A reminder that tomorrow, Saturday April 18th from 4-6 p.m., The Congregational Life Committee invites you to a skating party at the Tavistock Recreation Centre. We have the ice and upper hall rented. This event is for all! Whether you like to skate or prefer to watch while playing games and visiting in the upper hall, everyone is welcome! Bring your families, friends, and neighbours, and a finger-food snack to share. Drinks will be provided. Hope to see you there!
East Zorra Mennonite Church
Volume 69 Sunday April 19, 2026 No. 16
Prelude/Accompanist: Bethany Zehr Song Leader: Susan Schmitz
Greeters: Jess & Tyler Yantzi Worship Leader: Caleb Leis
Audio/Visual: Greg Pye/Brian Wagler Coffeetime: Gloria & Tom Roth
Prelude
Welcome & Announcements
Call to Worship
Opening Prayer
Song of Gathering & Praise
VT#10 “Here in This Place”
VT#124 “For the Fruit of All Creation”
Offering – Leadership
Time with the Children Pastor Mike
Scripture Readings: Genesis 4:1-16
Message The Brothers Keeper Pastor Mike
Song of Response
VT #705 “For the Healing of the Nations”
Prayer of the Church Pastor Ray
Sending Song
VT #43 “God, Be the Love”
Benediction
Postlude
Today
8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Faith Formation Class will meet in the MYF room.
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
Monday April 20th
- 7 p.m. Walking Club – meet at the Memorial Hall Tavistock
Tuesday April 21st
- 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. Prayer Shawl Ministry at Jean MacDonald’s
Wednesday April 22nd
- 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Coffee & Bible Study
- Play Group setup
- 6:30 – 8 p.m. Authored by the Word
Thursday April 23rd
- 9:30 – 11 a.m. E Z Play Group
- 6 p.m. Big Read
Friday April 24th
- 7 – 9 p.m. JWalkers (Jr Youth Gr 6-8) Girls Night/Guys Night. Please drop off and pickup at the following locations. Guys at Tyler’s shack bush (corner of 15th Line & Maplewood Sideroad). Girls at Erin & Toby Schlegel’s (2100 Line 37 New Hamburg). Parents, please refer to the email for more details about this event.
- 7 p.m. MYF invites everyone to church for a Crokinole Party & Games Night. Please bring crokinole boards, and card games. Drinks will be provided, but snacks to share would be appreciated.
Next Sunday – April 26, 2026
The Fire and the Cloud: Finding Jesus in the Journey of the Old Testament
The First Pilgrim: Genesis 12:1-9, 15:1-6 (Abram)
Prelude/Accompanist: Heidi Wagler Song Leader: Myron Ruby
Greeters: Gloria & Merv Ropp Worship Leader: Bevin Witmer
Audio/Visual: Drystan Bender/Larry Kropf Offering: Relief/MCC
Coffeetime: Shirley & Phil Ruby Message: Pastor Ray
8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Faith Formation Class will meet in the MYF room.
EZMC Announcements
Faith Formation Classes
Are you considering baptism, or are you simply curious about the foundations of the Christian faith? We invite you to join our upcoming Faith Formation classes. This is a welcoming space to ask big questions, explore belief, and discover what it means to follow Jesus in today’s world.
- When: Sunday mornings, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM in the MYF Room
- Start Date: Sunday, April 19
- Who: Anyone seeking baptism, new believers, or the spiritually curious.
Whether you are ready to take the next step in your faith or are just looking for a place to start the conversation, there is a seat for you at the table.
CPR course – The Health Ministry team is offering CPR certification (including AED training) with Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.
When: May 2nd (morning or afternoon class)
Where: EZMC basement
Cost: $50 cash or e-transfer (email for course leader will be provided day of)
Please reach out to Jill Rempel or Heidi Wagler if you are interested by April 20th
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 Tuesday April 21st and will be available for pickup at church on Saturday May 2nd. Payment is due at the time of pickup.
