January 28, 2018

Verse of the Week:

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake, he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.”    

2 Corinthians 8:9


Worship leader: Rudy Franz
Song Leader & Pianist: Ang Fehr

Welcome & announcements

Call to Worship

Prayer

Worship in Song

Offertory

Prayer Time
Children’s Story – Kristen Falk
Transfer of Membership for Nettie Dyck

Worship in Song

Scripture Reading – Various Passages

Message – The Gain of Generosity – Rudy Franz
Closing Song

Benediction


Prayer & Praise

~ This morning we want to welcome Nettie Dyck into our midst through a transfer of membership. She has worshiped among us for some time and been involved in various ways. We are grateful for her presence and look forward to formally welcoming her as a member.

~ From February 14 -21, 2018, Morgan Fehr will be going to Northern Manitoba on a Mission Exposure with Steinbach Bible College.  This mission trip is part of the program of study and she will be serving with a group of other students in Thicket Portage, a small First Nation south of Thompson, for one week.  She would value our prayers on her behalf as well as for the team while they prepare and while they are on assignment.

~ Dave & Erica left this past Tuesday morning to make their way to Chiang Mai, Thailand to visit Jon & Natalie and their first granddaughter Peyton. We continue to pray that their time will be meaningful in so many ways. We are grateful that they have this opportunity to travel. They plan to return on Saturday, February 3.

~ Grant & Glenda also left this past Monday on their way to San Carlos, Mexico with a group who are on a medical mission trip with Rocky Mountain Ministries. We continue to pray that their visit and work will be meaningful. They expect to return on February 5.

~ Nettie Ginter is recovering from her chemo treatments and plans to begin a six week schedule of radiation treatments on February 13. She will be staying with her sister in Winnipeg during the week. We pray for continued healing and strength to face the next round of treatments.

~ We continue to pray for Tenley Falk and Tim Wiebe and their families as they face the challenges of their own journeys. May our God continue to supply your needs on a daily basis.

~ Let us not forget to pray for Austin Penner as he continues his stay at the Agassiz Youth Centre in Portage la Prairie

~ Those in various care homes that we remember in our prayers include: Trudy Harms, Helen Janzen, Jake Rempel, Mary Klassen, and Peter E. Hildebrandt

~We continue to offer our prayer support for Laure and her family, as well as for the Paroisse Missionaire Congregation in Kinshasa, DR Congo; Ryan Thiessen in San Carlos, Mexico, Murray and Carol Honsberger in Papua New Guinea, Eagles Wings Children’s Village in Uganda, Jon & Natalie Neudorf in Chiang Mai, Thailand working with YWAM, Andrea Fehr who is home working on VISA requirements before she can head back to Hawai’I, and Tyler Loewen in Cambodia with MCC.

Prayer for the Week:

O Lord, I ask for that quietness of mind and spirit which reflects the stillness in the heart of God, as a calm sea reflects the shining stars. Enable me, Lord, to hear the still small voice of eternity speaking through the sounds of time, that I may dwell in your peace and be one with your love, through Jesus the Christ our Lord.
Amen.


Announcements:


Youth

~ BMC Youth is for youth in grades 7-12, and happens Wednesdays from 7:00pm-9:15pm

~ For updates follow us on Social Media:
instagram: @bmcyouthmin
facebook: facebook.com/groups/BMCYouth (Group)
facebook.com/bmcyouthmin (Page)
twitter: @bmcyouthmin
or contact Gerry Giesbrecht @ 204-362-7262

Youth Calendar:

January 31 – Worship Night
February 7 – Bible study
February 14 – Bible study
February 21 – Small Group Service Night


Church

~ Audio services and bulletins are now available at our Church website. The address is http://blumenortchurch.com.

~ Clubs, Wednesday, January 31, 2018.  Call Ang Driedger 204-327-6674, if you need more information.

~ IF the weather is questionable on a Sunday morning, we invite you to listen to CFAM for any announcements regarding cancellations of services.   Members of the Church executive will make that call before 8 am.  They will also send out an email with the same information.  This information is also available at https://www.pembinavalleyonline.com/news/road-reports-cancellations

~ The office is looking to update information for the annual meeting booklet for March 11, 2018.  If your address, phone number, birthdays and anniversaries are incorrect please notify the office by calling or emailing.  If you wish to be on the bulletin email list let Hedy know.

~ Rudy would like to invite anyone who is interested in attending Catechism classes to get in touch with him.  We would like to take a look at what we believe and why that is important to us.  We would like to begin these classes right after our church retreat.

~ Calling all young families and couples! We will be holding a faspa and game night on Jan. 28 at 4:30 PM in the church basement. This will be a great time of fellowship, food and fun. For those who can attend, please bring a dish to share (pickles, cheese, meats, or dessert) as well as your favourite board games. Buns, butter, coffee, and tea will be provided as well as a movie for the children too young for board games. If you have any questions feel free to contact Marilyn Dyck 204-327-5743 or Megan Hildebrandt 204-216-0996.


Community

~ Thank you for your generous donations to the mitten tree. All items have been donated to the following local schools: Gretna Elementary, Elmwood, J.R. Walkof, and Parkland.

~ Women of Integrity Winnipeg, a non-profit organization, of 12 women from 10 different churches, are pleased to be bringing to Winnipeg, singer, songwriter and inspirational speaker: Sheila Walsh, on Saturday, February 3, 2018 from 9 am – 4 pm, at Jubilee Place -181 Riverton Avenue, Winnipeg.  Her topic is “In the middle of the Mess”.  Tickets are $40, which includes lunch, snacks & Beverages.  Check out the website at: www.woiwinnipeg.ca or call 204-403-8126 if you are interested in attending.

~ The Executive Director of MCC Manitoba, Darryl Loewen sends his greetings along to our congregation and is excited that we have decided to continue our partnership with MCC by entering into congregational membership

~ Missionfest Manitoba takes place February 2-4, 2018 at Church of the Rock, in Winnipeg.  This is one of the premiere Missions Festivals in Canada.  Check the posters on the bulletin board for more information about speakers, children’s program and a youth/young adult concert featuring The Informants.

~ March 9 & 10 Promise Keepers Men’s Conference with special guest Darryl Strawberry. Check posters for details. All men are encouraged to attend. https://www.promisekeepers.ca/event/national-mens-conference-winnipeg/


Church Calendar

February 4 – Speaker – Eric Peters

February 9-11 Church Retreat | Speaker – Victor Engbrecht – There will be no SS or worship service in Rosetown this weekend.

February 18 1st Sunday of Lent | Speaker – Jake Friesen

February 25 Speaker – Rudy Franz

January 21, 2018

Verse of the Week:

Keep your life free from love of money and be content with what you have for He has said, “I will never fail you nor forsake you.”  Hebrews 13: 5


Worship leader: Kathy Franz
Song Leader & Pianist: Kirsten Friesen

Welcome and announcements

Call to worship

Prayer

Worship in song

Offertory –

Prayer Time

Children’s Story – Esther Zacharias

Worship in song

Scripture Reading – 2 Corinthians 8: 1-7, 1 Timothy 6: 6-10, 17-19

Message – “The Gain of Contentment” – Pastor Rudy

Closing Song

Benediction


Prayer & Praise

~ Dave & Erica Rempel are leaving on Tuesday, January 23 for Chaing Mai, Thailand, to visit Jon & Natalie and their newly arrived granddaughter, Peyton Elise.  We want to pray for safe travels, for experiencing the blessings of connecting with family and seeing what God is dong in the midst of that place.  Please send our greetings and well wishes.

~ From February 14 -21, 2018, Morgan Fehr will be going to Northern Manitoba on a Mission Exposure with Steinbach Bible College.  This mission trip is part of the program of study and she will be serving with a group of other students in Thicket Portage, a small First Nation south of Thompson, for one week.  She would value our prayers on her behalf as well as for the team while they prepare and while they are on assignment.

~ Nettie Ginter is scheduled to begin her radiation treatments on February 13.  During the week she will be staying at her sister’s place in Winnipeg.  We pray for continued strength and perseverance for the journey, both for you and your family.    We also pray the same for Tenley Falk and Tim Wiebe and their families, as well as Austin Penner, currently at the Agassiz Youth Centre in Portage la Prairie.  Updates for Tenley can be found at: www.tenleysjourney.wordpress.com

~ Grant & Glenda Fehr are also leaving on Monday, January 22.  They are meeting with a larger group in Tucson, Arizona and then making their way to San Carlos, Mexico.  This is a medical mission trip with Rocky Mountain Ministries. They plan to return on February 5.  We also want to pray for safe travels, for the blessing of ministry and connections with Ryan Thiessen and many others.  Please send Ryan our greetings and well wishes.

