East Zorra Mennonite Church
Volume 68 Sunday September 14, 2025 No. 37
Sunday September 14, 2025 – Join Sunday Worship Zoom at 10 a.m.
Prelude/Accompanist: Glorify Song Leader: Glorify
Greeters: Elaine & Dale Leis Worship Leader: Sheryl Leis
Audio/Visual: Todd Bender/Brian Wagler Offering: Where needed most
Coffee: Gloria & Tom Roth Message: Pastor Mike
Prelude
“Graves into Gardens”
“Goodness of God”
“Yes I will”
Welcome & Announcements
Call to Worship & Opening Prayer
Songs of Gathering & Praise
“How Deep the Father’s Love for Us”
“In Christ Alone”
Offering – Where needed most
Offertory “Your Love oh Lord”
Children’s Story & Back to School Blessing – CENT
Scripture Reading: Numbers 14:17-20, Hosea 11:1-11
Message – Pastor Mike
Song of Response
“This is our God”
Prayer of the Church
Sending Song
“When Death was Arrested”
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. Attention Parents: During Coffeetime please take advantage of the opportunity to fill out registration/waiver forms for your children in the basement. Our Safe Church Policy requires that parents complete a separate form for each child involved in Sunday School, Junior Youth, and MYF who are under the age of 18.
11 a.m. Junior Sunday School classes JK to Grade 8 will meet in the assembly room and then move to the green space. Please dress for the weather. Nursery/Preschool children are welcome to join us outside with a parent.
11:15 a.m. MYF Parent Meeting. All parents of high school aged youth are invited to a brief meeting in the MYF Room with the Youth Ministry Team following the service. We will review the MYF plan for the 2025-26 year, review the upcoming Fall schedule of activities, and discuss ways in which parents can help. If you have any questions, you can reach out to Pastor Mike.
This Coming Week
Tuesday September 16th
- 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. – Holy Movement Stretch and Strength – use the fall transition to establish or reinforce your workout routine! Bring an exercise mat, water bottle, and light weights (note: household items like water bottles, cans or bags of food, laundry detergent etc. can also be used as weights). New participants welcome!
Wednesday September 17th
- E Z Play Group setup
- 7 p.m. Church Ministry Council Meeting
Thursday September 18th
- 9:30 – 11 a.m. E Z Play Group
Friday September 19th
- 7-9 p.m. Jwalkers (Jr Youth) Kickoff in the Green space. Please have your youth dress for outdoor activities. We’ll enjoy games, time together, and some fun outdoor activities. Youth are welcome to bring their friends. Waiver forms will also be available that evening for you to sign for your child. We can’t wait to see everyone there!
Next Sunday – September 21, 2025
Prelude/Accompanist: Bethany Zehr Song Leader: Myron Ruby
Greeters: Ashley & Jon Witzel Worship Leader: Caleb Leis
Audio/Visual: Greg Pye/Larry Kropf Offering: Leadership
Coffee: Carol & Owen Cook Message: Pastor Ray
11 a.m. Junior Sunday School classes JK to Grade 8 will meet in the assembly room and then move to the green space. Please dress for the weather. Nursery/Preschool children are welcome to join us outside with a parent.
Adult & Youth Sunday School classes will begin.
12 p.m. Private Party
EZMC Announcements
Please note the following offering designation change for today, September 14th. September 14th was originally designated towards our Refugee Fund. However, at this point, our financial commitments to the refugee families we have supported over the past few years, have been fulfilled. As there are currently no additional commitments for refugee families, we have decided not to designate offerings towards this fund at the present time. We have changed the September 14th offering designation to ‘Where Needed Most’. Thank you for your generous support towards the refugee families.
Attention Volunteers: Please complete a Volunteer Commitment Form as required by our Safe Church Policy before you volunteer with children, youth, seniors and other vulnerable persons for this program year (ie. Sept 1 2025 – Aug 31 2026). Copies of the forms are available downstairs during coffee time. The EZMC Safe Church Policy and Social Media Policy are available if you need to read them before signing.
