East Zorra Mennonite Church
Volume 69 Sunday September 13, 2026 No. 37
Sunday September 13, 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: Jan Ropp
Audio/Visual: Drystan Bender/Kristen Cressman Worship Leader: Pastor Ray
Coffeetime: Kristen & Daryl Cressman
Welcome to our friends from Meheret Evangelical Church who are joining us for worship today. We are glad you are here!
Prelude .
“Everyday”
“Who You say I am”
“Praise”
Welcome & Announcements
Call to Worship & Opening Prayer
Songs of Gathering & Praise
“Build Your Kingdom Here”
“King of Heaven”
Offering – Where needed most
Offertory “Gratitude”
Children’s Story – Sue Martin
Scripture Reading: John 14:11-15
Message – Pastor Mike
Song of Response
VT #419 “Great is Thy Faithfulness”
Prayer of the Church – Pastor Ray
Sending Song
HWB #118 “Praise God from Whom”
Benediction
Postlude
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.
Following the service, we plan to serve hotdogs in the green space as we continue to share with our friends from Meheret.
3 p.m. Private Party
This Coming Week
Tuesday September 15th
- 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. Holy Movement – Come join this community of friends as we strengthen our bodies and worship our God! Bring a water bottle, fitness mat, and light weights. New participants welcome!
Wednesday September 16th
- Play Group setup
- 7 p.m. Finance & Facility Meeting
Thursday September 17th
- 9:15 – 11:15 a.m. E Z Play Group
Friday September 18th
- 7 p.m. MYF – Campfire in the Green Space with guest Jason Erb.
Saturday September 19th
- 7:30 p.m. Young Adults Fellowship Event. We will be meeting at Brian and Heidi Wagler’s place for a wood-fired, pizza oven feast and fellowship night. Please bring your lawn chairs and $10 cash to cover costs of the big items Brian and Heidi are supplying. Rain date is Saturday September 26th.
Next Sunday – September 20, 2026
Prelude/Accompanist: Katie Wagler Song Leader: Lindsay Zehr
Greeter: Joyce & Howard Ropp Worship Leader: Kim Leis
Audio/Visual: Dathan Bender/Brian Wagler Offering: Leadership
Coffeetime: Gloria & Merv Ropp Message: Pastor Mike
EZMC Announcements
Prayer Shawl knitting will not be meeting in September.
Church Directory Update Page
We will not be printing a new church directory in 2026. A Church Directory Update Page will be distributed later in the Fall. If you have any changes to your home address, phone number, or email address since the December 2025 EZMC Directory please send to Lisa by September 18th at office@ezmennonite.ca. Thanks so much.
Children’s time volunteers wanted! If you are looking for an opportunity to be more involved with our services here at East Zorra, we are looking for volunteers to lead our children’s time. If interested, please email Lauren Witmer-Hohl at laurenwitmer96@gmail.com
On Sunday September 20th, 27th and October 4th, during Coffee time, parents please take advantage of the opportunity to fill out registration/waiver forms for your child(ren) in the basement. Our Safe Church Policy requires that parents complete a separate form foreach child involved in Sunday School, Junior Youth, and MYF who are under the age of 18.
Volunteers – please take a few moments to complete a Volunteer Commitment Form. This is required by our Safe Church Policy before you volunteer with children, youth, seniors and other vulnerable persons for this program year (Sept 1, 2026 – Aug 31, 2027). Copies of the form will be available at the same table as the waiver forms. The EZMC Safe Church Policy and Social Media Policy will be there if you need to read them before signing. Thanks so much.
A reminder as committees start meeting again this Fall, that all meeting minutes (except SCRC and Care Team) are to be sent to the church office for filing. Please email them to office@ezmennonite.ca Thanks so much for your help in preserving the work and history of our church.
Beyond Our Church Community
Thursday September 17th 7 p.m Archives Exhibit Launch | Glenn Fretz: Graphic Design for the Mennonite Community at Conrad Grebel University College, Waterloo. uwaterloo.ca/grebel/events/glenn-fretz
The Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement is hosting the Peace Week 2026community calendar, with events startingMonday, September 21st. Attend an event, or submit your own to be included at https://uwaterloo.ca/peace-week/.
