East Zorra Mennonite Church
Volume 68 Sunday October 26, 2025 No. 43
Prelude/Accompanist: Bethany Zehr Song Leader: Susan Schmitz
Greeters: Donna & Jim Witzel Worship Leader: Dylan Yantzi
Audio/Visual: Drystan Bender/Brendan Leis Offering: Where needed most
Coffee: Megan MacDonald & Russ Schumm Message: Pastor Ray
Prelude
Welcome & Announcements
Call to Worship & Opening Prayer
Songs of Gathering & Praise
VT #28 “Come, Christians, Join to Sing”
VT #528 “God, Bless the Work Your People Do”
Offering – Where needed most
Time with the Children Hannah Yantzi
Scripture Reading Deuteronomy 5:12-15; Luke 13:10-17
Message Pastor Ray
Song of Response VT #287 “Jesus Christ is Waiting”
Prayer of the Church Pastor Ray
Sending Song VT #844 “May the Face of God Shine on You”
Benediction
Postlude
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.
This Coming Week
Wednesday October 29th
- 10:30 – 11:30 Coffee and Bible Study
- E Z Play Group setup
- 6:30 p.m. Creation Celebration Set up.
- 7 p.m. Church Ministry Council Meeting
Thursday October 30th
- 9:30 – 11 a.m. E Z Play Group
Friday October 31st
- 6 – 7:30 p.m. Creation Celebration. Come join the fun! The Volunteer sign-up sheet is now ready and more volunteers are needed. 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.
- If you are able to make a pie for Creation Celebration on October 31 at church, please connect with Greg or Staci Leis, Russ Schumm or Megan MacDonald before October 29.
Saturday November 1st
- 2 – 4 p.m. Jwalkers (Junior Youth Gr. 6-8) Rake and Run in Tavistock. Come with a rake, and meet at the leaf drop site by the water tower in Tavistock
Next Sunday – November 2, 2025
Prelude/Accompanist: Katie Wagler Song Leader: Myron Ruby
Greeters: Kristen & Daryl Cressman Worship Leader: Sheryl Leis
Audio/Visual: Dathan Bender/Larry Kropf Offering: Mission Partners
Coffee: Brett Zehr & Ryan Wagler Message: Michelle Brenneman
Michelle Brenneman, Executive Director at Mennonite Central Committee Ontario, will be sharing with us during worship and Sunday School.
EZMC Announcements
October is Pastors Month. Please consider how you might show your support and appreciation to Mike and Ray at some point throughout the month. Thank you on behalf of the Staff Congregation Relations Committee (SCRC)
Building Visioning Update – Church Ministry Council
A few years ago, (2022) we assembled a building visioning committee to discern together how we use our building to further the kingdom of God right here in our community. After discussion and church visits, some options were put forward that addressed what was considered our most obvious need at the time, which included an update to the kitchen including a commercial style dishwasher, and an updated eating/gathering space.
- Preliminary plans for a renovation in the current space, and a larger fellowship hall addition were drawn up to give an idea of what each of those options may look like. These plans were presented at a meeting on November 20, 2022.
- Cost estimates were added to each.
- Sunday School Discussion held on April 7, 2024
- First Survey conducted to gauge support for the building expansion or renovation discussion. (May 2024)
- The survey highlighted the need to upgrade kitchen and secure more pricing costs.
- We added another option of a kitchen expansion to the north side on the lower level.
- A second survey was conducted to narrow in on financial commitments and current support for 4 options. (May 2025)
- The congregational response does not show consensus on any one option.
- Two options, of renovating the kitchen in the space it is currently, or adding a kitchen and storage space addition on the north side of the church, received mixed support, with about 51% of the congregation supporting a renovation in the current space, and about 57% of the congregation supporting an expansion on the basement level on the north side. Many respondents supported more than one option.
- Based on low level of support for a larger fellowship hall addition or a completely new building, we feel these options should be set aside for now.
- Among the leaders that form Church Ministry Council, we could not reach a consensus in our discussions. No clear direction was discerned. Currently, we feel unable to make a recommendation on a direction to pursue but are continuing our work.
Please approach any member of Church Ministry Council with your comments, feelings, and hopes for our building. We want to trust God to use our building for His purposes, as we seek to bring the love, peace, and grace of Jesus to our community. We ask for your prayerful support as we continue to discern. We will plan to bring a recommendation to the congregation in January 2026 for discussion at our Annual Meeting in February 2026.
