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

DANFORTH MENNONITE CHURCH
416-422-2406
Pastor Stephen Reist

We welcome all guests who have joined us.

Danforth Mennonite Church
September 17, 2023  11 a.m.
Order of Service

Welcome

Call to Worship

Prayer

Hymn # 428  Praise With Joy the World’s Creator

Announcements

Offering

Prayer

Hymn # 36  Let Us Build a House

Congregational Prayer

Prayers of the People

Hymn # 179  At the Dawn of Your Creation

Scripture Readings – Genesis 2: 4-9 , 15-20

Romans 8: 18-25

Message : Is there hope for peace with creation?

Hymn # 145  Touch the Earth Lightly

Benediction

Leading Us in Worship
Message                              Stephen R.
Worship Leader              Erma M.
Song Leader                      Ed F.
Musicians                           Emily L. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                             Anne R., Vic G.
Zoom Host                        Bonnie W.
A/V Technician               Mike D.

Hymn of the month:  VT #36  Let Us Build A House

Adult Discussion group – 10:00 a.m.

September
17  Issues with the beginning of life – Ed B.
24  Safe Church – Carol O.

Call to Worship

One: In worship God bends down to the dust, and we are formed anew.

Many: We breathe in the divine breath and remember that we are living beings.

One: In worship we give thanks for the wonders of God’s creation:

Many: flowing waters and fruit-filled trees, animals of the field, and birds of the air.

One: In worship we gather with each other,

Many: our helpers and partners in this life of faith.

One: Let us give thanks for this time of worship.

Many: Let us receive God’s breath of life.

Scripture Readings

Genesis 2:4-9 (CEB)

⁴ This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created.

World’s creation in the garden
On the day the Lord God made earth and sky— ⁵ before any wild plants appeared on the earth, and before any field crops grew, because the Lord God hadn’t yet sent rain on the earth and there was still no human being to farm the fertile land, ⁶ though a stream rose from the earth and watered all of the fertile land— ⁷ the Lord God formed the human from the topsoil of the fertile land and blew life’s breath into his nostrils. The human came to life. ⁸ The Lord God planted a garden in Eden in the east and put there the human he had formed. ⁹ In the fertile land, the Lord God grew every beautiful tree with edible fruit, and also he grew the tree of life in the middle of the garden and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Genesis 2:15-24 (CEB)
¹⁵ The Lord God took the human and settled him in the garden of Eden to farm it and to take care of it. ¹⁶ The Lord God commanded the human, “Eat your fill from all of the garden’s trees; ¹⁷ but don’t eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, because on the day you eat from it, you will die!” ¹⁸ Then the Lord God said, “It’s not good that the human is alone. I will make him a helper that is perfect for him.” ¹⁹ So the Lord God formed from the fertile land all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky and brought them to the human to see what he would name them. The human gave each living being its name. ²⁰ The human named all the livestock, all the birds in the sky, and all the wild animals. But a helper perfect for him was nowhere to be found.

²¹ So the Lord God put the human into a deep and heavy sleep, and took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh over it. ²² With the rib taken from the human, the Lord God fashioned a woman and brought her to the human being. ²³ The human said,

“This one finally is bone from my bones
and flesh from my flesh.  She will be called a woman because from a man she was taken.”

²⁴ This is the reason that a man leaves his father and mother and embraces his wife, and they become one flesh.

Romans 8:18-25 (CEB)

Our suffering and our hope
¹⁸ I believe that the present suffering is nothing compared to the coming glory that is going to be revealed to us. ¹⁹ The whole creation waits breathless with anticipation for the revelation of God’s sons and daughters. ²⁰ Creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice—it was the choice of the one who subjected it—but in the hope ²¹ that the creation itself will be set free from slavery to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of God’s children. ²² We know that the whole creation is groaning together and suffering labor pains up until now. ²³ And it’s not only the creation. We ourselves who have the Spirit as the first crop of the harvest also groan inside as we wait to be adopted and for our bodies to be set free. ²⁴ We were saved in hope. If we see what we hope for, that isn’t hope. Who hopes for what they already see? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we don’t see, we wait for it with patience.

Prayers of the People

One: For dust and stones, for rivers and streams,

Many: we give you thanks, O God.

One: For seeds and their growth, for trees and their fruit,

Many: we give you thanks, O God.

