DANFORTH MENNONITE CHURCH
416-422-2406

We welcome all guests who have joined us.

 

Danforth Mennonite Church
December 1, 2024   11:00 a.m.
Order of Service

 

Lighting the candle of HOPE

Words of Welcome

Call to Worship & Prayer

Hymn:  VT #210       O Come. O Come, Immanuel

Announcements

Hymn: # 258   Love Has Come

Introduction to the theme

Prayers of the People

Hymn:  VT #553     How Many Times We Start Again

Message:  We Are On Our Way To Christmas

Hymn of Response: #443   I Have Decided to Follow Jesus

Benediction

Leading Us in Worship
Message                            Tim R.
Worship Leader            Dalton J.
Song Leader                    Sue S.
Musician                           Roger H. (piano), Kathy W. (organ),
Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                            Carol J., Leslie S.
Zoom Host                       Bonnie W.
A/V Technician              Mike D.

December hymn of the month:  VT #258  Love Has Come

 

It’s Hymn Sing this Sunday
and December 15th.

All are welcome to join us in the sanctuary
at 10:00 a.m.

 

Call to worship

Leader: Responding to the call of the living God,

People: our rescuer and Savior,

Leader: we welcome the Holy Spirit’s presence,

People: among and within us.

Leader:  In the name of Jesus, our risen Lord,

All: we offer ourselves in worship.

 

Scripture Reading

Daniel 6: 6-27 (NIV)
6 So these administrators and satraps went as a group to the king and said: “May King Darius live forever! 7 The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, Your Majesty, shall be thrown into the lions’ den. 8 Now, Your Majesty, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” 9 So King Darius put the decree in writing.

10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. 11 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. 12 So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions’ den?”

The king answered, “The decree stands—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”

13 Then they said to the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.” 14 When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him.

15 Then the men went as a group to King Darius and said to him, “Remember, Your Majesty, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed.”

16 So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!”

17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed. 18 Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep.

19 At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. 20 When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?”

21 Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! 22 My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”

23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

24 At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

25 Then King Darius wrote to all the nations and peoples of every language in all the earth:

“May you prosper greatly!

26 “I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel.

“For he is the living God
and he endures forever;
his kingdom will not be destroyed,
his dominion will never end.
27 He rescues and he saves;
he performs signs and wonders
in the heavens and on the earth.
He has rescued Daniel
from the power of the lions.”

 

DANFORTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

It’s early but I am updating the contact section of the DMC Directory for 2025 in hopes of having it ready for our new Pastor when he joins us. The booklet will be on the lobby table.  Please review and make any necessary changes, and initial that you want the information in the directory.

I will contact those of you who can’t come to the church building.

 

 

Please let us know how many are attending from your group/family.  What are you bringing? 

The sign-up sheet will be posted on the bulletin board. 

There will also be a second sign-up sheet for volunteers for setting up tables, greeting etc. 

Containers wanted for leftovers

 

 

Please remit any DMC related expenses to Roger H. before December 15^th.   We want to pay out all expenses before year-end.

 

 

Christmas Giving Tree –  2024

In the weeks leading up to Christmas we will be collecting items of clothing suitable for the season (hats, scarves, mitts, socks) and non-perishable food items. These will be dropped off for distribution to struggling families in the Taylor/Massey Community. Non-perishable food items will be shared with the Nourish East End Food Bank program. $$ donations via the church, and earmarked for the institution you desire will also be forwarded to Nourish East End Food Bank and/or Teesdale Community Foodbank which helps them purchase needed scarce items such as meat and milk.

Let us think about food and clothing scarcity and how we can help to make a difference.

The Christmas giving tree is set up in the sanctuary.  Please hang up your gifts on the tree or drop off your donations in the bins.

Thank you for your generosity.

 

 

Ladies Walking group

We won’t be walking on December 3^rd BUT we will be visiting Allan Gardens on December 11^th.  Details will follow next week.

 

 From Canadian Mennonite:  With the Canada Post strike, your December print issue will be delayed. Sign up for digital delivery to get it by email on November 29. CM sends an email each Friday and attaches a PDF copy of the magazine once per month. Contact Lorna at office@canadianmennonite.org.

