April 16, 2017 – Easter Sunday

by bmcoffice Comment Closed

Easter Sunday, April 16, 2017

Verse of the Week:

Jesus said to her (Martha), “I am the Resurrection and the Life, those who believe in Me, though they die, yet shall they live, and whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.  Do you believe this?”  She said to Him, “Yes Lord; I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.

John 11: 25-27

Worship leader: Rudy Franz

Song Leader: Jake Friesen

 Pianist: Kirsten Friesen

Organist: Vi Fehr

 

Welcome & announcements

Call to worship

Prayer

Worship in Song

Offertory –

Prayer Time

Children’s story – Gerry Giesbrecht

Easter Monologue – Esther Zacharias

Worship in Song

Scripture Reading – Matthew 28: 1 – 10, Caroline Ens

Message – He has been Raised – Pastor Rudy

Closing Song

Benediction

Prayer & Praise

~ Welcome to our Easter Sunday Worship Service.  We come to celebrate the reality of the empty tomb and how the risen Christ is able to break down the barriers which inhibit new life in Him.  Thanks be to God for the possibility of fresh starts, new beginnings, life abundant, and eternal life.

~ Tenley Falk has received good news regarding the recent MRI which showed no change from the results of a previous test.  She is able to keep going with her regular treatment schedule.  We give thanks to God for this good news.  Updates can be found at: http://www.tenleysjourney.wordpress.com

~ Samara Thiessen, great granddaughter of Elma Kehler, has experienced difficulty breathing and is now on a ventilator.  This will help her immune system enable her lungs to recover.  So far the bone marrow transplant appears to be working.  The family is grateful for wise and caring medical staff, for research which continues to guide the treatment and for God’s infinite wisdom in the bigger picture.

~ Congratulations to Joshua Driedger on the occasion of your graduation from CMU’s Outtatown Discipleship Program which took place last Sunday, April 9.  We want to wish you God’s blessing and guidance as you make the transition from the school to life outside of that context.  May you sense God’s nearness and direction as you continue to seek His will for your life.

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

~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 with YWAM in Hawai’i,

Prayer for the Week:

 

On this Easter Sunday morning we acknowledge You as the Companion of the lonely, Binder of wounds, Seek of lost souls, Friend of the poor, Source of all that is, Forgiver of sins, Voice of the voiceless, Counsellor of the confused, Shelter from the storm, Creator of Heaven and Earth, Defeater of death, Provider of life and hope.  We come to worship and adore the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Amen.

Announcements:

[ Paste announcements here that don’t fit under “Youth”, “Church”, or “Community” headings. ]

Youth

~ Go to http://blumenortchurch.com/calendar/church-calendar/ for updates regarding youth events. For the most recent updates, check out the groups on Facebook named “BMC Youth”, and “BMC Jr Youth” or contact Gerry Giesbrecht @ 204-362-7262

Junior Youth (Mondays 7pm-9pm):

April 17 – no Youth (Lasertag on Friday)

April 21 – Friday – Lasertag ($20) Drop off: 6:45 pm

Pick up: Between 9:30 & 10 pm

May 1 – Guy/Girl split night

Senior Youth (Wednesdays 7pm-9:30pm):

April 19 – Small Group night

April 26 – Testimony night

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://blumenortchurch.com to see what’s new online.

~ The updated pictorial directories are available for $10 per copy. See Hedy Falk if you’d like to pick one up or stop in at the library and Judy Dyck or Sue Peters will be able to sell you one.

~ Please note that the mailboxes have a new order to them…yours may have been moved!!

~ We are looking for more people to help out with our audio visuals.  There are openings in each department.  If you are able and interested, check with the nominations committee: Joyce Hildebrandt, Charlotte Klassen, or Armin Ens.  We would welcome you to come on board and fill these vacancies.

Community

~ South Park MB Church in Altona extends an invitation to attend a seminar on Saturday, April 22 from 9 am to 12:30 pm on the topic of “Sexuality and Identity: Gaining understanding and Hope”.

Session 1: God’s intention for Sexuality & Cultural breakdown

Session 2: Identity and Development: the heart of the matter.

Session 3: Ministry and relationship with people struggling in their sexuality and identity.

Free admission

~ Women Encountering Jesus – Saturday, April 29, 2017 from 9am to 4:30pm.  You are invited by Mennonite Women Manitoba to come spend a day together at the Bethel Mennonite church in Winnipeg, exploring stories of women’s encounters with Jesus, then & now.  Our day will include: worship, engagement with a variety of spiritual practices, storytelling, lunch and introduction to resources for the journey. Resource person is Spiritual Director Laura Funk.  Register online at: www.mennochurch.mb.ca or call 204-896-1616 and ask for Kathy Giesbrecht.  Registration is $ 50.00

~ Mennonite Church Manitoba is accepting applications for the position of Resident Manager at Camp Moose Lake.  This is a 4 month term position (1.0 fte) from May 1 – Aug 31.  The Manager is directly responsible for the management of Camp Moose Lake, overseeing all aspects of its operation including facilities and the guest group rental program.  Please send inquiries to Dorothy Fontaine 204-896-1616 ext. 256 or dfontaine@mennochurch.mb.ca.  A detailed job description can be found at www.campswithmeaning.org.news

~ Eden Foundation invites us to a choral concert featuring the Winkler Community Male Choir with conductor Ray Giesbrecht, and the Prairie Singers, with conductor Loretta Thorleifson, on Sunday, April 9, 2017 at 7 pm at the Emmanuel Mennonite Church in Winkler.  Rush seating.  Donations will be accepted for Eden’s mental health recovery programs.

~ The annual Manitoba MDS Awareness & Fundraising Events are approaching. Come hear MDS stories from 2016 projects and plans for 2017 – especially, Fort McMurray.  Please attend the Altona area event (Details to follow shortly) on APRIL 22nd. See the poster for details.  Reserve your complimentary attendance by calling MDS at 1-866-261-1274.

For those churches that, due to distance, are unable to attend either of these events we invite you to join us in prayer for the work of MDS and the Manitoba Unit.

Thank you for your continued support of Mennonite Disaster Service

Church Calendar

April 23 – Pastor Rudy John 20: 19-31

April 30 – Harley Dyck 1 Kings 18

May 7 – Rudy Franz

May 14 – songs of Praise

April 9, 2017 – Palm Sunday

by bmcoffice Comment Closed

Verse of the Week:

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!  Lo, your King comes to you; triumphant and victorious is He; humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.  Zechariah 9:9

 

Worship leader: Marilyn Dyck
Song Leader: Kathy Franz
Pianist: Ingrid Dyck

Singing by the Sunday school

Welcome & announcements

Call to worship

Prayer

Worship in Song

Offertory –

Prayer Time

Worship in Song

Scripture Reading – Luke 19: 28 – 38

Message – The Triumphant Entry – Esther Zacharias

Closing Song

Benediction

Prayer & Praise

~ Samara Thiessen, great granddaughter of Elma Kehler, was able to undergo her bone marrow infusion, this past Tuesday.  It will take up to 2 weeks before the doctors will know whether or not it was successful.  It has been a long nine weeks in the hospital, in isolation.  It has been very disruptive for the entire family.  They continue to rely on God’s daily provisions and are grateful for the continued prayer support.

~ We also want to continue our prayer support for Tenley Falk and her family.  She will continue with her regular rounds of treatments, some of which have consistent unpleasant side effects.  Our prayers are appreciated. Updates can be found at: http://www.tenleysjourney.wordpress.com

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

~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 with YWAM in Hawai’i, Kendra Fehr studying with YWAM in San Diego, CA

Prayer for the Week:

O Christ, the Master Carpenter who at the last, through wood and nails, purchased our whole salvation, continue the use of Your tools in the workshop of Your world, so that we, who come rough-hewn to Your bench, may here be fashioned to a truer beauty of Your Hand.  In the strong name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Announcements:

 

Youth

~ Go to http://blumenortchurch.com for updates regarding youth events. For the most recent updates, check out the groups on Facebook named “BMC Youth”, and “BMC Jr Youth” or contact Youth Pastor Gerry Giesbrecht @ 204-362-7262

Junior Youth (Mondays 7pm-9pm):
Monday, April 10

Senior Youth (Wednesdays 7pm-9:30pm):
wednesday, April 12

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://blumenortchurch.com to see what’s new online.