One: For all that you have formed with your hands and enlivened with your breath,

Many: we give you thanks, O God.

One: For every animal of the field, for all birds of the air,

Many: we give you thanks, O God.

One: For each person created in your image, our helpers and partners,

Many: we give you thanks, O God.

One: Let us appreciate the beauty of your creation.

Many: Hear our prayer, O God.

One: Let us share in the nourishment your earth provides.

Many: Hear our prayer, O God.

One: Let us live out our gratitude in acts of compassion and care.

Many: Hear our prayer, O God.

One: Let us embody our thanks by living with joy and reverence on the land.

Many: Hear our prayer, O God.

All: Amen.

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.

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 1:30 p.m.
If you are interested in helping Carol O., please sign up or contact Bonnie.

As of this Sunday Bethany will have Girl Guide cookies for sale, 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.

The Pastoral Seach Team
update on our activities:

We have been meeting regularly over the past few months.  Our first task was to complete all the necessary documents to support a posting for the position of Pastor of Danforth Mennonite Church.  The position was posted on June 22, 2023, with an initial deadline for expressions of interest of August 15.  Since then, we as a Team have been working on prioritizing what we will be seeking in a Pastor for Danforth.

I spoke to Al R. this week and he said that while they have not received any specific applications for the position here at Danforth, he is hopeful because the pool of potential candidates is larger than it has been in a number of years.  In recent years it has taken 18 months or longer to fill pastoral vacancies, but several long-standing vacancies have recently been filled.  Candidates do not always apply to specific vacancies but submit a general Memorandum of Interest (MOI) and then work with MCEC to find the right fit.  Al assured me there was reason to be hopeful, but also cautioned that it may still take more time than we would like.  In the meantime, the Team will continue to prepare for the time when we will have candidate(s) to meet and interview.

If you know of prospective candidates, please urge them to contact MCEC rather than staff here at the church or the Search Team.  Also, because we may be discussing issues of some sensitivity or referring to specific individuals whose privacy we need to protect, we have been asked not to distribute the minutes of our meetings outside the Search Team itself.  If you have any questions about any of this, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Sue S., Chair, on behalf of the Pastoral Search Team

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 will start working on this next edition in mid September with the deadline of latest – mid December.  The newsletter will be published mid January 2024.

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.

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.

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 R. 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

Danforth Grow Hope Field Visit 2023
Where: Danforth Grow Hope Field,

(Jeff Steiner Farm) 13582 Ninth Line, Stouffville

Saturday, October 14, 2023, 2:30 pm to 3:00 pm; allow about one hour driving time. There will be a sign-up sheet to accommodate people needing a ride and for those who wish to offer a ride. If the numbers rise above 40, a bus may be rented.

There are two additional options on the same day –
Option #1  The Canadian Foodgrains Bank Dinner at Pheasant Run Golf Club (18033 Warden Ave., Sharon, ON) at 5:30 pm. Cost is free, limited to 200 participants. This is celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank

Option #2 A family fun event at Applewood Farm (12416 McCowan Road, Stouffville) from 3:15 to 6:00 pm. Cost is $10.00 per person (under 3 are free). Activities include pumpkin & apple picking (additional cost), corn maze, wagon rides, playground and farm animal visit.  Or people can simply head home after the field visit.
Poster and QR code on our bulletin board – Using your cell phone and a QR code, you will be directed to an application form to apply directly online and be registered for the visit and one of the options. The same printed application form with the link to it will also be posted on our bulletin board. Murray will assist anyone needing help with the application form.

Anyone registering for the dinner after the field visit must register by Thursday September 28.
Need a ride: Can offer a ride sign-up sheet will also be placed on the bulletin board

IMPORTANT NOTICE

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

Worship Schedule reminder

September 24
Speaker                     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 Tech                 Don B.

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.

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 F. at trwg @ mcec.ca.

Willowgrove is pleased to be hosting the GTA Mennonite Festival for World Relief this September. Swing by the farm to enjoy traditional Mennonite favourites like rosettes, freshly baked pies, hand-churned ice cream, as well as spring rolls, grilled chicken, back bacon, and more!After you eat, shop for beautiful crafts, go on a wagon ride, attend a live Quilt auction, and grab some fresh produce.
Tickets are $10 in Advance / $15 Day of (Children 5 and under are free) 

Calling for Volunteers! Please plan now to help take admissions as people arrive. DMC will again welcome guests as they come up the driveway. New this year: a few of us need to be early enough to welcome the other volunteers. Same as before: we collect regular admissions from 10am-4pm. New this year: Willowgrove staff will guide people to their parking spots, so we don’t have that responsibility.

