DANFORTH MENNONITE CHURCH
416-422-2406
Pastor Stephen Reist

We welcome all guests who have joined us.

Danforth Mennonite Church
November 5, 2023
Order of Service

Land Acknowledgement

Welcome

Call to Worship:  VT #851

Opening hymn:   VT #412 My Soul Cries out

Announcements

Offering prayer

Offering

Hymn:  VT #517 Children of the Heavenly Father

Congregational Prayer

Scripture reading:  James 2: 1-13,  Matt. 5: 14-16

Hymn: VT #209 We dream of a turning

Message:  What we have done and what we have left undone

Closing Hymn: VT #829 Go Now in Peace, Worship Continues

Benediction

Leading Us in Worship
Message                              Stephen R.
Worship Leader              Linda D.
Song Leader                      Kathy W.
Musicians                           Jessica M. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                             Dalton & Carol J.
Zoom Host                        Bonnie W.
A/V Technician               Roger H.

November Hymn of the month:  VT #829  Go Now in Peace

Hymn Sing Sunday
Please join us this Sunday at 10 a.m.
in the sanctuary

Adult Discussion Group – 10:00 a.m.
November
5 – Hymn Sing
12 Remembrance Day Theme-War led by John E.
19 – Justice discussion – led by Stephen
26 – Justice discussion – led by Stephen/Harry N.

Scripture Reading

James 2:1-13 (CEB)

Don’t show favoritism
2 My brothers and sisters, when you show favoritism you deny the faithfulness of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has been resurrected in glory. ² Imagine two people coming into your meeting. One has a gold ring and fine clothes, while the other is poor, dressed in filthy rags. ³ Then suppose that you were to take special notice of the one wearing fine clothes, saying, “Here’s an excellent place. Sit here.” But to the poor person you say, “Stand over there”; or, “Here, sit at my feet.” ⁴ Wouldn’t you have shown favoritism among yourselves and become evil-minded judges?

⁵ My dear brothers and sisters, listen! Hasn’t God chosen those who are poor by worldly standards to be rich in terms of faith? Hasn’t God chosen the poor as heirs of the kingdom he has promised to those who love him? ⁶ But you have dishonored the poor. Don’t the wealthy make life difficult for you? Aren’t they the ones who drag you into court? ⁷ Aren’t they the ones who insult the good name spoken over you at your baptism?

⁸ You do well when you really fulfill the royal law found in scripture, Love your neighbor as yourself. ⁹ But when you show favoritism, you are committing a sin, and by that same law you are exposed as a lawbreaker. ¹⁰ Anyone who tries to keep all of the Law but fails at one point is guilty of failing to keep all of it. ¹¹ The one who said, Don’t commit adultery, also said, Don’t commit murder. So if you don’t commit adultery but do commit murder, you are a lawbreaker. ¹² In every way, then, speak and act as people who will be judged by the law of freedom. ¹³ There will be no mercy in judgment for anyone who hasn’t shown mercy. Mercy overrules judgment.

Matthew 5:14-16 (CEB)

¹⁴ You are the light of the world. A city on top of a hill can’t be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they put it on top of a lampstand, and it shines on all who are in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before people, so they can see the good things you do and praise your Father who is in heaven.

DANFORTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

Come and join us for
MESSY CHURCH which is a
FREE FAMILY EVENT
for children 4-12 on
Saturday, November 18
 from 5 – 7p.m.

The MC team would appreciate volunteers to help in the kitchen for Messy Church for our November and December events. If you can help, please sign your name on the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board.

Ladies Walking Group

On Tuesday, November 7 at 10:30 am (weather permitting), we will be walking in Woodbine Park but will park across the street at Ashbridges Bay lot. Turn into the parking lot at Coxwell Avenue and follow around to the left.  You will see the sign “Woodbine Beach Park”.  You will be in the parking lot facing Lakeshore Blvd.

We haven’t done this park before.

An email will go out on Monday November 6 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.

Congregational ‘Dine and Discern’:
“How did we get here?”

After the service on Sunday morning, November 19^th, we will gather together from 12:30 to 2:30 for lunch, worship, and sharing.
This is our second session about inclusion of 2SLGTBQ+ persons in Danforth Mennonite Church.

In this gathering we will hear from persons who identify as 2SLGTBQ+ about their experiences of church.

Please bring your own lunch.
Drinks will be provided.

