Weekly Announcements

Announcements – Friday October 28, 2022

October 28, 2022 | Filed Under: Weekly Announcements

Worship Service – Sunday October 30, 2022 at 10 a.m.

We are called to friendship with the Risen Jesus

Join Sunday Morning Worship Gathering

Prelude: Brandy Sell Accompanist: Heidi Wagler

Song Leader: Lindsay Zehr Worship Leader: Dawn Bender

Message: Pastor Mike Audio/Visual: Greg Pye/Larry Kropf

Today

Because of our water challenges we will not be having coffee time today. You may bring your own drinks if you wish.

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 – Education series with Pastor Ray and Pastor Mike: The Love That Is God: An Invitation to Christian Faith. This class is being held in the sanctuary and is also available via Zoom for those at home.

This Coming Week

Monday October 31^st

6 p.m. CREATION CELEBRATION is back! Come join the fun!

Many Volunteers are still needed so please add your name to the sign-up sheet to help. Donations of cash and candy will be happily accepted. As allergies are an on-going concern, we are asking for NUT FREE treats only – please carefully check the package ingredient list (contains or may contain peanuts or tree nuts – we are unable to put these treats into the bags). Candy can be placed in the bin under the mailboxes, cash can be given to Joe Wagler or both can be dropped off at Creation Celebration.

Tuesday November 1^st

9 a.m. Sewing Circle – Everyone is welcome to join us to knot comforters or quilt. Come for the day or part of the day. (please bring your lunch and drinks). Masks are available.

Wednesday November 2^nd

7 p.m. SCRC Meeting

Thursday November 3^rd

9:30 a.m. E Z Play Group

Next Sunday – November 6, 2022

The Love that is God

We cannot love God if we do not love each other

Prelude/Accompanist: Grassroots/Chantelle McNeish

Song Leader: Myron Ruby Worship Leader: Sheryl Leis

Message: Pastor Ray Audio/Visual: Drystan Bender/Brian Wagler

Coffee Time Hosts: Shirley & Phil Ruby

Extending God’s Love

We extend God’s love as we share with each other both our joys and our struggles.

EZMC ANNOUNCEMENTS

October is Pastor Appreciation Month. SCRC invites you to express your personal gratitude to Ray and Mike in some way during the month.

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!

Thinking about Christmas?? The worship committee is exploring the idea of forming a choir to lead our Christmas Eve service this year, as well as possibly do some Christmas carolling in uptown Tavistock on another date. Music will be familiar carols and there will be a few practices as we’re hoping to have enough voices to do some of the songs acapella. Many of us feel our voices are rusty, but this is your chance to get it back in shape! In order to know if there is enough interest to go ahead with planning, we are asking you to please sign the sheet on the bulletin board in the lobby by Oct. 31st if you would like to be part of it. Thanks!

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 Thanks so much.

Would you like to join a Women’s Bible study group? Then come join us on Wednesday October 26th at 8:00 pm, at Ashley Witzel’s home. We will be doing the 6-week series called, “Get Out of Your Head” by Jennie Allen. If you are interested in joining or would like more details please speak with Jess Yantzi so we can purchase you a study guide.

Beyond Our Church Community

Join our Team!
Join the MCC team and use your skills to make a difference in your community and around the world! Thrift on Mill in Leamington has an opening for a Thrift Associate.To learn more about this position and to apply, go to mcco.ca/serve.

Material Resources Volunteers Needed (65 Heritage Drive, New Hamburg)Material Resources is looking for volunteers on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Come join our volunteer team in the sewing or workrooms. We are looking for volunteers to help create high quality comforters and pack/sort kits. Volunteer shifts are 3-4 hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays. For more information, go to mcco.ca/serve.

Thursday November 3^rd 7-8 pm Welcoming the Stranger
Join MCC Ontario’s Migration and Resettlement team on November 3rd as we share about this exciting opportunity to partner with us in welcoming the stranger. The BVOR program allows friends, family, churches and community groups the opportunity to resettle refugees into their communities with financial assistance from the government. Alongside MCC staff, previous BVOR sponsors will share about their sponsorship experience. Don’t forget to bring your questions! Register today at mcco.ca/events.

MCC Peace Conference
Friday, November 18 at 7 pm and Saturday, November 19, 9 am – 4 pm
The MCC Peace Conference is your chance to see, hear and experience first-hand how you and MCC are changing lives and communities through peacebuilding. This event will inspire and inform through general sessions, workshops and conversations with messengers of peace.To learn more and register, go to mcco.ca/peace-conference.

