17

Hymn: #813 Heart With Loving Heart United

Message:     Called to Fail, Called to Follow

Hymn:  #540  Will You Come and Follow Me

Benediction

 

Leading Us in Worship
Message                            John E.
Worship Leader            Erma M.
Song Leader                    Dalton J.
Musicians                         Kathy W. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                           Cindy R., Bethany W.
Zoom Host                      Bonnie W.
A/V Technician             Roger H.

Hymn of the month:  VT # 280  O Carpenter, Why Leave the Bench

It’s hymn sing Sunday.
Join us
 in the sanctuary at 10 a.m.

 

Scripture reading

*Setting:  Jesus and his disciples are in a boat that quietly rocks over deep water. The nets have been thrown out. Suddenly the nets tug hard, the boat leans followed by shouts of disbelief.   Can you see it?

A Reading from Luke chapter 5 

5 Now it happened that while the crowd was pressing around Him and listening to the word of God, He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret; ² and He saw two boats lying at the edge of the lake; but the fishermen had gotten out of them and were washing their nets. ³ And He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little way from the land. And He sat down and began teaching the people from the boat. ⁴ When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” ⁵ Simon answered and said, “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets.” ⁶ When they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to break; ⁷ so they signaled to their partners in the other boat for them to come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats, so that they began to sink. ⁸ But when Simon Peter saw that, he fell down at Jesus’ feet, saying, “Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!” ⁹ For amazement had seized him and all his companions because of the catch of fish which they had taken; ¹⁰ and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men.” ¹¹ When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him.

*Setting: We are deep in enemy territory, the land of the Samaritans.  Lots of sideways glances from the locals.  Jesus and his disciples are looking for a place to lay their head.   Can you see it? Can you feel the tension?

A Reading from Luke chapter 9

⁵¹ When the days were approaching for His ascension, He was determined to go to Jerusalem; ⁵² and He sent messengers on ahead of Him, and they went and entered a village of the Samaritans to make arrangements for Him. ⁵³ But they did not receive Him, because He was traveling toward Jerusalem. ⁵⁴ When His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” ⁵⁵ But He turned and rebuked them, [and said, “You do not know what kind of spirit you are of; ⁵⁶ for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.”] And they went on to another village.

*Setting: We are in a town square, one of the last towns before the ascent to Jerusalem. The trek from Galilee is almost over. There is an exchange of ugly voices between the disciples and mothers with nursing babies.  Can you see it? Can you hear it?

A Reading from Luke chapter 18

¹⁵ And they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He would touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them. ¹⁶ But Jesus called for them, saying, “Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. ¹⁷ Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”

 

Our Lent table display

THE ROCKS
The rocks remind us that Jesus alone is worthy of our adoration and praise. It reminds us that Jesus said if the people wouldn’t praise Him, the rocks would.
“I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out. [Luke 19:40]

THE SAND
The sand reminds us of the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). He was alone, tempted, and hungry; yet He resisted sin and lived a perfect life.
In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. [Isaiah 40:3]

THE CANDLES
The candles remind us that Jesus is the light of the world. And the light always overcomes the darkness.

In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. [John 1:4-5]

On the first Sunday of Lent, all seven candles are lit. As each week of Lent passes, one candle is extinguished. Unlike Advent where a new candle is lit each week and the light slowly gets brighter, during Lent each week gets progressively darker, until there is complete darkness on Good Friday.

“Whereas Advent is a season of ever-increasing light anticipating the incarnation of Christ, Lent is a season of ever-decreasing light approaching His crucifixion. Light is gradually extinguished to symbolize the journey through the wilderness and toward the cross and tomb.”

On Good Friday it appeared that darkness and death had won. The Light had been extinguished.

But thanks be to God that it doesn’t end there! “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. [1 Corinthians 15:55-57]

Sin and death have been defeated! On Resurrection Sunday all seven candles are lit as we celebrate the hope, life, and victory we have because of Jesus. He is risen, He is risen indeed!

 

DANFORTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Good Friday service

The Ministry Support Team
(Cindy, Dalton, Margaret and Shannon)
will lead us in the service on
March 29^th at 10:30 a.m.

 

The DMC choir

is preparing a hymn (VT # 359 Christ is Alive! Let Christians Sing!) for Easter Sunday morning.

There will be a practice this Sunday morning at around 10:25 after pre-service singing.
All are welcome to attend.
Never any auditions.