 

 

Who We Support

  In December Church Council will be reviewing the financial support in our budget for other charities beyond our congregation. Currently our core support is for St. Clair O’Connor Community ($2,500 for Chaplaincy Support) and the Mennonite Conference of Eastern Canada ($3,060). We also support MCC Ontario, New Life Centre, Sanctuary Toronto, Willowgrove and Theatre of the Beat ($300 each). In 2023 we added the purchase of 1 acre of crop for the World Grains Food Bank through a project with other local churches known as Danforth Grow Hope ($600).

Church Council and the Finance Committee is inviting input from the congregation in this process. Is there a charitable organization that reflects our values and identity that you feel Danforth should add for financial support? Would you like to see a different mixture in our support? Should the dollar amount for our support be changed?

Please contact a council member by December 8th with your suggestions. They are Mike D., Donna A., Don B. and Roger H.

 

 

Worship Schedule reminder

December 8
Message                 Margaret A.
Worship leader  Bonnie W.
Song Leader         Sue S.
Musicians               Bonnie W. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                 Cindy R., Bethany W.
ZOOM host          Mike D.
A/V Tech                 Fazal S.

December 15
Message                   Carol O.
Worship leader    Erma M.
Song Leader           Dalton J.
Musicians                Jessica M. (piano),Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                  Cindy R., Bethany W.
ZOOM host           Mike D.
A/V Tech                  Murray L.

 

 

WIDER CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Sunday services

 Come, let us worship together

The St. Clair O’Connor Community invites everyone at DMC to join us for a

 Service of Carols & Readings

On Sunday Dec. 15 at 7 pm.

Please note … we are hoping to sing Carols with the Long-Term Care residents at 6:30 that evening and will confirm this in the days leading up to the 15th.

Thank you for circling this event on your calendar. The residents at SCOC are most appreciative of our support.

 

 

In Summary, upcoming events:

At Danforth

December
7  Messy Church
11  Ladies walking group – Allan Gardens
14  Men’s breakfast
14  DMC Christmas banquet
24  DMC Christmas Eve service

February
2  DMC AGM

Wider Church

December
15 SCOC service of Carols and readings

Community corner

November
29  Holiday concert (Ray W.)
30  Pax Chorale Children’s Messiah

December
4 & 7  Pax Chorale Christmas through the Ages
8  Toronto Beach Chorale concert
16 & 17  Messiah  in Uxbridge

 

 

DANFORTH MENNONITE CHURCH
416-422-2406

We welcome all guests who have joined us.

 

Danforth Mennonite Church
November 24, 2024   11:00 a.m.
Order of Service

Land Acknowledgement

Welcome

Opening Prayer

Hymn: VT #28   Come Christians Join to Sing

Announcements

Offering Prayer

Hymn: VT #631   Take Thou my hand

Congregational Prayer

Prayer VT #922

Scripture reading:   2^nd Corinthians 1:3-7

Hymn: VT #643   Come Ye Disconsolate

Message:  God’ Comfort

Hymn of Response: VT #621  My Hope is Built on Nothing Less

Benediction

 

Leading Us in Worship
Message                             Carol O.
Worship Leader             Linda D.
Song Leader                     Kathy W.
Musician                            Roger H. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                             Dalton & Carol J.
Zoom Host                        Bonnie W.
A/V Technician               Don B.

 

November Hymn of the month:  VT #28  Come Christians, Join to Sing

 

Adult Class: Looking Back, Looking Forward

This will be the last class with John. We will review and reflect on the past year with an eye to future directions for the Adult Class.

All are invited, all are necessary, all are welcome

 

Scripture Reading
2 Corinthians   2:3-7 (NRSVUE)

³ And I wrote as I did, so that when I came, I might not suffer grief from those who should have made me rejoice, for I am confident about all of you, that my joy would be the joy of all of you. ⁴ For I wrote you out of much distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you grief but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.

Forgiveness for the Offender
⁵ But if anyone has caused grief, he has caused it not to me but to some extent—not to exaggerate it—to all of you. ⁶ This punishment by the majority is enough for such a person; ⁷ so now instead you should forgive and console him, so that he may not be overwhelmed by even worse grief.

 

DANFORTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Ladies Walking group

On Tuesday, November 26th at 10:30 am (weather permitting), we will meet at Pine Hills Cemetery
The entrance is on the east side of Birchmount.  Park in the lot facing the front doors of the building.

An email will go out on Monday November 25th 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.

 

From Canadian Mennonite:  With the Canada Post strike, your December print issue will be delayed. Sign up for digital delivery to get it by email on November 29. CM sends an email each Friday and attaches a PDF copy of the magazine once per month. Contact Lorna at office@canadianmennonite.org.

