DANFORTH MENNONITE CHURCH
416-422-2406

 We welcome all guests who have joined us.

Danforth Mennonite Church
February 4, 2024
Order of Service

Welcome/Land Acknowledgement

Call to Worship

 Introduction

 Opening Hymn: VT #374 There are many gifts

Announcements
 
Offering

Prayer Time

Hymn:  VT #573   Strong Peaceful Man of Galilee
 
Scripture: Romans 12:1-10
 
Hymn:  Sing and Rejoice #60     Living Stones
 
Message:  Together we Stand
 
Closing hymn: VT #386      One is the Body
 
Benediction

Leading Us in Worship

Message                              Margaret A.
Worship Leader              Sue S.
Song Leader                      Sue S.
Musicians                           Kathy W. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                             Vic G., Murray L.
Zoom Host                        Bonnie W.
A/V Technician               Don B.

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

It’s Hymn Sing Sunday.
All are welcome to join us in the sanctuary
at 10:00 a.m.

Adult discussion class returns on February 11.  If you would like to receive emails regarding what’s happening in our class, please contact Bonnie.

Call to Worship

Leader:            Open our ears

People:            to hear Your word.

Leader:            Open our eyes

People:            to see Your presence.

Leader:            Open our arms

People:            to the embrace of community.
 
Leader:            Open our minds

People:            to the beauty of truth.

Leader:            Open our hearts

People:            to the joy of new life.

Scripture Reading
(New Century Version)

Give Your Lives to God
12 So brothers and sisters, since God has shown us great mercy, I beg you to offer your lives as a living sacrifice to him. Your offering must be only for God and pleasing to him, which is the spiritual way for you to worship. ² Do not be shaped by this world; instead be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect. ³ Because God has given me a special gift, I have something to say to everyone among you. Do not think you are better than you are. You must decide what you really are by the amount of faith God has given you. ⁴ Each one of us has a body with many parts, and these parts all have different uses. ⁵ In the same way, we are many, but in Christ we are all one body. Each one is a part of that body, and each part belongs to all the other parts. ⁶ We all have different gifts, each of which came because of the grace God gave us. The person who has the gift of prophecy should use that gift in agreement with the faith. ⁷ Anyone who has the gift of serving should serve. Anyone who has the gift of teaching should teach. ⁸ Whoever has the gift of encouraging others should encourage. Whoever has the gift of giving to others should give freely. Anyone who has the gift of being a leader should try hard when he leads. Whoever has the gift of showing mercy to others should do so with joy.

⁹ Your love must be real. Hate what is evil, and hold on to what is good. ¹⁰ Love each other like brothers and sisters. Give each other more honor than you want for yourselves.

DANFORTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

Daniel R. has chosen to walk in Coldest Night of the Year (February 24) again. It will be his 12th year walking (though the first few he was pulled on a sled). He is walking for The Dam to raise awareness that there are youth in our neighbourhoods who don’t have warm places to call home; youth who are hurting and lonely and feel emotionally and relationally “cold”; and youth experiencing food insecurity and other circumstances that leave them feeling forgotten. Or he could be walking for the hot chocolate!

You can support him by donating at “http://walk.w-ith.me/Daniel”>http://walk.w-ith.me/Daniel

White Cane Week begins this Sunday, February 4, and runs until Saturday. It’s a campaign established by the Canadian Council of the Blind in 1944 to inform the public of the importance of eye health and to highlight the abilities, not so-called disabilities, of blind people

Dear Danforth Mennonite Church,

Thank you all for such a lovely and meaningful farewell service and potluck on January 28th!  The choice of songs and prayers were so thoughtful. The special music – a ‘short‘ men’s choir and flute solo from Jacob made it extra special.  The potluck food was great as was the pink cake.  So many of you shared such encouraging words with me that day and in the note book.  I will treasure those kind thoughts as well as the hand made gifts.  Thank you for the gift certificate to Roy Thomson Hall / Massey Hall.  We were delighted to discover that the TSO is performing the music of Star Wars in April and plan for all three of us to attend with your gift.

