East Zorra Mennonite Church
Volume 69 Sunday January 11, 2026 No. 2
Prelude/Accompanist: Glorify Song Leader: Glorify
Greeters: Mike Williamson & Brady Sell Worship Leader: Dawn Bender
Audio/Visual: Drystan Bender/Brian Wagler Coffee: Brett Zehr & Ryan Wagler
Prelude
Welcome & Announcements
Call to Worship & Opening Prayer
Songs of Gathering & Praise
“Be Thou My Vision” (VT #549)
“This is Amazing Grace”
Offering – Mennonite Church Eastern Canada & Mennonite Church Canada
Offertory
“Who You Say I Am”
Time with the Children Laurie Yantzi
Scripture Reading Ephesians 1:1-14
Message Pastor Mike
Song of Response “To God Be the Glory” (VT #84)
Prayer of the Church Dawn Bender
Sending Song “Yes and Amen”
Benediction
Postlude
Today
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 January 12th
- 7 p.m. Walking Club – Come experience the ‘light’ of connection & exercise during the winter darkness! Meet at the Memorial Hall Tavistock. Assume cancelled in icy or stormy conditions.
Tuesday January 13th
- 6 p.m. Staff Congregation Relations Committee Meeting
Wednesday January 14th
- 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Coffee & Bible Study
- E Z Play Group setup
- 7 p.m. Church Ministry Council Meeting
Thursday January 15th
- 9:30 – 11 a.m. E Z Play Group
- 7 p.m. Health Ministry Team Meeting
Next Sunday – January 18, 2026
Ephesians 2:1-10
Prelude/Accompanist: Song Leader: Myron Ruby
Greeter: Jan Ropp Worship Leader:
Audio/Visual: Dathan Bender/Larry Kropf Offering: Leadership
Coffee: Kristen & Daryl Cressman Message: Pastor Mike
EZMC leads afternoon worship services at peopleCare and the Maples
EZMC Announcements
December 2025 Donations Received Summary
Offering Schedule – $137,259
Christmas Eve Offering – $4,361
(for Ray of Hope/Wilmot Resource Centre)
Sunday School Coin Collection – $384 (for purchase of Ducks through MCC)
On Sunday afternoon January 18, East Zorra is scheduled to lead the services at peopleCare (at 1:30 PM) and The Maples (at 2:30 PM). If you would be available to help sing or read scripture at these services please speak to Pastor Ray.
SAVE THE DATES – Vacation Bible School at EZMC will be held July 6-10, 2026! More details and registration information to follow.
The 2025 EZMC Annual Meeting will be held in February 2026. Date will be announced soon.
- The meeting will be held in person and available virtually on Zoom.
- Please submit your Annual Reports, to Lisa by Tuesday January 27th. Email to office@ezmennonite.ca or place in her church mailbox.
- The Annual Report will be sent by email but if you would prefer a paper copy, let Lisa know by Tuesday February 3rd. Please note that paper copies of the report will be delivered to those who receive a printed copy of our Sunday bulletin each Friday.
📚 The Winter Great Big Read is Returning This January 2026 📚
We’re excited to announce our next read: Get a Hold of Yourself: Embracing Authenticity in a Complicated World by Troy D. Watson (Foreword by Betty Pries).
In this thoughtful and accessible book, Pastor Troy Watson explores how Jesus’ teachings help us face life’s contradictions—teaching us to embrace who we truly are as both flawed and beloved. Through engaging reflection and theological insight, we’ll discover how authenticity and faith intersect in our everyday lives.
✨ This book promises great group discussion — offering rich topics about identity, grace, and living more fully in faith.
We will gather once a month (beginning on January 29th) and then the fourth Thursday of every month at 6:00 pm for Pizza followed by conversation.
Join us as we dig in and grow together!
You can sign-up to pre-order the book using the sheet on the bulletin board OR by e-mailing Pastor Mike at mike@ezmennonite.ca
Holy Movement would benefit from a donation of light weights! Do you have light weights at home you are no longer using (3-12 lbs)? If so and you’d be interested in donating to the church for our Holy Movement classes, please contact Tracey Kropf (226-338-3968). Thanks!
Beyond Our Church Community
Sunday January 25th 7 p.m. – Join choristers and instrumentalists for a Mid-Winter Hymn Sing at Waterloo North Mennonite Church, hosted by Menno Singers and the Menno Youth Ensemble. A variety of selections from the Voices Together hymnal and ample room for requests will be sure to warm your mid-winter spirits as we raise our voices in song. Admission is by donation.
New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale Feature Quilt Reveal
Tuesday January 27, 2026 at 9:30 a.m., MCC, 50 Kent Ave., Kitchener
Each year, a talented individual or team creates the feature quilt for the New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale. Feature quilts have depicted historical churches, the play of colour and light across fabric, a journey through Africa, among other innovative designs. On January 27, the curtain will be removed and the 2026 feature quilt will be revealed. Join us in the lower atrium at 50 Kent Ave, Kitchener or on the NHMRS Facebook page. Learn more at mcc.org/events.
