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

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

DANFORTH MENNONITE CHURCH
416-422-2406

 We welcome all guests who have joined us.

 Danforth Mennonite Church
October 20, 2024   11:00 a.m.
Order of Service

Land Acknowledgment

Welcome

Call to Worship

Hymn:  VT #747  We Plow the Fields and Scatter

Announcements

Hymn:  VT #118   In the Lord I’ll be Ever Thankful

Offering

VT# 70 Praise God from whom all blessings flow

Congregational Prayer

Scripture:  Isaiah 58:1-11

Hymn: VT #750  God of the Fertile Fields

Message: Room at the table

Benediction:   #810  Go, My Friends, in Grace

Leading Us in Worship
Message                             Carol O.
Scripture reading          Mark C.
Worship Leader             Bonnie W.
Song Leader                     Kathy W.
Musicians                          Roger H. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                             Leslie S., Tessa R.
Zoom Host                        Mike D.
A/V Technician               Fazal S.

October hymn of the month:  VT #118  In the Lord I’ll be Ever Thankful

Adult Discussion Class

This Sunday we complete our deep dive into God’s purpose for the church in the world. We will be engaging with the final chapter in our book study entitled, “A Community of Hope.”  All are invited, all are needed, all are welcome.

Call to Worship

Leader:  We are children of God:

People:  Called to praise, and to bless and to show mercy.

Leader:  We are citizens of a nation:

People:  Called to care, and to respond, and to share our freedom.

Leader:  We are members of a community; Called to know each other, and to
accept each other, and to welcome all.

People:  We belong to God, and through God, to one another.

All:  May our hearts be as one. Let us worship our God.

Scripture reading
Isaiah 58:1-11 (NRSVUE)

False and True Worship
58 Shout out; do not hold back!
Lift up your voice like a trumpet!
Announce to my people their rebellion,
to the house of Jacob their sins.
² Yet day after day they seek me
and delight to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that practiced righteousness
and did not forsake the ordinance of their God;
they ask of me righteous judgments;
they want God on their side.
³ “Why do we fast, but you do not see?
Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?”
Look, you serve your own interest on your fast day
and oppress all your workers.
⁴ You fast only to quarrel and to fight
and to strike with a wicked fist.
Such fasting as you do today
will not make your voice heard on high.
⁵ Is such the fast that I choose,
a day to humble oneself?
Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush
and to lie in sackcloth and ashes?
Will you call this a fast,
a day acceptable to the Lord?

⁶ Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of injustice,
to undo the straps of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
⁷ Is it not to share your bread with the hungry
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover them
and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
⁸ Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up quickly;
your vindicator shall go before you;
the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
⁹ Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;
you shall cry for help, and he will say, “Here I am.”

If you remove the yoke from among you,
the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil,
¹⁰ if you offer your food to the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the afflicted,
then your light shall rise in the darkness
and your gloom be like the noonday.
¹¹ The Lord will guide you continually
and satisfy your needs in parched places
and make your bones strong,
and you shall be like a watered garden,
like a spring of water
whose waters never fail.

DANFORTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

Ladies Walking group

On Tuesday, October 22, we will meet at 10:30 a.m. at Birkdale (enter off of Brimley – north of Lawrence) for a one-hour stroll on the trail.

An email will go out on Monday October 21 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.

Come join us

DMC’s search for our next long-term pastor is in a new phase

Council has accepted the recommendation from the Pastoral Search Team, to consider Pieter N. for this position. He has served as pastor in a sister congregation in York Region, and currently attends Toronto United Mennonite Church. You may remember Pieter being a guest speaker at DMC from time to time.

In October, those committees and teams that work most closely with the pastor, will meet with Pieter so they can become better acquainted. Roger, our treasurer, will also determine what salary Pieter would deserve based on the MC Canada guidelines.

On Sun. Nov. 3, Pieter will again be our guest speaker. Following the service, we will take time to meet him. That time will be especially valuable for those who attend by Zoom. Afterwards, we will hold a potluck lunch and spend further time with him.

