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

DANFORTH MENNONITE CHURCH
416-422-2406
Pastor Stephen Reist

We welcome all guests who have joined us.

Danforth Mennonite Church
October 8, 2023
Order of Service

Welcome and Land Acknowledgment

Call to Worship 

Opening Hymn: VT #10  Here in this Place

Announcements

Offering

Hymn: VT #703 Rain Down

Congregational Prayer:

Scripture: Amos 5:21 – 24; Matthew 5:43 – 47; and Ephesians 6:12

Hymn: VT #205 Light Dawns on a Weary World

Message: Witnesses for Justice

Closing Hymn: VT #549 Be Thou my Vision.

Benediction

Leading Us in Worship
Message                              Murray L.
Worship Leader              Mike D.
Song Leader                      Kathy W.
Musicians                           Bonnie W. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                             Leslie & Fazal S.
Zoom Host                        Carol R.
A/V Technician               Don B.

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

Adult Discussion Group – 10:00 a.m.

October
8    Visions of Jesus (Part I)
15  Visions of Jesus (Part 2)
22  Justice Discussion – Stephen
29  TBD

Call to Worship

Leader: With gratitude for the home God has made for us on this planet,  we pray:

Many:   Send your Holy Spirit
to strengthen our resolve
to strive for communities
where foreigners become neighbours
and strangers become friends.
 
Leader: Revive our desire for the reign of Christ, who releases prisoners and liberates the oppressed, who frees the world from greed and proclaims God’s peace.

All:         Make justice roll down like a river and righteousness flow like an everlasting stream. Amen.

Scripture Readings

Amos 5:21-24 (NIV)
²¹ “I hate, I despise your religious festivals;
your assemblies are a stench to me.
²² Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them.
Though you bring choice fellowship offerings,
I will have no regard for them.
²³ Away with the noise of your songs!
I will not listen to the music of your harps.
²⁴ But let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream!

Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)
¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Matthew 5: 43-47 (NIV)

Love for Enemies
⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶ If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?

DANFORTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

Expressing our THANKS in this season

This comes as a follow up to a recent announcement about our giving thanks.

As we celebrate and offer prayers of gratitude, we are encouraged to focus attention on special projects in support of families and communities that have recently suffered significant loss of life, home and sources of income due to natural disasters. Mennonite Central Committee is assisting victims around the world through their Disaster Relief Fund.

Giving directly to MCC is an option (or) we can direct it to our treasurer and designate our gift to MCC.

The other project that we are encouraging is a response to the stated need at the Nourish East End Food Bank. They are in need of funds to purchase foods that are in high demand (i.e. bread and milk) for the hundred of families that they serve each week. Our gift in support of this mission would be most appreciated, and it can be a designated gift directed to our treasurer.

May you be richly blessed as you consider these and other projects that you support.

Ladies Walking Group

On October 10 (weather permitting), we will meet at 10:30 a.m. at The Guild Estate at 201 Guildwood Parkway in Scarborough for a one-hour stroll through the gardens and trail.  Hopefully the flowers have survived the rain and cooler weather.
 
An email will go out on Monday October 9 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

October 15
Speaker                  Stephen R.
Worship leader  Arjun P.
Song Leader         Ed F.
Musicians              Jessica M. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                 Cindy R., Bethany W.
ZOOM host          Bonnie W.
A/V Tech                Fazal S.

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.

WIDER CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

St. Clair O’Connor Community (SCOC)

Did you know that our church and TUMC started a non-profit affordable rental community in East York? The St. Clair O’Connor Community (SCOC) is a multi-generational, apartment building with a special emphasis on seniors. Please consider becoming a member and attending the AGM on Thursday October 26, at 7pm. (Membership applications must be completed in person at SCOC by October 9^th.   Lifetime members can register by emailing info@scoc.ca). SCOC is located near the beautiful Taylor Creek ravine at 2701 St. Clair Avenue East in East York. Apartments are currently available and amenities include a large patio and meeting space for daily social and recreational programs. We have on-site congregate dining, cozy café, housekeeping, chaplaincy, and nursing support, plus visiting doctors, optometrists, advanced footcare, and hearing clinics.
https://scoc.ca

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.

Willowgrove Hootenanny

Saturday, Oct. 14 @ 3-8pm

Celebrate 55 years of Willowgrove’s mission with live music, BBQ, stories, auctions, and more! All proceeds from this event go towards supporting Willowgrove’s Helping Hand Subsidy Program. For tickets, visit willowgrove.ca/events/hootenanny

In summary, upcoming events

At Danforth

October
10  Healthy Eating
10  Ladies walking group
14  Men’s breakfast
17  Healthy Eating
17  Ladies walking group
21  Messy Church
24  Healthy Eating
24  Ladies walking group
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

DANFORTH MENNONITE CHURCH
416-422-2406
Pastor Stephen Reist

We welcome all guests who have joined us.