Online (Zoom) participation is available using the same link as the worship service.

Looking ahead to Advent

 
Christmas Music at SCOC  The newly formed Worship Committee at SCOC is asking folks at DMC (who are available) to circle the following date and to join our voices with residents for a service of Christmas Music.

Date:  Sunday Afternoon  Dec. 10  Please come to the Meeting Room at 3:15.  We will proceed from there to the 3rd floor and sing carols for the residents in Long Term Care, then return to the Meeting Room for a 4 pm service. Along with our voices, we are being asked to provide accompaniment for the singing (piano, along with other instruments that will add richness to the service.)

Christmas Music at Masarykpark
 Date:  Saturday Eve. Dec. 16 at 7 pm
We are invited to join the folks at Masarykpark (452 Golf Club Rd.) to sing Christmas Carols (and other favourites). We will need to provide accompaniment and someone to lead singing (Ed Ford may wish to assist with this), so please indicate if you are available to accompany or lead singing. When we are closer to that date we can also discuss ride sharing for those who are available.

Dalton – on behalf of Outreach & Service

Worship Schedule reminder

November 12 – Peace Sunday
Speaker                  Carol O.
Worship leader  Bonnie W.
Song Leader         Bonnie W.
Musicians              Emily L. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                Dalton & Carol J.
ZOOM host          Mike D.
A/V Tech                Murray L.

November 19
Speaker                    Stephen R.
Worship leader   Sue S.
Song Leader          Sue S.
Musicians               Roger H. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                 Vic G.
ZOOM host           Bonnie W.
A/V Tech                 Fazal S.

WIDER CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

Save the Date: Peace Conference
November 18, 2023
at Rockway Mennonite Collegiate,
110 Doon Rd, Kitchener

The MCC Peace Conference is your chance to see, hear and experience first-hand how you and MCC are changing lives and communities through peacebuilding. This event will inspire and inform through general sessions, workshops and conversations with messengers of peace. Go to mcc.org/peace-conference to learn more.

Theatre of the Beat

has developed three short plays that reflect lived experiences of elder abuse, healthy masculinity, and intimate partner violence in youth relationships, with a focus on how to recognize the subtle early signs of abuse. The topics chosen were identified by their community partners (experts at Assaulted Women’s Helpline and Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region) as topics that need to be immediately addressed.

At the end of each play, the audience will have the opportunity to make suggestions to the actors to change the outcome of the scenes or jump into the scenes themselves. Using the Forum Theatre model, this interactive element allows audiences to ‘rehearsal for reality,’ learning skills and resources for how they can make a difference.

The show will take place at University of Toronto’s Hart House Theatre (7 Hart House Cir, Toronto, ON M5S 3H3) on Wednesday, November 29th at 7:00pm. Book your tickets on the Hart House Theatre website at: https://harthouse.ca/theatre/show/i-love-you-and-it-hurts.

Sunday, December 10, 2023, 3pm. Menno Singers and Mennonite Mass Choir present Handel’s Messiah

with artistic director Brandon Leis, a 230 voice choir, soloists Bethany Hörst (soprano), Jennifer Enns Modolo (mezzo soprano), Owen McCausland (tenor) and Nathan Keoughan (baritone) along with orchestra members of the former KW Symphony. Tickets are on sale now at the Centre in the Square Box Office.     www.centreinthesquare.com

In summary, upcoming events

At Danforth

November
7    Ladies walking group – Woodbine Park
11  Men’s breakfast
14  Ladies walking group
18  Messy Church
19  Dine and Discern
21  Ladies walking group
28  Ladies walking group

December
2  DMC Christmas banquet
5  Ladies walking group
10  Singing at SCOC
12  Ladies walking group
16 Singing at Masarykpark

Wider Church

November
18  MCC Peace conference
29  ToTB at Hart House

December
10  Menno Singers Messiah

DANFORTH MENNONITE CHURCH
416-422-2406
Pastor Stephen Reist
 We welcome all guests who have joined us.