~ Those in various care homes that we remember in our prayers include: Trudy Harms, Helen Janzen, and Jake Rempel, Mary Klassen in the Rock Lake Personal Care Home in Pilot Mound, and Peter E Hildebrandt, who moved into room 103 in the Apartments at the Gardens on Tenth (Formerly known as the Ebenezer apartments).

~ We continue to offer our prayer support for Laure and her family as well as for the Paroisse Missionaire Congregation in Kinshasa, DR Congo; Ryan Thiessen in San Carlos, Mexico; Murray and Carol Honsberger in Papua New Guinea; Eagles Wings Children’s Village in Uganda; Jon & Natalie Neudorf in Chiang Mai, Thailand working with YWAM; and Andrea Fehr working with YWAM in Hawai’i; and Tyler Loewen in Cambodia with MCC.

Prayer for the Week:

O Christ, Serene and Tranquil Light, shine into the depth of my being.  Come, and draw me to Yourself.  Free me from the chatter of my mind, and draw me through and beyond all words and symbols into the silence; that I may discover You, the Unspoken Word, the Pure Light, piercing and transforming the darkness that hides me from seeing and knowing You.  Amen.


Announcements:

~ Audio services and bulletins are now available at our CHURCH website.  We are working at streamlining this, and keeping it current.  Please be patient with us as we continue to update our web presence.  Go to: http:.//www.blumenortchurch.com to see what’s new online.

~ Clubs, Wednesday, January 24, 2018.  Call Ang Driedger 204-327-6674, if you need more information.

~ Rudy would like to invite anyone who is interested in attending Catechism classes to get in touch with him.  We would like to take a look at what we believe and why that is important to us.  We would like to begin these classes right after our church retreat.

~ IF the weather is questionable on a Sunday morning, we invite you to listen to CFAM for any announcements regarding cancellations of services.   Members of the Church executive will make that call before 8 am.  They will also send out an email with the same information.  This information is also available at PembinaValleyOnline.

~ The Executive Director of MCC Manitoba, Darryl Loewen will be in our area and at our church on Tuesday, January 23 at 1:30pm for about an hour.  We would like to invite anyone who is interested in a discussion with him about the ongoing work of MCC and other topics, to join us at the church.

~ Missionfest Manitoba takes place February 2-4, 2018 at Church of the Rock, in Winnipeg.  This is one of the premiere Missions Festivals in Canada.  Check the posters on the bulletin board for more information about speakers, children’s program and a youth/young adult concert featuring The Informants.

emailing.  If you wish to be on the bulletin email list let Hedy know.

~ “Calling all young families and couples! We will be holding a faspa and game night on Jan. 28 at 4:30 PM in the church basement. This will be a great time of fellowship, food and fun. For those who can attend, please bring a dish to share (pickles, cheese, meats, or dessert) as well as your favourite board games. Buns, butter, coffee, and tea will be provided as well as a movie for the children too young for board games. If you have any questions feel free to contact Marilyn Dyck 204-327-5743 or Megan Hildebrandt 204-216-0996.”

~ Women of Integrity Winnipeg, a non-profit organization, of 12 women from 10 different churches, are pleased to be bringing to Winnipeg, singer, songwriter and inspirational speaker: Sheila Walsh, on Saturday, February 3, 2018 from 9 am – 4 pm, at Jubilee Place -181 Riverton Avenue, Winnipeg.  Her topic is “In the middle of the Mess”.  Tickets are $40, which includes lunch, snacks & Beverages.  Check out the website at: www.woiwinnipeg.ca or call 204-403-8126 if you are interested in attending.


Youth Announcements

BMC Youth is for youth in grades 7-12, and happens Wednesdays from 7:00pm-9:15pm

For updates follow us on Social Media:
instagram: @bmcyouthmin
facebook: facebook.com/groups/BMCYouth (Group)
facebook.com/bmcyouthmin (Page)
twitter: @bmcyouthmin

Youth Calendar:

January 24 – Bible Study

January 27 – Skating and Sledding – meet at the church at 10am.

February 7 – Bible Study


 

Community

 

Go to www.canadianmennonite.org to read Mennonite church-related news. The website has some of the stories from Canadian Mennonite magazine, an online comments section and more news from the global church.

 

~ Mennonite Disaster Service would like to invite to their All-Unit Meeting in Winkler, MB on Feb 9-10. This event is a time of sharing and celebration of the work of MDS the past year. For more information or to register please visit our website, mds.mennonite.net/all-unit-meeting/ or call us at 1-866-261-1274.  For those that live near Winkler, please note there is an option to come for only Friday evening, or only Saturday. We would also like to note that Friday evening will include a theatre production by Ted & Company and walk-in’s are welcome for the evening program which begins at 7:00pm.

From the Gardens on Tenth: We are looking for the right person to come aboard as a full-time Chaplain. Go to our website for more information about our Spiritual Care services, as well as a job description and information on how to apply (http://gardensontenth.ca/services-available/…). Join us in praying for the right person to fill this very important position!

~ Altona MCC Thrift and Gift Shop is having their Annual Meeting on:  Monday, January 29th at 2:00 p.m. in the Altona EMM Church.  Darryl Loewen, executive Director of MCC Manitoba will be the Guest Speaker.  Soup and Pie to follow the meeting. Everyone welcome

~ “Overcoming Worry, Fear and Anxiety’ is the title of a workshop presented by Ken & Carolee Neufeld of Living Free Ministries on Saturday, February 10 at the Altona EMMC from 9 am to 5 pm. For information and to register call the EMMC Office at 204-324-8432.  Early bird registration by February 4 is $35.  Check the bulletin board for the poster and brochures.

~ Winkler bible Camp is hosting a Valentines banquet on February 9, 10, 11 at 6: 30 pm nightly. ‘I Love Lucy: Returns’, a comedy production.  A freewill offering will be taken.  For more information or to make a reservation, please call the camp office at 204-325-9519.


Church Calendar

January 28 – Speaker – Rudy Franz

February 4 – Speaker – Eric Peters

February 9 – 11 – Church Retreat – speaker – Victor Engbrecht – see the link at www.blumenortchurch.com

January 14, 2018

Verse of the Week:

For once you were darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light.

Ephesians 5: 8


Worship leader: Walter Dyck
Song Leader & Pianist: Erica Rempel

 

Welcome and announcements

Call to worship

Prayer

Worship in song

Offertory – Josh Dyck

Prayer Time

Worship in song

Scripture Reading – John 1: 1-13, Jordan Dyck

Message – Sharing experiences and reflections about their recent trip to Israel, Ethiopia and Uganda – Walter & Marilyn Dyck

Closing Song

Benediction


Prayer & Praise

~ John & Melissa Wiebe have received permanent guardianship of a girl, named Wynter Angel.  They are excited about this addition to their family.  We as a congregation want to welcome Wynter into our midst and we pray for God’s blessings as John & Melissa accept the responsibilities of parenthood.

~ From February 14 -21, 2018, Morgan Fehr will be going to Northern Manitoba on a Mission Exposure with Steinbach Bible College.  This mission trip is part of the program of study and she will be serving with a group of other students in a community (yet to be determined) for one week.  She would value our prayers on her behalf as well as for the team while they prepare and while they are on assignment.

~ Nettie Ginter has just completed her last round of chemotherapy and will likely begin six weeks of radiation treatments in Winnipeg at the beginning of February.   We want to continue to remember Nettie and her family in our prayers as well as Tenley Falk and Tim Wiebe and their families.  Austin Penner also values our continued prayer support during his stay at the Agassiz Youth Centre in Portage la Prairie.  Updates for Tenley can be found at: www.tenleysjourney.wordpress.com

~ Those in various care homes that we remember in our prayers include: Trudy Harms, Helen Janzen, and Jake Rempel, Mary Klassen in the Rock Lake Personal Care Home in Pilot Mound, and Peter E Hildebrandt, who moved into room 103 in the Apartments at the Gardens on Tenth (Formerly known as the Ebenezer apartments).

~ We continue to offer our prayer support for Laure and her family as well as for the Paroisse Missionaire Congregation in Kinshasa, DR Congo; Ryan Thiessen in San Carlos, Mexico; Murray and Carol Honsberger in Papua New Guinea; Eagles Wings Children’s Village in Uganda; Jon & Natalie Neudorf in Chiang Mai, Thailand working with YWAM; and Andrea Fehr working with YWAM in Hawai’i; and Tyler Loewen in Cambodia with MCC.

Prayer for the Week:

Father in Heaven, form in us the likeness of Your Son and deepen His life within us.  Send us as witnesses of gospel joy into a world of fragile peace and broken promise; and touch the hearts of all with Your love that they in turn may love one another. Amen.


