DANFORTH MENNONITE CHURCH
416-422-2406

We welcome all guests who have joined us.

Danforth Mennonite Church
March 3, 2024
Order of Service

Welcome

Land acknowledgment

Opening Hymn:  #78     O For A Thousand Tongues

Call to Worship

Prayer

Hymn:  #280     O Carpenter, Why Leave Thy Bench

Announcements

Offering

Prayer

Hymn:  #297 – You Are Salt For The Earth

Prayers of the People

Scripture: Luke 5: 1-11, Luke 9:51-56, Luke 18:15-17

Hymn: #813 Heart With Loving Heart United

Message:     Called to Fail, Called to Follow

Hymn:  #540  Will You Come and Follow Me

Benediction

Leading Us in Worship
Message                            John E.
Worship Leader            Erma M.
Song Leader                    Dalton J.
Musicians                         Kathy W. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                           Cindy R., Bethany W.
Zoom Host                      Bonnie W.
A/V Technician             Roger H.

Hymn of the month:  VT # 280  O Carpenter, Why Leave the Bench

It’s hymn sing Sunday.
Join us
 in the sanctuary at 10 a.m.

Scripture reading

*Setting:  Jesus and his disciples are in a boat that quietly rocks over deep water. The nets have been thrown out. Suddenly the nets tug hard, the boat leans followed by shouts of disbelief.   Can you see it?

A Reading from Luke chapter 5 

5 Now it happened that while the crowd was pressing around Him and listening to the word of God, He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret; ² and He saw two boats lying at the edge of the lake; but the fishermen had gotten out of them and were washing their nets. ³ And He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little way from the land. And He sat down and began teaching the people from the boat. ⁴ When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” ⁵ Simon answered and said, “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets.” ⁶ When they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to break; ⁷ so they signaled to their partners in the other boat for them to come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats, so that they began to sink. ⁸ But when Simon Peter saw that, he fell down at Jesus’ feet, saying, “Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!” ⁹ For amazement had seized him and all his companions because of the catch of fish which they had taken; ¹⁰ and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men.” ¹¹ When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him.

*Setting: We are deep in enemy territory, the land of the Samaritans.  Lots of sideways glances from the locals.  Jesus and his disciples are looking for a place to lay their head.   Can you see it? Can you feel the tension?

A Reading from Luke chapter 9

⁵¹ When the days were approaching for His ascension, He was determined to go to Jerusalem; ⁵² and He sent messengers on ahead of Him, and they went and entered a village of the Samaritans to make arrangements for Him. ⁵³ But they did not receive Him, because He was traveling toward Jerusalem. ⁵⁴ When His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” ⁵⁵ But He turned and rebuked them, [and said, “You do not know what kind of spirit you are of; ⁵⁶ for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.”] And they went on to another village.

*Setting: We are in a town square, one of the last towns before the ascent to Jerusalem. The trek from Galilee is almost over. There is an exchange of ugly voices between the disciples and mothers with nursing babies.  Can you see it? Can you hear it?

A Reading from Luke chapter 18

¹⁵ And they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He would touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them. ¹⁶ But Jesus called for them, saying, “Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. ¹⁷ Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”

Our Lent table display

THE ROCKS
The rocks remind us that Jesus alone is worthy of our adoration and praise. It reminds us that Jesus said if the people wouldn’t praise Him, the rocks would.
“I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out. [Luke 19:40]

THE SAND
The sand reminds us of the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). He was alone, tempted, and hungry; yet He resisted sin and lived a perfect life.
In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. [Isaiah 40:3]

THE CANDLES
The candles remind us that Jesus is the light of the world. And the light always overcomes the darkness.

In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. [John 1:4-5]

On the first Sunday of Lent, all seven candles are lit. As each week of Lent passes, one candle is extinguished. Unlike Advent where a new candle is lit each week and the light slowly gets brighter, during Lent each week gets progressively darker, until there is complete darkness on Good Friday.

“Whereas Advent is a season of ever-increasing light anticipating the incarnation of Christ, Lent is a season of ever-decreasing light approaching His crucifixion. Light is gradually extinguished to symbolize the journey through the wilderness and toward the cross and tomb.”

On Good Friday it appeared that darkness and death had won. The Light had been extinguished.

