Verse of the Week:
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the lands. Serve the Lord with gladness; come into His presence with singing. Know that the Lord is God. It is He that made us and we are His. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him. Bless His name. For the Lord is good, His steadfast love endures forever and His faithfulness to all generations.
Psalm 100
Worship leader: Rudy Franz
Song Leader & Pianist: Erica Rempel
Welcome and announcements
Call to worship
Prayer
Worship in Song
Offertory
Prayer Time
Children’s story – Caroline Ens
Worship in Song
Scripture reading: Colossians 2: 6-7
Message – “Abounding in Thanksgiving” – Mitchell Peters
Closing song
Benediction & Table Grace
Prayer & Praise
~ Welcome to our annual Thanksgiving Worship service. It is right and good to remember and give thanks to the Lord our God for all the ways that our needs are met; for a bountiful harvest and for the personal relationship we are able to have with Jesus the Christ. As the scriptures command, let us not forget the Lord our God. To be thankful enables us to remember.
~ Tim Wiebe has now completed his initial six weeks of chemo and radiation treatments. Discussions are underway about what needs to happen next. Nettie Ginter began her treatments on Wednesday, September 27. Tenley Falk also continues the maintenance phase of her treatments. We are reminded of how precious life is that really it is only a fragile cord that enables us to continue living. All of us are dependent on the grace and mercy of our Lord who gives to us our very breath and daily bread. Updates can be found at: htttp://www.tenleysjourney.wordpress.com
~ Congratulations to Ryan & Stacy (nee Falk) Hamm on the birth of a daughter, Katelyn Nicole, on Monday, September 25, 2017. Proud first time grandparents are John G & Esther Falk. We want to wish these families God’s blessings and much joy as they welcome this child into their hearts and homes.
~ Thursday, October 5 is the next date for our monthly 24 hour prayer vigil for Eagles Wings Children’s Village in Uganda. Let us continue to offer our prayers of support and encouragement.
~ We are also grateful for continued good news from places around the globe. For example, on September 16, 2017, the Argentina Mennonite Church celebrated its 100th anniversary. With 50 congregations, Argentina Mennonite Church has more than 3000 members, They are in the process of planting an additional 30 churches, while continuing contacts in other communities. They support three mission programs and 26 church planting missionaries, including a family who serves with the indigenous evangelical churches in the Chaco.
~ Despite the fact that the immediate threat from hurricanes, earthquakes and forest fires has subsided, the continued toll of the devastation on the lives of people is substantial. We are reminded also of the human catastrophe unfolding as thousands of people are fleeing Myanmar and making their way to the borders of Bangladesh. This tragedy has been devastating for so many who have left everything to escape the persecution. We pray for an end to hostilities, for humanitarian aid to reach a desperate people, for continued care and compassion for those who are totally dependent on others for their very survival.
~ Those in various care homes that we remember in our prayers include: Trudy Harms, Helen Janzen, and Jake Rempel. We also want to remember Mary Klassen in BTHC and Peter E Hildebrandt who are dealing with health issues.
~We continue to offer our prayer support for Laure and her family, as well as for the Paroisse Missionaire Congregation in Kinshasa, DR Congo; Ryan Thiessen in San Carlos, Mexico; Murray and Carol Honsberger in Papua New Guinea, Eagles Wings Children’s Village in Uganda, Jon & Natalie Neudorf in Chiang Mai, Thailand working with YWAM, and Andrea Fehr with YWAM in Hawai’i
Prayer for the Week:
Lord you have given me so much. I ask for one more thing, a grateful heart. Amen.
Announcements:
~ Audio services and bulletins are now available at our CHURCH website. We are working at streamlining this, and keeping it current. Please be patient with us as we continue to update our web presence. Go to: http:.//www.blumenortchurch.com to see what’s new online.
~ If you want to keep getting the Canadian Mennonite magazine, please let the office know. I need to send them an updated list by October 15, 2017.
~ If you have volunteered at any bible camp over the summer for more than 1 week, the church would like to support you. Please submit a letter to the education committee stating how many weeks you volunteered and a brief description of your camp experience
~ A Ladies Sunday school class meets upstairs in the old youth room. They will be studying the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120 – 134) using the Beth Moore DVD video and workbooks. We hope to start on October 1 at 9:15 am. Everyone is welcome. There is a signup list on the white board in that room if you already know that you would like a book. Please Join Us.
~ At church council on Thursday, September 2, it was decided to have the fall Annual Congregational Church meeting on Sunday, November 19 after the noon meal. Reports from committee chairpersons are to be handed in by November 1 to the office. Email is great!!!!
~There is childcare available during the service starting at 10:15 in the youth hut. Children ages 1-6 are welcome!
Youth
~ Go to http://bmcyouth.blogspot.ca for updates on youth events. Check out the pages on Facebook named “BMC youth for senior highs” and “BMC Jr Youth for the junior highs”.
There are a few changes to youth for this year. We are excited to be joining our junior and senior high groups for the 2017/2018 school year.
BMC Youth exists to be a safe place for youth to encounter Jesus, ask questions, and to grow in their faith and relationship with God. We do this through recreation, worship, bible study, prayer, and service.
Thank you to all the leaders who are helping with youth this year: Gerry Giesbrecht, Macey Friesen, Eric and Jessica Giesbrecht and Tyson Fehr
Youth (Grade 7-12 | Wednesdays 7:30pm-9:15pm):
The youth would like to extend a big thank you to everyone who continues to support us in prayer and for those who were able to support financially at the lunch last week. Thank you for your generosity.
OPPORTUNITY: We are looking for prayer partners for the youth and leaders again. If you are interested in signing up to pray for someone, see Gerry after the service by the coffee station in the foyer.
