DANFORTH MENNONITE CHURCH
416-422-2406
Pastor Stephen Reist
We welcome all guests who have joined us.
Danforth Mennonite Church
December 17, 2023
Order of Service
Land Acknowledgement
Welcome
Call to Worship
Hymn VT #218 ” Come thou long expected Jesus”
Announcements
Offering
Offering prayer
Hymn VT #216 “Lo, How a rose e’er blooming”
Congregational prayer
Scripture Isaiah 61:1-4, 10-11, I Thess. 5: 16-24
Hymn VT #217 “Hark the Glad Sound”
Message: Joy in the journey
Closing Hymn: When I hear the praises start
Benediction/Advent Candle
Leading Us in Worship
Message Margaret A.
Worship Leader Linda D.
Song Leader Sue S.
Musicians Jessica M. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters Cindy R., Bethany W.
Zoom Host Bonnie W.
A/V Technician Murray L.
December Hymn of the month: VT #216 Lo How a Rose E’er Blooming
Adult Discussion Group
Sunday mornings 10:00 a.m.
Dec. 17 Discussion – Visions of Jesus led by Ed
Dec. 24 The Virgin Birth
Call to worship
Leader: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
People: For the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is God’s name.
Leader: God has brought down the powerful and lifted up the lowly.
People: What will God do next?
(pause)
All: Together we wait.
Advent candle lighting/benediction
Leader: Together we wait.
Congregation: How will we know what’s next?
Leader: Go and hold fast to what is good, rejoice always, make straight the way of the Lord!
Scripture reading
Isaiah 61:1-4, 10-11 (NIVUK)
The year of the Lord’s favour
61 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,
3and provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendour.
4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.
10 I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the soil makes the young plant come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 (NIVUK)
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.
23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
A prayer for the third week of Advent
Heavenly Father, This third week of Advent, let us remember that the good news of Jesus’ birth brings us great joy this Christmas season. Our joy isn’t dependent on what is going on in our lives, in our world, or the people that we are with. It doesn’t depend on the gifts we give or the gifts we find under the tree. No earthly thing can ever give us complete joy. Our joy comes from you. That joy that flooded the hearts of the shepherds, the angels, the wise men, the hosts of heaven, and Mary and Joseph is the joy that still has the power to overwhelm our hearts with rejoicing.
Our joy doesn’t come from our jobs, our family, our relationships, our finances, or our success. Our joy doesn’t come from what we have on earth or who we are with. Our joy is a gift. It is the gift that you gave us that first Christmas in Jesus Christ. Our joy is encompassed in our Savior, King Jesus. Flood our hearts with joy this Advent season as we reflect on the good news of Jesus’ birth. In Jesus’ precious name, we pray. Amen
DANFORTH ANNOUNCEMENTS
Treasurer’s Report: In November we received $10,205 in offerings. This strong offering support along with our rental income has helped to eliminate our operating deficit and we now have a surplus of $378. Some additional expenses are expected in December, but with your help we hope to finish the year without a deficit.
Our Food Bank Designated Fund is always open and ongoing, and it received a $700 donation in November. These donations will be passed on to the Neighbourhood Group in support of the 40 Teesdale Food Bank. You can also contribute to the Nourish East End Food Bank through our Christmas Giving Tree project. Please designate cash donations “Christmas Giving Tree” if you would like your donation directed to this project.
Thanks Roger
Longest Night Service
Wednesday, December 20, 7-8 pm
At Danforth Mennonite Church and on Zoom
All are welcome to this service on the longest night of the year. Friends, this service is for you. Bring your grief. Bring your weariness. Bring your fatigue and allow yourself a quiet space to reflect and draw near to God.
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.
Worship Schedule reminder
December 24
Speaker Stephen R.
Worship leader Sue S.
Song Leader Sue S.
Musicians Kathy W. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters Dalton & Carol J.
ZOOM host Bonnie W.
A/V Tech Fazal S.
December 31
Speaker Carol O.
Worship leader Linda D.
Song Leader Kathy W.
Musicians Roger H. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters Dalton & Carol J.
ZOOM host Bonnie W.
A/V Tech Mike D.
WIDER CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mennonite Days of Action
When we watch the news updates from Gaza it can feel quite overwhelming. So we ask: “What can we do that will make a difference?” Have you checked to see whether your MP is among those who have signed the letter asking our federal government to request an immediate ceasefire? Please check out this initiative and consider becoming involved.
If you have further questions please contact Murray or Dalton.
Mennonite Day of Action for a Ceasefire: Dec 19
On Dec 19., Mennonites across Canada and the US will hold demonstrations at their representatives offices to ask them to support a ceasefire. Over 200 Mennonites from 93 different congregations have already signed up to participate. Sign up now to get involved.
In summary, upcoming events
At Danforth
December
9 Men’s breakfast
10 Singing at SCOC
16 Messy Church
20 Longest Night service
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
Wider Church
December
9 CoSA Open House
9 Pax Christi Chorale Christmas through the Ages
10 Menno Singers Messiah
19 Mennonite Day of Action for a Ceasefire