Weekly Bulletins

East Zorra Mennonite Church

Volume 69              Sunday September 6, 2026                      No. 36

10 a.m. Shared Worship Service hosted at Cassel Mennonite Church.

There is no service at EZMC on this morning.

This Coming Week

Tuesday September 8^th  

• 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Sewing Circle. All are welcome.  

Wednesday September 9^th      

• 1 p.m. Health Ministry Team Meeting
• Play Group setup
• 7 p.m. Worship Committee Meeting

Thursday September 10^th          

• 9:30 – 11 a.m. E Z Play Group

Next Sunday – September 13, 2026

Meheret Evangelical Church will join us for worship.

Prelude/Accompanist/Song Leader: Glorify

Greeter: Jan Ropp                                                    Worship Leader:  Pastor Ray

Audio/Visual: Drystan Bender/Kristen Cressman        Offering: Where needed most

Coffeetime: Kristen & Daryl Cressman                       Message: Pastor Mike

Following the service, we plan to serve hotdogs in the green space as we continue to share with our friends from Meheret.

3 p.m. Private Party

EZMC Announcements

Please note that the attached September calendar will be updated, printed, and placed in church mailboxes next week.

Prayer Shawl knitting will not be meeting in September.

Church Directory Update Page

We will not be printing a new church directory in 2026. A Church Directory Update Page will be distributed later in the Fall. If you have any changes to your home address, phone number, or email address since the December 2025 EZMC Directory please send to Lisa by September 18^th at office@ezmennonite.ca. Thanks so much. 

Walking Club feedback wanted! Do you love to walk but haven’t yet been out to Walking Club?  Or perhaps you’ve come out occasionally, but it’s difficult to prioritize for Monday evenings? Or maybe the current format does not work for you?  If so, I want to hear from you! This is your chance to influence what this program will look like in the fall!  Please speak with Tracey Kropf, send email (tracey.kropf@gmail.com). Thank you! 

Tavistock Fall Fair Parade

On September 12th at 11am, East Zorra Mennonite Church will be participating in the Tavistock Fall Fair Parade again this year! Theme is: Autumn Leaves and Pumpkins Please. 

If you are interested in helping to decorate the float, have ideas for it or think you could help out in any way, please reach out to Amy Yantzi, amy.yantzi@outlook.com. 

There is a sign-up sheet on the main bulletin board for those who would like to attend the day of the parade float on September 12th at 11am. 

Attention Young Adults, we have a fellowship event planned for September. We will be meeting at Brian and Heidi Wagler’s place (3880 Perth Road 101, New Hamburg) for a wood-fired, pizza oven feast and fellowship night. Please bring your lawn chairs and $10 cash to cover costs of the big items Brian and Heidi are supplying. We have chosen September 19, 7:30pm, for the event, with a rain date of the following Saturday, September 26. 

Beyond Our Church Community

Rockway’s BIG Night Out Fundraising Dinner & Dance is happening on Friday, September 25 at the Tapestry Hall in Cambridge. Get your tickets today at rockway.ca/events.Registration closes Friday, September 4. 

Interfaith Counselling Centre is thankful for funding they received through the Waterloo Region Community Foundation – Neighborhoods Grant. With this funding, they are upgrading furniture in 3 of their counselling rooms.  REQUEST – Does anyone have a connection with a local furniture company?  If so, please reach out to Matthew Isert Bender or Kristin Oliver. 

Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp is looking to hire a part-time LINC Staff member. They will support the LINC Coordinator in running our programs for young adults with special needs from September to May. For more details, visitwww.hiddenacres.ca.

Project Ploughshares, originally begun by a Mennonite and a Quaker, is turning 50 this year, and is inviting worshiping communities to join them on Monday, September 21^st at 6 p.m. at Federation Hall, University of Waterloo. This Gala fundraiser will include a dinner and a keynote from the honourable Lloyd Axworthy. This fundraiser will support the continuation of our important work for global peace, needed now more than ever. Tickets are $70 and can be purchased online or by contacting our office at 1-888-907-3223 or email plough@ploughshares.ca 

MCC Ontario Annual General Meeting
Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 7:00 p.m., on Zoom
The 2026 AGM is our opportunity to share with MCC Ontario constituents and supporters our financial results and strategic progress, while empowering congregational delegates to participate in decision-making through voting on key organizational matters. We warmly invite you to join us. Register here.

Please refer to last Sunday’s bulletin for all the Beyond our Church Community announcements.

