DANFORTH MENNONITE CHURCH
416-422-2406
We welcome all guests who have joined us.
Danforth Mennonite Church
April 28, 2024
Order of Service
Land Acknowledgement
Welcome
Call to Worship VT #884
Hymn: VT #103 Joyful, joyful we adore Thee
Announcements
Offering Prayer
Hymn VT #513 When hands reach out
Congregational Prayer
Call to Intercession VT #987
Scripture John 16: 25-33
Hymn VT #590 I know whom I have believed
Message: Take Heart! I have overcome the world.
Hymn of Response: VT #47 God of our Strength
Benediction
Leading Us in Worship
Message Anthony Y.
Worship Leader Linda D.
Song Leader Ed F.
Musicians Kathy W. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters Wilda S., Anne R.
Zoom Host Bonnie W.
A/V Technician Don B.
Hymn of the month: VT #513 When Hands Reach Out
Adult Discussion Class
Baby and Bathwater:
Please read the Introduction and Chapter 1 of
The Baby and the Bathwater.
QUESTIONS TO PONDER
From the Intro:
- What might be the “Baby”? What the “Bathwater”?
From Chapter 1:
- What are your “takeaways” from the parable of “The Weeds and the Wheat”?
- Keeping in mind that Jack Suderman wants to present a case for the relevance of the Church, why do you think he started his book with this parable?
Scripture reading
John 16:25-33 (NIV)
25 “Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. 27 No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”
29 Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. 30 Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.”
31 “Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. 32 “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.
33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
DANFORTH ANNOUNCEMENTS
Annual Church Cleaning
Saturday, May 11, 2024
There will be a Women & Men Pot-Luck Breakfast before the cleaning project.
More details to follow.
We need to replenish our
Little Library.
Drop off your books in the cart in the lower lobby.
Please – no oversize books.
thanks
An important announcement
from Carol O.
I am writing with sad news. MCCOntario have changed their funding priorities and have shifted away from CoSA and my FCRI. My last day will be May 31st, 2024. I am in the process of sitting with all of my individuals and volunteers over the next few weeks. There are no other agencies to ‘transition them to’. I have sat with 1 circle and 2 individuals and I am hearing the same narrative…”Even if there was another agency, why would we trust they won’t throw us away down the road.” I think of Jesus stressing that when the shepherd finds the lost sheep, he rejoices over it more than the 99 who did not go astray.
Thank you to everyone for your support over the past many years. It breaks my heart to have to pass this news along. Please pray for my volunteers and individuals I work with that God will show them they are always being walked with along their journey.
Blessings
Carol
Treasurer’s Report: We received $7,377 in offerings in February. Our budget calls for $8,114 each month in offerings. Due partly to the absence of a paid Pastor we now have a $12,983 operating surplus. In March there was $100 donated to the Food Bank Fund. There was also a $100 donation in memory of Salome Harrison which has been placed in the Professional Development Fund. Council approved that $500 be taken from the John G. Memorial Fund and sent to Mennomedia for the “Anabaptism at 500” campaign. Several of our members worked on the Anabaptist Community Bible which will published in 2025 as part of the celebrations. 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.
Worship Schedule reminder
May 5
Speaker Lisa W.
Worship leader Sue S.
Song Leader Sue S.
Musicians Jessica M. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters Wilda S., Mike D.
ZOOM host Bonnie W.
A/V Tech Fazal S.
May 12
Worship leader Dalton J. & Friends
Song Leader Ed F.
Musicians Roger H. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters Leslie S., Tessa R.
ZOOM host Bonnie W.
A/V Tech Mike D.
Doors Open Toronto
May 25 & 26
Explore Toronto’s architectural, historical, cultural and socially significant buildings for free during the Doors Open weekend. This year’s theme is hidden histories. Uncover untold stories from across the city through a variety of open house experiences, engaging tours and insightful talks.
