East Zorra Mennonite Church
Volume 69 Sunday May 24, 2026 No. 21
Prelude/Accompanist: Worship Band Song Leader: Lindsay Zehr
Greeters: Kristen & Daryl Cressman Worship Leader: Pastor Ray
Audio/Visual: Drystan Bender/Larry Kropf Coffeetime: Carol & Owen Cook
Prelude
“Because of Your Love”
“Awake My Soul”
“You Are my King”
VT #393 “Build Your Kingdom Here”
Welcome & Announcements
Call to Worship
Opening Prayer
Songs of Gathering & Praise
“Hosanna” (Praise Is Rising)
“How Great Is Our God”
Offering – Local Ministries
Offertory – “Holy is the Lord”
Time with the Children – Alexis Leis
Scripture Reading: Acts 2:1-21
Message “In those days I will pour out my Spirit.”
Anthony Siegrist, Executive Minister for Mennonite Church Eastern Canada (MCEC)
Song of Response
VT ##369 “There’s Nothing Worth More”
Communion Service
Sending Song
“Be the Centre”
Benediction
Today
Today, Executive Minister of our Regional Church, Mennonite Church Eastern Canada (MCEC), will be joining us for worship and the Sunday school hour.
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.
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 Siegrist. If you have questions you’d like to ask, please forward them to Brendan (b_leis@hotmail.com or 519 505 5016).
EZMC will provide the afternoon worship services at peopleCare (1:30 pm) and the Maples (2:30 pm)
This Coming Week
Tuesday May 26th
- 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. Holy Movement – Do your fitness routines need some spring renewal? It’s not too late to join! Bring an exercise mat, water bottle, and light weights (there are a few extras at the church if you don’t have any).
Wednesday May 27th
- 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Coffee & Bible Study
- Play Group setup
Thursday May 28th
- 9:30 – 11 a.m. E Z Play Group
- 6 p.m. Big Read
Friday May 29th
- JWalkers (Jr Youth Gr 6-8) at the Relief Sale
- MYF at Relief Sale
Next Sunday – May 31, 2026
The Fire and the Cloud: Finding Jesus in the Journey of the Old Testament
The Bread of Exile: Lam. 3:19-33 (The Exile)
Prelude/Accompanist: Laurie Yantzi Song Leader: Myron Ruby
Greeter: Dawn Bender Worship Leader: Kim Leis
Audio/Visual: Dathan Bender/Brian Wagler Offering: Leadership
Coffeetime: Kristen & Daryl Cressman Message: Pastor Mike
8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Faith Formation Class will meet in the MYF room.
EZMC Announcements
Today, 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.
Authored by the Word Wrap-Up Gathering
Tuesday, June 2 6:30–8:00 pm
Join us for an evening of reflection as we conclude our study together.
We will spend time looking back on the course and will hear some final thoughts from Pastor Mike as we look ahead to what the Lord is calling us toward next.
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.
Upcoming Summer Services:
Sunday June 7 We will join Meheret Evangelical Church in Kitchener.
456 Krug Street, Kitchener, ON N2B 1L1
Start time is 10 AM
Following the service there will be a fellowship time. Coffee, tea and Ethiopian bread will be served.
Please note that there is no worship service here at EZMC.
Sunday June 14 During Worship there will be a CENT Volunteer Appreciation. The Sunday School Year End Celebration will follow with lunch.
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).
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!
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.
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.
Beyond Our Church Community
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.
- 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.
The May edition of On the Level is now available from Mennonite Disaster Service.
In this edition, you’ll read about two friends, Andrew and Will, from Winnipeg, Manitoba who spent a week serving with MDS in Puerto Rico. “It was a great way to learn about another part of the world, meet other people, and really help someone,” said Andrew. You’ll also discover a Q&A with three Canadian couples who served for a month in Hawai’i. Read On the Level: https://conta.cc/43f2xwi
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.
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!