Christmas Day
Sing for joy: Your God Reigns
East Zorra Mennonite Church
Volume 65 Sunday December 25, 2022 No. 52
Worship Service – Sunday December 25, 2022 at 10 a.m.
Join Sunday Morning Worship Gathering
Prelude: Heidi Wagler Accompanist: Heidi Wagler
Song Leader: Caleb Leis Worship Leader: Sheryl Leis
Message: Pastor Ray Audio/Visual: Drystan Bender/Brian Wagler
No Coffeetime or Sunday School classes on this day.
Next Sunday – Sunday January 1st
3 p.m. New Year’s Day afternoon service.
No Coffee or Sunday School and no Zoom option for this service.
You are also welcome to join Tavistock Mennonite Church on New Year’s Day for a carol sing. The service will begin at 10:30 a.m. and can be attended either in person or online via their website livestream at www.tavistockmennonitechurch.ca.
EZMC Announcements
Financial Update as of December 21, 2022
Estimated funds needed to meet 2022 commitments
Mission Partners $ 13,306
MCEC & MC Canada $ 12,241
Leadership $ 16,046
MCC/Relief $ 650
Local Ministries $ 8,076
Maintenance $ 3,447
Student Aid – $ 6,254
$ 47,512
We are grateful for your generosity and we prayerfully ask for your continued financial support as you are able. We trust that God will provide so we can fully meet our commitments for 2022.
Cheques can be placed in the offering plate (blank offering envelopes available) at church each Sunday, mailed to Dawn Zehr or placed in one of two mailboxes at her house. E-transfers or questions about donating can be sent to treasurer@ezmennonite.ca.
Donations received on or before December 31, 2022 are eligible for a 2022 receipt for income tax purposes.
The Health Ministry Team wants to thank those who have been following the Reverse Advent Calendar of Giving. Collected food items to be donated to the Wilmot Family Resource Centre. (as noted in the New Health Ministry Newsletter)
You are welcome to bring these items to Church between Christmas Eve and into the New Year. Please leave them in the area by the Mailboxes and the Health Ministry Team will distribute. Even if you haven’t followed the Advent Calendar all month you are welcome to bring canned or boxed food items to be added to our donation.
Reminder to also complete your Newsletter Survey and return to the Parish Nurse or a Health Team member’s mailbox.
Used postage stamps: Interested in trimming used postage stamps? If so, contact Susan Schmitz at ws.schmitz23@gmail.com. The Canadian Bible Society purchases Bibles with the proceeds from selling the trimmed postage stamps.
SPECIAL CHRISTMAS OFFERING
This year, EZMC will be collecting “Cash for Kits” to support MCC’s mission to provide relief kits where needed most. There is an increased demand for supplies to send to Ukraine and other countries around the world, and inventory of material resources is getting low.
Children will be collecting coins/cash during children’s time, continuing through our Advent series.
Volunteers needed to be Coffee Time Hosts! For the months of December and January we plan to have coffee time every other Sunday. We would welcome a few more volunteers that would make it possible to serve coffee every week. 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.
A reminder to everyone to reserve any areas of the church building/green space that you need for meetings, rehearsals, events etc. with Lisa to ensure availability. She can be reached at office@ezmennonite.ca or 519-655-6824. Thanks so much.
Beyond Our Church Community
SALT of the earth: The webinar
Wednesday, January 18, 2023, 1-2pm, online
Have you ever considered living and working in a different culture with an MCC partner for a year? Join us for a virtual conversation with past SALTers who will share their experiences and answer any questions you may have. Come discover some examples of SALT assignments and where in the world you could go with SALT. Go to mcco.ca/events to learn more and register today.
Wanted – sewing machines!
Would you like to contribute to a local Indigenous organization in a meaningful way? MCC partner Crow Shield Lodge is looking for sewing machines to create traditional ribbon skirts in a workshop setting. Contact Rebecca Seiling at rebeccaseiling@mcco.ca or 226-750-9118 if you have a machine to donate or lend.
MCC’s Applied Peacebuilding Skills Certificate Program, Online, January to May 2023. Learning the skills of peace is a lifelong adventure. Wherever you are in the process of learning the skills of peacemaking, the latest MCC program will help you to further develop and apply these skills within your home, work and community. Register for MCC’s nine-session program, which takes place every other Wednesday evening from mid-January to May 2023. Learn more at mcco.ca/events.
Silver Lake Mennonite Camp:
2023 Winter and Spring Retreats now open for registration: Come to Silver Lake in 2023 for some fun camp experiences! Dads & Kids, Snowshoe Hike, Women’s Retreat, Couples Retreat, Winter Camp for Grown-Ups, March Break Family Getaway, Youth Camp and Family Camp – there are options for all ages! Go to SLMC Retreats & Events for more info and to register. These make fantastic Christmas gifts!
Employment Opportunities: Silver Lake is growing and looking to fill three year-round positions: Fundraising Manager, Program Director and Maintenance Coordinator. For more information click here: slmc.ca/about/board-of-directors/ Come make an impact that lasts a lifetime!
Are you looking for a gift that gives impact this Christmas?
The Raw Carrot is a social enterprise that provides meaningful employment to people who live with barriers to traditional employment by making hand-crafted soup. We are offering lovely gift boxes this holiday season that make wonderful gifts for your employees, clients, and friends. Each box contains a selection of our delicious soup along with locally curated charcuterie products. For more information, email Leah Brown at leahbrown@mcco.ca or call 226-338-4956.
Give a gift that keeps on giving…and growing!
Help meet people’s basic needs around the world with the purchase of an eco-friendly MCC Thrift Christmas Giving ornament! Proceeds from these gifts will provide fruit trees and chickens as a source of income and nutrition and clean water in homes. Plus, these ornaments are made from seed paper. Plant it, water it and watch it grow into beautiful wildflowers. Available at your local thrift shop while supplies last.