You continue to be in our thoughts and prayers, with gratitude for our time together and for your future.  I continue to work for MCEC as Regional Ministry Associate with responsibility for the GTA Mennonite churches, so I will be in touch (and occasionally driving to Toronto).

You can reach me in the future at
stephen.reist@gmail.com

God Bless, Stephen Reist

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.

A note from Becky…
Attention all my sewing/quilting friends!

I will be having a “garage” sale to sell more of my Mom’s stash.
Fabric (all 100% cotton)
Stencils
Started projects in kits
Finished tops
Thread
Accessories
Possibly – Some books and finished projects
Date: Saturday February 3rd
Time: 9am – 12 noon
Location: the basement of Danforth Mennonite Church
Payment options: will except cash and E transfers

DMC  
Annual Business Meeting
Sunday, February 4, 2024

 
Everyone is welcome to attend the Annual Business 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.
 
For in-person people: Begin with a bag lunch in the basement. Coffee will be available.  Return upstairs for the meeting.

For Zoom people: Have lunch at home. The Zoom session will continue through lunch and for the meeting.

Agenda: Besides the normal AGM business of committee and financial reports, there will be updates from both the 2SLGBTQ+ process, and the Transition search for the next pastor. We plan to confirm some specific “next steps” from the 2SLGBTQ+ process, based on the January 14^th meeting; but if we need more time for more discernment, we will take the time in the future.

If you would like a printed copy of the AGM booklet, please contact bonnie at:
danforthmennonitechurch@gmail.com

Ladies Walking group
We’ll try again in February

On Tuesday, February 6 at 10:30 am (weather permitting), we will be walking in Taylor Creek Park.  The entrance is off of Dawes Road.

An email will go out on Monday January 22nd 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.

Church directory and
birthday list

We are updating the church directory and the birthday/anniversary list.
 
When you are at church, please review and initial the documents on the table outside the sanctuary that:
 

• Information is correct AND
• You give permission to publish.

I will contact via email those persons that don’t come in person to church.

The directory will only be distributed for those persons listed in it.

The birthday and anniversary information is used for notices in the bulletin.  I don’t put in the year unless it is requested.  We highlight (with your permission) birthdays ending in zero and five (e.g.  5. 50, 75, 80) in the church newsletter.

Worship Schedule reminder

February 11
Speaker                     Carol O.
Worship leader    Dalton J.
Song Leader          Bonnie W.
Musicians              Jessica M. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                 Vic G., Bethany W.
ZOOM host           Mike D.
A/V Tech                Roger H.

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.

WIDER CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

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/#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
4  DMC AGM and bag lunch
6  Ladies walking group
10  Men’s breakfast
13  Ladies walking group
20  Ladies walking group
24  Messy Church
27 Ladies walking group

Wider Church

February
10  Mennonite New Life celebration

DANFORTH MENNONITE CHURCH
416-422-2406
Pastor Stephen Reist

We welcome all guests who have joined us.

Danforth Mennonite Church
January 21, 2024
Order of Service

Welcome
Land Acknowledgment
Opening Hymn #297 You Are Salt for the Earth
Call to Worship:  VT # 851
Prayer
Hymn:  #715 Longing for Light
Announcements
Offering
Prayer
Hymn: #395 The Church of Christ in Every Age
Congregational Prayer
Hymn:  #705 For the Healing of the Nations
Scripture: Matthew 25: 34-40
Message:  God’s Love is for All
Hymn:  #205 Light Dawns on a Weary World
Benediction

Leading Us in Worship
Margaret A., Lisa W., Ed H. and Dalton J. attended the MCC PEACE CONFERENCE and will share that experience.
Worship Leader           Erma M.
Song Leader                   Sue S.
Musicians                        Jessica M. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                          Cindy R., Bethany W.
Zoom Host                     Bonnie W.
A/V Technician            Murray L.

