1st Sunday of Advent – Hope
East Zorra Mennonite Church
Volume 68 Sunday November 30, 2025 No. 48
Prelude/Accompanist: Katie Wagler Song Leader: Caleb Leis
Greeters: Janice & Marlow Gingerich Worship Leader: Krista Matthews
Audio/Visual: Dathan Bender/Larry Kropf Offering: Leadership
Coffee: Carol & Owen Cook Message: Pastor Mike
Prelude
Welcome & Announcements
Call to Worship & Opening Prayer
Advent Candle Lighting
Songs of Gathering & Praise VT #216 “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”
VT #211 “Hope Is a Candle”
Offering – Leadership
Children’s Story Alexis Leis and Bella Matthews
Scripture Readings Isaiah 2:1-5; Romans 13:11-14
Message – The Light is Winning Pastor Mike
Song of Response VT #715 “Longing for Light”
Prayer of the Church Pastor Ray
Sending Song VT #218 “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”
Benediction
During Children’s Time each week through Advent the children will receive a 2 or 3 pages of the “Celebrate Jesus!” Advent and Christmas Kit. This kit is easy-to-use and perfect for families looking to deepen their faith during the Advent and Christmas seasons. Filled with engaging activities for families, this kit invites everyone to explore the true meaning of Christmas together. If you know you will miss a Sunday extra pages will be placed on the table in the foyer.
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 all ages.
Adult Sunday School will meet in the sanctuary. Church Ministry Council will present options for the possible kitchen project and will invite discussion.
12:30 p.m. Private Party
4 – 5 p.m. Choir Practise
This Coming Week
Monday December 1st
- 7 p.m. Walking Club – Meet at the Memorial Hall Tavistock to walk under streetlights. Walking Club will continue through the winter months as long as there is interest!
- 7-8 p.m. Christmas Choir practice
Tuesday December 2nd
- 9 a.m. Sewing Circle – Everyone is welcome to join us to knot comforters or quilt.
Wednesday December 3rd
- 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Coffee and Bible Study
- E Z Play Group setup
- 7 p.m. Church Ministry Council Meeting
- Glorify Rehearsal
Thursday December 4th
- 9:30 – 11 a.m. E Z Play Group
Friday December 5th
- 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. MYF – Progressive Dinner
Saturday December 6th
- 12 – 6 p.m. Private Party
Next Sunday – December 7, 2025
2nd Sunday of Advent – Peace
Prelude/Accompanist: Glorify Song Leader: Glorify
Greeters: Carol & Owen Cook Worship Leader: Tracey Kropf
Audio/Visual: Todd Bender/Brian Wagler Offering: Mission Partners
Coffee: Shirley & Phil Ruby Message: Pastor Ray
11 a.m. Sunday School for all ages
12 p.m. Private Party
Daily Bible Readings for December 1-5
Monday: Isaiah 11:1-10
Tuesday: Psalm 72
Wednesday: Romans 15:1-13
Thursday: Matthew 3:1-12
Friday: Colossians 3:12-17
EZMC Announcements
Upcoming MYF Progressive Supper
Are you eager to kick-off the festive season of merriment?
Do you need more Christmas Joy in your life?
Have you ever said to yourself: I would love to host 25 teenagers in my home?
You are in luck!
MYF are planning to have a Progressive Supper on Friday December 5th and we need hosts! We are looking for 4 hosts to serve appetizers, salad, main course, and dessert.
If you are willing to help, please e-mail Pastor Mike at mike@ezmennonite.ca
Your continued care and support of our teens is always welcome and appreciated.
Please consider joining our Christmas Choir this year! We will be taking part in the Christmas Eve service and possibly Sun, Dec 28 morning worship. All ages welcome! Please sign up on the lobby bulletin board so we know how many pieces of sheet music we will need. Thanks for sharing your voices!
Practice Dates will be:
Sunday, Nov 30 from 4-5 pm
Sunday, Dec 14 from 4-5 pm
Monday evenings, Dec 1 – 22 from 7-8 pm
Thursday December 11th 12 p.m. High Noon Seniors Lunch at Trinity Lutheran Church (Sebastopol). A homestyle lunch (Cost: Freewill offering) will be served followed by Christmas music with East Zorra friends.
If you, or someone you know, lost a silver ring please contact Lisa at office@ezmennonite.ca. It was found in the women’s washroom on Sunday November 23rd.
Beyond Our Church Community
Give gifts of comfort and joy this Christmas
This Christmas season, choose a gift that will honour your loved ones and change lives across the globe. MCC’s Christmas Giving Guide lets you celebrate what you hold dear about your loved ones, from the art lover to the gardener. By helping people build skills, grow food or meet basic needs, the impact of your generosity is a cause for celebration long after the lights and tree are taken down. Pick up a gift catalogue at church (on the table in the sanctuary foyer), a local MCC Thrift Shop or give online at mcc.org/Christmas.
