DANFORTH MENNONITE CHURCH
416-422-2406
Pastor Stephen Reist

We welcome all guests who have joined us.

 

Danforth Mennonite Church
August 6, 2023  10:30 a.m.
Order of Service

Welcome

Call to Worship

Opening hymn:  VT #9  Come Away from Rush and Hurry

Announcements

Offering

Hymn:  VT #117  We Give Thanks unto You

Congregational Prayer

Prayers of the People

Hymn:  VT #557  Spirit of God!  Descend

Scripture reading:  Philippians 4:4-9

Hymn:  VT #533  Quietly, Peacefully

Message: Peace of Heart and Mind

Closing hymn: VT #617  When Peace Like a River

Benediction

 

Leading Us in Worship
Message                              Carol O.
Worship Leader              Bonnie W.
Scripture Reading         Mark C.
Song Leader                     Bonnie W.
Musicians                          Roger H. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                            Leslie S., Carol J.
Zoom Host                       Mike D.
A/V Technician              Fazal S.

 

Call to Worship

One: Let the hearts of those who seek God rejoice.

Many: Again we say, rejoice!

One: Rejoice in God’s continual presence.

Many: Again we say, rejoice!

One: Rejoice in the Creator’s wonderful works.

Many: Again we say, rejoice!

One: Rejoice in God’s peace that surpasses all understanding.

Many: Again we say, rejoice!

One: Let us sing praises to God as we worship together.

Many: Again we say, rejoice!

 

Scripture Reading
Philippians 4:4-9 (NRSVUE)

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. ⁵ Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. ⁹ As for the things that you have learned and received and heard and noticed in me, do them, and the God of peace will be with you.

 

Prayers of the People

One: Holy One, guard our hearts and our minds so that we might think about those things that are true, honorable, just, pure, pleasing, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy.

Many: We pray to you with thanksgiving.

One: For those who are being deceived and those caught up in falsehood,

Many: God of truth, hear our prayer.

One: For those who are oppressed and those who use power unjustly,

Many: God of justice, hear our prayer.

One: For those who suffer and those who cause pain,

Many: God of pleasure, hear our prayer.
 
One: For those who create beauty and those who long to find it,

Many: God, who is worthy of praise, hear our prayer.

One: Receive these prayers for our world, and grant us your peace which surpasses all understanding.

Many: Amen.

 

DANFORTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

Worship Schedule reminder

August 13  Service at Willowgrove
 
August 20
Speaker                    Stephen R.
Worship leader   Linda D.
Song Leader          Ed F.
Musicians               Emily L. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                 Cindy R., Bethany W.
ZOOM host           Bonnie W.
A/V Tech                 Don B.

August 27
Speaker                     John E.
Worship leader    Mike D.
Song Leader           Ed F.
Musicians                Bonnie W. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                  Cindy R., Bethany W.
ZOOM host           Carol R.
A/V Tech                  Roger H.

 

Willowgrove joint service
Sunday, August 13, 2023 

  On Sunday, August 13 you are invited to Willowgrove Farm for the annual GTA Mennonite Fellowship Festival. Worship begins at 10:30am with a potluck lunch to follow. Participate in swimming, camp activities, wagon rides and more. All are welcome to this free event.

Tent camping will be available from 6pm Friday, Aug. 11 until Sunday morning. To book a campsite, please RSVP at rentals@willowgrove.ca.

For information on directions:

https://www.willowgrove.ca/

 

Pastor Stephen Reist
will be on vacation:
July 24 – August 6 

You may contact the church office at 416-422-2406 or Bonnie if you need assistance. Bonnie will
put you in touch with someone who can help.

 

In summary, upcoming events
 
At Danforth
Aug. 1 – 6 Pastor Stephen on vacation
 
Wider Church
August
13  Worship at Willowgrove

September
16  Greater Toronto Area Mennonite Festival at Willowgrove
21  Alpha Marriage Course

DANFORTH MENNONITE CHURCH
416-422-2406
Pastor Stephen Reist

We welcome all guests who have joined us.