Danforth Mennonite Church
October 29, 2023
Order of Service

Welcome & Land Acknowledgement

Call to Worship:   VT #853

Hymn: VT #25  Brethren, We Have Met to Worship

Announcements

Dedication of our tithes & offerings

Hymn: #70  Praise God (Dedication Anthem)

Prayers of the people

Hymn:  #205  Light Dawns on a Weary World

Scripture readings: Deuteronomy 32:4, Genesis 18:19, Matthew 16: 25-27, James 2: 2-4, Jeremiah 22:3

Message

Hymn of Response:   #809   Sing a New World into Being

Benediction

Leading Us in Worship
Message                              Edgardo R.
Worship Leader              Dalton J.
Song Leader                      Ed F.
Musicians                           Roger H. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                             Murray L., Carol J.
Zoom Host                        Bonnie W.
A/V Technician               Don Bowman

October Hymn of the month:  VT # 205 Light Dawns on a Weary World

Adult Discussion Group – 10:00 a.m.

October
29  Visions of Jesus (Part 2) led by Ed
November
12 Justice discussion led by Stephen

Scripture Reading

Deuteronomy 32:4 NIV
“He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.”

Genesis 18:19
19 For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.”

Matthew 16: 25-27
²⁵ For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. ²⁶What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? ²⁷For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.

James 2: 2-4
²Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. ³If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” ⁴have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

Jeremiah 22:3
³This is what the Lord says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place.

DANFORTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

Congregational ‘Dine and Discern’:
“How did we get here?”

On Sunday, October 29th, we will gather together from 12:30 to 2:30 for lunch, worship, and sharing.  This is our first session about inclusion of 2SLGTBQ+ persons in Danforth Mennonite Church. In this first gathering we will share our individual stories about what we have seen and heard of how 2SLGTBQ+ persons have been treated in church (here or elsewhere).

Please bring your own lunch.
Drinks will be provided.

Online (Zoom) participation is available using the same link as the worship service.

If you are unable to attend, feel free to contact Pastor Stephen with your stories in advance.

Ladies Walking Group

On Tuesday, October 31 at 10:30 am (weather permitting), we will meet at Taylor Creek Park (entrance and parking off of Dawes Road).

An email will go out on Monday October 30 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

 November 5
Speaker                  Stephen R.
Worship leader  Linda D.
Song Leader         Kathy W.
Musicians              Jessica M. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                Dalton & Carol J,
ZOOM host          Bonnie W,
A/V Tech                Roger H,

November 12
Speaker                    Carol O,
Worship leader    Bonnie W,
Song Leader           Bonnie W,
Musicians                Emily L, (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                  Vic G.
ZOOM host           Mike D.
A/V Tech                  Murray L.

WIDER CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

Pax Christi Chorale, under the direction of Dr. Elaine Choi, announces a special concert in partnership with Alzheimer Society of Toronto, Xenia Concerts and Music Care. On October 29, 2023, Pax Christi Chorale will present the Canadian premiere of Robert Cohen’s Alzheimer’s Stories, an oratorio inspired by those affected by Alzheimer’s disease and those who love them. The concert will be presented at Holy Blossom Temple at 4 pm.

Tickets are $45 (regular), $40 (senior), $20 (young adult 18-35), $10 (student) For more information, and to buy tickets, go to www.paxchristichorale.org.

Save the Date: Peace Conference
November 18, 2023
at Rockway Mennonite Collegiate,
110 Doon Rd, Kitchener

The MCC Peace Conference is your chance to see, hear and experience first-hand how you and MCC are changing lives and communities through peacebuilding. This event will inspire and inform through general sessions, workshops and conversations with messengers of peace. Go to mcc.org/peace-conference to learn more.

Sunday, December 10, 2023, 3pm. Menno Singers and Mennonite Mass Choir present Handel’s Messiah  with artistic director Brandon Leis, a 230 voice choir, soloists Bethany Hörst (soprano), Jennifer Enns Modolo (mezzo soprano), Owen McCausland (tenor) and Nathan Keoughan (baritone) along with orchestra members of the former KW Symphony. Tickets are on sale now at the Centre in the Square Box Office.     www.centreinthesquare.com

In summary, upcoming events

At Danforth

October
29  Dine and Discern
31  Healthy Eating
31 Ladies walking group

November
7    Ladies walking group
11  Men’s breakfast
14  Ladies walking group
18  Messy Church
21  Ladies walking group
28  Ladies walking group

December
2  DMC Christmas banquet
 

Wider Church

October
28  Voices Together Resource Day
29  Pax Christi Chorale concert

November
18  MCC Peace conference
29  ToTB at Hart House

December
10  Menno Singers Messiah

DANFORTH MENNONITE CHURCH
416-422-2406
Pastor Stephen Reist
 
We welcome all guests who have joined us.

