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 29th 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