 

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

Welcome/Land Acknowledgment

Introduction

Call to Worship

Opening Hymn: HWB #576 If you but trust in God

Announcements

Offering Prayer

Offering

Scripture 1:  Psalm 33:12-22

Hymn:  HWB #580 My life flows on

Congregational Prayer Time

Prayers of the People

Scripture 2:  Luke 21: 1-4  The Widow’s Offering

Scripture 3: Matthew 6:25-34

Hymn:  HWB #324 Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God

Message: Will you allow worry to rob your peace?

Closing hymn: HWB #433  Go my children

Benediction

 

Leading Us in Worship
Message                           Margaret A.
Worship Leader           Sue S.
Song Leader                   Sue S.
Musicians                        Bonnie W. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                          Cindy R., Bethany W.
Zoom Host                     Mike D.
A/V Technician            Murray L.

 

Call to Worship

One: Jesus says, “Do not worry about your life.”

Many: And so we come to worship.

One: Jesus asks, “Is not life more than food and the body more than clothes?”

Many: And so we come to worship.

One: Jesus says, “Look at the birds of the air . . . consider the lilies of the field.”

Many: And so we come to worship.

One: Jesus says, “Seek first the Kingdom of God.”

Many: And so we gather, now, to worship.

 

Scripture Readings

Matthew 6:25-34

Do not worry
²⁵ ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

²⁸ ‘And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. ²⁹ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. ³⁰ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you – you of little faith? ³¹ So do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Psalm 33:12-22

¹² Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
the people he chose for his inheritance.
¹³ From heaven the Lord looks down
and sees all mankind;
¹⁴ from his dwelling-place he watches
all who live on earth –
¹⁵ he who forms the hearts of all,
who considers everything they do.

¹⁶ No king is saved by the size of his army;
no warrior escapes by his great strength.
¹⁷ A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;
despite all its great strength it cannot save.
¹⁸ But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
¹⁹ to deliver them from death
and keep them alive in famine.

²⁰ We wait in hope for the Lord;
he is our help and our shield.
²¹ In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
²² May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,
even as we put our hope in you.

Luke 21:1-4

The widow’s offering
21 As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. ² He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. ³ ‘Truly I tell you,’ he said, ‘this poor widow has put in more than all the others. ⁴ All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.’

 

Prayers of the People

 One: Gracious God, we thank you for all that we receive from the abundance of your earth: for food and water, shelter and clothing, beauty and joy in abundance God of life,

Many: we give you thanks.

One: We thank you that life is more than food and the body more than clothing, that our deepest call and truest peace comes in working with you toward your reign of love on earth. God of life,

Many: we give you thanks.

One: Be with those we hold dear who have more than enough trouble for today—those suffering in body and spirit, those carrying a heavy load of fear and worry. In your mercy, God,

Many: hear our prayer.

One: Be with all people in our community and around the world who worry about what they will eat or what they will drink or where they will sleep or what they will wear. Ease their anxieties and provide for their needs. In your mercy, God,

Many: hear our prayer.

One: Let your church truly seek first your kingdom, offering daily sustenance to those in need and working with you for a world where nobody has need. In your mercy, God,

Many: hear our prayer.

One: Let our leaders be dedicated not to establishing their own power, but to establishing communities that exemplify your love and justice. In your mercy, God,

Many: hear our prayer.

One: Holy One, we thank you for the privilege of coming to you in prayer. As we have shared these prayers with our words, let us carry them in our hearts and live them with our lives.

Many: Amen.

 

A Summer Blessing

May you walk with God
This summer
In whatever you do
Wherever you go

Walking with God means…
Walking with honesty
And with courage,
Walking with love
And respect
And concern for the feelings of others

May you talk to God
This summer
And every day and
In every situation

Talking with God means…
Praying words of praise
For the beauty of creation
Saying prayers of thanks
For friends and good times,
Asking God’s help
In all your decisions
Expressing sorrow
When you have failed

May you talk with God
Every day. Amen.

