Sunday, December 8, 2024 bulletin

DANFORTH MENNONITE CHURCH
416-422-2406

 We welcome all guests who have joined us.

 

Danforth Mennonite Church
December 8, 2024   11:00 a.m.
Order of Service

 

Lighting the candle of PEACE

Words of Welcome

Call to Worship & Prayer

Hymn: VT #57  Holy Spirit, Come with Power

Announcements

Offering and prayer VT #1015

Hymn:  VT #258  Love Has Come

Congregational prayer

Hymn: VT #533     Quietly, Peacefully

Scripture reading:  Joel 2:12-22, 28-32, Luke 11:9-13

Message:  What will you ask for?

Benediction:  VT #839 Go Ye Now in Peace

 

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

 

December Hymn of the month   VT #258   Love Has Come

 

Adult Discussion Class
Coffee will be served

This Sunday the Adult Discussion group will be looking at our program for 2025.  We would like your input on what we would like to do – topics, book study, etc.
All are welcome to join us in the sanctuary at 10:00 a.m.

 

Call to worship
based on Joel 2:12-13

 

Leader: Let us return to the Lord with all our hearts.

People: With our whole heart?

Leader: The hurting and hurtful part? The bleeding and empty part?

People:   The sewn-up-tight-don’t-come-in heart part?

All: With our whole heart, with all our hearts we come to worship the Lord God,

Leader: whose merciful compassion, abundant patience, and faithful forgiving love meet us in our need.

 

Scripture Reading
Joel 2:12-22, 28-32

Change your hearts
12 Yet even now, says the Lord,
return to me with all your hearts,
with fasting, with weeping, and with sorrow;
13 tear your hearts
and not your clothing.
Return to the Lord your God,
for he is merciful and compassionate,
very patient, full of faithful love,
and ready to forgive.
14 Who knows whether he will have a change of heart
and leave a blessing behind him,
a grain offering and a drink offering
for the Lord your God?
15 Blow the horn in Zion;
demand a fast;
request a special assembly.
16 Gather the people;
prepare a holy meeting;
assemble the elders;
gather the children,
even nursing infants.
Let the groom leave his room
and the bride her chamber.
17 Between the porch and the altar
let the priests, the Lord’s ministers, weep.
Let them say, “Have mercy, Lord, on your people,
and don’t make your inheritance a disgrace,
an example of failure among the nations.
Why should they say among the peoples,
‘Where is their God?’”

Words of compassion and promise
18 Then the Lord became passionate about this land, and had pity on his people.
19 The Lord responded to the people:
See, I am sending you
the corn, new wine, and fresh oil,
and you will be fully satisfied by it;
and I will no longer make you
a disgrace among the nations.
20 I will remove the northern army far from you
and drive it into a dried-up and desolate land,
its front into the eastern sea,
and its rear into the western sea.
Its stench will rise up;
its stink will come to the surface.
The Lord is about to do great things!
21 Don’t fear, fertile land;
rejoice and be glad,
for the Lord is about to do great things!
22 Don’t be afraid, animals of the field,
for the meadows of the wilderness will turn green;
the tree will bear its fruit;
the fig tree and grapevine will give their full yield.

28 After that I will pour out my spirit upon everyone;
your sons and your daughters will prophesy,
your old men will dream dreams,
and your young men will see visions.
29 In those days, I will also pour out my
spirit on the male and female slaves.

30 I will give signs in the heavens and on the earth—blood and fire and columns of smoke. 31 The sun will be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood before the great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. 32 But everyone who calls on the Lord’s name will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be security, as the Lord has promised; and in Jerusalem, the Lord will summon those who survive.

Luke 11:9-13
9 And I tell you: Ask and you will receive. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 Everyone who asks, receives. Whoever seeks, finds. To everyone who knocks, the door is opened.