Friday September 19 7-9 Jwalker (Junior Youth grade 6-8) Kickoff Event in the green space. Please have your youth dress for outdoor activities. We’ll enjoy games, time together, and some fun outdoor activities. Youth are welcome to bring their friends. Waiver forms will also be available that evening for you to sign for your child. We can’t wait to see everyone there!
Prayer Shawl knitting usually meets the 3rd Tuesday afternoon of the month. September 16 I will be away and so we will plan to meet next on October 21.
Jean
The family of Bill and Susan Schmitz invite you to an open house on Sunday, September 21st 2-4 pm at 146 Wilson St., Woodstock in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary. Best wishes only please. Parking is available at the College Avenue Secondary School, 700 College Avenue or off of Fyfe St. Woodstock.
We will be printing an updated EZMC Church Family Photo and Address Directory later this year.
- If you moved or have a new phone number since the printing of the Church Directory in November 2023 and have not given your updated information to the church office, please do so. If you were not in the last directory but would like to be included, please contact the church office.
- We would love to see updated photos! Please send to Lisa, preferably in digital form (jpeg) by email at office@ezmennonite.ca. If you have a photo you would like her to scan, make arrangements to drop it off and she will return it to you. These photos can be casual. If you are submitting a photo please remember that professional photos are subject to copyright so permission would be needed from the photographer to include.
- Please note that we encourage every person or family unit to submit a photo. Thank you so much for your willingness to submit a photo! It is very much appreciated!
- Deadline to submit is October 28, 2025.
Ladies!
Mark your calendars for our first Bible Study meeting on Wednesday, September 24 at 7:30 p.m. at the church in the MYF room.
If you’ve never joined us before but are interested, this is a perfect time to give it a try. We’ll continue meeting on Wednesday evenings every three weeks.
To kick off the year, we’ll be watching Francis Chan’s series The Gospel of Mark.
We’d love to see you there!
Beyond Our Church Community
Today, Sunday September 14, is the day! Join us at Rockway Mennonite Collegiate TODAY for our 80th Anniversary Open House and Hymn Sing. Drop in for our Open House between 1:30 – 4:30 pm to check out the decades displays in the Assembly Area then take a walk around the school. At 2:30 pm, join us in Gym A as Mark Diller Harder leads our Hymn Sing, accompanied by Ann L. Schultz alongside current and former music faculty members, alumni and current students. Learn more rockway.ca/events
Saturday September 20th 10,000 Steps for Mental Health. Shalom Counselling Services (9 Avondale Ave. S., Waterloo). 9 a.m. Registration 9 a.m. Walk begins at 9:30 a.m. Join us for our 10th annual walk in support of accessible mental health care in Waterloo Region. The route travels from Shalom to the Iron Horse Trail and back, followed by a community barbecue to celebrate a decade of steps toward healing. Whether your goal is 10,000 steps or 1,000, raising $10,000 or $100—every step and every dollar counts. Sign up or donate at: shalomcounselling.org/steps
Saturday September 20th 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Doors Open Waterloo Region: MCC Hub., 65 Heritage Dr., New Hamburg. The MCC Hub is a participating site of Doors Open Waterloo Region. Tour the home to MCC’s material resources and thrift processing, including the innovative new meat cannery; explore behind-the-scenes operations and pack a relief kit for someone affected by conflict or disaster. See how we meet urgent needs and make a global impact — one can, one kit at a time. There’s fun for the whole family with a bouncy castle and face painting, too. Learn more here.
Sunday September 21st 3 p.m. “Music for MCC Meat Cannery”. Come enjoy vocal and instrumental music offered by a variety of people. Concert will be held in the Steinmann Mennonite Church sanctuary. Cost by donation – all proceeds going to MCC Meat Cannery. Everyone is welcome.
