East Zorra Mennonite Church
Volume 66 Sunday November 19, 2023 No. 47
Sunday November 19, 2023
Sunday Morning Worship
The Parables of Jesus: The Ten Bridesmaids
Prelude: Worship Band Accompanist: Worship Band
Worship Leader: Sheryl Leis Song Leader: Connie Yantzi
Greeters: Elaine & Dale Leis Offering: Leadership
Audio/Visual: Dathan Bender/Larry Kropf Message: Pastor Ray
Coffee Hosts: Shirley & Phil Ruby
Prelude VT #401 – “Open the Eyes of My Heart”
VT #227 – “Here I Am to Worship”
“Hosanna” (Praise is Rising)
Welcome & Announcements
Call to Worship & Prayer
Songs of Gathering & Praise
HWB #112 – “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic”
“Today”
Offering – Leadership
Offertory: VT #49 – “All Who Are Thirsty”
Parent-Child Dedication
Hannah & Dylan Yantzi with Noah
Chelsea & Brett Sider with Evelyn
Megan & Shane Klassen with Meah
Congregation sings for each child
“Hosanna, Jesus loves Noah/Evelyn/Meah,
yes he does, yes he does (3x)
And he wants Noah/Evelyn/Meah to love him too.”
Congregational Response: VT #970
Song of Blessing: VT #509 “See the Children Here before Us”
Time with the Children
Scripture Reading: Matthew 25:1-13
Message – Pastor Ray
Song of Response: VT #555 – “Lord, I am Fondly, Earnestly Longing”
Prayer of the Church
Sending Song: VT #719 “Jesus, Help Us Live in Peace”
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. Junior Sunday School children will meet in their classrooms.
Adult Sunday school follows coffee time in the basement. This fall we will question and discuss together the parables and teachings of Jesus from our reading guide with an ear to trying to understand who is this God Jesus is revealing and what does this mean for how we live?
12 p.m. Private Party
2 p.m. The Health Ministry Team invites all to participate in a Fall Hike. The hike will be appropriate for young and old those with strollers or walkers/wheelchairs. Experience the Mike Schout Wetlands Boardwalk at 28 Smith’s Creek Drive New Hamburg. Bring a lawn chair for fellowship time following around a campfire at Brian and Heidi Wagler’s with hot dogs and Popcorn.
See the bulletin board to sign up.
This Coming Week
Tuesday November 21st
1:30 – 3:30 p.m. Prayer Shawl Meeting at Jean MacDonald’s.
New knitters are always welcome.
Wednesday November 22nd
10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Coffee and Bible Study
Adult Fellowship Christmas Banquet (5:30 p.m. Punch, 6:15 p.m. Dinner). Entertainment to follow by Christine and Eduard Klassen. We have a few tickets left if anyone is still interested in coming to the adult Christmas Dinner. Speak to Jim Schumm’s, Ray Zehr’s or Philip Ruby’s by Sunday Nov. 19th.
Thursday November 23rd
9:30 – 11 a.m. E Z Play Group
Friday November 24th
7 p.m. MYF – Bowling in Stratford
7 – 9 p.m. JWalkers (Jr Youth) Christmas Bonanza at church.
Next Sunday – November 26, 2023
Raising the Widow’s Son
Service of Remembering
Prelude: Bethany Zehr Accompanist: Bethany Zehr
Worship Leader: Tyler Yantzi Song Leader: Myron Ruby
Greeters: Gloria & Merv Ropp Offering: Local Ministries
Audio/Visual: Greg Pye/Brian Wagler Message: Pastor Mike
Coffee Hosts: Kristen & Daryl Cressman
We are planning a Service of Remembering on this day. Please see the announcement below for more information.
EZMC Announcements
Service of Remembering – November 26, 2023
During our worship service on November 26, we will take time to remember those who have died this past year by naming their name 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 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 Janice Ropp, Heidi Wagler or Pastor Ray.
We are excited to once again host our EZ Women’s IF Gathering. Mark your calendars for April 12th and 13th right here at East Zorra. Spread the word and tell your friends and family to save the date. More details to come!
JCET is still in need of Volunteers.
January to June sign up sheets are up on the bulletin board, downstairs across from the desk. Whether you sign up once or weekly your time spent volunteering is greatly appreciated.
Mark your calendars for VBS 2024 – July 8-12 at EZMC. We can’t wait to see you there!
Wilmot Family Resource Centre is preparing for their Holiday Hamper Program. You can support this program in various ways: donate funds, sponsor a family, help prepare or deliver hampers. See information on the bulletin board for more information.
