March 5, 2023
Lent 2023 – Created in the Image of God, Shaped by Jesus
Lent 2: Shaped by New Birth
We Gather
Prelude
Call to Worship
Hamba nathi (Come, Walk with Us) VT 23
Breathe on Me, Breath of God VT 737
Confession and Assurance
Gift of Music: Sizohamba naye (We Will Walk with God) VT 815
We Hear God’s Word
Parent- Child Dedication
Mark 10:13-16
Congregational Response VT 970
Jesus Loves Me VT 516
Children’s Time
John 3:1-17
Sermon
We Respond
Longing for Light (verses 1,2,5) VT 715
Pastors’ Reflections
Congregational Prayer
Offering
Announcements
The Lord Lift You Up VT 832
Benediction
Postlude
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Leading us in worship:
Music: Darryl Drudge, Elaine Finnie, Ben Winter
Worship Leader: Lynnette Hammer
Parent-Child Dedication: Jamie and Malcolm Vincent with Eva Rae
Children’s Time: Paulette West
Sermon: Pastor Steve Drudge
2022 Reflections: Pastors
Congregational Prayer: Pastors
A/V: Steve Carter, Steve 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. NEW update from a recent trip to Ukraine: http://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.
11:00 a.m. AGM in-person & Zoom. Report books including the agenda, membership policy update and by-law amendments are available on a table outside the fellowship hall.
MYF & Jr. Youth Chili fundraiser lunch following the meeting.
Next Sunday March 12 – Lent 3
Daylight Savings Time begins.
9:45 a.m. – Livestream and in-person worship in the sanctuary.
Theme: Created in the Image of God, Shaped by Jesus
Scripture: John 4:5-15
Speaker: Pastor Louise Wideman
11 a.m. Zoom Coffee Time.
Congregational Life
March 7 (Tues) 4 – 5 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. Pickleball.
March 8 (Wed.) 7 p.m. VFT meeting
March 10 (Fri.) 5:30 p.m. in the gym, TGIF returns. This is a meal for young families that you don’t have to make or plan! If interested, please RSVP to darryl.drudge@gmail.com by the Wednesday, March 1st. Cost will be split, but it’s usual around $20 per family.
August 14-18, 2023 (mornings) Baden Summer Bible Camp. Save The Date! Please contact Sara Roth (519-498-7907 or badensbc@gmail.com) if you would consider helping out in any capacity. We will be looking for volunteers during this week for worship and drama, Bible study, STEAM activities (science, technology, engineering, art, math), and active games, snacks and group leaders. Children and adults are invited to see and experience the transforming love of God.
Oct. 13-14 (Fri. – Sat.) Women’s Retreat. Save the date. Watch for more details. Organizer: Sandy Scheerer.
Care Team is grateful for the persons who have stepped forward and agreed to begin as Lay Visitors. We are still in need of one or two more people to serve in this capacity. If you have interest or would like to know more about the role, check with a Care Team Member: Darlene Gingerich, Mary Lou Gingerich, Joanne Schwartzentruber, Lynn Yantzi or Pastor Louise.
MYF (Grades 9-12+)
March 9 (Thur.) 7 p.m. Parent-Youth Information Night on Summer Service Trip
Jr. Youth (Grades 5-8)
Let Pastor Sara know about interest in April Rock Climbing.
KidsLIFE (Grades 1-5)
March 22 (Wed.) 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Small Groups
March 7 (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 9 (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 110-118. Questions – talk to Lynelle Drudge, Joy Wagler or Darlene Gingerich.
Wider Community
March 18 and 25 (Sat.) 10 – 12:30 p.m. Mennonite Central Committee: Stitching and Stories Join our Indigenous Neighbours team for a time of storytelling and stitching as Niska artisan Lucie Iserhoff teaches us how to bead a simple pin. A kit will be mailed to you with sewing materials. Register by March 6th, at 12 p.m. for this online event. http://bit.ly/3STiUsF
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.
June 4-7 International Conference on Ageing and Spirituality, hosted by Conrad Grebel. Registration is now open. Early bird pricing available until Mar 18. Visit uwaterloo.ca/ageing-spirituality/ for more information and to register.
The New Hamburg Thrift Center needs more donated items to sell. If you have items to donate, don’t wait.
Silver Lake Mennonite Camp: Winter and Spring Retreats: Winter Camp for Grown-Ups (Mar 3-5), March Break Family Getaway (Mar 14-17). Go to https://bit.ly/3ugT85T for more info and to register.
Personal Notes
Congratulations to Keith Bast who is celebrating his 81st birthday on Monday, March 6.
On February 25th, 25 members from the Steinmann Strollers Team walked to raise money and awareness of homelessness and poverty. Our team alone raised a total of $4,265.00 for the Wilmot Resource Centre. Wow!! A huge thank you goes out to all participants and sponsors who made this possible. See you next year.
Remember in Prayer
This week join Mennonite Church Eastern Canada (MCEC) in prayer for Waterloo North Mennonite Church, Waterloo, Ontario.