Project Ploughshares, originally begun by a Mennonite and a Quaker, is turning 50 this year, and is inviting worshiping communities to join them on Monday, September 21st at 6 p.m. at Federation Hall, University of Waterloo. This Gala fundraiser will include a dinner and a keynote from the honourable Lloyd Axworthy. This fundraiser will support the continuation of our important work for global peace, needed now more than ever. Tickets are $70 and can be purchased online or by contacting our office at 1-888-907-3223 or email plough@ploughshares.ca
Tuesday September 22nd 7 p.m., MCC Ontario Annual General Meeting on Zoom
The 2026 AGM is our opportunity to share with MCC Ontario constituents and supporters our financial results and strategic progress, while empowering congregational delegates to participate in decision-making through voting on key organizational matters. We warmly invite you to join us. Register here.
Space is limited. Visit slmc.ca/retreats for more information & registration details.
Silver Lake Mennonite Camp | slmc.ca
Join us this fall for three exciting opportunities at Silver Lake!
- Men’s Retreat (Sep 18 – 20) – Relax at camp and spend time with old and new friends. This retreat will be guided by Thomas Reimer and Matt Tiessen, with a mouthwatering menu prepared by David and Josh Lobe.
- Weekday Wanders: Fall Colours Hike (Oct 19 – 21) – Join Karen for beautiful autumn hikes along the Sydenham section of the Bruce Trail. Hikes range from 10 to 18 km per day.
Monday October 5th – Seniors Retreat at Hidden Acres
Seniors (55+) are invited to spend the day at Hidden Acres. Our theme is The Gifts and Challenges of Aging: Releasing and Embracing. Cost is $55 and includes lunch. For more information or to register go to hiddenacres.ca/programs/seniors-retreat
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 MDS Ontario Unit is responding to historic flooding in the Niagara region.Anyone looking to volunteer to drain and muck-out basements is asked to contact Daryl Martin at darylmartin.cows@gmail.com or (519) 505-6639.
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!
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
MCEC Young Adults Together
Are you a Mennonite Young Adult under 30 looking to connect with others who share your faith? Join MCEC Young Adults Together on Zoom for biweekly gatherings this fall as we celebrate, learn and pray together while following Jesus. Meetings run every other Tuesday from 7–8 p.m. from September through December.
Register once to receive the Zoom link for all sessions.
For more information, contact Micah Peters Unrau
Join the MCC team!
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.
- Seasonal Retail Clerk (Part-time) – Leamington
- Financial Analyst (Full-time, 13-month contract) – Kitchener
- Church and Community Engagement Associate (Part-time) – Niagara
For full job descriptions and to apply, visitmcc.org/serve.
Repurposing Textiles at MCC Thrift on Kent
At MCC, a new pilot project is underway. Quality materials that cannot be sold at MCC Thrift are being given a second life as industrial rags, while creating local opportunities for people facing barriers to employment. Perfect for garages, workshops, manufacturing facilities, farms and projects around the home, our rags are now for sale. Purchase packages of 10 rags for $3.00, 5 lbs for $8.00 or 24 lbs for $24. For sale at MCC Thrift on Kent or contactjodivannord@mcco.ca for quantity purchases.
Join the Soup of the Month Club!
The Raw Carrot Soup of the Month Subscription is available for preorder. By joining, you will receive one of 10 delicious, exclusive soups each month (from September 2026 to June 2027). Purchases support the Raw Carrot program and provide meaningful employment to individuals with disAbilities. For more information or to preorder, visit the website.
Interfaith Counselling Centre is thankful for funding they received through the Waterloo Region Community Foundation – Neighborhoods Grant. With this funding, they are upgrading furniture in 3 of their counselling rooms. REQUEST – Does anyone have a connection with a local furniture company? If so, please reach out to Matthew Isert Bender or Kristin Oliver.
Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp is looking to hire a part-time LINC Staff member. They will support the LINC Coordinator in running our programs for young adults with special needs from September to May. For more details, visitwww.hiddenacres.ca.