East Zorra Mennonite Church

Volume 69            Sunday August 30, 2026                      No. 35

Sunday August 30, 2026 – Join Sunday Worship Zoom at 10 a.m.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83137404938?pwd=hcotNxuDaoj9icACblTui3Jcsx9aOK.1

Meeting ID: 831 3740 4938         Passcode: 415319

Prelude/Accompanist: Bethany Zehr                          Song Leader: Susan Schmitz

Greeter: Nicole & Duane Swartzentruber                   Worship Leader: Caleb Leis

Audio/Visual: Greg Pye/Larry Kropf                            Offering: Maintenance

Coffeetime: Megan MacDonald & Russ Schumm          Sharing by: Michelle Shartun

Prelude        

Welcome & Announcements

Call to Worship & Opening Prayer

Songs of Gathering & Praise          

VT# 9 – Come Away From Rush and Hurry

VT # 43 – God, Be the Love

Offering – Maintenance

Time with the Children       Sheryl Leis

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 43:1–3a and 2 Corinthians 5:17

Sharing by Michelle Shartun

Song of Response                       

VT # 592 – How Firm a Foundation

Prayer of the Church          Pastor Mike 

Sending Song

VT #166 – Your Love Is Washing Over Me

Benediction

Postlude

Today

Coffeetime in the basement immediately following the worship service. 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.

This Coming Week

Tuesday September 1st 

• 7:30pm – 8:30pm – Holy Movement Summer Series – Bring a water bottle, fitness mat, and light weights. New participants welcome! 

Wednesday September 2nd      

• 6:30 – 8:30 pm Community Campfire in the Green Space. Everyone of all ages is invited to bring a lawn chair, a snack, and a refreshment to drink and join us this Summer in our Green Space around the campfire for a time of fellowship, conversation, and fun. There will be no set agenda and children will be free to use the equipment and play. We look forward to enjoying each other’s company.

Next Sunday – September 6, 2026

10 a.m. Shared Worship Service hosted at Cassel Mennonite Church.

There is no service at EZMC on this morning.

Sunday September 13, 2026

Meheret Evangelical Church will join us for worship.

Prelude/Accompanist/Song Leader: Glorify

Greeter: Jan Ropp                                                       Worship Leader:  Pastor Ray

Audio/Visual: Drystan Bender/Kristen Cressman         Offering: Where needed most

Coffeetime: Kristen & Daryl Cressman                        Message: Pastor Mike

Following the service we plan to serve hotdogs in the green space as we continue to share with our friends from Meheret.

EZMC Announcements

Prayer Shawl knitting will not be meeting in September.

Church Directory Update Page

We will not be printing a new church directory in 2026. A Church Directory Update Page will be distributed later in the Fall. If you have any changes to your home address, phone number, or email address since the December 2025 EZMC Directory please send to Lisa by September 18th at office@ezmennonite.ca. Thanks so much.

Where taste meets impact – For nearly 80 years, MCC has been canning meat and shipping it to countries facing food insecurity and hunger crises. Now you can cook up recipes with a can (or case) of your very own.From now until September 1, place an order for a can of delicious chicken breast, fully cooked in its own juices with just a pinch of salt. Every can purchase directly supports future shipments of meat to neighbours in Ontario and around the world. Visit any of the six Ontario Thrift shops today to place an order or download the form (see July 10 EZMC bulletin email) and send it directly to dylanyantzi@mcco.ca. Paper copies are also available on the main bulletin board.

Tavistock Fall Fair Parade

On September 12th at 11am, East Zorra Mennonite Church will be participating in the Tavistock Fall Fair Parade again this year! Theme is: Autumn Leaves and Pumpkins Please. 

There is a sign-up sheet on the main bulletin board for those who would like to attend the day of the parade float on September 12th at 11am. 

Attention Young Adults, we have a fellowship event planned for September. We will be meeting at Brian and Heidi Wagler’s place for a wood-fired, pizza oven feast and fellowship night. We have chosen September 19, 7:30pm, for the event, with a rain date of the following Saturday, September 26.

Put it in your calendars and more details will follow.

Beyond Our Church Community

Interfaith Counselling Centre is thankful for funding they received through the Waterloo Region Community Foundation – Neighborhoods Grant. With this funding, they are upgrading furniture in 3 of their counselling rooms.  REQUEST – Does anyone have a connection with a local furniture company?  If so, please reach out to Matthew Isert Bender or Kristin Oliver. 

Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp is looking to hire a part-time LINC Staff member. They will support the LINC Coordinator in running our programs for young adults with special needs from September to May. For more details, visitwww.hiddenacres.ca.

Bucket of Thanks – Save the Date
Saturday August 29th 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the MCC Hub in New Hamburg.
From the MCC Hub, thousands of kits and cans of meat are shipped worldwide to people in need. At Bucket of Thanks, it’s your turn to roll up your sleeves and pack a kit that will be shipped overseas. In addition, you can sample and purchase canned meat and enjoy family-friendly activities like face painting and a bouncy castle. Gather some friends and participate in a competitive Soap Structure Contest. Learn morehere.

The August edition of On the Level is now available from Mennonite Disaster Service 

In this edition, you’ll read about MDS volunteers responding in the Niagara region of Ontario, which was hit by three large storms that dumped over 300 millimetres (one foot) of rain on places like St. Catharines, Jordan, Vineland, Camden, Beamsville, and surrounding areas. You will also find updates on our national project in Denare Beach, as well as a release about Clair Good who was hired as the new Executive Director MDS U.S.