~ The updated pictorial directories are available for $10 per copy. See Hedy Falk if you’d like to pick one up or stop in at the library and Judy Dyck or Sue Peters will be able to sell you one.

~ Please note that the mailboxes have a new order to them…yours may have been moved!!

~ We are looking for more people to help out with our audio visuals.  There are openings in each department.  If you are able and interested, check with the nominations committee: Joyce Hildebrandt, Charlotte Klassen, or Armin Ens.  We would welcome you to come on board and fill these vacancies.

~ South Park MB Church in Altona extends an invitation to attend a seminar on Saturday, April 22 from 9 am to 12:30 pm on the topic of “Sexuality and Identity: Gaining understanding and Hope”.

Session 1: God’s intention for Sexuality & Cultural breakdown

Session 2: Identity and Development: the heart of the matter.

Session 3: Ministry and relationship with people struggling in their sexuality and identity.

Free admission

Community

~ The annual Manitoba MDS Awareness & Fundraising Events are approaching. Come hear MDS stories from 2016 projects and plans for 2017 – especially, Fort McMurray.  Please attend the Altona area event (Details to follow shortly) on APRIL 22nd. See the poster for details.  Reserve your complimentary attendance by calling MDS at 1-866-261-1274.

For those churches that, due to distance, are unable to attend either of these events we invite you to join us in prayer for the work of MDS and the Manitoba Unit.

Thank you for your continued support of Mennonite Disaster Service

~ Eden Foundation invites us to a choral concert featuring the Winkler Community Male Choir with conductor Ray Giesbrecht, and the Prairie Singers, with conductor Loretta Thorleifson, on Sunday, April 9, 2017 at 7 pm at the Emmanuel Mennonite Church in Winkler.  Rush seating.  Donations will be accepted for Eden’s mental health recovery programs.

~ Women Encountering Jesus – Saturday, April 29, 2017 from 9am to 4:30pm.  You are invited by Mennonite Women Manitoba to come spend a day together at the Bethel Mennonite church in Winnipeg, exploring stories of women’s encounters with Jesus, then & now.  Our day will include: worship, engagement with a variety of spiritual practices, storytelling, lunch and introduction to resources for the journey. Resource person is Spiritual Director Laura Funk.  Register online at: www.mennochurch.mb.ca or call 204-896-1616 and ask for Kathy Giesbrecht.  Registration is $ 50.00

~ Mennonite Church Manitoba is accepting applications for the position of Resident Manager at Camp Moose Lake.  This is a 4 month term position (1.0 fte) from May 1 – Aug 31.  The Manager is directly responsible for the management of Camp Moose Lake, overseeing all aspects of its operation including facilities and the guest group rental program.  Please send inquiries to Dorothy Fontaine 204-896-1616 ext. 256 ordfontaine@mennochurch.mb.ca.  A detailed job description can be found atwww.campswithmeaning.org.news

~ Faith & Life Choirs Spring Concerts entitled Heaven and Earth Testify, take place Saturday, April 29, 2017 at 7pm, at Sargent Avenue Mennonite Church in Winnipeg, as well as on Sunday, April 30, 2017 at 3pm at the Morden Mennonite Church.   A Freewill offering will be taken.

Church Calendar

April 14 – Good Friday & Communion at 10:30am

April 16 – Easter Sunday – Pastor Rudy

April 23 – Speaker – Pastor Rudy

April 30 – Speaker – Harley Dyck

April 2, 2017

by bmcoffice Comment Closed

Verse of the Week:

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Matthew 26:41

Worship leader: Rudy Franz
Song Leader & Pianist: Gerry Giesbrecht

Welcome & announcements

Call to worship

Prayer

Worship in Song

Offertory –

Prayer Time

Sunday School Recitation of Ephesians 6: 10 – 20
Children’s story –

Worship in Song

Message – Pray – Rudy Franz

Closing Song

Benediction

Prayer & Praise

~ It has been heartening to hear that Tenley Falk and her family have experienced a sense of calm in their household.  This means that Tenley’s blood counts have been strong, she has been able to attend school, and the family has been able to plan some activities over the spring break.  We are grateful for these answers to prayer and we continue to pray for Tenley’s well-being.  Updates can be found at: http://www.tenleysjourney.wordpress.com

~ The funeral for Helen Fehr, was held on Saturday, April 1st here at the Blumenort Mennonite Church.  Thank you again to our caretakers, those in the sound booth, and to all those who helped out with the serving and clean up.  We appreciate your willingness to serve.  We want to wish the family God’s comfort and peace.  Thank you for all you did in helping to care for your mother.

~ Prayer update on kidnap victims in the Congo: Tragically the bodies of Mennonite Peace Builder and UN worker, Michael Sharp, his colleague Zaida Catalan and interpreter Betes Tshintela, have been found in a shallow grave.  The whereabouts of the others remains unknown.  Our prayers for victim’s grieving families, friends and colleagues are deeply appreciated.  Please also pray that the perpetrators of these evil deeds can re-orient themselves and align their souls with the peace they seek and the mercy offered in God through Jesus the Christ.  Finally please pray for peace in the deeply conflicted region of Eastern Congo, where remnant factions of the Rwandan warlords and the fight over conflict minerals and other natural resources is very real.

~ Nick Driedger, Caleb Rempel, Shania Ginter and Jesse Miller , along with other MCI students and staff have returned home from their involvement with SOAR Heartland in Winnipeg over the spring break.  We trust that you will have experienced a sense of community and a deepening awareness of God’s presence.

~ Lauren Fehr, Josh Dyck & Marilyn Dyck have also returned from their spring break trip to Italy, taken along with fellow MCI Students, staff & parent volunteers.  We also trust that this was a worthy trip of planned and unexpected experiences, a great learning opportunity and a chance to form some long lasting relationships with one another.

~ Wednesday, April 5 marks the date for our monthly 24 hour prayer vigil for Eagles Wings Children’s Village in Uganda.  The work they do is ongoing.  The support they receive through prayer helps to undergird this work.

~ Please continue to pray for Samara Thiessen, great granddaughter of Elma Kehler, who will be having a bone marrow transplant on Tuesday, April 4, in Winnipeg. The disease Samara has is called SCID. This is her mother Ambers’ description on SCID:
What is SCID?!

Samara has a Severe Combined Immune Deficiency.  She was born with this because both Brent & I are carriers of the gene. This condition is very rare and the specific kind she has is the ‘Mennonite variety’, called Zap70. She pretty much has no functioning immune system. (Does anyone remember the Bubble Boy?). By the grace of God, there is a cure for her condition, and that is a bone marrow transplant. Both her brother and sister are matches, but our daughter Eliana will be the one to donate (she is bigger and stronger after all). We are blessed with a great medical team caring for her, who have done research and worked with this condition before.

We marvel at God’s providence, how He healed her from that pneumonia, how we got the diagnosis, it has been amazing to see God’s hand at work. We trust and know that He is not finished His work in our lives and we wait on Him for what lies ahead! Jesus has made us a family, and the way that you all have been persevering in prayer for us is immensely humbling. “I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you, always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer because of your partnership in the Gospel from the first day until now. I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Phil 1:3-6

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

~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 with YWAM in Hawai’i, Kendra Fehr studying with YWAM in San Diego, CA

Prayer for the Week:

Heavenly Father, we pray for all our brothers and sisters in the faith, wherever they may be, even unto the ends of the earth, whether assembled or scattered, in sorrow or sickness, in bonds or in prison for Your name’s sake.  Comfort them and us with Your great love, and keep them and us with Your Holy Spirit and in Your word and in Your will.  May we all abide in Your love and not depart from the way of righteousness, neither to the right not the left, but remain faithful unto the end of our lives. Amen.

Announcements:

Announcements

Youth

~ Go to http://blumenortchurch.com/calendar/church-calendar/ for updates regarding youth events. For the most recent updates, check out the groups on Facebook named “BMC Youth”, and “BMC Jr Youth” or contact Gerry Giesbrecht @ 204-362-7262

Junior Youth (Mondays 7pm-9pm):

April 3 –

Senior Youth (Wednesdays 7pm-9:30pm):

April 5 –

 

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://blumenortchurch.com to see what’s new online.

~ The updated pictorial directories are available for $10 per copy. See Hedy Falk if you’d like to pick one up or stop in at the library and Judy Dyck or Sue Peters will be able to sell you one.

