DANFORTH MENNONITE CHURCH
416-422-2406
We welcome all guests who have joined us.
Danforth Mennonite Church
November 3, 2024 11:00 a.m.
Order of Service
Welcome/Land Acknowledgement
Call to Worship
Hymn: VT #28 Come, Christians Join to Sing
Announcements
Offering Prayer
Congregational Prayer
Hymn: VT #797 We are People of God’s Peace
Scripture: Matt 5:38-48; Romans 12:9-21 and Psalm 85: 10-13
Message: Ongoing learning in the way of peacemaking
Hymn: VT #813 Heart with Loving Heart United
Benediction
Leading Us in Worship
Message Pieter N.
Worship Leader Margaret A.
Song Leader Kathy W.
Musician Jessica M. (piano)
Greeters Vic & Mary Jane G.
Zoom Host Bonnie W.
A/V Technician Murray L.
November hymn of the month: VT #28 Come Christians Join to Sing
It’s Hymn Sing Sunday.
All are welcome to join us in the sanctuary
at 10:00 a.m.
The adult discussion class returns on November 10. If you would like to receive emails regarding what’s happening in our class, please contact Bonnie.
Call to Worship
VT #853
Leader: If you are delighted to be here, and if you are tired or troubled,
People: you are welcome.
Leader: If your faith is strong, and if your faith is battered or frail,
People: you are welcome.
Leader: If you are eager to praise God, and I you need to be quiet,
People: you are welcome.
All: God welcomes us all to worship today and promises to meet us here.
Scripture reading
Matthew 5:38-48 (NRSVUE)
Concerning Retaliation
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you: Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also, 40 and if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, give your coat as well, 41 and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. 42 Give to the one who asks of you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.
Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be children of your Father in heaven, for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the gentiles do the same? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Romans 12:9-21 (NRSVUE)
Marks of the True Christian
9 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil; hold fast to what is good; 10 love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not lag in zeal; be ardent in spirit; serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; persevere in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints; pursue hospitality to strangers.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be arrogant, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. 18 If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 Instead, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink, for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Psalm 85: 10-13
10 Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;
righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
11 Faithfulness will spring up from the ground,
and righteousness will look down from the sky.
12 The Lord will give what is good,
and our land will yield its increase.
13 Righteousness will go before him
and will make a path for his steps.
DANFORTH ANNOUNCEMENTS
Worship Schedule reminder
November 10
Message Jessie Y.
Worship leader Dalton J.
Song Leader Kathy W.
Musicians Roger H. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters Wilda S., Anne R.
ZOOM host Bonnie W.
A/V Tech Fazal S.
November 17
Message Sue S./Lisa W.
Worship leader Sue S./Lisa W.
Song Leader Sue S.chultz
Musicians Roger H. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters Wilda S., Anne R.
ZOOM host Bonnie W.
A/V Tech Roger H.
Ladies Walking group
The Great Lakes Waterfront Trail is finally open
The lakefront trail has been closed for several months so it’s been a long time since we have been here. There is a paved hill at the beginning of the trail and then its flat looking out at Lake Ontario. We can take as much time as needed going up the hill to return to the parking lot.
On Tuesday, November 5th at 10:30 am (weather permitting), we will meet at the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail.
For those living near the church:
Take Kingston Road east. Turn right onto Lawrence Ave East and then turn right onto Manse Road. Follow Manse all the way to the bottom where you turn left onto Copperfield Road. Take Copperfield all the way to the end where there is a large parking lot. There is one large hill at the beginning of the walk, otherwise, mostly flat and paved. We will be walking right beside Lake Ontario.
An email will go out on Monday November 4th 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 (Oct. 25) about DMC’s search for our next long-term pastor
As you know from prior announcements, DMC is considering offering Pieter Niemeyer the position of our next long-term pastor.
Roger, our treasurer, has determined what salary Pieter would receive based on the MC Canada guidelines.
The Finance Committee has reviewed Roger’s calculations, and agrees that we can budget for this amount. It is approximately what Tim Reimer, our previous long-term pastor, would earn in 2025 if he were still in the role.
Here are two more details about the job description, which would apply to any candidate:
- 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.
- The contract is for a 5-year, renewable, term. We plan to informally review the pastor’s work each year; and to hold a formal review, with congregational input, in the fourth year of the contract. That review helps the congregation determine whether to offer to extend the contract.
About Nov. 3 and Nov. 10:
On Nov. 3, Pieter will bring his message during the service. Immediately after the service, we will continue the Zoom session to allow Pieter to further introduce himself everyone at home and at church. During this time, you will also be invited to ask Pieter questions.
After this session, the potluck lunch is a further time to say hello to Pieter.
On Nov. 10, immediately after the worship service, we will continue the Zoom session to hold a congregational meeting.
We will decide whether to invite Pieter to become our next long term pastor. This meeting will include the Zoom participants.
You will have time to voice your concerns about, or your support for, this decision.
We will then vote. (We can use anonymous ballots in-person; Bonnie will handle the votes from Zoom participants).
MCEC (Mennonite Church Eastern Canada, our denomination) suggests that “80% in favour” is a good threshold for this type of decision.
We welcome and encourage everyone who attends DMC to participate fully in these two November events.
Mike DeHaan, on behalf of Council and the Transition Team.
WIDER CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sunday services
Please join us at 7:00 p.m.
Nov. 3 – And God saw that it was good
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
3 Meet our pastor candidate & potluck
5 Ladies walking group Great Lakes
9 Men’s breakfast
9 Messy Church
10 DMC pastor vote
12 Ladies walking group – Taylor Creek
16 Mark Battenberg concert
19 Ladies walking group – Greenvale
December
7 Messy Church
14 Men’s breakfast
14 DMC Christmas banquet
Wider Church
November
2 CPT webinar
16 Voices of Peace conference
Community corner
November
16 Mark Battenberg
16 SCOC Fall/Christmas Art and Crafts Show