Danforth Mennonite Church
September 24, 2023  11 a.m.
Order of Service

Welcome & Land Acknowledgement

Call to Worship

Opening Hymn: VT #95  Praise the Lord, Sing Hallelujah

Announcements

Giving thanks for our gifts

Hymn: VT  #123  Come. Ye Thankful People Come

Prayers of the people

Hymn: VT #36  Let us Build a House

Scripture Reading:  Deuteronomy 16: 13-15

Sermon: What is the harvest you are waiting for?

Hymn of Response: VT #747  We Plow the Fields and Scatter

Benediction

Leading Us in Worship
Message                              Carol O.
Worship Leader              Dalton J.
Song Leader                      Sue S.
Musicians                           Jessica M. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                             Anne R., Vic G.
Zoom Host                        Bonnie W.
A/V Technician               Don B.

September Hymn of the month   VT #36  Let Us Build a House

Adult Discussion group – 10:00 a.m.

September
24  Safe Church – Carol O.

October
1  Hymn Sing
8  Justice Discussion – Pastor Stephen
15  TBD
22 Justice Discussion – Pastor Stephen
29  TBD

Call to Worship

One: Let anyone who is thirsty come!

Many: We come to receive the living water.

One: Let anyone who is hungry come!

Many: There is enough food for all.

One: Let anyone who is tired come!

Many: God calls us to a time of holy rest.

One: Let anyone who is grateful come

Many: and join this celebration!

One: Thirsty and hungry, tired and grateful,

All: we come together now in worship.

Scripture Reading
Deuteronomy 16: 13-15 (NRSVUE)

The Festival of Booths Reviewed
¹³ “You shall keep the Festival of Booths for seven days, when you have gathered in the produce from your threshing floor and your winepress. ¹⁴ Rejoice during your festival, you and your sons and your daughters, your male and female slaves, as well as the Levites, the strangers, the orphans, and the widows resident in your towns. ¹⁵ Seven days you shall keep the festival to the Lord your God at the place that the Lord will choose, for the Lord your God will bless you in all your produce and in all your undertakings, and you shall surely celebrate.

DANFORTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

Treasurer’s Report:  We received $5,920 in donations in August. $8,200 is needed each month to meet our 2023 operating budget. Our deficit is now running at -$3,168 to the end of August.

A $565 expense was approved by council for the purchase of a new Treasurer’s Laptop Computer. This money was taken from our General designated fund.

Email-donations are welcome at
dmmc2174@gmail.com.

Donations can also be made through the Sunday offering plate, by mailed cheques, or by participating in the automatic bank transfer on the 15th of each month. Thank you for your ongoing support for our church and its programs.

I want to say a big thankyou to our volunteers:  Ray & Cindy, Dalton & Carol, Roger and Carolyn, Murray, Linda and me (Bonnie) for moving and reorganizing the lower hall storage cabinets.  We are making room for the Dismas group’s cabinet.

Our next session is starting Tuesday, October 3^rd for 5 weeks. 
There will be a short zoom training session for volunteers on September 28
at 11:30 a.m.
If you are interested in helping Carol O., please sign up or contact Bonnie.

Bethany will have Girl Guide cookies for sale on Sunday morning. She will have chocolate mint cookies and the classic chocolate and Vailla sandwich cookies as well in a more limited quantity. The cookies are $6 per box. The cookie sales support programs and activities of both the Sparks (5 & 6 yr old girls) and the Embers (7 & 8 yr old girls) who meet at Danforth on Thursday evenings.

Council is pleased to recommend that we extend Stephen R.'s term as Intentional Interim Pastor through the end of January 2024.
 
You are invited to a brief congregational meeting after worship on Sunday Sept. 24, to deal with questions or comments. We will keep the Zoom session open so everyone can participate.
 
Why extend Stephen's term?
One reason is that Council is developing a specific project that Stephen should be able to complete by that time. (Council will provide more details in the near future).

Also, as Sue Schultz reported on behalf of the Pastoral Search Task Force, no-one has applied yet to become our new long-term pastor. So extending Stephen's term will provide pastoral continuity over Advent.
from Mike D., chair, DMC Council

The Safe Church Committee has recently met and made a few updates to our policy.  The Safe Church Policy is available for you to read on our website (CHURCH LIFE tab), or a hard copy can be made available if you would like.