11 “Which father among you would give a snake to your child if the child asked for a fish? 12 If a child asked for an egg, what father would give the child a scorpion? 13 If you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”

 

DANFORTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

The choir will be singing at our service on December 22nd. All are welcome. There will be a practice during the pre-service singing on Sunday, December 15th as well as a short practice after church on December 15thWe are singing VT# 242 – Night Long Awaited.

See Kathy W. if you have any questions.

 

Treasurer’s Report: We received $11,557 in offerings in November. We need $8,114 in offerings to meet our 2024 budget. These November donations along with the absence of a paid Pastor have led to a $40,457 operating surplus to the end of November.
 
In November we sent a $550 cheque to the Nourish East End Food Bank. This money was raised during our Thanksgiving Food Bank drive. There has now been an additional $800 donated to our Food Bank fund. We will be passing on our Food Bank donations to the 40 Teesdale Food Bank and the Nourish East End Food Bank by the end of the year. Our Food Bank fund is open for donations year around. Please designate your donation “Food Bank” to support this need.
 
Donations to Danforth Mennonite Church are always welcome through Sunday morning offerings, mailed cheques or email transfers at dmmc2174@gmail.com. Please contact Roger H.if you would like to join the monthly giving program which happens through bank transfers on the 15th of each month. Thank you to all for your generous support for the work of our church.

It’s early but I am updating the contact section of the DMC Directory for 2025 in hopes of having it ready for our new Pastor when he joins us. The booklet will be on the lobby table.  Please review and make any necessary changes, and initial that you want the information in the directory.

I will contact those of you who can’t come to the church building.

 

 

Please remit any DMC related expenses to Roger H. before December 15th.   We want to pay out all expenses before year end.

 

Please let us know how many are attending from your group/family.  What are you bringing? 
The sign-up sheet will be posted on the bulletin board. 
There will also be a second sign-up sheet for volunteers for setting up tables, greeting etc. 

Containers wanted for leftovers

 

Danforth Mennonite Church
Annual General meeting
February 2, 2025

Dates to note:

  • submissions no later than January 15
  • AGM booklet will be emailed out January 22
  • printed copies upon request  – will be available January 26 (Sunday before the meeting)

 

Christmas Giving Tree –  2024

In the weeks leading up to Christmas we will be collecting items of clothing suitable for the season (hats, scarves, mitts, socks) and non-perishable food items. These will be dropped off for distribution to struggling families in the Taylor/Massey Community. Non-perishable food items will be shared with the Nourish East End Food Bank program. $$ donations via the church, and earmarked for the institution you desire will also be forwarded to Nourish East End Food Bank and/or Teesdale Community Foodbank which helps them purchase needed scarce items such as meat and milk.

Let us think about food and clothing scarcity and how we can help to make a difference.

The Christmas giving tree is set up in the sanctuary.  Please hang up your gifts on the tree or drop off your donations in the bins.
Thank you for your generosity.

Let’s fill the tree with mittens.

 

Ladies Walking group

We will be visiting Allan Gardens with plans to meet there at 10:30 a.m.  We are carpooling and some are going by TTC.

If you need a ride, please contact Bonnie.

 

From Canadian Mennonite:  With the Canada Post strike, your December print issue will be delayed. Sign up for digital delivery to get it by email on November 29. CM sends an email each Friday and attaches a PDF copy of the magazine once per month. Contact Lorna at office@canadianmennonite.org.

 

Who We Support

 In December Church Council will be reviewing the financial support in our budget for other charities beyond our congregation. Currently our core support is for St. Clair O’Connor Community ($2,500 for Chaplaincy Support) and the Mennonite Conference of Eastern Canada ($3,060). We also support MCC Ontario, New Life Centre, Sanctuary Toronto, Willowgrove and Theatre of the Beat ($300 each). In 2023 we added the purchase of 1 acre of crop for the World Grains Food Bank through a project with other local churches known as Danforth Grow Hope ($600).