 

 

Please let us know how many are attending from your group/family.  What are you bringing? 
The sign-up sheet will be posted on the bulletin board. 
There will also be a second sign-up sheet for volunteers for setting up tables, greeting etc. 

Containers wanted for leftovers

 

Who We Support

 In December Church Council will be reviewing the financial support in our budget for other charities beyond our congregation. Currently our core support is for St. Clair O’Connor Community ($2,500 for Chaplaincy Support) and the Mennonite Conference of Eastern Canada ($3,060). We also support MCC Ontario, New Life Centre, Sanctuary Toronto, Willowgrove and Theatre of the Beat ($300 each). In 2023 we added the purchase of 1 acre of crop for the World Grains Food Bank through a project with other local churches known as Danforth Grow Hope ($600).

Church Council and the Finance Committee is inviting input from the congregation in this process. Is there a charitable organization that reflects our values and identity that you feel Danforth should add for financial support? Would you like to see a different mixture in our support? Should the dollar amount for our support be changed?

Please contact a council member by December 8th with your suggestions. They are Mike D., Donna A., Don B. and Roger H.

 

Worship Schedule reminder

December 1
Message                   Tim R.
Worship leader   Dalton J.
Song Leader          Sue S.
Musicians               Roger H. (piano), Kathy W. (organ), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                 Carol J., Leslie S.
ZOOM host          Bonnie W.
A/V Tech                 Mike D.

December 8
Message                   Margaret A.
Worship leader    Bonnie W.
Song Leader          Sue S.
Musicians              Bonnie W. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                 Cindy R., Bethany W.
ZOOM host          Mike D.
A/V Tech                 Fazal S.

 

WIDER CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Sunday services
Please join us at 7:00 p.m.

Nov. 24 – Liturgical Prayers and Hymns

Our residents are most appreciative when DMC folks join us for worship.
All are welcome!

Come, let us worship together
The St. Clair O’Connor Community invites everyone at DMC to join us for a
Service of Carols & Readings
On Sunday Dec. 15 at 7 pm.

Please note … we are hoping to sing Carols with the Long-Term Care residents at 6:30 that evening and will confirm this in the days leading up to the 15th.
Thank you for circling this event on your calendar. The residents at SCOC are most appreciative of our support.

 

In Summary, upcoming events:

At Danforth

November
26  Ladies walking group – Pine Hills Cemetery
December
3  Ladies walking group – Guild Inn
7  Messy Church
11  Ladies walking group – Allan Gardens
14  Men’s breakfast
14  DMC Christmas banquet

Wider Church

November
24  SCOC service
December
15 SCOC service of Carols and readings

Community corner

November
29  Holiday concert (Ray W.)
30  Pax Chorale Children’s Messiah
December
4 & 7  Pax Chorale Christmas through the Ages
8  Toronto Beach Chorale concert

DANFORTH MENNONITE CHURCH
416-422-2406

We welcome all guests who have joined us.

 

Danforth Mennonite Church
November 17, 2024   11:00 a.m.
Order of Service

Welcome

Call to Worship 

Opening Hymn:  VT #28   Come Christians, Join to Sing

Introduction

A blessing for those who keep watch over the sick
By Kate Bowler

Announcements

Offering Prayer

Congregational Prayer Time

Hymn:  VT #456   Oceans

Scripture readings:  Psalm 13:1-5, Isaiah 43:1-5

Hymn:  VT #306   I Want Jesus to Walk With Me

Message:  Good Grief?

Closing hymn:  VT #644 Healer of our every ill

Benediction

Leading Us in Worship
Message                             Lisa W.
Worship Leader             Sue S.
Song Leader                     Sue S.
Musician                            Jessica M. (piano)
Greeters                             Wilda S., Anne R.
Zoom Host                        Bonnie W.
A/V Technician               Roger H.

November hymn of the month:  VT #28  Come Christians, Join to Sing

Adult Discussion Class: The Stone Rejected

A remarkable healing. The resurrection from the dead is proclaimed but the disciples land up in prison. What’s at stake then and now? This week we look into chapter 4 of the Book of Acts, catching another glimpse of the early church.

All are invited, All are needed, All are welcome

 

Call to Worship

Leader: We have gathered in this place to worship,

People: because Jesus invites us to come.