Sunday December 4^th 2:30 p.m. Tavistock Mennonite Church is hosting The Twin City Harmonizers, a men’s barbershop choir based in KW, for a Christmas concert. Local powerhouse Chuckee Zehr will guest perform. TMC’s share of the proceeds from the concert will go towards our upcoming refugee sponsorships.

There is an exciting opportunity to sing along with the choir for a portion of the concert. This opportunity is called “Sing for the Season.” Interested parties attend the first part of their Tuesday evening rehearsals to learn some simple songs that will be performed at the concert on December 4^th. If the singers are a little more experienced (or keen!), they are welcome to stay for the second part of the rehearsal to learn more advanced music that will also be performed at the concert. Singers of ALL ages are welcome to join in on the fun of this men’s barbershop choir! Rehearsals begin October 18^th. See the poster for more details, or reach out to Paul Roth (paul@ocd.ca) who joined the choir after doing Sing for the Season in 2019.

Order Peace Buttons for Peace Sunday
Our peace button dates back to 1989, when a pastor in Ontario suggested that MCC share a message of peace during the Remembrance Day period. MCC embraced the idea and the simple message “to remember is to work for peace” was born. Since then, the red button with the message of peace and the MCC logo has become one of our most requested items. We invite you to wear the peace button and to remember all people who are affected by war. For more information and to place your order, go to mcco.ca/peace-buttons.

Sunday November 13^th 3 p.m. Our Messiah Sing-Along is back! Join Menno Singers, soloists, orchestra and a Mini-Mass Choir at St Matthews Lutheran Church (54 Benton St. Kitchener). Participation by donation. Show up and sing or Sign up for the Mini-Mass Choir for 3 Monday rehearsals at First Mennonite Church, October 24, October 31 and November 7 – www.mennosingers.com

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.

Weekly Announcements – September 9, 2022

September 9, 2022 | Filed Under: Weekly Announcements

Sunday September 11, 2022 at 10 a.m. All are welcome to join us in person!

Welcome Back Sunday and Christian Education Dedication

We are grateful for your financial giving to the ongoing work and ministry of the church. This week our offering focus is “Student Aid”

We continue to give thanks for the generosity of so many who are giving financially to the work and ministry of the church.

We remind you of the options for sharing your tithes and offerings:

An offering plate is placed at the center entrance door to the sanctuary each week to receive your offering. Blank envelopes are available in the foyer if you would like to use them.
An e-transfer sent to treasurer@ezmennonite.ca
Cheques mailed or brought to the home of Dawn Zehr.
Electronic options available through your financial institution.

Please contact Dawn Zehr at gdzehr@gmail.com for information about electronic options or if you have questions about any of these options.

During our worship time each week we will plan to include an offertory prayer to give thanks for these financial gifts and to offer them to God to further the ministry of the church and the building of God’s kingdom in the world.

Janet & Marv Yantzi will be hosting Coffee Time this Sunday.

We would ask that everyone provide their own coffee mug to help simplify the preparation and clean up time. We will also provide paper cups for those who forget their mugs or come as guests on a Sunday morning. We can continue to have Coffee Time when we have the volunteers we need. We are still in need of more volunteers. Please contact Lisa if you would be willing to volunteer to be a coffee host.

11:10 AM – A meeting for teachers and helpers in the Jr. Sunday School will take place in the Craft Room in the basement. A portion on this meeting will include time with Brandy. Brandy will share ways that teachers and helpers can support Petra as we welcome Petra and Rebekah into the life of the church.

Sunday School classes for all ages will begin next Sunday on September 18.

Next Sunday – September 18, 2022

Prelude/Accompanist: Chantelle McNeish Song Leader: Connie Yantzi

Worship Leader: Marlow Gingerich Message: Fred Lichti

Audio/Visual: Todd Bender/Larry Kropf

Fred Lichti will be sharing in the message time during worship and continue to dialogue with us in the Sunday School time. Fred will tell some stories from our church history. We plan to use this Sunday to commemorate the 200^th anniversary of the coming of the Amish Mennonites to Canada and better understand ourselves as standing within the stream of Amish Mennonite history. Fred will lead us in telling stories about persons who are part of the stream of East Zorra’s history, attempting to highlight certain themes and principles which connect with Anabaptist-Mennonite theology and our faith and life today. We also note that 2022 marks East Zorra Mennonite Church’s 185^th Anniversary.