– Author unknown

 

DANFORTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Picnic Lunch at
Church of the Resurrection

Church of the Resurrection has invited us to join them every Sunday at 12pm after worship services for picnic lunch on their church property (1100 Woodbine Ave – a short walk from our church north of Danforth).  Bring your own lunch and get to know our neighbours.

 

Pastor Stephen Reist
will be on vacation:
July 24 – August 6

You may contact the church office at 416-422-2406 or Bonnie if you need assistance. Bonnie will put you in touch with someone who can help.

 

Do you have an article, an item of interest or photo for our next newsletter?  This issue covers May through August 2023 and is expected to be published mid September.  Contact Bonnie with your information.

 

Worship Schedule reminder

August 6
Speaker                    Carol O.
Worship leader   Bonnie W.
Song Leader          Bonnie W.
Musicians               Roger H. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                 Carol J., Leslie S.
ZOOM host           Mike D.
A/V Tech                 Fazal S.

August 13  Service at Willowgrove
 
August 20
Speaker                     Stephen R.
Worship leader    Arjun P.
Song Leader           Ed F.
Musicians                Kathy W. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                  Cindy R., Bethany W.
ZOOM host           Bonnie W.
A/V Tech                  Don B.

 

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the worship service at Willowgrove on August 13^th. 

 

In summary, upcoming events

At Danforth
July
July 24 – Aug. 6  Pastor Stephen on vacation

Wider Church
August
13  Worship at Willowgrove
September
16  Greater Toronto Area Mennonite Festival at Willowgrove
21  Alpha Marriage Course

DANFORTH MENNONITE CHURCH
416-422-2406
Pastor Stephen Reist

We welcome all guests who have joined us.

 

Danforth Mennonite Church
July 23, 2023  10:30 a.m.
Order of Service

Words of Welcome

Call to Worship & Prayer

Opening Hymn: VT #43     God, Be the Love  

Announcements 

Tithes & Offerings

Offering Prayer (sung):  VT #746  Grant Us, God the Grace

Hymn:  VT #80     We Sing to You, O God

Prayers of the people

Scripture Readings:  Psalm 139, Genesis 2: 15-17, 3: 1-19

Message – Peace within – known and loved

Hymn of Response:  VT #182  I Sing the Mighty Power of God

Benediction

Leading Us in Worship
Message                              Stephen R.
Worship Leader              Dalton J.
Song Leader                      Ed F.
Musicians                           Bonnie W. (piano)
Greeters                             Dalton & Carol J.
Zoom Host                        Carol R.
A/V Technician               Roger H.

Call to Worship

Leader:   We gather now in awe

Women:  of the One who has searched us and known us,
 
Men:  the Alpha and the Omega.

Leader:   We come together in praise

Women:  of the One for whom night is as bright as day,
 
Men:   who was and who is and who is to come.

Leader:   We open ourselves to the presence

Women:  of the One who has formed our inward parts,
 
Men:  the almighty God.

Leader:   So let us lift our hearts and our voices to worship our God,

Women:   who holds us and leads us,
 
Men:   who is still with us—

All: now and always

Scripture Reading

Psalm 139 (The Voice)

For the worship leader. A song of David.
¹ O Eternal One, You have explored my heart and know exactly who I am;
² You even know the small details like when I take a seat and when I stand up again.  Even when I am far away, You know what I’m thinking.
³ You observe my wanderings and my sleeping, my waking and my dreaming, and You know everything I do in more detail than even I know.
⁴ You know what I’m going to say long before I say it.  It is true, Eternal One, that You know everything and everyone.
⁵ You have surrounded me on every side, behind me and before me,
and You have placed Your hand gently on my shoulder.
⁶ It is the most amazing feeling to know how deeply You know me, inside and out; the realization of it is so great that I cannot comprehend it.

⁷ Can I go anywhere apart from Your Spirit?  Is there anywhere I can go to escape Your watchful presence?