But thanks be to God that it doesn’t end there! “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. [1 Corinthians 15:55-57]

Sin and death have been defeated! On Resurrection Sunday all seven candles are lit as we celebrate the hope, life, and victory we have because of Jesus. He is risen, He is risen indeed!

DANFORTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

Good Friday service

The Ministry Support Team
(Cindy, Dalton, Margaret and Shannon)
will lead us in the service on
March 29^th at 10:30 a.m.

The DMC choir

is preparing a hymn (VT # 359 Christ is Alive! Let Christians Sing!) for Easter Sunday morning.

There will be a practice this Sunday morning at around 10:25 after pre-service singing.
All are welcome to attend.
Never any auditions.

There will be short practices after church on Sunday mornings. about 5-10 minutes after church for about 10 minutes.  See Kathy Wert for further details.

Easter Potluck Breakfast
Sunday, March 31, 2024
9:30 am in the Fellowship Hall

Please bring finger foods for all to share.  Coffee, tea, and juice will be served.

10:45 am We are invited to the sanctuary for some pre-service
Easter hymn singing.

Everyone is welcome.

Worship Schedule reminder

March 10
Speaker                    John E.
Worship leader   Linda D.
Song Leader          Ed F.
Musicians               Bonnie W. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                 Leslie & Fazal S.
ZOOM host          Mike D.
A/V Tech                Don B.

March 17
Speaker                    John E.
Worship leader   Sue S.
Song Leader          Kathy W.
Musicians               Roger H. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                 Leslie & Fazal S.
ZOOM host          Bonnie W.
A/V Tech                Murray L.

Ladies Walking group

On Tuesday, March 5, we will be meeting at 10:30 a.m. at Rosetta McClain Gardens at 5 Glen Everest Road (Kingston Road and Birchmount) for a one-hour stroll through the gardens.
 
An email will go out on Monday March 4 to confirm the place and time.

If you need to be picked up or dropped off, please check in with fellow walkers or email Bonnie.

Do you have some ideas for our next newsletter?

Please contact Bonnie.
Our next edition covers January – April.

WIDER CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

You are invited to worship with the
St. Clair O’Connor Community.
Your presence and support are appreciated.
7:00 p.m.

March 3
March 17 – hymn sing
March 31 – an Easter service by The Church of St. Bedes.

Please save the date for the

GTA Mennonite Festival AGM
April 7, 5 pm. Rouge Valley Mennonite Church. Details to follow.

MCEC Annual Church Gathering 2024

Inspired by Hope
April 26 & 27, 2024
Leamington, ON

Be inspired by the hope we find in Jesus, hear stories of inspiration and experience the wonder and mystery of God when we meet together as a family of congregations.
More Information

A note from Peter H.

Wed March 6 - 'Beyond Polarized Kvetching', a workshop on helpful conversations about controversial topics, hosted by TUMC's Mission & Service Committee. Join Lia and Emily as they share insights coming from their own advocacy for Palestine among their Jewish and Israeli family members. Part 2 is March 20. Come at 6pm for a simple soup supper, workshop is 7-9pm. Please register at this link:

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/toronto-united-mennonite-church/events/beyond-polarized-kvetching/

Note - this is not an event to discuss or debate Israeli and Palestinian issues. Participants are welcome to bring their own perspectives, but the focus of the event is developing tools for healthy discussions.

In summary, upcoming events

At Danforth

March
5  Ladies walking group
9  Men’s breakfast
12  Ladies walking group
19  Ladies walking group
23  Messy Church
26  Ladies walking group
29  Good Friday service 10:30 a.m.
31  Easter breakfast and service

Wider Church

March
6  Beyond Polarized Kvetching workshop
20  Beyond Polarized Kvetching workshop Part 2

April
7  GTA Mennonite Festival AGM
14  Silent Auction at Church of the Resurrection
26 & 27  MCEC Annual Church Gathering

DANFORTH MENNONITE CHURCH
416-422-2406

We welcome all guests who have joined us.

