DANFORTH MENNONITE CHURCH
416-422-2406
We welcome all guests who have joined us.
Danforth Mennonite Church
March 10, 2024
Order of Service
Land Acknowledgement
Welcome
Call to Worship
Opening hymn: VT 280 O Carpenter, Why leave the bench
Announcements
Offering Prayer
Hymn: VT #644 Healer of our every ill
Congregational Prayer
Prayer of Confession
Scripture Luke 13: 10-17, Luke 14: 1-6
Hymn: STS #92 Sing with all the saints in glory
Message: New Adam, New Eve
Closing hymn: VT #377 New Earth, Heavens New
Benediction
Leading Us in Worship
Message John E.
Worship Leader Linda D.
Song Leader Ed F.
Musicians Bonnie W. (piano)
Greeters Leslie & Fazal S.
Zoom Host Mike D.
A/V Technician Don B.
March Hymn of the month: VT #280 O Carpenter, Why Leave the Bench
Adult Discussion Class
Starting April 14th, we will be studying the book “Baby and the Bathwater”. If you need a copy of the book, speak to Bonnie.
For this Sunday’s class please read the following passages out of Luke’s Gospel: 13:10-17; 14:1-6. The sermon title is “New Eve; New Adam.”
Question: Luke has carefully chosen to place these two healing stories close together, one of a woman and the other of a man. I am suggesting he had Adam and Eve in mind. What do you think? More generally, How does the theme of creation show up in Luke’s gospel and what does Jesus have to do with it?
See you Sunday.
John
Feel free to bring your own Bible or grab one from the Church.
Call to Worship
based on Psalm 107:1–3, 17–22
Leader: Give thanks to God, for God is good!
Many: God’s love endures forever.
Leader: Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story.
Many: God’s love endures forever.
Leader: We may make careless choices and lose our way.
Many: God’s love endures forever.
Leader: We call out to God when we are in trouble.
Many: God’s love endures forever.
Leader: God rescues us from our anxieties and fears.
Many: God’s love endures forever.
One: God’s word sets us free to walk in newness of life.
Many: God’s love endures forever.
One: God gathers us in, from the east and the west, from the north and the south.
All: For God’s unfailing love, we give thanks to the Creator of all that is good.
Prayer of Confession
Leader: Merciful God, we forget that you are the light of the world.
Many: Forgive us for our short memories.
Leader: Remind us that you are rich in mercy
Many: when we wander away from you.
Leader: Loving God, convict us of your immense love
Many: that shines brightly on us.
All: Merciful God, light of the world, we come seeking new life in you.
Scripture reading
Summary: The Bible begins with God bringing creation out of darkness and chaos. Adam and Eve are made in God’s image and blessed with a vocation to extend God’s good rule into creation. The theme of creation is like a great river that runs through every part of the Bible. How does this creation theme run through Luke’s gospel? On this fourth Sunday of Lent Luke gives us some glimpses.
Luke 13: 10-17
Jesus Heals on the Sabbath
10 One Sabbath day as Jesus was teaching in a synagogue, 11 he saw a woman who had been crippled by an evil spirit. She had been bent double for eighteen years and was unable to stand up straight. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Dear woman, you are healed of your sickness!” 13 Then he touched her, and instantly she could stand straight. How she praised God!
14 But the leader in charge of the synagogue was indignant that Jesus had healed her on the Sabbath day. “There are six days of the week for working,” he said to the crowd. “Come on those days to be healed, not on the Sabbath.”
15 But the Lord replied, “You hypocrites! Each of you works on the Sabbath day! Don’t you untie your ox or your donkey from its stall on the Sabbath and lead it out for water? 16 This dear woman, a daughter of Abraham, has been held in bondage by Satan for eighteen years. Isn’t it right that she be released, even on the Sabbath?”
17 This shamed his enemies, but all the people rejoiced at the wonderful things he did.
Luke 14: 1-6
Jesus Heals on the Sabbath
14 One Sabbath day Jesus went to eat dinner in the home of a leader of the Pharisees, and the people were watching him closely. 2 There was a man there whose arms and legs were swollen.[a] 3 Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in religious law, “Is it permitted in the law to heal people on the Sabbath day, or not?” 4 When they refused to answer, Jesus touched the sick man and healed him and sent him away. 5 Then he turned to them and said, “Which of you doesn’t work on the Sabbath? If your son[b] or your cow falls into a pit, don’t you rush to get him out?” 6 Again they could not answer.
Our Lent table display
THE ROCKS
The rocks remind us that Jesus alone is worthy of our adoration and praise. It reminds us that Jesus said if the people wouldn’t praise Him, the rocks would.
“I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out. [Luke 19:40]
THE SAND
The sand reminds us of the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). He was alone, tempted, and hungry; yet He resisted sin and lived a perfect life.
In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. [Isaiah 40:3]
THE CANDLES
The candles remind us that Jesus is the light of the world. And the light always overcomes the darkness.
