DANFORTH MENNONITE CHURCH
416-422-2406
Pastor Pieter Niemeyer

We welcome all guests who have joined us.

Danforth Mennonite Church
April 27, 2025   11:00 a.m.
Order of Service

Welcome 

 Land acknowledgement

 Announcements

 Call to Worship

 Hymn: VT 180 This is God’s Wonderous World         

 Litany: VT 884 God was, God is, God will be

 Scripture reading part one: John 20:19-23

 Hymn: VT 57 Holy Spirit, Come with Power

 Offering prayer

 Hymn: VT #708 As the waters Rise Around us

 Congregational prayer

 Scripture reading part two: John 20:24-31

 Sermon:  Resurrection Hope

 Hymn: VT 353 Now the Green Blade Rises 

 Blessing

 Benediction

Leading Us in Worship
Sermon                               Carol O.
Worship Leader            Pieter N.
Song Leader                    Don B.
Musician                           Kathy W., Ray W.
Greeters                           Dalton & Carol J.
Zoom Host                      Mike DeHaan
A/V                                      Murray L.

Hymn of the month:  VT# 708  As the Waters Rise Around Us

The Adult Discussion

Chapter Three, 2nd half –  Radical Gratitude, Sunday April 27, 2025
Please read the 2nd half of the chapter, p. 52 through p. 70.

Call to Worship

Leader:   Come let us celebrate God’s good gift.
Creation reverberates with new life, of what was dormant, sleeping, or dead- awakens to new life.
The land in all its various forms, from prairies to mountains and forests proclaim the glory of God as well as the Oceans, rivers, lakes, and seas.
The in-between places of marshes, wetlands, mangroves and estuaries with platypus, shoebills, and fishing cats all unique to these in-between places- they, too, proclaim the glory of God.

Let us dwell in God’s work of art.
Come, because the Earth is the Lord’s,
And God’s Earth is our home.

All:
We live in God’s World; we are not alone.
We share this life with the heavens and the earth,
With the waters and the land,
With trees and grasses,
With fish, birds, and animals,
With minerals and creatures of every form,
And with all our siblings.

Leader:  God is good and everything God makes is good.  God is love and everything God makes is love’s fruit.  Let us worship God!

Scripture Reading

John 20:19-23 (NRSVUE)

Jesus Appears to the Disciples
¹⁹ When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors were locked where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” ²⁰ After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. ²¹ Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” ²² When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³ If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
John 20:24-31

Jesus and Thomas
²⁴ But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. ²⁵ So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”

²⁶ A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” ²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” ²⁸ Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” ²⁹ Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”

The Purpose of This Book
³⁰ Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. ³¹ But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

Mennonite World Conference

joins Catholics and other faith communities across the world in mourning the loss of Pope Francis, who died on 21 April 2025, at the age of 88.

“With gratitude, we remember the life of Pope Francis,” says César García, MWC general secretary. “We reflect on how, through his life and teachings, he highlighted important issues for our Anabaptist communion: the imitation of Christ in his approach to power; his understanding of leadership as service; his commitment to peace; his focus on marginalized individuals, the poor, and immigrants; his concern for church unity as demonstrated in his relationships with other Christian communions and the practice of synodality; his respect for different faiths; and his care for God’s creation. These efforts, among others, endeared him to many of our brothers and sisters throughout his years of ministry.”

DANFORTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

DMC Spring Cleaning on
May 17, 9:00 a.m. – noon.
Snacks and coffee will be provided.

We’ll have a clean church ready for Pastor Pieter’s installation and Doors Open Toronto.

Happy 500^th birthday
to the Anabaptist community.

The congregation is invited to join with Messy Church on
Saturday, May 10^th
at 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
for an evening of worship, activities and dinner.
More information to follow.
NOTE:  There won’t be a service on Sunday, May 11^th.

Ladies Walking group

On Tuesday, April 29, we return at 10:30 a.m. to 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 28th 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.

