Peace Sunday
November 5, 2023
Gathering
Prelude
Call to Worship & Prayer
Hymn: For the Beauty of the Earth VT 120
Lament: We are deeply saddened
Receiving
Scripture: Romans 8:18-23
Children’s Time
Hymn: God of Fertile Fields VT 750
Scripture: Matthew 1:1-17
Sermon: We are all Connected
Responding
Hymn: For the Healing of the Nations VT 705
Congregational Sharing & Prayer
Offering & Offertory
Announcements
Going Out
Hymn of the month: Peace to You VT 168
Benediction Commitment
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: Delphine Schwartzentruber
Worship Leader: Kim Francis
Children’s Time: Pastor Sara Erb
Song Leader: Sara Roth
Congregational Prayer: Rick Brenneman
Scripture: Kim Francis, Rick Brenneman, Gord Roth
Speaker: Pastor Ben Cassels
A/V: Ben Winter , Steve Kennel
November Coin Collection & Special Offering is in support of House of Friendship Emergency Food Hamper program, helping to provide food security to any who are struggling. For more information or to donate online please visit: https://bit.ly/40kvtAS
Today
Coffee & tea 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. 5), basement
11:15 – 12 p.m. Jr. Youth (Gr. 6-8) & MYF (Gr. 9-12+), basement
Adult Ed. in the Fireplace Room: Building on the “What is the Bible?” series from October, we now begin 3-weeks (Nov 5, 19, 26) on “The Bible & LGBTQ+ Inclusion.” This week we’ll be joined (virtually) by Jennifer Otto, PhD, Associate Professor in the Department of History and Religion at the University of Lethbridge, where she teaches courses on the Bible and the Christian tradition. This week she’ll offer us historical insight on the Bible’s understanding of human sexuality.
Next Sunday November 12
9:45 a.m. Livestream and in-person worship in the sanctuary.
Rockway Mennonite Senior Choir and Steinmann MC Rockway alumni will give leadership to the worship service.
Congregational Life
The Christmas choir will sing Sunday morning, Dec. 17. Rehearsals: Sun. Nov. 26, 5:30 pm; Sun., Dec.3, 5:30 pm; and Sun., Dec.10. 7:00 pm. An additional rehearsal before Dec. 17 is possible. All singers are welcome.
Save the Date for our annual Community Christmas Banquet, Saturday December 9th at 5pm. More information & tickets coming soon.
Care Packages: Exam time is coming soon for our post-secondary students. We want to let them know that their church family is thinking of them. Care Team is making packages and invites your contributions: candy, granola bars, tea, hot chocolate, post-it notes, etc. An information sheet has been placed in your church mailbox. Check your church mailbox for the list of students. A box for items will be in the hallway Nov. 5, 12, & 19.
Nov. 7 (Tues.) 7 p.m. Core Teams Meeting in the church basement. Please try to ensure that a member from each committee is able to join us for some information updates as well as an opportunity to check in with other committees and VFT reps.
Nov. 7 (Tues.) 4 – 5 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. Pickleball.
Nov. 9 (Thur.) 7 pm, sanctuary: Prayers for Peace. We will gather to pray through scripture, music and silence. All are welcome.
Nov. 11 (Sat) 3 – 4:30 p.m. Come to our first “Baby Shower” for babies around the world – assembling MCC Infant Care kits. Refreshments provided by the Mennonite Knotters and Quilters. If you cannot come to the baby shower on Nov. 11, please bring items for the babies and drop them into the tub in the front hall. Thank you.
Nov. 18 (Sat.) 9 a.m. – 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.
Nov. 26 – Eternity Sunday. A sacred time and space to feel our grief and losses. We will remember members of the congregation as well as other family and friends beyond our congregation who have died this past year (Nov. 2022-2023). If you wish to have a name read during the service, please add their name and information to the sheet on the table in the hallway or contact the church office by this Tuesday, Nov. 21st.
MYF (Grades 9-12+)
Nov 10 (Fri.) 7:30-9:30 p.m., Youth Night at Conrad Grebel.
Nov 17 (Fri.) 7-10 p.m.. Youth & Parent Meeting (Trip) and movie night at Joanne & Don Schwartzentrubers
Jr. Youth (Grades 5-8)
Nov. 8 (Wed.) 6:30-8 p.m. Craft Night at the church. Be ready to get creative!
KidsLIFE (Grades 1-5)
Nov. 15 (Wed.), 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Woodworking
Small Groups
Nov. 7 (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.