Danforth Mennonite Church
October 22, 2023
Order of Service

Welcome  and opening prayer

Opening Hymn: VT #4 Christ is our Cornerstone

Announcements

Offering:  VT 1022

Hymn: VT #570  When We Walk with the Lord

A Moment in Mission

Congregational Prayer

Hymn: VT #205 Light Dawns on a Weary World

Scripture reading:  Micah 6 1-8

Message:  Peace with Justice

Closing Hymn: VT #149  Forgive, Forgive Us, Holy God

Benediction

Leading Us in Worship

Message                              Carol O.
Worship Leader              Bonnie W.
Scripture Reading         Edward T.
Mission Moment           Dalton J.
Song Leader                     Kathy W.
Musicians                          Jessica M. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                            Cindy R., Bethany W.
Zoom Host                       Carol R.
A/V Technician              Mike D.

Hymn of the month:  VT # 205 Light Dawns on a Weary World

Adult Discussion Group – 10:00 a.m.

October
22  Justice Discussion – Stephen
29  Visions of Jesus (Part 2)

Scripture Reading

Micah 6

God Challenges Israel

6 Hear what the Lord says:
Rise, plead your case before the mountains,
and let the hills hear your voice.
² Hear, you mountains, the case of the Lord,
and you enduring foundations of the earth,
for the Lord has a case against his people,
and he will contend with Israel.
³ “O my people, what have I done to you?
In what have I wearied you? Answer me!
⁴ For I brought you up from the land of Egypt
and redeemed you from the house of slavery,
and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.
⁵ O my people, remember now what King Balak of Moab devised, what Balaam son of Beor answered him, and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal,
that you may know the saving acts of the Lord.”

What God Requires
⁶ “With what shall I come before the Lord
and bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
⁷ Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”
⁸ He has told you, O mortal, what is good,
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice and to love kindness
and to walk humbly with your God?

….from SOJOURNERS

A PRAYER FOR PEACE IN ISRAEL AND PALESTINE
BY ROSE MARIE BERGER
 
“They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain...” —Isaiah 11:9

God of Comfort,
send your Spirit to encompass all those whose lives are torn apart by violence and death in Israel and Palestine. You are the Advocate of the oppressed and the One whose eye is on the sparrow.  Let arms reach out in healing, rather than aggression.  Let hearts mourn rather than militarize.

God of Justice,
give strength to those whose long work for a just peace might seem fruitless now. Strengthen their resolve.  Do not let them feel alone. Show us how to support their work and bolster their courage. Guide religious leaders to model unity and reconciliation across lines of division. Guide political leaders to listen with their hearts as they seek peace and pursue it.  Help all people choose the rigorous path of just peace and disavow violence.

God of Love,
we lift up Palestine and Israel — its people, its land, its creatures.  War is a monster that consumes everything in its path.  Peace is a gift shared at meals of memory with Christians, Muslims, and Jews.  Let us burn incense, not children. Let us break bread, not bodies.  Let us plant olive groves, not cemeteries.  We beg for love and compassion to prevail on all your holy mountains.

God of Hope,
we lift up the cities of the region: Gaza City and Tel Aviv, Ramallah and Ashkelon, Deir El Balah and Sderot, so long divided, yet so filled with life and creativity.  Come again to breathe peace on your peoples that all may recognize you.

God of Mercy,
even now work on the hearts of combatants to choose life over death, reconciliation over retaliation, restoration over destruction. Help us resist antisemitism in all its forms, especially in our own churches. All people, Israelis and Palestinians, deserve to live in peace and unafraid, with a right to determine their future together.

God of the Nations,
let not one more child or elder be sacrificed on altars of political expediency.  Keep safe all people from unjust leaders who would exploit vulnerability for their own distorted ends.  Give wise discernment to those making decisions to pursue peace.  Provide them insight into fostering well-being, freedom, and thriving for all.  Teach all of us to resolve injustices with righteousness, not rockets.  Guard our hearts against retaliation, and give us hearts for love alone.
 
Strengthen our faith in you, O God of All Flesh, even when we don’t have clear answers, so that we may still offer ourselves nonviolently for the cause of peace.
Amen.

DANFORTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

The session that was to start November 7^th is postponed until the new year.

Congregational ‘Dine and Discern’:
“How did we get here?”

