DANFORTH MENNONITE CHURCH
416-422-2406
Pastor Stephen Reist
We welcome all guests who have joined us.
Danforth Mennonite Church
September 17, 2023 11 a.m.
Order of Service
Welcome
Call to Worship
Prayer
Hymn # 428 Praise With Joy the World’s Creator
Announcements
Offering
Prayer
Hymn # 36 Let Us Build a House
Congregational Prayer
Prayers of the People
Hymn # 179 At the Dawn of Your Creation
Scripture Readings – Genesis 2: 4-9 , 15-20
Romans 8: 18-25
Message : Is there hope for peace with creation?
Hymn # 145 Touch the Earth Lightly
Benediction
Leading Us in Worship
Message Stephen R.
Worship Leader Erma M.
Song Leader Ed F.
Musicians Emily L. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters Anne R., Vic G.
Zoom Host Bonnie W.
A/V Technician Mike D.
Hymn of the month: VT #36 Let Us Build A House
Adult Discussion group – 10:00 a.m.
September
17 Issues with the beginning of life – Ed B.
24 Safe Church – Carol O.
Call to Worship
One: In worship God bends down to the dust, and we are formed anew.
Many: We breathe in the divine breath and remember that we are living beings.
One: In worship we give thanks for the wonders of God’s creation:
Many: flowing waters and fruit-filled trees, animals of the field, and birds of the air.
One: In worship we gather with each other,
Many: our helpers and partners in this life of faith.
One: Let us give thanks for this time of worship.
Many: Let us receive God’s breath of life.
Scripture Readings
Genesis 2:4-9 (CEB)
4 This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created.
World’s creation in the garden
On the day the Lord God made earth and sky— 5 before any wild plants appeared on the earth, and before any field crops grew, because the Lord God hadn’t yet sent rain on the earth and there was still no human being to farm the fertile land, 6 though a stream rose from the earth and watered all of the fertile land— 7 the Lord God formed the human from the topsoil of the fertile land and blew life’s breath into his nostrils. The human came to life. 8 The Lord God planted a garden in Eden in the east and put there the human he had formed. 9 In the fertile land, the Lord God grew every beautiful tree with edible fruit, and also he grew the tree of life in the middle of the garden and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Genesis 2:15-24 (CEB)
15 The Lord God took the human and settled him in the garden of Eden to farm it and to take care of it. 16 The Lord God commanded the human, “Eat your fill from all of the garden’s trees; 17 but don’t eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, because on the day you eat from it, you will die!” 18 Then the Lord God said, “It’s not good that the human is alone. I will make him a helper that is perfect for him.” 19 So the Lord God formed from the fertile land all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky and brought them to the human to see what he would name them. The human gave each living being its name. 20 The human named all the livestock, all the birds in the sky, and all the wild animals. But a helper perfect for him was nowhere to be found.
21 So the Lord God put the human into a deep and heavy sleep, and took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh over it. 22 With the rib taken from the human, the Lord God fashioned a woman and brought her to the human being. 23 The human said,
“This one finally is bone from my bones
and flesh from my flesh. She will be called a woman because from a man she was taken.”
24 This is the reason that a man leaves his father and mother and embraces his wife, and they become one flesh.
Romans 8:18-25 (CEB)
Our suffering and our hope
18 I believe that the present suffering is nothing compared to the coming glory that is going to be revealed to us. 19 The whole creation waits breathless with anticipation for the revelation of God’s sons and daughters. 20 Creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice—it was the choice of the one who subjected it—but in the hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from slavery to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of God’s children. 22 We know that the whole creation is groaning together and suffering labor pains up until now. 23 And it’s not only the creation. We ourselves who have the Spirit as the first crop of the harvest also groan inside as we wait to be adopted and for our bodies to be set free. 24 We were saved in hope. If we see what we hope for, that isn’t hope. Who hopes for what they already see? 25 But if we hope for what we don’t see, we wait for it with patience.
Prayers of the People
One: For dust and stones, for rivers and streams,
Many: we give you thanks, O God.
One: For seeds and their growth, for trees and their fruit,
Many: we give you thanks, O God.
One: For all that you have formed with your hands and enlivened with your breath,
Many: we give you thanks, O God.
One: For every animal of the field, for all birds of the air,
Many: we give you thanks, O God.
One: For each person created in your image, our helpers and partners,
Many: we give you thanks, O God.
One: Let us appreciate the beauty of your creation.
Many: Hear our prayer, O God.
One: Let us share in the nourishment your earth provides.
Many: Hear our prayer, O God.
One: Let us live out our gratitude in acts of compassion and care.
Many: Hear our prayer, O God.
One: Let us embody our thanks by living with joy and reverence on the land.
Many: Hear our prayer, O God.
All: Amen.
