East Zorra Mennonite Church
Volume 69 Sunday October 25, 2026 No. 43
Sunday October 25, 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/Offertory: Brandy Sell & Rebekah Williamson
Worship Leader: Bella & Krista Matthews Greeter: Elaine & Dale Leis
Audio/Visual: Todd Bender/Kristen Cressman Song Leader: Susan Schmitz
Coffeetime: Megan MacDonald & Russ Schumm
Prelude
Welcome & Announcements
Call to Worship & Opening Prayer
Songs of Praise
VT #31 “Come, We That Love”
VT #133 “My Jesus, I Love Thee”
Offering – Where Needed Most
Children’s Story
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 54:1-10
Message : “Lengthen your tent ropes and strengthen your stakes.” Pastor Ray
Song of Response
VT #759 “Take My Life, and Let It Be”
Prayer of the Church Pastor Mike
Sending Song
VT #813 “Heart with Loving Heart United”
Benediction
The flowers at the front of church are in remembrance of Margaret Ann Collins who passed away 10 years ago. Margaret Anne was daughter to Roy and Norma Ropp and sister to Jan, Brenda, Sandy, Donna, Jerry and Amanda.
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.
A reminder for parents to complete a waiver form for each child under 18. These can be found on the JCET desk.
Volunteer Commitment Forms are also on the desk for those who need to complete one.
This Coming Week
Tuesday October 27th
- 7 p.m. Church Ministry Council Meeting
- 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. Holy Movement – Bring a water bottle, fitness mat, and light weights. New participants welcome!
Wednesday October 28th
- 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Coffee and Bible Study.
- Play Group setup
- 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Listening to Scripture Together
Thursday October 29th
- 9:15 – 11:15 a.m. E Z Play Group
Friday October 30th
- 7 p.m. Creation Celebration Setup by MYF.
Saturday October 31st
- 6 – 7:30 p.m. Creation Celebration.
- The Young Adults are invited to Owen Kropf’s basement for a post Creation Celebration party, anytime after 8 pm. We will be celebrating with table, group games and hanging out. Owen lives at 985019 Perth Oxford Road Tavistock. Bring along a friend and any Halloween goodies you would like to share.
Next Sunday – November 1, 2026
Prelude/Accompanist: Laurie Yantzi Song Leader: Lindsay Zehr
Greeter: Flo & Lorne Metzger Worship Leader: Dawn Bender
Audio/Visual: Greg Pye/Brian Wagler Offering: Mission Partners
Coffeetime: Nicole & Duane Swartzentruber Message: Pastor Mike
EZMC Announcements
Thank you to everyone for a great evening of music. Special thanks to each of the groups, EZ Praise Band, Myron & the Mighty Men & Grassroots. Thanks to all who attended. The overwhelming support of TAP is greatly appreciated. We collected $2353.35 for the work and ministry of TAP.
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
Saturday 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. Please contact Tracey Kropf if you can donate a pie.
Thanks so much to all our volunteers who make this event possible each year. We couldn’t do it without you!
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, starting on Sunday November 1st.
Beyond Our Church Community
SiNG in SOLIDARITY 2
Today, 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/ .
The transition to middle school or high school is a big step. Rockway’s programming is designed to give young adolescents the chance to be known and supported while being challenged to grow academically, socially and personally. We invite interested families to join us at our Discover Rockway Open House on Thursday, November 5 from 7 – 9 pm and see what Rockway Mennonite Collegiate has to offer your family. For more information, to watch video affirmations from current parents 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
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.