East Zorra Mennonite Church
Volume 68 Sunday April 13, 2025 No. 15
Christ Among Us
The Way of a Servant
Sunday April 13, 2025 – Join Sunday Worship Zoom at 10 a.m.
Prelude/Offertory: Heidi Wagler & Hannah Witzel Accompanist: Heidi Wagler
Song Leader: Susan Schmitz Greeter: Dawn Bender
Worship Leader: Bevin Witmer Coffee Hosts: Carol & Owen Cook
Audio/Visual: Todd Bender/Larry Kropf
Prelude
Welcome & Announcements
Call to Worship & Opening prayer
Songs of Gathering & Praise
VT #100 “Praise Him, Praise Him”
VT #315 “All Glory, Laud, and Honor”
Offering: Mennonite Church Eastern Canada & Mennonite Church Canada
Time with the Children – Dana Hyde
VT #312 “Jesus Is Coming” (verse 1 only)
Prayer of Confession
Scripture Reading: John 12:12-16; Philippians 2:5-11
Message – Pastor Ray
Song of Response
VT #408 “Crown Him with Many Crowns”
Prayer of the Church – Pastor Mike
Sending Song
VT #579 “With Astonishment, Fear, and Wonder”
Benediction
Postlude
Today
8:30 a.m. Faith Exploration Classes in the MYF room, breakfast provided.
Coffeetime in the basement immediately following worship. Everyone is welcome. We would ask that everyone provides their own mug to help simplify the preparation and clean up time. We will provide mugs for those who forget theirs or who come as guests on a Sunday morning.
11 a.m. Sunday School classes for all ages.
This Coming Week
Tuesday April 15th
- 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. Prayer Shawl Ministry at Jean’s
Wednesday April 16th
- E Z Play Group setup
Thursday April 17th
- 9 a.m. All items for the Sunday April 20th bulletin due to the church office.
- 9:30 – 11 a.m. E Z Play Group
Easter Weekend Services
Good Friday Service – April 18, 2025 @ 10 a.m.
Service of Nails
Prelude/Accompanist: Laurie Yantzi Song Leader: Caleb Leis
Audio/Visual: Greg Pye/Brian Wagler
The service will include both Foot/Hand Washing and Communion
Easter Sunday – April 20, 2025
8:30 a.m. – A light Easter breakfast will be served. please add your name to the sign-up sheet on the main bulletin board today or call/text Janet, 519-575-0797.
9:15-9:45 Children ages JK-grade 8 can meet in the Assembly Room for Easter Story Lab & Activities. Younger children can gather with their parent by the climber where a table with colouring & activity sheets will be available.
Sunday Morning Worship – 10 a.m.
Christ Among Us!
Prelude/Accompanist: Gather25 Band Song Leader: Lindsay Zehr
Greeters: Marilyn & Bob Zehr Worship Leader: Pastor Ray
Audio/Visual: Drystan Bender/Larry Kropf Offering: Leadership
Message: Pastor Mike
Please note that coffee will be served at breakfast, and not after the worship service. We will not be having Sunday School classes.
EZMC Announcements
JCET needs teachers & helpers!!!
A note to Volunteers – Our Safe Church Policy states that all volunteers who work with children, youth or vulnerable persons need to submit a Vulnerable Sector Check every 5 years and a Volunteer Commitment Form each year. Please check in with Office Administrator Lisa at office@ezmennonite.ca before you volunteer to make sure this is in place.
Grace Lao Mennonite Church Egg Roll Sale – Please place your order on the sign-up sheet on the main bulletin board or by emailing Lisa at office@ezmennonite.ca. Price is $20 for a box of 10 egg rolls. Vegetarian rolls are also available. Please indicate on your order if you want meat or vegetarian rolls. Orders are due by Sunday April 27th and will be available for pickup at church on Saturday May 10th. Payment is due at the time of pickup.
Do your physical fitness routines need some spring renewal?
Health Ministry Team, in partnership with Tracey Kropf, is pleased to offer you 2 body movement initiatives this spring for 8 weeks (April 29 – June 16)! These 2 initiatives will run bi-weekly, and will enable physical fitness, spiritual wellness, and deepen relationships through regular connections!