Given Pastor Mike is now 3.5 years into his ministry at East Zorra, SCRC plans to facilitate a mid-term review. We will be having a focused review with a small subset of the congregation that interacts most closely with Mike, and also welcome congregational input for those interested. Reflection questions for your consideration were distributed separately via email and there are also a few copies available at the back of the sanctuary. If you would like to provide input into Pastor Mike’s review, SCRC invites your response via participation in focus group discussions during Sunday School on Sunday April 26, and/or by submitting written response to Tracey Kropf (tracey.kropf@gmail.com or printed copy – found on table in sanctuary lobby).
The review questions focus on Mike’s strengths, gifts and significant contributions to our ministry at East Zorra, as well as areas of growth and how the congregation can support Pastor Mike in his development.
Feedback is a gift! It is SCRC’s hope that this review will motivate and inspire Mike to continue to use his strengths and gifts to grow in his ministry and further strengthen the relationship between Mike and the congregation as together we seek to carry out our vision and mission. SCRC would encourage you to spend time in reflecting on Pastor Mike’s ministry to date and to bless him with the gift of feedback via participation at the end of April in the process / questions noted above. Questions on the review process in the meantime can be directed to any member of SCRC – Tracey Kropf, Megan McDonald, Bevin Witmer, Tyler Yantzi.
Sunday April 26th Noon at Tavistock Mennonite Church. Syrian Fundraising Meal. Prepared by the Al Younes family and featuring the finest of Syrian dishes, this meal is to raise funds for Tavistock’s refugee sponsorship. Receipts provided for donations above $20.00 per meal. Bring your family and invite a friend!
RSVP by April 19 to louisecb3@hotmail.com.
Thursday April 30th from 4-8 p.m. East Zorra is scheduled to prepare and serve a meal to approximately 225 people experiencing poverty and homelessness in downtown Kitchener at Ray of Hope. The missions committee is looking for 10-12 volunteers. If you’re willing to volunteer or have any questions please speak to Dylan Yantzi or another member of the missions committee.
VBS 2026 – July 6-10 Rainforest Falls: Exploring the Nature of God. Registration is open! Parents- please register your children and share the registration link found on our church website with friends and neighbours. Volunteers: please let us know your availability and what area you would like to help in. Email eastzorravbs@gmail.com with any questions.
Beyond Our Church Community
The April edition of On the Level is now available from Mennonite Disaster Service.
In this edition, you’ll read about Gord and Marianne Siemens from Saskatoon who have caught the “MDS bug.” The “bug” has taken them across Canada, from B.C. to Nova Scotia, and to places like Texas and Florida, since 2018. “The first time was just to see what MDS was like,” said Marianne. After that, they just kept volunteering. Read On the Level: https://conta.cc/3OJAsJS
Saturday April 25th MCEC Annual Church Gathering at Steinmann Mennonite Church, Baden, ON. A one-day ACG designed to energize congregations in worship, discipleship and mission. Explore practical workshops, engage in meaningful conversations and discern God’s guidance together for our shared future.
Sunday April 26th 7-9 p.m., MCEC Intercultural Worship Gathering,
(First Mennonite/Shalom Worship & Healing Center 800 King St. E., Kitchener, ON).
All are welcome to this time of worship, unity and celebration as various congregations come together to honour our diversity in Christ.
Monday April 27th 6 p.m. New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale Fundraising Dinner at Calvary United Church (48 Hawkesville Rd, St. Jacobs N0B 2N0). More than just a meal, the NHMRS fundraising dinner is your chance to connect with the community and support the relief sale and MCC! Enjoy a delicious buffet dinner catered by Gracie’s Country Oven and hear an update from MCC. Tickets are $30 each and children aged 3-10 are only $10! Donations will be gratefully accepted at the event in support of the relief sale. Purchase your ticket here.
Looking at the Sky | Grebel Gallery Exhibit, April 4-29, 2026. Waterloo artist Nina Bailey-Dick’s powerful batiks and collages are a feminist declaration of love for the land, sky, and self; an invitation to embrace both the beautiful and the broken parts of ourselves. uwaterloo.ca/centre-peace-advancement/events/
Rockway Mennonite Collegiate will be hosting, and performing in, the Mennonite Schools Network Choral Festival (MSN formerly MSC) on Saturday, May 2, 3pm at The St. Matthews Centre. For more information, please visit rockway.ca/events. All are welcome.
