Sunday, March 20, 2022
Transformed by Jesus – Final Days and Holy Ways
Prelude
Call to Worship
Gathering Prayer
What Is This Place VT 22
Jesus, Be the Center VT 584
Children’s Time
Jeremiah 7:1-11
Mark 11:11-23
Sermon
Confession
Come and See VT 282
Congregational Prayer VT 1044
Offering and introduction of children’s offering
Announcements
I Want Jesus to Walk With Me VT 306
Benediction VT 874
Postlude
Leading Us in Worship:
Pianist: Delphine Schwartzentruber
Worship Leader & Congregational Prayer: David Martin
Children’s Time: Suzanne Bender
Sermon: Pastor Steve Drudge
Livestream: Mike Gingerich
11:00 a.m. Coffee Time on Zoom
March Special Offering: Mennonite Church Canada Witness workers Lakan Sumulong & Lakambini Mapayapa (Dann & Joji Pantoja) are doing groundbreaking work through Coffee for Peace and PeaceBuilders Community Inc., providing training for Christian church leaders, Indigenous leaders and civil society organizations in a conflict zone in the Philippines. For details, videos and donation links go to https://www.mennonitechurch.ca/peacebuildingphilippines
COVID Guidelines for Worship
- Please wear a mask if you are able, sanitize your hands, maintain physical distancing and stay home if you feel ill for any reason.
- You are welcome to sing if you are wearing a mask.
- Colouring sheets and craft items for children are available on the table at the back of the fellowship hall.
- An offering plate is located at the back of the fellowship hall.
Next Sunday March 27
9:45 a.m. Livestream and in-person worship in the Fellowship hall.
Lent Worship Series: Transformed by Jesus – Final Days and Holy Ways
Scripture: Matthew 26:14-16, 20-25, 47-50, 27:3-10
The life and tragic death of Judas; held within God’s everlasting love.
Speaker: Pastor Sara Erb
11:00 a.m. Kids Sunday School – Indoors, masks are strongly encouraged.
11:00 a.m. Adult Education on Zoom
No Coffee Time
Congregational Life
March 24 (Thurs.) 7 p.m. Continuing our conversation “How to talk with people whom we disagree with” hosted by the Anti-Racism Ad Hoc (Gladys Bender, Ashley Drudge, Janessa Otto, Pastor Sara). New participants welcome.
MYF
March 25 (Fri.) 7 p.m. Minute to Win It games at the church.
Community Events
March 20 (today), 1 pm. MCEC Palestine-Israel Network Working Group invites you to Together Against Apartheid Campaign Launch and Online Rally. More information
April 25 (Tues.) 6:30 p.m. New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale Promotion Dinner at Bingemans Conference Centre, Kitchener. More than just a delicious meal, a chance to connect with community and support MCC. Tickets are $25.00 each and must be purchased in advance at https://bit.ly/3MVREpR or 519-745-7458 (press 3).
May 1 (Sun.), noon – 3 pm. Visit to Crow Shield Lodge in Wilmot Twp. Anyone interested in a way to connect and learn about the teachings of Indigenous people and their connection to the land is welcome to attend. Cost $75.00/person. Crow Shield is a Teaching Lodge and has a vision of providing space to work towards reconciliation by teaching traditional knowledge of the Indigenous Peoples. Registration is limited and children welcome. Contact Gladys Bender or Pastor Steve if you are interested or have questions.
May 12-15 Indigenous-Mennonite Encounters in Time and Place, Conrad Grebel University College. Stories and analyses of encounters and relationships. Details and preregistration: https://uwaterloo.ca/indigenous-mennonite-encounters
Notices
Reduction of pandemic restrictions:
- While the Ontario government will no longer impose mask wearing in most settings as of March 21, we encourage you to continue mask wearing at church gatherings as you are able. Please consider not only your own well-being but also those who live, work and visit in high risk settings such as Long Term Care, Retirement and Hospitals, as well as those who are more comfortable in group settings if they and others are wearing masks.
- With mask wearing, we will continue singing during worship.
- For now, we will continue to use the fellowship hall for worship to accommodate all who wish to participate and remain physically distanced, especially in anticipation of increased in-person attendance for Good Friday and Easter services.
- The nursery room will be open, unsupervised. Use at your own discretion. Wipes available.
- Beginning on Easter Sunday, we plan to reintroduce coffee time following worship services, primarily outdoors as weather permits.
- We look forward to other outdoor gatherings in warmer weather – your suggestions welcome.
These guidelines will be reviewed again in approximately four weeks – Ad hoc “reopening committee:” Suzanne Bender (Formation), Darlene Gingerich (Care), Cliff Kennel (Witness), Janessa Otto (Worship), Pastors Sara and Steve.
See an introduction and virtual tour of House of Friendship’s Addiction Treatment Centre in Cambridge: https://bit.ly/3JiGs4t
MCC has informed us that they want to proceed with our application to sponsor a Syrian refugee family living in Lebanon. However, the family’s refugee status registrations with the UN have expired and must be renewed before MCC will proceed. This will be very difficult for the family due to a number of obstacles. Please continue to pray for them as they try to make their way to Canada.
Rockway Mennonite Collegiate
- Spiritual Emphasis Week, March 22-24. Guest speakers Clarence M. Cachagee, Indigenous Community Educator and Founder of the Crow Shield Lodge, and Rebecca Seiling, Mennonite Central Committee Ontario’s Indigenous Neighbours Program. For more information about the chapels or to view them at home, https://bit.ly/3pVjXux
- All-school drama production of Anne of Green Gables, March 31-April 2, 2022. Details, as they are confirmed, will be provided on their website: www.rockway.ca/drama
- Quilt display in the silo by Louise Hamilton of Purple Roosting Quilts https://bit.ly/3MHpE98
The Inter-Mennonite Children’s choir is looking for a Training Choir Instructor for Fall 2022. For more details: www.mennosingers.com/imcc
Personal Notes
Wendy Wagler will be out of the office March 10th to March 25th, please feel free to email accountant@smchurch.ca. For urgent matters please call or email Dawna at 519 634 8311 or office@smchurch.ca.
Congratulations to Ray McAllister who is celebrating his 81st birthday on Tuesday, March 22
On March 23rd Ruth Steinmann is moving to her daughter Sara’s, 255 Beattie St, Owen Sound, ON N4K 6X2, until she can get her own place. “Prayers are always welcome. They mean a lot.” We thank God for her long and amazing recovery.
I am delighted to report that I have purchased a new home in New Hamburg. I am also happy to report that I sold my Vineland home on March 11. This just happened to be my birthday — it was a wonderful gift! Many thanks to Richard Steinmann for his leadership in my housing venture. – Pastor Louise Wideman
Remember in Prayer
Please pray for Alice Wagler who has been hospitalized twice recently.
Please pray for Betty & Wallace Roth and their family as Betty receives palliative care at home.