Nurturing Seeds of Faith
September 8, 2024
Gathering to praise….
Prelude
Call to Worship and Prayer
Hymn: We Praise You, O God, Our Redeemer VT 34
Affirming our faith VT 922
Hymn: Blessed Assurance VT 435
…to listen for God’s Spirit….
Children’s Time
Hymn: Somlandela (We Will Follow) VT 566
Scripture: *adapted from Matthew 13:3-9; Jeremiah 17:7-8;
James 3:13-18
Sermon: What do you hear? Listen.
…..that transforms us ….
Hymn: Seed, Scattered and Sown VT 477
Congregational Prayer
Offering & Offertory
….and sends us forth as bearers of God’s hope.
Announcements
Prayer of blessing for Sunday school teachers
Hymn: You Are Salt for the Earth VT 297
Benediction
Postlude
*Let All Within Us Praise! Dramatic Resources for Worship by Patricia J. Shelly ©1996
Leading us in worship:
Accompanist: Delphine Schwartzentruber
Song Leader: Steve Wagler
Worship Leader: Kim Lichti
Congregational Prayer: Pastor Ben Cassels
Sermon: Pastor Louise Wideman
Scripture: Chris and Elaine Finnie, Kim Lichti, Mary Lou Gingerich
Children’s Time/Litany: Pastor Sara Erb
A/V: Ben Winter, Paul Hammer
An unsupervised nursery is available across from the washrooms for children ages five and under. Parents are expected to supervise their children while in the nursery.
Special/Coin Offering is in support of MCC Relief Kits to be assembled during the Bicentennial Weekend September 20-22. Our goal is to raise $2,024 which would allow us to create 32 kits.
Today
Christian Education (Sunday School) for all ages: Intergenerational SS in the Fellowship Hall.
Coffee Time following worship in the Fellowship Hall.
Next Sunday
9:45 am Livestream and in-person worship
Scripture:Psalm 92:12-15; 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:5
Speaker: Pastor Ben Cassels
This week at Steinmann MC
Sept 9 (Mon):6:30-9 pm Pickleball
Sept 10 (Tues): 6:30-9 pm Pickleball
MYF (Grades 9-12+)
Sept 19 (Thurs) 7 pm: Youth and Parent Visioning Night, at Joanne Schwartzentruber’s place. Parents invited to join from 7-8pm.
Sept 27 (Fri) 7-10 pm: Family Dinner, location to be determined.
Jr. Youth (Grades 5-8)
Sept 12 (Thurs) 6 pm: Pool Party at Brandon & Jessie Gingerich’s.
Sept 25 (Wed) 6:30-8 pm: Gym night at the church.
KidsLIFE
If you are willing to prepare a snack for KidsLIFE (Wednesdays 6-7:30 pm beginning October 2) , please add your name to the sign up sheet by the mailboxes.
Small Groups
Sept 11 (Wed) 10 am: Adult Bible Study in the Fireplace room, led by Wes Leis. We are continuing our journey through the New Testament. Everyone is welcome. Special Scripture Study for this year will be 2 Timothy 3:16 – 4:1-5.
Sept 26 (Thurs) 10 am: Women’s Bible study in the Fireplace room or via Zoom. We will finish up the book “Let The Light In” by Colin McCartney. Join the discussion even if you do not have the book. We will meet the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month. Contact Darlene Gingerich for more information.
Bicentennial
We have launched a Capital Campaign to lay a solid foundation for the future and anticipating upcoming building maintenance costs. Our goal is $350K. Please designate these funds, “200 Years”.
There will be a visual display of our congregation’s history September 20-22. If you have artifacts about our church for display, please speak to Brandon Gingerich. Examples are books, genealogies, clothing, furniture, and photos etc.
Time Capsule: You are invited to submit letters for reading in 50 years. Letters may include messages of hope, stories about yourself or the church/community, etc. Please use 8.5″ x 11” paper. Submissions will be accepted up to Sunday, September 22.
Check out the Schedule at: https://smchurch.ca/bicentennial-events/ Hard copies are by the mailboxes (goldenrod coloured paper).
Sept 20 (Fri), 7:00 pm – Hymn Sing: If you need a ride, please call Rick Brenneman at 519-662-2861 to arrange transportation.
Volunteers needed Sept 20-22. Sign up sheet is by the mailboxes.
Congregational Life
Sept 27-29 (Fri-Sun): Women’s Retreat at Blue Mountain Resort in Collingwood. Approximate costs are $150 for one night and $250 for two nights. Signup by September 18 on the sheet by the mailboxes. Direct questions to Gladys Bender, Joanne Schwartzentruber, or Sandy Scheerer.
Joys & Concerns
Congratulations to Wayne & Joyce Leis on their 53rd Wedding Anniversary on Sept 9.
Happy Birthday to Irene Bender, turning 101 yrs old on Sept 11.
Verna Schwartzentruber plans to be discharged from Freeport on September 10 and move into Nithview Rm 2211.
“Thank you so much for the many birthday cards, best wishes, prayers, visits, and phone calls during my hospital stay. I look forward to continued connections with you in my new home.”
Community Events
Conrad Grebel Bible Study with Prof Derek Suderman. Thursdays Oct 3 – Nov 7, 7-8:30 pm. More info: https://bit.ly/3X5pJcM