Read On the Level: https://conta.cc/4x8Iz3x

The MDS Ontario Unit is responding to historic flooding in the Niagara region.Anyone looking to volunteer to drain and muck-out basements is asked to contact Daryl Martin at darylmartin.cows@gmail.com or (519) 505-6639.

Repurposing Textiles at MCC Thrift on Kent
At MCC, a new pilot project is underway. Quality materials that cannot be sold at MCC Thrift are being given a second life as industrial rags, while creating local opportunities for people facing barriers to employment. Perfect for garages, workshops, manufacturing facilities, farms and projects around the home, our rags are now for sale. Purchase packages of 10 rags for $3.00, 5 lbs for $8.00 or 24 lbs for $24. For sale at MCC Thrift on Kent or contactjodivannord@mcco.ca for quantity purchases.

Project Ploughshares, originally begun by a Mennonite and a Quaker, is turning 50 this year, and is inviting worshiping communities to join them on Monday, September 21st at 6 p.m.at Federation Hall, University of Waterloo. This Gala fundraiser will include a dinner and a keynote from the honourable Lloyd Axworthy. This fundraiser will support the continuation of our important work for global peace, needed now more than ever. Tickets are $70 and can be purchased online or by contacting our office at 1-888-907-3223 or email plough@ploughshares.ca

MCC Ontario Annual General Meeting
Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 7:00 p.m., on Zoom
The 2026 AGM is our opportunity to share with MCC Ontario constituents and supporters our financial results and strategic progress, while empowering congregational delegates to participate in decision-making through voting on key organizational matters. We warmly invite you to join us. Register here.

Silver Lake Mennonite Camp | slmc.ca

Join us this fall for three exciting opportunities at Silver Lake! 

• Weekday Wanders: Northern Bruce Trail Hikes (Sep 8 – 11) – Enjoy a multi-day series of loop hikes along the northern Bruce Trail. A complete list of hike locations is available at slmc.ca/retreats.
• Men’s Retreat (Sep 18 – 20) – Relax at camp and spend time with old and new friends. This retreat will be guided by Thomas Reimer and Matt Tiessen, with a mouthwatering menu prepared by David and Josh Lobe.
• Weekday Wanders: Fall Colours Hike (Oct 19 – 21) – Join Karen for beautiful autumn hikes along the Sydenham section of the Bruce Trail. Hikes range from 10 to 18 km per day.

Space is limited. Visit slmc.ca/retreats for more information & registration details. 

Join us Friday, September 25 for Rockway’s BIG Night Out at the Tapestry Hall in Cambridge. For more information and to get your tickets, visit rockway.ca/events. 

With Grateful Hearts – Mennonite Disaster Service is hosting several special evenings across Canada to celebrate God’s work through MDS. Join us for food, fellowship, music, and to hear stories from Kevin King (retiring MDS U.S. Executive Director). Find more details on our events page: https://mds.org/event/ . You can hear from Kevin at Steinmann Mennonite Church, Baden, ON – Oct. 31, 2026, 7-8:30 p.m.

Join the MCC team!

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.

• Community Engagement & Outreach Associate (Part-time) – Kitchener
• Thrift Team Member (Full-time, 3-month contract) – Elmira

For full job descriptions and to apply, visit mcc.org/serve.

Join the Soup of the Month Club!
The Raw Carrot Soup of the Month Subscription is available for preorder. By joining, you will receive one of 10 delicious, exclusive soups each month (from September 2026 to June 2027). Purchases support the Raw Carrot program and provide meaningful employment to individuals with disAbilities. For more information or to preorder, visit the website.

East Zorra Mennonite Church

Volume 69              Sunday August 23, 2026                      No. 34

Sunday August 23, 2026 – Join Sunday Worship Zoom at 10 a.m.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83137404938?pwd=hcotNxuDaoj9icACblTui3Jcsx9aOK.1

Meeting ID: 831 3740 4938 Passcode: 415319

Dial in using your phone: +1 647 374 4685 OR Toll-free 855 703 8985 

Prelude/Accompanist: Laurie Yantzi               Song Leader: Caleb Leis

Worship Leader: Sheryl Leis                           Audio/Visual: Todd Bender/Brian Wagler

Coffeetime: Carol & Owen Cook

Prelude       

Welcome & Announcements

Call to Worship & Opening Prayer

Songs of Gathering & Praise                

VT #129 “O Worship Our God”

VT #76 “Holy, Holy, Holy!”

Offering – Leadership

Time with the Children             

Scripture Reading: Philippines 2:1-11

Message                                                        Bevin Witmer

Song of Response                      

VT #719 “Jesus, Help Us Live in Peace”

Prayer of the Church                                              Sheryl Leis             

Sending Song

VT #840 “God Be with You Till We Meet Again”

Benediction

Postlude

Today

Coffeetime in the basement immediately following the worship service. 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.