This will be DMC’s second year participating in Doors Open Toronto. Last year there were 235 people coming through our doors. This year we are expecting more people as we gear our weekend to family activities, thanks to Theatre of the Beat and our 128th Girl Guide Troupe.
We enjoyed the hymn sign last year and are doing it again on the Saturday afternoon. If you would like to join us in the singing, please add your name to the sign-up sheet.
We need volunteers as greeters in the lower lobby, upper lobby, the sanctuary and the fellowship hall. If you’re not up to speed on our history, no worries. We have handouts with the information.
Sign up sheets are on the bulletin board.
Ladies Walking group
Last week we got to see the cherry blossoms at their peak. This week we will get to enjoy the spring flowers.
On Tuesday, April 30, 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 April 29 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.
WIDER CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS
Danforth Grow Hope Spring Field Visit
Saturday, May 4 at 2:30 pm
On Saturday May 4, at 2:30 pm, you are invited to join us near Stouffville at the field that will be producing grains for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank in 2024! We’ll be meeting others from our church partners, doing a little planting, and praying over the field for this year’s harvest. If you’d like to learn more about the work of Canadian Foodgrains Bank, or simply want out of the city for a couple of hours, we invite you to join us. Afterwards we’ll get a tour of Reesor Seed and Grain – 5309 Durham Rd 30, Whitchurch-Stouffville, ON. (who work with us on this project), and perhaps we’ll grab an ice cream before heading home.
Please speak to or contact Murray L. if you would like to go, and need directions or a ride.
Thanks, Murray
You are invited to worship with the St. Clair O’Connor Community. Your presence and support are appreciated. 7:00 p.m. May 5 - Worship Service at 7 pm May 19 - Hymn Sing
GTA Mennonite Festival bulletin announcement
Thank you to everyone who attended the GTA Mennonite Festival for World Relief AGM! As we prepare for our Sept 21st sale at Willowgrove we are looking to attract new volunteers to help us with the sale. We are specifically hoping to offer a children’s fun run, a croquet area, face painting and a pickup soccer kickball game. If you are interested in helping with any of these activities (or if you know someone who would like to get involved) or if you have another idea please contact us at jandkbarber@gmail.com. Thank you for your support of the sale and MCC!
The Mennonite Historical Society of Ontario is planning a bus trip to the Niagara Peninsula on June 15, 2024 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the Russian Mennonites (Russlaender) to Ontario in 1924. The MHSO would appreciate it if you could place the following announcement in your Sunday bulletin or electronic email announcements.
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100th Anniversary of the Arrival of the Russian Mennonite Refugees to Ontario in 1924: Bus Tour
The Mennonite Historical Society of Ontario is hosting a one-day Bus Tour to the Niagara Peninsula on June 15, 2024 to commemorate this event. The tour will visit sites of Russlaender settlement in several Niagara communities and will also include a history of Swiss and Amish Mennonites first coming to Ontario, and how these Mennonites assisted the settlement of the Russian Mennonites to Canada. The tour will also include a catered lunch in Virgil at the Niagara United Mennonite Church followed by the MHSO annual meeting. Join the tour in Kitchener or in Vineland. For more details and to register, please go to our Russlaender Tour website (www. MHSO.org).
Thank you.
Harold Thiessen
Secretary, MHSO
In summary, upcoming events
At Danforth
April
30 Ladies walking group – Rosetta McClain
May
7 Ladies walking group
11 Men’s breakfast
11 DMC Spring Cleaning
14 Ladies walking group
21 Ladies walking group
25/26 Doors Open Toronto
28 Ladies walking group
Wider Church
April
26 & 27 MCEC Annual Church Gathering
May
3-5 Woodbine Heights play
4 GTA Mennonite Church Work Bee Willowgrove
4 Danforth Grow Hope Spring Field visit
5 Celebration of Life for Dave M.
5 SCOC worship service
19 SCOC hymn sing