January hymn of the month:  VT 395  The Church of Christ, in Every Age

On Sunday morning we will have a discussion regarding Adult Sunday School in the upcoming months. Everyone is invited. Your thoughts and ideas are welcome. John E. will be leading the discussion and inviting our input. We hope to see you at 10 am.

Scripture Reading

Matthew 25:34-40 (NIV)

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

DANFORTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

Funeral arrangements for
Jim W. (Erma’s brother)

Visitation at Henry Walser Funeral Home. 507 Fredrick St. Kitchener
Thursday, Jan. 25, 5-8 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 26, 2-4p.m.  6-8p.m.

Memorial Service at First Mennonite Church,
800 King St. East, Kitchener
January 27, 3 p.m.

A message of thanks

I wish to express thanks on behalf of families in the Taylor/Massey community for the gift of mitts, hats, scarves, toques, and socks that we received from Danforth Mennonite Church this week. These items are much appreciated.
Razia R. – Community Ambassador

DMC
Annual Business Meeting
Sunday, February 4, 2024

 
Everyone is welcome to attend the Annual Business 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.
 
For in-person people: Begin with a potluck lunch in the basement. Return upstairs for the meeting.

For Zoom people: Have lunch at home. The Zoom session will continue through lunch and for the meeting.

Agenda: Besides the normal AGM business of committee and financial reports, there will be updates from both the 2SLGBTQ+ process, and the Transition search for the next pastor. We plan to confirm some specific “next steps” from the 2SLGBTQ+ process, based on the January 14^th meeting; but if we need more time for more discernment, we will take the time in the future.

Ladies Walking group

We’ll try again this week
The weather is supposed to be warmer.

On Tuesday, January 23 at 10:30 am (weather permitting), we will be walking in Taylor Creek Park.  The entrance is off of Dawes Road.

An email will go out on Monday January 22nd 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.

A Thanks and Farewell
to Stephen, Carol, and Daniel R.
on Sun. Jan. 28, after the service.

Our zoom guests will have an opportunity to thank Stephen at the end of the service.  We will bring down the projector screen and display our zoom guests.  We will also have a camera facing the congregation that morning so our congregation will be another guest on zoom.

Please join us for a  Potluck lunch in the Fellowship Hall.

There is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board for volunteers to help with  Messy Church

Men’s Choir

There will be ongoing practices for a men’s choir. The choir will be singing at Stephen’s last service with us on Jan. 28th. All men are welcome.  The short practices will continue after church until Jan. 28th.

Our healthy eating cooking classes
will start up again in March.

Church directory and
birthday list

We are updating the church directory and the birthday/anniversary list.
When you are at church, please review and initial the documents on the table outside the sanctuary that:

• Information is correct AND
• You give permission to publish.

I will contact via email those persons that don’t come in person to church.

The directory will only be distributed for those persons listed in it.

The birthday and anniversary information is used for notices in the bulletin.  I don’t put in the year unless it is requested.  We highlight (with your permission) birthdays ending in zero and five (e.g.  5. 50, 75, 80) in the church newsletter.

We have a few extra copies available.  See Bonnie if you would like a copy.

Worship Schedule reminder

January 28
Speaker                    Stephen R.
Worship leader   Linda D.
Song Leader          Ed F.
Musicians               Roger H. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                 Cindy R., Bethany W.
ZOOM host          Bonnie W.
A/V Tech                Fazal S.

February 4
Speaker                    Margaret A.
Worship leader   Sue S.
Song Leader          Sue S.
Musicians               Kathy W. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                 Vic G., Murray L.
ZOOM host           Bonnie W.
A/V Tech                 Don B.

WIDER CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

You are invited to join the Mennonite New Life

Centre of Toronto to celebrate 40 years of helping immigrants and refugees build a new life in the GTA. To mark this milestone we are hosting a multi-cultural celebration of food, music, and dancing, Saturday, Feb 10^th. We hope you can join us. Book your tickets HERE 

[https://form.123formbuilder.com/6579066/holiday-event-40-anniversary]

CommonWord virtual book launch of Rudy Wiebe: Essays on His Works – Join us via livestream on Thursday, January 25 at 7:30 PM CST for a panel discussion with editor Bianca Lakoseljac and contributors Margaret Atwood, Paul Doerksen, and others about the literary influence of Rudy Wiebe. Visit commonword.ca/go/3730 for livestream link.