Danforth Mennonite Church
February 25, 2024
Order of Service

Welcome

Land Acknowledgment

Opening Hymn: VT #573 Strong, Peaceful Man of Galilee

Prayer of Confession

Announcements

Offering

Hymn:   VT #610 Precious Lord, Take my Hand

Congregational Prayer

Scripture: (#1) Luke 3: 21 – 22; Luke 4: 1 – 2; 13. (#2) Luke 4: 16 – 21. (#3) Luke 4: 31-37.

Hymn:   VT #307 Jesus, Tempted in the Desert

Message:  Deliver us from Evil

Closing Hymn:   VT #847 You Shall Go Out with Joy

Benediction

Leading Us in Worship
Message                             John E.
Worship Leader             Mike D.
Song Leader                     Sue S.
Musicians                          Jessica M. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                             Dalton & Carol J.
Zoom Host                        Bonnie W.
A/V Technician               Fazal S.

February hymn of the month:  VT # 573  Strong, Peaceful Man of Galilee

Adult Discussion Group

This Sunday we’re looking at a chunk from Luke, 3: 21 to 4: 37.  The sermon title is “Deliver us from Evil.”  Please read these verses for this coming Sunday. Take note of two things:

1. Who are the Characters?
2. What is the Tension?

Prayer of Confession

Leader:   Trustworthy God, we want to live with faith, yet we worry there will not be enough.
We want to believe in your promises, yet we lose hope. We want to follow you, but sometimes the road is too hard.

People: We confess before you our unbelief, our worry, our hopelessness.

Leader:   Shape us into a people who will live in faith. Strengthen us so we can deny ourselves, take up your cross, and follow you.

People: In your grace, Lord, give us faith to believe that you will call into existence the things that do not exist. Amen.

Scripture Reading (NLT)

*Setting: This place is a wasteland. A threatening wind stirs. Crowds upon crowds gather around the river being baptized. Jesus stands among the people, soaked with water and very deep in prayer.

Readings from Luke chapters 3 and 4. 

Listen:

3 ²¹One day when the crowds were being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized. As he was praying, the heavens opened, ²² and the Holy Spirit, in bodily form, descended on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, “You are my Beloved Son, in you I am well pleased.”

4 ¹Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, ² where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry…  ¹³ When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came.

*Setting: After a week of walking Jesus returns to his hometown.  Children play, chickens chitter and chatter, donkeys stand.  We enter the cool of the synagogue.  Familiar people have all gathered.

Listen:  ¹⁶ When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. ¹⁷ The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written:

¹⁸ “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, ¹⁹ and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.”

²⁰ He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. ²¹ Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!”

Setting:   After a long walk to the shores of Galilee, Jesus enters another synagogue in a busy ancient city.  As Jesus is teaching, suddenly a quiet shriek comes from a man, a shriek that grew loader.

Listen:   ³¹ Then Jesus went to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and taught there in the synagogue every Sabbath day. ³² There, too, the people were amazed at his teaching, for he spoke with authority.

³³ Once when he was in the synagogue, a man possessed by a demon—an evil spirit—cried out, shouting, ³⁴ “Go away! Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

³⁵ But Jesus reprimanded him. “Be quiet! Come out of the man,” he ordered. At that, the demon threw the man to the floor as the crowd watched; then it came out of him without hurting him further.

³⁶ Amazed, the people exclaimed, “What authority and power this man’s words possess! Even evil spirits obey him, and they flee at his command!” ³⁷ The news about Jesus spread through every village in the entire region.

Our Lent table display

THE ROCKS
The rocks remind us that Jesus alone is worthy of our adoration and praise. It reminds us that Jesus said if the people wouldn’t praise Him, the rocks would.
“I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out. [Luke 19:40]

THE SAND
The sand reminds us of the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). He was alone, tempted, and hungry; yet He resisted sin and lived a perfect life.
In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. [Isaiah 40:3]

THE CANDLES
The candles remind us that Jesus is the light of the world. And the light always overcomes the darkness.
In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. [John 1:4-5]

On the first Sunday of Lent, all seven candles are lit. As each week of Lent passes, one candle is extinguished. Unlike Advent where a new candle is lit each week and the light slowly gets brighter, during Lent each week gets progressively darker, until there is complete darkness on Good Friday.

“Whereas Advent is a season of ever-increasing light anticipating the incarnation of Christ, Lent is a season of ever-decreasing light approaching His crucifixion. Light is gradually extinguished to symbolize the journey through the wilderness and toward the cross and tomb.”