Announcements:

~ Audio services and bulletins are now available at our CHURCH website.  We are working at streamlining this, and keeping it current.  Please be patient with us as we continue to update our web presence.  Go to: http:.//www.blumenortchurch.com to see what’s new online.

~ Clubs , Wednesday,  January 17, 2018.  Call Ang Driedger 204-327-6674, if you need more information.

~ We would like to meet with all the ushers for a short time after the service in the large Sunday school room.  We need to reorganize which means selecting a head usher and the finance committee would like to organize some additional responsibilities for the ushers as well.

~ IF the weather is questionable on a Sunday morning, we invite you to listen to CFAM for any announcements regarding cancellations of services.   Members of the Church executive will make that call before 8 am.  They will also send out an email with the same information.

~ “Calling all young families and couples! We will be holding a faspa and game night on Jan. 28 at 4:30 PM in the church basement. This will be a great time of fellowship, food and fun. For those who can attend, please bring a dish to share (pickles, cheese, meats, or dessert) as well as your favourite board games. Buns, butter, coffee, and tea will be provided as well as a movie for the children too young for board games. If you have any questions feel free to contact Marilyn Dyck 204-327-5743 or Megan Hildebrandt 204-216-0996.”

~ Women of Integrity Winnipeg, a non-profit organization, of 12 women from 10 different churches, are pleased to be bringing to Winnipeg, singer, songwriter and inspirational speaker: Sheila Walsh, on Saturday, February 3, 2018 from 9 am – 4 pm, at Jubilee Place -181 Riverton Avenue, Winnipeg.  Her topic is “In the middle of the Mess”.  Tickets are $40, which includes lunch, snacks & Beverages.  Check out the website at: www.woiwinnipeg.ca or call 204-403-8126 if you are interested in attending.


Youth

BMC Youth is for youth in grades 7-12, and happens Wednesdays from 7:00pm-9:15pm

For updates follow us on Social Media:
instagram: @bmcyouthmin
facebook: 
facebook.com/groups/BMCYouth (Group)
facebook.com/bmcyouthmin (Page)
twitter: @bmcyouthmin

Youth Calendar:

January 17 – Bible Study

January 24 – Bible Study

January 27 – Skating and Sledding – meet at the church at 10am.


 

Community

~ SALT – If you’re interested in a yearlong cross-cultural internship or work experience in a faith-based context, consider applying for SALT 2017-18! We’re looking for communicators, educators, French or Spanish speakers, development grads, peacebuilders, nurses, IT experts, social workers, and more. Young adults ages 18-30, apply today at mccmb.ca/salt.

~ Mennonite Disaster Service would like to invite to their All-Unit Meeting in Winkler, MB on Feb 9-10. This event is a time of sharing and celebration of the work of MDS the past year. For more information or to register please visit our website, mds.mennonite.net/all-unit-meeting/ or call us at 1-866-261-1274.

For those that live near Winkler, please note there is an option to come for only Friday evening, or only Saturday. We would also like to note that Friday evening will include a theatre production by Ted & Company and walk-in’s are welcome for the evening program which begins at 7:00pm.

Winkler Bible Camp is looking to hire a full-time cook.

This would be a full time, salary-paid position. Salary will be determined based on experience of applicant. This job would primarily include cooking for large groups and catering large events. This position requires a person to be willing to serve guests with a positive attitude and accommodate special requests. People skills are necessary as we work as a team. Applicant should maintain a positive and professional approach with coworkers and guests

Winkler Bible Camp is looking to hire a Barn Manager.  This would be a full time, salary-paid position. Salary will be determined based on experience of applicant. This job would primarily include overseeing our horseback riding program as well as overseeing the care of our Petting Zoo. Applicant must have general knowledge of farm animals and animal health care. Applicant is required to have the ability to ride and work with horses. Leadership skills, ability to work with children, and a passion to serve is essential for this position. Send applications to:  Bowen at the camp.

From the Gardens on Tenth: We are looking for the right person to come aboard as a full-time Chaplain. Go to our website for more information about our Spiritual Care services, as well as a job description and information on how to apply (http://gardensontenth.ca/services-available/…). Join us in praying for the right person to fill this very important position!


Church Calendar

Church calendar

January 15 – 16 – Annual Prayer services at 7: 30pm

January 21 – Speaker –Rudy Franz

January 28 – Speaker – Rudy Franz

February 4 – Speaker – Eric Peters

February 9 – 11 – Church Retreat – speaker – Victor Engbrecht – see the link at www.blumenortchurch.com

note a few changes to the birthdays & Anniversaries

January anniversaries:

January 9– Erma & Jake Froese

January 11 – Kyle & Ally Fehr

January 21 -Marlin & Becky Froese

 

January Birthdays:

6 – Kieran Reynolds

7- Betty Martens

8- Hedy Falk, Michael Klassen

9 – Dave Fehr, Mary Letkeman

10 – Ang Driedger, Donna Entz

11 – Sheldon Fehr, Carmen Friesen

12 – Geoff Loewen, Elma Fehr

15 – Dave Klippenstein, Joey Friesen

16 – Walter Dyck

20 – Glenda Fehr

21- Dorothy Janzen

22- Norman Peters, Allan Friesen

25 –Marilyn Dyck, James Penner, Ashley Hildebrand, Jordan Dyck

27- Rod Fehr, Helen Ens (Abe)

January 7, 2018

Verse of the Week:

Which commandment is the first of all? Jesus answered, “The first is this, Hear O Israel; the Lord our God, the Lord is One; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”  The second is this, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  There is no other commandment greater than these.”  Mark 12: 29-31


Worship leader: Rudy Franz
Song Leader & Pianist: Ang Fehr

Welcome and announcements

Call to worship

Prayer

Worship in song

Offertory

Prayer Time

Worship in song

Scripture Reading – Proverbs 3: 1-18

Message – “Priorities” – Pastor Rudy

Service of Communion

Closing Song

Benediction


Prayer & Praise

~ Welcome to this first Sunday of the New Year.  We are grateful that the faithfulness of our God is not bound by time and space.  Thus we commit to following after in hope the One who has gone on before us preparing the way.

~ Tyler Loewen is preparing to leave on Tuesday, January 9, 2018 for a three year term with MCC in Cambodia, where he will serve as Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Co-ordinator.  We pray for safety and a sense of well-being as you embark on this next chapter of ministry.  May you be encouraged and find joy in your commitment.

~ Thank you to the food committee and others for your planning and preparing a wonderful breakfast for us on January 1.  This allowed us the opportunity of food, fellowship and an excellent way to begin the New Year.

~ At the beginning of a new year, we want to continue our prayer support for Tenley Falk, Nettie Ginter and Tim Wiebe and their families. We trust that God’s provisions to supply what is needed will not be exhausted.  We also trust in God’s continued presence with Austin Penner, at the Agassiz Youth Centre in Portage la Prairie.  Updates for Tenley can be found at: www.tenleysjourney.wordpress.com

~ Those in various care homes that we remember in our prayers include: Trudy Harms, Helen Janzen, and Jake Rempel, Mary Klassen in the Rock Lake Personal Care Home in Pilot Mound, and Peter E Hildebrandt, who moved into room 103 in the Apartments at the Gardens on Tenth (formerly known as the Ebenezer apartments).

~ We continue to offer our prayer support for Laure and her family as well as for the Paroisse Missionaire Congregation in Kinshasa, DR Congo; Ryan Thiessen in San Carlos, Mexico; Murray and Carol Honsberger in Papua New Guinea, Eagles Wings Children’s Village in Uganda, Jon & Natalie Neudorf in Chiang Mai, Thailand working with YWAM, and Andrea Fehr, working with YWAM in Hawai’i, and Tyler Loewen in Cambodia with MCC.

~ Those in various care homes that we remember in our prayers include: Trudy Harms, Helen Janzen, and Jake Rempel, Mary Klassen in the Rock Lake Personal Care Home in Pilot Mound, and Peter E Hildebrandt, who moved into room 103 in the Apartments at the Gardens on Tenth (Formerly known as the Ebenezer apartments).

~ We continue to offer our prayer support for Laure and her family as well as for the Paroisse Missionaire Congregation in Kinshasa, DR Congo; Ryan Thiessen in San Carlos, Mexico; Murray and Carol Honsberger in Papua New Guinea; Eagles Wings Children’s Village in Uganda; Jon & Natalie Neudorf in Chiang Mai, Thailand working with YWAM; and Andrea Fehr working with YWAM in Hawai’i; and Tyler Loewen in Cambodia with MCC.

Prayer for the Week:

God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, whose years never fail and whose mercies are new each returning day; let the radiance of Your Spirit renew our lives, warming our hearts and giving Light to our minds; that we may pass the coming year in joyful obedience and firm faith; through Him who is the Beginning and the End, Your Son, Christ our Lord.  Amen.


