The late Elmer Iseler was a man of few words. Some who may not have worked with him might have thought this strange, seeing as he was a conductor of great skill and ability. But for those who sang or played under him, one quickly realized that his lack of verbosity could not be mistaken for lack of care or ability to get the sound he wanted.<\/p>\nElmer Iseler was one of the pre-eminent choral conductors of his time, being the conductor of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and the Elmer Iseler Singers, arguably two of the best choirs in Canada, with the Elmer Iseler Singers being one of the only professional choirs in Canada at the time. He had a reputation of being tough, sometimes witheringly so, and producing excellent results. Thus it was, with some excitement and a little trepidation that 400 youth from across Canada, including me, waited to begin our first rehearsal with him at Walter Hall at U of T in November 1985. We were preparing the Canadian premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber\u2019s Requiem, to be performed at Roy Thomson Hall on Remembrance Day in the evening and aired live<\/u> on CBC Stereo to the entire nation. This was the culmination of a youth choir celebration, called Kaggik \u201985. I was member of the Toronto Mendelssohn Youth Choir at the time after only having been with the group for one year. Needless to say, with a group of youth that size, there was palpable excitement, tension and anticipation in the room. When Elmer walked in, he quietly took to the stage, went to his stand, opened his score, looked up into the assembled group, and uttered his first words:<\/p>\n
\u201cPage 17.\u201d<\/p>\n
No greeting, no words of welcome, no comments like \u201cit\u2019s great to be here\u201d or comments about the auspicious nature of the event. He simply expected us, like a professional musician, to open our scores and be prepared to sing at his downbeat. Immediately, the room fell dead silent. This man meant business, and we were simply expected to deliver. He brought his hands down, and we sang in way that made our warm-up rehearsals seem like child\u2019s play. With almost no words, he had caused us to pay attention, and, because we were paying attention, we watched him, and began hearing the music in the music.<\/font><\/p>\n
During the rehearsal time that followed, at times, he would simply state \u201cagain\u201d, meaning we were to go back to the point from which we had just started (and hopefully we remembered it), but he wouldn\u2019t make any further comment. We would simply start again. Both he and we knew we hadn\u2019t done what he wanted, and he expected that we knew enough to get it right the next time, either by watching him better, or, just as importantly, listen to the sound we were making so that we could jointly make the best music possible, improving on what we had done before. That is when music truly becomes artistry \u2013 when musicians, both conductors and the conducted are listening to each other and the whole sound and having that listening, not simply their own individual technique or work, inform the performance and make it a truly complete, artful experience.<\/p>\nWe, as Mennonite Christians, are, in a sense, musicians. In order for us to serve effectively in the Kingdom of God, we need to listen to what God is calling us to do. But this listening takes skill. And it\u2019s not a skill that one learns overnight. It\u2019s even more challenging when we are asked to listen in an environment with a plethora of voices, coming from all directions and contexts. To whom should we listen? How do we know the right voice when we hear it? Who is speaking the truth?<\/p>\n
It\u2019s easy to be overwhelmed by the various voices we hear in our world. For example,<\/p>\n
<\/font><\/p>\n
\n- \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 To listen to the voice of materialism and those who speak with that voice,\u00a0 we are told that by acquiring, we will find happiness. <\/font><\/li>\n
- \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 To listen to the voice of the meeting one\u2019s own needs first without regard for others, we risk ignoring our call to be a people of God, losing our spiritual centre by thinking we can overcome all of our struggles on our own and not consider the consequences. <\/font><\/li>\n
- \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 By listening to the message touting redemptive violence, we easily justify destroying our brothers and sisters, accepting that the good for some outweighs the good for others.<\/font><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
There will always be those voices, calling us to act in ways that do not conform to the central gospel of living a life worthy of Christ. These voices come from sources that are often bent on greed, selfish desires, or a deep-seated mistrust of others. If we are not sure of ourselves, if do not have a deep connection to the Gospel message, then we will be easily led astray by these voices.<\/p>\nGod calls us to do better. Ephesians 4:14<\/p>\n