Church Council and the Finance Committee is inviting input from the congregation in this process. Is there a charitable organization that reflects our values and identity that you feel Danforth should add for financial support? Would you like to see a different mixture in our support? Should the dollar amount for our support be changed?

Please contact a council member by December 8th with your suggestions. They are Mike D., Donna A., Don B. and Roger H.

 

Worship Schedule reminder

December 15
Message                  Carol O.
Worship leader   Erma M.
Song Leader          Dalton J.
Musicians              Jessica M. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                 Cindy R., Bethany W.
ZOOM host          Mike D.
A/V Tech                Murray L.

December 22
Message                Carol O.
Worship leader Mike D.
Song Leader        Sue S.
Musicians             Kathy W. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                Leslie S., Tessa R.
ZOOM host         Bonnie W.
A/V Tech                Roger H.

 

WIDER CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Sunday services
Come, let us worship together

The St. Clair O’Connor Community invites everyone at DMC to join us for a

Service of Carols & Readings
On Sunday Dec. 15 at 7 pm.

Please note … we are hoping to sing Carols with the Long-Term Care residents at 6:30 that evening and will confirm this in the days leading up to the 15th.

Thank you for circling this event on your calendar. The residents at SCOC are most appreciative of our support.

 

In Summary, upcoming events:

At Danforth

December
7  Messy Church
11  Ladies walking group – Allan Gardens
14  Men’s breakfast
14  DMC Christmas banquet
24  DMC Christmas Eve service
February
2  DMC AGM

Wider Church

December
15 SCOC service of Carols and readings

Community corner

December
7  Pax Chorale Christmas through the Ages
8  Toronto Beach Chorale concert
16 & 17  Messiah  in Uxbridge

Sunday, December 1, 2024 bulletin

DANFORTH MENNONITE CHURCH
416-422-2406

We welcome all guests who have joined us.

 

Danforth Mennonite Church
December 1, 2024   11:00 a.m.
Order of Service

 

Lighting the candle of HOPE

Words of Welcome

Call to Worship & Prayer

Hymn:  VT #210       O Come. O Come, Immanuel

Announcements

Hymn: # 258   Love Has Come

Introduction to the theme

Prayers of the People

Hymn:  VT #553     How Many Times We Start Again

Message:  We Are On Our Way To Christmas

Hymn of Response: #443   I Have Decided to Follow Jesus

Benediction

Leading Us in Worship
Message                            Tim R.
Worship Leader            Dalton J.
Song Leader                    Sue S.
Musician                           Roger H. (piano), Kathy W. (organ),
Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                            Carol J., Leslie S.
Zoom Host                       Bonnie W.
A/V Technician              Mike D.

December hymn of the month:  VT #258  Love Has Come

 

It’s Hymn Sing this Sunday
and December 15th.

All are welcome to join us in the sanctuary
at 10:00 a.m.

 

Call to worship

Leader: Responding to the call of the living God,

People: our rescuer and Savior,

Leader: we welcome the Holy Spirit’s presence,

People: among and within us.

Leader:  In the name of Jesus, our risen Lord,

All: we offer ourselves in worship.

 

Scripture Reading

Daniel 6: 6-27 (NIV)
6 So these administrators and satraps went as a group to the king and said: “May King Darius live forever! 7 The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, Your Majesty, shall be thrown into the lions’ den. 8 Now, Your Majesty, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” 9 So King Darius put the decree in writing.

10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. 11 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. 12 So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions’ den?”

The king answered, “The decree stands—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”

13 Then they said to the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.” 14 When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him.

15 Then the men went as a group to King Darius and said to him, “Remember, Your Majesty, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed.”

16 So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!”

17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed. 18 Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep.

19 At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. 20 When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?”

21 Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! 22 My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”

23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

24 At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

25 Then King Darius wrote to all the nations and peoples of every language in all the earth:

“May you prosper greatly!

26 “I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel.

