Sunday, December 11, 2022
An Unexpected Time: Called to wait wisely
Advent 3
GATHERING
Prelude
Lighting of Advent candle Brandon Gingerich
Bob Bender, Karen Lebold, Sandra Roth
Bell calls us to silence Gladys Bender
Call to Worship
Prayer
Hymn Here I am to Worship VT 227
Scripture Presentation Isaiah 35:1-10 Mark Scheerer
Hymn O How Shall I Receive Thee VT 215
HEARING
Children’s Time Ben & Sarah Winter
Gift of Music Doris Martin & Michael Gingerich
Scripture Matthew 11:2-11 Gladys Bender
Bell calls us to silence
Sermon Waiting (and waiting…. and waiting…) Pastor Sara Erb
RESPONDING
Hymn Wait for the Lord VT 228
Bell calls us to silence Gladys Bender
Confession
Song of Assurance For You, O God, My Soul VT 41
Congregational Sharing & Prayer Pastor Steve Drudge
Offering & Offertory
Announcements
Hymn Comfort, Comfort O my People VT 212
Benediction Pastor Sara Erb
Postlude Michael Gingerich, Doris Martin
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Song Leader – Norma Iutzi
Accompanist – Doris Martin
Sound – Steve Carter & Steve Kennel
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An unsupervised nursery is available across from the washrooms for children ages 5 and under.
In person Coffee Time following the service.
Christian Education (Sunday School) for all ages,
Kid’s Sunday School 11:00-12 p.m., Adult Sunday School 11:15-12 p.m.
- Children’s Sunday School (Age 2 – Gr. 4) – basement
- Jr. Youth (Gr. 5-8) – *new* Jr Youth room (basement)
- MYF (Gr. 9-12+) – youth room (basement)
- Adult Ed. – fireplace room
- Coffee Time – small side of the Fellowship Hall.
Christmas Eve Rehearsal following worship this morning. Scripture readers and nativity characters are asked to remain in the sanctuary for a short run through. ~ Advent Planning Team
Kid’s Offering and December Special Offering: Christmas Day Dinner for those alone or lonely, sponsored by Wilmot Family Resource Centre and local churches. http://bit.ly/3ONkf1M
Experimenting with offering practice: You are invited to deposit envelops/money into an offering plate in the foyer as you arrive for worship. During the offertory, children will bring their offerings forward to place in the basket. Following the offertory, ushers will bring the offering forward for a prayer of blessing.
Next Sunday December 18 Advent 4
9:45 a.m. – Livestream and in-person worship in the sanctuary.
Theme: An Unexpected Time: Called to look deeply
Scripture: Isaiah 7:10-16; Matthew 1:18-25
Speaker: Pastor Steve Drudge
Choir and Children Singing
Intergenerational Sunday School
Coffee Time in person, including treats of appreciation from the Pastors
Congregational Life
Dec. 13 (Tues) 4 – 5 p.m. & 7 p.m. Pickleball. Note the additional time for the people wanting to play earlier.
Dec. 15 (Thur.) at 9 a.m. – 12 noon Steinmann members are needed to help cut rags at the MCC Material Resources Centre (previous Ten Thousand Villages building) Thank You for your help.
MYF (Grades 9-12+)
Jan. 6-7 (Fri- Sat) MYF Lock-In, at the church. Drop off is 6:30 p.m. pick up at noon on Saturday. Bring $5 for pizza supper, a box of your favourite breakfast cereal to share, bedding, change of clothes, snacks to share, and games. RSVP by Jan 3.
Jr. Youth (Grades 5-8)
Dec. 14 (Wed.) Christmas Party.
KidsLIFE (Grades 1-5)
Jan. 18, 2023 – Resumes
Small Groups
Dec. 13 (Tues.) 10 a.m. The Adult Bible Study led by Wes Leis will meet in the fireplace room at church. Everyone is welcome. Contact person: Wes Leis.
Dec. 22 (Thurs.) 10-11:30 a.m. – Women’s Bible study will be meeting in person and on Zoom. Christmas social, brings treats to share and your own mug. Contact Lynelle Drudge, Joy Wagler or Darlene Gingerich.
Steinmann Hockey Team
Dec. 16 (Fri.) 11 p.m. Steinmann vs Stratford (Wilmot Rec Complex)
Dec. 17 (Fri.) 11 p.m. Steinmann vs Stratford (Wilmot Rec Complex)
Notices
Congregational Assistance Plan (CAP) – Steinmann Mennonite Church (SMC) has entered into an agreement with both Shalom Counselling Services of Waterloo, and Interfaith Counselling Centre of New Hamburg. Any church member can contact Interfaith or Shalom directly for counselling services. The member will pay for half of the cost and the SMC will pay the other half (no names will be disclosed to the church). Any church member and their immediate family members are eligible for a maximum 8 sessions per year. May this generous gift provide another way to seek healing and hope. ~ Care Team
Wider Community
Dec. 11 (Sun.) 3 p.m. Inter-Mennonite Children’s Choir present: Glory, Glory!, at St. Jacobs Mennonite Church. For more information and tickets https://bit.ly/22ChristmasTickets.
Dec. 11 (Sun.) 7:30 p.m. Menno Singers present a Service of Lessons and Carols at Trillium Lutheran Church in Waterloo. Admission by donation.
Dec. 15 (Thurs.) 7 p.m. Rockway Mennonite Church (47 Onward Avenue, Kitchener) presents Advent Jazz Vespers. For more information contact Pastor Ed Janzen.
Dec. 21 (Wed.) 7 p.m. Longest Night of the Year Service, at St. George’s Anglican Church, New Hamburg. This is a service to acknowledge losses, grief and loneliness at what can be a difficult time of the year. This contemplative service is for all who desire a deeper sense of God’s love and compassion. Sponsored by Wilmot Ecumenical Ministerial and Interfaith Counselling Center.
Dec. 26 (Mon.) 12-4 p.m. Blood Donor Clinic at Steinmann Mennonite Church. Appointments are required. To book an appointment call 1-888-236-6283 or https://www.blood.ca/en
If you or someone you know will be alone or lonely this Christmas, contact Wilmot Family Resource Centre at 519 662-2731 about a Christmas Day dinner.
Rockway Mennonite Collegiate is looking for local households (e.g. ideally within a 30 minute bus ride) to host an international student. Tolearn more, please contact Jill Sauer: homestay@rockway.ca.
2023 Winter and Spring Retreats now open for registration: Come to Silver Lake in 2023 for some fun camp experiences! Dads & Kids, Snowshoe Hike, Women’s Retreat, Couples Retreat, Winter Camp for Grown-Ups, March Break Family Getaway, Youth Camp and Family Camp – there are options for all ages! Go to https://bit.ly/3ugT85T for more info and to register. These make fantastic Christmas gifts!
Personal Notes
Congratulations to Ralph Gingerich who is celebrating his 88th birthday on Wednesday, December 14.
Remember in Prayer
Pray for the many small congregations and house churches in Thailand’s Friends of Grace network as they open their doors and throw parties for their neighbours and celebrate Christ’s birth – from Mennonite Church Eastern Canada. Pray for transformative neighbour relationships for congregations throughout the world.
This week join Mennonite Church Eastern Canada (MCEC) in prayer for First Mennonite Church, Vineland, ON