⁸ If I go up into heaven, You are there.  If I make my bed in the realm of the dead, You are there.
⁹ If I ride on the wings of morning, if I make my home in the most isolated part of the ocean,
¹⁰ Even then You will be there to guide me; Your right hand will embrace me, for You are always there.
¹¹ Even if I am afraid and think to myself, “There is no doubt that the darkness will swallow me, the light around me will soon be turned to night,”
¹² You can see in the dark, for it is not dark to Your eyes.  For You the night is just as bright as the day.  Darkness and light are the same to Your eyes.

¹³ For You shaped me, inside and out.  You knitted me together in my mother’s womb long before I took my first breath.
¹⁴ I will offer You my grateful heart, for I am Your unique creation, filled with wonder and awe.  You have approached even the smallest details with excellence;  Your works are wonderful; I carry this knowledge deep within my soul.
¹⁵     You see all things; nothing about me was hidden from You
As I took shape in secret, carefully crafted in the heart of the earth before I was born from its womb.
¹⁶ You see all things; You saw me growing, changing in my mother’s womb; Every detail of my life was already written in Your book;
You established the length of my life before I ever tasted the sweetness of it.
¹⁷ Your thoughts and plans are treasures to me, O God! I cherish each and every one of them!  How grand in scope! How many in number!
¹⁸ If I could count each one of them, they would be more than all the grains of sand on earth. Their number is inconceivable!
Even when I wake up, I am still near to You.

Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-19 (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!”

Knowledge, not eternal life
3 The snake was the most intelligent of all the wild animals that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say that you shouldn’t eat from any tree in the garden?”

² The woman said to the snake, “We may eat the fruit of the garden’s trees ³ but not the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden. God said, ‘Don’t eat from it, and don’t touch it, or you will die.’”

⁴ The snake said to the woman, “You won’t die! ⁵ God knows that on the day you eat from it, you will see clearly and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” ⁶ The woman saw that the tree was beautiful with delicious food and that the tree would provide wisdom, so she took some of its fruit and ate it, and also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. ⁷ Then they both saw clearly and knew that they were naked. So they sewed fig leaves together and made garments for themselves.

⁸ During that day’s cool evening breeze, they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden; and the man and his wife hid themselves from the Lord God in the middle of the garden’s trees. ⁹ The Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”

¹⁰ The man replied, “I heard your sound in the garden; I was afraid because I was naked, and I hid myself.”

¹¹ He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Did you eat from the tree, which I commanded you not to eat?”

¹² The man said, “The woman you gave me, she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate.”

¹³ The Lord God said to the woman, “What have you done?!”

And the woman said, “The snake tricked me, and I ate.”

¹⁴ The Lord God said to the snake,

“Because you did this,
you are the one cursed
out of all the farm animals,
out of all the wild animals.
On your belly you will crawl,
and dust you will eat
every day of your life.

¹⁵ I will put contempt

between you and the woman,
between your offspring and hers.
They will strike your head,
but you will strike at their heels.”

¹⁶ To the woman he said,

“I will make your pregnancy very painful; in pain you will bear children.  You will desire your husband, but he will rule over you.”

¹⁷ To the man he said, “Because you listened to your wife’s voice and you ate from the tree that I commanded, ‘Don’t eat from it,’
cursed is the fertile land because of you; in pain you will eat from it
every day of your life.
¹⁸ Weeds and thistles will grow for you, even as you eat the field’s plants;
¹⁹     by the sweat of your face you will eat bread— until you return to the fertile land, since from it you were taken; you are soil,  to the soil you will return.”

DANFORTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

Picnic Lunch at
Church of the Resurrection

Church of the Resurrection has invited us to join them every Sunday at 12pm after worship services for picnic lunch on their church property (1100 Woodbine Ave – a short walk from our church north of Danforth).  Bring your own lunch and get to know our neighbours.

 

 Treasurer’s Report: We received $8,300 in offerings in June. $8,200 is needed each month to meet our 2023 budget. At the half year mark we have an operating deficit of -$600.

In June, a financial crisis need was identified by our Pastor Stephen. A $900 disbursement was made from our Benevolence Fund. We also forwarded $340 to the 90 Teesdale Foodbank from our Foodbank fund.