 

Youth

BMC Youth is for youth in grades 7-12, and happens Wednesdays from 7:00pm-9:15pm

For updates follow us on Social Media:
instagram: @bmcyouthmin
facebook: 
facebook.com/groups/BMCYouth (Group)
facebook.com/bmcyouthmin (Page)
twitter: @bmcyouthmin

Youth Calendar:

January 10, 2018 – Underground Church Kick-off

January 17 – Bible Study


Church

~ Audio services and bulletins are now available at our CHURCH website.  We are working at streamlining this, and keeping it current.  Please be patient with us as we continue to update our web presence.  Go to: http:.//www.blumenortchurch.com to see what’s new online.

~ Children’s church will be available again starting January 7.  See Cassie for details.

~ Clubs will resume on January 10, 2018.  Call Ang Driedger 204-327-6674, if you need more information.

Financial Update:

Thank you to all for your generous donations…we made it!!!

~ Rudy would invite anyone who is interested in attending Catechism classed to get in touch with him.  We would like to take a look at what we believe and why that is important to us.  We would like to begin these classes right after our church retreat.

Monday, January 8 – Church Council meeting at 7 pm


Community

~ SALT – If you’re interested in a yearlong cross-cultural internship or work experience in a faith-based context, consider applying for SALT 2017-18! We’re looking for communicators, educators, French or Spanish speakers, development grads, peacebuilders, nurses, IT experts, social workers, and more. Young adults ages 18-30, apply today at mccmb.ca/salt.

~ Mennonite Disaster Service would like to invite to their All-Unit Meeting in Winkler, MB on Feb 9-10. This event is a time of sharing and celebration of the work of MDS the past year. For more information or to register please visit our website, mds.mennonite.net/all-unit-meeting/ or call us at 1-866-261-1274.

For those that live near Winkler, please note there is an option to come for only Friday evening, or only Saturday. We would also like to note that Friday evening will include a theatre production by Ted & Company and walk-ins are welcome for the evening program which begins at 7:00pm.

Winkler Bible Camp is looking to hire a full-time cook.

This would be a full time, salary-paid position. Salary will be determined based on experience of applicant. This job would primarily include cooking for large groups and catering large events. This position requires a person to be willing to serve guests with a positive attitude and accommodate special requests. People skills are necessary as we work as a team. Applicant should maintain a positive and professional approach with coworkers and guests

Winkler Bible Camp is looking to hire a Barn Manager.  This would be a full time, salary-paid position. Salary will be determined based on experience of applicant. This job would primarily include overseeing our horseback riding program as well as overseeing the care of our Petting Zoo. Applicant must have general knowledge of farm animals and animal health care. Applicant is required to have the ability to ride and work with horses. Leadership skills, ability to work with children, and a passion to serve is essential for this position. Send applications to:  Bowen at the camp.


Church Calendar

January 14 – Speaker – Walter & Marilyn Dyck, reflections on their recent trip to Israel, Ethiopia and Uganda.

January 15 & 16 – Annual Prayer Services at 7:30 pm

January 21 – Speaker – Rudy Franz

January 28 – Speaker – Rudy Franz

February 4 – Speaker – Eric Peters

February 9 – 11 – Church Retreat – Speaker – Vic Engbrecht

See the link at www.blumenortchurch.com

note there are a few changes to the Birthday & Anniversary List:

January anniversaries:

January 9 – Erma & Jake Froese

January 11 – Kyle & Ally Fehr

January 15 – Dave & Esther Klippenstein

January 21 -Marlin & Becky Froese

 

January Birthdays:

6 – Kieran Reynolds

7- Betty Martens

8- Hedy Falk, Michael Klassen

9 – Dave Fehr, Mary Letkeman

10 – Ang Driedger, Donna Entz

11 – Sheldon Fehr, Carmen Friesen

12 – Geoff Loewen, Elma Fehr, Melissa Penner Wiebe

15 – Joey Friesen

16 – Walter Dyck

20 – Glenda Fehr

21- Dorothy Janzen

22- Norman Peters, Allan Friesen

25 –Marilyn Dyck, James Penner, Ashley Hildebrand, Jordan Dyck

27- Rod Fehr, Helen Ens (Abe)

December 31, 2017

Verse of the Week:

Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.  Before the mountains were brought forth, or before You formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.

Psalm 90: 1-2


Worship leader: Jake Friesen
Song Leader & Pianist: Kirsten Friesen

 

Welcome and announcements

Call to worship

Prayer

Worship in song

Offertory

Prayer Time

Worship in song

We invite your participation on this last Sunday of the year, to share whatever is meaningful to you and which would be an encouragement for the rest of us to hear.  This could be in the form of Scripture, song, poetry, instrumental, story or reflections.  We invite your participation.

Closing song

Benediction


Prayer & Praise

~ Thank you again to the many who were involved in providing for our congregation a rich experience of worship during the Christmas season.  Your involvement has highlighted the significance of the season and helped us to celebrate anew the Advent of Emmanuel –God-with-us.

~ Thankyou to all those who helped decorate our mitten tree during this Christmas season.  The local schools in our area are grateful for these donations which they distribute to those in need.

~ As the hours of 2017 draw to a close we are grateful for the opportunity to worship our God who is not bound by time and space, who has been there from the beginning of time and will still be the Lord of All at the end of time.

~ Rudy & Kathy would like to thank all those who sent cards and pictures to us during this season.  Thank you for your expressions of thoughtfulness and care.

~ A continued reminder about the recent newsletters sent to us from Ryan Thiessen and Jim & Ann Peckham from Eagles Wings.  These letters can be found on the bulletin board.

~ We want to offer our continued prayer support for Tenley Falk, Nettie Ginter and Tim Wiebe and their families. May you continue to experience tangible expressions of God’s love, faithfulness and presence.    We also remember Austin Penner, who continues his stay at the Agassiz Youth Centre in Portage la Prairie.  Updates for Tenley can be found at: www.tenleysjourney.wordpress.com

~ Friday, January 5 this marks the date for our monthly 24 hour prayer vigil in support of Eagles wings Children’s Village in Uganda.

~ Those in various care homes that we remember in our prayers include: Trudy Harms, Helen Janzen, and Jake Rempel, Mary Klassen in the Rock Lake Personal Care Home in Pilot Mound, and Peter E Hildebrandt, who moved into room 103 in the Apartments at the Gardens on Tenth (Formerly known as the Ebenezer apartments).

~ We continue to offer our prayer support for Laure and her family as well as for the Paroisse Missionaire Congregation in Kinshasa, DR Congo; Ryan Thiessen in San Carlos, Mexico; Murray and Carol Honsberger in Papua New Guinea, Eagles Wings Children’s Village in Uganda, Jon & Natalie Neudorf in Chiang Mai, Thailand working with YWAM, and Andrea Fehr, working with YWAM in Hawai’i, and Tyler Loewen in Cambodia with MCC.

Prayer for the Week:

God of all generations, as we stand at the threshold of another year, we pray for courage and we pray with anticipation that You would give us time for the task, wisdom for the work, peace for the pathway,  friends for the fireside, love to the last and an increased awareness of Your presence with us always. Amen.


Announcements:

~ Audio services and bulletins are now available at our CHURCH website.  We are working at streamlining this, and keeping it current.  Please be patient with us as we continue to update our web presence.  Go to: http:.//www.blumenortchurch.com to see what’s new online.

~ Rudy is involved in leading worship at Eastview and the Gardens on Tenth in Altona this morning.

~ Join us for breakfast on January 1, 2018 to celebrate a new year and a short meditation.

~ Clubs will resume on January 10, 2018.  Call Ang Driedger 204-327-6674, if you need more information.

Financial Update:

Income to December 29, 2017             $ 330,606.11

Expenses to December 21, 2017          $ 355,033.07

Needed to balance the books:             $   24,426.96

Thank you for all your generous gifts throughout the year.


Youth

BMC Youth is for youth in grades 7-12, and happens Wednesdays from 7:00pm-9:15pm

For updates follow us on Social Media:
instagram: @bmcyouthmin
facebook: 
facebook.com/groups/BMCYouth (Group)
facebook.com/bmcyouthmin (Page)
twitter: @bmcyouthmin

Youth Calendar:

Youth resumes on January 10, 2018


 

Community

~ Canadian Blood Services – Community Blood Donor Clinic will be held at Altona – Rhineland Pioneer Center, Thursday, January 4, 2018 – 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm

~ TEN THOUSAND VILLAGES, ALTONA, is currently seeking a volunteer manager.  Send applications to Altona@Villages.ca

~ SALT – If you’re interested in a yearlong cross-cultural internship or work experience in a faith-based context, consider applying for SALT 2017-18! We’re looking for communicators, educators, French or Spanish speakers, development grads, peacebuilders, nurses, IT experts, social workers, and more. Young adults ages 18-30, apply today at mccmb.ca/salt.

