Restoration is Near
Prepare the way of the Lord
East Zorra Mennonite Church
Volume 65 Sunday December 4, 2022 No. 49
Worship Service – Sunday December 4, 2022 at 10 a.m.
Join Sunday Morning Worship Gathering
Restoration is Near
2nd Advent – Prepare the way of the Lord
Prelude: Heidi Wagler Accompanist: Heidi Wagler
Song Leader: Myron Ruby Worship Leader: Jared Yantzi
Message: Pastor Ray Audio/Visual: Drystan Bender/Brian Wagler
Coffeetime: Janet & Marv Yantzi
No choir practice this morning.
Today
Coffeetime immediately following worship.
Sunday School classes
Nursery to Grade 5 classes are being held downstairs.
Junior Youth class meets upstairs in Room #9
Youth class meets upstairs in the MYF room (Room #11)
Adult class – Advent: The Once and Future Coming of Jesus
“Advent is not for the faint of heart.” What is the season of Advent all about? Is it just the countdown to Christmas? Or is it something more? If it is a time of preparation, what are we preparing for?
For the next two Sundays Adult Sunday School will be meeting in the basement to allow our children to prepare for their Christmas program that they will share with the congregation on December 18. We apologize to those on Zoom that we will not be able to continue the Zoom connection for these two Sunday School hours.
2:30 p.m. Theatre of the Beat Presents: Selah’s Song at EZMC
An original folk musical from Theatre of the Beat
Written by Johnny Wideman, with original music by beloved Mennonite musician Bryan Moyer Suderman, Selah’s Song tells the story of a young girl whose courage inspired a village and whose song became an anthem for peace. Inundated with catchy pro-war propaganda songs, Selah is inspired to share her own music with the village, creating some competition for the King. Selah’s Song is a heartwarming musical that is fun for all ages! Admission is by donation. We welcome you to join us!
This Coming Week
11 a.m. Elda Wagler funeral service at EZMC
Thursday December 8th
12 p.m. High Noon Lunch at Grace United. Come Celebrate Christmas.
Entertainment is the Ropp Brothers.
7 p.m. Church Ministry Council Meeting
7 – 9 p.m. JWalkers – Join us for our next Jr Youth Event at church. Come
for some Christmas baking & games:).
Friday December 9th
7 p.m. MYF Christmas baking. Meet at church.
Saturday Dec 10th
11 a.m. Uptown Carolling with the Choir – Please meet on the front steps of
the Home Hardware store at 10:55. We will have carol sheets or you
can bring your own hymnal if you would like.
Next Sunday – December 11, 2022
Restoration is Near
3rd Advent – Tell what you hear and see
Prelude: Bethany Klein Accompanist: Bethany Klein
Song Leader: Connie Yantzi Worship Leader: Kim Leis
Message: Pastor Mike Audio/Visual: Todd Bender/Brian Wagler
Coffeetime: No coffee/refreshments will be served on this day. You are welcome to bring your own.
8:45 a.m. Choir practice for Christmas Eve in the sanctuary
12 p.m. Private Party
Upcoming Christmas Services
Sunday December 18th 4th Advent – Restoration is Near: Do not be afraid
10 a.m. Junior Sunday School program during the worship service.
No Sunday School classes on this day.
Saturday December 24th
7 p.m. Christmas Eve Service
Sunday December 25th
10 a.m. Christmas Day Service
No Sunday School classes on this day
Sunday January 1st
3 p.m. New Year’s Day afternoon service.
No Sunday School and no Zoom option for this service.
EZMC Announcements
Financial Update as of November 30, 2022
Estimated funds needed to meet 2022 commitments
Mission Partners $ 21,836
MCEC & MC Canada $ 19,430
Leadership $ 43,150
MCC/Relief $ 5,315
Local Ministries $ 20,984
Maintenance $ 20,296
Student Aid -$ 6,254
$124,757
We are grateful for your generosity and we prayerfully ask for your continued financial support as you are able. We trust that God will provide and we will continue to experience the fullness of Christ.
Cheques can be placed in the offering plate (blank offering envelopes available) at church each Sunday, mailed to Dawn Zehr or placed in one of two mailboxes at her house. E-transfers or questions about donating can be sent to treasurer@ezmennonite.ca.
SPECIAL CHRISTMAS OFFERING
This year, EZMC will be collecting “Cash for Kits” to support MCC’s mission to provide relief kits where needed most. There is an increased demand for supplies to send to Ukraine and other countries around the world, and inventory of material resources is getting low.
Children will be collecting coins/cash during children’s time, continuing through our Advent series.
Thank you to everyone who attended the Christmas dinner and program. Special thanks to Pastor Mike speaking on Christmas traditions & memories, the Grassroots band playing Christmas songs & their own favorites, and D&D catering in Tavistock for making the turkey meal. Congratulations and welcome Laurel & Ray Zehr to the Adult Fellowship Committee in the new year.
Adult Fellowship committee
Volunteers needed to be Coffee Time Hosts!
For the months of December and January we will plan to have coffee time every other Sunday. We would welcome a few more volunteers that would make it possible to serve coffee every week. Please contact Lisa if you would be willing to volunteer to be a coffee time host. A coffee host prepares the coffee and cleans up after coffee time. Thanks so much. Note that there will be no coffee time on December 25th and January 1st.
A reminder to everyone to reserve any areas of the church building/green space that you need for meetings, rehearsals, events etc. with Lisa to ensure availability. She can be reached at office@ezmennonite.ca or 519-655-6824. Thanks so much.
Beyond Our Church Community
Sunday December 4th 2:30 p.m. – Please join us at Tavistock Mennonite Church for An A Capella Christmas concert with KW barbershop choir, The Twin City Harmonizers, along with local musical powerhouse, Chuckee Zehr, as guest star. This concert will be fun for all ages! Proceeds will go towards TMC’s refugee sponsorships and to Harmonize for Speech, which funds speech therapy services. For tickets, please contact Alyssa at 519-655-2581 or office@tavistockmennonitechurch.ca, or grab some on Eventbrite.ca. Tickets: $20/adults | $15/Youth/Students 13 and over | 12 and under, free.
Sunday December 11th 7:30 p.m. Menno Singers and artistic director Brandon Leis present a Service of Lessons and Carols at Trillium Lutheran Church (22 Willow St, Waterloo). Admission by donation.
Silver Lake Mennonite Camp:
2023 Winter and Spring Retreats now open for registration: Come to Silver Lake in 2023 for some fun camp experiences! Dads & Kids, Snowshoe Hike, Women’s Retreat, Couples Retreat, Winter Camp for Grown-Ups, March Break Family Getaway, Youth Camp and Family Camp – there are options for all ages! Go to SLMC Retreats & Events for more info and to register. These make fantastic Christmas gifts!
Are you looking for a gift that gives impact this Christmas?
The Raw Carrot is a social enterprise that provides meaningful employment to people who live with barriers to traditional employment by making hand-crafted soup. We are offering lovely gift boxes this holiday season that make wonderful gifts for your employees, clients, and friends. Each box contains a selection of our delicious soup along with locally curated charcuterie products. For more information, email Leah Brown at leahbrown@mcco.ca or call 226-338-4956.
Give a gift that keeps on giving…and growing!
Help meet people’s basic needs around the world with the purchase of an eco-friendly MCC Thrift Christmas Giving ornament! Proceeds from these gifts will provide fruit trees and chickens as a source of income and nutrition and clean water in homes. Plus, these ornaments are made from seed paper. Plant it, water it and watch it grow into beautiful wildflowers. Available at your local thrift shop while supplies last.