We will be printing an updated EZMC Church Family Photo and Address Directory later this year. If you would like to submit updated home address/phone/email information or a photo (preferably in jpeg format) please send to Lisa at office@ezmennonite.ca, by Tuesday October 28th. A draft of the directory will be available for edits in a few weeks so you can check your household listing and make any changes that are needed.
Holy Movement October Schedule – please note there will be no Holy Movement class on Oct 14 or 28. In lieu, there will be classes held on Oct 7 and Nov 4. To summarize, classes for the next 7 weeks will be as follows: Sept 30, Oct 7, Nov 4, Nov 11, and then bi-weekly from there. Mark it in your calendar! Walking club will be on its normal bi-weekly schedule. Watch the bulletin for location details.
Thursday November 27th 6 p.m. Adult Fellowship Christmas Banquet
Cost $40.00 per person
Christmas concert to follow by Julie Gerber.
Tickets will be available from committee members.
Ray and Laurel Zehr, Owen and Carol Cook, Mike and Karen Wirth.
Beyond Our Church Community
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.
Wednesday October 29th 7 p.m. Parents interested in understanding the roots of anxiety and how that information can be used to support their child are invited to join us at Rockway Mennonite Collegiate. Join registered Social Worker, Margaret Andres, to hear Margaret vs the goose! What can one angry goose teach us about anxiety? Learn more and RSVP at: rockway.ca/events
MCC Peace Conference: Learn the Art of Everyday Peace
Saturday November 1st 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Rockway Mennonite Collegiate, Kitchener; Watch-parties in Stouffville, Leamington, Markham and St. Catharines
Register today for the 2025 MCC Peace Conference. The conference will teach you insights and skills drawn from MCC’s collaborative peacebuilding efforts with partners around the world. Gain practical knowledge from these shared experiences and be equipped to contribute meaningfully to peace in your own context. Each location will have the same activities, talks and opportunities to engage with speakers. Learn more and register at mcc.org/Peace-Conference.
Saturday November 1st 7:30 p.m. (St Jacobs Mennonite Church, 1310 King St N, St Jacobs): To kick off our 70th Anniversary Season, Menno Singers and Artistic Director Brandon Leis present ‘From Then to Now – Celebrating a 70-year choral legacy.’ Tickets $30, Child/Student $5 at the door, from choir members or at www.mennosingers.com
Thursday November 6th 7 – 9 pm Calling all families interested in learning more about Rockway Mennonite Collegiate for their child. We invite you to attend our Discover Rockway information night. For more information and to register for this event, visit our Discover Rockway webpage.
Saturday November 8th – Challenge for the Church: Islamophobia at
Waterloo North Mennonite Church. How has the Church been Islamophobic in the past? How can the Church resist Islamophobia today? And other uncomfortable questions… Join us for a day that calls us to a deeper examination of Mennonite thought and action. Brought to you by the MCEC Palestine Israel Network Working Group. Save the date. Registration will open soon
Ten Thousand Villages and Friends are holding two Christmas Markets this November. Your purchase of these unique, fairly traded and handcrafted product supports employment and skill development. Come check it out at WK United Mennonite Church, Waterloo (Nov 13-15) and MCC Ontario, Kitchener (Nov 27-29). Please see the poster on the main bulletin board for more details.
Sunday November 16th 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
Saturday November 15th An Evening With Wendel Clark
Join us for an unforgettable evening with Toronto Maple Leafs legend Wendel Clark at the award-winning Puddicombe House, in downtown New Hamburg. Guests will enjoy a three-course dinner, while supporting Building a New Nithview, Tri County Mennonite Home’s long-term care expansion that will provide enhanced care for seniors in our community.
The evening will feature personal stories from Wendel’s celebrated hockey career, as well as the opportunity for photographs and one autograph per guest prior to dinner. Doors open at 5:00 p.m., dinner will be served at 6:00 p.m., and Wendel’s remarks will follow the meal. Tickets are $250 per guest and include a $175 charitable tax receipt. All tickets must be purchased online in advance, as no tickets will be available at the door. Please note that all sales are final and non-refundable. Your attendance supports a vital community project while offering an exceptional evening of dining, conversation, and inspiration.
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