$355 has been spent from the Spirit of MDS Grant for the “Eat Well, Live Healthy” cooking classes. Carol O. and others volunteer their time to put on these classes.

 

 

Pastor Stephen Reist
will be on vacation:
July 24 – August 6

You may contact the church office at 416-422-2406 or Bonnie if you need assistance. Bonnie will put you in touch with someone who can help.

 

 

Worship Schedule reminder

 July 30
Speaker                    Margaret A.
Worship leader   Sue S.
Song Leader          Sue S.
Musicians               Bonnie W. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                 Bethany W., Cindy R.
ZOOM host           Mike D.
A/V Tech                Murray L.

August 6
Speaker                  Carol O.
Worship leader  Bonnie W.
Song Leader         Bonnie W.
Musicians              Roger H. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                Carol J., Leslie S.
ZOOM host          Mike D.
A/V Tech                Fazal S.

WIDER CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

GTA Mennonite World Relief Sale

September 16, 2023, 10:00am to 4:00pm, Willowgrove Farm, 11737 McCowan Rd, Whitchurch-Stouffville

Did you know that when you attend the Greater Toronto Area Mennonite Festival for World Relief you are changing lives through MCC? Come enjoy traditional (and not so traditional!) Mennonite foods, enjoy family fun activities including wagon rides and shop for beautiful crafts. While you’re there, take a moment to bid on your favourite quilt! More info at mcco.ca/events.

In summary, upcoming events

At Danforth
July
July 24 – Aug. 6  Pastor Stephen on vacation

Wider Church
August
13  Worship at Willowgrove
September
16  Greater Toronto Area Mennonite Festival at Willowgrove
21  Alpha Marriage Course

 

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

 

Danforth Mennonite Church
July 16, 2023  10:30 a.m.
Order of Service

 Prelude VT 6    Let’s walk together

Land acknowledgement

Welcome

Call to Worship

Prayer

Opening hymn: VT 100    Praise Him, praise Him

Announcements

Offering Prayer

Offering 

(Offertory VT 757)

Hymn:  VT #57   Holy Spirit, come with power

Congregational prayer

Scripture:   John 15: 1-17

Hymn:   VT 522      O Blessed Spring

Message:  Abide in Jesus Christ

Closing hymn:   VT 43     God be the Love

Benediction

Postlude:   VT 777

 

 Leading Us in Worship
Message                        Anthony Y.
Worship Leader       Linda D.
Scripture reading    Jessie Y.
Song Leader               Stephen R.
Musician                       Stephen R. (guitar)
Greeters                       Anne R., Vic G.
Zoom Host                  Carol R.
A/V Technician         Roger H.

 

Call to Worship

 One: We have come to meditate on the word of God,
 
Many: that we might be like trees planted by streams of water.
 
One: We have come to listen to the words of Jesus,
 
Many: that we might be branches abiding in the true vine.
 
One: Let us delight in this time of worship,
 
Many: that our joy might be complete.

 

 

Scripture Reading

 John 15:1-15 (NIV)

The Vine and the Branches
15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. ² He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. ³ You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ⁴ Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

⁵ “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. ⁷ If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸ This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

⁹ “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. ¹⁰ If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. ¹¹ I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. ¹² My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. ¹³ Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. ¹⁴ You are my friends if you do what I command. ¹⁵ I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

 

Prayers of the People

One: Indwelling God, some of us feel close to you, connected, grounded. Some of us feel distant, isolated, disoriented. If we are honest, most of us feel all of those things depending on the day or the moment. In whatever we are facing, whatever we are feeling, whatever struggles wait for us in the coming week,

Many: let us abide in you.

One: Gracious God, we carry in our hearts those we love and we lift them to you in prayer. For those who are sick, wounded, in pain: provide healing. For those who are depressed, discouraged, despairing: provide hope. For those who are fearful, confused, upset: provide peace. In whatever struggles they face,

Many: let them abide in you.

One: Compassionate God, we pray also for people in our community, our nation, and our world who are not living within the fullness of your love and joy. We pray that those who grieve would be comforted; that those who hunger would be filled; that those who seek shelter would find it; that those who live in the midst of violence would be delivered to safety. For all who face struggles in this world,

Many: let them abide in you.

