East Zorra Mennonite Church
Volume 68 Sunday June 1, 2025 No. 22
Worship Leader: Krista Matthews Greeters: Dawn & Greg Zehr
Audio/Visual: Todd Bender/Larry Kropf Offering: Leadership
Coffee: Brett Zehr & Ryan Wagler Message: Pastor Mike
Prelude
Welcome & Announcements
Call to Worship & Opening Prayer
Songs of Gathering & Praise
VT #80 “We Sing to You, O God”
STJ #40 “As rain from the clouds”
Blessing of Grade 8 & 12 Graduates
Offering – Leadership
Children’s Story – Alexis Leis & Bella Matthews
Scripture Readings: Psalm 91; Matthew 6:13
Message – “Rescue Us!” Pastor Mike
Song of Response
STJ #47 “Oh, Lord have mercy”
Prayer of the Church
Sending Song
VT #830 “Go, My Children”
Benediction
Postlude
Today
8:30 a.m. Faith Exploration Classes in the MYF room, breakfast provided.
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 for all ages
This Coming Week
Monday June 2nd
- 7 p.m. Walking Club – meet at the church, from there we’ll walk the back lane between Laird & Lois’ and Jim & Carol’s farms. Come enjoy some time in the country! Decision to cancel due to inclement weather will be made on location.
Wednesday June 4th
- 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Coffee and Bible Study
- E Z Play Group setup
- 7 p.m. Glorify Band rehearsal
- 7 p.m. Church Ministry Council Meeting
Thursday June 5th
- 9:30 – 11 a.m. E Z Play Group
Friday June 6th to Saturday June 7th
- MYF will be attending a Youth Conference at Redeemer University
Next Sunday – June 8, 2025
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours…Amen
Prelude/Accompanist: Glorify Song Leader: Glorify
Greeters: Mike Williamson & Brandy Sell Worship Leader: Tyler Yantzi
Audio/Visual: Greg Pye/Brian Wagler Offering: MCEC & MC Canada
Coffee: Kristen & Daryl Cressman Message: Pastor Ray
JCET would like to invite you to our year-end Sunday School Celebration and Picnic
Children in grades 1-8 will participate in games and activities in the Green Space during the regular Sunday school hour. JCET is excited to announce that we have also rented an inflated obstacle course for the kids to use, weather permitting. There will also be face painting, bubbles and more.
Please note that we will not be providing supervision for the Nursery and Preschool class but encourage these children to still join us in the Green Space while being accompanied by an adult. They are welcome to play in the sandbox and enjoy the outdoor space.
Following the Sunday school hour we invite everyone to join us for a free BBQ picnic lunch. This picnic is for our entire church family. All ages are welcome! Activities for the children will continue into the picnic hour. Please bring your lawn chairs.
If the weather does not cooperate we will be moving everything indoors but will not have the inflatable obstacle course.
We hope to see you there!
The MYF appreciates your prayers for the 22 youth and 5 leaders going to the Gospel Coalition Youth Conference at Redeemer University on June 6-7. We are hoping for a faith-building and fun weekend for all attending.
EZMC Announcements
Sewing Circle will not meet on Tuesday June 3rd but will resume on the first Tuesday in September.
Building updates and upgrade options Survey
In May a survey was sent out inviting your response to four building updates and upgrade options.
If you have not taken the chance to complete and return your survey please do so in the next week. Copies of the survey, and a box to return completed surveys, are on the table in the back lobby of the church. The survey was also attached to the Friday email.
Thank you for your prayerful response.
Summer Internship Update
We are happy to share the news that Alexis Leis has accepted the Summer Internship position for 2025.
Alexis will begin her work on Monday June 23, and you can expect to see her serving and learning in a variety of church contexts this Summer.
Please keep Alexis in your prayers as she serves, learns, and discerns God’s call among us in the months to come.
Blessings,
Pastor Ray Martin
Pastor Mike Williamson
Tuesday June 10th 2 p.m. Seniors 80 and over! Please mark your calendars for an event that Care Team is hosting for you at the church. More details will be coming soon.
Saturday June 14th The next Men’s BBQ will be at Trevor Kropfs home (985019 Perth-Oxford Rd. Tavistock ON). Lunch at 1 p.m. Bring a lawn chair and your own beverages. Sign-up sheet is on the main bulletin board.
Sunday June 22nd “Save the Date”. We are planning to have a service of Baptism.
Wednesday June 25th 7 pm. Adult Fellowship Strawberry Social. Bill and Susan Schmitz will be sharing about their trip to Greece.
From Canadian Mennonite: With the potential Canada Post strike, your June print issue may be delayed. Sign up for digital delivery to get it by email on May 30. CM sends an email each Friday and attaches a PDF copy of the magazine once per month. Contact Lorna at office@canadianmennonite.org.
Please note that the 2025 Camp Subsidy Form deadline is June 15th and needs to be returned to our treasurer, Becky Bender by that date. This can be done either by email (treasurer@ezmennonite.ca) or put in her church mailbox. Forms are available in the literature rack beside the main bulletin board or you may email office@ezmennonite.ca
to get one. If you have any questions please contact one of the Christian Education Lay Ministers – Bethany Kropf or Caleb Leis.