Nov. 9 (Thurs.) 10:00 a.m. – Women’s Bible study group meeting at the church in the Fireplace area. We will be using the book “Let The Light In” by Colin McCartney as a starting point to our discussion. All women are welcome. Contact person – Darlene Gingerich.
Personal Notes
Pastor Louise will be on vacation Friday November 3 – Tuesday, November 7.
Congratulations to Viola Dorsch who is celebrating her 97th birthday on Friday, November 10 and Ruby Gingerich who is celebrating her 95th birthday on Saturday, November 11.
Remember in Prayer
Continue to pray for those with ongoing health challenges and their families who companion them: Louise Gingerich, Wayne Leis, Tasha Steckle.
Please pray for Larry Wagler and family as Larry struggles with health issues.
Brian Hofstetter was transferred from ICU at Toronto General Hospital to the ICU at St. Mary’s Hospital in Kitchener this week.
This week join Mennonite Church Eastern Canada (MCEC) in prayer for Community Mennonite Church, Stouffville, ON.
Wider Community
Nov. 5 (Sun.) at 3 p.m. A conversation with Ashley Hynd about traditional Indigenous tobacco at Steinmann Mennonite Church under the skylights. Sponsored by Wilmot Ecumenical Working Group on Indigenous/Settler Relationships. Register ecumenicalworkinggoup@gmail.com or Gladys Bender.
Nov 9 (Thur.) 7-9 pm. Discover Rockway – information night for families interested in Rockway Mennonite Collegiate. https://bit.ly/3ESAfwO.
Nov. 11 (Sat). 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. MCEC Equipping Day at East Zorra Mennonite Church. A day for pastors, chaplains, congregational leaders and all who are interested to talk about green funerals, funeral planning, advanced care planning, MAID (Medical assistance in dying) and palliative care. Cost: $100. Register at https://bit.ly/3tZJms9
Nov. 11 (Sat.) 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 12 (Sun.) 3 p.m. DaCapo Chamber Choir concert presents My Spirit Sang All Day. For more information www.dacapochamberchoir.ca
Nov. 11 (Sat.) 7p.m. Theatre of the Beat. Hillcrest Mennonite Church presents “I Love You and It Hurts” which delves into the issue of abuse in our communities – elder abuse, healthy masculinity and intimate partner violence in young relationships. This interactive show provides an innovative way to raise awareness and start important conversations. Admission by donations to Theatre of the Beat.
Nov. 12 (Sun.) 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. OMAS Holiday Market at Parkminster United Church 275 Erb St. E. Waterloo. Proceeds support the Stephen Lewis Foundation in Sub-Saharan Africa. https://www.omas-siskonakw.org/
Nov. 12 (Sun.) 7 p.m. – St Jacobs Mennonite Church is hosting members of the KW Symphony in a Fundraising Concert entitled ‘Baroque and Beyond… A Musician’s Fundraiser.’
Nov. 14 (Tues) 7 p.m. Mannheim Mennonite Church. You are invited to light a candle as a prayer for peace. Come join the ancient ritual of lament as the psalmists did so many years ago. Come to pray for peace. Come together as an expression of hope as we remember Israel and Palestine; Ukraine and Russia; Ethiopia and Tigray.
Nov 18 (Sat) 9 – 4 p.m. MCC Peace Conference at Rockway Mennonite Collegiate, 110 Doon Rd., Kitchener. This is your chance to see, hear and experience first-hand how you and MCC are changing lives and communities through peacebuilding. Registration link https://mcc.org/events/peace-conference.
Nov. 15 (Wed.) 7:30 a.m.-10 a.m. Wilmot Family Resource Centre (WFRC) and Interfaith Counselling Centre (ICC) host a community breakfast on mental health and healthy relationship awareness to our community at Puddicombe House Restaurant. This year’s event presents: Theatre of the Beat– performing “I love you and it hurts”. Tickets are $35 each online https://bit.ly/3tM2cm9 , or call ICC office at (519)662-3092.
Nov. 18 (Sat.) 7 p.m. Shantz Mennonite Church presents The Jantzis, Gospel Music Concert. $10 donation at the door.
Nov. 22 (Wed.) 7:30 p.m. on Zoom Rockway Mennonite Collegiate – Annual General Meeting. Email AGM@rockway.ca to RSVP and Zoom link. Visit our AGM webpage for voting information.