On Good Friday it appeared that darkness and death had won. The Light had been extinguished.

But thanks be to God that it doesn’t end there! “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. [1 Corinthians 15:55-57]

Sin and death have been defeated! On Resurrection Sunday all seven candles are lit as we celebrate the hope, life, and victory we have because of Jesus. He is risen, He is risen indeed!

DANFORTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

Treasurer’s Report: Our AGM is over, and we are well into 2024. In January we received $7,729 in offerings. $8,114 is needed each month to meet our 2024 budget.

In January $600 (2 x $300) was distributed from the Benevolence Fund to assist 2 Palestinian families. The Outreach and Service Committee has been in contact with them and recommended assistance.  Designated donations are always welcome to the Benevolence Fund.

Good Friday service

The Ministry Support Team
(Cindy, Dalton, Margaret and Shannon)

will lead us in the service on
March 29^th at 10:30 a.m.

Ladies Walking group

On Tuesday, February 27 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 left and go to the end of the road to the parking lot (past the marina).

An email will go out on Monday February 26 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.

Easter Potluck Breakfast
Sunday, March 31, 2024
9:30 am in the Fellowship Hall

Please bring finger foods for all to share.  Coffee, tea, and juice will be served.
 
10:45 am We are invited to the sanctuary for some pre-service
Easter hymn singing.
 
Everyone is welcome.

Worship Schedule reminder

March 3
Speaker                    John E.
Worship leader    Erma M.
Song Leader          Dalton J.
Musicians                Kathy W. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                  Leslie & Fazal S.
ZOOM host            Bonnie W.
A/V Tech                   Don B.

March 10
Speaker                     John E.
Worship leader    Linda D.
Song Leader           Ed F.
Musicians                Bonnie W. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                  Leslie & Fazal S.
ZOOM host           Mike D.
A/V Tech                 Roger H.

WIDER CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

Peace & Possibility, Part II: Raja Khouri is a Palestinian-Canadian; Jeffrey Wilkinson is an American Jew. Hear them discuss their 2023 book, The Wall Between: What Jews and Palestinians Don’t Want to Know About Each Other. Hosted by Canadian Mennonite, Anabaptist World and the Palestine-Israel Network. Feb. 28, 7:30 p.m. CT. Click here to learn more.

Thank you for your cooperation and support.
Lorna Aberdein
Circulation Administrator
Canadian Mennonite Publishing Service
Educating, inspiring, informing and fostering dialogue on Mennonites in Canada
www.canadianmennonite.org
Support our mission

Please save the date for the GTA Mennonite Festival AGM
April 7, 5 pm. Rouge Valley Mennonite Church. Details to follow.

A note from Stephen Roy, MCC

I know you care deeply about the ongoing tragedy in Gaza and Israel.

While conflict has made it challenging for us to receive timely information, we’re committed to keeping you updated as best as we can, and that’s why I have some exciting news to share with you today.

On February 29th at 1:00 pm, we will be hosting a webinar with Sarah Funkhouser and Seth Malone, MCC Country Representatives for Jordan, Palestine, and Israel. During our time together, Sarah and Seth will share updates about what they’re hearing from local partners and MCC’s current and future emergency response in Gaza and the West Bank.

I would love for you to join us.

This is a very special opportunity to learn more about the hopes, needs and challenges of MCC’s work from those directly on the ground.

You can register to be part of this webinar online. I really do hope to see you there.

Register

MCEC Annual Church Gathering 2024

Inspired by Hope
April 26 & 27, 2024
Leamington, ON

Be inspired by the hope we find in Jesus, hear stories of inspiration and experience the wonder and mystery of God when we meet together as a family of congregations.
More Information

A note from Peter H.

Wed March 6 – ‘Beyond Polarized Kvetching’, a workshop on helpful conversations about controversial topics, hosted by TUMC’s Mission & Service Committee. Join Lia and Emily as they share insights coming from their own advocacy for Palestine among their Jewish and Israeli family members. Part 2 is March 20. Come at 6pm for a simple soup supper, workshop is 7-9pm. Please register at this link:
 
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/toronto-united-mennonite-church/events/beyond-polarized-kvetching/
 
Note – this is not an event to discuss or debate Israeli and Palestinian issues. Participants are welcome to bring their own perspectives, but the focus of the event is developing tools for healthy discussions.