Beyond Our Church Community
Tuesday November 21st 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp’s Annual General Meeting at Tavistock Mennonite Church. All are welcome to join us, either in person or virtually, for a short business meeting, hear stories of impact from Mano Watsa and Watsa Basketball Camp coaches and look ahead to 2024. Please RSVP to admin@hiddenacres.ca or 519-625-8602.
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
Saturday December 2nd 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Make A Difference Holiday Market
Hosted by the Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) Undergrad Society at Conrad Grebel University College, all funds collected from participating vendors, the silent auction, and suggested $2 entry contribution will be donated to A Better Tent City, Waterloo. Fill your car with family and friends to make a difference while shopping for this holiday season! uwaterloo.ca/grebel/events/mad-market
Sunday December 3rd 2:30 pm at Tavistock Mennonite Church. We are excited to announce the return of “An A Capella Christmas”, performed by the Twin City Harmonizers, with special ladies quartet, Onyx, singing all your favourite Christmas songs in 4-part harmony. Tickets are available to reserve by calling 519-655-2581, emailing admin@tavistockmennonitechurch.ca or online at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/an-a-cappella-christmas-tickets-740454899537?aff=ebdssbdestsearch&keep_tld=1. $20/adults, $15/youth & young adults 13+, and free for children 12 and under. Join us for this exciting afternoon which supports our Refugee Sponsorship Project and Harmonize for Speech.
Sunday December 10th 3 p.m. Menno Singers and Mennonite Mass Choir present Handel’s Messiah with artistic director Brandon Leis, a 230 voice choir, soloists Bethany Hörst (soprano), Jennifer Enns Modolo (mezzo soprano), Owen McCausland (tenor) and Nathan Keoughan (baritone) along with orchestra members of the former KW Symphony. Tickets are on sale now at the Centre in the Square Box Office. www.centreinthesquare.com
Becoming Good Relatives Retreat – January 26/27, 2024, Jericho House, 10845 Rathfon Rd, Port Colborne. In this one-and-a-half-day retreat, author and speaker Patty Krawec will use Anishinaabe teachings to help participants reflect on their social and individual histories in order to improve their capacity to have difficult conversations with others about Canadian history and current impacts on Indigenous people. To learn more and to register, go to mcc.org/events.
Raw Carrot soup is available at your local thrift shop
The Raw Carrot is excited to announce that our soup is available for sale at your local thrift shop! As an MCC Ontario program, The Raw Carrot provides a compassionate workplace to people on long term disability. Our healthy soups are handcrafted in small batches, packed with tasty veggies and free of added preservatives. Fresh ingredients are sourced as locally as possible. Our staff are “stirring up” change with their delicious, handcrafted gourmet soup!” Get your soup today at your local thrift shop.
Mennonite Central Committee Ontario Current Openings
Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of others? If so, we’d love to have you join our team. We have an opening for an Advocacy and Program Associate, and Community Safety and Outreach Associate in Kitchener, as well as an Associate Hardline at the New Hamburg Thrift Centre. Learn more about these positions at www.mcc.org/careers.
Conrad Grebel University College is hiring a new Director of Operations! The Director of Operations is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the College’s physical plant, information technology systems, human resources, food and hospitality services, security and safety, and front office and reception. The successful candidate will have a bachelor’s degree, along with training and experience in the areas of business or personnel management, human resources, facilities management, and information technology. At least five years of management experience is preferred, ideally in a post-secondary institution. Grebel respects, appreciates, and encourages diversity. Applications will be reviewed beginning November 20, 2023, and will be accepted until the position is filled. Read the full description: uwaterloo.ca/grebel/careers
The November edition of On the Level is now available from Mennonite Disaster Service. In our current issue: Ross Penner shares the latest project in Cape Breton; learn about a family’s history of service: and registration is now open for the Annual Celebration in Fresno, California in February.
Click on this link to read more: https://conta.cc/47AyfnM
NHMRS Food Convener
The New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale committee is looking for a new food convener. If this is something you’re interested in, contact John Reimer at johnreimer@nhmrs.com for more information.
Shop Niska for Christmas
This Christmas, give fairly-traded one of a kind gifts that support Indigenous Artisans in First Nations and communities living in Northeastern Ontario. Choose from a variety of items, including moccasins, mittens, jewellery and more. Niska products are made with traditional techniques, quality materials, and dedication. Head to niskaartisans.ca to shop today!
Christmas gifts that change lives
This Christmas, we invite you to explore all the ways that you can share gifts of comfort and joy for the world. Delight your loved ones with wells, goats, emergency food and more. Go to mcc.org/christmas to discover all of the options!