This Coming Week

Monday August 24^th 

• 7 p.m. Walking Club   

Thursday August 27^th     

• Gunn’s Hill Artisan Cheese Tour – All adults are invited to participate in the cheese tour and lunch. Meet at Gunn’s Hill Artisan Cheese for 11:15 a.m. Learn how Gunn’s artisan cheese is made! The tour is an hour plus long and is doable with a walker. At the end of the tour you will have the opportunity to sample 3 types of cheese. Cheeses and other local artisan products are for sale. (Bring an insulated bag or small cooler if you want to purchase some cheese!) The tour is $15 per person. (Please pay Susan Schmitz for the cost of the tour.)  Following the tour we’ll head to Sunrise Pho Binh Thanh restaurant to have fellowship over Canadian or authentic Vietnamese cuisine! Excellent accessibility and there is lots of parking at both locations. Please sign up on the sheet in the lower foyer as we need a fairly accurate head count for the cheese tour and reservation at the restaurant.

Gunn’s Hill Artisan Cheese address: 445172 Gunn’s Hill Road, Woodstock

Sunrise Pho Binh Thanh address: 882 Dundas St.Woodstock.

Friday August 28^th

• 9 a.m. All items for the Sunday August 30^th bulletin are due. Please send to Pastor Ray at ray@ezmennonite.ca. Thanks so much.

Next Sunday – August 30, 2026

Prelude/Accompanist: Bethany Zehr                         Song Leader: Susan Schmitz

Greeter: Nicole & Duane Swartzentruber                  Worship Leader: Caleb Leis

Audio/Visual: Greg Pye/Larry Kropf                           Offering: Maintenance

Coffeetime: Megan MacDonald & Russ Schumm          Sharing by: Michelle Shartun

Extending God’s Love

Please pray for those affected by the devastating earthquake in Colombia, including communities where Mennonite congregations are present. Pray for comfort for those grieving, strength for rescue and relief workers and wisdom for leaders responding to the disaster. Pray that neighbours and communities come together in compassion and generosity as they face the days ahead.

Please pray for that many families in the City of Ottawa and the Niagara Region who have experienced destruction and disruption to their homes due to significant flooding this summer. Pray also for Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) volunteers who have been serving in both areas. 

EZMC Announcements

Church Directory Update Page

We will not be printing a new church directory in 2026. A Church Directory Update Page will be distributed later in the Fall. If you have any changes to your home address, phone number, or email address since the December 2025 EZMC Directory please send to Lisa by September 18^th at office@ezmennonite.ca. Thanks so much. 

If you receive the Rejoice or Salt & Light magazines, you will find them in your church mailbox.

Wednesday September 2^nd – Community Campfires at East Zorra Mennonite   

6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Green Space. Everyone of all ages is invited to bring a lawn chair, a snack, and a refreshment to drink and join us this Summer in our Green Space around the campfire for a time of fellowship, conversation, and fun. There will be no set agenda and children will be free to use the equipment and play. We look forward to enjoying each other’s company.

Where taste meets impact – For nearly 80 years, MCC has been canning meat and shipping it to countries facing food insecurity and hunger crises. Now you can cook up recipes with a can (or case) of your very own. From now until September 1, place an order for a can of delicious chicken breast, fully cooked in its own juices with just a pinch of salt. Every can purchase directly supports future shipments of meat to neighbours in Ontario and around the world. Visit any of the six Ontario Thrift shops today to place an order or download the form (see July 10 EZMC bulletin email) and send it directly to dylanyantzi@mcco.ca. Paper copies are also available on the main bulletin board.

Tavistock Fall Fair Parade

On September 12th at 11am, East Zorra Mennonite Church will be participating in the Tavistock Fall Fair Parade again this year! Theme is: Autumn Leaves and Pumpkins Please. 

There is a sign-up sheet on the main bulletin board for those who would like to attend the day of the parade float on September 12th at 11am. 

Attention Young Adults, we have a fellowship event planned for September. We will be meeting at Brian and Heidi Wagler’s place for a wood-fired, pizza oven feast and fellowship night. We have chosen September 19, 7:30pm, for the event, with a rain date of the following Saturday, September 26. 

Put it in your calendars and more details will follow. 

Beyond Our Church Community

Interfaith Counselling Centre is thankful for funding they received through the Waterloo Region Community Foundation – Neighborhoods Grant. With this funding, they are upgrading furniture in 3 of their counselling rooms.  REQUEST – Does anyone have a connection with a local furniture company?  If so, please reach out to Matthew Isert Bender or Kristin Oliver. 

Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp is looking to hire a part-time LINC Staff member. They will support the LINC Coordinator in running our programs for young adults with special needs from September to May. For more details, visitwww.hiddenacres.ca.