We are happy to announce that
on May 18th, 2025
Danforth will hold a
service of installation and blessing for Pastor Pieter Niemeyer
as part of our regular worship. Marilyn Rudy-Frose from Mennonite Church Eastern Canada will be present to share greetings and encouragement. There will be a fellowship potluck lunch after the service at the church. Go light on the desserts – there will be cake!  Please plan to attend in person or through zoom.

Please add your name to the signup sheet if you plan to attend the lunch so we can set up tables to accommodate everyone.

Doors Open Toronto
May 24 & 25

Explore Toronto’s architectural, historical, cultural and socially significant buildings for free during Doors Open weekend. With sports, music and theatre venues and more than 150 sites to discover, the city becomes an urban playground. Get ready to play.

This will be DMC’s third year participating in Doors Open Toronto.  We will gear our weekend to family activities, thanks to Theatre of the Beat and our 128^th Girl Guide Troupe.

We enjoyed the hymn sing 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.

Worship Schedule reminder

May 4
Sermon                     Pieter N.
Worship leader    Dalton J.
Song Leader           Ed F.
Musicians                Kathy W. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                  Cindy R., Bethany W.
ZOOM host           Bonnie W.
A/V Tech                  Fazal S.
 
Adult class            John E.

May 10 – Saturday evening service
Worship leader      Pieter N.
Musicians                  Jessica M. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                    Cindy R., Bethany W.
ZOOM host              Bonnie W.
A/V Tech                    Murray L.

WIDER CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

MCEC - Annual Church Gathering 2025
Called to Action by the Power of the Holy Spirit
Galatians 5:22-23
Saturday, April 26, 2025
10 - 11:30 a.m. Online

We invite you to the ACG, centered on the theme: “Called to Action by the Power of the Holy Spirit,” with reflection on Galatians 5:22–23 – the Fruits of the Spirit. We will explore how the Spirit’s presence—through love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—guides and sustains our ministry, calling us to action.

We’ll conduct the business necessary to support this ongoing mission to energize congregations, encourage leaders and embody God’s reconciling ministry for all of creation. Your presence and voice are important as we walk together.

 COMMUNITY CORNER

Silent Auction
in Support of Danforth Grow Hope
At Church of the Resurrection,
1100 Woodbine Avenue
(at corner of Milverton)

Sunday, April 27
12 noon to about 1 pm

*They are looking for auction items, in case anyone has anything to donate. Please contact Giselle Randall at giselle.randall @ gmail.com

Garage & Rummage Sale at St. Clair O’Connor Community 

Support local seniors at the St. Clair O’Connor Community (SCOC) indoor garage sale! All proceeds will help expand SCOC’s senior day programs, making social activities, friendship, and community support more accessible to seniors across East York.

Location: 2703 St. Clair Ave. East
 Date:  Saturday, April 26th
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Come shop for a good cause and support the amazing work SCOC has done for our seniors for decades.

In summary, upcoming events:

At Danforth

April
29  Ladies walking group – Rosetta McLain Gardens

May
10  Saturday evening dinner and service
17  Church Spring Cleaning
18  Pastor Pieter’s installation
24/25  Doors Open Toronto

Wider Church
April
26 MCEC Annual Gathering – online

Community Corner
April
26 SCOC garage sale
27 Toronto Beach Chorale concert
27 Silent Auction – Church of the Resurrection

May
9 Mark Battenberg
10 We Are Phoenx – Pax Chorale
10 Mother’s Day for Peace

DANFORTH MENNONITE CHURCH
416-422-2406
Pastor Pieter Niemeyer

We welcome all guests who have joined us.

Danforth Mennonite Church
Good Friday service      April 18, 2025   10:30 a.m.

The rule of Jesus

Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews?
Matthew 2: 1-15

Lamentation                                                             Matthew 2:16-18

Magnificat                                                                  Luke 1:46-56

Hymn: VT 208 With Mary Sing Magnificat

The temptation to rule by other means Matthew 4:1-12

Hymn: VT 307                Jesus Tempted in the desert

The rule of Kingdom life                                 Matthew 5-7

Hymn: S&R  Sermon on the Mount

A case of missing the point                        Mark 10:35-45

Hymn: VT 568 Christ has no body here but ours

Jesus and the collaborator                       Luke 19:1-10

Lament for peace not pursued               Luke 19:41-44

Hymn: VT 794 If the war goes on

Eyes to see and ears to hear

Hymn: VT 712                Beauty for brokenness

A story of two rulers                                  Mark 15

The Crucifixion of Jesus

The Death of Jesus

Communion:

Congregants come forward to receive communion.