Next Sunday, October 29th, we will gather together from 12:30 to 2:30 for lunch, worship, and sharing.  This is our first session about inclusion of 2SLGTBQ+ persons in Danforth Mennonite Church. In this first gathering we will share our individual stories about what we have seen and heard of how 2SLGTBQ+ persons have been treated in church (here or elsewhere).
Please bring your own lunch.
Drinks will be provided.
Online (Zoom) participation is available using the same link as the worship service.
If you are unable to attend, feel free to contact Pastor Stephen with your stories in advance.

Treasurer’s Report: We received $6,692 in offerings in September. Year to date offerings is $63,967 which is below the target budget number of $73,808. Our operating deficit to the end of September is -$1,382.

The special Outreach Committee Thanksgiving Projects will remain open until the end of October. So far $250 has been donated to support the Nourish East End Food Bank and $150 has been given for MCC World Relief.

Please note that $281 from the Bill B. memorial fund will be added to the Nourish East End Food Bank donation.

Please designate your offering if you would like to contribute to these projects.

Note from the Treasurer:Funds that were donated in memory of Bob M. have already been used to buy the Voices Together hymnbooks. The remaining $362 has been moved to the Professional Development Fund to be used for pastoral training and development. Bob’s presence at Danforth is deeply missed. The following tribute to Bob will accompany the transfer to the PDF.

Come and join us for
MESSY CHURCH which is a
FREE FAMILY EVENT
for children 4-12 on
Saturday, October 21
 from 5 – 7p.m.

It includes crafts, games, Bible stories, music and dinner.  We ask that parents/caregiver accompany their children at this family event.

Ladies Walking Group

On Tuesday, October 24 at 10:30 am (weather permitting), we will meet at Warden Woods (entrance off Birchmount, north of Danforth.)

An email will go out on Monday October 23 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 final Outlook for the year (covering September through December) will focus on SCOC.

This is the perfect opportunity to talk about the history, the programs, and the community.  I am open to several articles along with photographs – whatever you would like to provide.  You may have a connection from the past.

I have started working on this next edition.  Do you have a story to share?  Deadline for submission is early December.  The newsletter will be published mid January 2024.

Worship Schedule reminder

October 29
Speaker                   Edgardo R.
Worship leader  Dalton J.
Song Leader         Ed F.
Musicians              Roger H. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                Murray L., Carol J.
ZOOM host          Bonnie W.
A/V Tech                 Don B.

November 5
Speaker                    Stephen R.
Worship leader   Linda D.
Song Leader          Kathy W.
Musicians               Jessica M. (piano). Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                 Dalton & Carol J.
ZOOM host          Bonnie W.
A/V Tech                Roger H.

WIDER CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

Pax Christi Chorale, under the direction of Dr. Elaine Choi, announces a special concert in partnership with Alzheimer Society of Toronto, Xenia Concerts and Music Care. On October 29, 2023, Pax Christi Chorale will present the Canadian premiere of Robert Cohen’s Alzheimer’s Stories, an oratorio inspired by those affected by Alzheimer’s disease and those who love them. The concert will be presented at Holy Blossom Temple at 4 pm.

Tickets are $45 (regular), $40 (senior), $20 (young adult 18-35), $10 (student) For more information, and to buy tickets, go to www.paxchristichorale.org.

Save the Date: Peace Conference
November 18, 2023
at Rockway Mennonite Collegiate,
110 Doon Rd, Kitchener

The MCC Peace Conference is your chance to see, hear and experience first-hand how you and MCC are changing lives and communities through peacebuilding. This event will inspire and inform through general sessions, workshops and conversations with messengers of peace. Go to mcc.org/peace-conference to learn more.

Voices Together Resource Day

October 28, 2023, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Shantz Mennonite Church, Baden, ON.

A day set aside for worship leaders, worship lovers, musicians, pastors and congregational leaders to explore the music and resources from, Voices Together. An evening hymn sing will close our worship. Registration is open at mcec.ca.

