DANFORTH MENNONITE CHURCH
416-422-2406
Pastor Stephen Reist
We welcome all guests who have joined us.
Danforth Mennonite Church
December 31, 2023
Order of Service
Land Acknowledgement
Welcome
Call to Worship
Hymn VT #95 “Praise the Lord, Sing Hallelujah”
Announcements
Offering
Offering Prayer
Hymn VT #715 “Longing for Light”
Congregational Prayer
Scripture Luke 2: 22-40
Hymn VT #213 “Poor of the Earth”
Message: How will we know?
Hymn of Response VT #240 “Joy to the World”
Benediction/Candle Lighting
Leading Us in Worship
Message Carol O.
Worship Leader Linda D.
Song Leader Kathy W.
Musicians Jessica M. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters Dalton & Carol J.
Zoom Host Bonnie W.
A/V Technician Mike D.
There will not be an Adult Discussion Group this Sunday morning
Call to Worship
Leader: Simeon took Jesus in his arms and praised God, saying, “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”
Women: At that moment, Anna, a widow who worshiped at the temple with fasting and prayer night and day,
Men: began to praise God and to speak about the child to everyone who was looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
Leader: The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him.
People: Our long wait is finally over!
(pause)
All: Together we rejoice.
Scripture Reading
Luke 2:22-40
Jesus Is Presented in the Temple
22 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), 24 and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
29 “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word, 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”
33 And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed 35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul, too.”
36 There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 At that moment she came and began to praise God and to speak about the child[d] to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
The Return to Nazareth
39 When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon him.
Candle lighting/benediction
Leader: Together we rejoice!
All: Our waiting is over!
Leader: We’ve seen the One, the light to all peoples, who grew in strength and is filled with wisdom. The favor of God is upon him! Go! Rejoice! God is here!
DANFORTH ANNOUNCEMENTS
Congregational Survey: Inclusion of 2SLGBTQ+ at
Danforth Mennonite Church
The survey is now available in your church mail slot and was also emailed to you. Please complete the survey at your earliest convenience and either reply by email or place it in the box in the foyer no later than January 7th. If you have questions, please contact Pastor Stephen.
Ladies Walking group
starts up on January 16th.
DMC
Annual Business Meeting
Sunday, February 4, 2024
Committee chairs: Please submit your reports to Bonnie by January 17th.
Everyone is welcome to attend the Annual Business Meeting and participate in the discussion. You are welcome to vote if you have been participating at DMC, and plan to continue doing so in the future.
Worship Schedule reminder
January 7
Speaker Carol O.
Worship leader Cindy R.
Song Leader Kathy W.
Musicians Roger H. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters Fazal & Leslie S.
ZOOM host Bonnie W.
A/V Tech Don B.
January 14
Speaker Stephen R.
Worship leader Mike D.
Song Leader Ed F.
Musicians Kathy W. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters Fazal & Leslie S.
ZOOM host Carol R.
A/V Tech Roger H.
In summary, upcoming events
At Danforth
January
7 2SLGBTQ+ survey deadline
12 2SLGBTQ+ survey results
14 2SLGBTQ+ Congregational meeting
16 Ladies walking group
17 AGM package reports due to Admin. Asst.
February
4 DMC AGM