DANFORTH ANNOUNCEMENTS
Treasurer’s Report: We received $5,920 in donations in August. $8,200 is needed each month to meet our 2023 operating budget. Our deficit is now running at -$3,168 to the end of August. A $565 expense was approved by council for the purchase of a new Treasurer’s Laptop Computer. This money was taken from our General designated fund. Email-donations are welcome at dmmc2174@gmail.com. Donations can also be made through the Sunday offering plate, by mailed cheques, or by participating in the automatic bank transfer on the 15th of each month. Thank you for your ongoing support for our church and its programs.
Our next session is starting Tuesday, October 3rd for 5 weeks.
There will be a short zoom training session for volunteers on September 28 at 1:30 p.m.
If you are interested in helping Carol O., please sign up or contact Bonnie.
As of this Sunday Bethany will have Girl Guide cookies for sale, She will have chocolate mint cookies and the classic chocolate and Vailla sandwich cookies as well in a more limited quantity. The cookies are $6 per box. The cookie sales support programs and activities of both the Sparks (5 & 6 yr old girls) and the Embers (7 & 8 yr old girls) who meet at Danforth on Thursday evenings.
The Pastoral Seach Team
update on our activities:
We have been meeting regularly over the past few months. Our first task was to complete all the necessary documents to support a posting for the position of Pastor of Danforth Mennonite Church. The position was posted on June 22, 2023, with an initial deadline for expressions of interest of August 15. Since then, we as a Team have been working on prioritizing what we will be seeking in a Pastor for Danforth.
I spoke to Al R. this week and he said that while they have not received any specific applications for the position here at Danforth, he is hopeful because the pool of potential candidates is larger than it has been in a number of years. In recent years it has taken 18 months or longer to fill pastoral vacancies, but several long-standing vacancies have recently been filled. Candidates do not always apply to specific vacancies but submit a general Memorandum of Interest (MOI) and then work with MCEC to find the right fit. Al assured me there was reason to be hopeful, but also cautioned that it may still take more time than we would like. In the meantime, the Team will continue to prepare for the time when we will have candidate(s) to meet and interview.
If you know of prospective candidates, please urge them to contact MCEC rather than staff here at the church or the Search Team. Also, because we may be discussing issues of some sensitivity or referring to specific individuals whose privacy we need to protect, we have been asked not to distribute the minutes of our meetings outside the Search Team itself. If you have any questions about any of this, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Sue S., Chair, on behalf of the Pastoral Search Team
Our final Outlook for the year
(covering September through December)
will focus on SCOC.
This is the perfect opportunity to talk about the history, the programs, and the community. I am open to several articles along with photographs – whatever you would like to provide. You may have a connection from the past.
I will start working on this next edition in mid September with the deadline of latest – mid December. The newsletter will be published mid January 2024.
Ladies Walking Group
will start up October 3. Watch the bulletin each week for our meeting place.
We meet at 10:30 a.m. at a trail or park for an hour walk. If you have a suggestion for a new location, please let Bonnie know so it can be slotted into the schedule.
Come and join us for
MESSY CHURCH which is a
FREE FAMILY EVENT
for children 4-12 on
Saturday, September 23
from 5 – 7p.m.
It includes crafts, games, Bible stories, music and dinner. We ask that parents/caregiver accompany their children at this family event.
DMC Outreach and Services Committee is promoting the wearing of a White Poppy this fall. The idea is a project of Conscience Canada. The wearing of a white poppy, which is completely voluntary would begin on Thursday September 21 - International Day of Peace through Monday October 2nd - International Day of Non-Violence and continue to Sunday December 10 - International Human Rights Day. This is not meant to replace the wearing of the red poppy if desired in the weeks leading up to and on Remembrance Day, Saturday November 11. A message from Conscience Canada states: Wear a White Poppy - to Remember All War Casualties, to Challenge Everyday Militarism, to Commit to Peace. Tessa R. has kindly agreed to make white poppies for us. We hope to have them ready for Sunday September 17. For more information please see https://tinyurl.com/38v6af77 and https://tinyurl.com/43jywhen
Danforth Grow Hope Field Visit 2023
Where: Danforth Grow Hope Field,
(Jeff Steiner Farm) 13582 Ninth Line, Stouffville
Saturday, October 14, 2023, 2:30 pm to 3:00 pm; allow about one hour driving time. There will be a sign-up sheet to accommodate people needing a ride and for those who wish to offer a ride. If the numbers rise above 40, a bus may be rented.
There are two additional options on the same day –
Option #1 The Canadian Foodgrains Bank Dinner at Pheasant Run Golf Club (18033 Warden Ave., Sharon, ON) at 5:30 pm. Cost is free, limited to 200 participants. This is celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank
Option #2 A family fun event at Applewood Farm (12416 McCowan Road, Stouffville) from 3:15 to 6:00 pm. Cost is $10.00 per person (under 3 are free). Activities include pumpkin & apple picking (additional cost), corn maze, wagon rides, playground and farm animal visit. Or people can simply head home after the field visit.