“For he is the living God
and he endures forever;
his kingdom will not be destroyed,
his dominion will never end.
27 He rescues and he saves;
he performs signs and wonders
in the heavens and on the earth.
He has rescued Daniel
from the power of the lions.”

 

DANFORTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

It’s early but I am updating the contact section of the DMC Directory for 2025 in hopes of having it ready for our new Pastor when he joins us. The booklet will be on the lobby table.  Please review and make any necessary changes, and initial that you want the information in the directory.

I will contact those of you who can’t come to the church building.

 

 

Please let us know how many are attending from your group/family.  What are you bringing? 

The sign-up sheet will be posted on the bulletin board. 

There will also be a second sign-up sheet for volunteers for setting up tables, greeting etc. 

Containers wanted for leftovers

 

 

Please remit any DMC related expenses to Roger H. before December 15th.   We want to pay out all expenses before year-end.

 

 

Christmas Giving Tree –  2024

In the weeks leading up to Christmas we will be collecting items of clothing suitable for the season (hats, scarves, mitts, socks) and non-perishable food items. These will be dropped off for distribution to struggling families in the Taylor/Massey Community. Non-perishable food items will be shared with the Nourish East End Food Bank program. $$ donations via the church, and earmarked for the institution you desire will also be forwarded to Nourish East End Food Bank and/or Teesdale Community Foodbank which helps them purchase needed scarce items such as meat and milk.

Let us think about food and clothing scarcity and how we can help to make a difference.

The Christmas giving tree is set up in the sanctuary.  Please hang up your gifts on the tree or drop off your donations in the bins.

Thank you for your generosity.

 

 

Ladies Walking group

We won’t be walking on December 3rd BUT we will be visiting Allan Gardens on December 11th.  Details will follow next week.

 

 From Canadian Mennonite:  With the Canada Post strike, your December print issue will be delayed. Sign up for digital delivery to get it by email on November 29. CM sends an email each Friday and attaches a PDF copy of the magazine once per month. Contact Lorna at office@canadianmennonite.org.

 

 

Who We Support

  In December Church Council will be reviewing the financial support in our budget for other charities beyond our congregation. Currently our core support is for St. Clair O’Connor Community ($2,500 for Chaplaincy Support) and the Mennonite Conference of Eastern Canada ($3,060). We also support MCC Ontario, New Life Centre, Sanctuary Toronto, Willowgrove and Theatre of the Beat ($300 each). In 2023 we added the purchase of 1 acre of crop for the World Grains Food Bank through a project with other local churches known as Danforth Grow Hope ($600).

Church Council and the Finance Committee is inviting input from the congregation in this process. Is there a charitable organization that reflects our values and identity that you feel Danforth should add for financial support? Would you like to see a different mixture in our support? Should the dollar amount for our support be changed?

Please contact a council member by December 8th with your suggestions. They are Mike D., Donna A., Don B. and Roger H.

 

 

Worship Schedule reminder

December 8
Message                 Margaret A.
Worship leader  Bonnie W.
Song Leader         Sue S.
Musicians               Bonnie W. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                 Cindy R., Bethany W.
ZOOM host          Mike D.
A/V Tech                 Fazal S.

December 15
Message                   Carol O.
Worship leader    Erma M.
Song Leader           Dalton J.
Musicians                Jessica M. (piano),Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                  Cindy R., Bethany W.
ZOOM host           Mike D.
A/V Tech                  Murray L.

 

 

WIDER CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Sunday services

 Come, let us worship together

The St. Clair O’Connor Community invites everyone at DMC to join us for a

 Service of Carols & Readings

On Sunday Dec. 15 at 7 pm.

Please note … we are hoping to sing Carols with the Long-Term Care residents at 6:30 that evening and will confirm this in the days leading up to the 15th.

Thank you for circling this event on your calendar. The residents at SCOC are most appreciative of our support.