Leader: We come as we are, with our faith and our doubts,
with our successes and our failures,

People: because Jesus invites us to come.

Leader: We come with what we have, bringing with us the events and experiences of this past week,
 
People: because Jesus invites us to come.

Leader: “Come to me,” Jesus says, “all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29)

All: Let’s worship God together!

Christine Longhurst (Canada), 2020. reworship,blogspot.com
Creative Commons: Attribution Non-Commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-4.0)

 

A blessing for those who keep watch over the sick
Kate Bowler

https://katebowler.com/blessings/a-blessing-for-those-who-keep-watch-over-the-sick/

Sometimes love isn’t enough.
It can’t save them, save us,
save the life we had together. We are finite.
And so much is out of our control.

So bless the ones with the courage
to walk all the way to the edge,
who peer over the cliff . . .
and feel the updraft of the abyss,
and who will do it all over again tomorrow.

Blessed are the hospital-room-organizers and question-askers
and the more-ice-chips-please-gatherers.
The absolutely, yes, this hard-backed chair is
perfectly comfortable sleepers
and over-the-top pray-ers and
weekly-infusion-companioners.

Blessed are the cool-cloth bringers
and the wake-up-to-get-the-meds alarmists
and the I-don’t-mind-taking-you-to-the-bathroom carriers,
guarding others from their own humiliation.

Blessed are the ones who stand,
unblinking into the truth.

No matter how terrifying,
no matter how life-altering.
No matter how inconvenient or unbecoming.
No matter how much it costs them.
Because that is the kind of love that sticks.

Blessed are the hand-holders and truth-carriers,
for they will walk us to the end
before they have to let go.

*From our new book of blessings, THE LIVES WE ACTUALLY HAVE (2/14/23)

 

Scripture Reading

Isaiah 43:1-5

Israel’s Only Savior
43 But now, this is what the Lord says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
Cush and Seba in your stead.
4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you,
nations in exchange for your life.
5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east
and gather you from the west.

Psalm 13

For the director of music. A psalm of David.
1 How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?

3 Look on me and answer, Lord my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,
4 and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.

5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.

Other scripture passages on this topic can be found here:
https://www.openbible.info/topics/grief_and_sorrow

 

Musée des Beaux Arts

• H. Auden

About suffering they were never wrong,
The old Masters: how well they understood
Its human position: how it takes place
While someone else is eating or opening a window or just walking dully along;
How, when the aged are reverently, passionately waiting
For the miraculous birth, there always must be
Children who did not specially want it to happen, skating
On a pond at the edge of the wood:
They never forgot
That even the dreadful martyrdom must run its course
Anyhow in a corner, some untidy spot
Where the dogs go on with their doggy life and the torturer’s horse
Scratches its innocent behind on a tree.

In Bruegel’s Icarus, for instance: how everything turns away
Quite leisurely from the disaster; the ploughman may
Have heard the splash, the forsaken cry,
But for him it was not an important failure; the sun shone
As it had to on the white legs disappearing into the green
Water, and the expensive delicate ship that must have seen
Something amazing, a boy falling out of the sky,
Had somewhere to get to and sailed calmly on.

 

DANFORTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Ladies Walking group

On Tuesday, November 19th at 10:30 am (weather permitting), we will meet at Taylor Creek Park. 
The entrance is on the west side of Dawes Road.

An email will go out on Monday November 18th 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.

 

 

INVITATION from DMC
OUTREACH & SERVICE COMMITTEE

On May 28, 2023, the preliminary findings of 215+ children buried at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School prompted an immediate response from The Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund… 

The 215+ Pledge Call to Action

On May 7, 2024, church member Cindy R. contacted the O&S Committee, asking if the 215+ Pledge is something we want to ask the congregation about supporting.

In August O&S discussed initial plans. Each of us took the Pledge as individuals. As a committee, we sought guidance from Church Council on our ideas to fulfill our Pledge and to then approach the congregation.

We thank Council for their careful consideration and ongoing communications as we move forward.

WE ARE ALL
TREATY PEOPLE
faced with the troubling reality of our shared history and what to do about it.
We can empower ourselves and
DO SOMETHING

The DMC Outreach and Service Committee invites you to take the Pledge.
To learn more, go to 215pledge.ca
Individually, you can decide on how to honour your Pledge.

The O&S committee has chosen the action of educating ourselves and others about the true history of residential schools, colonization, and the unique rights and interests of Indigenous peoples.

