East Zorra Mennonite Church
Volume 68 Sunday September 28, 2025 No. 39
Sunday September 21, 2025 – Join Sunday Worship Zoom at 10 a.m.
Prelude/Accompanist: Worship Band Song Leader: Lindsay Zehr
Greeters: Bethany & Trevor Kropf Worship Leader: Marlow Gingerich
Audio/Visual: Drystan Bender/Brian Wagler Offering: Local Ministries
Coffee: Shirley & Phil Ruby Message: Pastor Mike
Prelude
“How Deep The Father’s Love for Us”
“Amazing Grace” (My Chains are Gone)
“Days of Elijah”
Welcome & Announcements
Call to Worship & Opening Prayer
Songs of Gathering & Praise
“Mighty To Save”
“Goodness of God”
Offering – Local Ministries
Offertory “Jesus, all for Jesus”
Time with the Children – Jeanette Bender
Scripture Readings: Ezekiel 20:13-26, 1 John 4:13-19
Message – Pastor Mike
Song of Response
VT #7167 “Your Grace is Enough”
Christian Education Blessing – Caleb Leis
Prayer of the Church – Pastor Ray
Sending Song
VT #169 “Mercy, Mercy, Lord”
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.
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 (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.
11 a.m. Sunday School classes for all ages.
This Coming Week
Tuesday September 30th
- 7:30 – 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. New participants welcome!
Wednesday October 1st
- 10:30 – 11:30 Coffee and Bible Study
- E Z Play Group setup
- Glorify Rehearsal
Thursday October 2nd
- 9:30 – 11 a.m. E Z Play Group
Friday October 3rd
- 6:30 – 9 p.m. MYF – Retro Bowling
Saturday October 4th
- 2 – 4 p.m. Jr Youth Jwalkers – Canoe the Nith
New Celebration Bulletin Board – At the back of the sanctuary you will find a celebration of the monthly birthdays and anniversaries listed (starting with October) as we will not be printing these in the bulletin after this week. Any questions about this can be directed to Pastor Ray or Pastor Mike.
Milestone birthdays and anniversaries will continue to be displayed on the bulletin board outside the nursery and shared during morning worship.
Next Sunday – October 5, 2025
The Widening of God’s Mercy – Widening Borders
Prelude/Accompanist: Glorify Song Leader: Glorify
Greeters: Karen & Larry Bearinger Worship Leader: Dawn Bender
Audio/Visual: Dathan Bender/Larry Kropf Offering: Mission Partners
Coffee: Michelle & Brad Brenneman Message: Pastor Mike
A Communion Service will take place during worship.
EZMC Announcements
Coffee and Bible Study is Back!
After a long Summer break, the weekly coffee and Bible study returns this coming Wednesday October 1, 10:30-11:30am.
Join us in the church basement for hot coffee or tea, conversation and working through scripture together. This Fall, we will be looking at passages that speak about mercy and grace. Anyone is welcome to attend.
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.
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.
Monday November 3rd East Zorra is scheduled to serve a meal to approximately 225 people experiencing poverty and homelessness in downtown Kitchener at Ray of Hope. The missions committee is looking for 10-12 volunteers to assist in preparing and serving this meal. If you’re willing to volunteer or have any questions please speak to Dylan Yantzi or another member of the missions committee.
Thursday October 9th 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 Holly Bucholtz. She will talk about her ministry “Home & Heart Community: Cancer Care Bags” and the pursuing her passion for helping others and providing cancer care bags for those battling cancer. There will also be an opportunity to donate to her project.
Beyond Our Church Community
The September edition of On the Level is now available from Mennonite Disaster Service. In this edition, you’ll read about Jeff and Sylvia Starr who received a new home thanks to the MDS Manitoba Unit. As she spoke about MDS, Sylvia said, “I never thought there were so many kind people in the world.” Read On the Level: https://conta.cc/4pxWgG4
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.
Peace Week: Elephant at the Border
Sunday, September 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.
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. There are brochures on the main bulletin board.
Rockway Mennonite Collegiate invites you to its annual Spaghetti Supper School Fundraiser followed by the Alumni Sports Challenge. Mark your calendars for Friday, October 17 and join us for some family-friendly fun! Visit www.rockway.ca/events for more information, to buy your spaghetti tickets or to learn how to play on the Alumni team!
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!
MCC Peace Conference: Learn the Art of Everyday Peace
November 1, 2025 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. | 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.
Calling all families interested in learning more about Rockway Mennonite Collegiate for their child. We invite you to attend our Discover Rockway information night on Thursday, November 6 from 7 – 9 pm. For more information and to register for this event, visit our Discover Rockway webpage.
Saturday, November 8, 2025 – 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
November 19: Join a five week peer support group where we will create a sacred space to explore our mental health journey where scripture is used to ground us. The location and time may change depending on interest of people. Email melodysteinman@gmail.com for details.