In summary, upcoming events

 
At Danforth

February
24  Messy Church
27 Ladies walking group

March
5  Ladies walking group
9  Men’s breakfast
12  Ladies walking group
19  Ladies walking group
23  Messy Church
26  Ladies walking group
29  Good Friday service 10:30 a.m.
31  Easter breakfast and service
Wider Church

February
24  Coldest Night of the Year walk
28  Peace and Possibility Part 2

March
1  Hope for Gaza?  Hope for Palestine and Israel?
6  Beyond Polarized Kvetching workshop
20  Beyond Polarized Kvetching workshop Part 2

April
7  GTA Mennonite Festival AGM
14  Silent Auction at Church of the Resurrection
26 & 27  MCEC Annual Church Gathering

DANFORTH MENNONITE CHURCH
416-422-2406

 We welcome all guests who have joined us.

Danforth Mennonite Church
February 18, 2024
Order of Service

Land Acknowledgement

Introduction to our Lenten series

Opening Prayer

Call to worship

Opening Hymn:  VT #573 Strong Peaceful Man of Galilee

Announcements

Offering

Hymn: VT #628 What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Congregational Prayer 

Hymn:  VT  #703      Rain Down

Scripture reading: Luke 1:39-45, Luke 24:36-42, Isaiah 55:10-12

Message:   Finally, it has Begun

Closing Hymn: VT #847   You Shall Go Out With Joy

Benediction

Leading Us in Worship
Message                              John E.
Worship Leader              Cindy R.
Scripture reading           Bethany W.
Song Leader                      Ed F.
Musicians                           Roger H. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                             Dalton & Carol J.
Zoom Host                        Bonnie W.
A/V Technician               Murray L.

February hymn of the month:  VT #573  Strong, Peaceful Man of Galilee

Adult Discussion Group:

This Sunday we will be discussing the scripture readings for our service:
Luke 1:1 – 3:20
Luke 24

Call to Worship
based on Psalm 98

One: We sing because God does marvelous things!

Many: He opened salvation to all and revealed his righteousness to  the world.

One: Make joyful noise the Lord, all the earth!

Many: We join in joyous song and sing God’s praises!

One: It’s not only us, but the sea, the rivers, even the mountains rejoice out loud.

Many: The whole cosmos sings because the Lord is coming to establish justice on earth!

Scripture Reading

*Setting: Nestled in the hills is the home of a simple village priest. In this home we hear the voices of two women, one old and one young. Great excitement is in the air.

A reading from Luke 1:39-45
³⁹ A few days later Mary got up and ran into the hill country of Judea, to the town ⁴⁰ where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹ At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

⁴²Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed.  Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? ⁴⁴ When I heard your greeting the baby in my womb jumped for joy.  ⁴⁵You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”

*Setting: Now leave the simple home in the hills and come to an upper room in near by Jerusalem.  Once again excited voices.  Night has fallen.  An oil lamp burns in the dark.  Excited voices exchange stories.

A reading from Luke 24:36-42
³⁶ And just as they were talking about all these things, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. ³⁷ But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost!

³⁸ “Why are you frightened?” he asked. “Why are your hearts filled with doubt? ³⁹ Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.” ⁴⁰ As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet.

⁴¹ Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” ⁴² They gave him a piece of broiled fish, ⁴³ and he ate it as they watched.

Setting: Now come back in time, a thousand years before these things happened.  In this same city a prophet in a royal robe stood up and the Lord spoke the following words though him.

A reading from Isaiah 55:12
¹² I promise you that one day you will go out with joy and be led forth with peace;
Yes, the mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you,
And all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

Our Lent table display

THE ROCKS
The rocks remind us that Jesus alone is worthy of our adoration and praise. It reminds us that Jesus said if the people wouldn’t praise Him, the rocks would.
“I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out. [Luke 19:40]

THE SAND
The sand reminds us of the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). He was alone, tempted, and hungry; yet He resisted sin and lived a perfect life.
In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. [Isaiah 40:3]

THE CANDLES
The candles remind us that Jesus is the light of the world. And the light always overcomes the darkness.
In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. [John 1:4-5]

On the first Sunday of Lent, all seven candles are lit. As each week of Lent passes, one candle is extinguished. Unlike Advent where a new candle is lit each week and the light slowly gets brighter, during Lent each week gets progressively darker, until there is complete darkness on Good Friday.

