DANFORTH MENNONITE CHURCH
416-422-2406
We welcome all guests who have joined us.
Danforth Mennonite Church
March 24, 2024
Order of Service
Welcome & Land acknowledgement
Call to Worship
Opening prayer
Opening hymn: VT #84 To God be the Glory
Announcements
Offering hymn: VT #70 Praise God from whom
Offertory Prayer
Prayer of Confession
Congregational Prayer
Hymn: VT #312 Jesus is coming
Scripture: Luke 19:28–40
Hymn: VT #313 Hosanna, Loud Hosanna
Message: Up to Jerusalem
Hymn: VT #280 O Carpenter, Why Leave the Bench
Benediction
Leading Us in Worship
Message Carol O.
Worship Leader Bonnie W.
Scripture reading Mark C.
Congregation Prayer Dalton J.
Song Leader Kathy W.
Musicians Roger H. (piano)
Greeters Cindy R., Bethany W.
Zoom Host Mike D.
A/V Technician Fazal S.
Hymn of the month: VT #280 O Carpenter, Why Leave the Bench
Adult Discussion Class
Starting April 21st, we will be studying the book “Baby and the Bathwater”. If you need a copy of the book, speak to Bonnie.
This coming Sunday is “Palm Sunday” and Carol O. is preaching. Please read Luke 19:28 – 48 (Carol’s text is from v28-40).
The journey to Jerusalem began with James and John wanting to call fire down from heaven on the Samaritans.
Just before this Jesus and his disciples had came down from the Mount of Transfiguration when Jesus, “set his face towards Jerusalem” (please see 9:37;51).
This journey began with the failure of the disciples who wanted to call fire down from heaven. The journey ends with another stupendous failure when disciples rebuke mothers with nursing babies (and the ruler who failed to give up as wealth 18:15 – 30). The long journey from chapter 9 to 18 is over with a dismal report card.
The ascent of the second of the two great mountains in Luke begins with the very next verse, “Behold, we are going up…” (18:31). The events in today’s passage take place on top of what I’ve called, “The Mount of Disfiguration.”
Please consider these questions:
*Characters, places and tension?
* questions, questions, questions: ask as many questions as possible about this passage. What is the most significant question for you?
* What is Luke trying to tell us about Jesus?
Call to Worship
All: Hosanna! Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord!
One: Christ among us, humble and riding on a donkey.
Many: Hosanna! Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord!
One: Christ among us, God’s light shining on us!
Many: Hosanna! Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord!
One: Christ among us, showing the way of a servant.
Prayer of Confession
One: When we get caught up in embracing the world’s power,
Many: forgive us.
One: When we lose sight of the humble donkey and put our trust in horses of war,
Many: remind us of this Palm Sunday.
One: When we begin to get sucked into the darkness of the “now,”
Many: bring us once again the peace of looking toward the “not yet.”
Scripture reading
Luke 19:28–40 (NIV)
Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King
28 After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30 “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’”
32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?”
34 They replied, “The Lord needs it.”
35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36 As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.
37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”
40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
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.
There will be short practice after Sunday church service for about 5-10.
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.
Easter Sunday Potluck
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.
Worship Schedule reminder
Good Friday
Worship leaders Margaret A., Shannon E., Dalton J., Cindy R.
Musicians Roger H. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
ZOOM host Bonnie W.
March 31
Speaker John E.
Worship leader Margaret A.
Song Leader Dalton J.
Musicians Bonnie W. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters Vic G., Murray L.
ZOOM host Mike D.
A/V Tech Don B.
Ladies Walking group
On Tuesday, March 26 at 10:30 am (weather permitting), we will meet at St. John’s Norway Cemetery. The parking lot entrance is off of Woodbine.
An email will go out on Monday March 25 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.
Annual Church Cleaning
Saturday, May 11, 2024
There will be a Women & Men Pot-Luck Breakfast before the cleaning project.
More details to follow in April.
WIDER CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS
You are invited to worship with the
St. Clair O’Connor Community.
Your presence and support are appreciated.
7:00 p.m.
March 31 – an Easter service by The Church of St. Bedes.
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
GTA Mennonite Festival
Annual General Meeting
April 7 at 4 pm,
Rouge Valley Mennonite Church,
7452 Reesor Rd, Markham
The 2024 AGM is taking place on Sunday, April 7 at 4 PM at Rouge Valley Mennonite Church. Please join us for a delicious soup supper from MCC’s Raw Carrot Soup program, hear about the impact of your support of the GTA Mennonite Festival and learn about plans for 2024. RSVP online at gtamennonitefestival.ca/agm.
In summary, upcoming events
At Danforth
March
23 Messy Church
26 Ladies walking group – Norway Church
29 Good Friday service 10:30 a.m.
31 Easter breakfast and service
May
11 DMC Spring Cleaning
Wider Church
March
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
4 GTA Mennonite Church Work Bee Willowgrove
5 Celebration of Life for Dave M.