There will be short practices after church on Sunday mornings. about 5-10 minutes after church for about 10 minutes.  See Kathy Wert for further details.

 

Easter Potluck Breakfast
Sunday, March 31, 2024
9:30 am in the Fellowship Hall

Please bring finger foods for all to share.  Coffee, tea, and juice will be served.

10:45 am We are invited to the sanctuary for some pre-service
Easter hymn singing.

Everyone is welcome.

 

Worship Schedule reminder

March 10
Speaker                    John E.
Worship leader   Linda D.
Song Leader          Ed F.
Musicians               Bonnie W. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                 Leslie & Fazal S.
ZOOM host          Mike D.
A/V Tech                Don B.

March 17
Speaker                    John E.
Worship leader   Sue S.
Song Leader          Kathy W.
Musicians               Roger H. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                 Leslie & Fazal S.
ZOOM host          Bonnie W.
A/V Tech                Murray L.

Ladies Walking group

On Tuesday, March 5, we will be meeting at 10:30 a.m. at Rosetta McClain Gardens at 5 Glen Everest Road (Kingston Road and Birchmount) for a one-hour stroll through the gardens.
 
An email will go out on Monday March 4 to confirm the place and time.

If you need to be picked up or dropped off, please check in with fellow walkers or email Bonnie.

 

Do you have some ideas for our next newsletter?

Please contact Bonnie.
Our next edition covers January – April.

 

 

WIDER CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

You are invited to worship with the
St. Clair O’Connor Community.
Your presence and support are appreciated.
7:00 p.m.

March 3
March 17 – hymn sing
March 31 – an Easter service by The Church of St. Bedes.

 

Please save the date for the

GTA Mennonite Festival AGM
April 7, 5 pm. Rouge Valley Mennonite Church. Details to follow.

 

 

MCEC Annual Church Gathering 2024

Inspired by Hope
April 26 & 27, 2024
Leamington, ON

Be inspired by the hope we find in Jesus, hear stories of inspiration and experience the wonder and mystery of God when we meet together as a family of congregations.
More Information

 

A note from Peter H.

Wed March 6 - 'Beyond Polarized Kvetching', a workshop on helpful conversations about controversial topics, hosted by TUMC's Mission & Service Committee. Join Lia and Emily as they share insights coming from their own advocacy for Palestine among their Jewish and Israeli family members. Part 2 is March 20. Come at 6pm for a simple soup supper, workshop is 7-9pm. Please register at this link:

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/toronto-united-mennonite-church/events/beyond-polarized-kvetching/

Note - this is not an event to discuss or debate Israeli and Palestinian issues. Participants are welcome to bring their own perspectives, but the focus of the event is developing tools for healthy discussions.

 

In summary, upcoming events

At Danforth

March
5  Ladies walking group
9  Men’s breakfast
12  Ladies walking group
19  Ladies walking group
23  Messy Church
26  Ladies walking group
29  Good Friday service 10:30 a.m.
31  Easter breakfast and service

Wider Church

March
6  Beyond Polarized Kvetching workshop
20  Beyond Polarized Kvetching workshop Part 2

April
7  GTA Mennonite Festival AGM
14  Silent Auction at Church of the Resurrection
26 & 27  MCEC Annual Church Gathering

DANFORTH MENNONITE CHURCH
416-422-2406

We welcome all guests who have joined us.

 

Danforth Mennonite Church
February 25, 2024
Order of Service

Welcome

Land Acknowledgment

Opening Hymn: VT #573 Strong, Peaceful Man of Galilee

Prayer of Confession

Announcements

Offering

Hymn:   VT #610 Precious Lord, Take my Hand

Congregational Prayer

Scripture: (#1) Luke 3: 21 – 22; Luke 4: 1 – 2; 13. (#2) Luke 4: 16 – 21. (#3) Luke 4: 31-37.

Hymn:   VT #307 Jesus, Tempted in the Desert

Message:  Deliver us from Evil

Closing Hymn:   VT #847 You Shall Go Out with Joy

Benediction

Leading Us in Worship
Message                             John E.
Worship Leader             Mike D.
Song Leader                     Sue S.
Musicians                          Jessica M. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                             Dalton & Carol J.
Zoom Host                        Bonnie W.
A/V Technician               Fazal S.