Initiative 1 – Holy Movement Stretch & Strength – biweekly Tues 7:30 – 8:30 pm starting April 29
- Stretch and body weight strengthening exercises focusing on core, upper and lower body (will incorporate light weights for those interested).
- Christ centred focus through devotion and Praise & Worship music
- Open to women and men (older youth also welcome) of all fitness levels who have been cleared for physical activity
- Bring an exercise mat, water bottle, and light weights (optional)
- Led by Tracey as a non-certified, volunteer instructor. No fee or registration required, however Agreement of Release & Liability, and Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire forms will need to be completed for all participants.
Initiative 2 – Walking Club – biweekly Mon 7:00 – 8:00 pm starting May 5
- Jesus and His disciples set an example for us to be active, they walked / hiked everywhere to serve others!
- Brisk walk, 45 – 60 minutes in length, to elevate our heartrates
- Come walk with those at your fitness level!
- Will walk locally in Tavistock or New Hamburg (in town and at local hiking trails)
We are excited to offer these spring movement initiatives and can’t wait to see where God might take these seeds of an idea!
If you have feedback or questions in the meantime, please reach out to Tracey (tracey.kropf@gmail.com, 226-338-3968).
The 2025 Camp Subsidy Form is now available, and you can complete and return to Becky Bender either by email (treasurer@ezmennonite.ca) or put in her church mailbox. Forms are available in the literature rack beside the main bulletin board or by contacting Lisa at office@ezmennonite.ca If you have any questions please contact one of the Christian Education Lay Ministers – Bethany Kropf or Caleb Leis.
Beyond our Church Community
Myanmar earthquake response
In the wake of the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28, MCC will be responding with local partners to provide cash assistance to pay for immediate medical needs, food and water. The situation is made even more challenging by ongoing conflict and civil war. The healthcare system has collapsed, roads are impassable, and electricity services are scarce. Go to MCC’s website to donate today to provide relief to families in need.
Monday April 14, 7:30 p.m.: Annual Meeting of the members of A.M. Fire & Storm Aid Union will be held at Fellowship Haven Mennonite Church in Monkton.
Rockway Mennonite Collegiate invites you to join them at their upcoming events. Visit rockway.ca/events for more information:
- April 15, 7 pm: Grade 7-12 Information Night. If your family is looking for a new school environment, join us to learn more about what Rockway has to offer.
- April 15, 7 pm: Grade 7-12 Art Exhibition. Enjoy an evening of student art and delicious treats in the Visual Arts Café.
- There is only one month left for golfers to register for Rockway’s 30th Annual Golf Classic! With over 70 people registered, we are well on our way to making this our biggest fundraising tournament yet! Sign up today at rockway.ca/events.
Thursday April 24th 12 p.m. High Noon Seniors Lunch will be held at Grace United. Our guest speaker is pharmacist Hilary Bald, the co-owner and manager of Tavistock IDA. Hilary will be speaking to us about senior care and the expanded roles of pharmacists. Hope to see you there.
Friday April 25th 6 – 9 p.m. Wilmot Family Resource Centre (WFRC) presents Passion to Action: Women’s Wellness Event on. Join us for an exhilarating evening to celebrate women in our community. Workshops, vendors, food, a fashion show and lots more! Tickets are $25/person. To register or for more information, please contact the Wilmot Family Resource Centre at (519) 662-2731 or info@wilmotfamilyresourcecentre.ca.
Saturday May 3rd 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Shalom’s Annual Spring Brunch is fast approaching. We hope you can join us for a morning of connection, inspiration, and learning at Golf’s Steak House and Seafood (Ballroom 598 Lancaster Street West, Kitchener, ON). Guest Panel includes Jennifer Hutton – CEO, Women’s Crisis Services, Member of the Intimate Partner Violence Unit, Waterloo Regional Police Service, Grace Ibrahima – Author and Speaker. Event Theme is Voices for Change; Healing in Community – Responding to Gender-Based Violence. Cost: $50 (Receipts provided for $20 of ticket price). Please RSVP by Monday, April 28, 2025, to ensure your spot. You can purchase tickets by Phone: 519-886-9690 or Online: www.shalomcounselling.org/brunch
New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale
- Calling All Musicians and Singers!
