East Zorra Mennonite Church
Volume 69 Sunday May 17, 2026 No. 20
Prelude/Accompanist: Katie Wagler Song Leader: Caleb Leis
Greeters: Gloria & Tom Roth Worship Leader: Dylan Yantzi
Audio/Visual: Todd Bender/Brian Wagler Coffeetime: Janet & Marv Yantzi
Prelude
Welcome & Announcements
Call to Worship
Opening Prayer
Songs of Gathering & Praise
VT #4 “Christ is Our Cornerstone”
VT #91 “We Praise Thee, O God”
Offering – Leadership
Time with the Children
Scripture Reading: Acts 8: 26-40
Message “Going with the Flow as God leads”Fanosie Legesse
Song of Response
VT #738 “Open my Eyes That I May See”
Meheret Sharing Fanosie Legesse
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
Prayer of the Church Pastor Mike
Sending Song
VT #747 We Plow the Fields and Scatter
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.
There are no Sunday School classes this morning.
Everyone is invited to stay for a potluck lunch. Fanosie Legesse, our guest speaker, and his wife Dianne will be joining us. Please bring enough food for your family plus a little extra to share.
This Coming Week
Monday May 18th
- 7 p.m. Walking Club – bring your family to celebrate the long weekend and enjoy nature at the Mike Schout Wetlands Preserve, 28 Smith Creek’s Drive New Hamburg. This is a beautiful 1.6km raised boardwalk trail that spans multiple wetland ponds. You can walk the loop as often as you want! Parking lot available off Smith Creek’s drive.
Tuesday May 19th
- 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. Prayer Shawl Ministry at Jean MacDonald’s
Wednesday May 20th
- 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Coffee & Bible Study
- Play Group setup
Thursday May 21st
- 9:30 – 11 a.m. E Z Play Group
Friday May 22nd
- 7 p.m. MYF
Saturday May 23rd
- 1:30 – 5:30 p.m. Private Party
Next Sunday – May 24, 2026
Guest Speaker – Anthony Siegrist MCEC
Prelude/Accompanist: Worship Band Song Leader: Lindsay Schlegel
Greeters: Kristen & Daryl Cressman Worship Leader: Pastor Ray
Audio/Visual: Drystan Bender/Larry Kropf Offering: Local Ministries
Coffeetime: Carol & Owen Cook Message: Anthony Siegrist
8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Faith Formation Class will meet in the MYF room.
We will have a communion during the worship service.
EZMC provides the afternoon worship services at peopleCare and the Maples
EZMC Announcements
April 2026 Donations Received Summary
Offering Schedule – $34,650
On Sunday May 24 Anthony Siegrist, Executive Minister of our Regional Church, Mennonite Church Eastern Canada (MCEC), will be joining us for worship and the Sunday school hour. During the Sunday School hour we will have the chance to ask questions about the ministry and objectives of MCEC and how we at East Zorra partner in the ministry. Brendan will be moderating the Sunday school hour with Anthony. If you have questions you’d like to ask, please forward them to Brendan (b_leis@hotmail.com or 519 505 5016).
On Sunday May 24th EZMC will provide the Sunday Afternoon Services at The Maples and peopleCare. It’s a two hour commitment at the very most. The half hour service involves reading scripture, a poem or short story, and singing followed by saying hello to the residents. The first service begins at 1:30 p.m. and all is done by 3:30 p.m. at the latest. Please reach out to Pastor Ray if you would like to participate.
Donut Project
There are still a few ways to support the Relief Sale donut project!
Consider helping out in one of the following ways:
– sharing plastic 500ml containers (will be reused then recycled) – box under mailboxes
– lending mixing bowls – larger than fix’n mix size is best – label and leave in church kitchen before May 29
– kneading in the donut tent 3-5am – sign up sheet on bulletin board
– post-sale clean up at church – sign up sheet on bulletin board
– set up (Friday morning) and/or tear down at the donut tent (Saturday afternoon) – contact Bill Roth kilbride@rogers.com
Thank you to the many that have already signed up to help. We appreciate you!!
Any questions contact Greg and Dawn gdzehr@gmail.com
Lace up your walking or running shoes and join the East Zorra Mennonite Church team for this year’s Run for Relief on Saturday, May 30 at 8:00 a.m. Whether you want to walk or run, there are 2 km and 5 km route options available — a great opportunity to get active, connect with others, and support MCC.
Join or sponsor the East Zorra team click the link or look for our team name: EZ Stride Collective Run for Relief Team Page
If you have any questions, please speak with Megan MacDonald or Bethany Zehr.
It is soon time to renew our subscriptions to Rejoice Magazine and Salt & Light.
