East Zorra Mennonite Church
Volume 69 Sunday January 4, 2026 No. 1
Prelude/Accompanist: Heidi Wagler Song Leader: Caleb Leis
Greeters: Dawn & Greg Zehr Worship Leader: Sheryl Leis
Audio/Visual: Greg Pye/Larry Kropf Offering: Mission Partners
Coffee: Megan MacDonald & Russ Schumm Message: Pastors Ray & Mike
Prelude
Words of Welcome & Announcements
Call to Worship & Opening Prayer
Songs of Gathering & Praise VT #277 “As with Gladness”
VT #275 “O Beautiful Star of Bethlehem”
Offering – Mission Partners
Time with the Children
Scripture Reading Isaiah 60:1-6; Matthew 12:1-12
Message Sharing by Pastors Mike & Ray
Song of Response VT #274 “See Whose Glory Fills the Skies”
Sharing & Prayer of the Church
Sending Song VT #240 “Joy to the World”
Benediction
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.
Please note that we are not having Sunday School classes today.
This Coming Week
Tuesday January 6th
- 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Sewing Circle – Everyone is welcome to join us to knot comforters or quilt.
- 9 a.m. Care Team Meeting
- 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. Holy Movement – New participants always welcome!
Wednesday January 7th
- E Z Play Group setup
- 7 p.m. Finance & Facility Meeting
- Glorify Rehearsal
Thursday January 8th
- 9:30 – 11 a.m. E Z Play Group
- 12 p.m. High Noon Seniors Lunch at Grace United Church in Tavistock.
A homestyle lunch (Cost: Freewill offering) will be served followed by a program by The OMAS SISKONA (Grandmothers Together) of Kitchener-Waterloo is a group of creative, compassionate, dynamic women who joined the Stephen Lewis Foundation’s Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign in April 2008”
It is East Zorra’s turn to provide lunch. We need volunteers to help set up, serve and clean up. Please contact Connie Yantzi, Dawn Bender or Linda Schumm.
- 7:30 p.m. Ladies Bible Study meets in the MYF room
Friday January 9th
- 7 p.m MYF – Games Night at church
Next Sunday – January 18, 2026
Prelude/Accompanist: Glorify Song Leader: Glorify
Greeters: Mike Williamson & Brady Sell Worship Leader: Dawn Bender
Audio/Visual: Drystan Bender/Brian Wagler Offering: MCEC & MC Canada
Coffee: Brett Zehr & Ryan Wagler Message: Pastor Mike
EZMC Announcements
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
📚 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 6:00pm 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 e-mailing Pastor Mike at mike@ezmennonite.ca
Beyond Our Church Community
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.
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 2025 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.
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! They will make great last minute Christmas gifts!! Visit rockway.ca/events for a show synopsis and to buy your tickets for this comedy whodunit. Show dates: March 5 & 6, 2026
Silver Lake Mennonite Camp | (slmc.ca)
Summer Camp Registration: Outtrip (canoe or hike) registration opens on January 6 at 9am. All other camps and day camps open on February 2 at 7am. Mark your calendars and visit our camp webpages for full summer schedule and program descriptions… slmc.ca/summer-camp
Retreat Registrations: 2026 Retreat registration is now open! For more information and full list, visit slmc.ca/retreats . Here are a few retreats coming up this winter:
Women’s Retreat (Jan 30-Feb 1): Wendy Janzen is returning to lead this incredible weekend of rest, relaxation and connection.
Winter Wanders (Feb 24-26): Three days of adventuring in the Bruce Peninsula while staying at camp! Skiing, snowshoeing or hiking planned at different trails. Food and accommodations included.
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.