 

 

In Summary, upcoming events:

At Danforth

December
7  Messy Church
11  Ladies walking group – Allan Gardens
14  Men’s breakfast
14  DMC Christmas banquet
24  DMC Christmas Eve service

February
2  DMC AGM

Wider Church

December
15 SCOC service of Carols and readings

Community corner

November
29  Holiday concert (Ray W.)
30  Pax Chorale Children’s Messiah

December
4 & 7  Pax Chorale Christmas through the Ages
8  Toronto Beach Chorale concert
16 & 17  Messiah  in Uxbridge

 

 

Sunday, November 24, 2024 bulletin

DANFORTH MENNONITE CHURCH
416-422-2406

We welcome all guests who have joined us.

 

Danforth Mennonite Church
November 24, 2024   11:00 a.m.
Order of Service

Land Acknowledgement

Welcome

Opening Prayer

Hymn: VT #28   Come Christians Join to Sing

Announcements

Offering Prayer

Hymn: VT #631   Take Thou my hand

Congregational Prayer

Prayer VT #922

Scripture reading:   2nd Corinthians 1:3-7

Hymn: VT #643   Come Ye Disconsolate

Message:  God’ Comfort

Hymn of Response: VT #621  My Hope is Built on Nothing Less

Benediction

 

Leading Us in Worship
Message                             Carol O.
Worship Leader             Linda D.
Song Leader                     Kathy W.
Musician                            Roger H. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                             Dalton & Carol J.
Zoom Host                        Bonnie W.
A/V Technician               Don B.

 

November Hymn of the month:  VT #28  Come Christians, Join to Sing

 

Adult Class: Looking Back, Looking Forward

This will be the last class with John. We will review and reflect on the past year with an eye to future directions for the Adult Class.

All are invited, all are necessary, all are welcome

 

Scripture Reading
2 Corinthians   2:3-7 (NRSVUE)

3 And I wrote as I did, so that when I came, I might not suffer grief from those who should have made me rejoice, for I am confident about all of you, that my joy would be the joy of all of you. 4 For I wrote you out of much distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you grief but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.

Forgiveness for the Offender
5 But if anyone has caused grief, he has caused it not to me but to some extent—not to exaggerate it—to all of you. 6 This punishment by the majority is enough for such a person; 7 so now instead you should forgive and console him, so that he may not be overwhelmed by even worse grief.

 

DANFORTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Ladies Walking group

On Tuesday, November 26th at 10:30 am (weather permitting), we will meet at Pine Hills Cemetery
The entrance is on the east side of Birchmount.  Park in the lot facing the front doors of the building.

An email will go out on Monday November 25th 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.

 

From Canadian Mennonite:  With the Canada Post strike, your December print issue will be delayed. Sign up for digital delivery to get it by email on November 29. CM sends an email each Friday and attaches a PDF copy of the magazine once per month. Contact Lorna at office@canadianmennonite.org.

 

 

Please let us know how many are attending from your group/family.  What are you bringing? 
The sign-up sheet will be posted on the bulletin board. 
There will also be a second sign-up sheet for volunteers for setting up tables, greeting etc. 

Containers wanted for leftovers

 

Who We Support

 In December Church Council will be reviewing the financial support in our budget for other charities beyond our congregation. Currently our core support is for St. Clair O’Connor Community ($2,500 for Chaplaincy Support) and the Mennonite Conference of Eastern Canada ($3,060). We also support MCC Ontario, New Life Centre, Sanctuary Toronto, Willowgrove and Theatre of the Beat ($300 each). In 2023 we added the purchase of 1 acre of crop for the World Grains Food Bank through a project with other local churches known as Danforth Grow Hope ($600).

Church Council and the Finance Committee is inviting input from the congregation in this process. Is there a charitable organization that reflects our values and identity that you feel Danforth should add for financial support? Would you like to see a different mixture in our support? Should the dollar amount for our support be changed?

Please contact a council member by December 8th with your suggestions. They are Mike D., Donna A., Don B. and Roger H.

