Volume 66 Sunday February 5, 2023 No. 6
Worship Service – Sunday February 5, 2023 at 10 a.m.
Join Sunday Morning Worship Gathering
The Story of God, the Story of Us: Reading the Bible Together
Genesis 12: The God who calls Us
Prelude: Bethany Klein Accompanist: Bethany Klein
Song Leader: Lindsay Zehr Worship Leader: Sheryl Leis
Message: Pastor Ray Audio/Visual: Greg Pye/Brian Wagler
Prelude
Welcome & Announcements
Call to Worship & Opening Prayer
Songs of Praise 57 VT Holy Spirit Come with Power; 88 VT Praise the Lord, The Almighty
Prayer for the Offering
Offering Focus – Mission Partners
Time with Children
Scripture Readings: Genesis 12:1-9; Hebrews 11:8-12
Message: Abraham, Sarah and the God who calls us
Song of Response: 715 VT Longing for Light
Moment for Mission
Sharing Time & Prayer of the Church
Sending Song: 830 VT Go, My Children
Benediction
Today
Coffee Time will be hosted by Gwen and Dan Matthews.
A note about Coffee Time – We will continue to have coffee every other Sunday. We would welcome a few more volunteers that would make it possible to serve coffee every week. We would ask that everyone provide their own coffee 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 contact Lisa if you would be willing to volunteer to be a coffee time host. A coffee host prepares the coffee and cleans up after coffee time. Thanks so much.
Sunday School classes
Nursery to Grade 5 classes are being held downstairs.
Junior Youth class meets upstairs in Room #9
Youth class meets upstairs in the MYF room (Room #11)
Adult Sunday School – God’s Story, Our Story: Reading the Bible Together
Following the service and a time of fellowship, you are invited to the basement for a time of discussion as we reflect on the Bible story for the week. Using the questions from the reading schedule to guide us, we will try and figure out what each story means to us today as God’s people.
We will plan to keep the Zoom link open and will have a leader to guide discussion for Zoom participants.
This Coming Week
Wednesday February 8th
10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Unwrapping Scripture over Coffee – Please see the announcement for more details about this weekly bible study opportunity.
Thursday February 9th
9:30 a.m. E Z Play Group
7 p.m. MYF
Next Sunday – February 12, 2023
The Story of God, the Story of Us: Reading the Bible Together
Genesis 12: The God who makes and keep promises
Prelude: Chantelle McNeish Accompanist: Chantelle McNeish
Song Leader: Caleb Leis Worship Leaders: Tyler Yantzi
Message: Pastor Mike Audio/Visual: Drystan Bender/Larry Kropf
EZMC Announcements
A reminder for those who signed up to knot comforters at the Resource Centre on Tuesday February 7/23 from 10:00 to 12:00.
Sewing Circle will not be having their usual meeting to quilt and knot comforters at church in February. They plan to meet again on Tuesday March 7th.
Unwrapping Scripture over Coffee
Wednesdays 10:30-11:30 at the Church
Winter blues got you down? Are you bored? Do you miss getting out of the house? Then come drop-in at the church and join us on Wednesday mornings as we open and read the Bible together over a hot cup of coffee or tea. Bring your Bibles and your questions as we reflect on a story from the Bible and what it teaches us about ourselves and God. Whether you are a Bible expert or completely confused, everyone is welcome!
Tuesday February 21st
5:30 – 7 p.m. Care Team along with members of the Congregational Life committee are planning to host a Pancake supper at the church. Please join us for this intergenerational evening of food and fellowship. Everyone is welcome. Gluten free and dairy free pancakes will be available. Please sign up on the sign up sheet on the bulletin board or email your intent to office@ezmennonite.ca. You may also call Lisa at 519-655-6824. This will help give us an idea of how many sausages to order.
It’s cold out there.
On February 25, Operation Sharing is hosting the Coldest Night of the Year, a 2 & 5 km winterrific walk hosted in 170+ cities across Canada, in support of their work in Oxford County with people experiencing homelessness, hurt, and hunger.
Our Missions Committee has registered a team (EZ Walkers) and plan to walk in Woodstock on February 25. If you would like to join our team of walkers and/or sponsor us to help raise funds please speak to one of the members of our Missions Ministry Committee: Susan Schmitz, Dan Matthews, Sheryl Leis, Jessie Yantzi or Pastor Ray. . You may also join the team of walkers or sponsor us by using this link: Sponsor EZ Walkers or Join the Team. Our goal is to raise $2000 or more to help respond to the growing needs in Oxford County. Thanks for your support!
Sunday February 26th – EZMC 2022 Annual Meeting
The meeting will be held in person and available virtually on Zoom. The annual report will be sent by email on Friday February 10th but if you would prefer a paper copy, let Lisa know by Thursday February 9th. Please note that paper copies of the report will be delivered to those who receive a printed copy of our Sunday bulletin each Friday.
The Nursing Homes of Tavistock have requested that our ministerial churches begin offering Sunday afternoon services again. It feels important that East Zorra be involved in this important ministry to our seniors in Long Term Care. The ministerial is working on scheduling and response to this request. If your family, small group or group of friends, would be willing to be involved please speak to Pastor Ray or Susan Schmitz. The services are about 30 minutes and involve music, readings, prayers. Thank you for considering sharing in this ministry.
JCET is still in need of volunteers to help with the children. Sign up sheet is on the bulletin board across from the JCET desk, in the basement. Below is a description of the various types of roles needed. If you have any questions please ask anyone on the team (Jess Y., Holly, Erin Y. Sue M.)
