Mennonite Community Church

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The Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference(PSMC) declares our unambiguous solidarity with our Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) sisters and brothers wh...o have been victimized by hateful racist rhetoric and made targets of ongoing violence and intimidation. Today we share our convictions, our confession and the prayers that shape and undergird our commitments in the face of the bigotry directed toward our AAPI neighbors. Today we say enough is enough of the legacy of horrendous racial intolerance and violence directed to communities of color through dispossession of Native American lands, the atrocities of slavery, the internment camps, Exclusion Acts and we reach for the promise of a society made rich by its diversities of color, culture and creed. Despite ongoing instances of discrimination and inhumanity may the day of that promise being realized come soon!! Statement by: Executive Committee of the PSMC Board of Directors The Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference (PSMC), an area conference of Mennonite Church USA, is a community of Mennonite congregations across Arizona and California. We are a diverse body, gathering for worship in many languages and coming from all corners of the globe. We share together a vision for Following Jesus, (and) our mission is to create Spirit-filled healing community across boundaries, sharing God’s love, justice, and peace with each other and with our local and global neighbors. It is this vision which causes us to be filled with deep sadness and profound concern at the alarming rise of hostility and violence toward Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI), some of whom are members of our congregations, and all of whom are our neighbors. The xenophobia and hatred being directed toward these neighbors are antithetical to our Christian faith which invites us to provide welcome, hospitality and care to our neighbors whom we are called to love. It is this vision which compels us to lament the captivity of so many in our nation to fear, to a culture that idolizes guns and to violence as a way to resolve our conflicts and eliminate perceived threats. Therefore We deplore the galling and ugly rhetoric that has fueled the hate-filled animosity which leads to the targeting of our Asian and Pacific Islander neighbors for harm and hurt; We call on all our congregations, and Christians everywhere, along with believers of whatever faith affiliation, to renew their commitment to be communities of healing across boundaries; We grieve for all those who have been injured or killed, and we appeal to our members to share love, peace and justice with all our neighbors so that every person, of whatever color, culture or creed, is made to feel at home, protected and a valued participant in our society; and, We pray for God’s deliverance of our nation from its deadly bondage to guns and violence. We pray for the healing of all those who have suffered harm and trauma. We also pray for courage and boldness in all our leaders so that they can confront bigotry and racial intolerance while dismantling those structures which perpetuate racism, inequity and alienation.

Remember on Saturday night:

This Sunday January 10 in Worship In the biblical narrative, the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River by John (see Mark 1:9-11) signifies a new beginning. Do you remember your own baptism? How old were you? Where did it take place? Who else was present? What did your baptism mean to you then and what does it mean to you now? For Anabaptist Christians, baptism carries special meaning. Believers baptism, as we would call it, signifies a voluntary commitment to follow Jesus ...in the way of discipleship, in the supportive context of the faith community. As the new year dawns upon us, let us reflect on and renew our commitment to Christ and the church. During the worship service on Sunday, we will have an opportunity to share in the reading of a Congregational Commitment for the new year, the text of which is printed below. We look forward to being together again! See more

The new Voices Together hymnal was officially launched in a Zoom event last Sunday. You can view the event at your leisure on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ru5E1yBcLY

Advent 2 December 6 - Worship Theme: On the road to repentance. Please join us for worship this Sunday morning on Zoom as we continue our Advent journey. When the heart is moving in readiness, there is an openness to the newperhaps the fresh thing God wants to do. To embrace the new requires a letting go of the past. Repentance means we are letting go and making space for God’s new work in us. Gordon will be sharing a second monologue for Advent, John the Baptist prepares the way, based on Mark 1:1-8.

Advent Worship - God came into the world as a human. God is with us in our humanity. The stories in Scripture that flesh out Jesus’ arrival couldn’t possibly point to this more clearly (Kathy Escobar, A Weary World: Reflections for a Blue Christmas, p. 16). The human story takes us on a life-long journey of faith, if we’re open to it, each step moving us closer to Jesus. The worship theme for the first Sunday of Advent is On the road to readiness. What does readiness look like? How might we prepare ourselves to receive the One sent to save us? Pastor Gordon will be sharing a monologue, The Day and Hour Unknown, based on Mark 13:24-37. As we set out on the road this Advent, may our heart’s desire be to make space to receive the gift God has sent.

