DANFORTH MENNONITE CHURCH
416-422-2406
Pastor Stephen Reist
We welcome all guests who have joined us.
Danforth Mennonite Church
October 8, 2023
Order of Service
Welcome and Land Acknowledgment
Call to Worship
Opening Hymn: VT #10 Here in this Place
Announcements
Offering
Hymn: VT #703 Rain Down
Congregational Prayer:
Scripture: Amos 5:21 – 24; Matthew 5:43 – 47; and Ephesians 6:12
Hymn: VT #205 Light Dawns on a Weary World
Message: Witnesses for Justice
Closing Hymn: VT #549 Be Thou my Vision.
Benediction
Leading Us in Worship
Message Murray L.
Worship Leader Mike D.
Song Leader Kathy W.
Musicians Bonnie W. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters Leslie & Fazal S.
Zoom Host Carol R.
A/V Technician Don B.
October Hymn of the Month: VT # 205 Light Dawns on a Weary World
Adult Discussion Group – 10:00 a.m.
October
8 Visions of Jesus (Part I)
15 Visions of Jesus (Part 2)
22 Justice Discussion – Stephen
29 TBD
Call to Worship
Leader: With gratitude for the home God has made for us on this planet, we pray:
Many: Send your Holy Spirit
to strengthen our resolve
to strive for communities
where foreigners become neighbours
and strangers become friends.
Leader: Revive our desire for the reign of Christ, who releases prisoners and liberates the oppressed, who frees the world from greed and proclaims God’s peace.
All: Make justice roll down like a river and righteousness flow like an everlasting stream. Amen.
Scripture Readings
Amos 5:21-24 (NIV)
21 “I hate, I despise your religious festivals;
your assemblies are a stench to me.
22 Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them.
Though you bring choice fellowship offerings,
I will have no regard for them.
23 Away with the noise of your songs!
I will not listen to the music of your harps.
24 But let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream!
Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Matthew 5: 43-47 (NIV)
Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?
DANFORTH ANNOUNCEMENTS
Expressing our THANKS in this season
This comes as a follow up to a recent announcement about our giving thanks.
As we celebrate and offer prayers of gratitude, we are encouraged to focus attention on special projects in support of families and communities that have recently suffered significant loss of life, home and sources of income due to natural disasters. Mennonite Central Committee is assisting victims around the world through their Disaster Relief Fund.
Giving directly to MCC is an option (or) we can direct it to our treasurer and designate our gift to MCC.
The other project that we are encouraging is a response to the stated need at the Nourish East End Food Bank. They are in need of funds to purchase foods that are in high demand (i.e. bread and milk) for the hundred of families that they serve each week. Our gift in support of this mission would be most appreciated, and it can be a designated gift directed to our treasurer.
May you be richly blessed as you consider these and other projects that you support.
Ladies Walking Group
On October 10 (weather permitting), we will meet at 10:30 a.m. at The Guild Estate at 201 Guildwood Parkway in Scarborough for a one-hour stroll through the gardens and trail. Hopefully the flowers have survived the rain and cooler weather.
An email will go out on Monday October 9 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.
Worship Schedule reminder
October 15
Speaker Stephen R.
Worship leader Arjun P.
Song Leader Ed F.
Musicians Jessica M. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters Cindy R., Bethany W.
ZOOM host Bonnie W.
A/V Tech Fazal S.
October 22
Speaker Carol O.
Worship leader Bonnie W.
Song Leader Bonnie W.
Musicians (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters Cindy R., Bethany W.
ZOOM host Carol R.
A/V Tech Mike D.
WIDER CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS
St. Clair O’Connor Community (SCOC)
Did you know that our church and TUMC started a non-profit affordable rental community in East York? The St. Clair O’Connor Community (SCOC) is a multi-generational, apartment building with a special emphasis on seniors. Please consider becoming a member and attending the AGM on Thursday October 26, at 7pm. (Membership applications must be completed in person at SCOC by October 9th. Lifetime members can register by emailing info@scoc.ca). SCOC is located near the beautiful Taylor Creek ravine at 2701 St. Clair Avenue East in East York. Apartments are currently available and amenities include a large patio and meeting space for daily social and recreational programs. We have on-site congregate dining, cozy café, housekeeping, chaplaincy, and nursing support, plus visiting doctors, optometrists, advanced footcare, and hearing clinics.
https://scoc.ca
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.
Willowgrove Hootenanny
Saturday, Oct. 14 @ 3-8pm
Celebrate 55 years of Willowgrove’s mission with live music, BBQ, stories, auctions, and more! All proceeds from this event go towards supporting Willowgrove’s Helping Hand Subsidy Program. For tickets, visit willowgrove.ca/events/hootenanny
In summary, upcoming events
At Danforth
October
10 Healthy Eating
10 Ladies walking group
14 Men’s breakfast
17 Healthy Eating
17 Ladies walking group
21 Messy Church
24 Healthy Eating
24 Ladies walking group
31 Healthy Eating
31 Ladies walking group
November
7 Healthy Eating
7 Ladies walking group
11 Men’s breakfast
14 Healthy Eating
14 Ladies walking group
18 Messy Church
21 Healthy Eating
21 Ladies walking group
28 Ladies walking group
December
2 DMC Christmas banquet
12 Healthy Eating
Wider Church
October
14 Willowgrove 55th anniversary celebration
14 Danforth Grow Hope tour & dinner
26 SCOC AGM
28 Voices Together Resource Day
29 Pax Christi Chorale concert
November
18 MCC Peace conference
29 ToTB at Hart House