“Whereas Advent is a season of ever-increasing light anticipating the incarnation of Christ, Lent is a season of ever-decreasing light approaching His crucifixion. Light is gradually extinguished to symbolize the journey through the wilderness and toward the cross and tomb.”

On Good Friday it appeared that darkness and death had won. The Light had been extinguished.

But thanks be to God that it doesn’t end there! “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. [1 Corinthians 15:55-57]

Sin and death have been defeated! On Resurrection Sunday all seven candles are lit as we celebrate the hope, life, and victory we have because of Jesus. He is risen, He is risen indeed!

Good Friday service

The Ministry Support Team
(Cindy, Dalton, Margaret and Shannon)
will lead us in the service on
March 29^th at 10:30 a.m.

Lent Confession Prayer
Written by Carol Penner

God of grace,
in this season of Lent,
we ask for four gifts.

Courage to admit the harm
we know we’ve done.

Insight to grasp the harm
we didn’t know we did.

Wisdom to apologize if we can,
and try to make things right.

And, finally, humility.
It is through your love
we are saved.

DANFORTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

Our thanks to Ray and Bethany for shoveling the snow in front of the church on Thursday evening.

Treasurer’s Report: Our AGM is over, and we are well into 2024. In January we received $7,729 in offerings. $8,114 is needed each month to meet our 2024 budget.
 
In January $600 (2 x $300) was distributed from the Benevolence Fund to assist 2 Palestinian families. The Outreach and Service Committee has been in contact with them and recommended the assistance. Designated donations are always welcome to the Benevolence Fund.

Please save the date for the

GTA Mennonite Festival AGM
April 7, 5 pm.
Rouge Valley Mennonite Church.
Details to follow.

Ladies Walking group

On Tuesday, February 20 at 10:30 am (weather permitting), we will meet at Woodbine Beach to see the outdoor winter stations art exhibit.
The theme chosen for the 2024 edition of Winter Stations is Resonance. https://winterstations.com/
An email will go out on Monday February 19 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.

Easter Potluck Breakfast
Sunday, March 31, 2024
9:30 am in the Fellowship Hall

Please bring finger foods for all to share.  Coffee, tea, and juice will be served.

10:45 am We are invited to the sanctuary for some pre-service
Easter hymn singing.  Everyone is welcome.

Worship Schedule reminder

February 25
Speaker                    John E.
Worship leader   Mike D.
Song Leader          Sue S.
Musicians              Jessica M. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                 Dalton & Carol J.
ZOOM host           Bonnie W.
A/V Tech                 Fazal S.

March 3
Speaker                    John E.
Worship leader   Erma M.
Song Leader          Dalton J.
Musicians               Kathy W. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                 Leslie & Fazal S.
ZOOM host           Bonnie W.
A/V Tech                 Don B.

WIDER CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

Peace & Possibility, Part I: Tune into a live web event with Maoz Inon, an Israeli peace and tourism entrepreneur with strong Mennonite links. Since his parents were killed by Hamas, Inon’s message of peace has drawn the attention of international media. Hosted by Canadian Mennonite, Anabaptist World and the Palestine-Israel Network. Feb. 21, 11 a.m. CT. Click here to learn more.

Peace & Possibility, Part II: Raja Khouri is a Palestinian-Canadian; Jeffrey Wilkinson is an American Jew. Hear them discuss their 2023 book, The Wall Between: What Jews and Palestinians Don’t Want to Know About Each Other. Hosted by Canadian Mennonite, Anabaptist World and the Palestine-Israel Network. Feb. 28, 7:30 p.m. CT. Click here to learn more.