How do we know when we\u2019re listening to the right voices? That depends, perhaps ironically, on how skilled we are at articulating our own voice. Just like a musician, you can\u2019t begin to hear the music in the music one is performing, until one has some proficiency to actually play or sing the music in front of you, we must first learn how to speak the truth in love, before we are able to hear it in others. If the values we are taught do NOT lead us to speak in a way that honours God, we can\u2019t expect to hear that voice in others. Paul writes, \u201cWe must no longer be children\u201d. As children, if the circumstances are right, we learn the values that will guide our voices and our listening. If we have not learned those values, then we cannot speak using those values nor know when we are hearing them when others speak. TUMC\u2019s Christian Education program is an example of teaching all of us the \u201ccompetency\u201d to speak proficiently the message of Christ. It\u2019s one of the reasons that we want to work on a vision for Youth Ministry \u2013 so that we can get our young people to both see and hear the values of being in, and actively part of, the church – teaching them the skills to speak using the right starting point and to teach them how to discern what the right voices are to which they should be listening.\u00a0 However, it\u2019s not just a matter of having the right knowledge of faith. <\/p>\n
Early on in my career in banking, when I was learning to be a branch manager, the bank spoke of the competencies one had, and developing those competencies. One of those was the skill of \u201cactive listening\u201d. I hadn\u2019t heard the term before, although I have since learned that it has been around since 1977 when Thomas Gordon coined it in his book \u201cLeadership Effectiveness Training\u201d. Active listening means that the listener sets aside their own agenda, and other mental activities that might otherwise distract them, and fully engages with the speaker by focussing attention on them, looking for both the non-verbal and verbal messages that are informing the speaker\u2019s message. Active listening, when practiced well, allows the listener to develop a more accurate understanding of the speaker\u2019s message. Active listening isn\u2019t really complex, but it takes practice and I\u2019m still not always good at it. (Just ask my wife). Setting aside mental or physical distraction where multi-tasking is a societal value, takes disc
\nipline. Learning to empathize and hear the whole message from a speaker is indeed a skill. <\/p>\n
So, when we are truly committed to our faith, and in speaking from the heart of that faith, and we are engaged in active listening, then we can begin to discern when we are hearing God\u2019s voice. We, as a Believer\u2019s Church, have chosen to follow the teachings of a faith that calls us to speak truth, in love, and to live in harmony with others. By not only speaking but also actively listening to the voices of others with whom we are committed to finding the way, not just any way, but the way to follow Christ, we then begin to become the church envisioned by Paul in Ephesians. Ephesians 4:15<\/p>\n
We at TUMC can and do listen to each other. This past year, much work was done in a number of areas that relied on the listening skills of many of us. Our Annual Meeting yesterday allowed many of us to speak and listen to each other as we considered what it means to be church in many areas. We can take comfort that by working and listening with each other, we are indeed making the church a welcoming place, where it is a safe place to speak and to listen for the voice of God. We have the confidence, the faith, that in working together and listening as a community, we can make a difference in our community, so that:<\/p>\n
<\/font><\/p>\n
\n- \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 we can build a welcoming place for all to worship and gather here<\/font><\/li>\n
- \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 we can invite others to join us in our walk with God, and,<\/font><\/li>\n
- \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 we can teach our youth by listening to them and supporting them so that they can make a decision to listen to the right voices.<\/font><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
And by the way, you never know who might be listening \u2013 last night while we were speaking about the importance of our youth ministry, the youth were hearing us through the speakers in the kitchen. Apparently, they were encouraged by what they heard. I don\u2019t know if they were actively listening, of course, since they were cleaning up from a wonderful Spaghetti Supper after all, but it sounds like the message was heard.<\/p>\nAs we move into a period of discernment of our vision for Youth Ministry and we consider the latest suggested revisions to our constitution, as well as how we will meet our needs with our space and what God is calling us to do and be in Toronto, let us continue to speak and listen to each other actively, speaking the truth in love, and listening for Christ\u2019s message in all whom we engage. In this way, we can become the Mennonite – Christian musicians we are called to be, where our music becomes artistry of the highest order, worthy of the ultimate Artist. <\/font><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\u00a0<\/h3>\nSermon #2: TUMC: Finding ourselves where we want to be – Jana Schmidt Lepp – Feb. 6, 2011<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n
Consider this: Why are you here? What kind of place did you want TUMC to be? That day when you first walked into TUMC for the first time… do you remember it? What were you looking for? Did you find it?<\/font><\/div>\n
We all have difference answers to this question. Yet we are a varied community. You may have originally come for the worship music, or for the familiarity of a Mennonite congregation. Or perhaps you have stepped outside your comfort zone to worship here… you may have been called to turn your life upside-down by joining a community of faith like TUMC. <\/font><\/div>\n
You may have been looking for friends of your own age, or friends of a different age. You may want accountability, or anonymity, or a place to learn. You may be here to see what being \u201cTUMC\u201d or being \u201cMennonite\u201d or being \u201cChurch\u201d feels like. Perhaps you have experienced many of these things at different times over the years.