Bucket of Thanks – Save the Date
Saturday August 29^th 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the MCC Hub in New Hamburg.
From the MCC Hub, thousands of kits and cans of meat are shipped worldwide to people in need. At Bucket of Thanks, it’s your turn to roll up your sleeves and pack a kit that will be shipped overseas. In addition, you can sample and purchase canned meat and enjoy family-friendly activities like face painting and a bouncy castle. Gather some friends and participate in a competitive Soap Structure Contest. Learn more here.

The August edition of On the Level is now available from Mennonite Disaster Service 

In this edition, you’ll read about MDS volunteers responding in the Niagara region of Ontario, which was hit by three large storms that dumped over 300 millimetres (one foot) of rain on places like St. Catharines, Jordan, Vineland, Camden, Beamsville, and surrounding areas. You will also find updates on our national project in Denare Beach, as well as a release about Clair Good who was hired as the new Executive Director MDS U.S.

Read On the Level: https://conta.cc/4x8Iz3x

The MDS Ontario Unit is responding to historic flooding in the Niagara region.Anyone looking to volunteer to drain and muck-out basements is asked to contact Daryl Martin at darylmartin.cows@gmail.com or (519) 505-6639. 

Want to learn more about volunteering with Mennonite Disaster Service? Join our Zoom call on Monday August 24 at 7:30 pm EST. This Zoom meeting provides an opportunity for prospective volunteers to learn about MDS and the many available volunteer opportunities! Register by August 19 at https://mds.org/event/ways-to-get-involved-with-mds-2/.

Repurposing Textiles at MCC Thrift on Kent
At MCC, a new pilot project is underway. Quality materials that cannot be sold at MCC Thrift are being given a second life as industrial rags, while creating local opportunities for people facing barriers to employment. Perfect for garages, workshops, manufacturing facilities, farms and projects around the home, our rags are now for sale. Purchase packages of 10 rags for $3.00, 5 lbs for $8.00 or 24 lbs for $24. For sale at MCC Thrift on Kent or contactjodivannord@mcco.ca for quantity purchases.

Project Ploughshares, originally begun by a Mennonite and a Quaker, is turning 50 this year, and is inviting worshiping communities to join them on Monday, September 21^st at 6 p.m. at Federation Hall, University of Waterloo. This Gala fundraiser will include a dinner and a keynote from the honourable Lloyd Axworthy. This fundraiser will support the continuation of our important work for global peace, needed now more than ever. 
Tickets are $70 and can be purchased online or by contacting our office at 1-888-907-3223 or email plough@ploughshares.ca 

MCC Ontario Annual General Meeting
Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 7:00 p.m., on Zoom
The 2026 AGM is our opportunity to share with MCC Ontario constituents and supporters our financial results and strategic progress, while empowering congregational delegates to participate in decision-making through voting on key organizational matters. We warmly invite you to join us. Register here.

Join us Friday, September 25 for Rockway’s BIG Night Out at the Tapestry Hall in Cambridge. For more information and to get your tickets, visit rockway.ca/events. 

Silver Lake Mennonite Camp | slmc.ca

Join us this fall for three exciting opportunities at Silver Lake! 

• Weekday Wanders: Northern Bruce Trail Hikes (Sep 8 – 11) – Enjoy a multi-day series of loop hikes along the northern Bruce Trail. A complete list of hike locations is available at slmc.ca/retreats.
• Men’s Retreat (Sep 18 – 20) – Relax at camp and spend time with old and new friends. This retreat will be guided by Thomas Reimer and Matt Tiessen, with a mouthwatering menu prepared by David and Josh Lobe.
• Weekday Wanders: Fall Colours Hike (Oct 19 – 21) – Join Karen for beautiful autumn hikes along the Sydenham section of the Bruce Trail. Hikes range from 10 to 18 km per day.

Space is limited. Visit slmc.ca/retreats for more information & registration details. 

Job opportunity: Are you a highly organized community builder with a talent for communication and event logistics? The Kindred Centre for Peace Advancement (CPA) at Conrad Grebel University College is looking for a Coordinator to help animate and support this vibrant peacebuilding ecosystem.

Interested? Application deadline: August 24, 2026. Details and full job description:uwaterloo.ca/grebel/careers

Join the MCC team!

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.

• Community Engagement & Outreach Associate (Part-time) – Kitchener
• Thrift Team Member (Full-time, 3-month contract) – Elmira

For full job descriptions and to apply, visitmcc.org/serve.

Join the Soup of the Month Club!
The Raw Carrot Soup of the Month Subscription is available for preorder. By joining, you will receive one of 10 delicious, exclusive soups each month (from September 2026 to June 2027). Purchases support the Raw Carrot program and provide meaningful employment to individuals with disAbilities. For more information or to preorder, visit the website.

