East Zorra Mennonite Church
Volume 66 Sunday April 16, 2023 No. 16
Worship Service – Sunday April 16, 2023 at 10 a.m.
Prelude: Katie Wagler Worship Leader: Pastor Ray
Audio/Visual: Dathan Bender/Larry Kropf Offering: Leadership
8:30-9:30 a.m. Faith Exploration Class
*Lite breakfast will be provided*
We welcome the Teen Challenge Ontario Men’s Choir Team this morning.
Our Easter celebration continues as the choir leads us in worship and shares a dynamic presentation featuring music, testimonies and stories of finding freedom from addiction through the power of Jesus Christ.
We hope you can join us!
During the service we will receive a special offering for Teen Challenge’s ministry. We will be passing the offering plates so you can give cash, through a cheque payable to “Teen Challenge Canada”, or Teen Challenge will also make available giving through Debit/Credit.
We will not have a formal sharing time on Sunday but if you have a prayer request please speak to Pastor Ray prior to the service.
Following a short break, as the children are dismissed to Sunday School.
Nursery to Grade 5 classes are being held downstairs.
Junior Youth class (Grades 6 to 8) meets upstairs in Room #9
Adults and youth are invited to return to the sanctuary for a question and answer time and further sharing by the choir team. There will be no coffee served at break time but at the potluck meal.
Everyone is welcome to stay for a Potluck Meal together at noon. Please bring food to share with out Teen Challenge guests, and your own dishes, cutlery etc. There will be 20 people joining us from Teen Challenge.
This Coming Week
Wednesday April 19th
1 p.m. Care Team Meeting
Thursday April 20th
9:30 – 11 a.m. E Z Play Group
7 p.m. Health Ministry Team Meeting.
Friday April 21st
7 p.m. Adult Fellowship and MYF are planning to meet for an evening of crokinole, rook, and fellowship together at the church. Bring crokinole boards, cards, and finger foods to share for snack. Coffee, tea, and juice provided.
Next Sunday – April 23, 2023
Prelude: Glorify Accompanist: Chantelle McNeish
Worship Leader: Jesse Yantzi Song Leader: Melanie Wiegand
Message: Pastor Ray Offering: Relief/MCC
Audio/Visual: Greg Pye/Brian Wagler Coffee Hosts: Michelle & Brad Brenneman
8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Faith Exploration Class
EZMC Announcements
An additional 2023 financial commitment that we neglected to include in the financial information presented at the annual general meeting (AGM) is our annual Refugee Fund commitment. At our 2021 AGM held in February 2022 there was a commitment made to set aside $25,000 each year for refugee support so that funds are available when our applications come to fruition. $25,000 from the 2021 surplus was set aside last year. Donations designated “Refugee Fund” will be accepted throughout the year. In addition the designation for the offering on September 10 will be changed to the Refugee Fund. It was originally designated for Student Aid (SA) but we believe there are sufficient funds already received for SA for 2023.
Sundays 8:30am-9:30am
April 16 – May 28
*Lite breakfast will be provided*
This Spring, Youth and Young adults are invited to join this learning class to explore the questions Who is Jesus and what does it mean to follow him?
Our goal during this time is to provide a space for youth to reflect on the faith of their family and community and what it means to them. Participants are welcome to consider this class as a steppingstone towards the commitment of baptism, but it is also open to those who simply want to explore and learn more.
This is a time where we will seek to be clear about what we believe at East Zorra Mennonite while welcoming any questions or doubts, and never demand fake agreement. Anyone who is interested can contact Pastor Ray at ray@ezmennonite.ca or Pastor Mike at mike@ezmennonite.ca to register or learn more.
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 30th and will be available for pickup at church on Saturday May 6th.
The Health Ministry Team would like to encourage you to participate in learning more about Advance Care Planning and how to start the conversation with your family, friends, or health care providers on what your wishes are.