<\/font><\/div>\n\u00a0<\/div>\n
Despite these differences in intentions and beliefs, what we had once intended and what we currently and independently believe… Something has brought us together \u2013 whether faith or community or a silent but sure calling from God \u2013 and we are given this space, this time in history to work together for God\u2019s kingdom.
<\/font><\/div>\n\u00a0<\/div>\n
What will we do with it?<\/font><\/div>\n
We started this church year with a wonderful burst of reassessment. In giving our church constitution a much-needed overhaul, we have had the opportunity to look deeper into what it means to be a part of the TUMC community, what it means to be accountable, and called by God, and uncertain, what it means to live together with shared faith and shared decisions. We have launched a new look at youth ministry. We have discussed how we spend our money, which missions we will communally support, and we have encouraged each other to commit more time to service work. <\/font><\/div>\n
— And it is barely February \u2013 I wonder what we will do with the next 11 months \uf04a In the next few minutes, I\u2019d like to share some two of the many themes that may I anticipate will play a large part of our next year. These themes are not new, but perhaps with a renewed perspective and different energy we will take them to new places.<\/font><\/div>\n
1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Service & Mission Outside of TUMC Community<\/strong><\/font><\/div>\nOver the last several months, as we have discussed different aspects of our church life, I have heard the theme of service in the underlining \u2013 and sometimes overtly stated \u2013 in our community discussions text. Many of you have said that you want to be more involved with service and mission opportunities outside our church community. In the Mennonite faith, the words of James are never far from our minds. He writes
James writes us a reminder that faith without service is nothing: \u201cWhat good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? […]Can such faith save them?\u00a0 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, \u201cGo in peace; keep warm and well fed,\u201d but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.\u201d (James 2:14-17).
<\/font><\/div>\n\u00a0<\/div>\n
Are we as a community at risk of having faith… and having pocketbooks… but perhaps not responding sufficiently in action? I acknowledge that many of you are already living a life of service, and also that many of you \u2013 even as I suggest this \u2013 are already thinking about how full your calendars are.\u00a0 I see clearly that we want to be a more service-oriented community. What are we willing to do to make this happen? What do you feel that God is calling you to do? Are there things that need to come off of TUMC`s calendar in order to accomplish this?
<\/font><\/div>\n\u00a0<\/div>\n
And perhaps 2011 will be a year when we consider more intentionally what we can put into action. Here are some ideas of what this might look like:<\/font><\/div>\n
Let us find new ways to do things. What might this look like?<\/font><\/div>\n\u00a0<\/div>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Partneri
\nng with the Dan and Joji Pantoja with MC Canada Witness family in the Philippines in a more intentional way
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Drawing up a list of short-term volunteer opportunities \u2013 and then doing them
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Asking for God\u2019s spirit to work within us on [Outreaching Sunday], when we share what we are already accomplishing
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thinking seriously about service as we plan what we want to do with 6 Lark, the house next door
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tying volunteer service opportunities into our giving in the spending plan
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Being realistic in knowing that we can\u2019t accomplish everything at the same time
<\/font><\/div>\n\u00a0<\/div>\n
We can become a more service-focused congregation if that is where we choose to place our resources and energy. Let\u2019s be realistic in knowing that we can\u2019t accomplish everything at the same time, but let\u2019s also ACT. Let us make commitments to each other, to ourselves and to God.