In summary, upcoming events

At Danforth

January
20  Messy Church
23  Ladies walking group
30 Ladies walking group

February
4    DMC AGM
6  Ladies walking group
10  Men’s breakfast
13  Ladies walking group
20  Ladies walking group
24  Messy Church
27 Ladies walking group

Wider Church

January
25  book launch – Rudy Wiebe

February
1  book launch – Carol Penner
10  Mennonite New Life celebration

DANFORTH MENNONITE CHURCH
416-422-2406
Pastor Stephen Reist

We welcome all guests who have joined us.

Danforth Mennonite Church
January 14, 2024
Order of Service

Welcome

Land Acknowledgment

Opening Hymn: VT# 386 One is the Body

Announcements

Offering

Special Music: Come Away from Rush and Hurry

Congregational Prayer

Scripture:  Matthew 7: 7 – 11; Romans 12: 1 – 11

Hymn:  VT #395  The Church of Christ, in Every Age

Message: Gift Discernment

Closing Hymn: VT #722 Help Us to Help Each Other

Benediction

Leading Us in Worship
Message                              Stephen R.
Worship Leader              Mike D.
Song Leader                      Ed F.
Soloist                                  Don B.
Musicians                          Kathy W. (piano),  Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                            Leslie & Fazal S.
Zoom Host                       Carol R.
A/V Technician              Roger H.

Hymn of the month: VT #395  The Church of Christ, in Every Age

Scripture Reading

Matthew 7: 7 – 11

Asking, seeking, knocking
⁷ “Ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks, receives. Whoever seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door is opened. ⁹ Who among you will give your children a stone when they ask for bread? ¹⁰ Or give them a snake when they ask for fish? ¹¹ If you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him.

Romans 12: 1 – 11

Living sacrifice and transformed lives
12 So, brothers and sisters, because of God’s mercies, I encourage you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice that is holy and pleasing to God. This is your appropriate priestly service. ² Don’t be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you can figure out what God’s will is—what is good and pleasing and mature.

Transformed relationships
³ Because of the grace that God gave me, I can say to each one of you: don’t think of yourself more highly than you ought to think. Instead, be reasonable since God has measured out a portion of faith to each one of you. ⁴ We have many parts in one body, but the parts don’t all have the same function. ⁵ In the same way, though there are many of us, we are one body in Christ, and individually we belong to each other. ⁶ We have different gifts that are consistent with God’s grace that has been given to us. If your gift is prophecy, you should prophesy in proportion to your faith. ⁷ If your gift is service, devote yourself to serving. If your gift is teaching, devote yourself to teaching. ⁸ If your gift is encouragement, devote yourself to encouraging. The one giving should do it with no strings attached. The leader should lead with passion. The one showing mercy should be cheerful.

⁹ Love should be shown without pretending. Hate evil, and hold on to what is good. ¹⁰ Love each other like the members of your family. Be the best at showing honor to each other. ¹¹ Don’t hesitate to be enthusiastic—be on fire in the Spirit as you serve the Lord!

DANFORTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

Congregational ‘Dine and Discern’:

“Discerning what’s next”

After the service this Sunday morning, we will gather together from 12:30 to 3:00 for lunch, worship, and sharing.

This is our third session about inclusion of 2SLGTBQ+ persons in

Danforth Mennonite Church.

We will be reviewing the survey results and discerning next steps.

Please bring your own lunch.

Drinks will be provided.

Treasurer’s Report: In December we received $14,770 in offerings. These generous year end donations, along with the steady ongoing support throughout the year, helped us finish 2023 with a $6,438 operating surplus. It is with much gratitude that the Finance Committee thanks our church family for their solid financial commitment and for their unwavering dedication to the work of Danforth Mennonite Church during 2023.