As hymn VT 325  O Sacred Head, Now Wounded is played.

Prayer

Hymn: VT 138                Christ, we do all adore thee

Benediction

Leading Us in Worship
Readers:
Pieter: Narrator
Dalton: Reader 1
Margaret: Reader 2
Erma: Reader 3
Song Leader                     Kathy W.
Musician                            Roger H., Ray W.
Greeters                             Tessa R.
Zoom Host                         Bonnie W.
A/V                                         Fazal S.

Danforth Mennonite Church
Easter Sunday   April 20, 2025   11:00 a.m.
Order of Service

Welcome

Land Acknowledgment

Call to Worship

Opening Hymn: VT #361 Christ who left His home in glory

Announcements

Offering

Easter Choir

Confession & Words of assurance 

Congregational Prayer

Scriptures: Luke 24: 1 – 12

Hymn: VT #355 Thine is the Glory

Sermon:  Christ Collides with Death

Hymn of Response: VT #340 Lift your glad voices

Benediction

Leading Us in Worship
Sermon                              Pieter N.
Worship Leader           Mike D.
Song Leader                    Dalton J.
Musician                           Roger H., Ray W.
Greeters                           Dalton & Carol J.
Zoom Host                      Bonnie W.
A/V                                      Don B.

Hymn of the month:  VT 708   As the Waters Rise Around Us

The Adult Discussion Class will resume next week.

Call to Worship

Leader:   The stone is rolled away!

People: Why look for the living among the dead?

Leader:   Alleluia! Christ is risen!

People: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Leader:   No nonsense here! Christ collides with

death, affecting the universe.

People: Christ collides with death, affecting each of us.

Leader:   Alleluia! Christ is risen!

All:            Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Confession and words of assurance

All:            Loving and merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you.

Leader:   We have not loved you with all our thoughts, words, and actions.

People: We have sinned through what we have chosen to do and what we have chosen to neglect.

Leader:   We have not fully accepted your love for us. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.

People: We linger in the shadows of fear and death, afraid to fully embrace the love you showed us through the resurrection.

All:            We repent before each other and before you, our loving God. Please help us open our hearts to your love. Help us fully live in the love you showed us in Jesus’ death and resurrection so we may better share your peace in your world, rejoicing in your name. Amen.

Leader:   Now hear these words of assurance: God tells us that we are created in God’s image. God created us for relationship with God and each other. In this, we know that God will never break our relationship. God’s steadfast love endures forever.

Scripture Reading
Luke 24:1–12

The Resurrection of Jesus
24 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. ² They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, ³ but when they went in they did not find the body. ⁴ While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. ⁵ The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here but has risen. ⁶ Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, ⁷ that the Son of Man must be handed over to the hands of sinners and be crucified and on the third day rise again.” ⁸ Then they remembered his words, ⁹ and returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. ¹⁰ Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. ¹¹ But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. ¹² But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.

DANFORTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

DMC Spring Cleaning on

May 17, 9:00 a.m. – noon.
Snacks and coffee will be provided.
 
We’ll have a clean church ready for Pastor Pieter’s installation and Doors Open Toronto.

Easter Potluck Breakfast
Sunday, April 20, 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: To the end of March $25,021 has been received in offerings. We received $7,227 in March. In order to meet our 2025 budget our monthly target for Sunday offerings is $9,206.

In March there was another $910 donated to our Food Bank fund. Some of this was the result of Government Rebate cheques being forwarded to our Food Bank fund. The Food Bank fund now has $1,510 in it and this money will be sent to our Food Bank partners in April.

Other designated donations received in March were another $150 directed to the Danforth Grow Hope Fund. The price per acre will soon be determined and we will then send our 2-acre commitment to Canadian Foodgrains Bank.

