Please note that the Live Nativity Costume Fitting Day has been moved to Saturday November 23rd.
East Zorra Mennonite Church
Volume 67 Sunday November 17, 2024 No. 46
Sunday November 17, 2024
The Gospel is about the God who overcomes death
Prelude/Accompanist: Katie Wagler Song Leader: Caleb Leis
Greeters: Gwen & Dan Matthews Worship Leader: Pastor Ray
Audio/Visual: Drystan Bender/Larry Kropf Offering: Leadership
Coffee Hosts: Brett Zehr & Ryan Wagler Message: Pastor Mike
Prelude
Welcome & Announcements
Call to Worship & Opening Prayer
Songs of Gathering & Praise VT #129 “O Worship Our God”
VT #398 “Thy Word Is a Lamp”
Offering – Leadership
Sharing & Prayer of the Church
Time with the Children – Kristen Cressman
Scripture Reading: John 11:17-44
Message – Pastor Mike
Song of Response VT #517 “Children of the Heavenly Father”
Time of Remembering
Sending Song VT #718 “Gentle Shepherd, Come and Lead Us”
Benediction
Postlude
Service of Remembering
During our worship service this Sunday, we will take time to remember those who have died this past year by naming their names and lighting a candle in memory of them. As in previous years we plan to name our congregational members, along with other close family members (siblings, parents, children) of our congregational members.
If you have experienced another significant loss through death this year and wish to have that person named in our service, please contact Pastor Ray before Sunday morning.
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 children and youth. Adults are invited to conversation during coffee time.
12 p.m. Private Party
This Coming Week
Tuesday November 19th
- 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. Prayer Shawl at Jean MacDonald’s (182 Rudy Ave, Tavistock). Anyone interested in joining us for knit and chat is always welcome.
Wednesday November 20th
- 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Coffee and Bible Study
- E Z Play Group setup
- 6 p.m. SCRC Meeting
- 7 p.m. Gift Discernment Committee Meeting
Thursday November 21st
- 9:30 – 11 a.m. E Z Play Group
- 7 – 9 p.m. Games night – Come for an informal night of games or puzzles in the church basement. Bring along games or puzzles to enjoy with people of all ages.
- 7:30 p.m. Finance & Facility Meeting
Friday November 22nd
- MYF – Girls Night/Guys Night
Saturday November 23rd
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Live Nativity Costume Fitting Day
- 1 p.m. Live Nativity Set Building
Next Sunday – November 24, 2024
Prelude/Accompanist: Bethany Zehr Song Leader: Myron Ruby
Greeters: Dawn & Greg Zehr Worship Leader: Tracey Kropf
Audio/Visual: Dathan Bender/Brian Wagler Offering: Local Ministries
Coffee Hosts: Kristen & Daryl Cressman Message: Phil Wagler
12:30 p.m. Private Party
EZMC Announcements
Saturday December 7th 5-8 p.m. Live Nativity (Weather date Sunday December 8)
Thanks to everyone who has volunteered to help make this event happen!
There is still time to get involved so please contact Sheryl or Kim directly if you are interested. Please note the following important dates:
Saturday November 23rd Please note New Date for costume fitting
- 10 am – 4 pm Costume Day. Please stop by the church during this time to get fitted for your costume. Please come with your winter gear so that costumes can be fitted properly! This includes coats, snowpants, mitts, boots, hats – just in case it gets cold
- 1 p.m. Set Building. Please contact Joe Wagler if you can help with this.
Saturday November 30th
- 8 a.m. Sets will be put in place. Please contact Joe Wagler if you can help with this.
Sunday December 1
- 12:00-12:30 pm Walk Through – We will do a quick walk through of the set for all characters and guides who can attend
Saturday December 14th
- 8 a.m. Sets will be removed and put away. Please contact Joe Wagler if you can help with this.
Please also promote this event with others so that we can share the Christmas story with many!
Thursday November 28th 6 p.m. Adult Fellowship Christmas Dinner followed with a Christmas Concert by Menno Valley Sound. Tickets are $45 and are available during coffeetime or from committee members Shirley & Phil Ruby, Laurel & Ray Zehr or Carol & Owen Cook. Please be at church and seated before 6 pm so the meal can start promptly at 6. The last day to purchase tickets has been extended to Thursday November 21st.
You are invited to support a local family this Christmas
Tavistock Assistance Program (TAP) is busy preparing for the holiday season and would like to thank those who have reached out to enquire about supporting a family or individual in our community through gift giving this Christmas. If you would like to support this program by purchasing gifts for a family, donating funds for gifts, or volunteering to wrap gifts, we welcome you to reach out to TAP by November 22 at tapisforyou@outlook.com or (519)655-3500.
