Living Water
September 3, 2023
Gathering to praise….
Prelude
Call to Worship and Prayer
Hymn: Lord, I am Fondly, Earnestly Longing VT 555
…to listen for God’s Spirit….
Children’s Time (Blessing of Backpacks)
Hymn: Jesus Loves Me VT 516
Scripture: John 4:4-18, 28-30
Hymn: Crashing Waters at Creation VT 441
Sermon: Shaped by Thirst, Loved by God
…..that transforms us ….
Hymn: O Let All Who Thirst bulletin insert
Congregational Sharing & Prayer
Offering & Offertory
Announcements
….and sends us forth as bearers of God’s love.
Hymn: Rain Down VT 703
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:
Worship Leader: Janessa Otto
Accompanist: Delphine Schwartzentruber
Song Leader: Pastor Louise Wideman
Children’s Time: Melissa Gingerich
Congregational Prayer: Sue Kennel
Scripture Reader: Janessa Otto
Sermon: Pastor Ben Cassels
A/V: Cliff Kennel, 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
Coffee & tea available in the fellowship hall following the service.
Next Sunday September 10
9:45 a.m. Livestream and in-person worship in the sanctuary.
Scripture: Isaiah 55:1-13
Speaker: Marilyn Rudy-Froese , MCEC Church Leadership Minister
Note the return to 9:45 am worship.
- Installation service for Pastor Ben Cassels followed by a potluck and BBQ. Please bring a salad or side to share, and your own dishes.
- 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.
- No Sunday school.
Congregational Life
Sunday School for all ages begins September 17th. 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.
Sept. 5 (Tues) The church office will be closed in lieu of Labour Day.
Sept. 5 (Tues.) 4 – 5 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. Pickleball.
Sept. 6 (Wed.) Morning & afternoon – All women invited to the church to knot comforters and/or quilt. Bring a bag lunch. Drinks provided.
Oct. 12 (Thur.) 7 p.m. Steinmann Mennonite Church is hosting the play by Ted & Co., “We Own This Now: What if the land you loved was stolen?” The play, sponsored by local churches and businesses, explores the impact of the Doctrine of Discovery that justified European acquisition of the Americas and the oppression of Indigenous peoples. Tickets: $15 per adult/ $10 per student. Further details to follow.
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.
Personal Notes
We are delighted to welcome Pastor Ben and Kendyll Cassels and their children Elysse and Rowan to our congregation. Ben’s installation service will be on September 10th.
Congratulations to David & Ruth Steinmann who are celebrating their 69th anniversary on Monday, September 4, Murray & Muriel Poole are celebrating their 59th anniversary on Monday, September 4 and Wayne & Joyce Leis who are celebrating their 51st anniversary on Saturday, September 9.
Remember in Prayer
Alex Lebold had a scan on Monday, August 28 resulting in an early release from isolation. We celebrate this good news for Alex, Jon, Jedson, Axel, and Rennley.
Nyle and Kathleen Hofstetter welcome any visits. Nyle is recuperating at the hospital in Ingersoll, room 305. Parking is free.
Pray for Nyle & Kathleen Hofstetter’s son, Brian, who is in intensive care at St. Mary’s Hospital.
Continue to remember Tasha Steckle as she continues her chemo treatment.
Louise Gingerich has responded well to radiation for her stomach cancer. She will be coming home soon.
This week join Mennonite Church Eastern Canada (MCEC) in prayer for West Hills Mennonite Fellowship, Baden, ON and Wilmot Mennonite Church, New Hamburg, ON.
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.
Sept. 4 (Mon.) 2 – 8 p.m. Blood Donor Clinic at Steinmann Mennonite Church. Appointments are required. To book an appointment call 1-888-236-6283 or https://www.blood.ca/en
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. 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.
Silver Lake Mennonite Camp Fall Retreats – Registration now open for a wide variety of fun retreats coming up this fall including: 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). slmc.ca/retreats
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.