Month: March 2024

As we migrate through another Holy week and as we anticipate and worship thought another Easter we have many reflections and thoughts that go thru our mind.  We again are reminded about the ultimate sacrifice you made by entering Jerusalem and then facing the very men and women that had exalted you before.  How could this happen?   I think we realize as we reflect on this where we have fallen and made the same mistakes that people made that fateful night.  We too have turned and said and done things that would be considered equal with shaming you.  We ask for forgiveness, and we recognize that there is hope for us and many more because you arose from the dead and again lived that we could have HOPE.  Perhaps that is why Easter is such a special time.  God, we ask that you forgive us for the times we have betrayed you in our actions and our words.  We thank you so much for being a God who knew us before we were in existence and how you knew we would fail.   We are more like Peter then we know or care to admit.  While we need to spend time reflecting on the crucifixion we are more thankful for your resurrection  and the hope it brings us.  As we take time to celebrate communion by drinking from the Cup (your Blood) and eating the Bread (Your body)  may me again reflect and realize the pain and suffering yet beauty and true meaning Easter brings.

We are very thankful for the ongoing work in the Congregation here at WMC and for the many hands and minds that have continued to guide us.  We give thanks for Pastor Clare and his ongoing ministry here at WMC.  May you continue to give him and Gloria strength as they serve in their roles here.  We are also thankful for the addition of Paul and Cathy Dyck as they accept the term as Interim pastor here at WMC .  Guide Paul as he gets to know us and stands alongside us a congregation.  Thank you also for the many committees, people and staff that continue to offer their gifts in the ongoing life here at WMC.  Please continue to give Wisdom and a listening ear to those working on Search committee as well as all those that offer support as we work to finding a New fulltime pastor for our congregation here at WMC. Continue to guide us as you have for over 50 years at WMC. 

As we listen and watch News from around the world, we recognize that there is turmoil near and far.  We continue to pray for our world leaders as they govern their respective countries.  May they understand and appreciate the extent of their decision, we pray for the many who are suffering in the middle east.  God somehow give them peace as they are thrust out of their personal environments.  We pray for those who have lost loved ones and are hurting because of loss.  Stand close to them. Closer to home we give thanks  to those who are caregivers for family members who are aging .  We are thankful for those that work in long-term care facilities and provide care for the aged.  Please give them a sense of value and worth.

Here at Wellesley Mennonite we want to continue to lift the needs and prayer concerns of our church family:

May we remember this Palm Sunday as Our Lord demonstrated to us his
servanthood.
Philippians 2: 5-8 NIV states: “Who, being in very nature God, did not
consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness and being found in appearance as a man, he
humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!”
  May we experience a small portion of that emotional and physical
turmoil He felt prior to dying for us and may we be willing to return to
Him.

  We are thankful for our congregation, for those who have willingly
served of their time and efforts to prepare for these Easter season’s
services.

O God, as we acknowledge the pain, grief, and turmoil of our world, we choose this day to give thanks and praise for your grace, love, and presence in our lives as individuals and as a body of believers. We rejoice that you are the one true God; you have made us and we are yours, we are your people, your children, and the sheep of your pasture. We also give thanks and praise for the body of Christ around the world and especially lift up those who are suffering or grieving due to war, persecution, or famine. God, grant strength, perseverance, and the power of the Holy Spirit as their comforter and sustainer. May your will be done in and through all of our lives and we echo the words of the Psalmist who wrote “My soul finds rest in God alone, my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken…..Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.” (Psalm 62: 1-2, 5)

God, help us to live in hope, with our eyes firmly fixed on Jesus and our lives in your hands.

God, we ask your blessing on this congregation as we transition to new pastoral leadership. Grant Paul Dyck holy wisdom and strength as he comes to serve and lead as an interim pastor, and we pray the Spirit’s calling on the pastor you have designed to be here for the longer term. We also pray for your blessing of wisdom on our leadership and members of the Search committee.

Father, thank you for the privilege of bringing our needs to you and we lift up prayers for members of our church family and our community. We pray for all those who grieve and experience loss and loneliness, praying that they may know the comfort and peace of the Holy Spirit in their lives. We lift up all those in our congregation and families who are being cared for in Nursing homes or in Long Term Care. Thank you for their lives and faithful witness to your grace and love. May they know that they are valued, loved, and deeply appreciated.

Blessed Lord and Saviour, you have created, called and sustained us, grant us the grace and wisdom to see your continual love for us which we see most fully in Jesus Christ. Grant us insight to see that happiness isn’t what we possess but what we do with your blessings for the care and serving of others. Accept our humble thanks for times that draw us together with each other and you. As we are strengthened and renewed through your gifts, let us strengthen and renew others. As we receive and share your blessings, may we see it as your constant love for us and a foretaste of our eternal home with you. We thank you for our health , strength and love. Teach us to receive these gifts always with grateful hearts that our lives may bring honour to your name. Amen

Taken in part from Pastor Al Maier.

Dear God thanks so much again for hearing our prayers. As we enter the third week of Lent we were reminded that our world is filled with the tragic and the glorious, the terrible and the wonderful, the upsetting and the joyful. This week, we are invited to feed our souls with the beautiful, not to negate the difficult but to notice God’s love displayed all around us. We see it in the beautiful skies in the am. We see it in the bright shining stars and planets on cool clear evenings. We feel it in the longer days that are expressed even better with the sunshine. We feel it in the breeze sometimes cool and sometimes warm. We hear in the birds that are beginning to sense spring is coming soon. We feel it in the genuine concern that is offered to those around us.

In the 19^th Psalm we read about the mysterious, unspoken voice that can be heard everywhere, revealing God’s nearness and glory. With the Psalmist we agree that Oh God, you promise that your presence and your love permeate our world and our lives, despite the sadness and brokenness that surround us.

As in the Lenten guide this week let us find the ways and take the times to truly use our senses to know you are God.

We are thankful for your presence even when we think we are far from it. Forgive us for the times we step away and try to do it on our own. Thank you for your never-failing love that brings as back to you. A love that has transcended years and many situations. A love and genuine concern that can hardly be replicated in human terms

As taken from the Lenten guide this week we conclude with :

For sunrises and sunsets, for the skies telling of your glory and for all your beauty displayed wordlessly around me, receive my endless gratitude. May my life reflect your beauty

Today we all come with different concerns, challenges and requests. Some we speak audibly and some we share with trusted friends and you in prayer. Sometimes we see challenging times coming and sometimes they meet us when we least expect it. When the outcome seems bleak help us to try the up look.

Our thoughts go to those tragedies that continue in various parts of the world. Whether in Israel or Ukraine we lift prayers for Peace . We also pray for the leaders of our world that they would use wisdom and genuine care as their basis for decisions.

In our local congregation we pray your grace and guidance for so many needs whether spoken or in the quiet of our hearts.

We as a congregation are thankful for guiding us thru this transition time. we Humbly thank you for all the gifts you have given each member here and for the leadership that has been shared by many. May you continue to be apart of all those involved in decision that affect who we are as a congregation. May your wisdom and guidance transcend all decisions and processes.

We now bring before you those who are struggling with health issues, those who await tests and test results, those who await surgery, we also pray for those that may suffer in silence. We pray your guiding hand of love and care and protection on each one and those that stand by them whether named or unnamed.