1.      Everyone: Please use the “Buy Tickets” link in the announcement to pre-purchase your admission tickets… one per person. It costs less than paying when you arrive.

2.      VOLUNTEERS:
a.      We need volunteers to start from 9:30am, not 10am. (Some guests arrive early!).
b.      We need 4 volunteers per shift. Each shift is 90 minutes, except the final shift from 3:30-4pm.
c.       Some volunteers will use their cell phone to take payments. But volunteers without cell phones also have lots to do.
d.      Volunteers: please contact Mike for the coupon code that gives you free admission when you register online. You need the code before you click on the “Buy Tickets” link in the announcement

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.

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

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
16  GTA Mennonite Festival at Willowgrove
16 & 17  Danforth East Arts Fair
21  Alpha Marriage Course
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 Reconcilliation

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

November
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 10, 2023  11 a.m.
Order of Service

Welcome 

Call to Worship (Responsive)

Prayer

Opening Hymn: VT #1 Summoned by the God Who Made Us

Announcements

Offering and prayer

Hymn: VT #794 If the War Goes On

Hymn: VT #787 O Day of Peace (v1 only)

Congregational Prayer

Hymn:  VT 738 Open My Eyes That I May See

Scripture  Readings: 2 Kings 6:8-23, Luke 6:32-36

Message:  Peace with Pizza

Closing Hymn:  VT #36 Let Us Build a House

Benediction

Leading Us in Worship
Message                                 Carol R.
Worship Leader                 Stephen R.
Congregational Prayer  Dalton J.
Scripture reading              DMC Theatre
Song Leader                         Stephen R.
Musicians                              Roger H. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                                Dalton & Carol J.
Zoom Host                            Mike D.
A/V Technician                   Murray L.

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

Call to Worship

One: We come from the chaos of the world,

Many: seeking to be centered in God.

One: We come from the confusion of the world,

Many: seeking the truth of God.

One: We come from the foolishness of the world,

Many: seeking the wisdom of God.

One: We come from the hunger of the world,

Many: seeking the nourishment of God.

One: We come from the violence of the world,

Many: seeking the peace of God.

One: We gather together now, with God and with each other.

Many: May God bless our time of worship.

Scripture Readings

2 Kings 6:8-23 (The Voice)
⁸ Aram’s king had waged war against Israel. He gave instructions to those who served him: “I want my war camp at this particular place.” ⁹ The man of God sent a message to Israel’s king.

Elisha’s Message: Be sure not to travel through this place. The Arameans are on their way.

¹⁰ Israel’s king passed this warning on to those in the place the man of God had told him about. Elisha’s warning saved Israel’s king more than a few times. ¹¹ Aram’s king became greatly angered by this. He gathered his servants together.

King of Aram: Which one of you has betrayed me and sided with Israel’s king?

Servant: ¹² It is none of us, my lord and king. The prophet Elisha, who lives in Israel, is the one who informs Israel’s king of these things. Elisha somehow knows everything you say—even the secret things you whisper in your private chambers.

King of Aram: ¹³ Find Elisha right away so that I may capture him!

The servants found Elisha and informed Aram’s king, “Elisha is in Dothan.” ¹⁴ So Aram’s king dispatched a great army of warriors, along with many horses and chariots, and they encircled the city of Dothan at night.

¹⁵ The servant of the man of God woke up early and went outside. There he saw a great army, along with many horses and chariots, encircling Dothan.

Elisha’s Servant: Ah! Master, what are we going to do now?

Elisha: ¹⁶ Have no fear. We have more on our side than they do.

¹⁷ (praying) O Eternal One, I ask You to allow my servant to see heavenly realities.

The Eternal awakened Elisha’s servant so that he could see. This is what he saw: the mountain was covered with horses and chariots of fire surrounding Elisha. ¹⁸ When the enemy approached Elisha, he prayed.

Elisha: Eternal One, I ask you to blind these people.

The Eternal blinded them, just as Elisha had requested.

Elisha (to the blind army): ¹⁹ You are wrong. This is the wrong path and the wrong city. I will lead you to the person you are really after.