~ Please note that the mailboxes have a new order to them…yours may have been moved!!

~ We are looking for more people to help out with our audio visuals.  There are openings in each department.  If you are able and interested, check with the nominations committee: Joyce Hildebrandt, Charlotte Klassen, or Armin Ens.  We would welcome you to come on board and fill these vacancies.

~ South Park MB Church in Altona extends an invitation to attend a seminar on Saturday, April 22 from 9 am to 12:30 pm on the topic of “Sexuality and Identity: Gaining understanding and Hope”.

Session 1: God’s intention for Sexuality & Cultural breakdown

Session 2: Identity and Development: the heart of the matter.

Session 3: Ministry and relationship with people struggling in their sexuality and identity.

Free admission

~ Paul A Peters has asked for his name to be removed from our membership list.

Community

~ The annual Manitoba MDS Awareness & Fundraising Events are approaching. Come hear MDS stories from 2016 projects and plans for 2017 – especially, Fort McMurray.  Please attend either the Arborg area supper at the Morweena E.M Church on APRIL 8th; or the Altona area event (Details to follow shortly) on APRIL 22nd. See the poster for details.  Reserve your complimentary attendance by calling MDS at 1-866-261-1274.

For those churches that, due to distance, are unable to attend either of these events we invite you to join us in prayer for the work of MDS and the Manitoba Unit.

Thank you for your continued support of Mennonite Disaster Service

~ Mennonite Collegiate Institute Celebrates 50 Years of Musicals! Join us for our Fundraising Gala Concert and Reception, featuring musicals from the past 50 years, on April 8th at 7:30pm in Buhler Hall, Gretna, MB. To reserve a seat for the show, call MCI at 204-327-5891.  Opportunity for donations will be available at the concert.

~ Salem Foundation presents “Faspa, Fellowship and Song” Sunday, April 2, 2017 at the Winkler Bergthaler Mennonite Church.  Program begins at 3:30 pm Faspa is at 4:30 pm.  Freewill offering for Bathing Room upgrades.  Featured will be the quartet “Glorybound”.

~ We are invited to the Gideon Banquet on Tuesday, April 4 at 6:30pm in the Altona EMMC.  Tickets are available from Werner & Marlene Ens or Garry & Karla Fehr and are complimentary.

~ Eden Foundation invites us to a choral concert featuring the Winkler Community Male Choir with conductor Ray Giesbrecht, and the Prairie Singers, with conductor Loretta Thorleifson, on Sunday, April 9, 2017 at 7 pm at the Emmanuel Mennonite Church in Winkler.  Rush seating.  Donations will be accepted for Eden’s mental health recovery programs.

~Emmaus House in Winnipeg is accepting applications for students looking for accommodation for the summer or the 2017/18 academic year.  Check us out at www.emmaushousewinnipeg.ca

~ MDS is looking for volunteers to start May 14 in Fort McMurray Alberta.  Please  check the bulletin board for more details or go to:

www.http://mds.mennonite.net/volunteer

~ Women Encountering Jesus – Saturday, April 29, 2017 from 9 am to 4:30 pm.  You are invited by Mennonite Women Manitoba to come spend a day together at the Bethel Mennonite church in Winnipeg, exploring stories of women’s encounters with Jesus, then & now.  Our day will include: worship, engagement with a variety of spiritual practices, storytelling, lunch and introduction to resources for the journey. Resource person is Spiritual Director Laura Funk.  Register online at: www.mennochurch.mb.ca or call 204-896-1616 and ask for Kathy Giesbrecht.  Registration is $ 50.00

~ Mennonite Church Manitoba is accepting applications for the position of Resident Manager at Camp Moose Lake.  This is a 4 month term position (1.0 fte) from May 1 – Aug 31.  The Manager is directly responsible for the management of Camp Moose Lake, overseeing all aspects of its operation including facilities and the guest group rental program.  Please send inquiries to Dorothy Fontaine 204-896-1616 ext 256 ordfontaine@mennochurch.mb.ca.  A detailed job description can be found atwww.campswithmeaning.org, News.

 

Church Calendar

April 9 – Palm Sunday – Esther Zacharias

April 14 – Good Friday & Communion at 10:30am

April 16 – Easter Sunday – Pastor Rudy

April Anniversaries

April 4 – Ryan & Jody Friesen

April 6 – Loren & Donna Entz

April 9 – Sheldon & Sherry Fehr

April 12 – Ray & Corinne Peters

April 18 – Abe & Viola Fehr

April 21 – Ken & Corry Rempel

 

April Birthdays

April 4 – Monica Ens

April 6 – Elvina Peters, Joe Giesbrecht

April 8 – Karissa Falk, Austin Penner

April 10 – Vincent Rempel

April 15 – Macey Friesen

April 16 – Paul A Peters

April 17 – Ingrid Dyck

April 23 – Elfrieda Peters

April 25 – Dale Klippenstein

April 26 – Kirsten Friesen, Christopher Klassen

April 27 – Bill Rempel

April 30 – Verna Martens

March 26, 2017

by bmcoffice Comment Closed

Fourth Sunday of Lent
March 26, 2017

Verse of the Week:

For the Word of God is living and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  Hebrews 4: 12

Worship leader: Kathy Franz

Song Leader: Kendra Fehr

Pianist: Kirsten Friesen

Welcome & announcements

Call to worship

Prayer

Worship in Song

Offertory – Kirsten Friesen & Kristina Zacharias

Prayer Time
Children’s story – Sara Wall

Worship in Song

Scripture Reading – Ephesians 6: 17

Message – The Sword of the Spirit –Gerry Giesbrecht

Closing Song

Benediction

Prayer & Praise

~ Congratulations and God’s blessings to Tyler & Heather Falk on the birth of Levi David, on March 20, 2017. He is a brother to Jakob & Jeffrey.  Proud grandparents are Larry & Helena Falk.  We want to wish you well as you assume the responsibility of parenting and grand-parenting this gift of God, entrusted to your care.

~ We continue to offer our prayer support for Tenley Falk and her family as she carries on with her regular treatment schedule.  We continue to trust that God will provide what is needed for each day.  Updates can be found at: http://www.tenleysjourney.wordpress.com

~ There is no further update available from Mennonite Church Canada regarding Michael J Sharp, a Mennonite peace worker, formerly with Mennonite Church Canada’s ministry partner Mennonite Mission Network and Mennonite Central Committee, who was kidnapped in the Democratic Republic of Congo, on March 12, 2017, along with his United Nations colleague and four Congolese Nationals.  We pray for a peaceful resolution, for safety for all those involved.

~ During spring break Nick Driedger, Caleb Rempel, Shania Ginter and Jesse Miller are involved with SOAR Heartland in Winnipeg, together with a number of other MCI Students and staff.  Our prayers on their behalf are appreciated, as there are many demands on their time and energy.

Let us also remember Lauren Fehr, Josh Dyck & Marilyn Dyck, who joined a group of fellow MCI Students, staff & parent volunteers for a spring break trip to Italy

~ Those in various care homes that we remember in our prayers include:  Trudy Harms, Helen Fehr, Helen Janzen, and Jake Rempel.

~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 with YWAM in Hawai’i, Kendra Fehr studying with YWAM in San Diego, CA

Prayer for the Week:

Lord God, You feed us with the Living Bread from Heaven; You renew our faith, increase our hope, and strengthen our love.  Teach us to hunger for Christ who is the True and Living Bread, and to live by every Word that comes from Your mouth through Jesus the Christ, our Lord.  Amen.

Announcements:

Youth

~ Go to http://blumenortchurch.com/calendar/church-calendar/ for updates regarding youth events. For the most recent updates, check out the groups on Facebook named “BMC Youth”, and “BMC Jr Youth” or contact Gerry Giesbrecht @ 204-362-7262

Junior Youth (Mondays 7pm-9pm):

March 27 – No Youth Spring Break

Senior Youth (Wednesdays 7pm-9:30pm):

March 29 – No Youth – Spring Break

 

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://blumenortchurch.com to see what’s new online.

~ The updated pictorial directories are available for $10 per copy. See Hedy Falk if you’d like to pick one up or stop in at the library and Judy Dyck or Sue Peters will be able to sell you one.

~ Please note that the mailboxes have a new order to them…yours may have been moved!!