~ The Mennonite Disaster Service All-Unit Meeting is being hosted by Region 5 (Canada) from February 9-10, 2018 in Winkler, MB. This event is open to all who are interested in the work of MDS. For more information or to register for the event see our website mds.mennonite.net/all-unit-meeting or call our Winnipeg office at 1-866-261-1274.

~ Merry Christmas from MCC!
Thank you for the many ways you have supported and partnered with MCC this year. Your volunteered time, donations, and prayers are greatly appreciated. We pray you have a joyous Christmas!

Winkler Bible Camp is looking to hire a full-time cook.

This would be a full time, salary-paid position. Salary will be determined based on experience of applicant. This job would primarily include cooking for large groups and catering large events. This position requires a person to be willing to serve guests with a positive attitude and accommodate special requests. People skills are necessary as we work as a team. Applicant should maintain a positive and professional approach with coworkers and guests

Winkler Bible Camp is looking to hire a Barn Manager.  This would be a full time, salary-paid position. Salary will be determined based on experience of applicant. This job would primarily include overseeing our horseback riding program as well as overseeing the care of our Petting Zoo. Applicant must have general knowledge of farm animals and animal health care. Applicant is required to have the ability to ride and work with horses. Leadership skills, ability to work with children, and a passion to serve is essential for this position. Send applications to:  Bowen at the camp.


Church Calendar

January 1, 2018 – breakfast at 9 am with a short meditation to follow

January 7 – Speaker – Rudy Franz, we will also be having a service of Communion

January 14 – Speaker – Walter & Marilyn Dyck, reflections on their recent trip to Israel, Ethiopia and Uganda.

 

January anniversaries:

January 7 – Erma & Jake Froese

January 11 – Kyle & Ally Fehr

January 21 -Marlin & Becky Froese

 

January Birthdays:

6 – Kieran Reynolds

7- Betty Martens

8- Hedy Falk, Michael Klassen

9 – Dave Fehr, Mary Letkeman

10 – Ang Driedger, Donna Entz

11 – Sheldon Fehr, Carmen Friesen

12 – Geoff Loewen, Elma Fehr

15 – Joey Friesen

16 – Walter Dyck

20 – Glenda Fehr

22- Norman Peters, Allan Friesen

24- Dorothy Janzen

25 –Marilyn Dyck, James Penner, Ashley Hildebrand, Jordan Dyck

27- Rod Fehr, Helen Ens (Abe)

December 25, 2017

Christmas Day Worship Service

December 25, 2017

And the angel said to them, “Be not afraid, for behold I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people, for to you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  Luke 2: 10-11

 

Worship Leader: Rudy Franz

Song Leader: Walter Dyck

Pianist: Riley Dyck

Welcome

Call to Worship

Prayer

Worship in Song

Lighting of the Advent Candles and the Christ Candle

Prayer Time

Reading – The Hornbill – Kathy Franz

Worship in Song

Scripture Reading – Luke 2: 1 – 20

Message – “The Good News of Christmas” – Pastor Rudy

Closing Song

Benediction

Der Friedensfuerst

 

Prayer & Praise

 

~ Welcome to our Christmas Day Worship service. The One whose birth was foretold from long ago has come to dwell among us.  We rejoice with the angels, the shepherds and the wise men that the one whose first cradle was a manger, would become our Saviour and Redeemer.  Thanks be to God for this expression of love for a world so often bent on going its own way.  May the babe in the manger find a home in each of our hearts and lives this Christmas season and always.

 

~ Christmas Prayer: Eternal God, ruler of all worlds, Your glory is revealed in vastness and in power, yet Your greatest name is Love.  This is the time we remember Your gentleness, hidden in a mothers’ hope.  This is the time we believe again that love is stronger than fear, that peace is stronger that hate, that darkness will never conquer the light. In this season of God-with-us, we offer our gift of gratitude and we make bold to believe that we are graced with Your presence, for we are gathered in the name of Emmanuel, God-with-us.  Amen.  

 

Christmas Litany

Leader: O Christ, Light of the world, come to our lives and reveal meaning and truth.

People: O Christ, hope of the despairing, come to our lives and teach us simple joy.

Leader: Jesus the Christ, Bread of the Soul, come to us and nourish us to true and eternal life.

People: Jesus the Christ, Shepherd of the flock, come and lead us to the springs of Living Water.

Leader: Living Christ, just and gentle judge, come and reveal us to ourselves.

People: Living Christ, healer of the wounded, come and make us whole.  Show us the way to new life.

All: Jesus the Christ, our Life, we celebrate Your birth today.  May our celebration be more than mere remembrance; may our worship be on opening of ourselves to You, in Spirit and in Truth.  Be born in us today, renew our Spirits and strengthen us to be Your people in the world, through the indwelling power of Your Holy Spirit.  Amen.

December 24, 2017

Verse of the Week:

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16


Worship leader – Marilyn Dyck

Children’s song leader – Kathy Franz

Congregational song leader – Harley Dyck

Accompanist – Joshua Dyck

Welcome and announcements

Prayer

Fourth Sunday of Advent Reading – Jr High SS class

Congregational singing

Offertory and prayer

Congregational singing

The SS children present “For God So Loved the World”, written and directed by Luke Klassen

 

This sequel to last year’s Christmas in Heaven’s Airport is set in Bethlehem and Jerusalem. Archangels Gabriel and Raphael set out to discover the purpose of Jesus’s trip to Earth.

 

Closing prayer – Pastor Rudy

Congregational song of response


Prayer & Praise

~ The Sunday school children and staff wish to express our gratitude to Luke Klassen for writing our Christmas play, and for making it so much fun to practice and perform.  Thank you, Luke, for using your gifting and giving so much of your time and energy.  You are truly appreciated! Donations to our mitten tree are gratefully welcomed, and will be distributed to various local schools.  Thank you, in advance, for your generosity.

~ Thank you to the Music Committee for your planning of this year’s Candlelight service which will be held tonight beginning at 7:30pm.  Thank you to others who provided help with costumes, decorating, sound and visuals.  It is a wonderful opportunity to honor the God of Christmas, the Child in the Manger, Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

~Tyler Loewen is finalizing arrangements for a 3 year term with MCC in Cambodia, where he will serve as Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Co-ordinator.  He is planning to leave on January 9, 2018.  We want to wish you God’s blessings as you prepare for this commitment and immerse yourself in the many facets of this community based development program.

~ Take note of the recent newsletter sent to the church from Ryan Thiessen.  It is on the bulletin board for your reading.  He is grateful for the conference held on November 25 which brought together close to 50 church leaders.  Also, the first day of a new school year begins with classes on January 15, 2018.  A good number of students are already enrolled.  Ryan and other leaders value our continued prayers on their behalf.

~ Take note also of the Christmas newsletter sent to our Church from Jim & Ann Peckham at Eagles Wings Children’s Village in Uganda.  A copy is on the bulletin board.  They write about the joys and challenges of providing food and housing in their own home for some very challenging situations when children struggle with malnourishment and life threatening diseases.  They also value our prayers on their behalf, just as we are blest when they remember us in prayer.

~ We trust that all those students and teachers involved in the education system will enjoy a break from their studies, will be able to find time to reconnect with family and friends, and will also be able to be renewed in Spirit through the profound story of Emmanuel, God-with-us, which we commemorate during this season.

~ We trust that the message of the season, of God’s love come to earth, in the tangible form of a baby, in a manger, will in some way be able to find its way into the hearts and minds of Tenley Falk, Nettie Ginter and Tim Wiebe and their families. We also uphold Austin Penner, who continues his stay at the Agassiz Youth Centre in Portage la Prairie.  Updates for Tenley can be found at: www.tenleysjourney.com

~ Those in various care homes that we remember in our prayers include: Trudy Harms, Helen Janzen, and Jake Rempel, Mary Klassen in the Rock Lake Personal Care Home in Pilot Mound, and Peter E Hildebrandt, who moved into room 103 in the Apartments at the Gardens on Tenth (Formerly known as the Ebenezer apartments).

~ We continue to offer our prayer support for Laure and her family as well as for the Paroisse Missionaire Congregation in Kinshasa, DR Congo; Ryan Thiessen in San Carlos, Mexico; Murray and Carol Honsberger in Papua New Guinea, Eagles Wings Children’s Village in Uganda, Jon & Natalie Neudorf in Chiang Mai, Thailand working with YWAM, and Andrea Fehr, working with YWAM in Hawai’I, and Tyler Loewen in Cambodia with MCC.

Prayer for the Week:

God who became as we are, may we become as You are.  Amen.

