East Zorra Mennonite Church
Volume 67 Sunday May 12, 2024 No. 19
Sunday May 12, 2024 – Morning Worship – 10 a.m.
10 a.m. Worship Service
Paul & Road to Damascus
Prelude: Brandy Sell Accompanist: Bethany Zehr
Worship Leader: Sheryl Leis Song Leader: Myron Ruby
Greeters: Janice & Marlow Gingerich Offering: MCEC & MC Canada
Audio/Visual: Drystan Bender/Larry Kropf Message: Pastor Mike
Coffee Hosts: Gloria & Tom Roth
Prelude
Welcome & Announcements
Call to Worship & Prayer
Songs of Gathering & Praise
VT #95 “Praise the Lord, Sing Hallelujah”
VT # 163 “Amazing Grace”
Offering – Mennonite Church Eastern Canada & Mennonite Church Canada
Time with the children
Scripture Reading: Acts 9:1-19
Message – Pastor Mike
Songs of Response
VT #544“Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling”
Prayer of the Church
Sending Song
VT #849 “We Your People, Sing Your Praises”
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
Tuesday May 14th
- 7 p.m. Mission Committee Meeting
Wednesday May 15th
- 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Coffee and Bible Study
- Play Group Set up
- 7 p.m. Church Ministry Council Meeting
Thursday May 16th
- 9 a.m. All items for the Sunday May 19th bulletin due to the church office
- 9:30 – 11 a.m. E Z Play Group
- 7 – 9 pm The Congregational Life Committee invites you to an Intergenerational Games night at the church. Everyone is welcome. Bring your favourite games. Feel free to invite a friend or neighbour.
Next Sunday – May 19, 2024
Peter & Cornelius
Prelude: Katie Wagler Accompanist: Katie Wagler
Worship Leader: Marv Yantzi Song Leader: Caleb Leis
Greeters: Tracey & Larry Kropf Offering: Leadership
Audio/Visual: Dathan Bender/Brian Wagler Message: Pastor Ray
Coffee Hosts: Carol & Owen Cook
Extending God’s Love
We extend God’s love as we share with each other both our joys and our struggles.
The family of Edward Schwartzentruber is happy to say that he came home on Friday. He is waiting for a long term care placement. We appreciate your continued prayers during this time of transition. We want to especially thank Ray and Heidi for their hospital visits as well as the prayer shawl ministry for the beautiful shawl Dad received. It has been used on a daily basis all these months and is a constant reminder of the love and support of our East Zorra church family.
We give thanks with Jim and Carol Schumm and their family that Jim was able to return home from the hospital this past Sunday. Jim is doing well at home and continuing to improve each day. Thank you for your prayers.
Bob and Lynda Lichti and their adult children Jordan and Holly are thankful for ongoing prayers for Lynda. Lynda continues to slowly improve. Linda was moved to St. Mary’s Memorial Hospital for further therapy. Prayers are very much appreciated.
Norma is in Stratford hospital. Doctors are making some changes to her medication to help the pain and shortness of breath she is experiencing. She appreciates your continued prayers and support. Roy has noticed some improvement with his breathing and feels like his medication is helping his sinus infection. He appreciates the prayers as well.
Mary Brenneman appreciates your prayers as she undergoes testing for health concerns.
Here is the link for the Memorial Service for Katie Zehr that as held on Friday May 3. Katie Zehr Memorial Service We give thanks for Katie’s life even as we grieve her death.
EZMC Announcements
April 2024 Donations Received Summary
Offering Schedule Designations – $39,805
The Gifts Discernment Committee is extending the May 12th due date to May 19th for your response to their “Born to Serve .. eh? that you received on Saturday, May 4th. Don’t forget the prize for getting your response in at just the right time. Your responses are very much appreciated!
Building Visioning Survey Reminder – Please take time to complete and submit this survey as soon as you can. Thank you for your input!
The relief sale is coming up later this month (Saturday, May 25) and that means volunteer opportunities! Consider supporting the donut project in one of the following ways:
– making mashed potatoes – details and sign up sheet on bulletin board
– mixing in the donut tent (5-9 am) – sign up sheet on bulletin board
– clean up back at church (3ish pm – ?) – sign up sheet on bulletin
– set up at the donut tent (Friday morning) – contact Bill Roth kilbride@rogers.com
– tear down at the donut tent (Saturday afternoon) – contact Bill Roth kilbride@rogers.com
Any questions contact Greg and Dawn gdzehr@gmail.com
You, the very young to mature are invited to participate in Sunday Services at The Maples and peopleCare on June 9! It’s a two hour commitment at the very most. The half hour service involves reading scripture, a poem or short story, singing and or playing an instrument followed by saying hello to the residents. The first service begins at 2 p.m. and all is done by 4 p.m. at the latest. Please reach out to Pastor Ray or Susan Schmitz.
The MYF will be attending the Gospel Coalition Youth Conference on June 7-8 at Redeemer University. We are very excited to have 15 youth signed up. It’s not too late to register if you haven’t already! Please speak to Jared Yantzi or send an email to yantzijared@gmail.com if you would like more details!
A reminder that the 2024 Camp Subsidy Form are due by June 15. Please complete and return to Dawn Zehr either by email (gdzehr@gmail.com) or into her church mailbox. Forms are available in the literature rack beside the main bulletin board or by contacting Lisa Suderman at office@ezmennonite.ca
If you have any questions please contact one of the Christian Education Lay Ministers – Bethany Kropf or Jared Yantzi.
Come one, come all to Hometown Nazareth: Where Jesus was a kid.
Our VBS will run from July 8-12 this year and the registration link is up and running! Please see the church’s website or the Facebook event to register. For volunteers please sign up on the paper sign up in the lobby, contact Naomi or Ashley, or if you are a parent registering your children please check “Yes I can volunteer” on the registration form and we will be in touch with you.
Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp is once again offering two weeks of camp for Low Income single moms and their children (between ages 5 to 12) this summer.
For any single parent families in our congregation that are interested in this opportunity, please contact your pastors or any member of the Care Team. If you are aware of single parents in our community who could benefit from this, please also contact us.
If anyone wishes to offer financial assistance or support of any kind, please contact Maryanne Lebold at Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp.
Beyond our Church Community
Breslau Mennonite Church is searching for a Faith Formation Leader. Please consider this opportunity for service with children, youth and young adults. A job description and more information is available www.breslaumc.ca
Here we grow again!
The Indigenous Neighbours team has a brand new opening for a Niska Artisan Indigenous Social Enterprise Associate. This is a one-year contract based in Timmins. Learn more about the position and apply today at mcc.org/careers.
Friday May 24th & Saturday May 25th Join us at the 58th New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale at the New Hamburg Fairgrounds.
Get ready for a weekend of excitement at the New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale! Join us for a fantastic time filled with fun, food, and the chance to reconnect with old friends while making new ones. Mark your calendars for Friday evening and Saturday as we kick off the festivities! Don’t let this chance slip by to immerse yourself in community spirit and lend your support to MCC. Visit nhmrs.com for all the details. See you there!
Saturday May 25th Run for Relief at 8 am, New Hamburg Fairgrounds
Lace up your shoes and get ready to Run for Relief! Before you join the lines for spring rolls and doughnuts at the New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale, get an early morning 2 km or 5 km fun run in at the Run for Relief. Not a runner? Walkers are also welcome! All participants are invited to gather at the New Hamburg Fairgrounds at 8:00 am. For more info, go to nhmrs.com/run-for-relief.
Registration for Rockway’s 29th Annual Golf Classic closes on May 20. Golfers of all levels are welcome to sign up as a single, a pair or a team and join us on Monday, May 27 at Grey Silo Golf Club. This is our largest Tuition Assistance fundraiser of the year, so why not come out for a day of FUNdraising, food and friends!
All are welcome to support Rockway’s grade 7&8 students as they perform the Arthurian comedy, Camelot and Camelittle! Students are bringing this wonderfully quirky tale of King Arthur to the Rockway stage on May 23 and 24 at 7:30 pm. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: www.rockway.ca/camelot
Thursday June 6th 7 p.m. Kairos Blanket Exercise
Experience history from an Indigenous perspective by participating in a Blanket Exercise at the New Hamburg Community Centre, 251 Jacob Street.
This free event is hosted by the Wilmot Ecumenical Working Group on Indigenous/Settler Relationships in collaboration with the Mennonite Central Committee and with some financial support from Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Hamburg. Donations to help with expenses are appreciated.
Following this interactive exercise participants will have an opportunity to share their thoughts about the experience.
Register at https://bit.ly/WilmotBlanketExercise Please note that this event is intended for people over the age of 14 because of the sensitive nature of the content.
Tuesday June 11th 5 – 7 p.m. Hidden Acres 57th Annual Chicken BBQ & 16th 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 donut.
$20 Small meal (1 piece of chicken) / $24 Regular meal (2 pieces of chicken).
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 15th Mennonite Historical Society of Ontario Annual Meeting & Niagara Russlaender Centenary Tour,. Join the Society for a day tour of sites in the Niagara region to commemorate the centenary of the arrival of Russlaender Mennonite immigrants in Ontario. Visit www.mhso.org and fill out a form to be notified when registration opens.
Interfaith Counselling Centre – 40th Anniversary Celebration – Come join us in celebrating 40 years of instilling hope in our community. In celebration we are hosting a phenomenal unforgettable event — formal attire, delicious food and live musical entertainment, featuring local talent Daniel Lichti, Angelica Appelman, and Mike and Diana Erb. Wednesday June 19th 6 p.m. (dinner starts at 6:30 p.m.) at Puddicombe Banquet Hall (145 Peel Street, New Hamburg, ON)
Ticket price: $140 / person ($80 receiptable)
Lots of gray hair in your faith community? That’s great! Find out why at the annual Spirituality & Aging Seminar on Friday, June 21st (in-person and virtually) at Conrad Grebel University College. Rev. Dr. Mark Roberts presents “From Problems to Possibilities: Faith Communities enabling those in the third third of life to flourish.” This seminar challenges the narratives about elders in communities, churches, and society at large; exploring the role churches can play in empowering older adults. Visit grebel.ca/spirituality for registration information. Professionals, practitioners, and all interested are welcome.
Learning Tour: Travelling Together Through Truth
October 21-25, Timmins, ON
Get ready to be inspired and learn as we embark on an exciting journey of connecting and engaging with First Nations communities, organizations and partners of MCC Ontario’s Indigenous Neighbours program in Timmins. To learn more, conatct Cam McEachern at 705-264-2494, ext. 220 or by email at cammceachern@mcco.ca.
Volunteer with Mennonite Disaster Service in Canada this summer! MDS invites families to volunteer for a week in July at Fraser Lake Camp in Ontario. Adults interested in volunteering solo, or with friends or family are invited to help with a wildfire response in Lytton, B.C. For more information and to sign up, visit mds.org/canadian-opportunities or call Clara at 1-866-261-1274.
The School Kit Challenge
Enter the School Kit Challenge: 24,000 school kits to help 24,000 kids during the month of August. To help you meet this challenge, we’ve got a fun school kit activity resource for Sunday school and VBS students! Sign up to receive our free resource full of activities for kids to learn how school supplies help children around the world receive an education. Learn more at mcc.org/school-kit-challenge.