Thank you for your cooperation and support.
Lorna Aberdein
Circulation Administrator
Canadian Mennonite Publishing Service
Educating, inspiring, informing and fostering dialogue on Mennonites in Canada
www.canadianmennonite.org

Hello Friends,

You are cordially invited to an event in which Michael Lynk will be doing a Power Point presentation.  Details are as follows:

Title:  Hope for Gaza?  Hope for Palestine and Israel?
Date:  Friday, March 1 at 7:00 pm
Place:  Valleyview Mennonite Church
1170 Melsandra Avenue, London, Ontario N5Y 4N9
Phone:  (519) 438-1705

Speaker:  Michael Lynk – Former United Nations Special Rapporteur to the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Law, Western University, London, Ontario

Admission:  Free.   There will be an opportunity for donations to Mennonite Central Committee Ontario, to support projects in Gaza which are already in place.

The book “Protecting Human Rights in Occupied Palestine” will be sold for $30, by cash or e-transfer only.  The book is authored by Richard Falk, John Dugard and Michael Lynk.  Working through the United Nations Human Rights Council, these three international legal experts each served for six years as unpaid Special Rapporteurs, with a UN mandate to report on Israeli violations of international humanitarian law and human rights standards.

Event will be live streamed…valleyviewmc.ca/watch

We look forward to seeing you at this event!
Peace,
Esther Kern

Welcome the Stranger-GTA is asking for prayers for the successful immigration interview for the Bayene family which we are sponsoring. They are now living as refugees in South Africa. The first interview resulted in a rejection. Our lawyer was able to arrange for an appeal which will be held on February 29.  Please pray for success in this interview.

MCEC Annual Church Gathering 2024

Inspired by Hope
April 26 & 27, 2024
Leamington, ON

Be inspired by the hope we find in Jesus, hear stories of inspiration and experience the wonder and mystery of God when we meet together as a family of congregations.
More Information

A note from Peter Haresnape…

Wed March 6 – ‘Beyond Polarized Kvetching’, a workshop on helpful conversations about controversial topics, hosted by TUMC’s Mission & Service Committee. Join Lia and Emily as they share insights coming from their own advocacy for Palestine among their Jewish and Israeli family members. Part 2 is March 20. Come at 6pm for a simple soup supper, workshop is 7-9pm. Please register at this link:

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/toronto-united-mennonite-church/events/beyond-polarized-kvetching/#overview

Note – this is not an event to discuss or debate Israeli and Palestinian issues. Participants are welcome to bring their own perspectives, but the focus of the event is developing tools for healthy discussions.

In summary, upcoming events

At Danforth

February
20  Ladies walking group – Woodbine beach
24  Messy Church
27 Ladies walking group
 
March
5  Ladies walking group
9  Men’s breakfast
12  Ladies walking group
19  Ladies walking group
23  Messy Church
26  Ladies walking group
29  Good Friday service 10:30 a.m.
31  Easter breakfast and service

Wider Church

February
21  Peace and Possibility Part 1
24  Coldest Night of the Year walk
28  Peace and Possibility Part 2

March
1  Hope for Gaza?  Hope for Palestine and Israel?
6  Beyond Polarized Kvetching workshop
20  Beyond Polarized Kvetching workshop Part 2

April
7  GTA Mennonite Festival AGM
26 & 27  MCEC Annual Church Gathering

DANFORTH MENNONITE CHURCH
416-422-2406

We welcome all guests who have joined us.

Danforth Mennonite Church
February 11, 2024
Order of Service

Welcome & Land Acknowledgement

Call to Worship and Prayer

Opening hymn: VT #31   Come, We That Love

Announcements

Giving thanks for our gifts 

Hymn:   #278    A Voice Was Heard in Ramah

Prayers of the people

Solo:  The Mountain (words in bulletin)

Scripture Reading:  Mark 9: 2-9

Sermon:  Memories

Hymn of Response:  # 573  Strong Peaceful Man of Galilee

Benediction

Leading Us in Worship
Message                             Carol O.
Worship Leader             Dalton J.
Scripture reading          Mark C.
Solo                                        Don B.
Song Leader                      Bonnie W.
Musicians                           Jessica M. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                              Vic G., Bethany W.
Zoom Host                         Mike D.
A/V Technician                Roger H.

February Hymn of the Month:  VT #573   Strong, Peaceful Man of Galilee

Adult Discussion Group:

This Sunday we will be discussing an article from Canadian Mennonite.  If you would like to receive emails regarding what’s happening in our class, please contact Bonnie.