We will be hosting a Workshop at East Zorra on Sunday Afternoon May 7, 2023
Guest Speaker: Dr. Kenneth Hook will join us at Noon. (Retired Physician, Tavistock Community Health). Pack a lunch to enjoy fellowship together after church. The 1 Hour Presentation will beginat 1:30 p.m in the Sanctuary. There will be opportunity for discussion and questions after. Feel Free to Invite Family and Friends to attend.
“With spring in the air”, one can’t help but long for the day we can all gather again on the Green Space. Final plans are underway and in a few weeks they can begin with your help. As reported in the annual report – there continues to be a need for funds to complete projects in the amount of 3,670.00. Dawn Zehr can receive your donations by cheque in the offering, dropped at her home or by e-transfer – designated for the Green Space. Thank you for your support.”
Plans are under way for the donut tent at the Mennonite Relief Sale on May 27! We are going to be back up to full production this year and we will knead a lot of help.
Items needed:
– we are collecting 500 ml plastic tubs and lids – we will reuse then recycle – put in marked box in mailbox entry
– large bowls to borrow for mixing are needed for May 25-27; can be left in kitchen at church
Volunteers needed:
– volunteers to make mashed potatoes by May 26 afternoon (70 2-cup portions needed)
– volunteers are needed for kneading on May 27 (2 hour shifts; 1-3 am, 3-5 am, 5-7 am, 7-9 am; 4 people per shift)
– volunteers are needed for mixing on May 27 (4 hour shifts; 1-5 am; 5-9 am; 2 people per shift)
– volunteers (3 or 4) for clean up at church Saturday afternoon
Anyone interested in helping please contact Greg and Dawn at gdzehr@gmail.com,
Donut Project Set Up
Volunteers are needed for loading supplies on Thursday evening (about 2 hours), May 25 and setting up on Friday morning (a few hours), May 26. Anyone interested should contact Bill Roth at kilbride@rogers.com.
Coming Soon! MYF will be taking orders for T shirts, Golf shirts and Hoodies, complete with the EZ Logo. They will be selling these as a fundraiser.
Babylon VBS Update – July 10 -14
We are working on our pre-registration list for kids that want to attend VBS this summer and explore Babylon with us! It’s not too early to let us know you are planning on joining us. Adults of the church, we need your help! We already have over 70 children wanting to come to VBS this summer, so we need leaders to make this happen. This curriculum is relevant and meaningful and we as adults have lots to learn from it too. Each role that needs to be filled for the week comes with a very well laid out manual, so you don’t need to plan out lessons, just read ahead to be prepared to share what you have read with the children. Please check out our bulletin board for “job descriptions” or speak with Naomi or Ashley if you want to help out but don’t know where you might fit in best. Help for the full week or just a few days is welcomed. Thank you for considering this important ministry opportunity.
Naomi Witzel naomiwitzel8@gmail.com
Ashley Witzel ezvbsbabylon@gmail.com
Friday May 5, 6:30pm and Saturday May 6, 8:30-3:00 LADIES! LET’S WATCH GOD MOVE!
Join us for our first EZ Women’s IF: Gathering retreat at East Zorra Church
What: IF Gathering is not only a weekend event but a discipleship ministry focused on putting tools and resources in the hands of women in the church. IF is working to empower women to reclaim discipleship as God’s means to change the world.
IF Gathering 2023: We desperately want to stay faithful in these times, but we know we can’t muster up the faith all on our own. Join us for IF: 2023 where we will gather for two days in worship, fellowship with one another, in prayer and with our Bibles, to remind each other that God is who we need and that He WILL provide. EZ Women of ALL ages. Invite your friends and family!
Cost: 25$/person. This includes breakfast Saturday morning and lunch. Friday evening we encourage all those who are able to bring an appetizer to share.
How: Signup by Apr 16th on the sheet posted on the bulletin board at the back of the church or email Ashley Witzel at ashleywitzel@gmail.com so she can send you the registration form. **Registration Forms have been sent out via Email. If you haven’t received a form, check your Spam folder or email Ashley and she will resend. If you have any questions please speak to, Ashley Witzel, Jess Yantzi, Erin Yantzi or Sheryl Leis.