East Zorra Mennonite Church

Volume 69          Sunday August 16, 2026                      No. 33

Sunday August 16, 2026 – Join Sunday Worship Zoom at 10 a.m.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83137404938?pwd=hcotNxuDaoj9icACblTui3Jcsx9aOK.1

Meeting ID: 831 3740 4938 Passcode: 415319

Dial in using your phone: +1 647 374 4685 OR Toll-free 855 703 8985 

Prelude/Accompanist: Katie Wagler                          Song Leader: Lindsay Zehr

Greeter: Gwen & Dan Matthews                      Worship Leader: Tracey Kropf

Audio/Visual: Dathan Bender/Kristen Cressman         Offering: Local Ministries

Coffeetime: Gloria & Merv Ropp                      Message: Alexis Leis

Prelude       

Welcome & Announcements

Call to Worship & Opening Prayer

Songs of Gathering & Praise                

VT #495 “Morning Has Broken”

VT #297 “You Are Salt for the Earth”

Offering – Local Ministries

Children’s Story              

Scripture Reading: Matthew 28:16-20

Message                                               Alexis Leis

Song of Response                      

VT #765 “Listen, God Is Calling”

Prayer of the Church                                   Pastor Ray             

Sending Song

“The Commission” by Cain

Benediction

Postlude

Today

Coffeetime in the basement immediately following the worship service. 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.

This Coming Week

Tuesday August 18^th

• 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. Holy Movement Summer Series – Bring a water bottle, fitness mat, and light weights. New participants welcome! 

Wednesday August 19^th    

• 6:30 – 8:30 pm Community Campfire in the Green Space. Congregational Life Committee will be providing ice cream.

Thursday August 20^th      

• 9 a.m. All items for the Sun Aug 23^rdbulletin are due to the church office. The bulletin will be emailed and printed on Thursday August 20^th.

Saturday August 22^nd

• 12 – 7 p.m. Private Party

Next Sunday – August 23, 2026

Prelude/Accompanist: Laurie Yantzi               Song Leader: Caleb Leis

Greeter: Mike Williamson & Brandy Sell           Worship Leader: Sheryl Leis

Audio/Visual: Todd Bender/Brian Wagler         Offering: Leadership

Coffeetime: Carol & Owen Cook                      Message: Bevin Witmer

Extending God’s Love

Please pray for MCEC congregations in the St. Catharines area that have been impacted by recent heavy rains and flooding. They had two rainfalls of over five inches in less than a week. Linwell Church in St. Catharines was damaged.
Remember Grace Mennonite Church, Lao Christian Fellowship, Linwell Church, Westview Christian Fellowship, Bethany Mennonite Church, Niagara United Mennonite Church, The First Mennonite Church and Vineland United Mennonite Church. Pray for affected members and families as the deal with property damage and disruptions, asking for God’s protection, comfort, wisdom, and provision.
Also pray for Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) as volunteers have begun serving in this area. Pray for strength, wisdom, safety, and the resources needed for the work ahead. If you wish to volunteer with MDS, please contact Chris Lepp at (905) 563-7811.

Pray for Indigenous communities affected by fire

Please pray for northern Ontario communities affected by wildfires, especially remote Indigenous communities. As people face evacuation, uncertainty and displacement, MCC Ontario is working with partners to coordinate support and will share opportunities to help.

EZMC Announcements

July 2026 Donations Received Summary

Offering Schedule – $32,971

For our first Young Adult Bible study we will be taking a closer look at the creation story. For those of you who would like to prep ahead of time, please read through Genesis 1 & 2 a few times. Take note and look for the differences in the creation order between the two chapters. More details on the event will come shortly. 

Walking Club feedback wanted! Do you love to walk but haven’t yet been out to Walking Club?  Or perhaps you’ve come out occasionally, but it’s difficult to prioritize for Monday evenings? Or maybe the current format does not work for you?  If so, I want to hear from you! This is your chance to influence what this program will look like in the fall!  Please speak with Tracey Kropf, send a email (tracey.kropf@gmail.com). Thank you! 

Church Directory Update Page

We will not be printing a new church directory in 2026. A Church Directory Update Page will be distributed later in the Fall. If you have any changes to your home address, phone number, or email address since the December 2025 EZMC Directory please send to Lisa by September 18^th at office@ezmennonite.ca. Thanks so much. 

Gunn’s Hill Artisan Cheese Tour – Thursday August 27^th, all adults are invited to participate in the cheese tour and lunch. Meet at Gunn’s Hill Artisan Cheese for 11:15 a.m.Learn how Gunn’s artisan cheese is made! The tour is an hour plus long and is doable with a walker. At the end of the tour you will have the opportunity to sample 3 types of cheese. Cheeses and other local artisan products are for sale. (Bring an insulated bag or small cooler if you want to purchase some cheese!) The tour is $15 per person. (Please pay Susan Schmitz for the cost of the tour.)  Following the tour we’ll head to Sunrise Pho Binh Thanh restaurant to have fellowship over Canadian or authentic Vietnamese cuisine! Excellent accessibility and there is lots of parking at both locations. Please sign up on the sheet in the lower foyer as we need a fairly accurate head count for the cheese tour and reservation at the restaurant.