Peace Week: Elephant at the Border
Sunday, September 21, 28 and October 5 7 – 8:30 p.m. On Zoom
Amidst political discord and talks of annexation across the Canada-US border, what is the call of followers of Jesus to respond? MCC is hosting three webinars that will explore the power and possibility of nonviolence in light of U.S. aggression. Join a series of online workshops starting on Sunday, September 21st. Attend one or attend them all. These events are free and expand on conversations from our first series this past spring. Learn more and register here.
Monday September 22nd 7-8:30 p.m.(Online) MCC Ontario Annual General Meeting
The 2025 AGM will highlight MCC Ontario’s financial results and strategic progress while empowering congregation delegates to participate in decision-making through voting on key organizational business matters.
Learn more and register at MCC Ontario Annual General Meeting.
Tuesday September 23rd 1 – 2:30 p.m. Peace Week: Forced to Flee Simulation Experience in the Community Room at 50 Kent Ave., Kitchener
“Forced to Flee” is a simulation experience that will plunge you into the reality that over 100 million people face around the world when they are forced to flee their homes. You’ll be confronted with a series of difficult decisions while you develop an awareness and understanding about the global refugee crisis. The event is free, but please register here.
Thursday September 25th You are invited to the Wilmot & Wellesley Resource Centre’s 31st Annual Community Fundraiser (Poor Boy’s Luncheon) at the New Hamburg Community Centre (251 Jacob St.)
Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. / Dinner: 5 – 7:30 p.m.
Tickets available online or at the door: $10/person; $35/family
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation resources
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was included in the 94 Calls to Action in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s final report. This federal holiday is intended to recognize and commemorate the legacy of residential schools, honour Survivors, their families and communities and ensure that public commemoration of the history and heritage of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process. We’ve created a learning resource on how we can all participate in reconciliation. Visit here to download the resource.
Community-powered Decolonization with Sarah Augustine and Friends
October 1 at 7 p.m., Shantz Mennonite Church, 2473 Erbs Rd, Baden
October 2 at 7 p.m., Conrad Grebel University College, 140 Westmount Rd N, Waterloo
You’re invited to join author and notable speaker Sarah Augustine, together with Adrian Jacobs and Mennonite Action, for two evenings of conversation about Indigenous justice and decolonization. These events are free but require registration. Learn more and register here Capacity is limited.
Monday Oct 6th Fall Seniors Retreat at Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp
Seniors are invited to learn from two organizations deeply involved in supporting asylum seekers and refugees. Experience the difficult decisions refugees make as they flee their homes. Better understand the complex issues of conflict, migration and refugees. Cost is $55 and includes lunch. For more information or to register visit hiddenacres.ca/programs/seniors-retreat or call the office 519-625-8602.
Saturday October 18th 5 p.m. & 7 p.m. Empty Bowls for Haiti at Steinmann Mennonite Church. Plan to be at this year’s Empty Bowls for Haiti event at Steinmann Mennonite Church in Baden. Local potters donate hand-crafted bowls and local restaurants provide a wide variety of delicious soups. Funds raised strengthen communities in Haiti through the work of MCC. Tickets are $35 each. Go to mcc.org/events to buy your tickets today!
Saturday November 1st – MCC Ontario Peace Conference at Rockway Mennonite Collegiate in Kitchener.
The MCC Peace Conference is your chance to learn the art of everyday peace and experience first-hand how you and MCC are changing lives and communities through peacebuilding. This event will inspire and inform through general sessions and conversations with messengers of peace. Save the date (November 1) and stay tuned for more details!
Friday November 28th – Saturday November 29th Men Listening, Men Talking: A Men’s Retreat, Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp and Retreat Centre
Men are invited to participate in this retreat that will focus on building healthy relationships of peace in their daily roles as fathers, sons, husbands and neighbours. We’ll learn lessons from guest speaker Arthur Boers, teacher, author and pastor, as he reflects on the impact and healing of generational trauma in his childhood. Learn more here.