There was a $3,096 disbursement from the General Designated Fund as approved by the Trustees and Church Council. This money was for the purchase of new tables and table carts for the lower meeting room.

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.

Happy 500^th birthday
to the Anabaptist community.

The congregation is invited to join with Messy Church on
Saturday, May 10^th
at 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
for an evening of worship, activities and dinner.

More information to follow.
NOTE:  There won’t be a service on Sunday, May 11^th.

Ladies Walking group

On Tuesday, April 22 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 April 21^st 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.

We are happy to announce that on May 18th 2025, Danforth will hold a service of installation and blessing for Pastor Pieter Niemeyer as part of our regular worship. Marilyn R.-F. from Mennonite Church Eastern Canada will be present to share greetings and encouragement. There will be a fellowship potluck lunch after the service at the church. Go light on the desserts – there will be cake!  Please plan to attend in person or through zoom.

Please add your name to the signup sheet if you plan to attend the lunch so we can set up tables to accommodate everyone.

Now available from our Church Library

Winner of Canada Reads 2025

From her early, often harrowing memories of life and abuse in a remote Ojibwa community, Ma-Nee Chacaby’s extraordinary story is one of enduring and ultimately overcoming the social and economic legacies of colonialism.

As a child, Chacaby learned spiritual and cultural traditions from her Cree grandmother and trapping, hunting, and bush survival skills from her Ojibwa stepfather. She also suffered physical and sexual violence, and in her teen years became an alcoholic herself. At twenty, Chacaby took her children and, fleeing an abusive marriage, moved to Thunder Bay. Despite the abuse, racism, and indifference she often found there, Chacaby marshalled the strength and supports to help herself and others.

Over the following decades, she achieved sobriety, trained and worked as an alcoholism counsellor, raised her children and fostered many others, learned to live with visual impairment, and came out as a lesbian. In 2013, Chacaby led the first gay pride parade in Thunder Bay.

Worship Schedule reminder

April 27
Sermon                       Carol O.
Worship leader      Pieter N.
Song Leader             Don B.
Musicians                  Kathy W. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                    Dalton & Carol J.
ZOOM host             Mike D.
A/V Tech                   Murray L.
Book Study             Murray L.

May 4
Sermon                        Pieter N.
Worship leader       Dalton J.
Song Leader              Ed F.
Musicians                   Kathy W. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                     Cindy R., Bethany W.
ZOOM host              Bonnie W.
A/V Tech                     Fazal S.
Hymn Sing                 Kathy W.

WIDER CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

MCEC – Annual Church Gathering 2025
Called to Action by the Power of the Holy Spirit
Galatians 5:22-23
Saturday, April 26, 2025
10 – 11:30 a.m. Online

We invite you to the ACG, centered on the theme: “Called to Action by the Power of the Holy Spirit,” with reflection on Galatians 5:22–23 – the Fruits of the Spirit. We will explore how the Spirit’s presence—through love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—guides and sustains our ministry, calling us to action.

We’ll conduct the business necessary to support this ongoing mission to energize congregations, encourage leaders and embody God’s reconciling ministry for all of creation. Your presence and voice are important as we walk together.

 COMMUNITY CORNER

Garage & Rummage Sale at St. Clair O’Connor Community 

Support local seniors at the St. Clair O’Connor Community (SCOC) indoor garage sale! All proceeds will help expand SCOC’s senior day programs, making social activities, friendship, and community support more accessible to seniors across East York.

Location: 2703 St. Clair Ave. East
 Date:  Saturday, April 26th
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Come shop for a good cause and support the amazing work SCOC has done for our seniors for decades.

