East Zorra Mennonite Church
Volume 69 Sunday November 8, 2026 No. 45
Sunday November 8, 2026 – Join Sunday Worship Zoom at 10 a.m.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83137404938?pwd=hcotNxuDaoj9icACblTui3Jcsx9aOK.1
Meeting ID: 831 3740 4938 Passcode: 415319
Prelude/Accompanist/Song Leader: Glorify
Greeter: Erma & Jill Repei Worship Leader: Sheryl Leis
Audio/Visual: Drystan Bender/Larry Kropf Offering: Local Ministries
Coffeetime: Nicole & Duane Swartzentruber Message: Pastor Ray
Prelude
“Revival Generation”
“All the People Said Amen”
“Yes and Amen”
Welcome & Announcements
Call to Worship & Opening Prayer
Songs of Praise
“Great Things”
“Mighty to Save”
Offering – Local Ministries
Offertory – “Gratitude”
Children’s Story
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 58:1-14
Message Pastor Ray
Song of Response
VT #715 “Longing for Light”
Prayer of the Church
Sending Song
VT #437 “The Lord Is My Light”
Benediction
Today
Coffeetime immediately following the worship service. 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.
12 – 5 p.m. Private Party
This Coming Week
Tuesday November 10th
- 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. Holy Movement – Bring a water bottle, fitness mat, and light weights. New participants welcome!
Wednesday November 11th
- 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Coffee and Bible Study.
- Play Group setup
- 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Listening to Scripture Together
- 7:30 p.m. Worship Committee Meeting
Thursday November 12th
- 9:15 – 11:15 a.m. E Z Play Group
- 12 p.m. High Noon Seniors Lunch at Grace United Church in Tavistock. A homestyle lunch (Cost: Freewill offering) will be served followed by a presentation by Jean Aitcheson “Stratford Mission Depot”. Please bring unused/outdated prescription drugs
Next Sunday – November 15, 2026
Prelude/Accompanist: Worship Band Song Leader: Connie Yantzi
Greeter: Ashley & Jon Witzel Worship Leader: Bevin Witmer
Audio/Visual: Dathan Bender/Kristen Cressman Offering: Leadership
Coffeetime: Janet & Marv Yantzi Message: Pastor Mike
EZMC Announcements
October 2026 Donations Received Summary
Offering Schedule – $35,971.27
Please note that there has been a mailbox shuffle so your box may have moved slightly.
Please see the Missions bulletin board for an update about the MCC Meat Cannery and a thank you.
Listening to Scripture: 1 Peter – Living as Exiles
Do you ever feel like a stranger in your own culture — like your convictions put you out of step with the world around you? If so, you’re in good company.
This fall, we are listening 1 Peter, a letter written to those facing hostility for their faith as Peter reminds them not to fight back or to disappear but reminds them who they are: adopted into God’s family, citizens of a kingdom that doesn’t waver, and people whose suffering can become a refining fire rather than a defeat.
Together we’ll explore what it means to:
- Live as “exiles and wanderers” whose true home is with God
- Meet hostility with love, honor, and generosity instead of retaliation
- Root our hope not in circumstances, but in the resurrection of Jesus and His promised return
Whether you’re wrestling with cultural pressure, personal hardship, or just want to grow deeper in the Word, this study offers real encouragement for real life.
Space is limited. Contact Pastor Mike to register.
Wednesdays 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. November 11, 25 and December 9
Young Adult Bible Study, Saturday November 21st, 7:30pm, at Blake’s barn ” upper room “. Our focus will be on Genesis chapters 6-9, the great flood.
Adult Fellowship Christmas Banquet! Come join us on Thursday November 26 for our annual Adult Fellowship Christmas Banquet. Quehl’s is catering our dinner for 6 p.m. Doris Brubacher is our guest speaker followed by a sing-along. Tickets are $40 and may be purchased from Carol and Owen Cook, Karen and Mike Wirth or Susan and Bill Schmitz.
Service of Remembering
During our worship service on November 22, 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 we name each person we would like to project a picture 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 Marv Yantzi, or Pastor Ray and please forward a picture that we could use.
Practising Hope Together – A four week community Advent Bible Study starting on Tuesday November 24th from 2-3 p.m. Explore scripture, share conversation, and discover way to practise hope in our community. This will be at Churchy’s Pub & Kitchen in Tavistock. Refreshments provided by Tavistock & Area Ministerial. All are welcome. Bring your questions – and a friend. Please note that we will not have a Wednesday morning bible study at EZMC on Wednesday November 25th but the evening bible study will continue as usual.
Beyond Our Church Community
The October edition of On the Level is now available from Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS). In this edition, Kevin King, retiring MDS U.S. Executive Director, shares his reflections on MDS partnership across borders.
