DANFORTH MENNONITE CHURCH
416-422-2406
Pastor Stephen Reist
We welcome all guests who have joined us.
Danforth Mennonite Church
November 19, 2023
Order of Service
Welcome/Acknowledgment
Introduction
Call to Worship
Opening hymn: VT#708 As the Water Rise Around Us
Announcements
Offering Prayer
Offering
Hymn : VT#685 O Lord, Hear My Prayer
Congregational sharing and prayer time
Hymn: VT#685 O Lord, Hear My Prayer
Scripture Readings
Hymn: VT#416 Beyond a Dying Sun
Message: “Lament of the Winter Christians”
Closing hymn: VT#829 Go Now in Peace, Worship Continues
Benediction
Leading Us in Worship
Message Stephen R.
Worship Leader Sue S.
Song Leader Sue S.
Musicians Roger H. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters Vic G.
Zoom Host Bonnie W.
A/V Technician Fazal S.
November Hymn of the month: VT # 829 Go Now in Peace, Worship Continues
Adult Discussion Group – 10:00 a.m.
November
19 – Justice discussion – led by Stephen
26 – Justice discussion – led by Stephen/Harry N.
Call to worship
One: Gracious, Holy, and Loving God,
We find ourselves in a time of great sorrow.
People: Because we are weary, we lament.
Because our hearts are broken, we lament.
Because our spirits are crushed, we lament.
Because our souls want to faint, we lament.
One: And when we lament, You are near.
When we lament, You are the Breath of life.
When we lament, You are the One that sustains us.
People: Thank You Lord, that when we are weak, You are strong.
Thank You Lord, that You are our help and our rescuer.
Thank You Lord, that weeping moves us beyond sadness into compassion.
Thank You Lord, that even in lament, You take delight in us.
All: Thank you for the gift of lament,
So that we do more than just regret our circumstances,
We also resolve to wait patiently on You to see us through.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Rev. Gigi A. Warren
Ordained Elder in The United Methodist Church
Board Member, GCORR
Atlanta, GA
Scripture readings
Psalm 10 (NLV)
1 O Lord, why do you stand so far away?
Why do you hide when I am in trouble?
2 The wicked arrogantly hunt down the poor.
Let them be caught in the evil they plan for others.
3 For they brag about their evil desires;
they praise the greedy and curse the Lord.
4 The wicked are too proud to seek God.
They seem to think that God is dead.
5 Yet they succeed in everything they do.
They do not see your punishment awaiting them.
They sneer at all their enemies.
6 They think, “Nothing bad will ever happen to us!
We will be free of trouble forever!”
7 Their mouths are full of cursing, lies, and threats.
Trouble and evil are on the tips of their tongues.
8 They lurk in ambush in the villages,
waiting to murder innocent people.
They are always searching for helpless victims.
9 Like lions crouched in hiding,
they wait to pounce on the helpless.
Like hunters they capture the helpless
and drag them away in nets.
10 Their helpless victims are crushed;
they fall beneath the strength of the wicked.
11 The wicked think, “God isn’t watching us!
He has closed his eyes and won’t even see what we do!”
12 Arise, O Lord!
Punish the wicked, O God!
Do not ignore the helpless!
13 Why do the wicked get away with despising God?
They think, “God will never call us to account.”
14 But you see the trouble and grief they cause.
You take note of it and punish them.
The helpless put their trust in you.
You defend the orphans.
15 Break the arms of these wicked, evil people!
Go after them until the last one is destroyed.
16 The Lord is king forever and ever!
The godless nations will vanish from the land.
17 Lord, you know the hopes of the helpless.
Surely you will hear their cries and comfort them.
18 You will bring justice to the orphans and the oppressed,
so mere people can no longer terrify them.
Matthew 5:1-12 (NLV)
The Sermon on the Mount
5 One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, 2 and he began to teach them.
The Beatitudes
3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
4 God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 God blesses those who are humble,
for they will inherit the whole earth.
6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,
for they will be satisfied.
7 God blesses those who are merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
for they will see God.
9 God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God.
10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.
12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.