~ Rudy Franz is leading worship this morning at Eden & Salem in Winkler.

~ Wednesday, March 29 – Ministers meeting at Esther Zacharias’ place at 7 pm

~ We are looking for more people to help out with our audio visuals.  There are openings in each department.  If you are able and interested, check with the nominations committee: Joyce Hildebrandt, Charlotte Klassen, or Armin Ens.  We would welcome you to come on board and fill these vacancies.

~ From the Finance Committee:

Income to March 24, 2017 – $ 75,365.60

Expenses to March 24, 2017 – $ 103, 963.82

Shortfall – $ 28,598.22

Thank you for your continued giving.

 

 

Community

~ The annual Manitoba MDS Awareness & Fundraising Events are approaching. Come hear MDS stories from 2016 projects and plans for 2017 – especially, Fort McMurray.  Please attend either the Arborg area supper at the Morweena E.M Church on APRIL 8th; or the Altona area event (Details to follow shortly) on APRIL 22nd. See the poster for details.  Reserve your complimentary attendance by calling MDS at 1-866-261-1274.

For those churches that, due to distance, are unable to attend either of these events we invite you to join us in prayer for the work of MDS and the Manitoba Unit.

Thank you for your continued support of Mennonite Disaster Service

~ Mennonite Collegiate Institute Celebrates 50 Years of Musicals! Join us for our Fundraising Gala Concert and Reception, featuring musicals from the past 50 years, on April 8th at 7:30pm in Buhler Hall, Gretna, MB. To reserve a seat for the show, call MCI at 204-327-5891.  Opportunity for donations will be available at the concert.

~ Camps with Meaning camper registration is now open for all three locations! For details visit www.campswithmeaning.org

~ Camps with Meaning staff and volunteer applications are now available at www.campswithmeaning.org/summer/camp-staff

~ Salem Foundation presents “Faspa, Fellowship and Song” Sunday, April 2, 2017 at the Winkler Bergthaler Mennonite Church.  Program begins at 3:30 pm Faspa is at 4:30 pm.  Freewill offering for Bathing Room upgrades.  Featured will be the quartet “Glorybound”.

~ We are invited to the Gideon Banquet on Thursday, April 4 at 6:30pm in the Altona EMMC.  Tickets are available from Werner & Marlene Ens or Garry & Karla Fehr and are complimentary.

~ Eden Foundation invites us to a choral concert featuring the Winkler Community Male Choir with conductor Ray Giesbrecht, and the Prairie Singers, with conductor Loretta Thorleifson, on Sunday, April 9, 2017 at 7 pm at the Emmanuel Mennonite Church in Winkler.  Rush seating.  Donations will be accepted for Eden’s mental health recovery programs.

~Emmaus House in Winnipeg is accepting applications for students looking for accommodation for the summer or the 2017/18 academic year.  Check us out at www.emmaushousewinnipeg.ca

~ Women Encountering Jesus – Saturday, April 29, 2017 from 9 am to 4:30 pm.  You are invited by Mennonite Women Manitoba to come spend a day together at the Bethel Mennonite church in Winnipeg, exploring stories of women’s encounters with Jesus, then & now.  Our day will include: worship, engagement with a variety of spiritual practices, storytelling, lunch and introduction to resources for the journey. Resource person is Spiritual Director Laura Funk.  Register online at: www.mennochurch.mb.ca or call 204-896-1616 and ask for Kathy Giesbrecht.  Registration is $ 50.00

~ The Future Directions Proposal outlining the re-vitalization of Mennonite Church Canada and Area Churches has been posted at http://futuredirectionsmc.ca/the-proposal

Church Calendar

April 2 – Ephesians 6: 18 – 20, Pastor Rudy

April 9 – Palm Sunday – Esther Zacharias

April 14 – Good Friday & Communion at 10:30am

April 16 – Easter Sunday – Pastor Rudy

 

March 19, 2017

by bmcoffice Comment Closed

Verse of the Week:

Behold God is my salvation; I will trust and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation. Isaiah 12: 22

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. 

Acts 4: 12

Worship leader: Rudy Franz
Song Leader & Pianist: Erica Rempel

Welcome & announcements

Call to worship

Prayer

Worship in Song

Offertory

Prayer Time
Worship in Song

Scripture Reading – Ephesians 6: 10 – 20

Message – Is the Helmet a fitting enclosure? – Jake Friesen

Closing Song

Benediction

Prayer & Praise

~ The funeral for Susan Janzen was held this past Thursday at the Blumenort Church.  Thank you to our caretakers, those in the sound booth, and the people who looked after serving the meal.  Your help is much appreciated.  We also pray that the family will experience much comfort and reassurance through God’s Holy Spirit as they mourn the loss of a mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend.

~ Tenley Falk has been able to continue with her regular chemo treatments.  Her blood counts continue to remain at an acceptable level.  She has even been able to attend a few half days of school.  We continue our prayer support for her and the family as they journey on with faith in God who promises to be our Good Shepherd.  Updates can be found at: http://www.tenleysjourney.wordpress.com

~ Mennonite Church Canada is sending our an urgent prayer request for Michael J Sharp, a Mennonite peace worker, formerly with Mennonite Church Canada’s ministry partner Mennonite Mission Network and Mennonite Central Committee, who was kidnapped in the Democratic Republic of Congo, on March 12, 2017, along with his United Nations colleague and four Congolese Nationals.  We are asked to pray for those who are kidnapped as well as the kidnappers.

~ Those in various care homes that we remember in our prayers include: Trudy Harms, Helen Fehr, who will turn 101 on March 25, Helen Janzen, and Jake Rempel.

~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 with YWAM in Hawai’i , serving in Uganda at the moment.

~ Kendra Fehr, and her mother, Diana Fehr, left on Wednesday, February 22, for a month long trip to Uganda.  Kendra has previously been to the site where they will be visiting and working.  She values our prayers on their behalf.

Prayer for the week:

Great and merciful God, Your life is the source of the whole world’s life; Your mercy is our only hope; Your eyes watch over all Your creatures; You know the secrets of our hearts.  By Your life-giving Spirit, draw us into Your presence, that we may worship in the true life of Your Spirit, with lives moved by Your love, through Him who has led us to Your heart of love, even Jesus the Christ, our Lord.  Amen.

 

Announcements:

Youth

~ Go to http://blumenortchurch.com for updates regarding youth events. For the most recent updates, check out the groups on Facebook named “BMC Youth”, and “BMC Jr Youth” or contact Youth Pastor Gerry Giesbrecht @ 204-362-7262

Junior Youth (Mondays 7pm-9pm):

March 20 – Photo Scavenger Hunt

March 27 – No Youth Spring Break

Senior Youth (Wednesdays 7pm-9:30pm):

March 22 – The River: helping those who are hurting. Speaker Marv Penner, this is in Winkler.  Please meet at the Church at 6:30.  We will return between 9:30 & 10 pm

March 29 – No Youth – Spring Break

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://blumenortchurch.com to see what’s new online.

~ The updated pictorial directories are available for $10 per copy. See Hedy Falk if you’d like to pick one up or stop in at the library and Judy Dyck or Sue Peters will be able to sell you one.

~ Please note that the mailboxes have a new order to them…yours may have been moved!!

~ As we continue our series on “The Armor of God,” the ministerial would like to invite you to join with us in memorizing Ephesians 6: 10 – 20.

~ Tuesday, March 21 – Church Council Meeting at 7:30 pm

~ Thursday, March 23 – there will be an information meeting at Salem Home, in the multi-purpose room at 7 pm to talk about the upcoming building project. 

Community

The annual Manitoba MDS Awareness & Fundraising Events are fast approaching.

The annual Manitoba MDS Awareness & Fundraising Events are approaching. Come hear MDS stories from 2016 projects and plans for 2017 – especially, Fort McMurray.  Please attend either the Arborg area supper at the Morweena E.M Church on APRIL 8th; or the Altona area event (Details to follow shortly) on APRIL 22nd. See the poster for details.  Reserve your complimentary attendance by calling MDS at 1-866-261-1274.

For those churches that, due to distance, are unable to attend either of these events we invite you to join us in prayer for the work of MDS and the Manitoba Unit.

