Thanksgiving Sunday
October 8, 2023
Gathering in Thanksgiving
Prelude
Welcome & Thanksgiving Greetings
Call to Worship
Hymn: Sing to the God of Harvest VT 122
Hymn: We Plow the Fields and Scatter VT 747
Receiving in Thanksgiving
Scripture: Romans 12:1-2
Food Offerings & Children’s Time
Hymn: O God of Blessings* v 1, 2, 3 VT 700
Scripture: Genesis 1 (selections)
Sermon: Thanksgiving: Living God’s Story
Responding in Thanksgiving
Hymn: For the Fruit of All Creation VT 124
Congregational Sharing & Prayer:
Offering & Offertory
Announcements
Going Out in Thanksgiving
Hymn: God of the Fertile Fields VT 750
Benediction
Postlude
*New Voices Together Hymn-of-the-Month for October 2023
An unsupervised nursery is available across from the washrooms for children ages 5 and under. Parents are expected to supervise their children while in the nursery.
Leading us in worship:
Prelude, Offertory & Postlude: Orchestra/Grant Movold
Song Leader: Norma Iutzi
Worship Leader: Sue Kennel
Children’s Time: Pam Carter
Scripture readers: Sue Kennel, Pastor Louise Wideman
Congregational Prayer: Pastor Sara Erb
Speaker: Ben Cassels
A/V: Paul Hammer & Cliff Kennel
October Special Offering: Wilmot Family Resource Centre Food Bank. https://bit.ly/3t7i96r.
Today
Coffee, tea & juice available in the fellowship hall following the service.
No Sunday school this week for all ages.
On Thanksgiving Sunday we have put our faith into action by bringing donations for the Wilmot Family Resource Centre Food Bank. Additionally food or financial donations can be made all month and more information is available at https://bit.ly/3t7i96r & https://bit.ly/48rBwar.
Next Sunday October 15
9:45 a.m. Livestream and in-person worship in the sanctuary.
Scripture: James 5:13-18
Speaker: Pastor Louise Wideman
Congregational Life
Our “Names of God Quilt” is growing! Each week you are invited to write a name for God that has been significant to you on the quilt patches in the hallway. It can even be the same name for each week.
Oct. 10 (Tues.) 4 – 5 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. Pickleball.
Oct. 12 (Thurs.) 7:00 p.m., Steinmann M.C. “We Own This Now” presented by Ted & Company TheatreWorks. Sponsored by MCC; the Wilmot Ecumenical Working Group on Indigenous/Settler Relationships; local churches; businesses and individuals. It explores the legal framework that justified European acquisition of the Americas and the oppression of Indigenous peoples. Tickets are $15 each ($10 for students). Get yours at mcc.org/we-own-this-now.
Nov. 18 (Sat.) 9 – 2 p.m. 9th annual Makers Market. There will be 35+ local vendors including Ten Thousand Villages again this year. We have a wide variety of volunteer roles to fill! If you are interested, please contact Ashley – ad.drudge@gmail.com or 519-998-2955.
MYF (Grades 9-12+)
Oct. 20 (Fri.) Family Dinner at Mark & Sandy Scheerer’s., 6:30 p.m. meet at the church for carpooling.
Jr. Youth (Grades 5-8)
Oct. 19 (Thur.) 6:30-8 p.m. Outdoor Games at Chris & Wendy Lebolds.
KidsLIFE (Grades 1-5)
Oct. 18 (Wed.), 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Small Groups
Oct. 17 (Tues.) 10 a.m. The Adult Bible Study led by Wes Leis will meet in the fireplace room. Studying “Exploring the New Testament”. Everyone is welcome.
Bible study group for women of all ages – If you would like to participate in a study group that will meet on the second and fourth Thursday (10 a.m.), in the board room at church and/or via Zoom, contact Darlene Gingerich, 519.662.3492 or dargingerich@yahoo.com. A start date will be determined by responses.
