March 19, 2023
Lent 2023 – Created in the Image of God, Shaped by Jesus
Lent 4: Called to the Light
We gather as one people ….
Prelude
Call to Worship and Prayer
I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say VT 536
Abide with Me VT 502
…to listen for God’s word ….
Psalm 23
Confession and Assurance
Gift of Music: Between Darkness and Light VT 808
Children’s Time
Psalm 23
My Shepherd will Supply my Need VT 640
Sermon: When Darkness Comes
….and respond with gratitude.
In the Quiet Curve of Evening VT 587
Anointing Prayer & Blessing
Congregational Prayer
There is More Love Somewhere VT 804
Offering
Announcements
Precious Lord, Take my Hand VT 610
Benediction
Postlude
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Leading us in worship:
Worship Leader: Darryl Drudge
Accompanist: Delphine Schwartzentruber
Song Leader: Stephen Yantzi
Gift of Music: Sara and Isaac Roth
Children’s Time: Pam Carter
Sermon: Pastor Sara Erb
A/V: Steve Kennel and Cliff Kennel
An unsupervised nursery is available across from the washrooms for children ages 5 and under.
Kids Offering: Mennonite Central Committee’s Ukraine Emergency Response: https://bit.ly/3vMq9I1. From a recent trip to Ukraine: https://bit.ly/3XyJcRz
March Special Offering: PeaceBuilders Community Inc., peace and justice training, and Coffee for Peace, which ensures a fair return and responsible environmental practices for coffee farmers in a conflict zone in the Philippines – initiated by Mennonite Church Canada Witness workers Dann & Joji Pantoja. http://bit.ly/3Z7CiUW.
Today
Coffee, tea & juice available in the fellowship hall following the service.
Christian Education (Sunday School) for all ages:
11:00 – 12 p.m. Children’s Sunday School (Age 2 – Gr. 4), basement
11:15 – 12 p.m. Jr. Youth (Gr. 5-8) & MYF (Gr. 9-12+), basement.
– Adult Ed., Fireplace Room
Next Sunday March 26 – Lent 5
9:45 a.m. – Livestream and in-person worship in the sanctuary.
Theme: Created in the Image of God, Shaped by Jesus
Scripture: Ezekiel 37: 1-14
Speaker: Pastor Louise Wideman
Bring your Lent Pea Seeds with to church next Sunday!
11 a.m. Zoom Coffee Time.
Congregational Life
March 21 (Tues) 3:30 p.m. Gift Discernment Committee meeting
March 21 (Tues) 4 – 5 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. Pickleball.
March 23 (Thur.) 3 p.m. Peace & Justice Committee meeting
March 23 (Thur.) 6:30 pm. Brief orientation, Q&A and initial travel planning for adults interested in helping Mennonite Disaster Service rebuild after hurricane damage on Cape Breton, July 10-14. In person. Zoom link available on request.
March 28 (Tues.) 2 p.m. Care team meeting.
Holy Week worship service dates for your calendar:
¨ Thursday evening, April 6, Maundy Thursday Seder Meal & Foot washing (in-person only)
¨ Friday morning, April 7, Good Friday Service, including Communion (Livestreamed)
¨ Sunday morning, April 9, Easter Breakfast followed by Worship Service. (Livestreamed)
August 11 – 13 Church Family Camping at Hidden Acres. Mark your calendar and plan to attend. More details to come.
Oct. 13-14 (Fri. – Sat.) Women’s Retreat. Save the date. Watch for more details. Organizer: Sandy Scheerer.
MYF (Grades 9-12+)
March 24. Family Dinner at the Vandermolens. Meet at the church at 7 p.m. for carpooling.
March 24. Confirmation for MDS trip due. $100 deposit due March 31
KidsLIFE (Grades 1-5)
March 22 (Wed.) 6 – 7:30 p.m. Outer Space: Get ready for take off
Small Groups
March 21 (Tues.) 10 a.m. The Adult Bible Study led by Wes Leis will meet in the fireplace room at the church. Studying “The Uniqueness of Jesus”. Everyone is welcome.
March 23 (Thurs.) 10-11:30 a.m. – Women’s Bible study will be meeting in person and on Zoom. Studying “Expecting Emmanuel – Eight Women Who Prepared the Way”. Read pages 116-127. Questions – talk to Lynelle Drudge, Joy Wagler or Darlene Gingerich.
Wider Community
March 21, 7-9 pm. Nith Valley EcoBoosters presents Electric Vehicles – Ask the Owners of a variety of EVs. Details and free registration: https://bit.ly/ElectricVehicles2
March 25 (Sat.) Hidden Acre’s 39th Annual Bowlathon. This is one of the camp’s main annual fundraising events. To show your sponsor go to www.hiddenacres.ca/donate and select Annual Bowlathon.
March 25 (Sat.) 9:30-11:30 a.m. An Overlooked Tour: The Story of Canadian Christianity in 5 Acts, presented by Dr. James T. Robertson. Hosted by Nith Valley Mennonite Church. Exploring the most important elements of Canadian Religious Life – the funny, tragic, poignant, diabolical, beautiful, and unique stories. For more information and to purchase tickets: http://bit.ly/3lkp2h1.
Mar 28 (Tues) 7 – 9 p.m. and Mar 29 (Wed.) 1 to 4 p.m. Mennonite Central Committee: Fostering gender equality and Becoming whole together presented at Conrad Grebel University College. Come explore a compassionate application of Truth and Reconciliation principle toward achieving gender equality in society. To learn more and to register, go to http://bit.ly/3IHIAU3
March 29, 7-9 p.m. Rockway Mennonite Collegiate, 110 Doon Rd, Kitchene presents Bison and a Buggy. Learn about The Landed Buggy artistic land acknowledgement and hear from Chef Destiny Moser about food sovereignty. Admission is free and open to all, however donations are appreciated. To learn more, go to mcco.ca/events.
March 31 (Fri.), 7 p.m. at Zion United Church, New Hamburg. New date for free film screening of “Colonization Road” re the effects of road building by settlers on Indigenous land and culture.
April 1 (Sat.) 7:30 p.m. Menno Singers present Rachmaninoff’s All Night Vigil (Vespers) at Trillium Lutheran Church (22 Willow, Waterloo). Tickets $25 Adults. $5 Children/Students, available on-line or at the door (cash or credit) www.mennosingers.com.
April 8 (Sat.) 7p.m. Rockway Mennonite Church (47 Onward Ave, Kitchener) Easter Saturday’s Vigil with the Music of John Prine. Come sit vigil with us, all are welcome.
April 14 (Fri.) 7 p.m. New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale presents Comedy & Music Nigh at Waterloo North Mennonite Church, 100 Benjamin Rd, Waterloo. Come out and see the award-winning, family-friendly entertainer JP and enjoy the honey-sweet vocal harmonies of Mike and Diane. To buy your tickets, to https://nhmrs.com/.
Personal Notes
Congratulations to Ray McAllister who is celebrating his 82nd birthday on Wednesday, March 22. His new temporary contact information is Vesper Springs, 134 Snyder’s Rd. E., Apt. 101, Baden, ON N3A 2L8. (226) 388-8777.
Cathy KNIPFEL has been moved to Freeport, Union Terrace, room 209. Her cell is 519-589-3490.
Remember in Prayer
Pray for Anabaptist-Mennonites around the world – Mennonite World Conference:
- Those traumatized by earthquakes (Türkiye and Syria)
- Those suffering from extreme expense and scarcity of food, meds, etc. (Cuba)
This week join Mennonite Church Eastern Canada (MCEC) in prayer for Waters Mennonite Church, Lively, Ontario.