February hymn of the month:  VT # 573  Strong, Peaceful Man of Galilee

 

Adult Discussion Group

This Sunday we’re looking at a chunk from Luke, 3: 21 to 4: 37.  The sermon title is “Deliver us from Evil.”  Please read these verses for this coming Sunday. Take note of two things:

1. Who are the Characters?
2. What is the Tension?

 

Prayer of Confession

Leader:   Trustworthy God, we want to live with faith, yet we worry there will not be enough.
We want to believe in your promises, yet we lose hope. We want to follow you, but sometimes the road is too hard.

People: We confess before you our unbelief, our worry, our hopelessness.

Leader:   Shape us into a people who will live in faith. Strengthen us so we can deny ourselves, take up your cross, and follow you.

People: In your grace, Lord, give us faith to believe that you will call into existence the things that do not exist. Amen.

 

Scripture Reading (NLT)

*Setting: This place is a wasteland. A threatening wind stirs. Crowds upon crowds gather around the river being baptized. Jesus stands among the people, soaked with water and very deep in prayer.

Readings from Luke chapters 3 and 4. 

Listen:

3 ²¹One day when the crowds were being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized. As he was praying, the heavens opened, ²² and the Holy Spirit, in bodily form, descended on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, “You are my Beloved Son, in you I am well pleased.”

4 ¹Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, ² where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry…  ¹³ When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came.

*Setting: After a week of walking Jesus returns to his hometown.  Children play, chickens chitter and chatter, donkeys stand.  We enter the cool of the synagogue.  Familiar people have all gathered.

Listen:  ¹⁶ When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. ¹⁷ The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written:

¹⁸ “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, ¹⁹ and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.”

²⁰ He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. ²¹ Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!”

Setting:   After a long walk to the shores of Galilee, Jesus enters another synagogue in a busy ancient city.  As Jesus is teaching, suddenly a quiet shriek comes from a man, a shriek that grew loader.

Listen:   ³¹ Then Jesus went to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and taught there in the synagogue every Sabbath day. ³² There, too, the people were amazed at his teaching, for he spoke with authority.

³³ Once when he was in the synagogue, a man possessed by a demon—an evil spirit—cried out, shouting, ³⁴ “Go away! Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

³⁵ But Jesus reprimanded him. “Be quiet! Come out of the man,” he ordered. At that, the demon threw the man to the floor as the crowd watched; then it came out of him without hurting him further.

³⁶ Amazed, the people exclaimed, “What authority and power this man’s words possess! Even evil spirits obey him, and they flee at his command!” ³⁷ The news about Jesus spread through every village in the entire region.

 

Our Lent table display

THE ROCKS
The rocks remind us that Jesus alone is worthy of our adoration and praise. It reminds us that Jesus said if the people wouldn’t praise Him, the rocks would.
“I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out. [Luke 19:40]

THE SAND
The sand reminds us of the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). He was alone, tempted, and hungry; yet He resisted sin and lived a perfect life.
In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. [Isaiah 40:3]

THE CANDLES
The candles remind us that Jesus is the light of the world. And the light always overcomes the darkness.
In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. [John 1:4-5]

On the first Sunday of Lent, all seven candles are lit. As each week of Lent passes, one candle is extinguished. Unlike Advent where a new candle is lit each week and the light slowly gets brighter, during Lent each week gets progressively darker, until there is complete darkness on Good Friday.

“Whereas Advent is a season of ever-increasing light anticipating the incarnation of Christ, Lent is a season of ever-decreasing light approaching His crucifixion. Light is gradually extinguished to symbolize the journey through the wilderness and toward the cross and tomb.”

On Good Friday it appeared that darkness and death had won. The Light had been extinguished.

But thanks be to God that it doesn’t end there! “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. [1 Corinthians 15:55-57]

Sin and death have been defeated! On Resurrection Sunday all seven candles are lit as we celebrate the hope, life, and victory we have because of Jesus. He is risen, He is risen indeed!

 

DANFORTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Treasurer’s Report: Our AGM is over, and we are well into 2024. In January we received $7,729 in offerings. $8,114 is needed each month to meet our 2024 budget.

In January $600 (2 x $300) was distributed from the Benevolence Fund to assist 2 Palestinian families. The Outreach and Service Committee has been in contact with them and recommended assistance.  Designated donations are always welcome to the Benevolence Fund.

 

Good Friday service

The Ministry Support Team
(Cindy, Dalton, Margaret and Shannon)

will lead us in the service on
March 29^th at 10:30 a.m.