2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Our Physical Space<\/strong>
Many of you may be anxiously anticipating a final decision to TUMC`s space concerns.And what will we do about our space? As we consider what to do with our congregation and our facilities, we are striving to keep God\u2019s will at the forefront of our discussion. We know that the space that we have is extraordinary \u2013 we have space for Sunday morning worship and sharing of food and meeting space, w. We have grown in our relationships with the New Life Centre and New Life Church, w. We have a good location. We are blessed.<\/font><\/div>\n
And I fear, at times, that our desire for more, for better, space arises, in part, from conceit and pride and wanting more. We are trained to see what is achievable, and then to achieve it. But the Psalms say: \u201cDo not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendour of their houses increases; for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendour will not descend with them\u201d (Psalm 49:16-17). God does not intend that we build more than we need.<\/font><\/div>\n
And yet, we feel that our space is limiting our ability to worship and fellowship in ways that might otherwise be possible. It may be limiting our ability to fully worshiprealize God`s purpose for TUMC. Our discussion of space is intrinsically linked to questions of welcoming, fellowship, service, environmental awareness and ministry to our children. It is also intrinsically linked to our individual and community vision for what TUMC will become. We recognize that there is a constant evolution in our mission to fulfill God`s will and it feels that we again find ourselves on the cusp of something new. These are discussions that have begun, and need to continue in prayerful ways over the next months and years.
3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I pray deeply and often to God that our solution to our space issue is filled with God\u2019s holy guidance.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0
4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Our children<\/strong>
You have heard about a renewed vision for youth ministry from Maureen and Jonathan over the past month, and we had a great discussion about it last evening at our Annual General Meeting. I am very excited about where this vision could take us as a congregation, and while I\u2019d love to discuss specific opportunities further, I\u2019d like to step back to look at the broader theme for a moment \u2013 the theme of raising our children in a spiritual way to give them a lifelong and unshatterable joy for Christ. <\/font><\/div>\n
The scriptures say: \u201cStart children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.\u201d That was Proverbs 22:6. And Paul writes to Timothy to hold onto the faith he has learned even in the last days: \u201c…Continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus\u201d (2 Timothy 3:14-15). <\/font><\/div>\n
The theme of raising our children is also strongly underlined by our conferences: Mennonite Church Eastern Canada\u2019s vision calls us to \u201cextend the peace of Jesus Christ through making disciples, growing congregations and forming leaders.\u201d Mennonite Church Canada (our national conference) calls us to \u201cform a people of God, become a global church and grow leaders.\u201d\u00a0 TUMC\u2019s own values which we defined in 2008 read: \u201cIn listening to the Spirit of God as heard in congregational conversation we have identified several core values that give shape to the identity of TUMC: home; community; worship and music; spiritual formation and transformation; diversity and hospitality; and, service, peace and justice. When I consider all of these, one concept comes through loud and clear:<\/font><\/div>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Forming leaders.
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Growing leaders.
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Spiritual formation and transformation. <\/font><\/div>\n
We have a responsibility and a willingness to teach our children so that they can grow their faith in God. We have made commitments to each other, to ourselves, to the wider church and to God. What will these look like? How will we balance our energy and resources to support this vision which we have so intentionally, repeatedly placed as a priority in our worship to God?<\/font><\/div>\n
5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Service & Mission Outside our Community<\/strong>
Over the last several months, as we have discussed different aspects of our church life, I have heard the theme of service in the underlining \u2013 and sometimes overt \u2013 text. Many of you have said that you want to be more involved with service and mission opportunities outside our church community.
James writes us a reminder that faith without service is nothing: \u201cWhat good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, \u201cGo in peace; keep warm and well fed,\u201d but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.\u201d (James 2:14-17)
Are we as a community at risk of having faith… and having pocketbooks… but perhaps not responding sufficiently in action? I acknowledge that many of you \u2013 as I suggest this \u2013 are already thinking about how full your calendars are. I know that we want to and perhaps 2011 will be a year when we consider more intentionally what we can put into action.