If you have any questions about this policy, feel free to contact any of the committee members.
Pastor Stephen, Anne R., Erma M.

Come and join us for

MESSY CHURCH which is a
FREE FAMILY EVENT
for children 4-12 on
Saturday, September 23
 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

will start up October 3.  Watch the bulletin each week for our meeting place.

We meet at 10:30 a.m. at a trail or park for an hour walk.  If you have a suggestion for a new location, please let Bonnie know so it can be slotted into the schedule.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Parking on Cedarvale Avenue as changed to one-hour parking for weekdays and weekends.

DMC Outreach and Services Committee

is promoting the wearing of a White Poppy this fall. The idea is a project of Conscience Canada. The wearing of a white poppy, which is completely voluntary would begin on Thursday September 21 – International Day of Peace through Monday October 2nd – International Day of Non-Violence and continue to Sunday December 10 – International Human Rights Day. This is not meant to replace the wearing of the red poppy if desired in the weeks leading up to and on Remembrance Day, Saturday November 11.

A message from Conscience Canada states:
Wear a White Poppy – to Remember All War Casualties, to Challenge Everyday Militarism, to Commit to Peace.
Tessa Rose has kindly agreed to make white poppies for us. We hope to have them ready for Sunday September 17.
For more information please
see  https://tinyurl.com/38v6af77
and https://tinyurl.com/43jywhen

Worship Schedule reminder

October 1
Speaker                  Stephen R.
Worship leader  Sue S.
Song Leader         Sue S.
Musicians              Emily L. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                Leslie S., Anne R.
ZOOM host          Bonnie W.
A/V Tech                Roger H.

October 8 – Thanksgiving weekend
Speaker                    Murray L.
Worship leader   Mike D.
Song Leader          Kathy W.
Musicians               Roger H.(piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                 Leslie & Fazal S.
ZOOM host           Bonnie W.
A/V Tech                 Don B.

WIDER CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

MCEC Truth and Reconciliation Working Group – Indigenous Relations

Marking National Day of Truth and Reconciliation /Orange Shirt Day
Jesus said our highest calling is to love God and love our neighbour (Matt 22:35-40). The Christian call to reconciliation is rooted in 2 Corinthians 5:18. Reconciliation is love in action. The practices of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples in Canada of the 21st century are also guided by the 94 Calls to Action of the National Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Read more.

Support Grassy Narrows
A practical act of walking side by side with Indigenous people on the path of reconciliation: join the “Free Grassy Narrows” march on September 27 to demonstrate their demand of the Ontario government that there be no mining and development on their land and that they be consulted because their way of life will be impacted. (https://freegrassy.net/) To join the Truth and Reconciliation Working Group on this march contact Ron Flaming at trwg@mcec.ca.

Willowgrove Reconciliation Announcement – Saturday, Sept. 23 @ 4-5pm Join Willowgrove in their public commitment to Reconciliation. The organization will be unveiling a four-direction mural by Scugog artist, and will be announcing a new policy which provides free land-use to Indigenous communities. To RSVP, please email:
rebecca@willowgrove.ca

Willowgrove Hootenanny – Saturday, Oct. 14 @ 3-8pm Celebrate 55 years of Willowgrove’s mission with live music, BBQ, stories, auctions, and more! All proceeds from this event go towards supporting Willowgrove’s Helping Hand Subsidy Program. For tickets, visit willowgrove.ca/events/hootenanny

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

Come explore the music and resources of the new Voices Together Hymnal with some of the members of the VT Committee and other MCEC musicians. Register at https://mcec.ca/event/22582-2023-10-28-voices-together-resource-day . The day ends with a Voices Together Hymn Sing at 7 p.m. open to the whole community. All are invited to bring your voices.

In summary, upcoming events

At Danforth

September
23  Messy Church

October
3    Healthy Eating
3    Ladies walking group
10  Healthy Eating
10  Ladies walking group
14  Men’s breakfast
17  Healthy Eating
17  Ladies walking group
21  Messy Church
24  Healthy Eating
24  Ladies walking group
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

September
23  Willowgrove Welcome Day
23 & 24  Yorkshire Rose Quilt Show
25  MCC Ontario AGM
27  Free Grassy Narrows March
30  National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

October
14  Willowgrove 55^th anniversary celebration
14  Danforth Grow Hope tour & dinner
28  Voices Together Resource Day

November
29  ToTB at Hart House