In summary, upcoming events:

At Danforth

April
18  Good Friday service
20  Easter Potluck breakfast and service
22  Ladies walking group – Bluffers Park
29  Ladies walking group – Rosetta McLain Gardens

May
10  Saturday evening dinner and service
17  Church Spring Cleaning
18  Pastor Pieter’s installation

Wider Church

April
24  Hymns Hope & Justice for Palestine
26  MCEC Annual Gathering – online

Community Corner

April
26  SCOC garage sale
27  Toronto Beach Chorale concert

May
9  Mark Battenberg

DANFORTH MENNONITE CHURCH
416-422-2406
Pastor Pieter Niemeyer

Danforth Mennonite Church
April 13, 2025   11:00 a.m.
Order of Service

Welcome

Land Acknowledgment

Call to Worship

Opening Hymn: VT #313 Hosanna, Loud hosanna

Announcements

Offering Prayer

Confession and words of assurance

Hymn: VT #708 As the Waters Rise Around us

Congregational Prayer

Hymn: VT #316 Ride on, Ride on in Majesty

Scripture: Luke 19:29-44

Sermon:  Christ Collides with Our Expectations

Hymn of Response: VT # 617 When Peace Like a River

Leading Us in Worship
Sermon                               Pieter N.
Worship Leader            Margart A.
Song Leader                    Sue S.
Musician                           Jessica M., Ray W.
Greeters                           Leslie S., Tessa R.
Zoom Host                      Bonnie W.
A/V                                      Roger H.

Hymn of the month:  VT # 708  As the Waters Rise Around Us

Adult Class: Witness to Hope

Some in our Western world are saying Christianity is a failure. Can it still offer the world hope? Today we reflect on the vision of Stephen, the first martyr in the Book of Acts, and the vision of John of Patmos (Book of Revelation chapters 4-5).

Call to Worship

based partly on Luke 19:38

Leader:   As we worship this Palm Sunday, Christ collides with our expectations.

People: Have we not collided enough?

Leader:   In deep compassion, our Lord sets out a mission of full life.

People: Form us fully, Jesus.

Leader:   “Blessings on the king who comes in the name of the Lord.

People: Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heavens.”

All:  Our Lord, it is time for you to work in and with us as we worship you!

Confession and words of assurance

All:  Loving and merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you.

Leader:   We have not loved you with all our thoughts, words, and actions.

People: We have sinned through what we have chosen to do and what we have chosen to neglect.

Leader:   We have not fully accepted your love for us. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.

People: We cling to our expectations, and we do not make space for you to challenge them.

All:   We repent before each other and before you, our loving God. Please help us open our hearts to your love. Help us let go of our narrow expectations so we may better share your peace in your world, rejoicing in your name. Amen.

Leader:   Now hear these words of assurance: God tells us that we are created in God’s image. God created us for relationship with God and each other. In this, we know that God will never break our relationship. God’s steadfast love endures forever.

Scripture Reading

Luke 19:29-44 (NRSVUE)

²⁹ When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, ³⁰ saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. ³¹ If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it.’ ” ³² So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. ³³ As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” ³⁴ They said, “The Lord needs it.” ³⁵ Then they brought it to Jesus, and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. ³⁶ As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. ³⁷ Now as he was approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, ³⁸ saying,

“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!  Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!”

³⁹ Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.” ⁴⁰ He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.”

Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem
⁴¹ As he came near and saw the city, he wept over it, ⁴² saying, “If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. ⁴³ Indeed, the days will come upon you when your enemies will set up ramparts around you and surround you and hem you in on every side. ⁴⁴ They will crush you to the ground, you and your children within you, and they will not leave within you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God.”

Prayer

O God of justice and mercy,
Over this season of Lent, we have seen how power distorts truth, silencing the oppressed and justifying violence. Misinformation spreads, and we grow weary, tempted into either mindless outrage or fearful inaction. Yet you call us to walk in wisdom—to act with courage, even when we don’t have all the answers.

Over this season of reflection, grant us ears to hear the truly marginalized, hearts to discern truth amid distortion, and boldness to challenge injustice. Humble us to examine our own complicity, to acknowledge that we are part of the problem—so that by your grace, we may also be part of the solution.

As we fast from indifference, may we feast on justice.
As we lay down comfort, may we take up the cross of reconciliation. As we resist oppression, let us not only dismantle what is broken but also build what is just and life-giving.

Shape us into a people who restore, who heal, who create new ways of being—for one another, for the earth, and for your kingdom.

And, Lord, may we never give up on one another. Teach us to seek reconciliation, to build relationships even in conflict, to speak truth with love, and to hold fast to hope.

