East Zorra Mennonite Church
Volume 68 Sunday December 21, 2025 No. 51
Song Leader: Glorify Worship Leader: JCET
Greeters: Susan & Ray Martin Offering: Leadership
Audio/Visual: Drystan Bender/Brian Wagler Coffee: Janet & Marv Yantzi
Prelude Rebekah Williamson, Leah Mogk, Ella & Hannah Witzel
Welcome Bauer Yantzi & Garner Zehr & Hudson Leis
Preschool/JK/SK Singing
“Happy Birthday to You”
“Away in a Manger”
“There was a Little Baby”
Song “O Beautiful Star”(VT #275)
Advent Candles Emmett Wiegand
Lighting of Advent Candles Norah Wagler, Mariah Mogk, Lake Barron, Maynard Klein
Song “Love Came Down at Christmas” (VT #255)
Skit of Christmas Story
“High King of Heaven”
“Angels We Have Heard on High” (VT #249)
Song “On Christmas Eve in Bethlehem”
Prayer & Blessing of Offering Rowan Yantzi & Ben Witzel
Offering Designation Leadership
Offertory Leah Mogk, Hannah Witzel
Prayer and Sharing Pastor Mike
Benediction/Instructions for basement
Benediction Violet & Noah Waymouth
Announcements Ila Schumm
Song “Joy to the World”
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.
Please note that we are not having Sunday School classes today. Everyone is invited downstairs for refreshments.
This Coming Week
Monday December 22nd
- 7 – 8 p.m. Christmas Choir practice
Tuesday December 23rd
- 9 a.m. All items for the Sunday December 28th bulletin are due to the church office. Thanks so much.
Wednesday December 24th
- 7 p.m. Christmas Eve Service at EZMC.
Christmas Eve Service – 7 p.m.
Prelude: Bethany Zehr Song Leader: Susan Schmitz
Accompanist/Offertory: Heidi Wagler Worship Leaders: Pastor Ray Audio/Visual: Dathan Bender/Larry Kropf Meditation: Pastor Mike
Our offering this evening will go to Ray of Hope and Wilmot Family Resource Centre
Next Sunday – December 28, 2025
Prelude/Accompanist: Song Leader: Lindsay Zehr
Greeters: Kristen & Daryl Cressman Worship Leader: Pastor Ray
Audio/Visual: Todd Bender/Brian Wagler Offering: Where needed most
Coffee: Gloria & Merv Ropp
Cassel Mennonite and Tavistock Mennonite will join us for this service.
Daily Bible Readings for December 22-26:
Monday: Isaiah 9:1-7 Thursday: Luke 2:1-20
Tuesday: Psalm 96 Friday: John 1:1-18
Wednesday: Titus 2:11-14
EZMC Announcements
Please note that all items for the Sunday December 28th bulletin are due to the church office by 9 a.m. on Tuesday December 23rd.
Today you will find the new Church Directory in your mailbox. If you have a family member that will not be able to get to church, and you will see them over the holidays, please take their mail along. There are extra copies of the directory on the bottom row for those that would like one and don’t have a church mailbox.
Please contact Lisa, Office Administrator, if your church directory has any missing pages or duplicate pages or there are any omissions/errors in your household listing.
Thanks so much.
The Church Ministry Council Minutes (Dec 3/25 meeting) were sent on Fri Dec 19/25 via email, along with the Kitchen Renovation discussion (Nov 30/25) and the Pastoral Intern Report by Alexis Leis. If you would like a paper copy to read it is available on the bottom row of church mailboxes.
Wednesday, December 31st, 7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.(?): Are you looking for something fun to do on New Year’s Eve? All ages are welcome to come to church for an informal evening of games and fellowship! Bring along your favourite games and finger foods to share. Hot/cold drinks will be provided.
Any questions, speak to Marv or Janet Yantzi. Hope to see you there!
Financial update as of Dec 17/25
As we near the end of 2025, we thank you all for your generous giving throughout this year. We invite your prayers and donations as we seek to meet remaining Commitments and Expenses for 2025.
Summary of remaining 2025 External Commitments and expected Expenses
2025 External Commitments – $174,000
External Commitments paid to date (Dec 17th) – $85,216
External Commitments remaining – $88,784
Approx Expenses for remainder of 2025 – $17,000
Total External Commitments/Expenses yet to be covered – $105,784 (as of December 17th, 2025)
Please submit any 2025 expenses you have to Becky as soon as possible. Thank you.
📚 The Winter Great Big Read is Returning This January 2026 📚
We’re excited to announce our next read: Get a Hold of Yourself: Embracing Authenticity in a Complicated World by Troy D. Watson (Foreword by Betty Pries).
In this thoughtful and accessible book, Pastor Troy Watson explores how Jesus’ teachings help us face life’s contradictions—teaching us to embrace who we truly are as both flawed and beloved. Through engaging reflection and theological insight, we’ll discover how authenticity and faith intersect in our everyday lives.
✨ This book promises great group discussion — offering rich topics about identity, grace, and living more fully in faith.
We will gather once a month on the fourth Thursday of every month at 6:00pm for Pizza followed by conversation.
Join us as we dig in and grow together!