Sunday, December 10, 2023, 3pm. Menno Singers and Mennonite Mass Choir present Handel’s Messiah  with artistic director Brandon Leis, a 230 voice choir, soloists Bethany Hörst (soprano), Jennifer Enns Modolo (mezzo soprano), Owen McCausland (tenor) and Nathan Keoughan (baritone) along with orchestra members of the former KW Symphony. Tickets are on sale now at the Centre in the Square Box Office.     www.centreinthesquare.com

In summary, upcoming events

 
At Danforth
October
21  Messy Church
24  Healthy Eating
24  Ladies walking group – Warden Woods
29  Dine and Discern
31  Healthy Eating
31 Ladies walking group

November
7    Ladies walking group
11  Men’s breakfast
14  Ladies walking group
18  Messy Church
21  Ladies walking group
28  Ladies walking group

December
2  DMC Christmas banquet

Wider Church
October
26  SCOC AGM
28  Voices Together Resource Day
29  Pax Christi Chorale concert

November
18  MCC Peace conference
29  ToTB at Hart House

December
10  Menno Singers Messiah

DANFORTH MENNONITE CHURCH
416-422-2406
Pastor Stephen Reist

We welcome all guests who have joined us.

Danforth Mennonite Church
October 15, 2023
Order of Service

Welcome  and opening prayer

Opening Hymn: VT #75 Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven

Announcements

Offering

Hymn:  VT #70 Praise God from whom all blessings flow

Hymn: VT #404  We Praise The Word of God

Congregational Prayer

Scripture reading: Jonah Chapter 3

Hymn: VT #205 Light Dawns on a Weary World

Scripture reading:  Jonah Chapter 4

Message: God’s justice is not like ours

Closing Hymn: VT #705  For the Healing of the Nations

Benediction

Leading Us in Worship
Message                              Stephen R.
Worship Leader              Bonnie W.
Song Leader                      Ed F.
Musicians                           Jessica M. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                             Cindy R., Bethany W.
Zoom Host                        Carol R.
A/V Technician               Fazal S.

October’s Hymn of the month:  VT #205  Light Dawns on a Weary World

Adult Discussion Group – 10:00 a.m.

October
15  Visions of Jesus (Part 1)
22  Justice Discussion – Stephen
29  Visions of Jesus (Part 1)

Prayer for Victims and Perpetrators of Injustice

Leader:  For all those who have fallen victim to hatred and inhumanity,  for those loved ones who are left behind to mourn, for the souls of those whose hearts are cold,

All:  Lord, hear our prayer.

Leader:  For the children who are being born into this world of conflict and violence, for women and mothers who suffer needlessly,

All:  Lord, hear our prayer.

Leader:  For all those who have been forced into unemployment, who long to return to work, for all those who struggle to support their families,

All:  Lord, hear our prayer.

Leader:  For the soldiers who are misguided in thinking that their bullets will bring about peace, for those who feel called to conscientiously object to military orders,

All:  Lord, hear our prayer.

Leader:  For the children who cry in their beds at night and wonder “what have I done?”
For the mothers and fathers who must try to explain the unexplainable,

All:  Lord, hear our prayer.

Leader:  For all the children who have died before their time, for the soldiers who allow their uniform to strip them of their humanity, for the healers who are denied the opportunity to use their gifts,

All:  Lord, hear our prayer.

Leader:  For the redemption of souls of both victim and perpetrator, for those who commit themselves to the forgiveness of sins,

All:  Lord, hear our prayer.  Amen

– Author Unknown

Scripture Readings

Jonah 3 (CEB)
3 The Lord’s word came to Jonah a second time: ² “Get up and go to Nineveh, that great city, and declare against it the proclamation that I am commanding you.” ³ And Jonah got up and went to Nineveh, according to the Lord’s word. (Now Nineveh was indeed an enormous city, a three days’ walk across.)

⁴ Jonah started into the city, walking one day, and he cried out, “Just forty days more and Nineveh will be overthrown!” ⁵ And the people of Nineveh believed God. They proclaimed a fast and put on mourning clothes, from the greatest of them to the least significant.

⁶ When word of it reached the king of Nineveh, he got up from his throne, stripped himself of his robe, covered himself with mourning clothes, and sat in ashes. ⁷ Then he announced, “In Nineveh, by decree of the king and his officials: Neither human nor animal, cattle nor flock, will taste anything! No grazing and no drinking water! ⁸ Let humans and animals alike put on mourning clothes, and let them call upon God forcefully! And let all persons stop their evil behavior and the violence that’s under their control!” ⁹ He thought, Who knows? God may see this and turn from his wrath, so that we might not perish.

¹⁰ God saw what they were doing—that they had ceased their evil behavior. So God stopped planning to destroy them, and he didn’t do it.