DANFORTH ANNOUNCEMENTS
Treasurer’s Report: We received $9,668 in offerings in October. $8,200 is needed each month to meet our 2023 budget. Year to date, our offerings are running $8,374 below budget. Our deficit now sits at -$143 to the end of October.
There was a lot of activity in our Designated Funds in October. The Outreach Committees Thanksgiving Projects brought in $250 each for the Nourish East End Food Bank and the MCC World Relief Fund. $281 from the Bill Bryson Memorial Fund was added to the Food Bank donation for a total of $531.
$1073 was spent from the Professional Development Fund for 2SLGBTQ+ coaching expenses.
There was $108 in cooking class expenses taken from the Spirit of MDS Fund.
$200 from the Benevolence Fund was used for 2 crisis situations identified by our Pastor.
Please check your mailbox today for the short Interest and Gifts Survey. Please take a few moments to complete and return to a member of the Gift Discernment Committee (Carolyn H., Dalton J. or Margaret A.) There are a few extra copies on the back table. Thank You.
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 ($3,000). We also support MCC Ontario, New Life Centre, Sanctuary Toronto, Willowgrove and Theatre of the Beat ($300 each). In our 2023 budget 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).
Council 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?
Please contact a council member by the end of November with your suggestions. They are Mike D., Donna A., Don B., Roger H., Anne R. and Pastor Stephen R.
Come and join us for
MESSY CHURCH which is a
FREE FAMILY EVENT
for children 4-12 on
Saturday, November 18
from 5 – 7p.m.
The MC team would appreciate volunteers to help in the kitchen for Messy Church for our November and December events. If you can help, please sign your name on the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board.
DMC Christmas Banquet on December 2, 2023. Punch at 6:00 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m.
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. If you won’t be at church, contact Bonnie to let her know what you are bringing.
Ladies Walking Group
On Tuesday, November 21 at 10:30 am (weather permitting), we will meet at the Scarborough Bluffs Park at 1 Brimley Road South (the bottom of Brimley Road.
Take Kingston Road and turn south onto Brimley Road South. Take Brimley to the bottom of the hill. Follow the road around to the right to the large parking lot. Let’s park across from the public washrooms.
An email will go out on Monday November 20 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.
Congregational ‘Dine and Discern’:
“Listening to Others”
After the service this Sunday morning, we will gather together from 12:30 to 2:30 for lunch, worship, and sharing.
This is our second session about inclusion of 2SLGTBQ+ persons in Danforth Mennonite Church.
We welcome guests Erik M. and Pieter N. as they share about their experiences of church.
Please bring your own lunch.
Drinks will be provided.
Online (Zoom) participation is available using the same link as the worship service.
Looking ahead to Advent
Christmas Music at SCOC The newly formed Worship Committee at SCOC is asking folks at DMC (who are available) to circle the following date and to join our voices with residents for a service of Christmas Music.
Date: Sunday Afternoon Dec. 10 Please come to the Meeting Room at 6:15. We will proceed from there to the 3rd floor and sing carols for the residents in Long Term Care, then return to the Meeting Room for a 7 pm service. Along with our voices, we are being asked to provide accompaniment for the singing (piano, along with other instruments that will add richness to the service.)
Due to Masarykpark’s busy schedule they weren’t able to fit us in this year.
Dalton – on behalf of Outreach & Service
Worship Schedule reminder
November 26
Speaker Harry N.
Worship leader Dalton J.
Song Leader Ed F.
Musicians Jessica M. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters Leslie S., Murray L.
ZOOM host Bonnie W.
A/V Tech Mike D.
December 3
Speaker Stephen R.
Worship leader Cindy R.
Song Leader Dalton J.
Musicians Kathy W. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters Leslie & Fazal S.
ZOOM host Bonnie W.
A/V Tech Don B.
WIDER CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS
Save the Date: Peace Conference
November 18, 2023
at Rockway Mennonite Collegiate,
110 Doon Rd, Kitchener
The MCC Peace Conference is your chance to see, hear and experience first-hand how you and MCC are changing lives and communities through peacebuilding. This event will inspire and inform through general sessions, workshops and conversations with messengers of peace. Go to mcc.org/peace-conference to learn more.