Scripture Reading

Mark 9:2-9 (NIV)

The Transfiguration
² After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. ³ His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. ⁴ And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.
⁵ Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” ⁶ (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)
⁷ Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”
⁸ Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.
⁹ As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

THE MOUNTAIN

How bitter-sweet to be here on this mountain,
high up above the troubles of this world;
to leave behind the clamour of the needy crowd;
to be at last alone with our dear Lord!
And God’s true light expunges every shadow –
there is no doubt up here in this high place –
we see the glory of our God in Jesus;
see now that holy, holy light upon His face.

We long to stay up here upon this mountain;
How good it is to be here with our Lord.
To bask here in the light of God’s great beauty,
kneel at His feet and soak up every word.
O, hear His call: “Come, gather all my faithful!”
Come, let His word shine in your hearts unveiled.
Oh! to go now to heaven like Elijah!
Oh that this holy, holy vision would not pale!

How bitter-sweet to be here on this mountain,
for well we know the valley waits below;
Our fellow trav’lers wait for news from mountain tops,
to share with us the joy that we now know.
They need to know that Jesus is the Saviour,
He is the light that shines for all the world.
and we will serve Him in the darkest valley
We will proclaim, proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord!.

—words written by Brenton Prigge – South African Methodist Minister

DANFORTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

Sign up for our weekly prayer list

You can receive by email a list of items shared each Sunday for prayer in our worship service.
Simply send Bonnie (danforthmennonitechurch@gmail.com) an email asking to be added to the email distribution list.

We respect people’s privacy.  Only first names and last initials are mentioned in the email and the email is not to be forwarded.

Please save the date for the GTA Mennonite Festival AGM
April 7, 5 pm.
Rouge Valley Mennonite Church.
Details to follow.

We’re back after an extended Christmas break
Ladies Walking group

On Tuesday, February 13 at 10:30 am (weather permitting), we will be at Greenvale Park. Take Kingston Road to Celeste Drive (which is about halfway between Scarborough Gold Club Road and Galloway.  Go north on Celeste Drive.  Turn left on to Greenvale Terrace.  Follow it around to the parking area.
 
An email will go out on Monday February 12 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

February 18
Speaker                     John E.
Worship leader    Cindy R.
Song Leader           Ed F.
Musicians                Roger H. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                  Dalton & Carol J.
ZOOM host           Bonnie W.
A/V Tech                  Murray L.

February 25
Speaker                     John E.
Worship leader    Mike D.
Song Leader           Sue S.
Musicians                Jessica M. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                  Dalton & Carol J.
ZOOM host           Bonnie W.
A/V Tech                  Fazal S.

WIDER CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

Welcome the Stranger-GTA is asking for prayers for the successful immigration interview for the Bayene family which we are sponsoring. They are now living as refugees in South Africa. The first interview resulted in a rejection. Our lawyer was able to arrange for an appeal which will be held on February 29.  Please pray for success in this interview.

A note from Peter Haresnape…
 
Wed March 6 - 'Beyond Polarized Kvetching', a workshop on helpful conversations about controversial topics, hosted by TUMC's Mission & Service Committee. Join Lia and Emily as they share insights coming from their own advocacy for Palestine among their Jewish and Israeli family members. Part 2 is March 20. Come at 6pm for a simple soup supper, workshop is 7-9pm. Please register at this link:

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/toronto-united-mennonite-church/events/beyond-polarized-kvetching/#overview

Note - this is not an event to discuss or debate Israeli and Palestinian issues. Participants are welcome to bring their own perspectives, but the focus of the event is developing tools for healthy discussions.

MCEC Annual Church Gathering 2024

Inspired by Hope
April 26 & 27, 2024
Leamington, ON

Be inspired by the hope we find in Jesus, hear stories of inspiration and experience the wonder and mystery of God when we meet together as a family of congregations.
More Information

In summary, upcoming events

At Danforth

February
10  Men’s breakfast
13  Ladies walking group – Greenvale park
20  Ladies walking group
24  Messy Church
27 Ladies walking group

Wider Church

February
10  Mennonite New Life celebration
24  Coldest Night of the Year walk

March
6  Beyond Polarized Kvetching workshop
20  Be3yond Polarized Kvetching workshop Part 2