East Zorra Mennonite Church
Volume 69 Sunday June 14, 2026 No. 24
Prelude/Accompanist: Bethany Zehr Song Leader: Susan Schmitz
Greeter: Dawn Bender Audio/Visual: Todd Bender/Brian Wagler
Worship Leader: Alexis Leis Coffeetime: Megan MacDonald & Russ Schumm
Prelude
Welcome & Announcements
Call to Worship
Opening Prayer
Songs of Gathering & Praise
VT #7 “Come, Let Us All Unite to Sing”
VT #37 “Be Still and Know”
Offering – Leadership
Time with the Children Alexis Leis
Scripture Reading: Ruth 2:8-13, 4:13-17
Message Pastor Ray
Song of Response
VT #527 “Bless the Arms That Comfort”
CENT Volunteer Appreciation Dawn Bender & Caleb Leis (CENT Lay Ministers)
Grade 8 Grad Recognition JCET
Sharing & Prayer of the Church Pastor Mike
Sending Song
VT #700 “O God of Blessings”
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.
11 a.m. 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.
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.
12 p.m. 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!
Please bring your lawn chairs and water bottles.
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!
This Coming Week
Monday June 15
- 7 p.m. Join us for Walking Club! We will walk a couple laps around the “race-track” at the New Hamburg Fair Grounds. Meet at the parking lot off Jacob Street near the ball diamonds. Everyone is welcome.
Tuesday June 16th
- 6 p.m. Church Ministry Council Meeting
Wednesday June 17th
- 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Coffee & Bible Study
- Play Group setup
- 7:30 p.m. Women’s Bible Study and campfire in the green space
Thursday June 18th
- 9:30 – 11 a.m. E Z Play Group
Friday June 19th
- 7-9 Junior Youth Year End Celebration at Dustin & Erin Yantzi’s. Outdoor Games and Campfire. We hope to see you there.
- MYF Year End Campfire and Outdoor Games
Next Sunday – June 21, 2026
Baptism Sunday
Prelude/Accompanist: Glorify Song Leader: Glorify
Worship Leader: Pastor Ray & Pastor Mike Greeters: Marilyn & Bob Zehr
Audio/Visual: Greg Pye/Kristen Cressman Offering: Relief/MCC
Coffeetime: Shirley & Phil Ruby
We invite your prayers for those being baptized next Sunday
EZMC Announcements
May 2026 Donations Received Summary
Offering Schedule – $41, 791
Saturday June 20th 2-4 p.m. You are invited to an 80th Birthday Party Open House for Sherman Roth at Oxford Haus (65 Oxford St. Stratford). Best Wishes only.
If any Members of the Church would be interested in providing weekly custodial services for our church building, please reach out to Brett Zehr (519-272-3518) before June 17th. This is a paid position, approximately 10-14 hours a week, and would require some flexibility with hours.
Alternatively, we would also consider someone to assist a contract custodial service by providing “touch up” cleaning throughout the week (estimated 3-5 hours). Thank you for your consideration – Trustees
Holy Movement & Walking Club summer series! Summer comes with vacation time for many & lots of opportunities to be active. This is all good, keep moving! For those interested in Holy Movement and Walking Club over the summer, details and dates are provided below. Mark it in your calendar and join when you can! New participants always welcome!
Holy Movement – 7:30-8:30 – Thurs June 25; Tues July 14 & 28; Tues Aug 4 & 18
Walking Club – meet at 7pm – will continue on our bi-weekly Monday schedule – June 15, 29; July 13 & 27; Aug 10 & 24
Upcoming Summer Services:
Sunday June 21 Baptism Sunday.
Sunday June 28 We will be welcoming Cassel Mennonite and Tavistock Mennonite at East Zorra as we meet for the first of our shared Worship services on holidays weekend this summer.
Sunday July 5 EZMC Worship Service in Queen’s Park.
Sunday August 2 Shared Worship service hosted at Tavistock Mennonite Church.
Sunday August 9 Tavistock & Area Ecumenical Worship Service in Queen’s Park.
Sunday Sept 6 Shared Worship Service hosted at Cassel Mennonite Church.
Upcoming Adult Fellowship Events – Save the Dates
Tuesday June 23rd 7 p.m. Strawberry Socialwith guest speaker Beth Hovius who will share her experience in Uganda on an MCC Learning Tour.
Tuesday August 27th Gunn’s Hill Cheese tour and lunch at Sunrise Pho Binh Thanh Ben Thah in Woodstock (more details to follow in July).
Please note that the 2026 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 receive one. If you have any questions please contact one of the Christian Education Lay Ministers – Dawn Bender or Caleb Leis.