EZMC ANNOUNCEMENTS

This week you will notice some changes to the format of our Newsletter. After 129 weeks of Letters/Newsletters we have decided to change our formatting again. We will plan to keep weekly emails/deliveries of the important information that you need but it will move to a more bulletin format. Pastoral reflections will continue but will not be written and shared weekly. We are grateful for the increasing opportunities to meet in-person. We will continue to provide a Zoom option for our weekly worship gatherings.

Outdoor Family/Congregational Event – Sunday 18^th 3-6 PM in the Greenspace.

This event will include a time of singing and worship, other fun activities, and food. The Al Yonues family will be joining us for this event and are looking forward to time with our church family. We invite all ages to join us for this congregational family event.

The Worship Committee is planning to place an order to purchase some additional Voices Together Hymnals. If you are interested in purchasing a personal copy please contact Lisa by email at office@ezmennonite.ca before the end of September. The price is approximately $40/book.

We will be printing an updated EZMC Church Family Photo and Address Directory in the Fall. We are still accepting updated photos, addresses, phone numbers. Please submit this coming week. Thank you so much for your willingness to submit a photo! It is very much appreciated!

We are excited to begin our regular Sunday school programs beginning September 18th for Nursery to grade 8.

Please take some time to look over all the different opportunities we have available to volunteer this year. We welcome you to sign up for as many positions/dates as you are able to. We also want to send out a special invitation to all the Men in our church. Your presence and influence in our Sunday school program is so important. We welcome any amount of participation you are able to give us!

Should donations exceed Green Space expenses, the extra will be used for other church projects. Thank you, GS committee

Beyond Our Church Community

Saturday September 10 – Support World Suicide Prevention Day – Walk of Light. Meet at 7 p.m. at the Schmidt Woods Trails entrance in Baden (behind the pool) Please see the attached poster for more information.

Fall Seniors’ Retreat at Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp, September 19th. Our theme this fall is “Seeing the Land and History Through an Indigenous Lens”. For more information and to register please visit our website @ www.hiddenacres.ca or contact the camp at 519-625-8602, info@hiddenacres.ca. Space is limited so register early! Brochures are available on the table outside the nursery.

SAVE THE DATE: The much loved-Toronto Mennonite Festival returns to Willowgrove Farm on Saturday September 17. Save the date for delicious traditional (and not so traditional) Mennonite treats, fun activities for kids and families, the famous quilt auction and more. All proceeds support the work of Mennonite Central Committee. More info at torontomennonitefestival.ca.

The Amish Bicentennial 1822-2022

Join us as we REMEMBER and THANK GOD for the coming of our Amish Mennonite ancestors to Canada. There will be Heritage bus tours, Acapella Hymn Sings (one of which will take place at East Zorra Mennonite on Sun Sept 25), The National Day of Truth and Reconciliation in Canada (Speaker, Rebecca Seiling will present the “Landed Buggy” at Steinmann Mennonite), Indigenous Awareness Workshop (at Crow Shield Lodge), and the Thanksgiving Worship Service (Sun Oct 2 at Steinmann Mennonite Church). Some of these events require registration in advance.

Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp is hiring! We have an opening in early October for a part time (about 16-24 hours a week) member of our housekeeping staff. The successful applicant will be responsible to ensure our facilities are kept clean and in good condition for our guests. They should have an interest or experience in a variety of housekeeping skills, have a flexible schedule to meet the requirements of Hidden Acres’ programs and be willing to support the mission of the camp. Please visit hiddenacres.ca for more information. To apply, please send a resume to info@hiddenacres.ca. Deadline September 23, 2022.

Announcements – Friday September 2, 2022

September 2, 2022 | Filed Under: Weekly Announcements

Weekly Letter and Announcements – No. 129

Resources to help us to stay Rooted in Christ and Growing together in Faith

Worship Service – Sunday September 4, 2022 at 10 a.m.

Cassel Mennonite will be hosting an in-person worship service with Tavistock and East Zorra Mennonite churches. All are welcome to meet at Cassel Mennonite Church (696556 17^th line). There will be no service in our building.

We are grateful for your financial giving to the ongoing work and ministry of the church. This week our offering focus is “Mission Partners”

Next Sunday – September 11, 2022 – Welcome Back Sunday!