 


Announcements:

~ Audio services and bulletins are now available at our CHURCH website.  We are working at streamlining this, and keeping it current.  Please be patient with us as we continue to update our web presence.  Go to: http:.//www.blumenortchurch.com to see what’s new online.

~ Sunday, December 31 is the date of the last Sunday of the year as well as the time for our sharing Sunday.  We invite anyone who has something to share, scripture, song, a story, instrumental, to feel free to do so.

~ Monday, January 1, 2018 we invite the congregation to gather for breakfast in the church basement at 9 am.  This will be followed by an informal worship service.  The food committee invites anyone who wants to help out in the kitchen to make yourself available.

~ Clubs will resume on January 10, 2018.  Call Ang Driedger 204-327-6674, if you need more information.

Financial update:

Income to December 21, 2017             $ 311,834.11

Expenses to December 21, 2017         $ 339,073.74

Expected expenses to December  31  $   12,700.00

Needed before year end:                      $   40,000.00

Thank you for all your generous gifts throughout the year.


Youth

BMC Youth is for youth in grades 7-12, and happens Wednesdays from 7:00pm-9:15pm

For updates follow us on Social Media:
instagram: @bmcyouthmin
facebook: 
facebook.com/groups/BMCYouth (Group)
facebook.com/bmcyouthmin (Page)
twitter: @bmcyouthmin

Youth Calendar:

Youth resumes on January 10, 2018


 


Community

~ Canadian Blood Services – Community Blood Donor Clinic will be held at Altona – Rhineland Pioneer Center, Thursday, January 4, 2018 – 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm

~ TEN THOUSAND VILLAGES, ALTONA, is currently seeking a volunteer manager.  Send applications to Altona@Villages.ca

~ SALT – If you’re interested in a yearlong cross-cultural internship or work experience in a faith-based context, consider applying for SALT 2017-18! We’re looking for communicators, educators, French or Spanish speakers, development grads, peacebuilders, nurses, IT experts, social workers, and more. Young adults ages 18-30, apply today at mccmb.ca/salt.

~ The Mennonite Disaster Service All-Unit Meeting is being hosted by Region 5 (Canada) from February 9-10, 2018 in Winkler, MB. This event is open to all who are interested in the work of MDS. For more information or to register for the event see our website mds.mennonite.net/all-unit-meeting or call our Winnipeg office at 1-866-261-1274.

~ Merry Christmas from MCC!
Thank you for the many ways you have supported and partnered with MCC this year. Your volunteered time, donations, and prayers are greatly appreciated. We pray you have a joyous Christmas!


Church Calendar

December 24 – Candlelight service at 7:30 pm

December 25 – Christmas Day worship service at 10:30 am

December 31 – Sharing Sunday, no Sunday school

January 1, 2018 – breakfast at 9 am with a short meditation to follow

January 7 – Speaker – Rudy Franz, we will also be having a service of Communion

January 14 – Speaker – Walter & Marilyn Dyck, reflections on their recent trip to Israel, Ethiopia and Uganda.

December 17, 2017

Verse of the Week:

Again Jesus spoke to them saying, I am the Light of the world; those who follow Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the Light of life.  John 8: 12


Worship leader: Rudy Franz
Song Leader: Jake Friesen
Pianist: Viola Fehr

Welcome & announcements

Call to worship

Prayer

Worship in Song

Lighting of the 3rd Advent Candle – The Miller Family

Offertory – Josh Dyck

Prayer Time

Installation and Affirmation of our Deacons

Children’s Story – Pastor Rudy

Special Number – Heidi Miller & Lauren Fehr

Worship in Song

Scripture Reading – John 12: 44 – 50

Message – “The Light brings Joy” – Gerry Giesbrecht

Closing Song

Benediction


Prayer & Praise

~ Following the nominations to fill vacancies among our deacons, we are grateful that Henry & Sara Froese, Ray & Charlotte Klassen, and Jake & Agatha Falk have agreed to fill these positions.  We appreciate your willingness to serve and would like to finalize the process this morning with our affirmation for their installation.  We will do more reorganizing regarding terms of service at our next meeting which is scheduled for Sunday, January 7, 2018.

~ Donations to our mitten tree are gratefully welcomed, and will be distributed to various local schools.  Thank you, in advance, for your generosity.

~Tyler Loewen, has been enrolled at Menno Simons College in Winnipeg studying International Development.  For his practicum, he completed a one year MCC Serving and Learning Together or SALT term in Cambodia, in 2015-2016.  On January 9, 2018 Tyler will head back to Cambodia for a 3 year term with MCC, where he will serve as Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Co-ordinator.  He is looking forward to re-establishing some relationships and building new ones. In the meantime he is in the process of completing his Honours Theses before he leaves.  We want to wish you God’s blessings as you begin this chapter of ministry.  May you find joy and fulfillment in your commitment to community based development.

~ Congratulations to Rod & Ang Fehr on welcoming a new granddaughter on December 12, 2017.  Jax Vienna was born to Stephanie & Phil Letkeman.  Concern for Steph and the baby’s health, prompted her early delivery.   Despite some concerns and a few nights in Winnipeg, doctors have given both Steph & Jax clearance to come home.  Jax is a new great granddaughter for Zelma Fehr.  Thank you to all who prayed for good news and health.  May God continue to guide you and may you continue to know His presence with you always.

~ We also remember in our prayers Tenley Falk, Nettie Ginter and Tim Wiebe and their families as each deal with the reality of health recovery.  We pray for God’s continued care and protection.  We also uphold Austin Penner, who continues his stay at the Agassiz Youth Centre in Portage la Prairie.  Updates for Tenley can be found at: www.tenleysjourney.com

~ Those in various care homes that we remember in our prayers include: Trudy Harms, Helen Janzen, and Jake Rempel, Mary Klassen in the Rock Lake Personal Care Home in Pilot Mound, and Peter E Hildebrandt, who moved into room 103 in the Apartments at the Gardens on Tenth (Formerly known as the Ebenezer apartments).

~ We continue to offer our prayer support for Laure and her family as well as for the Paroisse Missionaire Congregation in Kinshasa, DR Congo; Ryan Thiessen in San Carlos, Mexico; Murray and Carol Honsberger in Papua New Guinea, Eagles Wings Children’s Village in Uganda, Jon & Natalie Neudorf in Chiang Mai, Thailand working with YWAM, and Andrea Fehr, working with YWAM in Hawai’I, and Tyler Loewen in Cambodia with MCC.

Prayer for the Week:

O God, we watch and wait for the warmth and light of Your presence.  As candlelight overcomes the darkness, so Your light radiates within us and warms the wintry seasons of our lives.  We live with hope that the good news of Your coming will warm and brighten every heart and that all people will worship with joy.  Amen.

 


Youth Announcements

BMC Youth is for youth in grades 7-12, and happens Wednesdays from 7:00pm-9:15pm

For updates follow us on Social Media:
instagram: @bmcyouthmin
facebook: facebook.com/groups/BMCYouth (Group)
facebook.com/bmcyouthmin (Page)
twitter: @bmcyouthmin

Youth Calendar:

Youth resumes on January 10, 2018


Church

~ Audio services and bulletins are now available at our CHURCH website.  We are working at streamlining this, and keeping it current.  Please be patient with us as we continue to update our web presence.  Go to: http:.//www.blumenortchurch.com to see what’s new online.

~ Candlelight Service practice December 20, 7:30pm (this is a change from December 21). Take note: The Candlelight Service time has been changed to 7:30pm on December 24 instead of 7 pm.

~There is children’s church for 1 – 6 year olds, in the youth Centre starting at 10:15

~ The Sunday school would like to have a practise on Saturday, December 23 at 9 am to prepare for their program on Sunday, December 24.

~ Sunday, December 31 is the date of the last Sunday of the year as well as the time for our sharing Sunday.  We invite anyone who has something to share, scripture, song, a story, instrumental, to feel free to do so.

~ Monday, January 1, 2018 we invite the congregation to gather for breakfast in the church basement at 9 am.  This will be followed by an informal worship service.  The food committee invites anyone who wants to help out in the kitchen to make yourself available.

~ Clubs will resume on January 10, 2018.  Call Ang Driedger 204-327-6674, if you need more information.

Financial update:

Income to December 15, 2017             $ 295,607.61

Expenses to December 15, 2017         $ 338,370.54

Expected expenses to December 31: $ 19,700.00

Needed before year end:                      $ 62,500.00

Thank you for all your generous gifts throughout the year.


Community

~ TEN THOUSAND VILLAGES, ALTONA, is currently seeking a volunteer manager.  Send applications to Altona@Villages.ca

~ Mennonite Collegiate Institute invites you to attend the Christmas Concert, Thursday December 21 @ 7:30 in Buhler Hall, Gretna.