Canadian Mennonite presents, “Answering the Call: Three Young Pastors Reflect on Ministry,” an online discussion on Wednesday, November 29 at 7:00 p.m. CT / 8:00 p.m. ET. Guests Curtis Wiens, Kennedy Froese and Elshaday Baraki will discuss their call to ministry and what they enjoy about being leaders in the church. Register today at: www.canadianmennonite.org/events
MCC
Responding to the Palestine and Israel conflict
As conflict has escalated in the region, MCC laments the violence and mourns all lives lost in Palestine and Israel. MCC remains committed to a just peace for all, and we invite you to join us in praying for an end to the violence.
MCC is planning an emergency response to the current crisis with existing partners. Our response will focus on the humanitarian needs in Gaza, given the vulnerability of the population and lack of resources available to families. MCC’s work will build on previous responses to the ongoing conflict, including the distribution of food and bedding. We are also planning to offer trauma healing support and housing reconstruction. Donate online at mcc.org/Palestine-Israel.
Theatre of the Beat has developed three short plays that reflect lived experiences of elder abuse, healthy masculinity, and intimate partner violence in youth relationships, with a focus on how to recognize the subtle early signs of abuse. The topics chosen were identified by their community partners (experts at Assaulted Women’s Helpline and Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region) as topics that need to be immediately addressed. At the end of each play, the audience will have the opportunity to make suggestions to the actors to change the outcome of the scenes or jump into the scenes themselves. Using the Forum Theatre model, this interactive element allows audiences to 'rehearsal for reality,' learning skills and resources for how they can make a difference. The show will take place at University of Toronto's Hart House Theatre (7 Hart House Cir, Toronto, ON M5S 3H3) on Wednesday, November 29th at 7:30 pm. Book your tickets on the Hart House Theatre website at: https://harthouse.ca/theatre/show/i-love-you-and-it-hurts.
Sunday, December 10, 2023, 3pm. Menno Singers and Mennonite Mass Choir present Handel’s Messiah with artistic director Brandon Leis, a 230 voice choir, soloists Bethany Hörst (soprano), Jennifer Enns Modolo (mezzo soprano), Owen McCausland (tenor) and Nathan Keoughan (baritone) along with orchestra members of the former KW Symphony. Tickets are on sale now at the Centre in the Square Box Office. www.centreinthesquare.com
Carol O. welcomes you to
the CoSA/FCRI Open House
on Saturday, December 9
at Danforth Mennonite Church.
Pax Christi Chorale, under the direction of Dr. Elaine Choi, announces two events to brighten your holiday season.
On Saturday, December 2 at 1:30 pm and 4 pm, at Church of the Redeemer, Pax Christi Chorale will present Children’s Messiah, a 60-minute interactive music education experience suitable for children of all ages. Join us to learn about music through Handel’s well loved masterpiece Messiah, featuring stunning solos, brilliant organ accompaniment, glorious orchestral overtures and powerful choruses – over 100 singers and players! Admission is FREE – donations accepted for Church of the Redeemer’s The Common Table program.
And on Saturday, December 9, at 4 pm, at ESG United Church, we will present Christmas Through the Ages; music and stories to evoke the wonder and joy of Christmas, from our family to yours. In collaboration with Hogtown Brass, we will perform favourites by Halley, Victoria, Lauridsen and others; culminating in John Rutter’s spectacular Gloria for choir, brass and organ. There will also be carols for all to sing.
More information at www.paxchristichorale.org.
In summary, upcoming events
At Danforth
November
14 Ladies walking group
18 Messy Church
19 Dine and Discern
21 Ladies walking group
28 Ladies walking group
December
2 DMC Christmas banquet
5 Ladies walking group
10 Singing at SCOC
12 Ladies walking group
Wider Church
November
18 MCC Peace conference
29 ToTB at Hart House
December
2 Pax Christi Chorale Children’s Messiah
9 CoSA Open House
9 Pax Christi Chorale Christmas through the Ages
10 Menno Singers Messiah