This Sunday Nov 15 in Worship We are pleased to welcome Stanley and Ursula Green to our church. Stanley is the new Executive Conference Minister for our conference. Previously, he served as Executive Director of Mennonite Mission Network. Stanley is our guest speaker and will be bringing a message on Obedience to the Faith. The Scripture Reading is Acts 6:1-7. Hope to see you there! Contact the church office for Zoom instructions.

This Sunday Nov 8 in Worship - On the first Sunday after a contentious election, our hearts turn toward God for daily strength to sustain us and the Spirit of discernment to guide us as we renew our commitment to work for peace and justice in our world. With the prophet Amos, may we answer the call to let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream (Amos 5:24). We look forward to being together again for worship. Hope to see you there! Contact the office for Zoom information.

What does it mean to live as one of God's saints? - This Sunday Nov 1 in worship we are celebrating All Saints Day. The lectionary Gospel reading is the opening section of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 known as the Beatitudes, as Jesus famously pronounced a series of blessings. What he says there about those who are blessed may have surprised his first disciples. Does his teaching also surprise us? For example, who are the people we have known that we would say were pu...re in heart, showed mercy, or worked for peace; those who were meek and gentle, who endured much suffering and loss, or were treated badly for doing what’s right? Jesus says they are blessed in a way the world does not understand or appreciate. This Sunday, we remember the saintsheroines/heroes of the faith in the Bible and church history; parents, grandparents, or other family members; role models, mentors and encouragers that have made an impact on our lives. We invite you to bring with you photos or small memorabilia of those dear ones, past or present. As we remember and give thanks for each of them, during the worship service we will have a special blessing of the photos and memories. Looking forward to being together again for worship and community-building! Contact the office for Zoom connection information.

This Week October 25 in Worship - Have you voted yet? As election day approaches, I’ve been thinking about voting as a civic duty. Do you see voting as a requirement for good citizenship? Some religious traditions, including Jehovah’s Witnesses, Amish, and Hutterites, have historically rejected politics altogether, believing that God’s kingdom does not belong to this world. Some other Anabaptist groups may agree. Several years ago, I remember a respected Mennonite historian ...at a Mennonite Convention calling for a moratorium on voting. Most of the delegates disagreed, especially women and persons of color who have not always been allowed to vote! What if voting were seen as an expression of our Christian discipleship? In Micah 6:8, the prophet asks the question, What does the Lord require of you? His answerdo justice, love kindness, walk humbly with Godat very least, might be the wise counsel we need as we fill out our ballots. What if we carried concerns for justice, kindness, and humility with us as we vote? How might this inform our decisions about who to vote for (or against)? What do you think? Looking forward to being together again this Sunday morning for worship and community-building. See more

This Sunday October 18 in Worship - It’s been said many times that people shouldn’t mix religion and politics. What do you think about that? The lectionary Gospel reading this week finds Jesus’ opponents trying to entrap him with a seemingly impossible question: Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not (Matthew 22:17)? If he says no, they may accuse him of treason. If he says yes, then they will think he’s a traitor to his faith. Beneath the surface, there are deep...er questions to consider. Does the Bible endorse blind patriotism? To whom or what do we give our ultimate allegiance? These are questions people have wrestled with throughout history. In these weeks leading up to the election, it seems timely to revisit the Christian’s (and the church’s) ongoing relationship with civil authorities. Hope to see you in worship this Sunday on Zoom! Contact the office for the link. See more