In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. [John 1:4-5]
On the first Sunday of Lent, all seven candles are lit. As each week of Lent passes, one candle is extinguished. Unlike Advent where a new candle is lit each week and the light slowly gets brighter, during Lent each week gets progressively darker, until there is complete darkness on Good Friday.
“Whereas Advent is a season of ever-increasing light anticipating the incarnation of Christ, Lent is a season of ever-decreasing light approaching His crucifixion. Light is gradually extinguished to symbolize the journey through the wilderness and toward the cross and tomb.”
On Good Friday it appeared that darkness and death had won. The Light had been extinguished.
But thanks be to God that it doesn’t end there! “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. [1 Corinthians 15:55-57]
Sin and death have been defeated! On Resurrection Sunday all seven candles are lit as we celebrate the hope, life, and victory we have because of Jesus. He is risen, He is risen indeed!
DANFORTH ANNOUNCEMENTS
The DMC choir
is preparing a hymn (VT # 359 Christ is Alive! Let Christians Sing!) for Easter Sunday morning.
All are welcome to attend.
Never any auditions.
There will be short practices after Sunday church services for about 5-10. See Kathy Wert for further details.
Easter Potluck Breakfast
Sunday, March 31, 2024
9:30 am in the Fellowship Hall
Please bring finger foods for all to share. Coffee, tea, and juice will be served.
10:45 am We are invited to the sanctuary for some pre-service
Easter hymn singing. Everyone is welcome.
Treasurer’s Report: We received $7,964 in offerings in February. Our budget calls for $8,114 each month in offerings. Due to the absence of a paid Pastor we now have a $6,633 operating surplus. In February there was $300 donated to the Benevolence Fund and $100 donated to the Food Bank Fund. Also $300 was given with a direction towards our Danforth Grow Hope budget line. $280 was used from the Spirit of MDS Fund as Honorariums for the Healthy Eating Program coordinator. Donations to Danforth Mennonite Church are always welcome through Sunday morning offerings, mailed cheques or email transfers at dmmc2174@gmail.com. Please contact Roger Horst 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.
Good Friday service
The Ministry Support Team
(Cindy, Dalton, Margaret and Shannon)
will lead us in the service on
March 29th at 10:30 a.m.
Worship Schedule reminder
March 17
Speaker John E.
Worship leader Sue S.
Song Leader Kathy W.
Musicians Roger H. (piano)
Greeters Leslie & Fazal S.
ZOOM host Bonnie W.
A/V Tech Murray L.
March 24
Speaker Carol O.
Worship leader Dalton J.
Song Leader Kathy W.
Musicians Roger H. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters Cindy R., Bethany W.
ZOOM host Bonnie W.
A/V Tech Fazal S.
Ladies Walking group
On Tuesday, March 12, we will be meeting at 10:30 a.m. at Pine Hills Cemetery at St. Clair and Birchmount (enter at Birchmount entrance) for a one-hour walk.
An email will go out on Monday March 11 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.
Do you have some ideas for our next newsletter?
Please contact Bonnie.
Our next edition covers January – April.
WIDER CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS
Welcome the Stranger-GTA is expecting an Afghan refugee family to arrive sometime in May or June 2024. This is a family of three, mother, father and six-year-old daughter. The team of WtS volunteers are now looking for an apartment, hopefully less than $1,900 per month inclusive, in Stouffville, with access to public transportation. WtS is also asking for household items to furnish the apartment. We do not have storage so let us know if you have items that we can count on when the family arrives. Send a note to Carolyn carolyn.reesor@gmail.com or 416.580.4271 or Andrew arm5@sympatico.ca or 647.879.5040 if you have leads on an apartment or household items.
You are invited to worship with the
St. Clair O’Connor Community.
Your presence and support are appreciated.
7:00 p.m.
March 17 – hymn sing
March 31 – an Easter service by The Church of St. Bedes.
Now Hiring at Fraser Lake Camp
Fraser Lake Camp is now hiring Counsellors and Lifeguards for 2024! Spend your summer on a beautiful lake, making new friends, and gaining life long skills. For more information, visit willowgrove.ca/join-our-team-fraser-lake-camp
Please save the date for the
GTA Mennonite Festival AGM
April 7, 5 pm.
Rouge Valley Mennonite Church.
Details to follow.
MCEC Annual Church Gathering 2024
Inspired by Hope
April 26 & 27, 2024
Leamington, ON
Be inspired by the hope we find in Jesus, hear stories of inspiration and experience the wonder and mystery of God when we meet together as a family of congregations.
More Information
In summary, upcoming events
At Danforth
March
9 Men’s breakfast
12 Ladies walking group – Pine Hills
19 Ladies walking group – Scarborough Bluffs
23 Messy Church
26 Ladies walking group – Norway Church
29 Good Friday service 10:30 a.m.
31 Easter breakfast and service
Wider Church
March
17 SCOC evening service
20 Beyond Polarized Kvetching workshop Part 2
31 SCOC evening service
April
7 GTA Mennonite Festival AGM
14 Silent Auction at Church of the Resurrection
26 & 27 MCEC Annual Church Gathering
May
5 Celebration of Life for Dave Martin