Student Aid Applications:
Students, are you considering a Christian school for your education for the next school year? (e.g. Rockway Mennonite Collegiate, Canadian Mennonite University, Conrad Grebel University College, Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary). East Zorra is committed to supporting individuals who consider Christian nurture and leadership development to be part of their education. Student aid applications are due June 30th for the 2026/2027 school year (Sept 2026 – Aug 2027). If you are interested in applying or would like to know more, you will find the Student Aid policy and application under the church mailboxes or contact Lisa at office@ezmennonite.ca who can email the application to you. You can direct the completed applications and any questions to Finance and Facility Chair Brendan Leis at b_leis@hotmail.com.
Community Campfires at East Zorra Mennonite
6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Green Space on June 24, July 22, August 5 & 19, September 2.
Everyone of all ages is invited to bring a lawn chair, a snack, and a refreshment to drink and join us this Summer in our Green Space around the campfire for a time of fellowship, conversation, and fun. There will be no set agenda and children will be free to use the equipment and play. Alexis will plan to provide a few organized events for the children for about 30 minutes.
We look forward to enjoying each other’s company.
As VBS is approaching, we are looking for some grade 6-8 volunteers that will be at VBS who are willing to come up to the front and lead the actions during our worship time. Their role will be to learn the actions to the songs and look happy and engaged while leading at the front of the church. We are planning to have one practice sometime mid June and you will get access to the videos beforehand. The videos with actions will be playing during the worship time so they will not need to be memorized, you will just need to be familiar with them. If you are interested or have any questions please contact Alexis Leis at 226-581-5661 or alexisezmennonite@gmail.com
If anyone has a white twin-sized bed sheet that they don’t need anymore and are willing to donate, (it will be cut up and used for a demonstration in one of the main sessions), talk to Alexis.
VBS Rainforest Falls 2026
Calling all Grandparents!
We need your help at VBS July 6 -10. Bring your lawn chair and sit under a tree in our green space. Kids may come visit you to take a rest in the shade on a blanket, to take a break from the busyness and fun activities, when they need a friend to sit quietly with, or maybe they need a Band-Aid.
This was a favourite spot for many and gives a glimpse into our fun activities at VBS! Come for one day or all five, whatever suits your schedule. If you think you might be interested in helping in this role, please contact Ashley Witzel or Chelsea Sider.
Beyond Our Church Community
Volunteers Needed at MCC Thrift
Impact your community, support MCC and join a fun team as a volunteer at MCC Thrift, where every purchase is a gift to the world. The MCC New Hamburg Thrift Centre has an urgent need for volunteers. Join a community rooted in service and love. Visit here to get in touch with us and find a role that suits your abilities and interests!
Join the MCC team! We are excited to announce new opportunities to join our team and make a meaningful impact in communities across Ontario. If you are passionate about community engagement, collaboration and fostering belonging, we invite you to apply.
Indigenous Neighbours Engagement Associate (Full time, contract) – Kitchener
For full job descriptions and to apply, visit mcc.org/serve.
Get your Early Bird tickets for Rockway’s BIG Night Out before we change the price on June 15! Join us Friday, September 25 at the Tapestry Hall in Cambridge. For more information and to get your tickets, visit rockway.ca/events.
Tuesday June 23rd 12 – 1 p.m., Lunch and Listen: MCC in Asia @ 50 Kent Ave., Kitchener. Bring your own lunch and hear about MCC’s work in Southeastern and Northeastern Asia. We’ll hear about MCC’s work of relief, development and peace in this region of the world, with a special update on MCC’s work in Myanmar. Special guests Arthur and Phyllis Mann are MCC Area Directors for Southeast and Northeast Asia and are based in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Attend in person at the MCC office or live on our Facebook page. Learn more here.
Tuesday June 23rd 7 p.m. Project Ploughshares 50th Anniversary exhibit launch at Grebel Gallery. Meet some of the people and archival materials behind Project Ploughshares’ peace and disarmament efforts over the last 50 years. Light refreshments provided. uwaterloo.ca/centre-peace-advancement/grebel-gallery
The Art of Lied & Mélodie – Free Admission to Masterclasses and Concerts (St Andrews Presbyterian, Kitchener). This Festival/Workshop, organized by Bass-Baritone Daniel Lichti, brings together pianists and singers to explore the best of Lied. Afternoon Masterclasses (July 23,24,27,28,30, 2-5pm) and Evening Concerts (July 25, July 31, Aug 1, 7pm). Attendees are invited to contribute to the Douglas Hass Music Ministry Enhancement Endowment Fund. https://theartoflied.com/
Bucket of Thanks – Save the Date
Saturday August 29th 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the MCC Hub in New Hamburg.
From the MCC Hub, thousands of kits and cans of meat are shipped worldwide to people in need. At Bucket of Thanks, it’s your turn to roll up your sleeves and pack a kit that will be shipped overseas. In addition, you can sample and purchase canned meat and enjoy family-friendly activities like face painting and a bouncy castle. Gather some friends and participate in a competitive Soap Structure Contest. Learn more here.