This Sunday October 11 in Worship - Now that the new Mennonite hymnal, Voices Together, is almost here (MennoMedia will begin shipping next month, I think), maybe now’s a good time to mention one of my favorite hymns in Hymnal: A Worship Book, our go-to Mennonite song book since 1992 (along with two spiral-bound supplements). It's #6, Here in this place. I especially like the part where we sing, Gather us in the lost and forsaken, Gather us in the blind and the lame. Call ...to us now, and we shall awaken, We shall arise at the sound of our name. I love these words for being so inclusive. No matter who we aregood, bad, wounded, disabled, and every which way in-betweenGod gathers us into the family as sons and daughters. So then, you will forgive me (I hope) for saying that I’m just a bit taken aback by the lectionary gospel reading for this Sunday. I mean, the gospel is supposed to be good news, right? The parable of the wedding banquet in Matthew 22:1-14 is about a king throwing a big party for his son (and his bride?), gathering people in as invited guests to feast at the bountiful table spread before them. But here’s the thing. Not everyone is invited. And when folks who are invited snub the king, the king is p_ _ _ ed! Sorry, I mean, really angry! And so he sends out his troops to kill them and then burns down the entire city! Can we say, "OVERREACTING??!!" Where’s the good news in that? It’s got to be hidden there someplace in those fourteen verses, right? Check it out. And pray for me as I go on the hunt for good news between now and Sunday. See you soon! -Gordon Smith Call the church office for Zoom login instructions. Adult Sunday School - Please note that there will be no Adult Sunday School this Sunday, October 11th.

This Sunday October 4 in Worship - Our theme this week is peace. Each year during the fall, Mennonite World Conference invites congregations in our global Anabaptist family to observe Peace Sunday. This year, the theme is based on Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 12:26--"If one member suffers, all suffer together." For the meditation, we will hear a video message from Andrew Suderman, Mennonite World Conference Peace Commission Secretary. We will also be sharing Communion (the... first Sunday in October is designated "World Communion Sunday"). Communion bags with crackers and juice are being distributed to everyone in our congregation (with thanks to deacons Jean Flores and Glenn Snyder, with helpers Greg Wells and Maddie). If you have not yet received yours, there's still time. Please contact Maddie McKeever or Glenn Snyder before Friday (October 2nd). If you are not a regular attendee please contact the office for the Zoom info. See more

This Sunday September 27 we have a guest speaker, Brenda Sawatsky Paetkau. She has been pastor of Eighth Street Mennonite Church in Goshen, IN since 1994. The sermon title is "Disoriented toward great faith." We meet via Zoom. Please contact the church office or any of our regular attendees for directions to the site.

This Sunday Sept 20 in Worship We are continuing our series, Reconciliation is the center of our work, with a focus on creation. We are blessed to live on a planet that is beautiful, wondrous, and mysterious. Yet creation groans for redemption and healing from the abuse that it endures as the result of human arrogance. How do we reconcile with creation? In humility and gratitude, we might begin by noticing God’s handiwork all around us, from majestic mountains to delica...te butterfly wings. This is a call to renew our sense of awe in the sacredness of every detail in creation, rather than give in to the siren song of our times that would exploit natural resources with reckless abandon. Between now and Sunday, we invite you to reflect on this question: What does the natural world show us about God’s character and playful artistry? Contact the office for information on how to join our service on Zoom. Upcoming Worship Schedule - - September 27: Our guest speaker will be Brenda Sawatzky Paetkau, Pastor of Eighth Street Mennonite Church in Goshen, Indiana. - October 4: World Communion Sunday

This Sunday September 13 in Worship Reconciliation is the center of our work. Our worship series continues with a focus on reconciling with ourselves. We are all shaped by a mixture of experiences and possibilities. The story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10 opens a conversation about seeing ourselves as God see us: as daughters and sons who are amazing and contradictory, and loved by God.

While we have been meeting on line the trustees have been busy improving our landscaping.

This Sunday September 6 in Worship - We are beginning a four-part series on the theme, Reconciliation is the center of our work. Worship each Sunday in September will focus on one dimension of reconciliation. This week we'll be looking at reconciliation with God. Jesus’ famous parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32 highlights this concern through the image of a son losing his way. When have you lost your way? How did you find your way home? Do you think we’ve lost our way as a society? If so, in what sense? Do you think following the path toward reconciliation would help? Looking forward to being together again in a few days. Hope your week is going well so far! We meet online, contact the office for how to join us.

Camp Sunday August 30 - Since Camp Keola is closed this summer due to the pandemic, we thought it would be meaningful (and, hopefully, fun, too!) for us to bring the spirit/Spirit of camp down from the mountains to our worshiping congregation here in the valley! What has camp meant to you over the years? How have you experienced God at camp? How has camp changed you? Maybe you’ve been to other church camps, not just Keola. We’ve asked a few persons to share their responses, ...interspersed with singing camp songs, a Readers Theater focused on God’s presence in the biblical story, and a short video about Camp Keola, complete with pictures of campers, counselors and staff surrounded by the beauty of nature (have you ever hiked up to Inspiration Point?). Please join us this Sunday morning at 10:45 as we reminisce and celebrate the church camping experience. And if you have a camp t-shirt, we invite you to wear it to the worship service! All of our meetings are online with Zoom. Email us for info on how to connect at [email protected].