We also received an additional $200 in designated Food Bank donations in December and a $900 cheque was sent to The Neighbourhoood Group in support of the 40 Teesdale Food Bank.

Thanks to all who donated to our Christmas Giving Tree and food box. This week the food items went to Nourish East End Food Bank; Items for winter warmth (socks, scarves, mitts, toques, etc) went to Sanctuary Ministries, and the children and youth sized items were delivered in support of outreach to families in the Taylor Massey Neighbourhood.

These donations were a reflection of generous spirits and are deeply appreciated by recipients.

DMC
Annual Business Meeting
Sunday, February 4, 2024

Committee chairs:  Please submit your reports to Bonnie by January 17^th.
 
For in-person people: Begin with a potluck lunch in the basement. Return upstairs for the meeting.

For Zoom people: Have lunch at home. The Zoom session will continue through lunch and for the meeting.

Agenda: Besides the normal AGM business of committee and financial reports, there will be updates from both the 2SLGBTQ+ process, and the Transition search for the next pastor. We plan to confirm some specific “next steps” from the 2SLGBTQ+ process, based on the January 14^th meeting; but if we need more time for more discernment, we will take the time in the future.

Everyone is welcome to attend the Annual Business 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.

A Thanks and Farewell

to Stephen, Carol, and Daniel Reist
on Sun. Jan. 28, after the service.

Our zoom guests will have an opportunity to thank Stephen at the end of the service.  We will bring down the projector screen and display our zoom guests.  We will also have a camera facing the congregation that morning so our congregation will be another guest on zoom.

Please join us for a
 Potluck lunch in the Fellowship Hall.

There is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board for volunteers to help with
 Messy Church

Men’s Choir

There will be ongoing practices for a men’s choir. The choir will be singing at Stephen’s last service with us on Jan. 28th. All men are welcome.  The short practices will continue after church until Jan. 28th. See Kathy Wert for further details

Ladies Walking group
starts up on January 16^th.

On Tuesday, January 16 at 10:30 am (weather permitting), we will be walking in Taylor Creek Park.  The entrance is off of Dawes Road.

An email will go out on Monday January 15th 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.

Our healthy eating cooking classes will start up again in March.

Church directory and
birthday list

We are updating the church directory and the birthday/anniversary list.

When you are at church, please review and initial the documents on the table outside the sanctuary that:

• Information is correct AND
• You give permission to publish.

I will contact via email those persons that don’t come in person to church.

The directory will only be distributed for those persons listed in it.

The birthday and anniversary information is used for notices in the bulletin.  I don’t put in the year unless it is requested.  We highlight (with your permission) birthdays ending in zero and five (e.g.  5. 50, 75, 80) in the church newsletter.

Worship Schedule reminder

January 21
Speaker                    5 speakers
Worship leader   Erma M.
Song Leader          Sue S.
Musicians              Jessie M. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                 Cindy R., Bethany W.
ZOOM host           Bonnie W.
A/V Tech                Murray L.

January 28
Speaker                     Stephen R.
Worship leader    Linda D.
Song Leader           Ed F.
Musicians                Roger H. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                  Cindy R., Bethany W.
ZOOM host           Bonnie W.
A/V Tech                 Fazal S.

WIDER CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

You are invited to join the Mennonite New Life Centre of Toronto to celebrate 40 years of helping immigrants and refugees build a new life in the GTA. To mark this milestone we are hosting a multi-cultural celebration of food, music, and dancing, Saturday, Feb 10^th. We hope you can join us. Book your tickets HERE 

[https://form.123formbuilder.com/6579066/holiday-event-40-anniversary]

CommonWord virtual book launch of Rudy Wiebe: Essays on His Works – Join us via livestream on Thursday, January 25 at 7:30 PM CST for a panel discussion with editor Bianca Lakoseljac and contributors Margaret Atwood, Paul Doerksen, and others about the literary influence of Rudy Wiebe. Visit commonword.ca/go/3730 for livestream link.