Are you interested in sharing your musical talents at the New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale? We’re looking for performers to create a lively atmosphere throughout the day. Whether you’d like to move around the fairgrounds entertaining attendees or set up in one spot, we’d love to hear from you. If you’re interested in performing, please contact Sheryl Bruggeling at sherylbruggeling@mcco.ca or call 519-745-8458 ext 265.
- New Hamburg Mennonite Sale Promotion Dinner
Monday April 28th 6 p.m.at Calvary United Church, 48 Hawkesville Rd., St. Jacobs
Join us for a delightful evening out featuring a delicious buffet dinner catered by Gracie’s Country Oven! Enjoy great food, connect with community, and learn about MCC’s work. This fundraising dinner helps offset the costs of the relief sale so more funds from our May event can support MCC’s global relief, development, and peace work. While the admission covers dinner expenses, donations are gratefully received. Tickets are $25 per adult, children 10 and under are free! Order tickets online at mcc.org/nhmrs-dinner or call Justin to reserve your seats in advance 519-745-8458 ext 262
- Youth and Young Adults: Join the NHMRS Committee!
Do you want to bring energy and fresh ideas to a meaningful cause? We’re seeking enthusiastic youth and young adults to join the New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale committee—a great opportunity to help plan an event that makes a real impact in our community and beyond. Join our dynamic team, learn new skills, and support MCC’s global relief, development, and peace work. Whether you’re interested in event planning, outreach, or simply serving, we’d love to have you. Interested? Please email John Reimer at johnreimer@nhmrs.com or text 519-498-3620.
Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm. We’re truly grateful and look forward to an inspiring sale ahead.
Wednesday June 4th Interfaith Counselling Centre 2025 Spring Gala Fundraiser
Join us for a formal night of wonderful food and live music by Waterloo Oxford Jazz Band and Stage Band. Tickets on sale online (click image above) or call the office 519 662-3092. Sponsorship opportunities still available. Call ICC office to discuss. 519 662-3092 x 101
Interfaith Counselling Centre 37th Annual Online Silent Auction
Be part of our longest running fundraiser. Our Annual Silent Auction featuring local products, gift cards, sporting events and much much more.
Donations still being accepted. Call 519 662-3092 to arrange pick up/drop off.
Friday June 6th 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Embracing Aging as Culmination – Annual Spirituality and Aging Seminar |. Guest speaker Dr. Carol Orsborn, author of seven books that embrace spiritual aging as life’s culmination. For seminar details and pricing, visit uwaterloo.ca/grebel/events/embracing-aging-culmination
Federal Election 2025 – Every Action Counts
Considering the Federal election called for April 28, MCC is inviting you to take a pledge to listen, speak and act for the good of our neighbours and to think about every action as a vote for the kind of world they want to live in. The campaign includes a landing page where you can sign the pledge and receive a series of emails offering further resources and reflection on listening, speaking and acting. The emails will also include some high-level questions you can ask your candidate. Check out this link for more information. https://mcc.org/resources/every-action-counts
MCEC is excited to host MC Canada Gathering 2025. Volunteer Coordinators, Ashley Drudge and Gladys Bender are seeking volunteers of all ages, interested in welcoming and offering hospitality to MC Canada Gathering participants from across Canada. A variety of positions and time slots are available. For more information, please contact gathering@mennonitechurch.ca.
Registration is now open for Gathering 2025 – Mennonite Church Canada taking place from July 2-5, 2025 in Kitchener/Waterloo. Don’t miss this incredible experience of our nationwide faith community together in worship, building relationships, discerning our next steps and taking care of business. This Gathering is shaping up to be an incredible experience with three unique avenues for engagement:
1.Congregational Gathering
2.Youth Gathering
3.U30 Young Adult Gathering
Early bird registration from March 5 to May 15.