Volume 67 Sunday February 18, 2024 No. 7
Sunday Morning Worship – 10 a.m.
1st Sunday of Lent
Stories from the Life of Jesus – Jesus Feeds the Crowd
Prelude: Katie Wagler Accompanist: Katie Wagler
Worship Leader: Jared Yantzi Song Leader: Caleb Leis
Greeter: Jean MacDonald Offering: Relief/MCC
Audio/Visual: Greg Pye/Larry Kropf Message: Pastor Ray
Coffee Hosts: Janet & Marv Yantzi
Prelude
Welcome & Announcements
Call to Worship & Prayer
Songs of Gathering & Praise
VT #158 “I Know God Loves Me”
VT #397 “The Church’s One Foundation”
Offering – Relief/Mennonite Central Committee
Time with the Children Ashley Witzel
Scripture Reading: John 6:1-15
Message Pastor Ray
Prayer of Confession & Reconciliation VT #888
Song of Response
VT #715 “Longing for Light”
Prayer of the Church Heidi Wagler
Sending Song
VT #816 “Guide My Feet”
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.
There are no Sunday School classes today.
This Coming Week
Tuesday February 20th
- 1:30 – 3:30 Prayer Shawl at Jean MacDonald’s. New knitters are always welcome.
Wednesday February 21st
- 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Coffee and Bible Study
- 7 p.m. Play Group set up
Thursday February 22nd
- 9:30 – 11 a.m. E Z Play Group
- 12 p.m. Lenten Luncheon at Grace United Church at Grace United Church (Elevator and Hearing Assistance). Each Thursday during Lent beginning at noon with meditation and music in the Sanctuary followed by Soup and Sandwich Lunch at 12:30 p.m. Suggested contribution is $5-$10 for lunch. Theme is “Spiritual Practises for a Climate Crisis” Each week we will focus on an emotion that describes our relationship with creation. Week 2: Anxiety.
Friday February 23rd
- 7 p.m. MYF – Giant Dutch Blitz
Next Sunday – February 25, 2024
EZMC Annual Meeting
Prelude: Bethany Zehr Accompanist: Bethany Zehr
Worship Leader: Brendan/Ray/Mike Song Leader: Lindsay Zehr
Greeters: Flo & Lorne Metzger Offering: Leadership
Audio/Visual: Drystan Bender/Brian Wagler
The annual meeting will be held during Worship and Sunday School, in person and virtually on Zoom. The annual report was sent by email on Friday February 9th but there are some paper copies of the report booklet available in the bottom row of the church mailboxes.
Following the meeting, everyone is invited to stay for a fellowship meal.
The MYF will be serving a soup lunch following the annual meeting on February 25th as a fundraiser for a potential youth retreat/conference this year. All are welcome to join us for lunch.
EZMC Announcements
CNOY – You are invited to walk as part of a team or individually in support of the CNOY (Coldest Night of the Year) in a local community of your choice. It is one way to support people experiencing hurt, hunger and homelessness everyday. Click here to register to walk and fundraise for the February 24, 2024 event. – Missions.
The 2024 Camp Subsidy Form is now available and you can complete and return to Dawn Zehr either by email (gdzehr@gmail.com) or mail (657173 15th line, R.R.#1 Tavistock, ON N0B 2R0). Forms are available in the literature rack beside the main bulletin board or by contacting Lisa Suderman at office@ezmennonite.ca
If you have any questions please contact one of the Christian Education Lay Ministers – Bethany Kropf or Jared Yantzi.
Help build a future of peace in Mindanao: Malipayon Peace Hub
On Friday November 24 our weekly email included an attachment of the monthly newsletter from Dann and Joji Pantoja, witness workers in the Philippines who we support. This newsletter highlights the Malipayon Peace Hub Project which we heard about last month when our guests from the Philippians were here. Mennonite Church Canada is supporting this project and has a fundraising goal of $230,000. They hope to reach this goal March 2024. If you would like to donate to this project please use the link provided below or send a cheque to Mennonite Church Canada 600 Shaftesbury Blvd. Winnipeg, Man. R3P 0M4.Your support for this project will be a blessing.
Donation Link: https://www.mennonitechurch.ca/philippines-transition
Mark your calendars for this year’s EZ Women’s IF Gathering here at the church, April 12th and 13th.
What is an IF Gathering?
“If Gathering exists to equip women with gospel-centered resources, events and community so they may learn more about who God is and disciple other women.”
The theme this year is- A Reason to Celebrate, A Moment to Risk Again.