~ “Dec 21, 7pm – “The Longest Night Service” at the Altona Mennonite Church.  If you are grieving the death of a family member or friend, separation, or any difficult loss, you are invited to attend.  Coffee & refreshments to follow”.

~ From the MCC newsdesk:  Get started on your Christmas shopping with our Christmas Giving catalogue! We’ve got 33 gifts in different price ranges, something for all your family and friends.  You can pick these up at the TTV store in the Altona Mall from 9-5 Monday – Saturday.

~ SALT – If you’re interested in a yearlong cross-cultural internship or work experience in a faith-based context, consider applying for SALT 2017-18! We’re looking for communicators, educators, French or Spanish speakers, development grads, peacebuilders, nurses, IT experts, social workers, and more. Young adults ages 18-30, apply today at mccmb.ca/salt.

~ The Mennonite Disaster Service All-Unit Meeting is being hosted by Region 5 (Canada) from February 9-10, 2018 in Winkler, MB. This event is open to all who are interested in the work of MDS. For more information or to register for the event see our website mds.mennonite.net/all-unit-meeting or call our Winnipeg office at 1-866-261-1274.

~ Faith & Life Men’s and Women’s Christmas Concert in our area takes place on Sunday, December 17 at 3 pm in the Altona Bergthaler Mennonite Church.  There will be a freewill offering.


Church Calendar

December 24 – Sunday school Christmas program

December 24 – Candlelight Service at 7: 30 pm

December 25 – Christmas Day worship service at 10:30 am

December 31 – Sharing Sunday, no Sunday school

January 1, 2018 – breakfast at 9 am with a short meditation to follow

January 7 – Speaker – Rudy Franz, we will also be having a service of Communion

January 14 – Speaker – Walter & Marilyn Dyck, reflections on their recent trip to Israel, Ethiopia and Uganda.

December 10, 2017

Verse of the Week:

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9: 6


Worship leader: Jake Friesen
Song Leader: Esther Zacharias
Pianist: Kristina Zacharias

Welcome & announcements

Prayer

Worship in Song

Lighting of the 2nd Advent Candle – Nettie Dyck

Offertory – Garry Klippenstein

Prayer Time

Children’s Story – Karla Fehr

Worship in Song

Scripture Reading – Isaiah 40: 1 – 11, Garry Fehr

Message – “Peace at the Center” – Pastor Rudy

Closing Song

Benediction


Prayer & Praise

 ~ Donations to our mitten tree are gratefully welcomed, and will be distributed to various local schools.  Thank you, in advance, for your generosity.

~ As we continue to await the arrival of Emmanuel, God-with-us, we also recognize the continued presence of the Holy Spirit in all of our everyday lives, including our dealing with health issues.  So we continue to trust in God’s leading as we uphold Nettie Ginter, Tenley Falk and Tim Wiebe and their families in our prayers.  We also continue to uphold Austin Penner, who is at the Agassiz Youth Centre in Portage la Prairie. He values our prayer support. Updates for Tenley can be found at: www.tenleysjourney.wordpress.com

~ Eric Bueckert appreciates our ongoing prayer support as he continues to recover from his heart attack. Bueckert

~ Those in various care homes that we remember in our prayers include: Trudy Harms, Helen Janzen, and Jake Rempel, Mary Klassen in the Rock Lake Personal Care Home in Pilot Mound, and Peter E Hildebrandt, who moved into room 103 at the Gardens on Tenth Apartments.

~We continue to offer our prayer support for Laure and her family, as well as for the Paroisse Missionaire Congregation in Kinshasa, DR Congo; Ryan Thiessen in San Carlos, Mexico; Murray and Carol Honsberger in Papua New Guinea, Eagles Wings Children’s Village in Uganda, Jon & Natalie Neudorf in Chiang Mai, Thailand working with YWAM,  and Andrea Fehr with YWAM in Hawai’i

Prayer for the Week:

Show us, O Lord, the peace we should seek, the peace we must give, the peace we can keep, the peace we must forego, and the peace You have given in Jesus our Lord.  Amen.


Announcements:

~ Audio services and bulletins are now available at our CHURCH website.  We are working at streamlining this, and keeping it current.  Please be patient with us as we continue to update our web presence.  Go to: http:.//www.blumenortchurch.com to see what’s new online.

~ Candlelight Service practices, December 16, 9:30am and December 20, 7:30pm (this is a change from December 21). We are asking all those men who are involved in the male choir to meet at the church at 9 am on the 16th, so we can practice our music. Take note: The Candlelight Service time has been changed to 7:30pm on December 24 instead of 7 pm.

~ Just a reminder to complete your BMC Finance Survey by December 10. Paper copies of the survey are available at the back of the church and can be submitted to Mitchell Peters’ church mailbox. The survey is also available online at https://goo.gl/forms/4CkfYkFIsATocR4x1 Your feedback is greatly appreciated!

~There is children’s church for 1 – 6 year olds, in the youth Centre starting at 10:15

~ Clubs @ 7 pm on December 13, 2017.   There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board for cookie bakers.  Call Ang Driedger 204-327-6674, if you need more information.

~ Stop in at the library between November 26th and December 17th for our VHS movie sale.

We have classics ranging from Veggie Tales to The Buttercream Gang. All the movies will be selling for $ .50.

 

Financial update:

Income to November 30:                      $ 275,877.09

Expenses to November 30:                  $ 333,025.89

Expected expenses to December 31: $   24,400.00

Needed before year end:                      $  76,500.00

Thank you for all your generous gifts throughout the year.


Youth Announcements

BMC Youth is for youth in grades 7-12, and happens Wednesdays from 7:00pm-9:15pm

For updates follow us on Social Media:
instagram: @bmcyouthmin
facebook: facebook.com/groups/BMCYouth (Group)
facebook.com/bmcyouthmin (Page)
twitter: @bmcyouthmin

We have prayer partners for all the Youth!!  Thank you to everyone who signed up.

Youth Calendar:

December 13 – Christmas Party – Supper starts at 6:30pm. Bring a $5 Grab Box Gift. Dress Formal.  Bring a $5 gift!  Invite your friends!

Youth resumes on January 10, 2018


 

Community

Community Announcements

~ TEN THOUSAND VILLAGES, ALTONA, is currently seeking a volunteer manager.  Send applications to Altona@Villages.ca

~ Mennonite Collegiate Institute invites you to attend the Christmas Concert, Thursday December 21 @ 7:30 in Buhler Hall, Gretna.

~ Come and listen to a delightful mix of seasonal music sung by a multigenerational choir. Southern Manitoba Choral Society will present a concert Sunday, December 10th @2:30 pm at Altona Bergthaler Church. Everyone is welcome. A freewill offering will be received

~ “Dec 21, 7pm – “The Longest Night Service” at the Altona Mennonite Church.  If you are grieving the death of a family member or friend, separation, or any difficult loss, you are invited to attend.  Coffee & refreshments to follow”.

~ From the MCC newsdesk:  Get started on your Christmas shopping with our Christmas Giving catalogue! We’ve got 33 gifts in different price ranges, something for all your family and friends.  You can pick these up at the TTV store in the Altona Mall from 9-5 Monday – Saturday.

~ SALT – If you’re interested in a yearlong cross-cultural internship or work experience in a faith-based context, consider applying for SALT 2017-18! We’re looking for communicators, educators, French or Spanish speakers, development grads, peacebuilders, nurses, IT experts, social workers, and more. Young adults ages 18-30, apply today at mccmb.ca/salt.

~ The Mennonite Disaster Service All-Unit Meeting is being hosted by Region 5 (Canada) from February 9-10, 2018 in Winkler, MB. This event is open to all who are interested in the work of MDS. For more information or to register for the event see our website mds.mennonite.net/all-unit-meeting or call our Winnipeg office at 1-866-261-1274.

– The Rhineland Empty Stocking Fund. The hampers will be delivered on December 16, at 9:00 a.m., when volunteers will once again be needed to deliver these Christmas hampers to the recipients.  Again these deliveries will be co-ordinated out of the former Sawatzky Furniture building across from the Altona Mall; many people have reached out with a helping hand over the years with the RESF, and we sincerely “Thank You”.  If you would like to be a part of this mission, donations can be hand delivered to Rexall Drugs in the Altona Mall, at the Access Credit Union – Gretna, Altona or Plum Coulee locations or simply by mailing the donation to Rhineland Empty Stocking Fund, Box 2255, Altona, MB R0G 0B0

~ WC Miller Christmas Concerts take place at Buhler Hall in Gretna on Thursday & Friday, December 14 & 15 at 7:30 pm

~ Faith & Life Men’s and Women’s Christmas Concert in our area takes place on Sunday, December 17 at 3 pm in the Altona Bergthaler Mennonite Church.  There will be a freewill offering.