One: Righteous God, guide those who lead organizations, corporations, and governments. Let the work they do, the decisions they make, and the policies they enact be born of wisdom and move us all toward love and justice. As these leaders take actions that affect many lives,

Many: let them abide in you.

One: Holy God, we pray today for this broad and beautiful and broken world. May your love be evident. May our joy be complete.

Many: Let us all abide in you.

All: Amen.

 

DANFORTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Picnic Lunch at
Church of the Resurrection

Church of the Resurrection has invited us to join them every Sunday at 12pm after worship services for picnic lunch on their church property (1100 Woodbine Ave – a short walk from our church north of Danforth).  Bring your own lunch and get to know our neighbours.

 

 

Continued prayers…

Please continue to uphold Sarah, Kathy, and Jim W. in your prayers as they grieve the loss of Sarah’s partner Rod from the tragic car accident this past Tuesday.  Your messages of support are appreciated.

 

Treasurer’s Report: We received $8,300 in offerings in June. $8,200 is needed each month to meet our 2023 budget. At the half year mark we have an operating deficit of -$600. 
 
In June, a financial crisis need was identified by our Pastor Stephen. A $900 disbursement was made from our Benevolence Fund. We also forwarded $340 to the 90 Teesdale Foodbank from our Foodbank fund.
 
$355 has been spent from the Spirit of MDS Grant for the “Eat Well, Live Healthy” cooking classes. Carol O. and others volunteer their time to put on these classes.

 

Pastor Stephen Reist
will be on vacation July 24 – August 6

 You may contact the church office at 416-422-2406 or Bonnie if you need assistance. Bonnie will put you in touch with someone who can help.

 

Worship Schedule reminder

July 23
Speaker                     Stephen R.
Worship leader    Dalton J.
Song Leader           Ed F.
Musicians                Kathy W. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                  Anne R., Vic G.
ZOOM host           Bonnie W.
A/V Tech                 Don B.

July 30
Speaker                    Margaret A.
Worship leader   Sue S.
Song Leader          Sue S.
Musicians               Bonnie B. (piano)
Greeters                 Bethany W., Cindy R.
ZOOM host          Mike D.
A/V Tech                Murray L.

 

WIDER CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Save the date: Alpha Marriage Course begins Thursday Sept 21, 2023 at 7:00 PM
 
The ALPHA Marriage Course is for couples seeking to strengthen their relationship. It is a series of seven sessions, designed to help couples invest in their relationship and build a strong marriage. The course offers essential tools for improving both communication skills and approaches towards resolving differences based on Christian principles. The Marriage Course is designed for all couples with or without church background.
 
This Marriage Course will be online. The seven weekly sessions videos are 45 minutes in length, with additional breaks for private conversations between the couple. Each episode explores a different topic through real experiences, expert insights, and relevant teaching.
 
Ask our pastor Roberson M. for the Zoom link. Send an email to hagermanpastor @ gmail.com Watch this short video to get an idea of what you can expect when you both attend The Marriage Course.

https://themarriagecourse.org/try/the-marriage-course

 

GTA Mennonite World Relief Sale

September 16, 2023, 10:00am to 4:00pm, Willowgrove Farm,
11737 McCowan Rd, Whitchurch-Stouffville

Did you know that when you attend the Greater Toronto Area Mennonite Festival for World Relief you are changing lives through MCC? Come enjoy traditional (and not so traditional!) Mennonite foods, enjoy family fun activities including wagon rides and shop for beautiful crafts. While you’re there, take a moment to bid on your favourite quilt! More info at mcco.ca/events.

 

In summary, upcoming events

 

At Danforth
July
July 23  Potluck lunch – Farewell Anthony & Jessie
July 24 – Aug. 6  Pastor Stephen on vacation

Wider Church
August
13  Worship at Willowgrove
 
September
16  Greater Toronto Area Mennonite Festival at Willowgrove
21  Alpha Marriage Course