Beyond our Church Community
Hillcrest Mennonite Church is 60 Years Old! As part of our celebrations and acknowledgement, we have printed a 60 Year Anniversary Book, highlighting some of the events and stories that make up the people who have called Hillcrest home, written by Glenn Zehr. We will have an official book launch on Sunday November 17. Worship begins at 9:45 with a focus on celebrating these 60 years. Some of the 50th Anniversary exhibits will be on display again. The book launch will start at 10:45 AM. Autographed books will be available for $20.00 each. Following our celebrations, all are invited join together for a potluck meal.
If you are unable to join us and would like a copy of the book, contact Marietta at office@hillcrestmc.ca or by phone 519-662-1577.
Sunday November 17th 2 p.m. – Free Concert for Kids Community Event at St. Jacobs Mennonite Church. Musicians of the KW Symphony present Music for Horn and Harp, an introduction to these instruments featuring a selection of classical, popular, and folk songs. Refreshments to follow. For more info contact Pauline at church@sjmc.on.ca
Sunday November 17th 3 p.m. Menno Singers hosts its Annual Messiah Sing-Along with soloists and orchestra. (St Matthews Lutheran Church, 54 Benton St, Kitchener): Bring a score, sit in parts and join your voices to sing (or come and listen). Admittance by donation.
Thursday November 21st – Saturday November 23rd
Villages Festival – Crafted by hand, inspired by purpose
Join us for a special event featuring fair trade treasures and social enterprise products from around the world! Shop unique handcrafted items from Ten Thousand Villages, enjoy delicious Raw Carrot soup, and discover beautiful creations from Niska Artisans. Don’t miss this chance to support artisans globally and locally, all while finding meaningful gifts for the holiday season.
This pop-up sale recreates the beloved Ten Thousand Villages Festival sales—back by popular demand!
High School Students! Are you thinking of attending the University of Waterloo? On Saturday, November 25 from 10-5, attend the UWaterloo Open House and stop by the Conrad Grebel University College residence, right on the UWaterloo campus. Learn about the supportive residence environment that this small and vibrant faith-based community can provide for students studying in any faculty or program at UWaterloo. uwaterloo.ca/grebel/tour
Sunday December 1st 7:30 p.m. You are invited to attend the Area Churches Christmas Choir Concert at Steinmann Mennonite Church (1316 Snyder’s Rd W Baden). There will be a freewill offering in support of Mennonite Central Committee’s Meat Canning Project. Doors open at 7 pm.
Sunday December 8th 7:30 p.m. Menno Singers with Artistic Director Brandon Leis invites you to a service of Lessons and Carols, with choral music for the season, plus readings and congregational singing. (Trillium Lutheran Church, 22 William St, Waterloo): Tickets $25, Child/Student $5 at the door or from choir members.
Tuesday December 10th 12 p.m.Lunch and Listen: An MCC Journey through Uganda, in the Community Room, 50 Kent Ave., Kitchener or online.
Join us for an inspiring presentation as MCC staff Lynda Lynch and Debbie Siertsema share their experiences from a recent learning tour in Uganda, where they explored MCC’s impactful programs across the region. Join us in-person in the Community Room, 50 Kent Ave., Kitchener or watch the livestream on Facebook.
January 25, 2025, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Join us for the Great Winter WarmUp!
at the MCC Material Resources Centre, 65 Heritage Dr, New Hamburg
Get ready to cozy up at the Great Winter WarmUp! We’re inviting you, your friends and your family to the MCC Material Resource Centre for a fun-filled comforter knotting blitz. Together, we’ll create handmade comforters that bring warmth and remind those in need that they are loved and cared for. No experience? No problem! Whether you’re a pro at knotting or trying it for the first time, everyone is welcome. Enjoy some hot beverages, connect with great people and help us spread warmth and comfort this winter. We can’t wait to see you there and share some warmth together! For more info, go to mcc.org/events.
Hidden Acres new “Learning IN Community” Programs –
We believe that people of all abilities have been created to experience community! Our vision for “LINC” is to use its programs as a place of connection and growth for young adults with special needs. If you would like to learn more about our Day Programs or retreats, check our website at https://hiddenacres.ca/programs/linc or email cc@hiddenacres.ca
CMU Discover Weekend – Do you live outside Winnipeg and want to learn more about Canadian Mennonite University? Come to our Discover Weekend on November 28-30. You’ll experience all the excitement of Discover Day, plus two nights in residence and an off-campus excursion to get to know Winnipeg.
Visit cmu.ca/experience for more information and to register.