Church calendar

December 17 – Speaker – Gerry Giesbrecht

December 24 – Sunday school Christmas program

December 24 – Candlelight Service at 7: 30 pm

December 25 – Christmas Day worship service at 10:30 am

December 31 – Sharing Sunday, no Sunday school

December 3, 2017

Verse of the Week:

 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Romans 15: 13


Worship leader: Rudy Franz
Song Leader & Pianist: Ang Fehr

Welcome & announcements

Prayer

Worship in Song

Lighting of the First Advent Candle – Dorothy Hildebrandt

Offertory –

Prayer Time

Worship in Song

Message – Hope – Esther Zacharias

Service of Communion

Closing Song

Benediction


Prayer & Praise

~ Welcome to this first Sunday of Advent, the time of year when we are drawn again to the story of God’s coming to dwell among us, beginning as a child, born in a lowly stable.  To us a Child of Hope has been born.  We rejoice in the gift of new life in Him for now and all eternity.

~ Donations to our mitten tree are gratefully welcomed, and will be distributed to various local schools.  Thank you, in advance, for your generosity.

~ Tuesday, December 5 is our day of 24 hour prayer support for Eagle Wings Children’s Village in Uganda.  May we continue to pray for them as they pray for us.  Across this wide world, God hears us and them as we pray for one another.

~ We want to remember those for whom this season of the year also brings along with it the continued focus on health concerns.  We pray for Nettie Ginter, Tenley Falk and Tim Wiebe and their families. We also want to uphold Austin Penner, who is at the Agassiz Youth Centre in Portage la Prairie. He values our prayer support. Updates for Tenley can be found at: www.tenleysjourney.wordpress.com

~ Those in various care homes that we remember in our prayers include: Trudy Harms, Helen Janzen, and Jake Rempel, Mary Klassen in the Rock Lake Personal Care Home in Pilot Mound, and Peter E Hildebrandt in Altona Hospital

~We continue to offer our prayer support for Laure and her family, as well as for the Paroisse Missionaire Congregation in Kinshasa, DR Congo; Ryan Thiessen in San Carlos, Mexico; Murray and Carol Honsberger in Papua New Guinea, Eagles Wings Children’s Village in Uganda, Jon & Natalie Neudorf in Chiang Mai, Thailand working with YWAM,  and Andrea Fehr with YWAM in Hawai’i

Prayer for the Week:

We await Your coming to us, O God.  We know You work wonders, You announce mysteries, You choose the surprising, You startle the unexpecting, You keep hope, joy and peace alive, and You fulfill Your promises.  May we not only know, may we also practice believing while we await Your coming.  Amen.


Announcements:

~ Audio services and bulletins are now available at our CHURCH website.  We are working at streamlining this, and keeping it current.  Please be patient with us as we continue to update our web presence.  Go to: http:.//www.blumenortchurch.com to see what’s new online.

~ Candlelight Service practices, December 16, 9:30am and December 21, 7:30pm.  We are asking all those men who are involved in the male choir to meet at the church at 9 am on the 16th, so we can practice our music. Take note: The Candlelight Service time has been changed to 7:30pm on December 24 instead of 7 pm.

~ Church Council meeting at 7 pm on December 4.

~ Just a reminder to complete your BMC Finance Survey by December 10. Paper copies of the survey are available at the back of the church and can be submitted to Mitchell Peters’ church mailbox. The survey is also available online at https://goo.gl/forms/4CkfYkFIsATocR4x1 Your feedback is greatly appreciated!

~There is children’s church for 1 – 6 year olds, in the old youth room this week and additional childcare will be available during the communion service in the basement.  All children are welcome!

~ Clubs @ 7 pm on December 6, 2017.   There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board for cookie bakers.  Call Ang Driedger 204-327-6674, if you need more information.

~ Stop in at the library between November 26th and December 17th for our VHS movie sale.

We have classics ranging from Veggie Tales, to The Buttercream Gang. All the movies will be selling for $ .50.

 

Financial update:

Income to November 30:                      $ 263,366.17

Expenses to November 30:                  $ 312.007.62

Expected expenses to December 31: $ 44,000.00

Needed before year end:                      $ 93,000.00

Thank you for all your generous gifts throughout the year.


Youth

BMC Youth is for youth in grades 7-12, and happens Wednesdays from 7:00pm-9:15pm

For updates follow us on Social Media:
instagram: @bmcyouthmin
facebook: 
facebook.com/groups/BMCYouth (Group)
facebook.com/bmcyouthmin (Page)
twitter: @bmcyouthmin

OPPORTUNITYWe NEED 2 more prayer partners! If you are interested in signing up to pray for someone, check out the sign up sheet after the service by the coffee station in the foyer.

Youth Calendar:


December 6 – Christmas Carolling
December 13 – Christmas Party – Supper starts at 6:30pm. Bring a $5 Grab Box Gift. Dress Formal. Bring a Friend!


Community

~ TEN THOUSAND VILLAGES, ALTONA, is currently seeking a volunteer manager.  Send applications to Altona@Villages.ca

~ Advent Service at Salem Home – Dec. 7, 2017 @ 6:45 p.m., in the Salem Home Chapel.  Everyone is welcome to join the residents and staff for this special service and stay for refreshments.

~ Eastview Place volunteer drivers needed ASAP:  We are in need of volunteer drivers for our Adult Day Program.  The volunteers will be accompanied by an Eastview Place staff member to bring seniors to and from the care home.  Volunteers work on a rotation basis and would be needed approximately three days a month (Tuesday, Wednesday andThursday) at 9:00 am and 2:50 pm.  Please contact Jonathan Sawatsky at Eastview Place at 324-2375 for more information.  We appreciate all of your support for our seniors in the community and would be grateful to have that continue through volunteer drivers.

 

~ Come and listen to a delightful mix of seasonal music sung by a multigenerational choir. Southern Manitoba Choral Society will present concerts on Saturday, December 9th @7:00 pm at Winkler Emmanuel Church and Sunday, December 10th @2:30 pm at Altona Bergthaler Church. Everyone is welcome. A freewill offering will be received

~ “Dec 21, 7pm – “The Longest Night Service” at the Altona Mennonite Church.  If you are grieving the death of a family member or friend, separation, or any difficult loss, you are invited to attend.  Coffee & refreshments to follow”.

~ From the MCC newsdesk:  Get started on your Christmas shopping with our Christmas Giving catalogue! We’ve got 33 gifts in different price ranges, something for all your family and friends.  You can pick these up at the TTV store in the Altona Mall from 9-5 Monday – Saturday.

BOWEN PRESENTS: A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS (December 8th,)

A benefit concert in support of Central Station in Winkler

On December 8th, the third annual “Merry Little Christmas show” will be held at the P.W. Enns Centennial Concert Hall. The show will be an evening filled with great musical entertainment from Bowen, Leora Hamm, Warren Friesen, Henry Abrams, Dale Wiebe and more! All proceeds will be donated to Central Station in Winkler. Visit www.bowenmusic.org/events to purchase tickets.


~ The Mennonite Disaster Service All-Unit Meeting is being hosted by Region 5 (Canada) from February 9-10, 2018 in Winkler, MB. This event is open to all who are interested in the work of MDS. For more information or to register for the event see our website 
mds.mennonite.net/all-unit-meeting or call our Winnipeg office at 1-866-261-1274.

– The Rhineland Empty Stocking Fund is now accepting referrals for Christmas Hampers.  These referrals can be called in to 204-324-7167.  When calling in referrals please have the following information:  name of referral, number of children in the family with age and gender of child, address and phone number.  Deadline for referrals is December 8.  Just a friendly reminder that the referrals must live in the R.M. of Rhineland; December 9, at 9:00 a.m., volunteers will be needed to help wrap Christmas gifts for these hampers.  This wrapping will take place at the former Sawatzky Furniture building across from the Altona Mall; December 16, at 9:00 a.m., volunteers will once again be needed to deliver these Christmas hampers to the recipients.  Again these deliveries will be co-ordinated out of the former Sawatzky Furniture building across from the Altona Mall; many people have reached out with a helping hand over the years with the RESF, and we sincerely “Thank You”.  If you would like to be a part of this mission, donations can be hand delivered to Rexall Drugs in the Altona Mall, at the Access Credit Union – Gretna, Altona or Plum Coulee locations or simply by mailing the donation to Rhineland Empty Stocking Fund, Box 2255, Altona, MB R0G 0B0


Church Calendar

December 10 – Speaker – Rudy Franz

December 17 – Speaker – Gerry Giesbrecht

December 24 – Sunday school Christmas program

December 24 – Candlelight Service at 7: 30 pm

December 25 – Christmas Day worship service at 10:30 am

December 31 – Sharing Sunday