Mennonite World Conference has postponed the Indonesia gathering to 2022. https://mwc-cmm.org/assemb/stories/mwc-shifts-assembly-2022

Total amount raised from the Virtual MCC auction: $2645!! Good job everybody! Thank you for making this work, from generous contributors and bidders to auction admin. Also thank you for being patient as we tried to do this for the first time.

This Sunday August 23 in Worship - Who is Jesus? This question is of critical importance not only for the first disciples but for his followers today living in a pluralistic context. Who do other people say Jesus is? Who do we in the church say he is? What difference does it make? These questions are not insignificant, especially in light of Democratic and Republican Conventions meeting this week and next. Which presidential candidate best aligns with our values as disciples... of Jesus? (No, we’re not going to conduct a straw poll during the worship service!) The biblical story this Sunday taken from Matthew 16:13-20 invites us to reflect again on who Jesus is and why it matters. How has following Jesus changed our lives? Does our faith inform our public engagement on political, social, and economic issues? Or is our faith primarily a private matter? We look forward to being together again on Zoom this Sunday morning! In the meantime, stay safe. Check in with one another. And stay indoors away from the extreme heat as much as possible! - Gordon Smith All of our meetings are online with Zoom. Email us for info on how to connect at [email protected].

The benediction today. https://youtu.be/akT32E83zjI

Worship and all other meetings are taking place on line via Zoom. Our twice-monthly food distributions continue on our campus.

Our Good Friday service just concluded on Zoom. Join us Easter morning at 10:30.

March 15 Sunday activities cancelled Brothers and sisters in Christ, These are unsettling times. Most of the world is having to deal with the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), and California is no exception. World-wide, there are currently 125,288 confirmed cases, and 4,614 deaths. In California, there are 198 confirmed cases, and there have been 4 deaths. It is especially dangerous for older people, and those who have other serious health concerns. A vaccine is per...haps some 12 to 18 months from its development to its being available to the public. Until that time, it has been advised that everyone begin to practice "social distancing". Social distancing would involve people not meeting in large groups. Many of you are now aware that professional and college sport seasons have been cancelled, and that many colleges and universities have converted classes to online instruction as a way to slow down the rate of spread of COVID-19. We believe, as a faith community, we need to do our part to help slow down the spread of the virus to each other and also to our neighbors. To that end, the Executive Committee of the Church Council, in consultation with others, has agreed that Sunday School classes, worship service and the potluck for this Sunday, March 15, should be cancelled. The Church Council will discuss options on how to proceed in the coming weeks, and then report to the congregation. Please help us get the word out to anyone in our congregation who might not see this notice. Peace be to the whole community, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 6:23 In Christ, Stuart McFeeters, Congregational Chair Gordon Smith, Pastor See more

Adult Sunday School - Ken Friesen will be speaking this week and next week about his newly published book on climate and energy. Sunday School is from 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. and will meet in the sanctuary or the Adult Education room. Coffee will be provided.

Second Sunday in Lent March 8 - God calls us out of familiar and comfortable places in our lives and invites us into new challenges, new ways of being, thinking, and doing (Leader Worship Resources, Winter 2019-20; p. 37). The familiar stories of Abram, Sarai, and Nicodemus may offer new perspectives on the challenges and the opportunities that await each of us on the journey of faith. As we respond, we pray, God, show us the extent of your faithful, loving presence. Scripture Readings: Genesis 12:1-5; John 3:1-17

First Sunday in Lent Mar 1 - This week in worship our focus is on temptation, drawing upon the biblical stories in Genesis 2:15-17 and Matthew 4:1-11. Adult Sunday School - This Sunday, Andrew Sensenig will be speaking and facilitating "Convert a Mormon" role playing games. Next week, Ken Friesen will be speaking about his newly published book on climate and energy. Sunday School is from 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. and will meet in the sanctuary or the Adult Education room. Coffee will be provided.