Oh, how I long for Your Church to be at the frontlines of these new beginnings— embodying justice, mercy, and prophetic witness to a world aching for transformation.

As we follow Christ to the cross, may we be a people of truth.  As we await resurrection, may we be a people of justice.  As we walk in faith, may we be a people of hope.
As we are reconciled in Christ, may we be a people of reconciliation.
Amen.            Adapted from prayer written by Pablo Kim

DANFORTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

Easter Choir

There will be a brief choir practice for our Easter Sunday morning hymn.  Next practice may be after the Good Friday service on April 18^th. We will be singing VT# 359 Christ is Alive! Let Christians Sing.  See Kathy Wert if you have any questions.     All are welcome.

Easter
Potluck
Breakfast

Sunday, April 20, 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.

Please add your name to the signup sheet if you plan to attend.

Good Friday service
and communion
On April 18 at 10:30 am

Our next gathering is Saturday, April 12
9 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
 It’s from 9-11 a.m. 

We share in Food, Fellowship, etc.

This is not limited to the men at DMC, so please bring a friend.

This is a Potluck Affair 🙂

Happy 500^th birthday
to the Anabaptist community.

The congregation is invited to join with Messy Church on
Saturday, May 10^th
at 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
for an evening of worship, activities and dinner.

More information to follow.

NOTE:  There won’t be a service on Sunday, May 11^th.

Treasurer’s Report: To the end of March $25,021 has been received in offerings. We received $7,227 in March. In order to meet our 2025 budget our monthly target for Sunday offerings is $9,206.

In March there was another $910 donated to our Food Bank fund. Some of this was the result of Government Rebate cheques being forwarded to our Food Bank fund. The Food Bank fund now has $1,510 in it and this money will be sent to our Food Bank partners in April.

Other designated donations received in March were another $150 directed to the Danforth Grow Hope Fund. The price per acre will soon be determined and we will then send our 2-acre commitment to Canadian Foodgrains Bank.

There was a $3,096 disbursement from the General Designated Fund as approved by the Trustees and Church Council. This money was for the purchase of new tables and table carts for the lower meeting room.

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.

Ladies Walking group

On Tuesday, April 15 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 April 14 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.

Canadian Mennonite subscription changes/additions
will be submitted April 17, 2025.

Would you like to receive a free subscription to Canadian Mennonite?  You can request a digital and/or print copy.  Speak with Bonnie and she will submit the request.

We are happy to announce that on May 18th 2025, Danforth will hold a service of installation and blessing for Pastor Pieter Niemeyer as part of our regular worship. Marilyn R.-F. from Mennonite Church Eastern Canada will be present to share greetings and encouragement. There will be a fellowship potluck lunch after the service at the church. Go light on the desserts – there will be cake!  Please plan to attend in person or through zoom.

Please add your name to the signup sheet if you plan to attend the lunch so we can set up tables to accommodate everyone.

DMC Spring Cleaning on
May 17, 9:00 a.m. – noon.
Snacks and coffee will be provided.

We’ll have a clean church ready for Pastor Pieter’s installation and Doors Open Toronto.

\Worship Schedule reminder

April 18 – Good Friday
Worship leader  Pieter N.
Song Leader         Kathy W.
Musicians              Roger H. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                Tessa R.
ZOOM host         Bonnie W.
A/V Tech               Fazal S.

April 20
Sermon                     Pieter N.
Worship leader    Mike D.
Song Leader           Dalton J.
Musicians                Roger H. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                  Dalton & Carol J.
ZOOM host           Bonnie W.
A/V Tech                 Don B.
Adult Class            no class – Easter breakfast

WIDER CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

Whether you’re representing your congregation, a youth looking to connect with peers from across Canada, or a young adult seeking inspiration, there’s something for everyone at Gathering 2025. Registration opens March 5

·  Discover more! 

·  Gathering Schedule

·  Youth Gathering Schedule coming soon!

·  Promotional Materials – bulletin inserts, posters

GTA Mennonite Festival AGM
at Willowgrove dining hall.
April 13 – 5 pm
Supper will be served.