Thank you for your continued support of Mennonite Disaster Service

~ Southern Manitoba Choral Society presents: Singing Joyfully, Together.    SMCS has invited First Mennonite Church choir to join us in concerts at Altona Bergthaler Mennonite Church on March 18, 7:00pm and at Winnipeg First Mennonite Church on March 19, 3:00pm. Everyone is welcome, and a free-will offering will be taken. ~ Mennonite Collegiate Institute Celebrates 50 Years of Musicals! Join us for our Fundraising Gala Concert and Reception, featuring musicals from the past 50 years, on April 8th at 7:30pm in Buhler Hall, Gretna, MB. To reserve a seat for the show, call MCI at 204-327-5891.  Opportunity for donations will be available at the concert.

~ Camps with Meaning camper registration is now open for all three locations! For details visit www.campswithmeaning.org

~ Camps with Meaning staff and volunteer applications are now available at www.campswithmeaning.org/summer/camp-staff

~ Salem Foundation presents “Faspa, Fellowship and Song” Sunday, April 2, 2017 at the Winkler Bergthaler Mennonite Church.  Program begins at 3:30 pm Faspa is at 4:30 pm.  Freewill offering for Bathing Room upgrades.  Featured will be the quartet “Glorybound”.

~ We are invited to the Gideon Banquet on Thursday, April 4 at 6:30pm in the Altona EMMC.  Tickets are available from Werner & Marlene Ens or Garry & Karla Fehr and are complimentary.

~ Eden Foundation invites us to a choral concert featuring the Winkler Community Male Choir with conductor Ray Giesbrecht, and the Prairie Singers, with conductor Loretta Thorleifson, on Sunday, April 9, 2017 at 7 pm at the Emmanuel Mennonite Church in Winkler.  Rush seating.  Donations will be accepted for Eden’s mental health recovery programs.

~Emmaus House in Winnipeg is accepting applications for students looking for accommodation for the summer or the 2017/18 academic year.  Check us out at www.emmaushousewinnipeg.ca

~ The Future Directions Proposal outlining the re-vitalization of Mennonite Church Canada and Area Churches has been posted at http://futuredirectionsmc.ca/the-proposal

Church Calendar

March 26 – The Sword of the Spirit – Ephesians 6: 17, Gerry Giesbrecht

April 2 – Ephesians 6: 18 – 20, Pastor Rudy

April 9 – Palm Sunday – Esther Zacharias

April 14 – Good Friday & Communion at 10:30am

April 16 – Easter Sunday – Pastor Rudy

 

SOAR Heartland

– 2017 – students from our church that are participating include: Nick Driedger, Caleb Rempel, Shania Ginter,

And Jesse Miller

Volunteers Needed

Here are some of the timeslots that we need volunteers for SOAR this year.

Consider what time might suit you…

Breakfast Prep (6 – 8:30am) – March 24, 25, 31, and April 1

Breakfast clean-up (7:30-9:30am) – March 24, 25, 31, and April 1

Lunch Cooler Prep (8 – 11am) – March 24 and 31

Breakfast Cooler Prep (6 – 8pm) – March 25

Lunch Cooler Clean-up – March 26 (5 – 6:30) and 31 (6 – 7:30)

Supper Prep (3 – 6pm) – March 26

Supper Clean-up (5 – 7:30pm) – March 25 and 26

Contact: Kara Friesen – Winnipeg@mbmission.org or (204) 415-0670

 

March 12, 2017

by bmcoffice Comment Closed

Verse of the Week:

Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Proverbs 30: 5

 

Worship leader: Esther Zacharias
Song Leader & Pianist: Ang Fehr

Worship leader: Esther Zacharias

Song Leader & Pianist: Ang Fehr

 

Welcome & announcements

Call to worship

Prayer

Worship in Song

Offertory

Prayer Time

Children’s Story – Robynn Friesen
Worship in Song

Scripture Reading – Ephesians 6: 10 – 16

Message – The Shield of Faith – Pastor Rudy

Closing Song

Benediction

Prayer & Praise

~ This week we were saddened to hear that Evelyn Giesbrecht, mother of Pam& Maury Peters, had passed away on March 7, 2017.   There is always an added element of loss when it is the second parent who passes away.  May you and your family also experience God’s comfort and presence during this time. The funeral service took place on Saturday, March 11 in Winkler at the Sommerfeld Mennonite church.

~ This afternoon, Sunday March 12, is the memorial service for Leona Penner, mother of James and Jackie Penner, at 2 pm in the Pioneer Centre in Altona.  We also trust that your family will experience God’s nearness and comfort at this time.

~ We want to continue our prayer support for Tenley Falk and her family as she continues her treatments.  We pray that God will uphold and guide you, give to you the energy and courage that is needed for each day.  Updates can be found at: http://www.tenleysjourney.wordpress.com

~ Those in various care homes that we remember in our prayers include: Susan Janzen, Trudy Harms, Helen Fehr, Helen Janzen, and Jake Rempel.

~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 with YWAM in Hawai’i, Kendra Fehr studying with YWAM in San Diego, CA

Prayer for the Week:

Lord our God, you guard us under the shadow of your wings and search into the depths of our hearts.  Remove the blindness that cannot know you and relieve the fear that would hide us from your sight.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen

Announcements:

 

Youth

~ Go to http://blumenortchurch.com for updates regarding youth events. For the most recent updates, check out the groups on Facebook named “BMC Youth”, and “BMC Jr Youth” or contact Youth Pastor Gerry Giesbrecht @ 204-362-7262

Junior Youth (Mondays 7pm-9pm):

March 13 – Bible Study

March 20 – Photo Scavenger Hunt

Senior Youth (Wednesdays 7pm-9:30pm):

March 15 – Small group night

March 22 – The River: helping those who are hurting. Speaker Marv Penner, this is in Winkler

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://blumenortchurch.com to see what’s new online.

~ The updated pictorial directories are available for $10 per copy. See Hedy Falk if you’d like to pick one up or stop in at the library and Judy Dyck or Sue Peters will be able to sell you one.

~ Please note that the mailboxes have a new order to them…yours may have been moved!!

~ As we continue our series on “The Armor of God,” the ministerial would like to invite you to join with us in memorizing Ephesians 6: 10 – 20.

~ Following this morning’s worship service we are invited to a youth fundraising lunch.  These funds will help support those who are participating in the SOAR Heartland Program, as well as other youth activities.

~ Our annual spring congregational meeting takes place tonight, beginning at 6 pm.  We invite your participation, members and visitors, in discussions surrounding the congregational survey which was completed in 2016; our church budget for 2017 and follow up from our fall meeting when we discussed the “Being a Faithful Church” process initiated by Mennonite church Canada.  We need to decide where we go from here in relation to our connection to the conference.

Community

The annual Manitoba MDS Awareness & Fundraising Events are fast approaching.

The annual Manitoba MDS Awareness & Fundraising Events are approaching. Come hear MDS stories from 2016 projects and plans for 2017 – especially, Fort McMurray.  Please attend either the Arborg area supper at the Morweena E.M Church on APRIL 8th; or the Altona area event (Details to follow shortly) on APRIL 22nd. See the poster for details.  Reserve your complimentary attendance by calling MDS at 1-866-261-1274.

For those churches that, due to distance, are unable to attend either of these events we invite you to join us in prayer for the work of MDS and the Manitoba Unit.

Thank you for your continued support of Mennonite Disaster Service

~ Rosemary Siemens in concert with Ray St. Germain, March 18, 7 pm in Buhler Hall hosted by Mennonite Collegiate Institute.  Visit www.mciblues.net to purchase your ticket or call MCI at (204)327-5891.

~ Southern Manitoba Choral Society presents: Singing Joyfully, Together.    SMCS has invited First Mennonite Church choir to join us in concerts at Altona Bergthaler Mennonite Church on March 18, 7:00pm and at Winnipeg First Mennonite Church on March 19, 3:00pm. Everyone is welcome, and a free-will offering will be taken. ~ Mennonite Collegiate Institute Celebrates 50 Years of Musicals! Join us for our Fundraising Gala Concert and Reception, featuring musicals from the past 50 years, on April 8th at 7:30pm in Buhler Hall, Gretna, MB. To reserve a seat for the show, call MCI at 204-327-5891.  Opportunity for donations will be available at the concert.

~ Camps with Meaning camper registration is now open for all three locations! For details visit www.campswithmeaning.org

~ Save the date! The Camps with Meaning “Raise the Roof” Song-a-thon will be March 18th from 1-9 PM!