To learn more about the ways in which we are moving towards RECONCILIATION, and how you can become involved, please approach Leslie S.

 

Treasurer’s Report: 

We received $5,102 in offerings in October. We are now $17,299 below our budgeted offering number, but due mostly to the absence of a paid Pastor we have a $31,803 operating surplus to the end of October.

In September and October there has been $550 donated towards our Foodbank Fund. Although the fund is open for donations all year, during the Thanksgiving season the Outreach and Service Committee initiated a special drive to support the needs of Foodbanks in our area. The Nourish East End Foodbank will receive our cheque of $550.

The John Gurr Memorial Fund was used to purchase an Anabaptist Community Bible for Danforth. The Bible cost $72.00 and will be shipped in January 2025. The John Gurr Fund was also used to purchase a keyboard and stand at the recent SCOC yard sale. The SCOC Long Term Care Family Council has received the $100 that was paid for the keyboard.

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.

 

 

Please let us know how many are attending from your group/family.  What are you bringing? 
The sign-up sheet will be posted on the bulletin board. 
There will also be a second sign-up sheet for volunteers for setting up tables, greeting etc. 

Containers wanted for leftovers

 

Worship Schedule reminder

November 24
Message                  Carol O.
Worship leader   Linda D.
Song Leader          Sue S.
Musicians               Roger H. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                 Dalton & Carol J.
ZOOM host          Bonnie W.
A/V Tech                Don B.

December 1
Message                    Tim R.
Worship leader     Dalton J.
Song Leader            Sue S.
Musicians                 Roger H. (piano), Kathy W. (organ), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                   Carol J., Leslie S.
ZOOM host            Bonnie W.
A/V Tech                   Mike D.

 

 

WIDER CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Sunday services

Please join us at 7:00 p.m.

Nov. 17 – Hymn Sing
Nov. 24 – Liturgical Prayers and Hymns

Our residents are most appreciative when DMC folks join us for worship.
All are welcome!

 

VOICES FOR PEACE CONFERENCE
Hybrid Event
Saturday, November 16, 2024, 1 - 5 p.m.

Dear Friends in Peace,
It is very exciting for me to announce the upcoming Annual Conference, Voices for Peace, which has returned after a hiatus of two years.  Now, more than ever, such a Conference is needed.  This year, we are honoured to have, as our guest speaker, an Indigenous Elder well-known for his wisdom and story-telling, Adrian Jacobs (an Indigenous Six Nations man, who spoke at Danforth maybe more than a decade ago.)  This event is organized by several faith-based organizations and faith communities; however, its content and spirit is open and very relevant to, all people who long for a path to Peace.

The afternoon will be very interactive with music, story-telling, group-sharing, and a special art installation on the theme of Peace. We will leave feeling inspired, wiser, and supported by a community walking the path together.  So that as many as possible can experience this gift, the event will be hybrid.  It will be in-person at the Church of the Redeemer and online.   The event is FREE, and donations are invited.

TO REGISTER:  go to    https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/2024-voices-for-peace-conference-tickets-998579035777

 

In Summary, upcoming events:

At Danforth

November
16  Mark Battenberg concert
19  Ladies walking group – Taylor Creek
26  Ladies walking group

December
3  Ladies walking group
7  Messy Church
10  Ladies walking group – last walk of 2024
14  Men’s breakfast
14  DMC Christmas banquet

Wider Church

November
16  Voices of Peace conference
17  SCOC service
24  SCOC service

Community corner

November
16  Mark Battenberg
16 SCOC Fall/Christmas Art and Crafts Show
30  Pax Chorale Children’s Messiah

December
4 & 7  Pax Chorale Christmas through the Ages
8  Toronto Beach Chorale concert

DANFORTH MENNONITE CHURCH
416-422-2406

We welcome all guests who have joined us.

 

Danforth Mennonite Church
November 10, 2024   11:00 a.m.
Order of Service

Words of Welcome / Land Acknowledgement

Call to Worship & Prayer

Hymn:  VT #88  Praise to the Lord, the Almighty

Announcements

Hymn: VT #28  Come, Christians, Join to Sing

Blessing the gifts we bring

Hymn:  VT #797  We Are People of God’s Peace

Prayers of the People

strong>Scripture Reading:  Matthew 5: 3-12

Message:  A Steadfast Journey in Sowing Seeds of Peace

Hymn of Response VT #416  Beyond a Dying Sun

Benediction

Leading Us in Worship
Message                             Jessie Y.
Worship Leader             Dalton J.
Song Leader                     Kathy W.
Musician                            Roger H. (piano)
Greeters                             Wilda S., Tessa R.
Zoom Host                        Bonnie W.
A/V Technician               Fazal S.