Poster and QR code on our bulletin board – Using your cell phone and a QR code, you will be directed to an application form to apply directly online and be registered for the visit and one of the options. The same printed application form with the link to it will also be posted on our bulletin board. Murray will assist anyone needing help with the application form.
Anyone registering for the dinner after the field visit must register by Thursday September 28.
Need a ride: Can offer a ride sign-up sheet will also be placed on the bulletin board
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Parking on Cedarvale Avenue as changed to one-hour parking for weekdays and weekends.
Worship Schedule reminder
September 24
Speaker Carol O.
Worship leader Dalton J.
Song Leader Sue S.
Musicians Jessica M. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters Anne R., Vic G.
ZOOM host Bonnie W.
A/V Tech Don B.
October 1
Speaker Stephen R.
Worship leader Sue S.
Song Leader Sue S.
Musicians Emily L. (piano), Ray W. (tuba)
Greeters Leslie S., Anne R.
ZOOM host Bonnie W.
A/V Tech Roger H.
WIDER CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS
MCEC Truth and Reconciliation Working Group – Indigenous Relations
Marking National Day of Truth and Reconciliation /Orange Shirt Day
Jesus said our highest calling is to love God and love our neighbour (Matt 22:35-40). The Christian call to reconciliation is rooted in 2 Corinthians 5:18. Reconciliation is love in action. The practices of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples in Canada of the 21st century are also guided by the 94 Calls to Action of the National Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Read more.
Support Grassy Narrows
A practical act of walking side by side with Indigenous people on the path of reconciliation: join the “Free Grassy Narrows” march on September 27 to demonstrate their demand of the Ontario government that there be no mining and development on their land and that they be consulted because their way of life will be impacted. (https://freegrassy.net/) To join the Truth and Reconciliation Working Group on this march contact Ron F. at trwg @ mcec.ca.
Willowgrove is pleased to be hosting the GTA Mennonite Festival for World Relief this September. Swing by the farm to enjoy traditional Mennonite favourites like rosettes, freshly baked pies, hand-churned ice cream, as well as spring rolls, grilled chicken, back bacon, and more!After you eat, shop for beautiful crafts, go on a wagon ride, attend a live Quilt auction, and grab some fresh produce.
Tickets are $10 in Advance / $15 Day of (Children 5 and under are free)
Calling for Volunteers! Please plan now to help take admissions as people arrive. DMC will again welcome guests as they come up the driveway. New this year: a few of us need to be early enough to welcome the other volunteers. Same as before: we collect regular admissions from 10am-4pm. New this year: Willowgrove staff will guide people to their parking spots, so we don’t have that responsibility.
1. Everyone: Please use the “Buy Tickets” link in the announcement to pre-purchase your admission tickets… one per person. It costs less than paying when you arrive.
2. VOLUNTEERS:
a. We need volunteers to start from 9:30am, not 10am. (Some guests arrive early!).
b. We need 4 volunteers per shift. Each shift is 90 minutes, except the final shift from 3:30-4pm.
c. Some volunteers will use their cell phone to take payments. But volunteers without cell phones also have lots to do.
d. Volunteers: please contact Mike for the coupon code that gives you free admission when you register online. You need the code before you click on the “Buy Tickets” link in the announcement
Willowgrove Reconciliation Announcement – Saturday, Sept. 23 @ 4-5pm Join Willowgrove in their public commitment to Reconciliation. The organization will be unveiling a four-direction mural by Scugog artist, and will be announcing a new policy which provides free land-use to Indigenous communities. To RSVP, please email:
rebecca @ willowgrove.ca
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
Voices Together Resource Day
October 28, 2023, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,
Shantz Mennonite Church, Baden, ON.
A day set aside for worship leaders, worship lovers, musicians, pastors and congregational leaders to explore the music and resources from, Voices Together. An evening hymn sing will close our worship. Registration is open at mcec.ca.
In summary, upcoming events
At Danforth
September
23 Messy Church
October
3 Healthy Eating
3 Ladies walking group
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
September
16 GTA Mennonite Festival at Willowgrove
16 & 17 Danforth East Arts Fair
21 Alpha Marriage Course
23 Willowgrove Welcome Day
23 & 24 Yorkshire Rose Quilt Show
25 MCC Ontario AGM
27 Free Grassy Narrows March
30 National Day for Truth and Reconcilliation
October
14 Willowgrove 55th anniversary celebration
14 Danforth Grow Hope tour & dinner
28 Voices Together Resource Day
November
29 ToTB at Hart House