~ Camps with Meaning staff and volunteer applications are now available at www.campswithmeaning.org/summer/camp-staff

~ Salem Foundation presents “Faspa, Fellowship and Song” Sunday, April 2, 2017 at the Winkler Bergthaler Mennonite Church.  Program begins at 3:30 pm Faspa is at 4:30 pm.  Freewill offering for Bathing Room upgrades.  Featured will be the quartet “Glorybound”.

~ Eden Foundation invites us to a choral concert featuring the Winkler Community Male Choir with conductor Ray Giesbrecht, and the Prairie Singers, with conductor Loretta Thorleifson, on Sunday, April 9, 2017 at 7 pm at the Emmanuel Mennonite Church in Winkler.  Rush seating.  Donations will be accepted for Eden’s mental health recovery programs.

~ The Future Directions Proposal outlining the re-vitalization of Mennonite Church Canada and Area Churches has been posted at http://futuredirectionsmc.ca/the-proposal

Church Calendar

March 19 – The Helmet of Salvation – Ephesians 6: 17, Jake Friesen

March 26 – The Sword of the Spirit – Ephesians 6: 17, Gerry Giesbrecht

March 5, 2017

by bmcoffice Comment Closed

Verse of the Week:

Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in our hope of sharing the glory of God. Romans 5: 1-2

Worship leader: Walter Dyck
Song Leader: Char Klassen
Worship Team: Johnathan & Melissa Wiebe, Harley Dyck, Riley Dyck, Kirsten Friesen, & Luke Klassen
Pianist: Ingrid Dyck

Welcome & announcements
Call to worship
Prayer
Worship in Song
Offertory
Prayer Time
Worship in Song
Scripture Reading – Ephesians 2: 11 – 22, 6: 10 – 15
Message – The Gospel of Peace – Pastor Rudy
Closing Song
Benediction

Prayer & Praise

~ We are saddened by the sudden passing of Leona Penner, mother of James and Jackie Penner, on Sunday, February 26, 2017.  We want to uphold the family in our prayers and may you continue to be upheld by the presence and comfort of our God.  The memorial service for Leona Penner will take place on Sunday, March 12 @ 2 pm in the Rhineland Pioneer Centre in Altona.

~ Johnny Friesen, brother-in-law of Margaret Dyck was laid to rest on Friday, March 3 at Ste Elizabeth. May God be your comfort as you mourn another loss in your extended family.

~ Today, March 5, is the date for our monthly 24 hour prayer vigil for Eagles Wings Children’s Village in Uganda.  We are grateful for the work they do, for the commitment to their purpose and for the love of Christ which they demonstrate to all those with whom they have contact.

~ We are grateful that Tenley Falk has no residue of the RSV Virus in her body, that her blood counts have improved and that Cody & Jaime were able to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary outside of a hospital.  May God continue to sustain you as a family.  Updates can be found at: http://www.tenleysjourney.wordpress.com

~ Kendra Fehr, and her mother, Diana Fehr, left on Wednesday, February 22, for a month long trip to Uganda.  Kendra has previously been to the site where they will be visiting and working.  She values our prayers on their behalf.

~ Those in various care homes that we remember in our prayers include: Susan Janzen, Trudy Harms, Helen Fehr, Helen Janzen, and Jake Rempel.

~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 with YWAM in Hawai’i, Kendra Fehr studying with YWAM in San Diego, CA

Prayer for the Week:

Show us, good Lord, the peace we should seek, the peace we must give, the peace we can keep, the peace we must forgo, and the peace you have given in Jesus the Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Announcements:

Youth

~ Go to http://blumenortchurch.com for updates regarding youth events. For the most recent updates, check out the groups on Facebook named “BMC Youth”, and “BMC Jr Youth” or contact Youth Pastor Gerry Giesbrecht @ 204-362-7262

Junior Youth (Mondays 7pm-9pm):

March 10 (Friday) – Bowling and DQ
March 13 – Bible Study

Senior Youth (Wednesdays 7pm-9:30pm):

March 8 – Bible Study
March 15 – Small group night

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://blumenortchurch.com to see what’s new online.

~ The updated pictorial directories are available for $10 per copy. See Hedy Falk if you’d like to pick one up or stop in at the library and Judy Dyck or Sue Peters will be able to sell you one.

~ Please note that the mailboxes have a new order to them…yours may have been moved!!

~ As we continue our series on “The Armor of God,” the ministerial would like to invite you to join with us in memorizing Ephesians 6: 10 – 20.

~ Church Council has set Sunday, March 12, 2017 as the date for our Annual Spring Congregational meeting.  The youth are planning to have a fundraising lunch following the worship service and our meeting would take place after the noon lunch.  We invite your participation in discussions around our church budget, as well as follow up from our fall meeting when we discussed the “Being a Faithful Church” process initiated by Mennonite Church Canada. *UPDATE* Lunch will happen as planned. Annual meeting will be at 6pm.

Community

 

~ The annual Manitoba MDS Awareness & Fundraising Events are approaching. Come hear MDS stories from 2016 projects and plans for 2017 – especially, Fort McMurray.  Please attend either the Arborg area supper at the Morweena E.M Church on APRIL 8th; or the Altona area event ( Details to follow shortly ) on APRIL 22nd. See the poster for details.  Reserve your complimentary attendance by calling MDS at 1-866-261-1274.

~ For those churches that, due to distance, are unable to attend either of these events we invite you to join us in prayer for the work of MDS and the Manitoba Unit.

~ Mennonite Collegiate Institute presents the musical production “Seussical” March 9, 10 & 11.  Show times at 7:30pm with a Saturday matinee at 2:00pm. If you are a student in Grade 5-11, you may be eligible for a free ticket! To purchase tickets visit our website at www.mciblues.net or to inquire about a free ticket call us at (204)327-5891.

~ Rosemary Siemens in concert with Ray St. Germain, March 18, 7 pm in Buhler Hall hosted by Mennonite Collegiate Institute.  Visit www.mciblues.net to purchase your ticket or call MCI at (204)327-5891.

~ Camps with Meaning camper registration is now open for all three locations! For details visit www.campswithmeaning.org

~ Save the date! The Camps with Meaning “Raise the Roof” Song-a-thon will be March 18th from 1-9 PM!

~ Camps with Meaning staff and volunteer applications are now available at www.campswithmeaning.org/summer/camp-staff

~ The Future Directions Proposal outlining the re-vitalization of Mennonite Church Canada and Area Churches has been posted at http://futuredirectionsmc.ca/the-proposal

Church Calendar

March 12 – Shield of Faith – Ephesians 6: 16 – Rudy Franz
March 12 – Youth fundraiser lunch followed by the Annual Congregational Spring meeting
March 19 – The Helmet of Salvation – Ephesians 6: 17, Jake Friesen
March 26 – The Sword of the Spirit – Ephesians 6: 17, Gerry Giesbrecht

Memory Passage

 Ephesians 6: 10 – 20 NIV

  1. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
  2. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
  3. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
  4. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
  5. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
  6. And with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
  7. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
  8. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
  9. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.  With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
  10. Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,
  11. for which I am an ambassador in chains.  Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

February 26, 2017

by bmcoffice Comment Closed

Verse of the Week:

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.  Proverbs 4: 23

Worship leader: Gerry Giesbrecht
Song Leader & Accompanists: Ravae Mcdonald & Youth

Welcome & announcements
Call to worship
Prayer
Worship in Song
Offertory
Prayer Time
Worship in Song
Scripture Reading – Ephesians 6:10-14, Romans 3: 21 – 31, Taylor Peters
Skit – Breastplate of Righteousness
Message – The Breastplate of Righteousness – Gerry Giesbrecht
Closing Song
Benediction

Prayer & Praise

~ Congratulations and God’s blessings to Jacy & Carmen Friesen on the birth of a daughter, Finnley Snow, on February 22, 2017.  We want to wish you well as you seek to fulfill your responsibilities as Christian parents to the children entrusted to your care.  Grandparents Ray & Bev Friesen are excited to welcome her into their extended family.

~ It has been encouraging to read about Tenley Falk’s improvement in how she has been feeling lately.  Ongoing decisions need to be made about continued cancer treatments and school attendance.  May God continue to provide wisdom and courage to the entire family.  Updates can be found at: http://www.tenleysjourney.wordpress.com

~ We want to welcome back Garry Fehr, who is returning on Sunday, from a two week Bible distribution with the Gideon’s in Yellowknife.  We trust that your experience was enriching and that openness to receiving God’s word was evident by the recipients.