 

Worship Schedule reminder

December 1
Message                   Tim R.
Worship leader   Dalton J.
Song Leader          Sue S.
Musicians               Roger H. (piano), Kathy W. (organ), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                 Carol J., Leslie S.
ZOOM host          Bonnie W.
A/V Tech                 Mike D.

December 8
Message                   Margaret A.
Worship leader    Bonnie W.
Song Leader          Sue S.
Musicians              Bonnie W. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                 Cindy R., Bethany W.
ZOOM host          Mike D.
A/V Tech                 Fazal S.

 

WIDER CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Sunday services
Please join us at 7:00 p.m.

Nov. 24 – Liturgical Prayers and Hymns

Our residents are most appreciative when DMC folks join us for worship.
All are welcome!

Come, let us worship together
The St. Clair O’Connor Community invites everyone at DMC to join us for a
Service of Carols & Readings
On Sunday Dec. 15 at 7 pm.

Please note … we are hoping to sing Carols with the Long-Term Care residents at 6:30 that evening and will confirm this in the days leading up to the 15th.
Thank you for circling this event on your calendar. The residents at SCOC are most appreciative of our support.

 

In Summary, upcoming events:

At Danforth

November
26  Ladies walking group – Pine Hills Cemetery
December
3  Ladies walking group – Guild Inn
7  Messy Church
11  Ladies walking group – Allan Gardens
14  Men’s breakfast
14  DMC Christmas banquet

Wider Church

November
24  SCOC service
December
15 SCOC service of Carols and readings

Community corner

November
29  Holiday concert (Ray W.)
30  Pax Chorale Children’s Messiah
December
4 & 7  Pax Chorale Christmas through the Ages
8  Toronto Beach Chorale concert

Sunday, November 17, 2024 bulletin

DANFORTH MENNONITE CHURCH
416-422-2406

We welcome all guests who have joined us.

 

Danforth Mennonite Church
November 17, 2024   11:00 a.m.
Order of Service

Welcome

Call to Worship 

Opening Hymn:  VT #28   Come Christians, Join to Sing

Introduction

A blessing for those who keep watch over the sick
By Kate Bowler

Announcements

Offering Prayer

Congregational Prayer Time

Hymn:  VT #456   Oceans

Scripture readings:  Psalm 13:1-5, Isaiah 43:1-5

Hymn:  VT #306   I Want Jesus to Walk With Me

Message:  Good Grief?

Closing hymn:  VT #644 Healer of our every ill

Benediction

Leading Us in Worship
Message                             Lisa W.
Worship Leader             Sue S.
Song Leader                     Sue S.
Musician                            Jessica M. (piano)
Greeters                             Wilda S., Anne R.
Zoom Host                        Bonnie W.
A/V Technician               Roger H.

November hymn of the month:  VT #28  Come Christians, Join to Sing

Adult Discussion Class: The Stone Rejected

A remarkable healing. The resurrection from the dead is proclaimed but the disciples land up in prison. What’s at stake then and now? This week we look into chapter 4 of the Book of Acts, catching another glimpse of the early church.

All are invited, All are needed, All are welcome

 

Call to Worship

Leader: We have gathered in this place to worship,

People: because Jesus invites us to come.

Leader: We come as we are, with our faith and our doubts,
with our successes and our failures,

People: because Jesus invites us to come.

Leader: We come with what we have, bringing with us the events and experiences of this past week,
 
People: because Jesus invites us to come.

Leader: “Come to me,” Jesus says, “all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29)

All: Let’s worship God together!

Christine Longhurst (Canada), 2020. reworship,blogspot.com
Creative Commons: Attribution Non-Commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-4.0)

 

A blessing for those who keep watch over the sick
Kate Bowler

https://katebowler.com/blessings/a-blessing-for-those-who-keep-watch-over-the-sick/

Sometimes love isn’t enough.
It can’t save them, save us,
save the life we had together. We are finite.
And so much is out of our control.