May 2nd – 16thRed Dress Day Art Exhibit and Call 30 at Conrad Grebel University College, 140 Westmount Road North, Waterloo. Red Dress Day, which is recognized on May 5, brings awareness to missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. In partnership with Conrad Grebel University College, MCC is featuring artwork that illustrates factors contributing to the criminalization and harm of Indigenous women. Visit the art exhibit between May 2 and 16. As part of this event, MCC is hosting two Call 30 activities, which will deepen your understanding of why Red Dress Day matters and why 50% of women in Ontario prisons are Indigenous.
Learn more: mcc.org/red-dress-day.
Interfaith Community Counselling will not host a virtual Silent Auction this June. Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) has named May 4 – May 10 as Canadian Mental Health Week. CMHA is inviting people across Canada to Come Together. It’s a call to spark small, everyday actions of connection, and to recognize the role we all play in supporting mental. In response to CMHA’s call and with the ending of the silent auction, we are hosting 7 Days of Wellness, the calendar of events is on the main bulletin board or ICC’s website. Our desire is to bring people together, provide meaningful resources, and raise funds to subsidize counselling.
Poole People Player’s Presents “Sneaky Citizens of Saddlesore City”.
Their play will be presented on May 7, 8, 9 at the PERC in Milverton.
Evening performance at 7:30 p.m.; Sat. afternoon performance at 2 p.m.
For tickets call Janet at 519-595-8424 or 519-301-3717 or email poolemem@perth.net
Thursday May 21st 7:30 p.m. Menno Singers and the Mennonite Mass Choir, conducted by Artistic Director Brandon Leis, presents Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace and Johannes Brahms’ Schicksalslied (Song of Destiny) at Centre in the Square (Kitchener) with Orchestra. Tickets available through Centre in the Square (https://centreinthesquare.com/event/)
New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale 2026
This year, the New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale proudly celebrates 60 years of coming together in faith, generosity, and community. Since 1967, this annual tradition has raised more than $15 million for Mennonite Central Committee, bringing hope, relief, and opportunity to communities around the world. The sale will take place on Friday May 29th and Saturday May 30th.
- Start collecting your loose change. Every year, spare change collected by churches, children and families across North America adds up to more than $600,000 for MCC’s work at home and around the world! Coins collected at the New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale are designated “where needed most” for the work of MCC, putting your change to work right away!
- Saturday May 30th Lace up for the Run for Relief. Register today for the Run for Relief – a 2k or 5k fun run at the fairgrounds. Raise funds for MCC, and enjoy a morning run along the Nith River before you take in the rest of the sale. Sign up today. Entry is free but fundraising is encouraged. Top fundraisers will win a prize, so get started today!
- Saturday May 30th If you have the gift of music and would like to share it with others for a good cause, we want to hear from you! The New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale is seeking musicians to enhance the ambience of the sale as patrons take in the atmosphere at this popular event. This opportunity is for 30-minute time slots between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 30. Please contact Lorieyantzi@outlook.com if you’re interested in this volunteer opportunity.
Tri-County Mennonite Homes is looking for members of our 15 supporting congregations to serve on our Board of Directors commencing at our annual meeting in June. If you are interested or have someone to recommend, please contact Bruce Bechtel for more information. 519-801-0470 BBechtel@tcmhomes.com.
Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp and Retreat Centre is currently seeking to hire a year-round Housekeeping Coordinator (20-25 hours/week) and Housekeeping Staff (10-15 hours/week) to begin as soon as possible. Job descriptions for both positions are available on our website at www.hiddenacres.ca. To apply, please forward your resume to brent@hiddenacres.ca.
Thrift Volunteers Needed! Do you have a heart for service and a few hours to spare each week? MCC Thrift & Gift in Elmira and the MCC New Hamburg Thrift Centre are seeking volunteers to greet donors, receive and sort donations, and perform other roles. Join a community rooted in service and love. Visit mccthrift.com/volunteer to get in touch with us today!
Love Music? Lead the scene at Grebel! Conrad Grebel University Collegeis looking for a Music Ensemble & Concert Coordinator to bring our musical season to life! Applications due April 26, 2026. Visit uwaterloo.ca/grebel/contact-us/careers for more information.