Category: Media

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

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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)

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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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)

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.

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

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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

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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.

 

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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.

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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

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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!

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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.

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

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

Welcome & announcements

Call to worship

Prayer

Worship in Song

Lighting of the 3^rd 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

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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.

 

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.