November hymn of the month is
VT #28 Come Christians Join to Sing

 

Adult Discussion class

Behold, I do a New Thing!

The Holy Spirit was poured out and a new people was created. How might this new people be God’s answer to our troubled world? This Sunday we unpack the second chapter of The Book of Acts.  

All are invited, All are needed, All are welcome. 

 

 

Call to Worship and prayer

Leader:  On this day of worship, we gather to sing and to pray,

People:  we remember the past and look to the future.

Leader:  On this day when we pray that wars will end

People:  We come before you God, seeking Your peace.

Leader:  On this day of hope in the face of terror,

People:  We come before you God, praying with all our hearts:

Leader:  God our help in ages past, our hope for years to come.

People:  Help us to find the path that leads to the Peaceable kingdom.

Open our eyes and the eyes of the nations to find a different path through the disagreements of life in this world.

Leader:  In this time of story, song, and prayer,

People:  may we be re-committed to being people of Peace, true peace.  May we catch a vision of how the world could live together.

Leader:  And so we echo the old prayers,

All:  Make us channels of your peace.
Let there be Peace on Earth and let it begin with us!     Amen

(adapted from a Call to Worship written by Gord Waldie)

 

https://sowingforpeace.org

 

Scripture Reading
Matthew 5: 3-12

³Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
⁴ Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
⁵ Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
⁷ Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

¹¹ “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

 

DANFORTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

A Men’s Breakfast invitation
All are welcome
to hear Tim and Roger share their photos and stories from their summer vacations in Europe.
Please remind your friends and neighbours that this is a joint Potluck breakfast, and they are welcome to join us.

 

INVITATION from DMC
OUTREACH & SERVICE COMMITTEE

On May 28, 2023, the preliminary findings of 215+ children buried at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School prompted an immediate response from The Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund… 

The 215+ Pledge Call to Action

On May 7, 2024, church member Cindy R. contacted the O&S Committee, asking if the 215+ Pledge is something we want to ask the congregation about supporting.

In August O&S discussed initial plans. Each of us took the Pledge as individuals. As a committee, we sought guidance from Church Council on our ideas to fulfill our Pledge and to then approach the congregation.

We thank Council for their careful consideration and ongoing communications as we move forward.

WE ARE ALL
TREATY PEOPLE
faced with the troubling reality of our shared history and what to do about it.
We can empower ourselves and
DO SOMETHING

The DMC Outreach and Service Committee invites you to take the Pledge.
To learn more, go to 215pledge.ca

Individually, you can decide on how to honour your Pledge.

The O&S committee has chosen the action of educating ourselves and others about the true history of residential schools, colonization, and the unique rights and interests of Indigenous peoples.

To learn more about the ways in which we are moving towards RECONCILIATION, and how you can become involved, please approach Leslie S.
 

 

Treasurer’s Report: We received $5,102 in offerings in October. We are now $17,299 below our budgeted offering number, but due mostly to the absence of a paid Pastor we have a $31,803 operating surplus to the end of October.

In September and October there has been $550 donated towards our Foodbank Fund. Although the fund is open for donations all year, during the Thanksgiving season the Outreach and Service Committee initiated a special drive to support the needs of Foodbanks in our area. The Nourish East End Foodbank will receive our cheque of $550.

The John G. Memorial Fund was used to purchase an Anabaptist Community Bible for Danforth. The Bible cost $72.00 and will be shipped in January 2025. The John G. Fund was also used to purchase a keyboard and stand at the recent SCOC yard sale. The SCOC Long Term Care Family Council has received the $100 that was paid for the keyboard.

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

November 17
Message                 Lisa W.
Worship leader  Sue S.
Song Leader         Sue S.
Musicians               Roger H. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                 Wilda S., Tessa R.
ZOOM host          Bonnie W.
A/V Tech                Roger H.

November 24
Message                Carol O.
Worship leader Linda D.
Song Leader        Sue S.
Musicians             Roger H. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                Dalton & Carol J.
ZOOM host         Bonnie W.
A/V Tech                Don B.

 

Ladies Walking group

On Tuesday, November 12th at 10:30 am (weather permitting), we will meet at Ashbridges Bay park..