Elisha then led them to Samaria.

Elisha (arriving in Samaria): ²⁰ O Eternal One, I ask you to allow these men to see.

The Eternal awakened the men so they could see. This is what they saw: they were in Samaria. ²¹ The king of Israel saw them.

King of Israel (to Elisha): Do you want me to slaughter these men, my father? Shall I slaughter them?

Elisha: ²² No, do not slaughter them. Would you really slaughter men whom you have captured with your sword and with your bow? Set the table and fill it with bread and water. Let them eat and drink and return to their own master.

23 Israel’s king had the table set and offered the Arameans a great feast. After they ate and drank, Israel’s king told them to leave. They returned to their own master, and the Arameans stopped sending raiding parties into Israel.

Luke 6:32-36 (CEB)
³² “If you love those who love you, why should you be commended? Even sinners love those who love them. ³³ If you do good to those who do good to you, why should you be commended? Even sinners do that. ³⁴ If you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, why should you be commended? Even sinners lend to sinners expecting to be paid back in full. ³⁵ Instead, love your enemies, do good, and lend expecting nothing in return. If you do, you will have a great reward. You will be acting the way children of the Most High act, for he is kind to ungrateful and wicked people. ³⁶ Be compassionate just as your Father is compassionate.

DANFORTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

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 1:30 p.m.
If you are interested in helping Carol O., please sign up or contact 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 will start working on this next edition in mid September with the deadline of latest – mid December.  The newsletter will be published mid January 2024.

Worship Schedule reminder

September 17
Speaker                    Stephen R.
Worship leader   Erma M.
Song Leader          Ed F.
Musicians               Emily L. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                 Murray L., Vic G.
ZOOM host           Bonnie W.
A/V Tech                  Mike D.

September 24
Speaker                   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 Tech                  Don B.

WIDER CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

Silver Lake Mennonite Camp

Registration is now open for a wide variety of fun retreats coming up this fall. Click here for more info about the retreats below… slmc.ca/retreats

Men’s Retreat (Sep 15-17)
Bruce Trail Hike (Sep 18-21)
Fall Hike Retreat (Sep 29-Oct 1)
Fall Work Weekend (Oct 27-29) – Help get camp ready for the winter season!

Book Launch (Oct 1 at 3pm) – SLMC is hosting the book launch of “Childhood Unplugged” by Katherine Johnson Martinko. Join us to discuss and hear advice about how to get kids off screens and find balance. Location: Community Room at 50 Kent Ave, Kitchener.

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 is pleased to be hosting the GTA Mennonite Festival for World Relief this September. Swing by the farm to enjoy traditional Mennonite favourites like rosettes, freshly baked pies, hand-churned ice cream, as well as spring rolls, grilled chicken, back bacon, and more!

After you eat, shop for beautiful crafts, go on a wagon ride, attend a live Quilt auction, and grab some fresh produce.

Tickets are $10 in Advance / $15 Day of (Children 5 and under are free) 

Calling for Volunteers! Please plan now to help take admissions as people arrive. DMC will again welcome guests as they come up the driveway. New this year: a few of us need to be early enough to welcome the other volunteers. Same as before: we collect regular admissions from 10am-4pm. New this year: Willowgrove staff will guide people to their parking spots, so we don’t have that responsibility.

1.      Everyone: Please use the “Buy Tickets” link in the announcement to pre-purchase your admission tickets… one per person. It costs less than paying when you arrive.

2.      VOLUNTEERS:

a.      We need volunteers to start from 9:30am, not 10am. (Some guests arrive early!).
b.      We need 4 volunteers per shift. Each shift is 90 minutes, except the final shift from 3:30-4pm.
c.       Some volunteers will use their cell phone to take payments. But volunteers without cell phones also have lots to do.
d.      Volunteers: please contact Mike for the coupon code that gives you free admission when you register online. You need the code before you click on the “Buy Tickets” link in the announcement

News from
St. Clair O’Connor Community (SCOC)

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

September
23  Messy Church

October
3    Healthy Eating
10  Healthy Eating
14  Men’s breakfast
17  Healthy Eating
21  Messy Church
24  Healthy Eating
31  Healthy Eating

November
7    Healthy Eating
11  Men’s breakfast
14  Healthy Eating
21  Healthy Eating
18  Messy Church
 