Nursery/Preschool and JK/SK TEACHERS:
Plan for an hour which includes: welcoming children and have an activity on the table (puzzles, playdough, etc); story, activity and activity sheets using the Gospel Light curriculum which is provided. Play time is also encouraged as it builds friendships & many other skills (getting along, cooperation, listening, leading, imagination, etc)
JK/SK join the older children for assembly time for the first 10 min of the Christian Education hour.
Nursery/Preschool and JK/SK HELPERS:
Welcome and assist the teacher and children.
Grades 1-5
DEVOTIONS: Using the curriculum provided, tell the story, ask questions from God’s big picture and do the Bible verse Object talk provided. Approx. 15-20 min.
CRAFT/GAMES: Plan to lead either the games or craft suggestions provided. There are also discussion questions to help tie the activity to the story. Approx. 15-20 min.
JWalker TEACHER: Plan for an hour. Students watch a video from the Meeting House and then have a discussion based on the video.
JWalker HELPER: Assists the teacher to help keep order, offer input into the discussion and is a 2nd adult in the room.
Beyond Our Church Community
Saturday February 4th 7:30 p.m. Menno Singers and artistic director Brandon Leis present a new composition by local composer Justin LaPierre, ‘Messe de Sainte Anne ’, a weaving together of Québécois hymns and folk music, at St Matthews Lutheran Church (54 Benton St, Kitchener).
$25 Adults. $5 Children/Students. www.mennosingers.com
Back by popular demand, Selah’s Song, (written by Johnny Wideman, with original music by beloved Mennonite musician Bryan Moyer Suderman) tells the story of a young girl whose courage inspired a village and whose song became an anthem for peace. Selah’s Song is a heartwarming musical that is fun for all ages!
Selah’s Song will be presented at Shantz Mennonite Church on Friday, February 10th at 7:00PM. Admission by donation. https://fb.me/e/3cPvQaHnk
Monday February 20th 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! RSVP to info@hiddenacres.ca or call (519) 625-8602. Check www.hiddenacres.ca for more details.
Grade 10 Family Night at Grebel and UWaterloo is back! On Thursday, February 23 at 5pm, Conrad Grebel University College invites all Grade 10 students and their families to share a meal at Grebel before attending the University of Waterloo’s annual Grade 10 Family Night. The Grebel tour starts at 5pm, followed by dinner at 5:30. The UWaterloo presentation begins at 6:30, followed by an academic and student life Information Fair. Lean about a world-renowned academic institution, as well as the supportive residence environment that Grebel, a close-knit and faith-based community, can provide for students. Email grebelstudentservices@uwaterloo.ca by Wednesday February 8 to register for supper.
Film Screening | Zwingli: Der Reformator (The Reformer. Zwingli: A Life’s Portrait), hosted by the Institute of Anabaptist and Mennonite Studies at Conrad Grebel University College. The MCEC church community is invited to watch and discuss Swiss filmmaker Stephan Haupt’s award-winning 2019 depiction of the early Reformation in Zurich. Dr. David Neufeld will provide a brief introduction to the film and lead a post-screening discussion with attendees on Monday, February 27, 7:00pm – 8:30pm, room 2202. grebel.ca/events
Grandparent and Grandchild Day at Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp
The annual Grandparent-Grandchild Days sponsored by Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp is planned for Monday, March 13. This retreat is for grandparents and their grandchildren in Grades 1-6. Greg Taylor will be leading the day, focusing on the theme of God of Wonders: Discovering the Creator Through Space. Check out www.hiddenacres.ca for more details.
The 10th International Conference on Ageing and Spirituality will be hosted at Conrad Grebel University College from June 4 to 7. Registration is now open! All are welcome to attend and take advantage of workshops and seminars by researchers, scholars, faith leaders, seniors, policy makers, and care partners. Early bird pricing is available until March 18, 2023. Visit uwaterloo.ca/ageing-spirituality/ for more information and to register.
Registration is open for Ontario Mennonite Music Camp (OMMC), running August 13 – 15 at Conrad Grebel University College. OMMC provides an exciting camp adventure for 12- to 17-year-olds, pairing exceptional musical instruction with traditional camp activities. Campers will find a safe and supportive community to explore their love of music, strengthen their leadership skills, and deepen their faith. Register by April 15 for the early bird discount: grebel.ca/ommc
Walking Together Book Study – MCEC Truth & Reconciliation Working Group
Join the MCEC Truth and Reconciliation Working Group in this 4-part book study, Walking Togther: Intercultural Stories of Love and Acceptance. We will begin our study with Edith and Neill von Gunten, the authors, on Wednesday, February 15.
We will meet every other Wednesday evening from 7 – 9 Eastern time.
(Wed Feb 15, Wed Mar 1, 15, & 29). Walking Together invites the church to grapple with questions of racism and Christian supremacy in order to see that all peoples and cultures bear Creator’s beauty and gifts, and that our reconciliation—even our salvation—depends upon embracing that truth.
More Information and to Register
The constituency-based MCEC Truth & Reconciliation Working Group serves the MCEC constituency by promoting awareness and education on specific issues and topics. The information and links are those of the Working Group and do not necessarily represent MCEC as a whole.
Call for German Mennonite Poetry – Do you or your relatives have self-composed German Mennonite poetry that you’re interested in sharing with the community? Brubacher House Artists-in-Residence are collecting previously untranslated German language poems for a bilingual collection of German Mennonite poetry from the Waterloo Region. Email submissions to brubacherpoetryproject@gmail.com. More information at uwaterloo.ca/brubacher-house