Prelude/Accompanist: Heidi Wagler Song Leader: Myron Ruby

Worship Leader: Dylan & Hannah Yantzi Message: Pastor Mike

Audio/Visual: Drystan Bender/Brian Wagler

On Sunday September 18 Fred Lichti will be sharing in the message time during worship and continue to dialogue with us in the Sunday School time. Fred will tell some stories from our church history. We plan to use this Sunday to commemorate the 200^th anniversary of the coming of the Amish Mennonites to Canada and better understand ourselves as standing within the stream of Amish Mennonite history. Fred will lead us in telling stories about persons who are part of the stream of East Zorra’s history, attempting to highlight certain themes and principles which connect with Anabaptist-Mennonite theology and our faith and life today. We also note that 2022 marks East Zorra Mennonite Church’s 185^th Anniversary.

EZMC Announcements

As we move into September we are planning for some changes to our weekly newsletter format. We will continue with weekly mailings to provide the announcements and updates you will need.

The Sewing Circle Committee would like to invite you to join us on Tuesday September 6, 2022 for comforter knotting or quilting. All are welcome. You can join us for part of the day or all day starting at 9:00 am. Bring your lunch along if you plan to stay all day.

Masks are available and we will be socially distancing as well.

We are excited to begin our regular Sunday school programs beginning September 18th for Nursery to grade 8.

**Please note: For grades 1-5, even though you will see 4 spots for volunteers each Sunday, we only need 2 volunteers. Each Sunday 2 members from JCET will make up the other 2 volunteers so there are a total of 4. Please sign your name beside your choice of activity that you want to lead, Devo for grade 1-2, 3-5, craft or game, and JCET will fill in the spots that are left blank.

Blessings & Thank you from JCET

(Holly Barron, Jess Yantzi, Erin Yantzi, Susan Martin)

We will be printing an updated EZMC Church Family Photo and Address Directory in the Fall. Please submit updated photos, addresses, phone numbers by September 9^th

Thank you so much for your willingness to submit a photo! It is very much appreciated!

Please note that we encourage every person or family unit to submit a photo. A picture in a directory helps so much, and is so welcoming! Mike, Brandy, Petra and Rebekah have joined us and are getting to know us, an updated photo directory with pictures of everyone will be a wonderful gift. If you are submitting a photo please remember that professional photos are subject to copyright so permission would be needed from the photographer to include.

In the next few weeks your mailbox position may change slightly as additions are made. If you don’t have a mailbox and would like one please contact Lisa at office@ezmennonite.ca. If your mailbox label has gone missing please let Lisa know so she can replace it.

Should donations exceed Green Space expenses, the extra will be used for other church projects. Thank you, GS committee

Beyond Our Church Community

Saturday September 10 – Support World Suicide Prevention Day – Walk of Light. Meet at 7 p.m. at the Schmidt Wood Trails entrance in Baden (behind the pool) Please see the attached poster for more information.

The Amish Bicentennial 1822-2022

Weekly Announcements – Friday August 19, 2022

August 19, 2022 | Filed Under: Weekly Announcements

Resources to help us to stay Rooted in Christ and Growing together in Faith

Worship Service – Sunday August 21, 2022 at 10 a.m.

Theme: Come to the Living Water

Join EZMC Zoom Worship Gathering – 10 AM

Gwen & Dan Matthews will be hosting Coffee Time this Sunday.

We can continue to have Coffee Time when we have the volunteers we need. We are still in need of more volunteers. Please contact Lisa if you would be willing to volunteer to be a coffee host.

**As we gather for worship and other congregational activities, please note that masks are no longer required, including during congregational singing, however, we remain mask-friendly – if you and your family want to wear a mask, you should feel comfortable to do so. For your convenience we will continue to make hand sanitizer and masks available at the 2 main entrances to our building.

Next Sunday – August 28, 2022 EZMC Worship Service at 10 a.m.

Theme: Come to the Water: Storms

Prelude: Laurie Yantzi Worship Leader: Sheryl Leis

Message: Pastor Mike

Audio/Visual: Greg Pye/Brian Wagler

Extending God’s Love

EZMC Announcements

Please send any items for the Friday August 26^th letter to Pastor Ray by 9 a.m. that morning as Office Administrator Lisa will be away on holidays. Thanks so much.

We will be printing an updated EZMC Church Family Photo and Address Directory in the Fall.

Please submit updated photos, addresses, phone numbers by September 9^th

Thank you so much for your willingness to submit a photo! It is very much appreciated!

Should donations exceed Green Space expenses, the extra will be used for other church projects. Thank you, GS committee

Beyond Our Church Community

info@hiddenacres.ca. Space is limited so register early! Brochures are available on the table outside the nursery.

Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp is hiring! We have an opening in early September for a part time (about 16-24 hours a week) member of our housekeeping staff. The successful applicant will be responsible to ensure our facilities are kept clean and in good condition for our guests. They should have an interest or experience in a variety of housekeeping skills, be able to adapt their schedule to meet the requirements of Hidden Acres’ program and be willing to support the mission of the camp. Please visit hiddenacres.ca for more information. To apply, please send a resume to info@hiddenacres.ca. Deadline August 31, 2022.

SAVE THE DATE: The much loved-Toronto Mennonite Festival returns to Willowgrove Farm on Saturday September 17. Save the date for delicious traditional (and not so traditional) Mennonite treats, fun activities for kids and families, the famous quilt auction and more. All proceeds support the work of Mennonite Central Committee. More info at torontomennonitefestival.ca.

The Amish Bicentennial 1822-2022

Weekly Announcements – August 12-2022

August 12, 2022 | Filed Under: Weekly Announcements

Resources to help us to stay Rooted in Christ and Growing together in Faith

Worship Service – Sunday August 14, 2022 at 10 a.m.

Ecumenical Worship Service in the Park hosted by the Tavistock Ministerial at Queens Park Pavilion in Tavistock

An offering time during our worship will give opportunity to support individual congregations and the ministry of Tavistock Assistance Program (TAP). Offering envelopes will be provided for TAP donations. Following the service everyone is invited to stay for the annual noon meal fundraiser hosted by the TAP board members and volunteers.

We hope you can come to worship, eat and fellowship together.

We are grateful for your financial giving to the ongoing work and ministry of the church. This week our offering focus is “Leadership”

Next Sunday – August 21, 2022 EZMC Worship Service at 10 a.m.

Theme: Come to the Living Water

Prelude: Heidi Wagler Worship Leader: Dawn Bender

Music: Lindsay Zehr Message/Sharing: Pastor Ray & Susan Schmitz

Audio/Visual: Dathan Bender/Larry Kropf

EZMC Announcements

We will be printing an updated EZMC Church Family Photo and Address Directory in September 2022.

If you moved or have a new phone number since the printing of the Church Directory Update Page in January 2022 and have not given your updated information to the church office, please do so. If you were not in the last directory but would like to be included, please contact the church office.
We would love to see updated photos! Please send to Lisa, preferably in digital form (jpeg) by email at office@ezmennonite.ca. If you have a photo you would like her to scan, make arrangements to drop off and she will return to you. These photos can be casual. If you are submitting a photo please remember that professional photos are subject to copyright so permission would be needed from the photographer to include.
Please note that we encourage every person or family unit to submit a photo. A picture in a directory helps so much, and is so welcoming! As Mike, Brandy, Petra and Rebekah join us in August and get know us, an updated photo directory with pictures of everyone will be a wonderful gift. Thank you so much for your willingness to submit a photo! It is very much appreciated!
Deadline to submit is September 9, 2022.

As Phase 2 of the Greenspace begins, projects will be dependent on donations. Accompanied by a note, designated for the Green Space, donations can be given by cash or cheque in the church offering, or mailed, dropped off, as well as e-transferred to church treasurer Dawn Zehr. Should donations exceed Green Space expenses, the extra will be used for other church projects. Thank you, GS committee

Beyond Our Church Community

Raw Carrot Soup Enterprise market volunteers
The Raw Carrot Soup Enterprise is actively seeking volunteers to run our stall at the Wellesley Farmer’s Market until October 9. Volunteers must be 16+ years of age. Shifts are Saturdays 8:30am-12:30pm. The Raw Carrot provides employment for individuals on Long-Term Disability through the creation and sale of delicious soups. Soups can be purchased at Thrift on Kent, New Hamburg Thrift Centre and Elmira Thrift & Gift. You can also find us at the Wellesley Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings! Contact Leah Brown at leahbrown@mcco.ca for more info.

Volunteer with our Circle of Friends program!
Circle of Friends supports individuals who have experienced homelessness and have transitioned back into the community. Circles are small groups of 2-3 volunteers and one individual who meet each week for a few hours for a one-year commitment. If you’re compassionate, patient and a good listener this may be the position for you! Volunteers are needed now for Tuesday afternoons in Kitchener. Other days and times coming soon. To learn more, go to mcco.ca/volunteer or email Cindy at cindymacrae@mcco.ca.

The Amish Bicentennial 1822-2022