October 4 – Rhineland Area Food Drive, you are welcome to bring donations to the church on Sunday, October 1, Thursday, October 5, Friday October 6 or Sunday October 8. Thursday & Friday between 9 & 1.
October 11 – Bible study
Community
~ For all those who enjoy Southern Gospel Quartet music, you are invited to come to Buhler Hall on Saturday, October 14, at 7 pm where the Lumber River Quartet from North Carolina will be performing. Come for music and testimonies. Admission is free and donations will be gratefully accepted.
~ Minds in Motion is an 8-week program which combines physical activity, socialization and mental stimulation for people living with early to moderate symptoms of dementia, and their caregiver/family/friend. Come to the Minds in Motion Open House on Thursday morning, September 28th (9 AM to Noon) at The Gardens on Tenth to learn more. Sessions run one morning per week October 12th – November 30th (Thursdays). Call Grace @ Gardens at 204-324-8945 to register
~ You are invited to attend The Gardens on Tenth Annual General Meeting on Thursday, October 19 at 7:00 PM at The Gardens. Your board representative will be looking for delegates to represent your church so please talk to him/her if you are interested
~ Theatre of the Beat presents Yellow Bellies at Buhler Hall in Gretna on Sunday, October 15 at 7:00pm. Yellow Bellies is a historical drama that highlights the experiences and public response to Mennonite Conscientious Objectors during WWII. This episodic tale takes audiences across Canada, featuring verbatim interviews, fictionalized scenes, and live music from an often overlooked chapter of Canadian history. Tickets will be available at the door. $18 for adults or $10 for Students.
~ Everyone is invited to the Union Gospel Mission Fall Banquet which takes place on Friday, October 6, 6:30 pm at the Rhineland Pioneer Centre in Altona. Special Music by Glorybound. Guest speaker will be Executive Director: Frank Ulrich. For tickets call 204-324-8329
~ At the Intersection of Faith and Life, a 55 plus enrichment program is being offered by CMU. Called: Xplore: Keep thinking sessions will be offered at the Emmanuel Mennonite Church in Winkler on Thursdays from October 5 – November 9. From 9 – 10 am. Sessions include: Ephesians: Power for peace, by Michael Pahl & Reflecting on the church in Southern Manitoba with John Klassen and area partners. From 10:30 – 11:30 am, sessions include: Clothing the Naked Anabaptist by John J Friesen, and Deuteronomy as a vision for the church today, by Gerald Gerbrandt. The cost is $ 100 for 2 sessions or $60 for a single session. For more information and registration visit: cmu.ca/xplore
~ Eden Health Care Services invites you to the 2017 Dr Clarence H Labun Lecture Series titled: “Sustaining and Nurturing Safe Communities” on Tuesday, October 3, from 9am -4 pm registration begins at 8:15, at the Grace Mennonite Church in Winkler. Presenters include: Devon Clunis, retired Winnipeg Police Chief, Dr Marc Teillet, Psychiatrist at Eden, Jordan Friesen from the Canadian Mental Health Association, and Paul Isaacs, retired Winnipeg Police Chaplain. See edenheathcare.ca for more information. Registration is $40. Online or by phone 204-325-5355.
~ The Eastview Place Fall Bazaar will be held on Thursday, October 5 from 1:30 – 3:30. Join us for a lovely afternoon of coffee and dainties, the best bake sale in Altona, and enter the raffles for wonderful prizes from local businesses and our draw for a quilt, spa package and clothing rack. All proceeds go to improving the quality of life for the residents at Eastview Place. We hope to see you there.
~ Gord Penner from Steinbach Bible College will be leading a study series called: Job: why do bad things happen to good people? On Tuesday evenings 7 – 9:45 pm September 26, October 3, 10, 17 at the South Park church in Altona. Cost is $25 per evening or $80 for all four sessions. If you have questions call, Dan Mackloskie at 204-324-5947
Church Calendar
October 8 – Service of Praise Sunday
October 15 – Speaker – Rudy Franz
October 22 – Speaker – Walter Dyck
October 29 – Speaker – Rudy Franz
November 19 – Fall Congregational Meeting after the morning service and lunch
A tribute to those in Education 2017-2018
Bus Drivers Teachers
Bill Fehr Jordan Peters
Allan Friesen
MCI – Gretna Marcy Falk
Sam Driedger Robynn Friesen
Shania Ginter Kristen Falk
Josh Dyck Esther Zacharias
Lauren Fehr Karla Fehr
Justin Rempel
Garden Valley Collegiate
Taylor Peters Educational Assistants
Kaden Dyck Ang Driedger
Destiny Dyck Kathy Franz
WC Miller—Altona Thrive School of Discipleship
Garry Klippenstein Kaitlin Rempel
Kayla Miller
Heidi Miller House parents in BC
U of Brandon Kieran & Amanda Reynolds
Cindy Friesen
U of Manitoba
Harley Dyck
Seth Klassen
U of Winnipeg
Caleb Rempel
Katrina Schulz
Jordan Dyck
Luke Klassen
CMU
Josh Driedger
Kirsten Friesen
Riley Dyck
Steinbach Bible College
Morgan Fehr
University of Nebraska- Omaha
Lawson McDonald
October birthdays
2 – Ryan Friesen
4 – Zelma Fehr
7 – Erma (Fehr)Froese, Geoff Loewen
10 – Esther Falk
11 – Justin Falk
13 – Lillian Funk
18 – Dave Rempel
21 – Richard Hildebrandt
23 – Sue Peters
24 – Mary Klassen
30 – Linda Penner, Marlene Ens
Anniversaries
5 – Richard & Dorothy Hildebrandt
6 – Rudy & Kathy Franz
10 – Bernie & Bev Kehler, Jeremy & Megan Hildebrandt
25 – Dave & Cathy Fehr
30 – Ed & Joyce Hildebrandt