~ Kendra Fehr, and her mother, Diana Fehr, left on Wednesday, February 22, for a month long trip to Uganda.  Kendra has previously been to the site where they will be visiting and working.  She values our prayers on their behalf.

~ Those in various care homes that we remember in our prayers include: Susan Janzen, Trudy Harms, Helen Fehr, Helen Janzen, and Jake Rempel.

~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 with YWAM in Hawai’i (leading an outreach team to Uganda), Nettie Dyck working with School of the Kingdom (leading outreach in Houston, Texas)

Prayer for the Week:

God of grace and forgiveness, thank You for sending Your Son to take away our sin and declare us right in Your sight.  We ask that You remind us of this truth daily, and enable us by Your Spirit to desire and to do the things that please You.  Help us to love You with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength; and to love our neighbors as ourselves.  Amen.

Announcements:

Youth

~ Go to http://blumenortchurch.com for updates regarding youth events. For the most recent updates, check out the groups on Facebook named “BMC Youth”, and “BMC Jr Youth” or contact Youth Pastor Gerry Giesbrecht @ 204-362-7262

Junior Youth (Mondays 7pm-9pm):
February 27 – Bible Study
March 10 (Friday) – Bowling and DQ – $15 covers both. Drop-off: 6:50pm. Pick-up: Between 9:30pm and 10pm.

Senior Youth (Wednesdays 7pm-9:30pm):
March 1 – Bingo Night
March 8 – Bible Study

Church

~ The updated pictorial directories are available for $10 per copy. See Hedy Falk if you’d like to pick one up or stop in at the library and Judy Dyck or Sue Peters will be able to sell you one.

~ As we continue our series on “The Armor of God,” the ministerial would like to invite you to join with us in memorizing Ephesians 6: 10 – 20.

~ Mennonite Church Manitoba Annual Delegate sessions take place, March 3 & 4 at the Emmanuel Mennonite Church in Winkler.  Worship on Friday begins at 7 pm.  Business items begin at 8:30 am on Saturday morning.  We are able to send one delegate for every 30 members, plus any visitors who would want to attend part or all of the sessions.  Check with Rudy if you would like to attend.

~ Church Council has set Sunday, March 12, 2017 as the date for our Annual Spring Congregational meeting.  The youth are planning to have a fundraising lunch following the worship service and our meeting would take place after the noon lunch.  We invite your participation in discussions around our church budget, as well as follow up from our fall meeting when we discussed the “Being a Faithful Church” process initiated by Mennonite Church Canada.

Community

~ Mennonite Collegiate Institute presents the musical production “Seussical” March 9, 10 & 11.  Show times at 7:30pm with a Saturday matinee at 2:00pm. If you are a student in Grade 5-11, you may be eligible for a free ticket! To purchase tickets visit our website at www.mciblues.net or to inquire about a free ticket call us at (204)327-5891.

~ Rosemary Siemens in concert with Ray St. Germain, March 18, 7 pm in Buhler Hall hosted by Mennonite Collegiate Institute.  Visit www.mciblues.net to purchase your ticket or call MCI at (204)327-5891.

~ Camps with Meaning camper registration is now open for all three locations! For details visit www.campswithmeaning.org

~ Save the date! The Camps with Meaning “Raise the Roof” Song-a-thon will be March 18th from 1-9 PM!

~ Camps with Meaning staff and volunteer applications are now available at www.campswithmeaning.org/summer/camp-staff

~ The Future Directions Proposal outlining the re-vitalization of Mennonite Church Canada and Area Churches has been posted at http://futuredirectionsmc.ca/the-proposal

Church Calendar

February 26 – Breastplate of Righteousness – Ephesians 6:14b | Youth Led Service
March 5 – Gospel of Peace – Ephesians 6:15 – Rudy Franz
March 12 – Shield of Faith – Ephesians 6: 16 – Rudy Franz
March 12 – Youth fundraiser lunch followed by the Annual Congregational Spring meeting
March 19 – The Helmet of Salvation – Ephesians 6: 17, Jake Friesen
March 26 – The Sword of the Spirit – Ephesians 6: 17, Gerry Giesbrecht

Memory Passage

 Ephesians 6: 10 – 20 NIV

  1. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
  2. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
  3. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
  4. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
  5. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
  6. And with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
  7. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
  8. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
  9. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.  With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
  10. Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,
  11. for which I am an ambassador in chains.  Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

February 19, 2017

by bmcoffice Comment Closed

Verse of the Week:

Jesus said to (Thomas), “I am the way and the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father but by me.” John 14:6

Worship leader: Jake Friesen
Song Leader: Harley Dyck
Pianist: Riley Dyck

Welcome & announcements

Call to worship

Prayer

Worship in Song

Offertory

Prayer Time

Special Number – Katrina Schulz & Paige Bergman

Worship in Song

Scripture Reading – Ephesians 6:10-14a

Message – The Belt of Truth – Rudy Franz

Closing Song

Benediction

Prayer & Praise

~ Beginning on Monday, Mark Miller has experienced tremendous pain due to the presence of kidney stones. He went this past Thursday to the Health Science Centre in Winnipeg to undergo further treatment. We trust that this will have been successful and that Mark can begin to recover from a very trying week.

~ Tenley Falk had another round of rather unpleasant experiences with the steroids she was on. She is anticipating going back on chemotherapy shortly. We are still grateful that she remains out of the hospital.  Updates can be found at: http://www.tenleysjourney.wordpress.com

~ The funeral for John A. Fehr was held last Saturday, February 11, 2017. Formerly from the village of B lumenort, he was the grandfather of Jason & Alyssa Fehr.

Also, Tina Janzen, formerly of Rosetown passed away on Saturday, February 11, 2017. She is survived by her children Esther & Ernie Janzen, Marlene & Gordon Peters, and Len & Pat Janzen as well as their families. She is also the aunt of John G Falk, Larry Falk, John H Falk, and Jake Falk. A celebration of life service will be held on Friday, February 24, 2017 at 2:00pm at the Altona Bergthaler Mennonite Church. We as a congregation want to extend our thoughts and prayers to both families. May you continue to experience God’s nearness and comfort.

~ Those in various care homes that we remember in our prayers include: Susan Janzen, Trudy Harms, Helen Fehr, Helen Janzen, and Jake Rempel.

~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 with YWAM in Hawai’i (leading an outreach team to Uganda), Nettie Dyck working with School of the Kingdom (leading outreach in Houston, Texas)

Prayer for the Week:

Lord God, you feed us with the living bread from heaven; you renew our faith, increase our hope, and strengthen our love. Teach us to hunger for Christ who is the true and living bread, and to live by every word that comes from your mouth through Jesus the Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Announcements:

Youth

~ Go to http://blumenortchurch.com for updates regarding youth events. For the most recent updates, check out the groups on Facebook named “BMC Youth”, and “BMC Jr Youth” or contact Youth Pastor Gerry Giesbrecht @ 204-362-7262

Junior Youth (Mondays 7pm-9pm):

February 20 – No Youth – Family Day.
February 27 – Bible Study

Senior Youth (Wednesdays 7pm-9:30pm):

February 22 – Media. Faith. Culture talk for Youth and Parents – Brett Ulman. Victory Family Church in Altona @ 7pm. Youth and parents of youth are invited to attend. Drop-off: 6:30pm | Pick-up: Between 9:30pm and 10pm.
March 1 – Bingo Night

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://blumenortchurch.com to see what’s new online.

~ Church council will be meeting Tuesday, February 21 at 7:30pm.

~ The updated pictorial directories are available for $10 per copy. See Hedy Falk if you’d like to pick one up.

~ The Library is selling duplicate and older copies of books before and after the worship service today for $0.25 a book. Check with Sue Peters and Judy Dyck if you’re interested in those.

~ As we continue our series on “The Armor of God,” the ministerial would like to invite you to join with us in memorizing Ephesians 6: 10 – 20.

Community

~ Mennonite Collegiate Institute presents the musical production “Seussical” March 9, 10 & 11.  Show times at 7:30pm with a Saturday matinee at 2:00pm. If you are a student in Grade 5-11, you may be eligible for a free ticket! To purchase tickets visit our website at www.mciblues.net or to inquire about a free ticket call us at (204)327-5891.