Dina Gonzalez-Peña brought the message this morning. Carolyn and Leon Hoover shared about their recent work at Casa Alitas with migrants on the southern border.

Sheri Wiedenhoefer brought the message and Kate Wentland reported on Full Circle Project.

First Sunday After Epiphany Jan 12 - This Sunday, Duane Ruth-Heffelbower will be bringing a sermon on justice, taken from Isaiah 42. We also look forward to a Ministry Minute from Carolyn and Leon Hoover about their upcoming travels, also related to the theme of justice.

Covenant renewal

First Sunday after Christmas

This Sunday December 22 - Longing for Love - On the Fourth Sunday in Advent, once every three years the lectionary Gospel reading focuses on Joseph (see Matthew 1:18-25). We don’t know much about him, except what we learn from the brief mention of him in the stories of Jesus’ birth found in Matthew and Luke . But one thing seems clear: he was devoted to Mary, which may explain why he planned to dismiss her quietly (Matthew 1:19) when he discovered she was pregnant. As we ...all know, his plans were soon interrupted by a heavenly visitation. More than a story of Joseph’s love for Mary, this is also about God’s love for all humankind. In our Advent waiting, may love be born anew in our hearts. Light of the World - Throughout Advent, we invite you to join us during the Sunday School hour for informal conversations about some of the familiar characters and themes in the story of the birth of Jesus. We're meeting at 9:30 in the Adult Ed. room (next to the church office). Everyone is welcome!

Longing for Joy Traditionally, the third Sunday in Advent (Dec 15 this year) is known by the Latin word, Gaudete, Rejoice, following assigned lectionary readings in worship that focus on joy. A Sunday of rejoicing may be just what we need midway into our Advent journey. But this is not the fleeting kind of happiness that ignores grieving hearts or offers a brief (if superficial) respite from the steady, toxic stream of bad news in the world. Rather, joy that endures is... grounded in God’s vision of justice, healing, and provision, of the sort Mary sings about in the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55). This kind of deep joy we find in the biblical story is more akin to blessedness than happiness, the kind of joy that sings, My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior (v. 46). Light of the World - Throughout Advent, we invite you to join us during the Sunday School hour for informal conversations about some of the familiar characters and themes in the story of the birth of Jesus. We're meeting at 9:30 in the Adult Ed. room (next to the church office). Everyone is welcome! es in the story of the birth of Jesus. We're meeting at 9:30 in the Adult Ed. room (next to the church office). Everyone is welcome!

A new trio played this morning

Second Sunday of Advent

The Second Sunday in Advent Dec 8 - As we continue our journey through Advent, is there any reason to hope that the world will be different when the Messiah comes? How do we get ready while we wait? When the people went out to the wilderness to see the wandering prophet known as John the Baptist (see Matthew 3:1-12), they found an odd sort of character waiting for them: wrapped in strange garb (itchy, itchy camel’s hair); living off the land (a diet of locusts and honey); a b...ad-tempered, name-calling loudmouth peddling a message of repentance and calling people to get washed clean in the waters of the Jordan. Where’s the hope in that? But John points the way to another odd character, someone more powerful than he is. When he gets here, John says, he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Now that’s reason to hope. Hurry up, God! What are you waiting for? Light of the World - Throughout Advent, we invite you to join us during the Sunday School hour for informal conversations about some of the familiar characters and themes in the story of the birth of Jesus. We're meeting at 9:30 in the Adult Ed. room (next to the church office). Everyone is welcome!

First Sunday of Advent

Longing for Peace - This Sunday, Dec 1, together we enter the season of Advent, longing for God to break into our lives with peace. We ask the question (impatiently, at times), God, what are you waiting for? In Isaiah 2:1-5, the prophet reveals God’s action and intention for the whole world. It’s a genuine word of comfort, as surprising as it is welcome. For here we find some of Isaiah’s most famous words of peace. Sights and sounds of beating swords into plowshares captu...res our imagination. In a world of suffering and pain, we wonder if we will ever stop fighting and killing each other. Is peace too much to ask? Who will come and save us? Light of the World - Throughout Advent, we invite you to join us during the Sunday School hour for informal conversations about some of the familiar characters who are part of the story of the birth of Jesus. Do you have a favorite? How might we connect in new ways with these ancient stories? Are they still relevant today? What are the revolutionary implications (if any) for our own time and place? Let’s plan to meet at 9:30 in the Adult Ed. room (next to the church office). Everyone is welcome!

