Installation Service for Pastor Ben Cassels
September 10, 2023
Gathering to praise….
Prelude
Call to Worship
Hymn: Christ is Our Cornerstone VT 4
Affirmation of faith
Hymn: New Earth, Heavens New VT 377
…to listen for God’s Spirit….
Children’s Time
Hymn: There Are Many Gifts VT 374
Scripture: Isaiah 55:10-13
Sermon: “Wild Hope”
…..that transforms us ….
Hymn: There’s a Wild Hope in the Wind VT 828
Service of installation
Hymn: The Lord Lift You Up VT 832
Congregational Prayer
Offering & Offertory
….and sends us forth as bearers of God’s hope.
Announcements
Hymn: Guide Our Feet VT 816
Benediction
Postlude
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: Doris Martin
Song Leader: Sara Roth
Floral Arrangement: Reta Bender
Worship Leader: Pastor Sara Erb, Pastor Louise Wideman
Children’s Time: Ben Winter
Scripture: Aleah Laverty
Sermon: Pastor Marilyn Rudy-Froese
Offering: Gladys Bender, Kim Lichti
Benediction: Pastor Ben Cassels
A/V: Cliff Kennel and Steve Kennel
September Special Offering and Kid’s Offering: Help Mennonite Central Committee provide food where there is extreme hunger in East Africa. For information and to donate: https://bit.ly/3qYBINi
Today
- No Sunday school this week.
- Congregational Meeting to affirm Richard Steinmann as VFT’s Secretary/Treasurer and a short update on the flat roof project will be immediately following the worship service on Sept 10th. Zoom will be available for those who wish to watch the meeting – voting will only be in-person.
- Potluck and BBQ following the meeting. Everyone welcome.
Next Sunday September 17
9:45 a.m. Livestream and in-person worship in the sanctuary.
Theme: Voices Together
Speaker: Pastor Sara Erb
Sunday School for all ages begins starts. Kids and youth Sunday School begins at 11 a.m. Parents please note if the service ends earlier we ask that you stay with your children until 11 a.m. Adult Ed. begins at 11:15 – giving time to grab your coffee.
Congregational Life
Sept. 12 (Tues.) 4 – 5 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. Pickleball.
Sept. 16 (Sat.) 2 4 p.m. The family of Irene Bender invite you to help celebrate Irene’s 100th birthday during a drop-in at the church fellowship hall. Cards & best wishes only.
October 12,(Thurs.) 7:00 pm, 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.
Oct. 13 – 14 (Fri. – Sat.) Women’s retreat at Blue Mountain Resort. More details to follow. Contact person: Sandy Scheerer
MYF (Grades 9-12+)
Sept. 15 (Fri.) 7 p.m. Family Dinner at Mark & Sandy Scheerers. Meet at church at 6:30 p.m. for carpooling.
Jr. Youth (Grades 5-8)
Sept. 13 (Wed.) 6 – 8 p.m. Progressive Dinner. Meet at the church.
KidsLIFE (Grades 1-5)
A place for children grades 1-5 to make friends, have fun, and grow as followers of Jesus. KidsLIFE will meet the first and third Wednesday nights of the month, 6 – 7:30 pm beginning October 4. Cost is free but we ask for registration. https://smchurch.ca/kidslife/
Personal Notes
Congratulations to Steve & Sharon Gingerich marking 51 years of marriage on Monday, September 11.
Congratulations to Irene Bender who will be celebrating her 100th birthday on Monday, September 11.
Remember in Prayer
Continue to remember persons with health concerns:
*Nyle Hofstetter at Ingersoll Hospital
*Brian Hofstetter at Toronto General Hospital
*Tasha Steckle continuing with chemo treatment
*Louise Gingerich who was released from the hospital and is resting at home.
Prayer requests from Mennonite World Conference:
- Latin America – safety from abuse for women and children, adequate food, education and opportunities.
Wider Community
The New Hamburg Thrift Centre is in need of volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering https://bit.ly/3qSQaGD
The All Nations Grand River Water Walk will be walking the length of the Grand River from September 17-23. MCC is arranging the food. If you are interested in contributing on Wednesday Sept 20 please contact Gladys Bender.
Silver Lake Mennonite Camp
Fall Retreats – Registration now open for a variety of retreats: Men’s Retreat (Sep 15-17), Bruce Trail Hike (Sep 18-21), Fall Hike Retreat (Sep 29-Oct 1), Fall Work Weekend (Oct 27-29). Click here for more info… slmc.ca/retreats
PiE (Pastor’s in Exile) invites all young adults to weekly supper and bible study every Monday night beginning September 11th at 6p.m. Waterloo-Kitchener United Mennonite Church. More info www.pastorsinexile.org
Sept. 16 (Sat.) 9 a.m. Shalom Counselling Service’s 10,000 Steps for Mental Health fundraising walk. Participate by walking or donating. Money raised helps provide more affordable, accessible counselling services in Waterloo Region. For information: https://shalomcounselling.org/steps. See Shalom Spring 2023 Newsletter, Seedlings at https://bit.ly/3Y5pMWo.
Sept. 23 (Thurs.) 11:30- 1:30 p.m. & 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Wilmot Family Resource Centre’s 29th Annual Poor Boys Luncheon at the New Hamburg Community Centre (251 Jacob St.) Tickets $10 each or family $35, available at the door, cash or cheque only.
Sept. 25 (Mon.) 7:00-8:30 p.m. Online. MCC Ontario Annual General Meeting. For details mcco.ca/AGM.
Sept. 30 (Sat.) 6:30 p.m. Vigil Service for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at Peel Street lawn of Trinity Lutheran Church. All are welcome for a time of prayer, music and reflection.
Oct. 2 (Mon.) Hidden Acres annual Seniors Fall Retreat. The theme is Songs that Shape and Reshape Us. Resource person Ingrid Loepp Thiessen. For more info and to register https://hiddenacres.ca/programs/seniors-retreat. Brochures on the table by the mailboxes.
Oct. 14 (Sat) 5 p.m. & 7 p.m. Empty Bowls for Haiti at Steinmann Mennonite Church. Tickets now available.
Oct. 28 (Sat.) 9 – 4:30 p.m. Voices Together Resource Day at Shantz Mennonite Church. Save the Date! Registration now open.
Join the Mennonite Mass Choir in performing Handel’s Messiah with the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony at Centre in the Square on Sun., Dec. 10 (afternoon). Monday evening rehearsals start Sept. 25 at First Mennonite Church (800 King St E, Kitchener) 7:30-9:30 p.m. For more info and to register go to www.mennosingers.com
Menno Singers family of choirs, introduces the Menno Youth Ensemble. The Menno Youth Ensemble is open to all voice-types and instruments, and all participants should be willing to sing. More info contact Mykayla Turnermykaylat@smu.edu or Joel Woods joel.woods@uwaterloo.ca
The Abner Martin Music Scholarship ($4,000 value last year) is awarded annually by Menno Singers to a student who: 1) will be enrolled in a full-time music major or minor program at the undergraduate or graduate level in 2023-2024); 2) is affiliated with an MCEC congregation; and 3) has demonstrated involvement and proficiency in musical activities in church and community. Application deadline is September 22, 2023. For more infoand/or an application form contact Lewis Brubacher, lbrubacher@sympatico.ca or 519-884-3072.