Gunn’s Hill Artisan Cheese address: 445172 Gunn’s Hill Road, Woodstock

Sunrise Pho Binh Thanh address: 882 Dundas St.Woodstock

Where taste meets impact – For nearly 80 years, MCC has been canning meat and shipping it to countries facing food insecurity and hunger crises. Now you can cook up recipes with a can (or case) of your very own. From now until September 1, place an order for a can of delicious chicken breast, fully cooked in its own juices with just a pinch of salt. Every can purchase directly supports future shipments of meat to neighbours in Ontario and around the world. Visit any of the six Ontario Thrift shops today to place an order or download the form (see July 10 EZMC bulletin email) and send it directly to dylanyantzi@mcco.ca. Paper copies are also available on the main bulletin board.

Community Campfires at East Zorra Mennonite   

6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Green Space on Aug 19 & Sept 2. Everyone of all ages is invited to bring a lawn chair, a snack, and a refreshment to drink and join us this Summer in our Green Space around the campfire for a time of fellowship, conversation, and fun. There will be no set agenda and children will be free to use the equipment and play. Alexis will plan to provide a few organized events for the children for about 30 minutes. We look forward to enjoying each other’s company.

Tavistock Fall Fair Parade

On September 12th at 11am, East Zorra Mennonite Church will be participating in the Tavistock Fall Fair Parade again this year! Theme is: Autumn Leaves and Pumpkins Please. 

If you are interested in helping to decorate the float, have ideas for it or think you could help out in any way, please reach out to Amy Yantzi, amy.yantzi@outlook.com. 

There will be a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board for those who would like to attend the day of the parade float on September 12th at 11am. 

Beyond Our Church Community

Interfaith Counselling Centre is thankful for funding they received through the Waterloo Region Community Foundation – Neighborhoods Grant. With this funding, they are upgrading furniture in 3 of their counselling rooms.  REQUEST – Does anyone have a connection with a local furniture company?  If so, please reach out to Matthew Isert Bender or Kristin Oliver. 

Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp is looking to hire a part-time LINC Staff member. They will support the LINC Coordinator in running our programs for young adults with special needs from September to May. For more details, visitwww.hiddenacres.ca.

Bucket of Thanks – Save the Date
Saturday August 29^th 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the MCC Hub in New Hamburg.
From the MCC Hub, thousands of kits and cans of meat are shipped worldwide to people in need. At Bucket of Thanks, it’s your turn to roll up your sleeves and pack a kit that will be shipped overseas. In addition, you can sample and purchase canned meat and enjoy family-friendly activities like face painting and a bouncy castle. Gather some friends and participate in a competitive Soap Structure Contest. Learn more here.

Repurposing Textiles at MCC Thrift on Kent
At MCC, a new pilot project is underway. Quality materials that cannot be sold at MCC Thrift are being given a second life as industrial rags, while creating local opportunities for people facing barriers to employment. Perfect for garages, workshops, manufacturing facilities, farms and projects around the home, our rags are now for sale. Purchase packages of 10 rags for $3.00, 5 lbs for $8.00 or 24 lbs for $24. For sale at MCC Thrift on Kent or contactjodivannord@mcco.ca for quantity purchases.

MCC Ontario Annual General Meeting
Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 7:00 p.m., on Zoom
The 2026 AGM is our opportunity to share with MCC Ontario constituents and supporters our financial results and strategic progress, while empowering congregational delegates to participate in decision-making through voting on key organizational matters. We warmly invite you to join us. Register here.

Join us Friday, September 25 for Rockway’s BIG Night Out at the Tapestry Hall in Cambridge. For more information and to get your tickets, visit rockway.ca/events. 

Job opportunity: Are you a highly organized community builder with a talent for communication and event logistics? The Kindred Centre for Peace Advancement (CPA) at Conrad Grebel University College is looking for a Coordinator to help animate and support this vibrant peacebuilding ecosystem.

Interested? Application deadline: August 24, 2026. Details and full job description:uwaterloo.ca/grebel/careers

Want to learn more about volunteering with Mennonite Disaster Service? Join our Zoom call on August 24 at 7:30pm EST. This Zoom meeting provides an opportunity for prospective volunteers to learn about MDS and the many available volunteer opportunities! Register by August 19 at https://mds.org/event/ways-to-get-involved-with-mds-2/.

Join the MCC team!

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.

• Community Engagement & Outreach Associate (Part-time) – Kitchener
• Thrift Team Member (Full-time, 3-month contract) – Elmira

For full job descriptions and to apply, visitmcc.org/serve.

Volunteers Needed at MCC Thrift
Impact your community, support MCC and join a fun team as a volunteer at MCC Thrift, where every purchase is a gift to the world. The MCC New Hamburg Thrift Centre has an urgent need for volunteers. Join a community rooted in service and love. Visit here to get in touch with us and find a role that suits your abilities and interests!