As part of our Thanksgiving Sunday we put together relief kits for Mennonite Central Committee to distribute to refugees around the world.

Thanksgiving Worship Service - Join us this Sunday Nov. 24 as we gather around tables for worship. (If you can help set up tables and chairs, please come to the sanctuary around 9:30 a.m.) During the service, we’ll be doing a few things a little differently than usual. For starters, as you probably know, we’ll be putting Mennonite Central Committee hygiene kits together as a special way of showing gratitude to God for all our blessings by sharing generously with others in n...eed. As we prepare for this special activity, if you can help out by collecting the contents for these kits and bringing them with you on Sunday, that would be wonderful! Check out the announcement below with detailed information about what to bring. There will also be an opportunity in worship to reflect on what unique gifts we each offer to our church familysuch as, an enthusiastic singing voice, teaching children in Sunday School, serving on committees, playing piano or organ, making financial contributions, helping to set up or clean up on potluck Sundays, welcoming newcomers to our church. We give thanks for each of these gifts and many more shared generously with one another. See more

Andrew Sensenig brought the message this morning.

This Sunday Nov 3 in Worship - Andrew Sensenig will be preaching on climate change from his unique perspective as both a Christian and a biologist. Christians have generated a theology that is destructive to the Earth, but there are elements in Christianity that can be salvaged to align with modern science which may have serious implications for how we think, act, and vote on topics such as poverty, taxes, abortion, heath insurance, climate change and air quality.

This Sunday October 27 in Worship Let’s just be blunt about it, shall we? There’s no reason to beat around the bush. The truth is, some people believe they are more righteous (and right) than others (who shall remain anonymous for now, out of common courtesy). The righteous actually look down upon such (lesser) people with contempt, and why not? It’s the right thing to do. This is how the storyteller introduces the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18:9. In this tale, Jesus describes the contrast between the proud and the humble, the saint and the sinner, the worthy and the unworthy, the right and the wrong (pick whichever polarity you like). With whom would you most identify? Is there a right answer on the pop quiz?

Today we celebrate our quilters. Many of their products are donated to the West Coast Mennonite Relief Sale.

Don’t Give Up! This Sunday October 20 in Worship, Gordon’s sermon is on persistence, as told through the interpretive lens of two familiar Bible stories. In Genesis 32:22-31, Jacob wrestles with God (or is Jacob’s opponent just a man?). They wrestle all night and still Jacob won’t let the man/God(?) go, until he blesses Jacob. In the second story, from Luke 18:1-8, Jesus tells a parable about a widow and an unjust judge. She won’t stop pestering the judge (a stand-in for God?) until he gives her what she wants: justice against her opponent. Both stories have often been understood as the call to pray without ceasing, until when? Until God blesses us or gives us what we want? Until the world bends all the way to justice?

Katerina Friesen spoke this morning. She compared the history of indigenous Americans to the story of Naboth's vineyard in Kings.

This Sunday in Worship - In 1 Kings 21:1-16, Naboth had a vineyard, land that belonged to his family for generations. King Ahab wanted that land for himself and so he seized it, despite Naboth's refusal to give it away. How can this story help us confess the violent stories in our own home places as we recognize Indigenous Peoples' Day (October 14th)? What does it mean for those of us who have inherited stolen land to tell the truth about the places we love, and to enact repe...ntance today in relationship with Indigenous Peoples? Katerina Friesen will reflect on her experiences on a pilgrimage of lament following the Trail of Death, the forced removal of about 850 Potawatomi people from northern Indiana in 1838. She'll invite Mennonite Community to consider how we can move forward as a congregation seeking to acknowledge Indigenous lands and seek right relationship today. See more

This Sunday October 6 in Worship - While part of our church family is up at Camp Keola this week for Quilt Camp, those who remain in the city will celebrate World Communion Sunday, an annual ecumenical tradition observed on the first Sunday in October. This is an opportunity for the church to confess its/our tendency to exclude people who are different from us. As the disciples complained when they saw someone casting out demons in the name of Jesus, how can he do that? We ...told him to stop, because he was not one of us (Mark 9:38 NIV)! This is also a time to rejoice and give thanks that we are part of a global church, rich in its diversity and powerful in its desire to bear witness to God’s love for all people. Gathering together at the Lord's table also reminds us that the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ matters! No Children’s Sunday School This Sunday - Due to most of the teachers, parents and kids being at Camp Keola for Quilter’s Camp, there will be no Children’s Sunday School on October 6.