Sunday November 30th 7 p.m. Three Choirs at Christmas. Ring in the Advent season with choral favourites, readings and carols, sung by Menno Singers, Inter-Mennonite Children’s Choir and Menno Youth Ensemble. Trillium Lutheran Church (22 Willow St, Waterloo). Adults $30, Students $5. Tickets at the door or online at www.mennosingers.com
Sunday December 7th 2 p.m. An A Cappella Christmas with the Twin City Harmonizers at Tavistock Mennonite Churchin support of TMC Refugee Sponsorship Fund.All your favourite Christmas songs sung in 4-part harmony. Special Guests “The Loo Wops”. For tickets call Tavistock church office (519-655-2581) or email office@tavistockmennonitechurch.ca, visit twincityharmonizers.com or go to Eventbrite. Adults $20, Youth & Students $15, under 12 free.
Tuesday December 9th 7 p.m. Rockway’s Music Department invites you to attend their annual Christmas Concert. Visit rockway.ca/events for more information.
Sunday December 14th A LYNC Christmas 2 – 4:30 p.m. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. at Steinmann Mennonite Church. Come join us for an amazing multimedia, light, and music extravaganza as we celebrate Christmas with our community. Enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas with Juneyt an award winning, world renowned musician and flamenco and Nuevo-flamenco guitarist, Anat Hector one of KW’s finest singer/pianist, Lisa Hagen and the Local Vocals, Derek Goupil and the Hillview Band present “let it be Christmas, A multimedia musical presentation of the Christmas story with the music of the Beatles. The event is free but guests are encouraged to make a donation in support of LYNC’s Millblock Community Development. Tickets are free through Eventbrite. https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/a-lync-christmas-tickets-1720500044949?aff=oddtdtcreator
Interfaith Counselling Centre Calendar Fundraiser – Help Us Bring Hope and Healing to Our Community. This October, we’re inviting you to support the Interfaith Counselling Centre through our Calendar Fundraiser—a beautiful way to give back while celebrating the seasons of life and wellness. Each calendar features inspiring artwork and messages that reflect the heart of our mission: to provide accessible, compassionate counselling to those in need. Your purchase directly supports our programs and helps ensure that no one in our community is left without support during difficult times.
Calendars are available at our office and select community locations. You can also order online at interfaithcounselling.ca or by calling (519) 662-3092.
Turn Time into Meals: Group Canning at MCC Material Resources
MCC Material Resources (65 Heritage Dr., New Hamburg) is inviting workplace, church, and community groups to can nutritious food for communities in need. Groups are asked to contribute $6.50 per can to cover costs and keep this vital work going. Flexible scheduling is available. A typical daily output can range from 350–1,200 cans. Learn more or book a canning date today! Contact Reid Kennel at reidkennel@mcco.ca or by calling 226-338-4956.
Sign up to sing with the Mennonite Mass Choir as we join Menno Singers to perform Johannes Brahm’s Schicksalslied (Song of Destiny) and Karl Jenken’s The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace on Thursday, May 21, 2026 at Centre in the Square with soloists and members of the Kitchener Waterloo Symphony, conducted by Brandon Leis. Rehearsals begin on Monday nights on February 23, 2026. www.mennosingers.com
Rockway Mennonite Collegiate thanks you for supporting us this school year! Whether it was through prayer, a financial contribution or by volunteering at or attending an event, your engagement was (is) appreciated. As we come to the end of the year, we welcome your contributions to help raise funds for our Go Rockway! Annual Fund and Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more at rockway.ca/donate.
S.A.L.T. applications are open!
Do you know an 18-30 year-old looking for job experience in their field? Serving And Learning Together (SALT) is a year-long service experience with one of MCC’s international partners. SALT opportunities for 2026-2027 include multimedia, community development, nursing, project management, climate advocacy, agriculture, teaching and more. For more information and to apply, visit here. Learn more about SALT and explore assignments visit mcc.org/salt.
MCCO is hiring.
We are excited to announce new opportunities to join our team and make a meaningful impact in communities across Ontario. If you are passionate about community engagement, collaboration and fostering belonging, we invite you to apply.
- Ontario Programs Manager (Full time)
- Thrift Marketing and Communications Manager (Full time)
For full job descriptions and to apply, visit mcc.org/serve
Save the Date! Saturday January 31st – Great Winter Warm Up Quilting Blitz (65 Heritage Dr., New Hamburg)