Personal Notes
Congratulations to Carson Hammer and Samantha Wilfong on their upcoming wedding on October 14th.
Pastor Ben is away at a seminar and then Mennonite Church Canada Joint Council meetings in Winnipeg from Thursday October 12 to Monday October 16. He will respond to messages and emails when he’s back on Tuesday October 17.
Congratulations to Ron Gingerich who is celebrating his 85th birthday on Friday, October 13 and Dorene Ruby who is celebrating her 81st birthday on Friday, October 13.
Congratulations to Ron & Judy Gingerich who are celebrating their 57th anniversary on Saturday, October 14.
Remember in Prayer
We express our sympathy to the family of Ervin Steinmann. Ervin died September 28. Visitation will be held at Steinmann Mennonite Church on Sunday, October 15, 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm. A memorial service will take place on Monday, October 16 at 2 pm.
Ruby Gingerich has moved to Sunnyside Home in Kitchener.
Continue to pray for Brian Hofstetter, son of Nyle and Kathleen, who is in intensive care at Toronto General Hospital
Larry Wagler is at home recovering from a brain bleed, which happened a few weeks ago. He is awaiting further tests. Larry, Pat and family covet your prayers
This week join Mennonite Church Eastern Canada (MCEC) in prayer for Cassel Mennonite Church, Tavistock, ON.
Wider Community
Oct. 9 (Mon.) 2 – 8 p.m. Blood Donor Clinic at Steinmann Mennonite Church. Appointments are required.
Oct. 14 (Sat) 5 p.m. & 7 p.m. Empty Bowls for Haiti at Steinmann Mennonite Church. Tickets and info: https://bit.ly/3Pk3xrJ.
Oct. 15 (Sun.) 7 p.m. St. Jacobs Mennonite Church will host the Heart Cry Ensemble for a concert of choral music. No cost a freewill offering will be collected. For more link https://bit.ly/469nWHg.
Oct. 20 (Fri.) CMU Discover Day – Full- or half-day options available. Prospective students tour the CMU campus, visit a class, meet professors and current students, ask questions and have lunch and treats on us! Visit https://www.cmu.ca/future/experience.
Oct. 22 (Sun.) 2:30 4:30 p.m. East Zorra Mennonite Church invites you to an information and fundraising event for Help Build a Future of Peace in Mindanao. The Future of Ministry in Philippines: Malipayon Peace Hub. For info https://bit.ly/3PUuTWS.
Oct. 27-29 Hidden Acres’ 3rd Rally for Recreation. For more information and to sign up visit www.hiddenacres.c
Oct. 28 (Sun.) 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Voices Together Resource Day at Shantz Mennonite Church. Come explore the music and resources of the new Voices Together Hymnal with some of the members of the VT Committee and other MCEC musicians. Register at https://bit.ly/3runeFo. The day ends with a Voices Together Hymn Sing at 7 p.m. open to the whole community. All are invited to bring your voices.
Oct. 28 (Sat.) 5 p.m. House of Friendship’s Friendship Dinner. Celebrate inspiring youth who are overcoming the odds! More info and tickets https://bit.ly/3YVx.
Nov. 4 (Sat.) 7:30 p.m. Menno Singers present ‘Now I lay me down to Peace,’ at First United Church (16 William St, Waterloo). Tickets $25 Adults. $5 Children/Students, available on-line or at the door (cash or credit) www.mennosingers.com
Nov 9 (Thur.) 7-9 pm. Discover Rockway – information night for families interested in Rockway Mennonite Collegiate. https://bit.ly/3ESAfwO.
Nov. 11 (Sat.) 7p.m. Theatre of the Beat is coming to Hillcrest Mennonite Church. Join us for their presentation of “I Love You and It Hurts” which delves into the issue of abuse in our communities – specifically elder abuse, healthy masculinity and intimate partner violence in young relationships. This is an interactive show providing an innovative way to raise awareness and start important conversations around abuse. Admission by donations to Theatre of the Beat.