Jonah 4 (CEB)
4 But Jonah thought this was utterly wrong, and he became angry. ² He prayed to the Lord, “Come on, Lord! Wasn’t this precisely my point when I was back in my own land? This is why I fled to Tarshish earlier! I know that you are a merciful and compassionate God, very patient, full of faithful love, and willing not to destroy. ³ At this point, Lord, you may as well take my life from me, because it would be better for me to die than to live.”

⁴ The Lord responded, “Is your anger a good thing?” ⁵ But Jonah went out from the city and sat down east of the city. There he made himself a hut and sat under it, in the shade, to see what would happen to the city.

⁶ Then the Lord God provided a shrub, and it grew up over Jonah, providing shade for his head and saving him from his misery. Jonah was very happy about the shrub. ⁷ But God provided a worm the next day at dawn, and it attacked the shrub so that it died. ⁸ Then as the sun rose God provided a dry east wind, and the sun beat down on Jonah’s head so that he became faint. He begged that he might die, saying, “It’s better for me to die than to live.”

⁹ God said to Jonah, “Is your anger about the shrub a good thing?”

Jonah said, “Yes, my anger is good—even to the point of death!”

¹⁰ But the Lord said, “You ‘pitied’ the shrub, for which you didn’t work and which you didn’t raise; it grew in a night and perished in a night. ¹¹ Yet for my part, can’t I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than one hundred twenty thousand people who can’t tell their right hand from their left, and also many animals?”

Mennonite Church Canada shared the following note and prayer

By Palestine-Israel Network

Since the October 7 Hamas attack near the Gaza Strip and Israel’s crushing military reaction, violence and destruction have escalated in the land we often call “Holy.” As we lament the carnage among Israelis and Palestinians, let us also pray for those working for a future that ends the deep and longstanding injustices that lie at the root of the crisis.

Prayer of lament and intercession for Palestine and Israel

God of love and justice, our hearts are perplexed, paralyzed and broken at the recent carnage in Palestine and Israel. We lament the loss of life and the suffering of so many innocent people on both sides. We are shocked at the inhumanity of soldiers and militants, especially when they act in the name of God.

We lament that our prayers for peace seem to go unanswered. We wish you would intervene. We cling to your promise of a different world, but we see so few signs of its fulfillment. Why?

In our feeble faith, we declare your desire for life and for peace.

Holy Spirit, strengthen our resolve to advocate for peace, justice, equality, and compassion for all.   Don’t let us turn our face away.

Comfort all who are overwhelmed with loss—loss of life, loss of homes, loss of safety and security.

God of the vulnerable and the oppressed, neutralize the power of tyrants in their thirst for domination and control. Renew the strength and resolve of leaders committed to nonviolent resistance and change.

Remember the Christian communities in the land where Jesus walked ad where the church was born. May their witness to your love remain bright among their Muslim and Jewish neighbours. May they recognize your hand in their lives, even amidst the suffering.

God of all nations, guide our own government in responding in ways that support the legitimate rights of all, especially those who are most vulnerable, those who continue to suffer after decades of occupation, dispossession, and denial of basic human rights.

May your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Yours is the kingdom, the power, the glory, now and forever.
Amen

DANFORTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

Treasurer’s Report: We received $6,692 in offerings in September. Year to date offerings is $63,967 which is below the target budget number of $73,808. Our operating deficit to the end of September is -$1,382.

The special Outreach Committee Thanksgiving Projects will remain open until the end of October. So far $250 has been donated to support the Nourish East End Food Bank and $150 has been given for MCC World Relief.

Please note that $281 from the Bill B. memorial fund will be added to the Nourish East End Food Bank donation.

Please designate your offering if you would like to contribute to these projects.

On Sunday, October 15th, following the service we would like to have a brief time of discussion about the proposal followed by a vote on the two questions at the end of the proposal.  This vote will let us know how to proceed. (Zoom will be included in the discussion and vote.)
 
Questions to vote on in order to move forward:

Do you support the proposal to hold congregational discussions in the next few months about the inclusion of 2sLGBTQ+ persons in our church?

Do you support the proposed process (3 congregational discussions and a survey with coaching from Credence & Co.)?

Men’s breakfast
October 14th

If you are not one of our regulars, please – consider joining us on the second Saturday of each month.

It’s a potluck breakfast so it’s a variety of food each time we meet.  Our numbers are fairly constant at around ten.

Coffee is started, and cooking begins around 8:30, with breakfasters arriving around 9, ready for coffee and table setup.  Eating is always underway by 9:15.