On Sun. Nov. 10, we will hold a congregational meeting after the worship service, to decide whether to invite Pieter to become our next long-term pastor. This meeting will include the Zoom participants.

We welcome and encourage everyone who attends DMC to participate fully in these two November events.

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

Why two Sunday potluck lunches in a row?

A few months ago, we asked Stephen R. and his family if they would do the service on October 27^th.  With the distance that they have to travel and wanting to catch up on their lives, we thought this would be an idea time to have a potluck lunch.

Since scheduling in Stephen, we were able to switch out a speaker so that Peter N. (Pastor candidate) could properly introduce himself and speak and then have a question-and-answer time after the service.  This again was a perfect opportunity to meet afterwards for fellowship.

NO more potlucks until December 14 – DMC Christmas banquet.

 Treasurer’s Report: We received $6,367 in offerings in September. We are now well below our budgeted offering number, but due mostly to the absence of a paid Pastor we still have a substantial operating surplus to the end of September. Please refer to Church Council Minutes for more financial details on our 2024 budget.

In September there was $100 donated towards our Foodbank Fund. Although the fund is open for donations all year, during the Thanksgiving month of October, the Outreach and Service Committee is encouraging cash donations, in addition to the non-perishable food items they are collecting. Please designate your donation as “Food Bank” and it will be passed on to the Nourish East End Foodbank, or the 40 Teesdale Foodbank. (Please see the announcement from the Outreach and Service Committee for more details)

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

October 27
Message                       Stephen R.
Scripture reading    Merle and Daniel R.
Worship leader        Carol R.
Song Leader               Stephen R.
Musicians                    Karen R. (piano), Stephen R. (guitar), Merle R. (trumpet)
Greeters                      Vic & Mary Jane G.
ZOOM host               Bonnie W.
A/V Tech                      Mike D.

November 3
Message                      Pieter N.
Worship leader      Margaret A.
Song Leader
Musicians                 Jessica M. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                    Vic & Mary Jane G.
ZOOM host             Bonnie W.
A/V Tech                   Murray L.

White Poppy Peace campaign

Tessa Rose has again this year, made us a selection of white poppies
Continue to wear a white poppy.
You can find out more at
https://www.ppu.org.uk/remembrance-white-poppies

Thank you for your donations to the Food Bank. 
The food donations were delivered on Wednesday to the Nourish East End Food Bank.  Fazal and Murray volunteer at this location.

There is still time to donate with a Cash, cheque or E-transfer.  The donations can be donated through our Church Treasurer, Roger H., earmarked for Nourish East End Foodbank and/or Teasdale Community Food Bank.

WIDER CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

Please join us at 7:00 p.m.

October 20 Hymn Sing
October 27 Liturgical Prayers and Hymns

Join Us for our Event
 
Note from Murray:  This webinar - November 2nd from the CPT-IK (Iraqi Kurdistan) may be of interest to some of us. I’m sure Dale Hildebrand will be part of it.

On November 2nd CPT-IK will host an online webinar on its latest report that documented and verified all civilian casualties by Turkish and Iranian military operations in Northern Iraq since 1991.  The report also documented broader civilian impacted and highlighted a number of stores underscoring the targeting of civilians in military incursions by both the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
 
The webinar will be open to questions.  Please sign up in the link below.

https://cpt.org/webinar-civilian-casualties-by-turkish-and-iranian-military-operations-1991-2024

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
October
19  Messy Church
22 Ladies walking group
29 Ladies walking group

November
3  Meet our pastor candidate
5  Ladies walking group
9 Men’s breakfast
10  DMC pastor vote
12  Ladies walking group
19  Ladies walking group

December
14  DMC Christmas banquet

Wider Church
October
18-19 Towards a Justice that transforms

Community corner
October
1 – 27  Apple picking at Willowgrove

November
16  Mark Battenberg