The entrance is at Ashbridges Bay Park Road on Lakeshore Blvd. E. (bottom of Coxwell Avenue). Turn onto Ashbridges Bay Park Road – keeping to the right and follow it to the parking lot.  There are signs for the parking meters but the meters have been removed for winter.

An email will go out on Monday November 11th 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.

 

Update (Nov. 6) about DMC's search for our next long-term pastor

On Sunday, November 10th, we plan to hold a congregational meeting immediately following the worship service.

Everyone is welcome to attend the meeting and participate in the discussion.  You are welcome to vote if you have been participating at DMC, and plan to continue doing so in the future.  We value everyone's views.

The purpose is to discern, and make a decision on whether to call Pieter Niemeyer as our long-term pastor at Danforth.

The meeting will take place in the worship area, and also via Zoom. (We will keep the Zoom worship session open for this meeting).  Let’s attempt to limit the discussion period to 15 minutes followed by voting.

About voting:
If you cannot attend the meeting on Nov. 10 but wish to submit a vote, please e-mail your response to the statement
“I am in favour of inviting Peter N. to be our next long-term pastor at Danforth Mennonite Church”

YES   or   NO

to Bonnie at danforthmennonitechurch@gmail.com by the evening of Sat. Nov. 9.
Bonnie will tally any e-mail votes before the worship service.
We will allow people to submit their votes, on paper or via Zoom, if they need to leave early.
After our discussion, we will take a vote. The in-person votes will be by anonymous paper ballot.  Bonnie will tally the votes from Zoom participants.

Here are some more details:
We offer a 5-year contract to the "long-term pastor" candidate. Informal reviews are held annually. In the fourth year, a discernment process will allow the congregation to decide whether to offer to extend the contract.

Roger, our treasurer, has determined what salary Pieter would receive based on the MC Canada guidelines. It is approximately what Tim Reimer, our previous long-term pastor, would earn in 2025 if he were still in the role.

The workload is "0.8FTE" ("80% Full-Time Equivalent"). This means that, on average, the next long-term pastor would work the equivalent of 4 days/week.

MCEC (Mennonite Church Eastern Canada, our denomination) suggests that "80% in favour" is a good threshold for this type of decision.

Again, we welcome and encourage everyone who attends DMC to participate fully in this process. Thank you for attending and participating on Nov. 3

Mike DeHaan, on behalf of Council and the Transition Team.

 

 

WIDER CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Sunday services
Please join us at 7:00 p.m.

Nov. 10 – Liturgical Prayers and Hymns
Nov. 17 – Hymn Sing
Nov. 24 – Liturgical Prayers and Hymns

Our residents are most appreciative when DMC folks join us for worship.
All are welcome!

 

VOICES FOR PEACE CONFERENCE
Hybrid Event
Saturday, November 16, 2024, 1 – 5 p.m.

Dear Friends in Peace,

It is very exciting for me to announce the upcoming Annual Conference, Voices for Peace, which has returned after a hiatus of two years.  Now, more than ever, such a Conference is needed.  This year, we are honoured to have, as our guest speaker, an Indigenous Elder well-known for his wisdom and story-telling, Adrian Jacobs (an Indigenous Six Nations man, who spoke at Danforth maybe more than a decade ago.)  This event is organized by several faith-based organizations and faith communities; however, its content and spirit is open and very relevant to, all people who long for a path to Peace.

The afternoon will be very interactive with music, story-telling, group-sharing, and a special art installation on the theme of Peace. We will leave feeling inspired, wiser, and supported by a community walking the path together.  So that as many as possible can experience this gift, the event will be hybrid.  It will be in-person at the Church of the Redeemer and online.   The event is FREE, and donations are invited.

TO REGISTER:  go to    https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/2024-voices-for-peace-conference-tickets-998579035777

 

COMMUNITY CORNER

 

 

 

In Summary, upcoming events:

At Danforth
November
9 Men’s breakfast
9  Messy Church
10  DMC pastor vote
12  Ladies walking group
16  Mark Battenberg concert
19  Ladies walking group –
December
7  Messy Church
14  Men’s breakfast
14  DMC Christmas banquet

Wider Church
November
16  Voices of Peace conference

Community corner
November
16  Mark Battenberg
16 SCOC Fall/Christmas Art and Crafts Show
December
8  Toronto Beach Chorale concert