You can sign-up to pre-order the book using the sheet on the bulletin board OR e-mailing Pastor Mike at mike@ezmennonite.ca
The 2026 Camp Subsidy Form is now available. You can complete it and return to Becky Bender either by email (treasurer@ezmennonite.ca) or put in her church mailbox. Forms are available in the literature rack beside the main bulletin board or by contacting Lisa at office@ezmennonite.ca If you have any questions please contact one of the Christian Education Lay Ministers – Dawn Bender or Caleb Leis.
Beyond Our Church Community
Help needed to sew comforter fabric!
MCC Hub, 65 Heritage Dr., New Hamburg
Due to building construction, we are unable to host our annual comforter knotting blitz, the Great Winter Warm-up. We look forward to hosting again in our new, refreshed space! However, we received a donation of matched tops and backs that require extra fabric to be sewn on the back to meet our partner’s requests. Our volunteers have been working through them, but we need some help! If you or your group would like to help, please contact Alecia Weber (aleciaweber@mcco.ca) or stop by the MCC Hub (65 Heritage Dr., New Hamburg) to pick some up while supplies last.
Best Christmas Pageant Ever @ Tavistock Mennonite Church
You are invited to TMC’s production of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Our main showing is on Dec 24th @ 7pm. We recognize that many people have longstanding traditions on Christmas Eve, so we will also be having an open dress rehearsal on Dec 23rd @ 7pm. Come and enjoy some Christmas carols amidst this intergenerational performance. No cost, no tickets, no RSVP, just show up!
The December edition of On the Level is now available from Mennonite Disaster Service. In this edition, you’ll read about our November all-unit gathering in Calgary. It was good to be together and collaborate on the future of MDS. There is also a new story about Dwayne Stewart who lost his home to the Barrington Lake fire in 2023. This fall, MDS volunteers were able to build him a new house. When ask about it, Dwayne said, “I still don’t realize it’s happening.”
Read On the Level: https://conta.cc/4rYv4RW
Give gifts of comfort and joy this Christmas
This Christmas season, choose a gift that will honour your loved ones and change lives across the globe. MCC’s Christmas Giving Guide lets you celebrate what you hold dear about your loved ones, from the art lover to the gardener. By helping people build skills, grow food or meet basic needs, the impact of your generosity is a cause for celebration long after the lights and tree are taken down. Pick up a gift catalogue at church (on the table in the sanctuary foyer), a local MCC Thrift Shop or give online at mcc.org/Christmas.
Interfaith Counselling Centre Calendar Fundraiser – Help Us Bring Hope and Healing to Our Community. We’re inviting you to support the Interfaith Counselling Centre through our Calendar Fundraiser—a beautiful way to give back while celebrating the seasons of life and wellness. Each calendar features inspiring artwork and messages that reflect the heart of our mission: to provide accessible, compassionate counselling to those in need. Your purchase directly supports our programs and helps ensure that no one in our community is left without support during difficult times.
Calendars are available at our office and select community locations. You can also order online at interfaithcounselling.ca or by calling (519) 662-3092.
Give the gift of Mental Health!
Support Interfaith Counselling Services as we work to ensure all in Wilmot and surrounding Rural Communities have access to professional counselling services.
Donations can be made through: e transfer to admin@interfaithcounselling.ca;
Canada Helps through our website, www.interfaithcounselling.ca;
Mailing or dropping off a cheque at the office. Thank you!
Rockway Mennonite Collegiate thanks you for supporting us this school year! Whether it was through prayer, a financial contribution or by volunteering at or attending an event, your engagement was (is) appreciated. As we come to the end of the year, we welcome your contributions to help raise funds for our Go Rockway! Annual Fund and Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more at rockway.ca/donate.
Turn Time into Meals: Group Canning at MCC Material Resources
MCC Material Resources (65 Heritage Dr., New Hamburg) is inviting workplace, church, and community groups to can nutritious food for communities in need. Groups are asked to contribute $6.50 per can to cover costs and keep this vital work going. Flexible scheduling is available. A typical daily output can range from 350–1,200 cans. Learn more or book a canning date today! Contact Reid Kennel at reidkennel@mcco.ca or by calling 226-338-4956.
Would you help us support disaster survivors? There are many more people who need to be reminded there still good things and good people in the world—people Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) wants to help.
To donate, go to mds.org/donate-canada/. Your donation can help us continue to do that for more people who have lost their homes to devastating disasters. Thank you for your support!
New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale Feature Quilt Reveal
Tuesday January 27, 2026 at 9:30 a.m., MCC, 50 Kent Ave., Kitchener
Each year, a talented individual or team creates the feature quilt for the New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale. Feature quilts have depicted historical churches, the play of colour and light across fabric, a journey through Africa, among other innovative designs. On January 27, the curtain will be removed and the 2025 feature quilt will be revealed. Join us in the lower atrium at 50 Kent Ave, Kitchener or on the NHMRS Facebook page. Learn more at mcc.org/events.
Sign up to sing with the Mennonite Mass Choir as we join Menno Singers to perform Johannes Brahm’s Schicksalslied (Song of Destiny) and Karl Jenken’s The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace on Thursday, May 21, 2026 at Centre in the Square with soloists and members of the Kitchener Waterloo Symphony, conducted by Brandon Leis. Rehearsals begin on Monday nights on February 23, 2026. www.mennosingers.com
Tickets are on sale for Rockway Mennonite Collegiate’s grade 7&8 production of Humpty-Dumpty is missing! They will make great last minute Christmas gifts!! Visit rockway.ca/events for a show synopsis and to buy your tickets for this comedy whodunit. Show dates: March 5 & 6, 2026