East Zorra Mennonite Church
Volume 68 Sunday June 22, 2025 No. 25
Baptism Sunday
Prelude/Accompanist: Worship Band Song Leader: Lindsay Zehr
Greeters: Hannah & Dylan Yantzi Worship Leader: Pastors Ray & Mike
Audio/Visual: Dathan Bender/Brian Wagler Offering: Relief/MCC
Coffee: Kristen & Daryl Cressman
Prelude “Goodness of God”
“The River”
“Cornerstone”
“Come Just As You Are”
Welcome & Announcements
Call to Worship & Opening Prayer
Songs of Praise VT #49 “All Who Are Thirsty”
“Today”
Offering – Relief/MCC
Offertory “Made For More”
Prayer of the Church
Time with the Children
Scripture Readings: Romans 6:3-11; Mark 1:9-11 Ashley Witzel and Hannah Yantzi
Celebration of Baptism: Avery Brenneman,Kaelynn Schlegel, Katelynn Cressman, Troy Wagler, Leah Ruby, Logan Rempel, Kyra Kropf, Fayth Bender, Michelle Shartun
Sharing of Faith Stories
Affirmation of Baptismal Vows
Congregational Prayer for those being Baptized
Song: VT 453 “As I Went Down To The River To Pray”
(During this song those being baptized will move outside. Following the song,
we invite the congregation to move outside to the Baptism tank.)
Act of Baptism
Prayer of Blessing
Benediction “Praise God From Whom”
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.
A reminder that there are no Sunday School classes today. They will resume in the Fall.
12:30 p.m. Private Party in the greenspace.
This Coming Week
Tuesday June 24th
- 7:30 p.m. Holy Movement Stretch and Strength – the first in our summer series! Bring an exercise mat / towel, water bottle, and light weights if you desire to incorporate. New participants welcome! See announcement for Holy Movement & Walking Club Summer Series for further details.
Wednesday June 25th
- 7 p.m. Adult Fellowship Strawberry Social. Bill and Susan Schmitz will be sharing about their trip to Greece.
Thursday June 26th
- 9:30 – 11 a.m. E Z Play Group
Next Sunday – June 29, 2025
EZMC will host the first in our shared summer worship services with Cassel and Tavistock Mennonite churches.
Prelude/Accompanist: Brandy Sell Song Leader: Caleb Leis
Greeter: Jan Ropp Worship Leader: Pastor Ray
Audio/Visual: Todd Bender/Larry Kropf Offering: Local Ministries
Coffee: Shirley & Phil Ruby Message: Harold Schlegel
12 p.m. Private Party in the greenspace
EZMC Announcements
Nathan and Amy Yantzi invite you to their dairy barn open house on July 5th from 10 am – 4 pm. Join us for a fun day on the farm, kids activities, robotic dairy barn tour, and lunch provided at 12:00 pm. Located at 2144 Line 29, Tavistock.
VBS 2025
Please join us this week in praying for our church community:
God let our church be a great influence in our community through our VBS. We want your perfect love to be at the foundation of our community, and we pray that we spread your love. Let our doors be open and our hearts welcoming to all kids and their families. Let your goodness shine through us. Amen
Grandparent Gang
Calling all grandparents!
We need your help at VBS July 7-11.
Bring your lawn chair and sit under the shade of 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 Naomi Witzel as soon as possible for more details.
naomiwitzel8@gmail.com or ashleywitzel@gmail.com
The Visual & Decorating Committee is looking for help from the congregation with our True North VBS decorations this year. We’re in need of 20 undecorated Christmas trees and one small 1-2 person tent. Please sign the sheet hanging on the bulletin board to let us know how you can help. We’d appreciate if you could bring your Christmas tree(s)/small tent to church on Thursday July 3 between 7-9 pm.
We’re also hoping some people can help us set up the Christmas tree(s) that night too (even if it’s just your own).
If you have any questions, please reach out to Judy Mogk 519-503-6234, Marianne Witzel 519-508-1345 or Kristi Marriott 519-575-6077. Thank you in advance!
Holy Movement & Walking Club Summer Series!
Holy Movement
- 4 classes will be offered on the following dates, re-using the classes from the spring session – June 24, July 22, Aug 5, Aug 19. All 7:30 – 8:30pm.
Walking Club
- Bi-weekly starting June 30 7pm. Will keep with Monday evenings at 7pm for now. Watch bulletin for location details.
In September, we are anticipating we’ll continue with a bi-weekly schedule of both Holy Movement & Walking Club, on alternate weeks.
Thank you for your interest, participation and encouragement! Contact Tracey (tracey.kropf@gmail.com) if you have feedback and/or questions.
Upcoming Summer Services:
Sunday June 29
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 6
EZMC Outdoor Service and Potluck at Queen’s Park Pavillion. More details will follow in the coming weeks.
Sunday August 3
Shared Worship service hosted at Tavistock Mennonite Church.
Sunday August 10
Tavistock and Area Ecumenical Worship Service in Queen’s Park.
Sunday August 31
Shared Worship Service hosted at Cassel Mennonite Church.
Beyond our Church Community
Remember the thousands across Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta that have been forced to flee their homes and communities, not knowing when or what they will return to. MDS volunteers have been welcoming wildfire evacuees to Winnipeg at a Canadian Red Cross reception centre, round-the-clock since late May. We’re on the ground because of the compassion of volunteers and donors like you — offering beds, food and essential hygiene items to wildfire evacuees.
If you would like to give a gift to the MDS General Fund or Manitoba Wildfires Response please see the giving options at mds.org/donate-canada/ or make a credit card donation by telephone at 1 (866) 261-1274. Your compassion makes a world of difference, and we are grateful to partner with caring people like you!
Registration is 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.
Thursday July 3rd 1 pm – 2:30 p.m., A Compassionate Response in the Middle East and Ukraine in the 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.
Silver Lake Mennonite Camp (slmc.ca)
Summer Camp: Registration is ongoing for overnight camps and day camps! Visit slmc.ca/summer-camp to have a look at the 2025 schedule and program descriptions. Please spread the word and help us fill Sports Camp, CILT 1B and the Bronze Cross/Medallion Lifesaving Course!
Men’s Retreat (Sep 12-14): Registration is open for the fall Men’s Retreat. Join us for a time of rest, amazing food and connection. David Lobe is returning as chef/sommelier and Mike Schmidt will lead some thought-provoking reflections. Special discount for those under 30 or underemployed. Click here for more details… slmc.ca/retreats
Hiring this Fall: SLMC is seeking our next 2 Assistant Directors to support all seasons of camp life (outdoor ed, retreats, summer camp). Find the job description at slmc.ca/staff for these FT Sept-Aug positions. Share widely with gifted, responsible, passionate individuals, who can apply by July 15.