Join the Soup of the Month Club!
The Raw Carrot Soup of the Month Subscription is available for preorder. By joining, you will receive one of 10 delicious, exclusive soups each month (from September 2026 to June 2027). Purchases support the Raw Carrot program and provide meaningful employment to individuals with disAbilities. For more information or to preorder, visit the website.

East Zorra Mennonite Church

Volume 69          Sunday August 9, 2026                      No. 32

10:30 a.m.

Tavistock and Area Ecumenical Worship Service in Queen’s Park.

Please note that the offering collected at this service will be going to Tavistock Assistance Program.

EZMC’s designated offering for Leadership will not be collected at the park. (For those who usually give by cash or cheque you are encouraged to 

bring it to the EZMC service on Sunday August 16^th. )

TAP’s Annual Fundraising Lunch will follow the service.

This Coming Week

Monday August 10^th 

• 7 p.m. Walking Club – meet at Memorial Hall Tavistock. We’ll walk over to the path at the Optimist Club park, with options to make longer or shorter. All walkers welcome! Bring a friend and come walk at your pace! 

Wednesday August 12^th 

• 7 p.m. Worship Committee

Next Sunday – August 16, 2026

Prelude/Accompanist: Katie Wagler                          Song Leader: Lindsay Zehr

Greeter: Gwen & Dan Matthews                                Worship Leader: Tracey Kropf

Audio/Visual: Dathan Bender/Kristen Cressman         Offering: Local Ministries

Coffeetime: Gloria & Merv Ropp                                Message: Alexis Leis

EZMC Announcements

For our first Young Adult Bible study we will be taking a closer look at the creation story. For those of you who would like to prep ahead of time, please read through Genesis 1 & 2 a few times. Take note and look for the differences in the creation order between the two chapters. More details on the event will come shortly. 

Holy Movement & Walking Club summer series! Summer comes with vacation time for many & lots of opportunities to be active. This is all good, keep moving! For those interested in Holy Movement and Walking Club over the summer, details and dates are provided below. Mark it in your calendar and join when you can! New participants always welcome!

Holy Movement – 7:30-8:30 – Tues Aug 18 

Walking Club – meet at 7pm – will continue on our bi-weekly Monday schedule – Aug 24  

Gunn’s Hill Artisan Cheese Tour – Thursday August 27^th, all adults are invited to participate in the cheese tour and lunch. Meet at Gunn’s Hill Artisan Cheese for 11:15 a.m.Learn how Gunn’s artisan cheese is made! The tour is an hour plus long and is doable with a walker. At the end of the tour you will have the opportunity to sample 3 types of cheese. Cheeses and other local artisan products are for sale. (Bring an insulated bag or small cooler if you want to purchase some cheese!) The tour is $15 per person. (Please pay Susan Schmitz for the cost of the tour.)  Following the tour we’ll head to Sunrise Pho Binh Thanh restaurant to have fellowship over Canadian or authentic Vietnamese cuisine! Excellent accessibility and there is lots of parking at both locations. Please sign up on the sheet in the lower foyer as we need a fairly accurate head count for the cheese tour and reservation at the restaurant.

Gunn’s Hill Artisan Cheese address: 445172 Gunn’s Hill Road, Woodstock

Sunrise Pho Binh Thanh address: 882 Dundas St.Woodstock

Where taste meets impact – For nearly 80 years, MCC has been canning meat and shipping it to countries facing food insecurity and hunger crises. Now you can cook up recipes with a can (or case) of your very own. From now until September 1, place an order for a can of delicious chicken breast, fully cooked in its own juices with just a pinch of salt. Every can purchase directly supports future shipments of meat to neighbours in Ontario and around the world. Visit any of the six Ontario Thrift shops today to place an order or download the form (see July 10 EZMC bulletin email) and send it directly to dylanyantzi@mcco.ca. Paper copies are also available on the main bulletin board.

Community Campfires at East Zorra Mennonite   

6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Green Space on Aug 19 & Sept 2. Everyone of all ages is invited to bring a lawn chair, a snack, and a refreshment to drink and join us this Summer in our Green Space around the campfire for a time of fellowship, conversation, and fun. There will be no set agenda and children will be free to use the equipment and play. Alexis will plan to provide a few organized events for the children for about 30 minutes. We look forward to enjoying each other’s company.

Tavistock Fall Fair Parade

On September 12th at 11am, East Zorra Mennonite Church will be participating in the Tavistock Fall Fair Parade again this year! Theme is: Autumn Leaves and Pumpkins Please. 

If you are interested in helping to decorate the float, have ideas for it or think you could help out in any way, please reach out to Amy Yantzi 

There will be a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board for those who would like to attend the day of the parade float on September 12th at 11am. 

Please refer to the Sunday July 19^th bulletin for the Beyond our Church Community announcements as we are sending a condensed bulletin this week.