Besides eating, we talk.  We talk about all manner of subjects, such as baseball, faith and religion, politics and elections, as well as our prostates.  We even, periodically, tell each other jokes.

As is often the case, the cleaning and washing up is as important a time of fellowship as the eating and chatting.
We hope you’ll join us.

If you would like more information, please contact Fazal.

Ladies Walking Group

On Tuesday, October 17 at 10:30 am (weather permitting), we will meet at St. John’s Norway Cemetery.  The parking lot entrance is off of Woodbine.
St. John’s Norway Cemetery, though originally Anglican, is now a nondenominational inter-faith cemetery that has been serving Toronto and surrounding communities since 1853 – 160 years!

An email will go out on Monday October 16 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.

Pastor Ashenafi Fulase of Freedom Gospel Ethiopian Church has given me permission to share the news of the passing of his father in Ethiopia this past Tuesday.  The funeral was on Thursday.

He asks that we pray for peace for the whole family.

Come and join us for
MESSY CHURCH which is a
FREE FAMILY EVENT
for children 4-12 on
Saturday, October 21
 from 5 – 7p.m.

It includes crafts, games, Bible stories, music and dinner.  We ask that parents/caregiver accompany their children at this family event.

The MC team would appreciate volunteers to help in the kitchen for Messy Church events. If you can help, please sign your name on the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board.

Our final Outlook for the year (covering September through December) will focus on SCOC.

This is the perfect opportunity to talk about the history, the programs, and the community.  I am open to several articles along with photographs – whatever you would like to provide.  You may have a connection from the past.

I have started working on this next edition.  Do you have a story to share?  Deadline for submission is early December.  The newsletter will be published mid January 2024.

White poppies available in the upper lobby.

Worship Schedule reminder

October 22
Speaker                    Carol O.
Worship leader    Bonnie W.
Song Leader           Bonnie W.
Musicians                         (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                   Cindy R., Bethany W.
ZOOM host            Carol R.
A/V Tech                   Mike D.

October 29
Speaker                   Edgardo R.
Worship leader  Dalton J.
Song Leader         Ed F.
Musicians               Roger H. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                 Murray L., Carol J.
ZOOM host           Bonnie W.
A/V Tech                 Don B.

WIDER CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

Pax Christi Chorale, under the direction of Dr. Elaine Choi, announces a special concert in partnership with Alzheimer Society of Toronto, Xenia Concerts and Music Care. On October 29, 2023, Pax Christi Chorale will present the Canadian premiere of Robert Cohen’s Alzheimer’s Stories, an oratorio inspired by those affected by Alzheimer’s disease and those who love them. The concert will be presented at Holy Blossom Temple at 4 pm.

Tickets are $45 (regular), $40 (senior), $20 (young adult 18-35), $10 (student) For more information, and to buy tickets, go to www.paxchristichorale.org.

Save the Date: Peace Conference
November 18, 2023
at Rockway Mennonite Collegiate,
110 Doon Rd, Kitchener

The MCC Peace Conference is your chance to see, hear and experience first-hand how you and MCC are changing lives and communities through peacebuilding. This event will inspire and inform through general sessions, workshops and conversations with messengers of peace. Go to mcc.org/peace-conference to learn more.

Voices Together Resource Day

October 28, 2023, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Shantz Mennonite Church, Baden, ON.

A day set aside for worship leaders, worship lovers, musicians, pastors and congregational leaders to explore the music and resources from, Voices Together. An evening hymn sing will close our worship. Registration is open at mcec.ca.

In summary, upcoming events

At Danforth

October
14  Men’s breakfast
17  Healthy Eating
17  Ladies walking group – St. John’s Norway
21  Messy Church
24  Healthy Eating
24  Ladies walking group – Warden Woods
31  Healthy Eating
31 Ladies walking group

November
7    Healthy Eating
7    Ladies walking group
11  Men’s breakfast
14  Healthy Eating
14  Ladies walking group
18  Messy Church
21  Healthy Eating
21  Ladies walking group
28  Ladies walking group

December
2  DMC Christmas banquet
12  Healthy Eating

Wider Church

October
14  Willowgrove 55^th anniversary celebration
14  Danforth Grow Hope tour & dinner
26  SCOC AGM
28  Voices Together Resource Day
29  Pax Christi Chorale concert

November
18  MCC Peace conference
29  ToTB at Hart House