Please register by April 10th at https://www.gtamennonitefestival.ca/agm .

MCEC – Annual Church Gathering 2025
Called to Action by the Power of the Holy Spirit
Galatians 5:22-23
Saturday, April 26, 2025
10 – 11:30 a.m. Online

We invite you to the ACG, centered on the theme: “Called to Action by the Power of the Holy Spirit,” with reflection on Galatians 5:22–23 – the Fruits of the Spirit. We will explore how the Spirit’s presence—through love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—guides and sustains our ministry, calling us to action.

We’ll conduct the business necessary to support this ongoing mission to energize congregations, encourage leaders and embody God’s reconciling ministry for all of creation. Your presence and voice are important as we walk together.

 COMMUNITY CORNER

Garage & Rummage Sale at St. Clair O’Connor Community 

Support local seniors at the St. Clair O’Connor Community (SCOC) indoor garage sale! All proceeds will help expand SCOC’s senior day programs, making social activities, friendship, and community support more accessible to seniors across East York.

Location: 2703 St. Clair Ave. East
 Date:  Saturday, April 26th
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Come shop for a good cause and support the amazing work SCOC has done for our seniors for decades.

Spring (classic chocolate and vanilla sandwich) Girl Guide cookies will be available from Bethany on Sunday, April 13.

In summary, upcoming events:

At Danforth

April
12  Men’s breakfast
12  Messy Church
15  Ladies walking group – Bluffers Park
18  Good Friday service
20  Easter Potluck breakfast and service
22  Ladies walking group – Ashbridges Bay
29  Ladies walking group – Rosetta McLain Gardens

May
10  Saturday evening dinner and service
17  Chuch cleaning
18  Pastor Pieter’s installation
24/25 Doors Open Toronto

Wider Church

April
13 GTA Mennonite Festival AGM
26  MCEC Annual Gathering – online

Community Corner

April
13  Girl Guide cookies
26  SCOC garage sale
27  Toronto Beach Chorale concert

DANFORTH MENNONITE CHURCH
416-422-2406
Pastor Pieter Niemeyer

 We welcome all guests who have joined us.

Danforth Mennonite Church
April 6, 2025   11:00 a.m.
Order of Service

Welcome
Land Acknowledgment
Call to Worship
Hymn: #9 Come Away From Rush and Hurry
Announcements
Offering Prayer
Hymn: #708 As the Waters Arise Around Us
Congregational Prayer
Confession and Words of Assurance
Hymn: #738 Open My Eyes That I May See
Scripture: Luke 18:31 – 19:10
Sermon: Christ Collides With Our Blinders
Closing Hymn: # 540  Will you come and follow me
Benediction

Leading Us in Worship
Sermon                               Pieter N.
Worship Leader            Erma M.
Song Leader                    Sue S.
Musician                           Jessica M., Ray W.
Greeters                           Leslie S., Tessa R.
Zoom Host                      Bonnie W.
A/V                                      Murray L.

Hymn of the month

VT # 708  As the Waters Rise Around Us

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 April 13.
If you would like to receive emails regarding what’s happening in our class, please contact Bonnie.

Call to Worship

Leader:  As we worship, Christ collides with our blinders.

People: We want to know you and follow you, O Christ.

Leader:  Will you cry to God? Will you climb a tree?

People: We will journey, scanning the horizon for signs of the kingdom. So much is hidden, and at times we do not grasp what God is saying.

Leader:  Jesus, show us mercy.

People: Seek and save us.

All:         Jesus, show us mercy.

Confession and words of assurance

All: Loving and merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you.

Leader:  We have not loved you with all our thoughts, words, and actions.

People: We have sinned through what we have chosen to do and what we have chosen to neglect.

Leader:  We have not fully accepted your love for us. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.

People: We walk through our days with blinders on, unable to see or understand clearly.

All: We repent before each other and before you, our loving God. Please help us open our hearts to your love. Help us walk with open eyes and hearts so we may better share your peace in your world, rejoicing in your name. Amen.

