East Zorra Mennonite Church
Volume 69 Sunday September 20, 2026 No. 38
Sunday September 20, 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: Lindsay Zehr
Greeter: Joyce & Howard Ropp Worship Leader: Kim Leis
Audio/Visual: Dathan Bender/Brian Wagler Coffeetime: Gloria & Merv Ropp
Prelude
Welcome & Announcements
Call to Worship & Opening Prayer
Songs of Gathering & Praise
VT #22 “What is This Place”
VT #100 “Praise Him, Praise Him”
Offering – Leadership
Children’s Story Leah Ruby
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11 Greg Leis
Message Pastor Mike
Song of Response
VT #718 “Gentle Shepherd, Come and Lead Us”
Prayer of the Church Pastor Ray
Sending Song
VT #840 “God Be with You Till We Meet Again”
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.
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.
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.
This Coming Week
Tuesday September 22nd
- 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. Holy Movement (re-scheduled from last week) – 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 23rd
- Play Group setup
- 7 p.m. Church Ministry Council Meeting
Thursday September 24th
- 9:15 – 11:15 a.m. E Z Play Group
Friday September 25th
- Wedding Rehearsal
- MYF at Brendan and Sheryl’s. More details will follow via email.
Saturday September 26th
- 1 p.m. Wedding Ceremony for Isaiah Ruby and Briana Philips.
Next Sunday – September 27, 2026
Prelude/Accompanist: Heidi Wagler Song Leader: Caleb Leis
Greeter: Holly & Luke Barron Worship Leader: Megan MacDonald
Audio/Visual: Todd Bender/Larry Kropf Offering: Local Ministries
Coffeetime: Shirley & Phil Ruby Message: Pastor Mike
11 a.m. Sunday School classes for all ages
12 – 3 p.m. Jwalkers Fall Kickoff Event: All junior youth in grades 6-8 are invited to join us for our kickoff event! A pizza lunch will be provided right after church. We will have some games and activities in the green space after lunch. Please speak to Tyler and Jess Yantzi, Megan McDonald, Erin Schlegel or Erin Yantzi with any questions.
12 – 6 p.m. Private Party
EZMC Announcements
Children’s Blessing: Back to School & Play
Next Sunday September 27th during the Children’s story – Kids are invited to bring something that represents a hobby, sport, or activity they enjoy. It could be a jersey, or glove, or dance shoes. Kids will be invited to share about some of the exciting things they do before having a special blessing for the year.
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
Monday Night October 5th beginning at 6:30 p.m. Health Ministry Team is Hosting our next Big Cook Event. We will be Filling the Freezer with Meals ready to share within our Congregation. See the sign-up sheet on the Health Ministry Bulletin Board. On the menu will be Cheesy Ham and Scalloped Potatoes with Mixed Vegetables. We anticipate needing approximately 8 volunteers. Varied jobs will range from Chopping and Shredding, Stove Top duties, Assembling and Packaging Meals. Volunteers of all ages are welcome. Connect with Heidi if you have any questions.
Fall Walk & Connect
Do you desire more community connections and time outside this fall?
Do the shorter days of fall leave you feeling tired and with less energy to do the things you enjoy?
If so, embrace this season and join a ‘Fall Walk & Connect’! Come when you can, walk at your pace, and enjoy wonderful connection with others! Open to all youth and adults, your neighbours and friends!
The program will run bi-weekly on Monday evenings from Oct 5 to Dec 14 under streetlights in Tavistock or New Hamburg (in areas that are well-lit). If there is interest, we may add an occasional daytime and/or weekend walk. No pressure to attend all, come when you can!
For our initial gathering on Oct 5, meet at the Memorial Hall Tavistock. Following a walk of 45 – 60 minutes, for those interested, we’ll grab a beverage or snack (e.g. ice cream!?) at a local establishment and continue great connection!
Time spent walking outside with others can boost your mood, reduce your stress, and enhance your overall well-being. Hope to connect with you there!
If you have questions, or ideas for theme walks, please contact Tracey Kropf.
Thursday October 8th 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 Richard & Joan Hryniw, “The Story of the Little Boxes. Please bring used greeting cards.
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
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.
Saturday October 3rd Theatre of the Beat is celebrating its 15th anniversary from 4-7pm at Danforth Mennonite Church – live performances, anniversary quilt activity, BBQ and Childcare will be provided. RSVP at theatreofthebeat.ca, and contact johnny@theatreofthebeat.ca for carpooling options.
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 September edition of On the Level is now available from MDS.
In this edition, you’ll read a story about a family from three generations in Denare Beach, Saskatchewan. “It’s interesting to work with people of different generations and different perspectives,” Henry Warkentin said. “You get to learn their points of view and they get to benefit from the older people’s experience . . . we were all here for one purpose, to get people back into their homes.”
Read On the Level: https://conta.cc/3URSfBy
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 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.
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 contact jodivannord@mcco.ca for quantity purchases.
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.