Rejoice Magazine – Nurture your soul through this quarterly devotional magazine from Menno Media. Each day’s entry features a Bible reading, a short inspirational message, and a prayer of response. We will be updating our subscription list soon. If you are not on the list but would like to start receiving Rejoice OR if you are currently receiving this magazine and would like to be removed from the list please contact Lisa at office@ezmennonite.ca or 519-655-6824 by Tuesday June 17th. Subscriptions are paid by EZMC so there is no cost to you.
VBS 2025
Please register your children for VBS by this Sunday, June 1st. The registration link will be taken down later this week.
Please join us in praying for our VBS.
Dear God, thank you for going before us as we prepare for VBS. Help us meet any need for supplies, decorations, and volunteers we may have. Provide the opportunity for families far and wide to attend VBS. Thank you for the opportunity to pour into the lives of these kids in deep and meaningful ways. We pray that above all else you are glorified in our VBS. Amen.
Looking for a few people who love the outdoors and our Greenspace.
Christmas lights need to be removed from the trees and put back on the reels located in the shed so they can shine brightly next Christmas.
Let Marilyn Zehr (mbrownzehr@gmail.com) if that would be you.
Beyond our Church Community
Elephant at the Border: A Peace Church Response to Annexation
Sunday, June 1 and June 8 (7 – 8:30 p.m.) | Online
Amidst political discord and talks of annexation across the Canada-US border, what is the call of followers of Jesus to respond? MCC is hosting four webinars that will explore the power and possibility of nonviolence in light of U.S. aggression. Join a series of online workshops with guest speakers and small group discussion. Attend one or attend them all. This event is free. To learn more, visit mcc.org/peace-church-response.
Tuesday June 3rd 2 – 3 p.m. or Wednesday, June 4 from 7 – 8 p.m, Online
Introduction to Pow Wows webinar
All nations are welcome to celebrate and enjoy the beautiful and powerful experience of pow wows from music, dance, regalia, food, culture and ceremony. Often non-Indigenous people might feel a bit shy about going alone for the first time or doing the wrong thing, but MCC Ontario’s Indigenous Neighbours team is here to help make this a little easier. Register for one of two webinars at mcc.org/events. This event is free.
Interfaith Counselling Centre (ICC) has two main fundraising events coming up:
- Wednesday June 4th – 6-10 p.m. Spring Gala at Puddicombe House in New Hamburg. There will be a formal dinner and live music by the W-O Jazz Band and Stage Band. Tickets are $140 and can be purchased by calling 519-662-3092
- 37th Annual Silent Auction goes online from June 1st to June 14th If you would like to donate items or have any questions please call 519-662-3092.
Tuesday June 10th 5 – 7 pm Hidden Acres is hosting the 58th Annual Chicken BBQ & 17th Annual Pie Auction Fundraiser. Come and enjoy our delicious chicken dinner that thousands of people have come to know and love. Along with the chicken, your meal includes potato salad, coleslaw, veggies, pickles, a fresh roll, chips and an apple or fresh baked apple fritter. $21 – 1 Piece Meal / $25 – 2 Piece Meal. Pie Auction will happen during the meal. Please visit hiddenacres.ca for more details and to order your tickets. Tickets need to be purchased in advance.
Saturday June 14th 9 a.m. -1 p.m. Strawberry Thanksgiving and Communion at
Rockway Mennonite Collegiate, Kitchener. You’re warmly invited to Strawberry Thanksgiving and Communion on Saturday, June 14, 2025. This year’s event will seek to build on the momentum of last year’s conversation about the Spiritual Covenant, which is a way to acknowledge Indigenous jurisdiction over lands through an annual token lease payment. $25 is recommended to help cover the cost of lunch.
Visit mcc.org/strawberry-thanksgiving to learn more.
Save the Date! Tuesday June 17th 6 – 8 p.m., Tri-County Mennonite Homes is having its Annual General Meeting in the Nithview Community Auditorium (New Hamburg). For more information, please contact Bruce Bechtel (bbechtel@tcmhomes.com; 519-801-0470) or Emily Shannon (eshannon@tcmhomes.com; 519-662-2718).
The May edition of On the Level is now available from Mennonite Disaster Service.
In this edition, you’ll read how a father and son’s personal journeys intertwined with MDS’ growth in Canada — plus more! Read On the Level: https://conta.cc/4352YtY
The New Hamburg Thrift Centre is currently seeking enthusiastic volunteers to support various areas of their work. For more details, please refer to the volunteer needs poster on the main bulletin board. If you have any questions or need additional information, call 519-662-2867 or email emmanorris@mcco.ca.
Registration is now open for Gathering 2025 – Mennonite Church Canada taking place from July 2-5, 2025 in Kitchener/Waterloo. Don’t miss this incredible experience of our nationwide faith community together in worship, building relationships, discerning our next steps and taking care of business. This Gathering is shaping up to be an incredible experience with three unique avenues for engagement – Congregational Gathering, Youth Gathering, U30 Young Adult Gathering. Early bird registration until June 5. East Zorra can send three congregational representatives. If you would like to be one of them, please talk to Pastor Ray.
A Compassionate Response in the Middle East and Ukraine
Thursday July 3rd 1 pm – 2:30 p.m., Community Room at 50 Kent, Kitchener and Online
Hear powerful stories of how MCC and its local partners are responding to the needs of communities in Ukraine, Palestine, Israel and other regions affected by conflict. You’ll also hear heartfelt stories of individuals whose families have been assisted by MCC’s work, along with a quick update on local Ontario programs. Join in person or online at facebook.com/MCCOntario/. Visit here to learn more.