 

Ladies Walking group

On Tuesday, February 27 at 10:30 am (weather permitting), we will meet at Bluffers Park (1 Brimley Road South).  Take Brimley Road to the bottom of the hill and follow to the left and go to the end of the road to the parking lot (past the marina).

An email will go out on Monday February 26 to confirm the place and time.

If you need to be picked up or dropped off, please check in with fellow walkers or email Bonnie.

 

Easter Potluck Breakfast
Sunday, March 31, 2024
9:30 am in the Fellowship Hall

Please bring finger foods for all to share.  Coffee, tea, and juice will be served.
 
10:45 am We are invited to the sanctuary for some pre-service
Easter hymn singing.
 
Everyone is welcome.

 

Worship Schedule reminder

March 3
Speaker                    John E.
Worship leader    Erma M.
Song Leader          Dalton J.
Musicians                Kathy W. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                  Leslie & Fazal S.
ZOOM host            Bonnie W.
A/V Tech                   Don B.

March 10
Speaker                     John E.
Worship leader    Linda D.
Song Leader           Ed F.
Musicians                Bonnie W. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                  Leslie & Fazal S.
ZOOM host           Mike D.
A/V Tech                 Roger H.

 

WIDER CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Peace & Possibility, Part II: Raja Khouri is a Palestinian-Canadian; Jeffrey Wilkinson is an American Jew. Hear them discuss their 2023 book, The Wall Between: What Jews and Palestinians Don’t Want to Know About Each Other. Hosted by Canadian Mennonite, Anabaptist World and the Palestine-Israel Network. Feb. 28, 7:30 p.m. CT. Click here to learn more.

Thank you for your cooperation and support.
Lorna Aberdein
Circulation Administrator
Canadian Mennonite Publishing Service
Educating, inspiring, informing and fostering dialogue on Mennonites in Canada
www.canadianmennonite.org
Support our mission

 

Please save the date for the GTA Mennonite Festival AGM
April 7, 5 pm. Rouge Valley Mennonite Church. Details to follow.

 

A note from Stephen Roy, MCC

I know you care deeply about the ongoing tragedy in Gaza and Israel.

While conflict has made it challenging for us to receive timely information, we’re committed to keeping you updated as best as we can, and that’s why I have some exciting news to share with you today.

On February 29th at 1:00 pm, we will be hosting a webinar with Sarah Funkhouser and Seth Malone, MCC Country Representatives for Jordan, Palestine, and Israel. During our time together, Sarah and Seth will share updates about what they’re hearing from local partners and MCC’s current and future emergency response in Gaza and the West Bank.

I would love for you to join us.

This is a very special opportunity to learn more about the hopes, needs and challenges of MCC’s work from those directly on the ground.

You can register to be part of this webinar online. I really do hope to see you there.

Register

MCEC Annual Church Gathering 2024

Inspired by Hope
April 26 & 27, 2024
Leamington, ON

Be inspired by the hope we find in Jesus, hear stories of inspiration and experience the wonder and mystery of God when we meet together as a family of congregations.
More Information

 

A note from Peter H.

Wed March 6 – ‘Beyond Polarized Kvetching’, a workshop on helpful conversations about controversial topics, hosted by TUMC’s Mission & Service Committee. Join Lia and Emily as they share insights coming from their own advocacy for Palestine among their Jewish and Israeli family members. Part 2 is March 20. Come at 6pm for a simple soup supper, workshop is 7-9pm. Please register at this link:
 
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/toronto-united-mennonite-church/events/beyond-polarized-kvetching/
 
Note – this is not an event to discuss or debate Israeli and Palestinian issues. Participants are welcome to bring their own perspectives, but the focus of the event is developing tools for healthy discussions.

 

In summary, upcoming events

 
At Danforth

February
24  Messy Church
27 Ladies walking group

March
5  Ladies walking group
9  Men’s breakfast
12  Ladies walking group
19  Ladies walking group
23  Messy Church
26  Ladies walking group
29  Good Friday service 10:30 a.m.
31  Easter breakfast and service
Wider Church

February
24  Coldest Night of the Year walk
28  Peace and Possibility Part 2

March
1  Hope for Gaza?  Hope for Palestine and Israel?
6  Beyond Polarized Kvetching workshop
20  Beyond Polarized Kvetching workshop Part 2

April
7  GTA Mennonite Festival AGM
14  Silent Auction at Church of the Resurrection
26 & 27  MCEC Annual Church Gathering