So bless the ones with the courage
to walk all the way to the edge,
who peer over the cliff . . .
and feel the updraft of the abyss,
and who will do it all over again tomorrow.

Blessed are the hospital-room-organizers and question-askers
and the more-ice-chips-please-gatherers.
The absolutely, yes, this hard-backed chair is
perfectly comfortable sleepers
and over-the-top pray-ers and
weekly-infusion-companioners.

Blessed are the cool-cloth bringers
and the wake-up-to-get-the-meds alarmists
and the I-don’t-mind-taking-you-to-the-bathroom carriers,
guarding others from their own humiliation.

Blessed are the ones who stand,
unblinking into the truth.

No matter how terrifying,
no matter how life-altering.
No matter how inconvenient or unbecoming.
No matter how much it costs them.
Because that is the kind of love that sticks.

Blessed are the hand-holders and truth-carriers,
for they will walk us to the end
before they have to let go.

*From our new book of blessings, THE LIVES WE ACTUALLY HAVE (2/14/23)

 

Scripture Reading

Isaiah 43:1-5

Israel’s Only Savior
43 But now, this is what the Lord says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
Cush and Seba in your stead.
4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you,
nations in exchange for your life.
5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east
and gather you from the west.

Psalm 13

For the director of music. A psalm of David.
1 How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?

3 Look on me and answer, Lord my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,
4 and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.

5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.

Other scripture passages on this topic can be found here:
https://www.openbible.info/topics/grief_and_sorrow

 

Musée des Beaux Arts

  • H. Auden

About suffering they were never wrong,
The old Masters: how well they understood
Its human position: how it takes place
While someone else is eating or opening a window or just walking dully along;
How, when the aged are reverently, passionately waiting
For the miraculous birth, there always must be
Children who did not specially want it to happen, skating
On a pond at the edge of the wood:
They never forgot
That even the dreadful martyrdom must run its course
Anyhow in a corner, some untidy spot
Where the dogs go on with their doggy life and the torturer’s horse
Scratches its innocent behind on a tree.

In Bruegel’s Icarus, for instance: how everything turns away
Quite leisurely from the disaster; the ploughman may
Have heard the splash, the forsaken cry,
But for him it was not an important failure; the sun shone
As it had to on the white legs disappearing into the green
Water, and the expensive delicate ship that must have seen
Something amazing, a boy falling out of the sky,
Had somewhere to get to and sailed calmly on.

 

DANFORTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Ladies Walking group

On Tuesday, November 19th at 10:30 am (weather permitting), we will meet at Taylor Creek Park. 
The entrance is on the west side of Dawes Road.

An email will go out on Monday November 18th 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.

 

 

INVITATION from DMC
OUTREACH & SERVICE COMMITTEE

On May 28, 2023, the preliminary findings of 215+ children buried at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School prompted an immediate response from The Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund… 

The 215+ Pledge Call to Action

On May 7, 2024, church member Cindy R. contacted the O&S Committee, asking if the 215+ Pledge is something we want to ask the congregation about supporting.

In August O&S discussed initial plans. Each of us took the Pledge as individuals. As a committee, we sought guidance from Church Council on our ideas to fulfill our Pledge and to then approach the congregation.

We thank Council for their careful consideration and ongoing communications as we move forward.

WE ARE ALL
TREATY PEOPLE
faced with the troubling reality of our shared history and what to do about it.
We can empower ourselves and
DO SOMETHING

The DMC Outreach and Service Committee invites you to take the Pledge.
To learn more, go to 215pledge.ca
Individually, you can decide on how to honour your Pledge.

The O&S committee has chosen the action of educating ourselves and others about the true history of residential schools, colonization, and the unique rights and interests of Indigenous peoples.

To learn more about the ways in which we are moving towards RECONCILIATION, and how you can become involved, please approach Leslie S.

