East Zorra Mennonite Church
Volume 65 Sunday November 20, 2022 No. 47
Worship Service – Sunday November 20, 2022 at 10 a.m.
Join Sunday Morning Worship Gathering
This Sunday we will remember our family members who have died over the past year. We will name the spouses, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren of congregational members. As we remember their lives we will light a tea light candle. We will also give space for you to silently name and remember other significant people in your life who have died this year and in years gone by. We pray this Service of Remembering can be a healing time.
As a Health Ministry Team, we have reviewed the increased concerns for the many viruses circulating and their impact on the health system. We would again like to encourage our church family to consider monitoring any symptoms and stay home if you or a family member are not feeling well. Please participate by joining our church services through Zoom until feeling improved. With the approaching Christmas season, we want to follow precautions now to prevent illness when we want to be with Family and friends. Influenza, Colds, RSV and Covid are not welcomed Christmas gifts. We encourage you to wear a mask when out in public spaces including at church if you are able to do your part. Stay healthy and consider getting your Flu Shot or Covid Vaccine if eligible.
Service of Remembering/Memorial Sunday
Prelude: Bethany Klein Accompanist: Bethany Klein
Song Leader: Caleb Leis Worship Leader: Pastor Mike
Message: Pastor Ray Audio/Visual: Dathan Bender/Brian Wagler
Coffeetime: Shirley & Phil Ruby
Today
8:45 a.m. Christmas Choir practice.
Coffeetime immediately following worship.
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)
Adults – The Building Visioning Committee will be inviting your questions and responses to what they have shared over the last few weeks.
EZ Family Event – PIZZA PARTY!
Join us for our next Family Event THIS SUNDAY, November 20th. We’ll gather together for a pizza lunch after Sunday School, followed by worship and fellowship. To give us an idea of numbers for pizza, please RSVP to Ashley with the number of pieces of pizza your family will eat and any dietary restrictions. A donation will be taken to cover the cost of pizza. Looking forward to seeing you!! ashleywitzel@gmail.com
This Coming Week
Tuesday November 22nd
7:30 p.m. Glorify practice
Wednesday November 23rd
7 p.m. Grassroots practice
Thursday November 24th
9:30 a.m. E Z Play Group
5:30 p.m. Punch, 6 p.m. Adult Fellowship Christmas Dinner.
Tickets $30 each. Program to follow, speaker Pastor Mike Williamson. A few
tickets are still available, please talk to Betty Rose.
Friday November 25th
7 p.m. MYF
Next Sunday – November 27, 2022
Advent Theme – Restoration is Near
Watch: The day is almost here
Prelude: Glorify Accompanist: Glorify
Song Leader: Melanie Wiegand Worship Leader: Marlow Gingerich
Message: Pastor Mike Audio/Visual: Greg Pye/Larry Kropf
Coffeetime: Gwen & Dan Matthews
8:45 a.m. Christmas Choir practice will be in the Junior Assembly Room downstairs.
12 p.m. Private Party
Extending God’s Love
We extend God’s love as we share with each other both our joys and our struggles.
EZMC Announcements
Financial Update as of November 16, 2022
Estimated funds needed to meet 2022 commitments
Mission Partners $ 22,161
MCEC & MC Canada $ 19,754
Leadership $ 51,451
MCC/Relief $ 5,315
Local Ministries $ 26,759
Maintenance $ 20,296
Student Aid -$ 6,254
$139,481
We are grateful for your donations. As this time continues to bring uncertainty and impact to many, we prayerfully ask for your continued financial support as you are able. We trust that God will provide and we will continue to experience the fullness of Christ.
Cheques can be placed in the offering plate 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.
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, beginning on November 27th as we begin our Advent series.
Theatre of the Beat Presents: Selah’s Song
An original folk musical from Theatre of the Beat
Written by Johnny Wideman, with original music by beloved Mennonite musician Bryan Moyer Suderman, Selah’s Song tells the story of a young girl whose courage inspired a village and whose song became an anthem for peace. Inundated with catchy pro-war propaganda songs, Selah is inspired to share her own music with the village, creating some competition for the King. Selah’s Song is a heartwarming musical that is fun for all ages!
Selah’s Song will be presented at East Zorra Mennonite Church, 677044 16 Line, Tavistock, on Sunday, December 4th at 2:30PM.
Admission is by donation. We welcome you to join us! If you would be willing to help with a few logistic details for this event please reach out to Pastor Ray.
Sue Martin is looking for barn yard animal costumes that fit children ages 2-5. Specifically need chicken, baby chick, horse, donkey, kitten, dog. If you have one please contact her. smartin1562@gmail.com or 519 504 1878
Volunteers needed to be Coffee Time Hosts!
For the months of December and January we will 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. Note that there will be no coffee time on December 25th and January 1st
Thursday November 24th Adult Fellowship Christmas dinner
Punch 5:30 Dinner 6:00 Tickets $30 each. Program to follow, speaker Pastor Mike Williamson. A few tickets are still available, please talk to Betty Rose.
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
Tuesday November 22nd 6:30 p.m. Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp is celebrating 60 years!! Please join us at our Annual General Meeting which will be held at Tavistock Mennonite Church to hear stories and songs from the last 60 years. The evening will also include a short business meeting. RSVP to info@hiddenacres.ca or 519-625-8602.
Tuesday November 22nd 8 p.m. 50 Years of MCC Thrift
You’re invited to a special celebration of 50 years of MCC Thrift on November 22nd at 8 pm! This live, virtual event will celebrate the history, creativity and generosity of the MCC Thrift network, which has raised more than $305 million over the last 50 years for the work of MCC at home and around the world. You’ll hear stories about the grassroots beginnings of the thrift network, meet some of our amazing volunteers, and learn about the impact that MCC Thrift has made. Register online to reserve your spot today at thrift.mcc.org/celebrate50.
Saturday November 26th 7 p.m. (CST) Christmas with CMU Christmas with CMU at Bethel Mennonite Church. This year’s Christmas program will be in-person and livestreamed, featuring favourites performed by a variety of CMU’s music ensembles. Tickets are sold out, but livestreaming will be available at cmu.ca/christmas.
Sunday December 4th 2:30 p.m. – Please join us at Tavistock Mennonite Church for An A Capella Christmas concert with KW barbershop choir, The Twin City Harmonizers, along with local musical powerhouse, Chuckee Zehr, as guest star. This concert will be fun for all ages! Proceeds will go towards TMC’s refugee sponsorships and to Harmonize for Speech, which funds speech therapy services. For tickets, please contact Alyssa at 519-655-2581 or office@tavistockmennonitechurch.ca, or grab some on Eventbrite.ca. Tickets: $20/adults | $15/Youth/Students 13 and over | 12 and under, free.
High Noon Lunch – Come celebrate Christmas
Thursday December 8th at Noon at Grace United Church in Tavistock.
Entertainment – Ropp Brothers
On the Level Announcement:
The November edition of On the Level is now available from Mennonite Disaster Service. In our current issue: Read about volunteers responding to Hurricane Fiona in Atlantic Canada; Learn about the MDS long-term response to Hurricane Ian in Florida: we have launched a new web page with volunteer opportunities closer to home; and we have information on the up-coming MDS Annual Celebration in Pennsylvania in February.
Click on this link to read more: https://conta.cc/3UI7urG
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.