Come join us as we thank God for all he has done in our past and discuss how are we going to live differently for Him going forward.
The cost for registration is $30 and this includes lunch on Saturday from Raja Thai and Indian Cuisine. Please sign up on the sheet posted on the bulletin board in the front lobby. Spread the word and invite your friends to join us! If you have any questions you can ask one of the planning team members, Erin Yantzi, Ashley Witzel, Sheryl Leis, Heidi Wagler or Jess Yantzi.
Stay tuned for more details to come!
Beyond our Church Community
Material Resources shipments to Ukraine
Material Resources is organizing two shipments to Ukraine, one at the end of January and one in March. Our partners in Ukraine are in need of various items such as comforters, assorted kits and bars of laundry and bath soap. We are blessed to have received everything needed for January, but we still need more items for March. Your contribution can make a significant difference in the lives of those in need. Learn more at mcc.org/get-involved/kits.
Monday February 19th 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Free Family Day Open House at Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp — Come for a fun and relaxing day with your family! Pretzel-making, roasting bannock around the fire, sledding, skating, games, puzzles, crafts, ping-pong and more! Choose a hot lunch for $5/person (RSVP required) or bring a bagged lunch (peanut free). RSVP to info@hiddenacres.ca or call 519-625-8602. Check out www.hiddenacres.ca for more details.
Wednesday February 21st 11 a.m. CT Peace & Possibility, Part I: Tune into a live web event with Maoz Inon, an Israeli peace and tourism entrepreneur with strong Mennonite links. Since his parents were killed by Hamas, Inon’s message of peace has drawn the attention of international media. Hosted by Canadian Mennonite, Anabaptist World and the Palestine-Israel Network.. Click here to learn more. and for the livestream link.
Wednesday February 28th 7:30 p.m. CT Peace & Possibility, Part II: Raja Khouri is a Palestinian-Canadian; Jeffrey Wilkinson is an American Jew. Hear them discuss their 2023 book, The Wall Between: What Jews and Palestinians Don’t Want to Know About Each Other. Hosted by Canadian Mennonite, Anabaptist World and the Palestine-Israel Network.. Click here to learn more. and for the livestream link.
Thursday February 29th 7:30 p.m. Is Reconciliation Possible? Rev. Dr. Ray Aldred, Director of the Indigenous Studies program at Vancouver School of Theology is Grebel’s 2024 Sawatsky Visiting Scholar. His free public lecture asks the question, “Is Reconciliation Possible?” and he will address sustaining efforts towards reconciliation when justice is so far away. More details at Conrad Grebel University College. grebel.ca/sawatsky.
Saturday March 9th 7:30 p.m. Menno Singers with Artistic Director Brandon Leis present‘At the Foot of the Cross,’ with cellist Ben Bolt-Martin and Menno Youth Ensemble. The concerts includes Bach’s Jesu Meine Freude and works by Morlock, Tavener, Casarrubbios and Carol Ann Weaver. Trillium Lutheran Church (22 Willow St., Waterloo). Tickets $25, Child/Student $5 at www.mennosingers.com or at the door.
Grandparent & Grandchild Retreat at Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp
Monday, March 11th @ 9:15 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Grandparents and grandchildren in grades 1-6 are invited to camp to “Discover God through the Creative Process” with Mike Vlaming, owner of Little Creek Pottery. Join us for a day of creativity, fun and connecting! For more information or to register go to our website www.hiddenacres.ca. Brochures are available on the main bulletin board.
Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp Hiring for our 2024 Summer Staff Team!
Are you or is someone you know looking for a summer job filled with meaning, friendships and fun? Apply to join our 2024 Summer Staff Team! Check out our website at www.hiddenacres.ca for available positions, information and to apply. Connect our Program Director, Josh Penfold at josh@hiddenacres.ca with any questions.
Friday April 19 – Sunday April 21 – Music is Medicine Retreat
Come to Silver Lake for some time away at camp filled with singing and instrumental music! Sing through songbooks, hymnals and more in the company of music-lovers! Alissa Bender will be joined by Mykayla Turner and Joel Woods to lead this weekend. Connect and eat great food! All meals provided. Cost:$210 (+HST) per person. Please see SLMC’s website for more information and to register.
Join our Team!
We’re excited to share that we have two new open positions: the Migration and Resettlement team has an opening for a Migration and Resettlement Settlement and Integration Associate based out of the Kitchener office and Thrift on Mill is looking for an Associate Processing to join their team in Leamington. Don’t miss out on this chance to be part of something meaningful! Go to mcc.org/careers for more information and to apply.