December
2  DMC Christmas banquet
12  Healthy Eating

Wider Church

September
16  GTA Mennonite Festival at Willowgrove
16 & 17  Danforth East Arts Fair
21  Alpha Marriage Course
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

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

Danforth Mennonite Church
September 3, 2023  10:30 a.m.
Order of Service

Welcome 

Opening prayer

Call to Worship

Opening Hymn: VT # 36 Let Us Build a House

Responsive Reading

Announcements

Offering and prayer

Hymn: VT 722 Help Us To Help Each Other

Congregational Prayer

Hymn:  VT 778 Will You Let Me Be Your Servant

Scripture  Reading: Acts 2:22-36 

Hymn: VT 365 Lord I Lift Your Name on High

Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:38-45

Message:  Vindicated! A Murder Mystery

Closing Hymn:  VT 387 – We are One in the Spirit

Benediction

Leading Us in Worship
Message                        Stephen R.
Worship Leader        Cindy R.
Scripture reading     Bethany W.
Song Leaders              Ed F., Stephen R.
Musicians                     Stephen R. (guitar), Kathy W. (piano), Ray W.
Greeters                       Dalton & Carol J.
Zoom Host                  Carol R.
A/V Technician         Fazel S.

Adult Discussion Group
returns on September 10.

We will use Sept. 10 for organizing the class; hear what topics they wish to pursue.  If there is time, Ed will begin with the topic – Life and death issues; strange bedfellows.

Call to Worship
(from Romans 12:14–21)

One: As followers of Jesus, we are called

Many: to bless those who persecute us;

One: to rejoice with those who rejoice, and mourn with those who mourn;

Many: to live in harmony with others and not be arrogant.

One: As disciples of the Prince of Peace, we are called

Many: to not repay anyone evil for evil;

One: to, as far as possible, live peaceably with all;

Many: to feed our enemies when they are hungry and offer a drink when they are thirsty.

One: Ours is a hard and holy calling, friends. And so we gather.

Many: We gather for prayer and study.

One: We gather for singing and silence.
 
Many: We gather for encouragement and support.

All: We gather for worship.

Responsive reading

One: Wherever the pride of a few causes harm to many, gracious God,

Many: bring your justice.

One: To those who feel resentment of all that is asked of them, gracious God,

Many: bring your peace.

One: To those who do not receive fair payment and appreciation for their service, gracious God,

Many: bring your justice.

One: In every place where people enact violence against each other, gracious God,

Many: bring your peace.

One: To every heart that is reluctant to share from the bounty you provide, gracious God,

Many: bring your justice.

One: To those who step out toward conflict despite their fear, gracious God,

Many: bring your peace.

One: Gracious God, may your justice rule our world, may your peace guard our hearts.

Scripture Readings

Acts 2:22-36
²² “Fellow Israelites, listen to these words! Jesus the Nazarene was a man whose credentials God proved to you through miracles, wonders, and signs, which God performed through him among you. You yourselves know this. ²³ In accordance with God’s established plan and foreknowledge, he was betrayed. You, with the help of wicked men, had Jesus killed by nailing him to a cross. ²⁴ God raised him up! God freed him from death’s dreadful grip, since it was impossible for death to hang on to him. ²⁵ David says about him,
I foresaw that the Lord was always with me;
because he is at my right hand I won’t be shaken.
²⁶ Therefore, my heart was glad
and my tongue rejoiced.
Moreover, my body will live in hope,
²⁷         because you won’t abandon me to the grave,
nor permit your holy one to experience decay.
²⁸ You have shown me the paths of life;
your presence will fill me with happiness.
²⁹ “Brothers and sisters, I can speak confidently about the patriarch David. He died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this very day. ³⁰ Because he was a prophet, he knew that God promised him with a solemn pledge to seat one of his descendants on his throne. ³¹ Having seen this beforehand, David spoke about the resurrection of Christ, that he wasn’t abandoned to the grave, nor did his body experience decay. ³² This Jesus God raised up. We are all witnesses to that fact. ³³ He was exalted to God’s right side and received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit. He poured out this Spirit, and you are seeing and hearing the results of his having done so. ³⁴ David didn’t ascend into heaven. Yet he says,
The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right side,
³⁵     until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.
³⁶“Therefore, let all Israel know beyond question that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

Matthew 5:38-45
Law of retaliation
³⁸“You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. ³⁹ But I say to you that you must not oppose those who want to hurt you. If people slap you on your right cheek, you must turn the left cheek to them as well. ⁴⁰ When they wish to haul you to court and take your shirt, let them have your coat too. ⁴¹ When they force you to go one mile, go with them two. ⁴² Give to those who ask, and don’t refuse those who wish to borrow from you.

