East Zorra Mennonite Church
Volume 69 Sunday October 18, 2026 No. 42
Sunday October 18, 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: Katie Wagler Song Leader: Myron Ruby
Greeter: Tracey & Larry Kropf Worship Leader: Bevin Witmer
Audio/Visual: Dathan Bender/Larry Kropf Offering: Leadership
Coffeetime: Gloria & Tom Roth Message: Len Rempel
Prelude
Welcome & Announcements
Call to Worship & Opening Prayer
Songs of Praise
VT #179 “The Dawn of Your Creation”
VT #101 “Sing Praise to God Who Reigns”
Offering – Leadership
Children’s Story
Bible Presentation to Grade 1 & Grade 9 students
Dawn Bender & Caleb Leis
(Christian Education & Nurture Lay Ministers)
Scripture Reading: Luke 15:11-32
Message “A Story of Finding Home” Len Rempel
Song of Response
VT #544 “Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling”
Prayer of the Church Bevin Witmer
Sending Song
VT #740 “Spirit of the Living God”
Benediction
Postlude
Today
We will present bibles to our Grade 1 and Grade 9 students during our worship service. They are invited to the front for the Children’s story.
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.
Join us in the Adult Education hour today as we explore the topic of stewardship and charitable giving. Marlow Gingerich from Abundance Canada will lead a presentation that includes charitable giving trends, motivations to giving, tying together lifetime and estate charitable plans, tax credits associated to charitable giving, as well as various assets that can be gifted. A time for Q&A will follow!
EZMC will provide the Sunday AfternoonServices at The Maples and peopleCare. It’s a two hour commitment at the very most. The half hour service involves reading scripture, a poem or short story, and singing followed by saying hello to the residents. The service at peopleCare begins at 1:30 followed by a 2:30service at The Maples. Please reach out to Pastor Ray if you would like to participate.
2 – 4 p.m. JWalkers (Junior Youth Gr 6-8) – Canoe the Nith. Drop off and pickup at Tyler & Jess Yantzi’s in New Hamburg. Come prepared for an afternoon on the water. Waiver forms will be available for those who haven’t had a chance to complete these yet.
7 p.m. Concert / Sing-Along at East Zorra Mennonite Church
Featuring East Zorra Praise Band, Myron & his Mighty Men, and Grassroots.
Free will offering for TAP. Hope to see you there and bring your friends!
This Coming Week
Monday October 19th
- 7pm – Fall Walk & Connect – Come embrace the outdoors, invite your friends and neighbours, & enjoy great connection with a fall walk! In the spirit of thanksgiving and community, you are invited to bring a donation for TAP. Most needed items are boxed soup packages, crackers, Sidekicks noodle dishes, pasta and canned meats, men’s and women’s razors and deodorant. Meet at Memorial Hall Tavistock.
Tuesday October 20th
- 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. Prayer Shawl Ministry at Jean MacDonald’s
- 6 p.m. Staff Congregation Relations Committee Meeting
Wednesday October 21st
- 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Coffee and Bible Study.
- Play Group setup
- 7 p.m. Worship Committee Meeting
Thursday October 22nd
- 9:15 – 11:15 a.m. E Z Play Group
Next Sunday – October 18, 2026
Stewardship Sunday
Prelude/Accompanist: Brandy Sell Song Leader: Susan Schmitz
Greeter: Elaine & Dale Leis Worship Leader:
Audio/Visual: Todd Bender/Kristen Cressman Offering: Where Needed Most
Coffeetime: Megan MacDonald & Russ Schumm Message: Pastor Ray
Extending God’s Love
October is Pastor’s Appreciation Month. East Zorra is blessed with two passionate, caring, gifted and knowledgeable pastors. Please consider how you might show your support and appreciation to Pastor Mike and Pastor Ray at some point throughout the month. Thank you on behalf of the Staff Congregation Relations Committee (SCRC).
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. October 28, November 11, 25 and December 9
Wednesday October 21st from 4 – 8 p.m. East Zorra is scheduled to prepare and serve a meal to approximately 225 people experiencing poverty and homelessness in downtown Kitchener at Ray of Hope. The mission committee is looking for 10-12 volunteers. If you’re willing to volunteer, please sign up on the bulletin board or have any questions please speak to Dylan Yantzi.
Friday October 31st 6 p.m. CREATION CELEBRATION. Come join the fun! TheVolunteer sign-up sheet is now ready! Donations of cash and candy will be happily accepted. As allergies are an on-going concern, we are asking for NUT FREE treats only – please carefully check the package ingredient list (contains or may contain peanuts or tree nuts – we are unable to put these treats into the bags). Candy can be placed in the bin under the mailboxes, cash can be given to Joe Wagler, or both can be dropped off at Creation Celebration. Food will be prepared and served by our Congregational Life Committee. Thanks so much to all our volunteers who make this event possible each year. We couldn’t do it without you!
Beyond Our Church Community
SiNG in SOLIDARITY 2
Sunday October 25th 4 – 6 pm, Trillium Lutheran church, 22 Willow Road, Waterloo.
Why – To resist the increase of HATE and INTOLERANCE that we’re seeing right here in Kitchener/Waterloo. Singing is a “weapon of mass connection” – something we desperately need more of right now.
What’s New – This time, we’re TAKING IT TO THE STREETS! We’re starting our singing at Trillium then throwing open the doors and walking to Waterloo Town Square to sing there.
Please consider lending your voice to the cause! Like last time, Rockway students will be teaching one song. And bring your family and friends. ALL are welcome.
Read the PRESS RELEASE for the event:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1O00EH4cDpxfpzPnyhtVDiESMtu7ONkm72vvHmohjBHI/edit?usp=sharing
See the Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Do4eNZph4/
Saturday October 31st 7-8:30 p.m. With Grateful Hearts – Mennonite Disaster Service is hosting a special evening to celebrate God’s work through MDS at Steinmann Mennonite Church. Join us for food, fellowship, music, and to hear stories from Kevin King (retiring MDS U.S. Executive Director). Find more details on our events page: https://mds.org/event/ .
What do robots, snacks and teachers have in common? They will all be at Rockway Mennonite Collegiate during our Discover Rockway Information Night on Thursday, November 5 from 7 – 9 pm. Come drive our robot in the gym, make a snack in the Family Studies room and meet your future teachers while touring our campus! For more information and to register for this event, visit our Discover Rockway webpage.
Friday November 6th 7:30 p.m. at St Jacobs Mennonite Church (1310 King St N, St Jacobs).Menno Singers, with Artistic Director Brandon Leis, presents its first concert of the year, ‘Pale Blue Dot Earth’, a musical exploration of the seasons and places of our world. The concert also includes Lieder and Art songs performed by tenor Brandon Leis and pianist Charmaine Fopoussi. Tickets available atwww.mennosingers.com or at the door.
Save the Date – Saturday November 7th Peace Conference: Nourishing Peace Together at Rockway Mennonite Collegiate, Kitchener.Registration opens August 1st. If you’re hungry for connection, meaning and practical ways to resist despair in a world that feels overwhelming, plan to be at this year’s Peace Conference. MCC Ontario is hosting an in‑person event for people who don’t have everything figured out but who want to build peace. Attendees will:
- Learn how to practice peace in everyday life
- Hear from courageous people pursuing justice, reconciliation and care in hard places
- Share food, stories and space
- Take action, like knotting comforters and sending advocacy letters, to remind us we’re not powerless
Thursday November 12th 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
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
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
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.