Leader:  Now hear these words of assurance: God tells us that we are created in God’s image. God created us for relationship with God and each other. In this, we know that God will never break our relationship. God’s steadfast love endures forever.

Scripture Reading
Luke 18:31 – 19:10

A Third Time Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection
³¹ Then he took the twelve aside and said to them, “Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. ³² For he will be handed over to the gentiles, and he will be mocked and insulted and spat upon. ³³ After they have flogged him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise again.” ³⁴ But they understood nothing about all these things; in fact, what he said was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.

Jesus Heals a Blind Beggar Near Jericho
³⁵ As he approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. ³⁶ When he heard a crowd going by, he asked what was happening. ³⁷ They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” ³⁸ Then he shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” ³⁹ Those who were in front sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he shouted even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” ⁴⁰ Jesus stood still and ordered the man to be brought to him, and when he came near, he asked him, ⁴¹ “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me see again.” ⁴² Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has saved you.” ⁴³ Immediately he regained his sight and followed him, glorifying God, and all the people, when they saw it, praised God.

Jesus and Zacchaeus
19 He entered Jericho and was passing through it. ² A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. ³ He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. ⁴ So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. ⁵ When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” ⁶ So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. ⁷ All who saw it began to grumble and said, “He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.” ⁸ Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” ⁹ Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. ¹⁰ For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”

DANFORTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

There will be a brief choir practice for our Easter Sunday morning hymn.  Next practice will be during the hymn sing on Sunday April 6^th and a possible practice after the Good Friday service on April 18^th. We will be singing VT# 359 Christ is Alive! Let Christians Sing.  See Kathy Wert if you have any questions.     All are welcome.

Easter Potluck Breakfast
Sunday, April 20, 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.

Good Friday service
and communion
On April 18 at 10:30 am

Ladies Walking group

On Tuesday, April 8 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 April 7 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.

Worship Schedule reminder

April 13
Sermon                    Pieter N.
Worship leader   Margaret A.
Song Leader          Sue S.
Musicians               Jessica M. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                 Leslie S., Tessa R.
ZOOM host          Bonnie W.
A/V Tech                 Roger H.
Adult Class            John E.

April 18 – Good Friday
Worship leader    Pieter N.
Song Leader           Kathy W.
Musicians                Roger H. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                  ?
ZOOM host          Bonnie W.
A/V Tech                 Fazal S.

April 20 – Easter
Sermon                      Pieter N.
Worship leader     Mike D.
Song Leader            Dalton J.
Musicians                 Roger H. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                   Dalton & Carol J.
ZOOM host            Bonnie W.
A/V Tech                  Don B.
Adult Class             no class – Easter breakfast

Would you like to receive a free subscription to Canadian Mennonite?
You can request a digital and/or print copy.
Speak with Bonnie and she will submit the request.

WIDER CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

GTA Mennonite Festival AGM
at Willowgrove dining hall.
April 13 – 5 pm

Supper will be served.

Please register by April 10th at https://www.gtamennonitefestival.ca/agm .

Questions contact Karen at jandkbarber@gmail.com

Service at SCOC on Sunday Evening at 7 pm – ALL ARE WELCOME
Pastor Pieter will be speaking. Please keep him in your prayers.

MCEC Annual Church Gathering 2025
Called to Action by the Power of the Holy Spirit
Saturday, April 26, 2025
10 – 11:30 a.m. Online
Registration opens at the end of March

 COMMUNITY CORNER

Spring (classic chocolate and vanilla sandwich) Girl Guide cookies will be available from Bethany on Sunday, April 6.

In summary, upcoming events:

At Danforth

April
8 Ladies walking group – Bluffers Park
12  Men’s breakfast
12  Messy Church
15  Ladies walking group – Rosetta McLain
18  Good Friday service
20  Easter Potluck breakfast and service
22  Ladies walking group – Ashbridges Bay
29  Ladies walking group

May
18  Pastor Pieter’s installation

Wider Church

April
5  Fraser Lake 70 years
13 GTA Mennonite Festival AGM
26  MCEC Annual Gathering – online

Community Corner

April
6  Girl Guide cookies
27  Toronto Beach Chorale concert