 CommonWord virtual book launch of Unburdened: A Lenton Journey Towards Forgiveness – Join us on Zoom on Thursday, February 1 at 7:30 PM CST for a conversation with author Carol Penner as she prepares us for Lent and a journey of forgiveness and healing. Visit commonword.ca/go/3610 to register for the Zoom link.

In summary, upcoming events

At Danforth

January
12  2SLGBTQ+ survey results
13  Men’s breakfast
14  2SLGBTQ+ Congregational meeting
16  Ladies walking group – Taylor Creek
17  AGM package reports due to Admin. Asst.
20  Messy Church
23  Ladies walking group
30 Ladies walking group

February
4  DMC AGM
24  Messy Church

Wider Church

January
25  book launch – Rudy Wiebe

February
1  book launch – Carol Penner
10  Mennonite New Life celebration

DANFORTH MENNONITE CHURCH
416-422-2406
Pastor Stephen Reist

 We welcome all guests who have joined us.

Danforth Mennonite Church
January 7, 2024
Order of Service

Welcome

 Land Acknowledgement:

Opening Prayer

Opening Hymn:  VT 277 As With Gladness

Call to worship

Offering and Offertory Prayer

Hymn: VT 275 O Beautiful Star of Bethlehem

Congregational Prayer

Hymn:  VT 761 I Love to Tell the Story

Scripture Reading: Matthew 2: 1-12

Message:  Follow The Light

Star Words and Closing Hymn:  VT 395 the Church Of Christ, in Every Age

Benediction/Candle Lighting

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

January hymn of the month:  VT #395  The Church of Christ, in Every Age

Hymn Sing – 10:00 a.m.
Everyone is welcome

Call to Worship

Leader: Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.

Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

People: Lift up your eyes and look around; they gather and come to you.

Women: You shall see and be radiant;

Men: your heart shall thrill and rejoice and proclaim the praise of the Lord.

Leader: The mystery of Christ has been revealed by the Spirit. We have become fellow heirs, members of the same
body, and sharers in the promise of Christ through the gospel.

People: We know this through faith in Christ. May our lights shine!

(pause)

All: Together we carry the light.

Scripture Reading
Matthew 2: 1-12

Coming of the magi
2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the territory of Judea during the rule of King Herod, magi came from the east to Jerusalem. ² They asked, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We’ve seen his star in the east, and we’ve come to honor him.”

³ When King Herod heard this, he was troubled, and everyone in Jerusalem was troubled with him. ⁴ He gathered all the chief priests and the legal experts and asked them where the Christ was to be born. ⁵ They said, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is what the prophet wrote:

⁶ You, Bethlehem, land of Judah, by no means are you least among the rulers of Judah, because from you will come one who governs, who will shepherd my people Israel.”

⁷ Then Herod secretly called for the magi and found out from them the time when the star had first appeared. ⁸ He sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you’ve found him, report to me so that I too may go and honor him.” ⁹ When they heard the king, they went; and look, the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stood over the place where the child was. ¹⁰ When they saw the star, they were filled with joy. ¹¹ They entered the house and saw the child with Mary his mother. Falling to their knees, they honored him. Then they opened their treasure chests and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. ¹² Because they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country by another route.

Candle lighting/benediction

Leader:                   Together we carry the light.

All:                             This is what we know.

Leader:                   Now go, basking in the glow of Christ! We have become God’s heirs, members of one body, and sharers of the promise. Amen!

DANFORTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

Congregational Survey: Inclusion of 2SLGBTQ+ at Danforth Mennonite Church

The survey is now available in your church mail slot and was also emailed to you.  Please complete the survey at your earliest convenience and either reply by email or place it in the box in the foyer no later than January 7^th.  If you have questions, please contact Pastor Stephen.

Ladies Walking group
starts up on January 16^th.

DMC
Annual Business Meeting
Sunday, February 4, 2024

Committee chairs:  Please submit your reports to Bonnie by January 17^th.
 