This Sunday Sept. 29 - What do you love about God’s creation? What is your greatest concern about the earth? For many people of faith, praise to God for the beauty and wonders of the natural world is being overshadowed by the climate crisis. In light of the recent global climate strikes, UN climate action summit, and the scientific consensus on the urgent need for significant change, what is the church’s response? Enjoined by the biblical story of creation to be stewards of the earth, what actions are we taking? Please join us this Sunday as our worship service centers on creation.

This Sunday September 22 in Worship - When we think about giftedness in the church, we may gravitate toward one or more of the lists of spiritual gifts found in the New Testament, including high profile, public roles like preaching, teaching, and leading. Or we may think of what are often referred to as charismatic gifts like prophecy, healing, or speaking in tongues. In 1 Corinthians 12, the apostle Paul speaks of various gifts, services (or ministries) and activities that... are essential for the healthy functioning of the church. He compares this to the interconnections of the different parts of the human body, Paul’s favorite metaphor for the church, with Christ as the head. Each of these giftsbig and small, formal and informal, high profile or notare given, Paul says, as the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:7). How are you serving God through the life of our congregation? We are thankful for each of you, for your generous gifts of time, talents, financial support, and participation in ministries that help build up the church and extend God’s mission of peace in our community and wider world. We, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members of one another (Romans 12:5). Let us come and worship God who has brought us together! Scripture reading this Sunday Romans 12:1-8. See more

Bill Braun brought the message this morning from Jeremiah.

This Sunday September 15 in Worship - In the Old Testament reading this week from Jeremiah 4 & 5, the prophet reminds us that there is such a thing as community responsibility. There is no such thing as individual salvation, especially in the midst of God’s judgment on the community. We’re all in this together. As a congregation, as a community or a nation, if we fail to heed the call of the prophets to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God, we’re liable for disaster and judgment. But even in that time of disaster and judgment, Jeremiah tells us that we can be assured that God will be with us. God will not make a full end. Our guest speaker is Bill Braun, former pastor of Willow Avenue Mennonite Church, and his sermon is entitled, Yet I will not make a full end.

Christian Formation Sunday September 8 is an opportunity to give thanks for all those who are called to the church’s ministry of faith formation that cultivates maturing disciples of Jesus Christ. As a new Sunday school year begins, in the worship service this week we want to recognize and pray for teachers and helpers who share their gifts and abilities to nurture faith in our children. We also want to renew our commitment as life-long learners of all ages to be shaped by God in the way of Jesus. Scripture Readings: Psalm 1; Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Luke 14:25-33.

This Sunday Sept 1 in Worship This Labor Day weekend, some of our congregation will be up at Camp Keola for Family Camp. For those who are staying in the city, worship will begin in the sanctuary on Sunday morning at 10:45, as usual. Arlene Steffen and Billie Jean Wiebe are planning the service. The focus will be on Hospitality and the instruction of Jesus as to who is invited to the table. Through readings, reflections from members of our congregation, and song we will think together about welcoming the stranger into our midst. Please Note No Sunday school classes this week (Sept. 1). Classes resume on Sept. 8, which is also Faith Formation Sunday. We invite you to join us as we celebrate the new school year and as we recognize and pray for learners of all ages, teachers, and helpers in Sunday School.

This Sunday Aug 25 in Worship When Jesus shared meals with people, more often than not he was a guest and not a host. As one such story in Luke 14:1, 7-14 reveals, these were opportunities to share God’s vision of radical hospitality, marked by diversity, equity and inclusion. For Jesus, eating together provided the context for building meaningful relationships, where spiritual conversations took place, where the lines between host(ess) and guest became blurred, and where the focus was on ordinary people sharing ordinary lives. This Sunday, as we conclude our worship series, A Meal with Jesus, we are invited to come to the Lord’s Table, sharing the bread and cup with one another, where Jesus is our gracious host and all are welcome!