Beyond Our Church Community
April 16-22, 2023National Volunteer Week – This past year would not be the success it has been without the steady heart and presence that you bring. You have been there with us, bringing joy, compassion, energy, hope, peace and more. You, our volunteers, continue to help weave us together to move forward in this work of peace and justice. THANK YOU! Mennonite Central Committee and MCC Thrift
MDS (Mennonite Disaster Service) has an urgent need for volunteers in Cape Breton helping with work after Hurricane Fiona. Volunteers are needed Are you able to serve? We need volunteers the weeks of May 7-13, May 28-June 3, Jun 25-July 1, Aug 20-26, Sept 4-10 and Sept 18-24. To volunteer, contact Clara Flores at cflores@mds.org or 866-261-1274. Travel subsidies are available.
Donations for the work in Cape Breton are also welcome! Visit www.mds.org to give.
Monday April 17th 7:30 p.m. Annual Meeting of the members of A.M. Fire & Storm Aid Union will be held at Crosshill Mennonite Church.
Monday April 24th 6 pm New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale Promotion Dinner at Floradale Mennonite Church. More than just a meal, the NHMRS Promotion Dinner is a chance to connect with community and support MCC! Enjoy a delicious buffet-style dinner and hear an update on the stationary meat canner from MCC Ontario Material Resource Coordinator Jon Lebold. Tickets are $25 and are payable at the door. Reservations must be made in advance by emailing Justin Armitage or calling Justin at 519-745-8458 ext. 262.
Friday April 28th & Saturday April 29th MCEC Annual Church Gathering,
Rockway Mennonite Collegiate, Kitchener, ON.
Transformed. Inspired. Called.
Join new and now friends as we grow, learn and serve together as a community of faith. Fanosie Legesse, MCEC Intercultural Mission Minister, will encourage and challenge us on Friday night at a Mass Intercultural Worship Service. Followed by a Saturday filled with celebration, learning, much discussion and worship. All are welcome! How do we choose to live a life of constant transformation, unceasing inspiration and filled with courage to stay strong in our calling? When we worship and pray togther, we become grounded in God’s love and conected to the Spirit’s movement. Come and gather as God’s people across MCEC. More information is available at the following link:
2023-04-28 – Annual Church Gathering 2023 – Mennonite Church Eastern Canada (mcec.ca)
Living below the line
Sunday April 30th 2:30 p.m. at Stirling Ave Mennonite Church, in Kitchener
Saturday May 13th 2 p.m. at Wellesley Mennonite Church
Living Below the Line is a stereotype-busting work about struggle, resilience and hope. In collaboration with Watercourse Theatre, 14 people living in poverty offer perspectives on mental health, disabilities and homelessness. There is no charge to attend, but donations are accepted on-site. For more info, go to mcco.ca/events.
Monday May 1st Hidden Acres Spring Seniors Retreat 2023 – Unlearning Loneliness: Relearning Community. Join us for a day or fellowship, learning and music with friends new and old! We will be hearing from Chip Bender and Cathi Watson as we reconnect and relearn how to live more fully as relational human beings created in God’s image. For more information and to register visit our website at www.hiddenacres.ca or contact the office at info@hiddenacres.ca or 519-625-8602.
Saturday May 6th 7:30 p.m. Menno Singers and artistic director Brandon Leis present our Spring Concert – ‘a light exists in spring…In nature, nothing is perfect and everything is perfect.’ at St Jacobs Mennonite Church (1310 King St. N, St Jacobs). on $25 Adults. $5 Children/Students.Tickets available on-line or at the door (cash or credit) www.mennosingers.com
Calling all Hidden Acres Alumni! HAC Alumni Weekend is happening this May 19th-21st! Join us for the whole weekend overnight or just the day, to connect, be encouraged and get involved! For more details visit our website at www.hiddenacres.ca or email alumni@hiddenacres.ca
How many school kits can you build in just four weeks?
Looking for a fun activity to do in August? Gather your kids, grandkids or students and take The School Kit Challenge to help children around the world attend school. More information coming soon! Want to learn more about what goes into a school kit? Visit MCC’s school kit information page.