Restoration is Near
Advent 1 – Watch: The day is almost here
East Zorra Mennonite Church
Volume 65 Sunday November 27, 2022 No. 48
Worship Service – Sunday November 27, 2022 at 10 a.m.
Join Sunday Morning Worship Gathering
Prelude: Glorify Accompanist: Glorify
Song Leader: Melanie Wiegand Worship Leader: Marlow Gingerich
Message: Pastor Mike Audio/Visual: Greg Pye/Larry Kropf
Coffeetime: Gwen & Dan Matthews
8:45 a.m. Christmas Choir practice will be in the Junior Assembly Room downstairs.
Today
Coffeetime immediately following worship.
Sunday School classes
Nursery to Grade 5 classes are being held downstairs.
Junior Youth class meets upstairs in Room #9
Youth class meets upstairs in the MYF room (Room #11)
Adult class
Advent: The Once and Future Coming of Jesus
“Advent is not for the faint of heart.”
What is the season of Advent all about? Is it just the countdown to Christmas? Or is it something more? If it is a time of preparation, what are we preparing for?
Adults are invited back to the sanctuary following the service for a guided discussion around the themes of the season of Advent led by Ray and Mike.
12 p.m. Private Party
This Coming Week
Thursday December 1st
Friday December 2nd
7 p.m. MYF – Going to watch a Stratford Warriors hockey game. Please meet at church at 6:45. Admission is $10.
Next Sunday – December 4, 2022
Restoration is Near
Advent 2 – Prepare the way of the Lord
Prelude: Heidi Wagler Accompanist: Heidi Wagler
Song Leader: Myron Ruby Worship Leader: Jared Yantzi
Message: Pastor Ray Audio/Visual: Drystan Bender/Brian Wagler
Coffeetime: Janet & Marv Yantzi
8:45 a.m. Christmas Choir practice in the sanctuary
EZMC Announcements
Tuesday December 6, 2022 Sewing Circle – We are planning to have a small Christmas program and will provide a light lunch for those who would like join us. Please reply to someone from the Sewing Circle Committee by November 30, 2022.
Come help spread some Christmas cheer in our community! We are inviting anyone interested to join the choir for Christmas carolling on the steps of the Home Hardware store uptown Tavistock on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 11:00 a.m. We would love to have as many voices as possible! Please let Connie or Lindsay know if you are coming. Thank you!
Financial Update as of November 23, 2022
Estimated funds needed to meet 2022 commitments
Mission Partners $ 22,161
MCEC & MC Canada $ 19,754
Leadership $ 46,442
MCC/Relief $ 5,315
Local Ministries $ 23,937
Maintenance $ 20,296
Student Aid -$ 6,254
$131,651
We are grateful for your generosity. As this time continues to bring uncertainty and impact to many, we prayerfully ask for your continued financial support as you are able. We trust that God will provide and we will continue to experience the fullness of Christ.
Cheques can be placed in the offering plate (there are blank offering envelopes available) at church each Sunday, mailed to Dawn Zehr or placed in one of two mailboxes at her house. E-transfers or questions about donating can be sent to treasurer@ezmennonite.ca.
SPECIAL CHRISTMAS OFFERING
This year, EZMC will be collecting “Cash for Kits” to support MCC’s mission to provide relief kits where needed most. There is an increased demand for supplies to send to Ukraine and other countries around the world, and inventory of material resources is getting low.
Children will be collecting coins/cash during children’s time, continuing through our Advent series.
Theatre of the Beat Presents: Selah’s Song
An original folk musical from Theatre of the Beat
Written by Johnny Wideman, with original music by beloved Mennonite musician Bryan Moyer Suderman, Selah’s Song tells the story of a young girl whose courage inspired a village and whose song became an anthem for peace. Inundated with catchy pro-war propaganda songs, Selah is inspired to share her own music with the village, creating some competition for the King. Selah’s Song is a heartwarming musical that is fun for all ages!
Selah’s Song will be presented at East Zorra Mennonite Church, 677044 16 Line, Tavistock, on Sunday, December 4th at 2:30PM.
Admission is by donation. We welcome you to join us! If you would be willing to help with a few logistic details for this event please reach out to Pastor Ray.
Sue Martin is looking for barn yard animal costumes that fit children ages 2-5. Specifically need chicken, baby chick, horse, donkey, kitten, dog. If you have one please contact her. smartin1562@gmail.com
Volunteers needed to be Coffee Time Hosts!
For the months of December and January we will plan to have coffee time every other Sunday. We would welcome a few more volunteers that would make it possible to serve coffee every week. Please contact Lisa if you would be willing to volunteer to be a coffee time host. A coffee host prepares the coffee and cleans up after coffee time. Thanks so much. Note that there will be no coffee time on December 25th and January 1st.
A reminder to everyone to reserve any areas of the church building/green space that you need for meetings, rehearsals, events etc. with Lisa to ensure availability. She can be reached at office@ezmennonite.ca Thanks so much.
Beyond Our Church Community
Sunday December 4th 2:30 p.m. – Please join us at Tavistock Mennonite Church for An A Capella Christmas concert with KW barbershop choir, The Twin City Harmonizers, along with local musical powerhouse, Chuckee Zehr, as guest star. This concert will be fun for all ages! Proceeds will go towards TMC’s refugee sponsorships and to Harmonize for Speech, which funds speech therapy services. For tickets, please contact Alyssa at 519-655-2581 or office@tavistockmennonitechurch.ca, or grab some on Eventbrite.ca. Tickets: $20/adults | $15/Youth/Students 13 and over | 12 and under, free.
High Noon Lunch – Come celebrate Christmas
Thursday December 8th at Noon at Grace United Church in Tavistock.
Entertainment – Ropp Brothers
Sunday December 11th 7:30 p.m. Menno Singers and artistic director Brandon Leis present a Service of Lessons and Carols at Trillium Lutheran Church (22 Willow St, Waterloo). Admission by donation.
On the Level Announcement:
The November edition of On the Level is now available from Mennonite Disaster Service. In our current issue: Read about volunteers responding to Hurricane Fiona in Atlantic Canada; Learn about the MDS long-term response to Hurricane Ian in Florida: we have launched a new web page with volunteer opportunities closer to home; and we have information on the up-coming MDS Annual Celebration in Pennsylvania in February.
Click on this link to read more: https://conta.cc/3UI7urG
Are you looking for a gift that gives impact this Christmas?
The Raw Carrot is a social enterprise that provides meaningful employment to people who live with barriers to traditional employment by making hand-crafted soup. We are offering lovely gift boxes this holiday season that make wonderful gifts for your employees, clients, and friends. Each box contains a selection of our delicious soup along with locally curated charcuterie products. For more information, email Leah Brown at leahbrown@mcco.ca or call 226-338-4956.Give a gift that keeps on giving…and growing!
Help meet people’s basic needs around the world with the purchase of an eco-friendly MCC Thrift Christmas Giving ornament! Proceeds from these gifts will provide fruit trees and chickens as a source of income and nutrition and clean water in homes. Plus, these ornaments are made from seed paper. Plant it, water it and watch it grow into beautiful wildflowers. Available at your local thrift shop while supplies last.