 

Treasurer’s Report: 

We received $5,102 in offerings in October. We are now $17,299 below our budgeted offering number, but due mostly to the absence of a paid Pastor we have a $31,803 operating surplus to the end of October.

In September and October there has been $550 donated towards our Foodbank Fund. Although the fund is open for donations all year, during the Thanksgiving season the Outreach and Service Committee initiated a special drive to support the needs of Foodbanks in our area. The Nourish East End Foodbank will receive our cheque of $550.

The John Gurr Memorial Fund was used to purchase an Anabaptist Community Bible for Danforth. The Bible cost $72.00 and will be shipped in January 2025. The John Gurr Fund was also used to purchase a keyboard and stand at the recent SCOC yard sale. The SCOC Long Term Care Family Council has received the $100 that was paid for the keyboard.

Donations to Danforth Mennonite Church are always welcome through Sunday morning offerings, mailed cheques or email transfers at dmmc2174@gmail.com. Please contact Roger H. if you would like to join the monthly giving program which happens through bank transfers on the 15th of each month. Thank you to all for your generous support for the work of our church.

 

 

Please let us know how many are attending from your group/family.  What are you bringing? 
The sign-up sheet will be posted on the bulletin board. 
There will also be a second sign-up sheet for volunteers for setting up tables, greeting etc. 

Containers wanted for leftovers

 

Worship Schedule reminder

November 24
Message                  Carol O.
Worship leader   Linda D.
Song Leader          Sue S.
Musicians               Roger H. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                 Dalton & Carol J.
ZOOM host          Bonnie W.
A/V Tech                Don B.

December 1
Message                    Tim R.
Worship leader     Dalton J.
Song Leader            Sue S.
Musicians                 Roger H. (piano), Kathy W. (organ), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters                   Carol J., Leslie S.
ZOOM host            Bonnie W.
A/V Tech                   Mike D.

 

 

WIDER CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Sunday services

Please join us at 7:00 p.m.

Nov. 17 – Hymn Sing
Nov. 24 – Liturgical Prayers and Hymns

Our residents are most appreciative when DMC folks join us for worship.
All are welcome!

 

VOICES FOR PEACE CONFERENCE
Hybrid Event
Saturday, November 16, 2024, 1 - 5 p.m.

Dear Friends in Peace,
It is very exciting for me to announce the upcoming Annual Conference, Voices for Peace, which has returned after a hiatus of two years.  Now, more than ever, such a Conference is needed.  This year, we are honoured to have, as our guest speaker, an Indigenous Elder well-known for his wisdom and story-telling, Adrian Jacobs (an Indigenous Six Nations man, who spoke at Danforth maybe more than a decade ago.)  This event is organized by several faith-based organizations and faith communities; however, its content and spirit is open and very relevant to, all people who long for a path to Peace.

The afternoon will be very interactive with music, story-telling, group-sharing, and a special art installation on the theme of Peace. We will leave feeling inspired, wiser, and supported by a community walking the path together.  So that as many as possible can experience this gift, the event will be hybrid.  It will be in-person at the Church of the Redeemer and online.   The event is FREE, and donations are invited.

TO REGISTER:  go to    https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/2024-voices-for-peace-conference-tickets-998579035777

 

In Summary, upcoming events:

At Danforth

November
16  Mark Battenberg concert
19  Ladies walking group – Taylor Creek
26  Ladies walking group

December
3  Ladies walking group
7  Messy Church
10  Ladies walking group – last walk of 2024
14  Men’s breakfast
14  DMC Christmas banquet

Wider Church

November
16  Voices of Peace conference
17  SCOC service
24  SCOC service

Community corner

November
16  Mark Battenberg
16 SCOC Fall/Christmas Art and Crafts Show
30  Pax Chorale Children’s Messiah

December
4 & 7  Pax Chorale Christmas through the Ages
8  Toronto Beach Chorale concert