Law of love
⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy. ⁴⁴ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who harass you ⁴⁵ so that you will be acting as children of your Father who is in heaven. He makes the sun rise on both the evil and the good and sends rain on both the righteous and the unrighteous.

DANFORTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

We return to regular Sunday hours
September 10
10:00 adult discussion group/hymn sing
11:00 church service
Hymn sing Sunday will commence in October.

The courtyard had been cleared at the end of May for Doors Open Toronto.  The photo above shows us that weeds love rain.  Thanks to our trustees, Vic and Walter, the courtyard is again ready for use by our congregation and our renters.

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 1:30 p.m.
If you are interested in helping Carol O., please sign up or contact 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 will start working on this next edition in mid September with the deadline of latest – mid December.  The newsletter will be published mid January 2024.

Worship Schedule reminder

September 10
Speaker                    Carol R.
Worship leader   Arjun P.
Song Leader          Stephen R.
Musicians              Roger H. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                 Dalton & Carol J.
ZOOM host           Mike D.
A/V Tech                Murray L.

September 17
Speaker                    Stephen R.
Worship leader   Erma M.
Song Leader          Ed F.
Musicians               Emily L. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                 Anne R., Vic G.
ZOOM host          Bonnie W.
A/V Tech                Mike D.

WIDER CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

You are cordially invited to Toronto United Mennonite Church, 1774 Queen Street East for an Open House Hymn Sing on Saturday, September 9th, 2:00 – 5:00. This will be a celebration of our last three hymn books; Hymnal: A Worship Book, Sing the Journey, Sing the Story. We will journey through our favourites from beginning to the end. Of course, our final hymn will be #118 (606/70) “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”. Come for an hour, or come for a whole afternoon of singing fellowship.

Willowgrove is pleased to be hosting the GTA Mennonite Festival for World Relief this September. Swing by the farm to enjoy traditional Mennonite favourites like rosettes, freshly baked pies, hand-churned ice cream, as well as spring rolls, grilled chicken, back bacon, and more!

After you eat, shop for beautiful crafts, go on a wagon ride, attend a live Quilt auction, and grab some fresh produce.

Tickets are $10 in Advance / $15 Day of (Children 5 and under are free) 

Calling for Volunteers! Please plan now to help take admissions as people arrive. DMC will again welcome guests as they come up the driveway. New this year: a few of us need to be early enough to welcome the other volunteers. Same as before: we collect regular admissions from 10am-4pm. New this year: Willowgrove staff will guide people to their parking spots, so we don’t have that responsibility. Mike will have more details in

1.      Everyone: Please use the “Buy Tickets” link in the announcement to pre-purchase your admission tickets… one per person. It costs less than paying when you arrive.2.      VOLUNTEERS:a.      We need volunteers to start from 9:30am, not 10am. (Some guests arrive early!).b.      We need 4 volunteers per shift. Each shift is 90 minutes, except the final shift from 3:30-4pm.c.       Some volunteers will use their cell phone to take payments. But volunteers without cell phones also have lots to do.d.      Volunteers: please contact Mike for the coupon code that gives you free admission when you register online. You need the code before you click on the “Buy Tickets” link in the announcement

In summary, upcoming events
 
At Danforth

September
9    Men’s breakfast
23  Messy Church

October
3    Healthy Eating
10  Healthy Eating
14  Men’s breakfast
17  Healthy Eating
21  Messy Church
24  Healthy Eating
31  Healthy Eating

November
7    Healthy Eating
11  Men’s breakfast
14  Healthy Eating
21  Healthy Eating
18  Messy Church

December
2  DMC Christmas banquet
12  Healthy Eating

Wider Church

September
9    TUMC Open House Hymn Sing
16  GTA Mennonite Festival at Willowgrove
16 & 17  Danforth East Arts Fair
21  Alpha Marriage Course
23 & 24  Yorkshire Rose Quilt Show
25  MCC Ontario AGM

October
14  Willowgrove 55^th anniversary celebration
14  Danforth Grow Hope tour & dinner
 
November
29  ToTB at Hart House