Saturday February 21st 7-9 p.m. Shantz Mennonite Church is hosting a special free screening of Cannes World Film Festival Walking Through the Fire. This visually stunning and transformative music documentary brings the magic of collaboration to the screen with the Sultans of String and award-winning First Nations, Métis, and Inuit artists to create something extraordinary. It includes opening remarks with filmmaker/Sultans of String producer Chris McKhool and a Q&A after the film, with Chris and Indigenous artist Shannon Thunderbird. Prepare to be absorbed by the captivating synergy and power of Walking Through the Fire as it takes you on a journey where cultures collide, boundaries dissolve, and the universal language of music unites us all.
RESERVE Tickets at https://walkingshantz.eventbrite.ca
Donations gratefully accepted at the door.
Watch the Trailer here: https://youtu.be/wWSZUduo5Kk
Sign up to sing with the Mennonite Mass Choir as we join Menno Singers to perform Johannes Brahm’s Schicksalslied (Song of Destiny) and Karl Jenken’s The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace on Thursday, May 21, 2026 at Centre in the Square with soloists and members of the Kitchener Waterloo Symphony, conducted by Brandon Leis. Rehearsals begin on Monday nights on February 23, 2026. www.mennosingers.com
Tickets are on sale for Rockway Mennonite Collegiate’s grade 7&8 production of Humpty-Dumpty is missing! Visit rockway.ca/events for a show synopsis and to buy your tickets for this comedy whodunit. Show dates: March 5 & 6, 2026.
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. Mark your calendars.
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. Mark your calendars.
Job Posting: Tavistock Mennonite Church is looking for an Administrative Assistant to fill a Long Term Occasional position (LTO) at our church. This job is a part time position and consists of 15-20 hours per week with the possibility of benefits. If you would like further information, a copy of a job description or to apply please contact Jayne Whetstone; tjwhetstone_5@hotmail.com or Mark Brenneman; markbrenneman@netflash.net. We will be accepting resumes until Friday, January 30/26.
Mennonite Church Eastern Canada (MCEC) is Hiring a Communications Assistant. Could this be you? Do you love telling stories, creating engaging content, and helping communities stay connected? MCEC is looking for a Communications Assistant to join our team and support the development and implementation of our communication strategies.
In this role, you’ll help shape how we share our identity, purpose, values and priorities with our wider community. Your work will include social media management, content creation and assisting with a variety of communications projects that bring MCEC’s mission to life.
This is a 0.5 FTE part-time, permanent, in-person role with a flexible start date based on the successful candidate’s availability.
If you—or someone you know—are passionate about communication and excited about serving the MCEC community, we’d love to hear from you.
Help needed to sew comforter fabric!
MCC Hub, 65 Heritage Dr., New Hamburg
Due to building construction, we are unable to host our annual comforter knotting blitz, the Great Winter Warm-up. We look forward to hosting again in our new, refreshed space! However, we received a donation of matched tops and backs that require extra fabric to be sewn on the back to meet our partner’s requests. Our volunteers have been working through them, but we need some help! If you or your group would like to help, please contact Alecia Weber (aleciaweber@mcco.ca) or stop by the MCC Hub (65 Heritage Dr., New Hamburg) to pick some up while supplies last.
Turn Time into Meals: Group Canning at MCC Material Resources
MCC Material Resources (65 Heritage Dr., New Hamburg) is inviting workplace, church, and community groups to can nutritious food for communities in need. Groups are asked to contribute $6.50 per can to cover costs and keep this vital work going. Flexible scheduling is available. A typical daily output can range from 350–1,200 cans. Learn more or book a canning date today! Contact Reid Kennel at reidkennel@mcco.ca or by calling 226-338-4956.
Silver Lake Mennonite Camp | (slmc.ca)
Summer Camp Registration: Outtrip (canoe or hike) registration is open – register by January 31 to receive a $100 discount! All other overnight camps and day camps open on February 2 at 7am. Mark your calendars and visit our website for full summer schedule and program descriptions… slmc.ca/summer-camp
65th Anniversary Celebration and Grand Paddle & Hike – Save the date! On May 9th, SLMC will be celebrating 65 years with our annual Grand Paddle & Hike fundraiser followed by an in-person celebration. More info to come!
Upcoming Retreats: Visit slmc.ca/retreats for the full 2026 list and details.
- Women’s Retreat (Jan 30-Feb 1): Wendy Janzen is returning to lead this incredible weekend of rest, relaxation and connection.
- Winter Camp for Grown-Ups (Feb 27-Mar 1): This weekend is for 20 & 30 somethings who want to get away on a low-key, relaxing retreat. A collaborative project between PiE (Pastors in Exile) and SLMC.
- Music Retreat (Apr 10-12): Come to Silver Lake for some time away at camp filled with singing and instrumental music! Sing through songbooks, hymnals and more in the company of music-lovers!