A brief description is below for those who are not familiar with these publications. If you are not on the subscription lists for either or both and would like to be OR if you no longer want to receive these, please contact Lisa at 519-655-6824 or email office@ezmennonite.ca by Tuesday May 26th.
- Rejoice Magazine – Nurture your soul through the quarterly devotional magazine, Rejoice!Each day’s entry features a Bible reading, a short inspirational message, and a prayer of response.
- Salt & Light Guide – A quarterly Bible study for Sunday school classes and Bible study groups.
- Please note that there is no cost to you for either of these publications.
The Hidden Acres Chicken BBQ and Pie Auctionwill be taking place on June 9th. EZMC has been asked to provide 10 pies. If this is something you could do, please sign the sheet on the bulletin board or contact any member of the Mission Committee.
Wednesday June 10th – Our church has a day booked to volunteer at the MCC meat cannery in New Hamburg. Approximately 700kg of chicken will be canned that day and we are looking for help! Sign up on the bulletin board for the morning (9-12) or afternoon (12:30-3:30), we can have up to 15 people per shift. Any questions please speak to Dylan Yantzi.
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.
VBS Rainforest Falls 2026
Registration will close on June 1st. Please use the link found on our church website to get your children registered.
All Volunteers – please mark your calendars for VBS orientation night on June 8 @ 8pm. Please make it a priority to attend this brief but important information night- thank you!
Beyond Our Church Community
Wednesday May 20th 1 p.m. Transforming Long-term Care for Well-being – Attend this discussion-based presentation at Conrad Grebel University College with architect Rudy P. Friesen, who will offer perspective from his career working with communities and organizations to transform long-term care through ethical design. All are welcome. Visit grebel.ca/events
Thursday May 21st 7:30 p.m. Menno Singers and the Mennonite Mass Choir, conducted by Artistic Director Brandon Leis, presents Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace and Johannes Brahms’ Schicksalslied (Song of Destiny) at Centre in the Square (Kitchener) with Orchestra. Tickets available through Centre in the Square (https://centreinthesquare.com/event/)
New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale 2026 – Friday May 29th & Saturday May 30th
This year, the New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale proudly celebrates 60 years of coming together in faith, generosity, and community. Since 1967, this annual tradition has raised more than $15 million for Mennonite Central Committee, bringing hope, relief, and opportunity to communities around the world.
- Start collecting your loose change. Every year, spare change collected by churches, children and families across North America adds up to more than $600,000 for MCC’s work at home and around the world! Coins collected at the New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale are designated “where needed most” for the work of MCC, putting your change to work right away!
- Saturday May 30th Lace up for the Run for Relief. Register today for the Run for Relief – a 2k or 5k fun run at the fairgrounds. Raise funds for MCC and enjoy a morning run along the Nith River before you take in the rest of the sale. Sign up today. Entry is free but fundraising is encouraged. Top fundraisers will win a prize, so get started today!
- Saturday May 30th If you have the gift of music and would like to share it with others for a good cause, we want to hear from you! The New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale is seeking musicians to enhance the ambience of the sale as patrons take in the atmosphere at this popular event. This opportunity is for 30-minute time slots between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 30. Please contact Lorieyantzi@outlook.com if you’re interested in this volunteer opportunity.
Tuesday June 9th 5-7 p.m. Hidden Acres is hosting our 59th Annual Chicken BBQ & 18th 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.
$22 – 1 Piece Meal / $27 – 2 Piece Meal
Pie Auction will happen during the meal.
Please visit www.hiddenacres.ca for more details and to order your tickets.
Tickets need to be purchased in advance.
Thrift Volunteers Needed! Do you have a heart for service and a few hours to spare each week? MCC Thrift & Gift in Elmira and the MCC New Hamburg Thrift Centre are seeking volunteers to greet donors, receive and sort donations, and perform other roles. Join a community rooted in service and love. Visit mccthrift.com/volunteer to get in touch with us today!
Come to Hidden Acres Summer Camp!
Are you looking for a fun, safe summer camp experience? Hidden Acres’ camp provides great opportunities to connect with God, each other and nature. Campers get to enjoy swimming, canoeing, archery, nature exploration, rock climbing, low ropes, camp-outs, sports, group games and more, all in the company of peers and our fun and supportive staff team. Check out www.hiddenacres.ca for our dates & rates. Contact our Program Director, Josh Penfold at josh@hiddenacres.ca for more information. See you for summer 2026!
After the excitement of our 80th Anniversary Barn event last September, we are planning another one! This time, at the Tapestry Hall in Cambridge. Join us on Friday, September 25 for Rockway’s BIG Night Out. For more information and to get your Early Bird ticket, visit rockway.ca/events.