East Zorra Mennonite Church
Volume 68 Sunday December 7, 2025 No. 49
2nd Sunday of Advent – Peace
Prelude/Accompanist: Glorify Song Leader: Glorify
Greeters: Carol & Owen Cook Worship Leader: Tracey Kropf
Audio/Visual: Todd Bender/Brian Wagler Offering: Mission Partners
Coffee: Shirley & Phil Ruby Message: Pastor Ray
Prelude
“Love Came Down at Christmas” (VT 255)
“On Christmas Eve in Bethlehem”
“Angels we have Heard on High” (VT 249)
Welcome & Announcements
Call to Worship & Opening Prayer
Lighting of Advent Candle
Songs of Gathering & Praise
“High King of Heaven”/”Jesus We Love You”
“Hark the Herald Angels Sing”/”King of Heaven”
Offering – Mission Partners
Offertory “We have a Saviour”
Time with the Children Ashley Witzel
Scripture Readings Isaiah 11:1-10; Romans 15:1-13
Message Pastor Ray
Song of Response
“O Come O Come Emmanuel” (VT 210 v1,4,6,7)
Prayer of the Church Pastor Mike
Sending Song
“O Beautiful Star” (VT 275)
Benediction
During Children’s Time each week through Advent the children will receive a 2 or 3 pages of the “Celebrate Jesus!” Advent and Christmas Kit. This kit is easy-to-use and perfect for families looking to deepen their faith during the Advent and Christmas seasons. Filled with engaging activities for families, this kit invites everyone to explore the true meaning of Christmas together. If you know you will miss a Sunday, extra pages will be placed on the table in the foyer.
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. Sunday School classes for all ages.
12 p.m. Private Party
This Coming Week
Monday December 8th
- 7 – 8 p.m. Christmas Choir practice
Tuesday December 9th
- 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. Holy Movement – Bring an exercise mat, water bottle, and light weights. New participants welcome!
Wednesday December 10th
- 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Coffee and Bible Study
- E Z Play Group setup
- 7 p.m. Worship Committee Meeting
Thursday December 11th
- 9:30 – 11 a.m. E Z Play Group
- 12 p.m. High Noon Seniors Lunch at Trinity Lutheran Church (Sebastopol). A homestyle lunch (Cost: Freewill offering) will be served followed by Christmas music with East Zorra friends.
Friday December 12th
- 6 – 8:30 p.m. Junior Youth (Jwalkers) Mystery Meal and Christmas Party at church
- 6:30 MYF – Christmas Party and Gift Exchange at Bethany and Trevor Kropf’s. Bring a $10-$15 gift for the gift exchange. The gift exchange is optional and everyone is welcome to attend whether you choose to participate in the gift exchange or not.
Saturday December 13th
- Christmas Carolling. Please join us to sing at 10:30 am beside the post office in Downtown Tavistock. Carol sheets will be provided. All ages welcome!
Next Sunday – December 14, 2025
3rd Sunday of Advent – Joy
Prelude/Accompanist: Laurie Yantzi Song Leader: Myron Ruby
Greeters: Fern & Galen Leis Worship Leader: Marlow Gingerich
Audio/Visual: Greg Pye/Larry Kropf Offering: MCEC & MC Canada
Coffee: Michelle & Brad Brenneman Message: Pastor Mike
11 a.m. Sunday School for all ages
4 – 5 p.m. Christmas Choir Practice
Daily Bible Readings for December 8-12
Monday: Isaiah 35:1-10
Tuesday: Psalm 146
Wednesday: James 5:7-12
Thursday: Matthew 11:1-9
Friday: Luke 1:46b-55 Mary’s song.
EZMC Announcements
November 2025 Donations Received Summary
Offering Schedule – $38,425.95
As we near the end of 2025, we thank you all for your generous giving throughout this year. Below is a summary of our 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 1st) – $71, 450
External Commitments remaining – $102, 550
Approx Expenses for remainder of 2025 – $40,000
Total External Commitments/Expenses yet to be covered – $142, 550 (as of December 1st, 2025)
Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Christmas Giving Project.
The Worship Committee invites you to bring coins and bills to help support our MCC Christmas 2025 Giving Project. This year we will help purchase ducks to support families around the globe. Whether they’re waddling, swimming or flying, ducks help families put dreams into motion. These adaptable creatures provide protein and extra income streams to farmers like Nikhil Chandra Mondol of Bangladesh. Each week as the children come to Children’s Time they will move through the congregation to collect coins. Children who want to help collect will receive a cup as they come into church. $15 purchases one duck for a family in need. Thank you for your support!
Children will also receive a coloring page on Sunday to colour 3 ducks. Through the rest of December these ducks will be hung on the Christmas Tree (one for each $15 raised) at the front of the church.
Upcoming Christmas Choir Practice Dates:
Monday December 8 from 7-8
Sunday December 14 from 4-5 pm
Monday December 15 & 22 from 7-8 pm
Christmas Services at EZMC
Sunday December 21st – The Junior Sunday School’s Christmas program will take place during worship starting at 10 a.m.
Wednesday December 24th – 7 p.m. Christmas Eve Service
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.
If you, or someone you know, lost a silver ring please contact Lisa at office@ezmennonite.ca. It was found in the women’s washroom on Sun Nov 23.
Beyond Our Church Community
Sunday December 7th 2 p.m. An A Cappella Christmas with the Twin City Harmonizers at Tavistock Mennonite Churchin support of TMC Refugee Sponsorship Fund.All your favourite Christmas songs sung in 4-part harmony. Special Guests “The Loo Wops”. For tickets call Tavistock church office (519-655-2581) or email office@tavistockmennonitechurch.ca, visit twincityharmonizers.com or go to Eventbrite. Adults $20, Youth & Students $15, under 12 free.
Tuesday December 9th 7 p.m. Rockway’s Music Department invites you to attend their annual Christmas Concert. Visit rockway.ca/events for more information.
Sunday December 14th A LYNC Christmas 2 – 4:30 p.m. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. at Steinmann Mennonite Church. Come join us for an amazing multimedia, light, and music extravaganza as we celebrate Christmas with our community. Enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas with Juneyt an award winning, world renowned musician and flamenco and Nuevo-flamenco guitarist, Anat Hector one of KW’s finest singer/pianist, Lisa Hagen and the Local Vocals, Derek Goupil and the Hillview Band present “let it be Christmas, A multimedia musical presentation of the Christmas story with the music of the Beatles. The event is free but guests are encouraged to make a donation in support of LYNC’s Millblock Community Development. Tickets are free through Eventbrite. https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/a-lync-christmas-tickets-1720500044949?aff=oddtdtcreator
Interfaith Counselling Centre Calendar Fundraiser – Help Us Bring Hope and Healing to Our Community. This October, 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!
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.
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!
MCCO is hiring.
We are excited to announce new opportunities to join our team and make a meaningful impact in communities across Ontario. If you are passionate about community engagement, collaboration and fostering belonging, we invite you to apply.
- Ontario Programs Manager (Full time)
- Thrift Marketing and Communications Manager (Full time)
For full job descriptions and to apply, visit mcc.org/serve
Save the Date! Saturday January 31st – Great Winter Warm Up Quilting Blitz (65 Heritage Dr., New Hamburg)
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