~ Rosemary Siemens in concert with Ray St. Germain, March 18, 7 pm in Buhler Hall hosted by Mennonite Collegiate Institute.  Visit www.mciblues.net to purchase your ticket or call MCI at (204)327-5891.

~ Camps with Meaning is looking for a volunteer nurse for the ADV Winter Retreat at Camp Assiniboia February 20-22. If you or someone you know can help in any way please call 896-1616 ext. 254 or email sklassenkoop@mennochurch.mb.ca

~ Camps with Meaning camper registration is now open for all three locations! For details visit www.campswithmeaning.org

~ Save the date! The Camps with Meaning “Raise the Roof” Song-a-thon will be March 18th from 1-9 PM!

~ Camps with Meaning staff and volunteer applications are now available at www.campswithmeaning.org/summer/camp-staff

~ MCM Annual Delegate Gathering. Emmanuel Mennonite Church, Winkler. Worship open to all: March 3, 2017, 7:00pm-9:00pm. Business sessions: March 4, 2017, 8:30am-4:00pm. Schedule and Part 1 of the Report Book is available at www.mennochurch.mb.ca/events

~ The Future Directions Proposal outlining the re-vitalization of Mennonite Church Canada and Area Churches has been posted at http://futuredirectionsmc.ca/the-proposal

Church Calendar

February 26 – Breastplate of Righteousness – Ephesians 6:14b | Youth Led Service
March 5 – Gospel of Peace – Ephesians 6:15 – Rudy Franz

Memory Passage

Ephesians 6: 10 – 20 NIV

10. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
11. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
12. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
13. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
14. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
15. And with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
16. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
17. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
19. Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,
20. for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

February 12, 2017

by bmcoffice Comment Closed

Verse of the Week:

Be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong.
1 Corinthians 16:13

Worship leader: Rudy Franz
Song Leader& Pianist: Gerry Giesbrecht

Welcome & announcements

Call to worship

Prayer

Worship in Song

Offertory

Prayer Time

Children’s Story – Robynn Friesen

Installation of Deacons

Worship in Song

Scripture Reading – Ephesians 6:10-20

Message – Be Strong in the Lord – Walter Dyck

Closing Song

Benediction

Prayer & Praise

~ We are grateful to Abe and Viola Fehr and Garry and Karla Fehr for accepting to serve as deacons for a three year term. We appreciate your willingness to fill these positions, in this significant ministry within our congregation. May you know God’s nearness and guidance as you serve in this way.

~ We are also grateful that Tenley Falk has been able to be at home and out of isolation at the hospital. The family is waiting to see if she will be healthy enough to continue her chemotherapy sessions. This comes with its own sense of challenges, yet we continue to trust in our God, the God of our past, present, and future.  Updates can be found at: http://www.tenleysjourney.wordpress.com

~ Terrell and Janna Wiebe have been working as co-pastors of the Gretna Church since last summer. Terrell recently underwent surgery for cancer. During the surgery the doctor noticed another cancerous mass on his back. They are now waiting to hear from Cancer Care about further treatment options. The family and congregation would value our prayers on their behalf.

~ Those in various care homes that we remember in our prayers include: Susan Janzen, Trudy Harms, Helen Fehr, Helen Janzen, and Jake Rempel.

~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, Kendra Fehr studying with YWAM in San Diego, CA, Andrea Fehr with YWAM in Hawai’i (leading an outreach team to Uganda), Nettie Dyck working with School of the Kingdom (leading outreach in Houston, Texas)

Prayer for the Week:

Dear Lord, we gladly and without reservation assert that you are the one who gives life, you are the one who hears our prayers; you are the one who has kept us since birth, who stands by us in our failure and shame, who moves against our anxiety to make us free. You are the one who does not hide your face when we call. So we praise you, we worship you and adore you. As an act of praise we submit more and more of our own life to you. As an act of praise we notice your poor and pledge our energy on their behalf. We submit to you those who struggle with their health and those who grieve the loss of loved ones. As an act of praise we claim you as our Lord and Savior, today and always. Amen.

Announcements:

Youth

~ Go to http://blumenortchurch.com/calendar/church-calendar/ for updates regarding youth events. For the most recent updates, check out the groups on Facebook named “BMC Youth”, and “BMC Jr Youth” or contact Youth Pastor Gerry Giesbrecht @ 204-362-7262

Junior Youth (Mondays 7pm-9pm):

February 13 – Minute to Win it
February 20 – No Youth – Family Day.

Senior Youth (Wednesdays 7pm-9:30pm):

February 17 – |FRIDAY| Bowling and DQ – Bring $10 and a friend. Drop-off: 6:50pm | Pick-up: Between 9:45pm and 10pm
February 22 – Media. Faith. Culture talk for Youth and Parents – Brett Ulman. Victory Family Church in Altona @ 7pm. Youth and parents of youth are invited to attend. Drop-off: 6:30pm | Pick-up: Between 9:30pm and 10pm.

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://blumenortchurch.com to see what’s new online.

~ We are looking to see if the Church Council meeting scheduled for this coming Tuesday, February 14 can be postponed until the following Tuesday, February 21 at 7:30pm. Marlin will be in touch with us to see if this would be workable.

~ The Education Committee will be meeting Monday, February 13th @ 7:30pm.

~ John and Hedy Falk expect to return this coming Saturday, February 18. If you have any announcements for the bulletin please check with Gerry or Rudy. Also, Pictorial directories will be available on February 19th, when Hedy is back. $10 per copy.

~ The Library is selling duplicate and older copies of books before and after the worship service today for $0.25 a book. Check with Sue Peters and Judy Dyck if you’re interested in those.

~ If you are interested in attending Catechism (membership) classes, it is not too late to check with Rudy.  We will be discussing what we believe and how that is important for our ongoing journey of faith.

~ As we kick off our series on “The Armor of God,” the ministerial would like to invite you to join with us in memorizing Ephesians 6: 10 – 20.

Community

~ Mennonite Collegiate Institute presents the musical production “Seussical” March 9, 10 & 11.  Show times at 7:30pm with a Saturday matinee at 2:00pm. If you are a student in Grade 5-11, you may be eligible for a free ticket! To purchase tickets visit our website at www.mciblues.net or to inquire about a free ticket call us at (204)327-5891.

~ Rosemary Siemens in concert with Ray St. Germain, March 18, 7 pm in Buhler Hall hosted by Mennonite Collegiate Institute.  Visit www.mciblues.net to purchase your ticket or call MCI at (204)327-5891.

~ Camps with Meaning is looking for a volunteer nurse for the ADV Winter Retreat at Camp Assiniboia February 20-22. If you or someone you know can help in any way please call 896-1616 ext. 254 or email sklassenkoop@mennochurch.mb.ca

~ Camps with Meaning camper registration is now open for all three locations! For details visit www.campswithmeaning.org

~ Save the date! The Camps with Meaning “Raise the Roof” Song-a-thon will be March 18th from 1-9 PM!

~ Camps with Meaning staff and volunteer applications are now available at www.campswithmeaning.org/summer/camp-staff

~ Justice and peace in Palestine and Israel:  a gathering in follow-up to Mennonite Church Canada’s resolution on Palestine and Israel, passed in July. If you are interested in moving the resolution forward or want to know more about what the resolution means for our churches, please join us for:  a) fellowship around Palestinian snacks; b) updates from the national working group assigned to the resolution; c) information on MCC’s advocacy on Palestine and Israel; d) discussion about avenues for awareness and action in our congregations.  Wednesday, February 15, 7:00-8:30 p.m., Home Street Mennonite Church, 318 Home Street. For more information call Carolyn Epp-Fransen (204 488-6354) or Byron Rempel-Burkholder (204 831-5207).

~ Mennonite Church Manitoba gathering will be happening at Emmanuel Mennonite Church in Winkler over March 3,4. March 3rd will have worship and March 4th will have business.

Church Calendar

February 19 – Belt of Truth – Ephesians 6:14a | Pastor Rudy
February 26 – Breastplate of Righteousness – Ephesians 6:14b | Youth Led Service

Memory Passage

Ephesians 6: 10 – 20 NIV

10. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
11. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
12. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
13. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
14. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
15. And with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
16. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
17. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
19. Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,
20. for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.