Read On the Level: https://conta.cc/4BzpR87
Monday November 9th 7 p.m. Mend: An invitation from Jesus to return to land-based repair: An evening with author Jodi Spargurat Parkminster United Church, 275 Erb St. E, Waterloo
Join MCC Ontario Indigenous Neighbours and New Leaf Press for an evening of honest truth-telling, biblical reimagining and hopeful conversation with author Jodi Spargur. Explore how Scripture, history, and Indigenous witness call us away from polite lament and toward tangible, land-based restoration. Discover next steps for you and your church on your journey to restore right relationships with neighbours and the land itself. Copies of Mend will be available for purchase and signing. Free admission, donations welcome.
Wednesday November 11th 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.50 Kent Lunch and Learn – Walking the Jesus Way: From Land Acknowledgement to Repair. You are invited to an in person or online Lunch and Learn at 50 Kent Ave, Kitchener, ON. Join Jodi Spargur from Red Clover: Walking the Jesus way requires moving beyond empty gestures into true metanoia, turning our words into real-world restoration. Register at mcec.ca/events.
Fair Trade Pop-Up Coming to New Hamburg
The Village Fair is a new local not-for-profit working to carry forward the fair trade mission of Ten Thousand Villages. This November, we are hosting a seasonal pop-up in collaboration with Ten Thousand Villages Cobourg. Shop a beautiful selection of fairly traded, handcrafted products made by artisans around the world.
Dates: November 12–14, 19–21 and 26–28
Hours: Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m.–7 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: 112 Peel Street, New Hamburg
Please note that handwoven rugs will not be available November 12–14. They will be featured November 19–21 and 26–28.
Volunteers are also needed. To get involved, email info@thevillagefair.ca.
Follow The Village Fair on Facebook and Instagram at @villagefairwaterloo.
High School Students! Are you thinking of attending the University of Waterloo? OnSaturday November 14th 10am-4pm, attend the UWaterloo Open House and stop by the Conrad Grebel University College residence, right on the Waterloo 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 November 15th 3 p.m. Come out with your voice and your score to join Menno Singers in a Singalong Messiah with orchestra and soloists at St Matthews Lutheran Church (54 Benton St, Kitchener). The audience is the choir! Entrance by donation.www.mennosingers.com
Benjamin Eby Lecture, with Assistant Professor David Neufeld | Thursday, November 19, 7:30 pm. “Credit Worthy: Anabaptist Debt and the Material Bases of Coexistence.” Hosted at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo. Please register in advance. More information at uwaterloo.ca/grebel/events/credit-worthy
The New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale is urgently looking for two volunteers to help with planning the auctions at the sale. The Auction Coordinator is a position on the Planning Committee and the Auction Assistant provides support to the Auction Coordinator. We are hoping to fill these positions before Christmas. Job Descriptions are available on our website or by contacting John Reimer at johnreimer@nhmrs.com.
Free Noon Hour Concerts | Most Wednesdays from September to November at Conrad Grebel University College. Enjoy performances by professional musicians during the lunch hour. All are welcome! Concerts begin at noon in the Grebel Chapel. Full schedule: grebel.ca/music/events
Kits, Cans and Comforters: Tours of the MCC Hub
1st Tuesday of the month at 1 p.m. and 3rd Thursday of the month at 10 a.m.
65 Heritage Dr., New Hamburg
You don’t have to wait for a special event to explore the MCC Hub. Invite a friend and join one of two monthly tours open to the public. Learn what’s involved in packing and preparing kits and comforters for international shipment, and tour MCC’s new meat canning facility, which sends thousands of pounds of nutrient-rich meat to countries facing food shortages. No RSVP required.
Join the MCEC Team
A calling to serve youth and young adults!MCEC seeks a Regional Minister who is passionate about helping congregations nurture the faith, gifts and leadership of youth and young adults. This role will equip and encourage ministry leaders across MCEC. This is a .50 FTE position and is based in Kitchener, ON.More information at mcec.ca/careers.
Social Enterprise Pilot Project: Help us spread the word!
We need your help getting the word out about MCC Thrift’s Social Enterprise pilot project, which employs individuals who face barriers to traditional work. The team turns textiles into practical cleaning rags for homes and businesses. We are very excited about the possibilities of this initiative, but also know our greatest chance of success will come from partnering with friends and business owners who are passionate about supporting community and environmental causes. Please spread the word or reach out to Jodi VanNoord with contacts or connections: jodivannord@mcco.ca
Volunteers Needed at MCC Thrift – Impact your community, support MCC and join a fun team as a volunteer at MCC Thrift, where every purchase is a gift to the world. The MCC New Hamburg Thrift Centre has an urgent need for volunteers. Join a community rooted in service and love. Visit here to get in touch with us and find a role that suits your abilities and interests!
Give Gifts That Change Lives – This Christmas season, give gifts that bring joy and comfort to your loved ones and your neighbours around the world. Plus, send a customized e-card to surprise and delight your friends and family. The MCC (Mennonite Central Committee) Christmas Gift Giving guide is available on the table in the foyer at the back of the sanctuary.