This Sunday marks the first Sunday of Lent. A time when we are invited into reflection and prayerful preparation; these are often accompanied by acts of penance or self denial. Lent is an opportunity to step into our own wilderness (just like Jesus did after his baptism & prior to the beginning of his ministry); step out of our lives a little and refocus on our relationship with God and where God is active in our lives.
Here is what happened in Church on Sunday:
Focus Statement: Between Me & You and all the creatures. God’s promise and God’s love grow wider.
Gathering
Welcome & Announcements
Call to Worship & Opening Prayer
Gathering songs:
Hearing God’s Word
Confession & Words of Assurance
Children’s Time
Song of Response: For Me, For You
Scriptures: Genesis 9:8-17, Mark 1:9-15
Message: God’s Covenant is Inclusive
Responding
Song of Response: Between Me & You
Offering
Sharing Time
Congregational prayer
Sending
Sending song
Benediction
A few sermon notes:
This week we began our study of biblical covenants. These covenants provide hints at the nature of the relationship intended between God & creation, God & God’s people, and between people. Today’s focus was on the first covenant identified in the OT, the one God embarks on with Noah. This everlasting covenant is made between God and people, AND every living creature.
Lent is a time of year when we are called to reflection & perhaps even change in order to align ourselves more fully with the way of our Lord. God demonstrated clearly in this covenant, His enduring love for all of his creation. So perhaps the questions we can ask are: Can we love the planet as much as its creator does? And what impact can this love have on our care of it?
And our announcements for the week:
Book Study: “Everything Belongs” by Richard Rohr. This book looks at ways to engage a deeper spiritual life. We are hoping to begin the week of February 26th. Check out the signup sheet in the foyer, or connect with Cheryl if you are interested.
Interested in learning more about Mennonite Collegiate Institute? We invite prospective students and families to join us at MCI in Gretna, MB, February 20th at 6pm for dinner, followed by an MCI Information Night at 7pm. Information will focus on Faith-based learning, Music program, Athletics, Finances, and Discipleship. Please register for dinner by emailing kaylagiesbrecht@mciblues.net or calling the school at (204)327-5891, or feel free to come at 7pm for the Information Night.
CMU is honoured to host Senator Murray Sinclair as he shares stories and insights of Canadian communities, churches, and educational institutions responding to the TRC 94 Calls to Action. Senator Sinclair will speak on ‘The TRC, Calls to Action, and the Mountain before Us: Stories of Hope and Challenge’. Join us on Monday, Mar. 5, 7:00 PM in Marpeck Commons. An in-person and live-streamed event.
CMU presents “Journeying Together: Accompanying the Aging”, a one-day workshop for deacons, caregiving teams, pastors, and Christians working in health care or other caregiving roles. Join John H. Neufeld, Heather Campbell-Enns, Kathleen Rempel Boschman, Charlene Epp, and more as we explore what it means for Christians to journey together with the aging. Mar. 17th, 2018. For more information, and to register, please go to cmu.ca/pastorsworkshops
Xplore: Keep Thinking: Enroll in CMU’s 55-Plus Enrichment Program, offered Wednesday mornings at CMU from Mar. 7 – Apr. 11. Courses include The Conflict over “Holy Smoke”: Contextualizing the Gospel for Indigenous Peoples. For information and to enroll go to cmu.ca/xplore.
Sargent MCC Thrift Shop welcomes applications for part-time Assistant Manager. Applications will be accepted until a successful candidate is chosen. For more information and application instructions, please visit mccmb.ca/sargent-thrift-assistant-manager.
Invitation to MCM Delegate Gathering Worship. All are welcome to worship and communion at First Mennonite Church, March 2, 2018. 7:00pm. David Martin, Executive Minister of Mennonite Church Eastern Canada is our guest speaker. Delegate meetings take place on March 3.
Fundraising hymn sing for the new Mennonite Hymnal. Douglas Mennonite Church. March 11, 2018. 7:00pm. Join three current members of the hymnal committee for singing and reporting on the progress of the new hymnal, due out in 2020. For more info on the project, visit www.mennomedia.org/resonate
The Mennonite Community Orchestra conducted by William Gordon, will be presenting its Spring Concert on Sunday March 11th at 3:00 PM in the CMU Chapel, 600 Shaftesbury Blvd. south of Grant. The orchestra will perform Strauss’ Die Fledermaus Overture, Mozart’s Piano Concerto #25 with soloist Shirley Elias, and Dvorak’s Symphony #8. Tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for students and are available at the door. Children 12 and under, free admission.
Camps with Meaning online registration is open! This is our ministry together as Mennonite Church Manitoba. Please visit www.campswithmeaning.org to register for summer camp. We want all families to afford camp. Note our new Campership Fund, which assists families at a much higher level than before.
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