Everyone is welcome to attend the Annual Business 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.

Our healthy eating cooking classes
will start up again in March.

This week we will be delivering our collection of clothing suitable for the season (hats, scarves, mitts, socks) and non-perishable food items. These will be dropped off for distribution to struggling families in the Taylor/Massey community and shared as well with the Food Bank program at our nearby Salvation Army.  $$ donations will be forwarded to Nourish East End Food Bank in support of their program.

Let us think about food and clothing scarcity and how we can help to make a difference. 
Thank you for your generosity.

There is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board for volunteers to help with Messy Church

Treasurer’s Report: In December we received $14,770 in offerings. These generous year end donations, along with the steady ongoing support throughout the year, helped us finish 2023 with a $6,438 operating surplus. It is with much gratitude that the Finance Committee thanks our church family for their solid financial commitment and for their unwavering dedication to the work of Danforth Mennonite Church during 2023.

We also received an additional $200 in designated Food Bank donations in December and a $900 cheque was sent to The Neighbourhoood Group in support of the 40 Teesdale Food Bank.

Men’s Choir

There will be ongoing practices for a men’s choir starting this Sunday. The choir will be singing at Stephen’s last service with us on Jan. 28th. All men are welcome. There will be a practice after the pre-service singing this Sunday (approx. 10:35) as well as a short practice after the service this Sunday. The short practices will continue after church until Jan. 28th. See Kathy Wert for further details

Worship Schedule reminder

January 14
Speaker                     Stephen R.
Worship leader    Mike D.
Song Leader           Ed F.
Musicians                Kathy W. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                  Fazal & Leslie S.
ZOOM host           Carol R.
A/V Tech                  Roger H.

January 21
Speaker                    Dalton J.
Worship leader   Erma M.
Song Leader          Sue S.
Musicians              Jessie M. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                 Cindy R., Bethany W.
ZOOM host           Bonnie W.
A/V Tech                 Murray L.

WIDER CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

CommonWord virtual book launch of Rudy Wiebe: Essays on His Works – Join us via livestream on Thursday, January 25 at 7:30 PM CST for a panel discussion with editor Bianca Lakoseljac and contributors Margaret Atwood, Paul Doerksen, and others about the literary influence of Rudy Wiebe. Visit commonword.ca/go/3730 for livestream link.

 CommonWord virtual book launch of Unburdened: A Lenton Journey Towards Forgiveness – Join us on Zoom on Thursday, February 1 at 7:30 PM CST for a conversation with author Carol Penner as she prepares us for Lent and a journey of forgiveness and healing. Visit commonword.ca/go/3610 to register for the Zoom link.

A note from MCC

Thank you for your recent financial gift of $300.00 designated to where needed most. Your generosity and ongoing partnership in the work of MCC is deeply appreciated. We are so grateful that you have chosen to partner with MCC.

For more than 100 years, MCC has been working faithfully with partners all around the world, and it’s all thanks to generous and compassionate people like you. Your financial gifts are making an incredible impact across the globe and closer to home. This past year, you’ve helped provide critical items like relief supplies, warm blankets, and food to children and families in the most desperate situations around the world. You’ve also supported long-term projects like giving access to clean water, healthcare to women and children, agricultural training, and sustainable livelihoods and educational opportunities. You are creating change in Ontario as well by walking alongside people experiencing poverty, supporting those who are reintegrating into community, welcoming newcomers, and actively advocating for peace and reconciliation.

The ways in which you’ve helped bring joy and hope to so many lives. Thank you for all you do.
With much gratitude,
Stephen  R.

In summary, upcoming events

At Danforth

January
7    2SLGBTQ+ survey deadline
12  2SLGBTQ+ survey results
14  2SLGBTQ+ Congregational meeting
16  Ladies walking group
17  AGM package reports due to Admin. Asst.
20  Messy Church

February
4  DMC AGM
24  Messy Church

Wider Church

January
25  book launch – Rudy Wiebe

February
1  book launch – Carol Penner