Let us find new ways to do things. What might this look like?<\/font><\/div>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Partnering with the Pantoja family in the Philippines in a more intentional way
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Drawing up a list of short-term volunteer opportunities
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Asking for God\u2019s spirit to work within us on [Outreach Sunday]
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thinking seriously about service as we plan what we want to do with 6 Lark, the house next door
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tying volunteer service opportunities into our giving in the spending plan
–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Being realistic in knowing that we can\u2019t accomplish everything at the same time
We can become a more service-focused congregation if that is where we choose to place our resources and energy. <\/font><\/div>\n
6.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Our Physical Space<\/strong>
And what will we do about our space? As we consider what to do with our facilities, we are striving to keep God\u2019s will at the forefront of our discussion. We know that the s
\npace that we have is extraordinary \u2013 we have space for Sunday morning worship and sharing of food and meeting space, we have grown in our relationships with the New Life Centre and New Life Church, we have a good location. We are blessed.
And I fear, at times, that our desire for more, for better, space arises, in part, from conceit and pride and wanting more. We are trained to see what is achievable, and then achieve it. But the Psalms say: \u201cDo not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendour of their houses increases; for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendour will not descend with them\u201d (Psalm 49:16-17). God does not intend that we build more than we need.
And yet, we feel that our space is limiting our ability to worship and fellowship in ways that might otherwise be possible. It may be limiting our ability to fully worship God. Our discussion of space is intrinsically linked to questions of welcoming, fellowship, service, environmental awareness and ministry to our children.
I pray deeply and often to God that our solution to our space issue is filled with God\u2019s holy guidance.<\/font><\/div>\n
7.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Inclusion<\/strong>
\u201cWelcoming\u201d has been another buzz word at TUMC over the last few years. We want to be a congregation that welcomes anyone who walk through its doors, its neighbours, those who may feel uncomfortable in other churches, as well as to the wide diversity in our own congregation. We know how deeply based in scripture this is. <\/font><\/div>\n
Verse after verse speaks of the intentionality of spreading God\u2019s word to those who don\u2019t know Him, and spreading God\u2019s generosity and kindness even to those who wish not to know Him. Hebrews 13:2-3 reads: \u201cDo not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.\u201d And in Ephesians we hear: \u201cBe completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all\u201d (Ephesians 4:2-5). As each of us finds ourselves a part of God, we are responsible to keep the unity of the Spirit among us.
<\/font><\/div>\n\u00a0<\/div>\n
This year, we will continue to listen to what is \u2013 and is not \u2013 being done, and we will find areas to improve, perhaps through:<\/font><\/div>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 making our facilities more accessible
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 reviving the Inclusion Team and hear and act on the wisdom they have for us
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 pondering how our physical space works to keep the unity of God\u2019s communal spirit among us
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 finding new ways to reach out to strangers and our the diversity among our community through work done by the Congregational Life Committee and the Worship Committee and the Ushers & Greeters and so many more intentional groups<\/p>\n8.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Leadership<\/strong>
Yesterday, we called and approved leaders for our community. We have named\/will name them this morning. In addition, we have discussed what it means to be a leader in our community in our discussions about membership in the context of our constitution. <\/font><\/div>\n
How do you view leadership in our church?
<\/font><\/div>\n\u00a0<\/div>\n
In our Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective \u2013 which strives to build a foundation for unity within and among Mennonite churches in terms of belief and practice based on our interpretation of scripture \u2013 In this confession of faith, it says that \u201cChrist invites all Christians to minister to each other in the church and on behalf of the church beyond its boundaries.\u201d \u2013 This is the concept of \u201cpriesthood of all believers,\u201d whereby we are all encouraged to \u201clead a holy life in order to be witnesses to … God.\u201d
<\/font><\/div>\n\u00a0<\/div>\n
But it also reads that we (as Mennonites) \u201cbelieve that God calls particular person in the church to specific leadership ministries and offices. All who minister are accountable to God and to the community of faith as they serve the church.\u201d
<\/font><\/div>\n\u00a0<\/div>\n
Titus (chapter 1:6-9) says: \u201cAn elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer manages God\u2019s household, he must be blameless\u2014not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.\u201d
<\/font><\/div>\n\u00a0<\/div>\n
Conclusion<\/strong>
There are several more themes and approaches that I anticipate will play a strong role in our community this year. <\/font><\/div>\n
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Looking 10 years into our future to see what me might want to become
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Celebrating the accomplishments that we have achieved
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Implementing creative ideas to offer spiritual growth for our children, including a vision for youth ministry
\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And not stopping with our children but ensure that adults, and seniors, and all the stages in between are experiencing both spiritual growth and a sense of home
<\/font><\/div>\n\u00a0<\/div>\n
We have many hopes for our church community and I sense a renewed energy within these walls that I have not felt for some time.
