Send our roots rain:
Lament: I wither away like grass.
July 9, 2023
Gathering to pray….
Prelude
Water ritual
Call to Worship
Hymns: Holy Spirit, Come with Power VT 57
Abide with Me VT 502
…to listen for God’s Spirit….
Children’s Time
Hymn: Calm Me, Lord VT 680
Scripture: Psalm 102: 1-7; 12-13
Sermon: Uncomfortable Conversations
…..that transforms us ….
Prayer for the week Psalm 102: 1, 3-4, 12-13
Hear my prayer, O Lord; let me cry come to you.
My heart is stricken and withered like grass.
But you, O Lord, are enthroned forever;
your name endures to all generations.
You will rise up and have compassion.
Congregational Sharing & Prayer
Hymn: Rain Down VT 703
Offering & Offertory
Announcements
….and sends us forth as bearers of God’s love.
Hymn: Come, Ye Disconsolate VT 643
Benediction
Postlude
Leading us in worship:
Prelude/Offertory/Postlude: Susan Seyler
Song Leader/Soloist: Norma Iutzi Water carrier: Don Steinmann
Worship Leader: Kim Lichti Children’s Time: Gladys Bender
Sermon: Louise Wideman A/V: Steve Carter, Steve Kennel
July Special Offering: Support leadership development and peace theology training in the context of military violence as requested by Anabaptist Christians in Myanmar. They are closely connected to Chin congregations in Canada. More information and to donate: https://www.mennonitechurch.ca/myanmar
Kid’s Offering will be directed to the monthly special offering.
Today
Coffee, tea & juice available in the fellowship hall following the service.
Children’s Sunday School and Adult Christian Education will resume in September.
Next Sunday July 16
10:00 a.m. Livestream and in-person worship in the sanctuary.
Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20
Speaker: Pastor Joseph Raltong
We welcome Pastor Joseph Raltong, a choir and a soloist from the Chin Christian Church, Kitchener, followed by a finger food potluck lunch. Please bring enough extra food for approx. 25 guests.
Congregational Life
Summer Worship Time Change: Because there will not be any summer Sunday school during the months of July and August, worship service start time will shift to 10 am. Thanks for your flexibility. ~Worship Team
SMC Accountant Transition Update
Friday, June 30, was Wendy Wagler’s last day in her role as Church Accountant for our congregation. We are grateful for Wendy’s many years of faithful service to the members of Steinmann. Thank you, Wendy!
Sean East will be managing our church finances from July 1 to Sept. 30, 2023. Sean will be acting as an independent contractor during this time and will not function as a member of the Steinmann staff team as Wendy has done. Prior to Sean concluding his interim role, a decision will be made on how best to fill the finance role for the longer term. In the meantime, we invite your prayers for Wendy as she transitions to new ventures and for Sean as he begins his term of service with us.
The Finance committee asks that you please check your church mailbox for a confidential statement of your household giving for January to May 2023, along with an update from the finance committee. Thanks.
Volunteers needed to weed our gardens (2 week blocks). There is a sign-up sheet on the table by the mail boxes. Help keep our church property beautiful!
July 25 (Tues.) 4 – 5 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. Pickleball.
(note: no Pickleball July 11th and 18th)
July 30 (Sun.) Farewell Service for Pastor Steve. Noon Potluck.
Remember to bring your own dishes. All are welcome!
August 14-18, 2023 (9:00-11:45a.m.) Baden Summer Bible Camp
Needed for Bible Camp!
- Large pieces of cardboard and large boxes.
- Science lab props (beakers, microscopes, telescopes, containers, magnifying glasses, safety glasses)
- Lab coats and/or scrubs
- Balloons – all colours and all sizes!
- Food colouring
Please consider placing these items on the Bible Camp table in the lobby over the next few weeks as we prepare for camp. Clearly label anything that you would like returned to you.
Lots of space available for Bible Camp! August 14-18, 2023 (9-11:45 am)Bring your neighbours and friends for a week of STEAM Camp activities where you will see and experience the transforming love of God. It will be fun to discover and share creative ways to make a difference in the world through words and actions. Register at https://bit.ly/3XyIZ2n
Steinmann Soxx Softball
July 10 (Mon.) 9 p.m. Tavistock Bearcats @ Steinmann Soxx (Tavistock – Optimist)
July 12 (Wed.) 9 p.m. Steinmann Soxx @ Tavistock Bearcats (New Hamburg – 2)
July 16 (Sun.) 7 p.m. West Hills Rays @ Steinmann Soxx (New Hamburg – 2)
Wider Community
July 10 (Mon.) 2 – 8 p.m. Blood Donor Clinic at Shantz Mennonite Church. Appointments are required. To book an appointment call 1-888-236-6283 or https://www.blood.ca/en
July 11-13, 8:30-4:30 p.m. Milton Good Library at Conrad Grebel University College presents “What They Carried” is a temporary exhibit commemorating the immigration of Russlaender Mennonites to Canada beginning in 1923. Artifacts from family collections are featured. For more information, contact Archivist Laureen Harder-Gissing lharderg@uwaterloo.ca.
Aug. 13-15 Ontario Mennonite Music Camp (OMMC) at Conrad Grebel University College. For more information and to register: https://bit.ly/3N0cAyj.
Interfaith Counseling Centre Board of Directors, New Hamburg, is searching to fill several Board of Director positions:
- Secretary • Treasurer • Member at large
Find more information about these volunteer opportunities at https://interfaithcounselling.ca/profiles.php
Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp Staff and Board of Directors thanks everyone who made the 56th Annual Chicken BBQ and 15th Annual Pie Auction fundraiser a big success! Over 800 meals raised over $14,000 (before expenses), 67 pies were auctioned, raising $7,280! Thank you to the 65 volunteers. See you next year on Tuesday, June 11, 2024.
Conrad Grebel University College at the University of Waterloo is hiring a new Director of Student Services. For more information visit the Grebel’s Career page at https://bit.ly/3Xfy7X7. Applications will be reviewed beginning July 21, 2023.
Personal Notes
Congratulations to Kenneth & Anna Mae Hofstetter who are celebrating their 58th anniversary on Monday, July 10.
Congratulations to Reta Bender who is celebrating her 92nd birthday on Wednesday, July 12.
Remember in Prayer
July 9-15. Pray for our volunteers helping Mennonite Disaster Service repair hurricane damaged homes in Cape Breton: Trevor Helmuth, Aleah Laverty, Isaac Roth, Zach Schwartzentruber, Sam Vandermolen, Samantha Wagler, Suzanne Bender, Steve Drudge, Elaine Finnie, John Iutzi, Michelle Palmer, Nicole Pohl & Rich Steinmann, Ron Roth, Joanne Schwartzentruber, Jim Steckle, Keith Wagler, Larry Wagler. Updates at https://mds.org/
Thank you so much for your generous gift of $425.75 directed to humanitarian response in Ukraine and helping Ukrainian resettlement – Mennonite Central Committee. Donations have been received from children’s offering and Pickleball.
This week join Mennonite Church Eastern Canada (MCEC) in prayer for Hillcrest Mennonite Church, New Hamburg, ON.