As both Matthew (19:26b) and Mark (10:27b) testify, \u201cWith God, all things are possible.\u201d<\/font><\/div>\n
And so, we have begun a new church year together. Let \u00a0us open ourselves to the Holy Spirit, that whose mysterious power which can carry us with renewed energy to accomplish wonderful things. May God bless each person in our community and use our shared prayers and actions to further the kingdom of God. For we are all called to be leaders each in our own way, and each of us is called to respond as we are able. <\/p>\nAmen.<\/font><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/div>\n
\n
\u00a0<\/div>\n
Sermon #3: From the TUMC Sunday School children
<\/h3>\n
This was written by the Sunday School children and shared with the congregation as our third sermon on Sunday, February 6, 2011.<\/font><\/em><\/font><\/p>\n
<\/font>TUMC is our church. We feel part of our church because:<\/font><\/strong><\/font>
<\/font>–\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0We go to Sunday School.<\/font>
<\/font>–\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0People help us and car
\ne about us.<\/font>
<\/font>–\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0People are nice and talk to us.<\/font>
<\/font>–\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0We are told we are a part of it.<\/font>
<\/font>–\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0We sometimes do things in the service.<\/font>
<\/font>–\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0We help in Sunday School.<\/font>
<\/font>–\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0We have Venture Clubs.<\/font>
<\/font>–\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0We eat together.<\/font>
<\/strong><\/font>TUMC is our church. We wish we could:<\/font><\/strong><\/font>
<\/font>–\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Do more singing.<\/font>
<\/font>–\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Talk to big kids and grown-ups more.<\/font>
<\/font>–\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Be more helpful.<\/font>
<\/font>–\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Have more fun.<\/font>
<\/font>–\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Have more puppet shows.<\/font>
<\/font>–\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Have more time to do stuff together after church.<\/font>
<\/font>–\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Do more crafts and games.<\/font>
<\/font>–\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Have more snack.<\/font><\/p>\n<\/font>TUMC is our church. We will help the church by:<\/font><\/strong><\/font>
<\/font>–\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Cleaning up (mirrors, bathrooms, meals).<\/font>
<\/font>–\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Listening to pastors, teachers, and parents.<\/font>
<\/font>–\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Helping with the offertory.<\/font>
<\/font>–\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Giving our money to help others.<\/font>
<\/font>–\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Not bullying or teasing others.<\/font>
<\/font>–\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Singing or playing music in the service.<\/font>
<\/font>–\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Being kind to one another.<\/font>
<\/font>–\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Resolving conflict peacefully.<\/font>
<\/font>–\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Volunteering at church or in the community.<\/font>
<\/font>–\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Helping others who are sick or need help.<\/font>
<\/font><\/div>\n<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/font><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 View Archived Sermons\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 New! Listen to this sermon Sermon #1: To What or Whom Do We Listen? – J .D. Penner – Feb. 6, 2011 Ephesians 4:14-16 \u00a0 The late Elmer Iseler was a man of few words. Some who may not have worked with him might have thought this strange, seeing as he was a conductor of great skill and ability. But for those who sang or played under him, one quickly realized that his…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1247","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sermons-a-worship-audio"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tumc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1247","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tumc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tumc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tumc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tumc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1247"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.tumc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1247\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3979,"href":"https:\/\/www.tumc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1247\/revisions\/3979"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tumc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1247"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tumc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1247"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tumc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1247"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}