Weekly Announcements

East Zorra Mennonite Church

Volume 68          Sunday January 5, 2025                      No. 1

Prelude/Accompanist: Katie Wagler                Song Leader: Caleb Leis

Worship Leader: Sheryl Leis                           Message: Pastors Ray & Mike

Audio/Visual: Drystan Bender/Larry Kropf       Coffee Hosts: Carol & Owen Cook

Prelude

Words of Welcome & Announcements

Call to Worship

Opening Prayer

Songs of Praise       VT #275 “O Beautiful Star of Bethlehem” 

VT #274 “See Whose Glory Fills the Skies”

Offering:  Mission Partners

Time with the Children

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 60:1-3; Luke 13:18-19

Message    Sharing by Pastors Mike & Ray

Song of Response  VT#387 “We Are One in the Spirit”

Sharing & Prayer of the Church     

Sending Song                    VT#412 “My Soul Cries Out”

Benediction

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.

Please note that we are not having Sunday School classes today.

12 p.m. Private Party

This Coming Week

Tuesday January 7^th

• 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Sewing Circle – Everyone is welcome to join us to knot comforters or to quilt.

Wednesday December 8^th   

• E Z Play Group setup
• 7:30 p.m. Gather for Women’s Bible Study which will begin at 8 p.m.in the MYF room. All are welcome. We have been studying Jennie Allen’s ‘Find Your People’

Thursday January 9^th                 

• 9:30 – 11 a.m. E Z Play Group
• 12 p.m. 12 p.m. High Noon Seniors Lunch at Grace United Church in Tavistock. A homestyle lunch will be served followed by a musical entertainment by Bob Heywood. Cost: Freewill offering.

Next Sunday – January 12, 2024

Teen Challenge Choir at EZMC

Worship Leader: Pastor Mike                          Greeters: Bethany & Trevor Kropf

Audio/Visual: Dathan Bender/Brian Wagler      Offering: MCEC & MC Canada

Coffee Hosts: Megan MacDonald & Russ Schumm                

11 a.m. Teen Challenge will continue to share during Youth and Adult Sunday School

EZMC Announcements

December 2024 Donations Received Summary

Offering Schedule – $125,289

Refugee Fund – $1,350

Christmas Eve – $5,372

Treasurer Transition – Effective immediately please direct all questions or correspondence about donations or expenses to our new treasurer, Becky Bender. Becky’s email address is treasurer@ezmennonite.ca.

Christmas Giving Card Project – Worship Committee thanks everyone for their contributions in gift cards this Christmas. Thanks to you generous support we received approximately $1500 in Gift Cards. The card will be distributed between Tavistock Assistance Program (TAP) and Wilmot Family Resource Centre. Thanks again for your support for this project.

You are invited to participate in Sunday Afternoon Services at The Maples and peopleCare on January 19! It’s a two hour commitment at the very most. The half hour service involves reading scripture, a poem or short story, singing and or playing an instrument followed by saying hello to the residents. Ideally, we would have a pianist to accompany the singing. The first service begins at 2 p.m.  Please reach out to Pastor Ray or Susan Schmitz if you would like to participate.

Beyond our Church Community

Friday January 10^th & Saturday January 11^th  7 p.m. Bonhoeffer: Cell 92 – | A cinematic theatre production created by Jerry Holsopple and Justin Poole. This thought-provoking single actor play focuses on the final period of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s life, a German pastor and theologian involved in the Protestant resistance to Hitler and National Socialism. Two nights only, at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo. Tickets: uwaterloo.ca/grebel/events/bonhoeffer-cell-92 

Thursday January 16, 2025 7:30 pm. Anabaptism at 500: A service of Commemoration and Celebration, W-K United Mennonite Church, Waterloo. | A service of music, reading, and reflection on the 500th anniversary of the first adult baptisms in Zurich, Switzerland. uwaterloo.ca/grebel/events/anabaptism-500-service 

Friday January 17, 2025 7:30 pm Bechtel Lecture | Commemorating Anabaptism’s 500 Years: Anabaptist beginnings and the stories we tell, at Conrad Grebel University College, Waterloo. Dr. Karl Koop considers our dominant communal memories and the stories we tell, suggesting that in avoiding stories from the margins and stories we have marginalized, we will be left with a situation intellectually unsatisfying, and significantly limiting in our understanding of the past. uwaterloo.ca/grebel/events/anabaptist-beginnings  

Exciting News! The New MCC Meat Cannery is ready!

Saturday January 18, 2025 from 1:45 – 4 p.m., 65 Heritage Dr., New Hamburg
After months of hard work and anticipation, the MCC Meat Cannery in New Hamburg is complete—and it’s time to celebrate!

?Join us for the grand dedication event ?
✨ Explore the new facility.
? Discover the life-changing impact of MCC’s canned meat around the world.
? Enjoy delicious refreshments and appetizers.

No need to RSVP—just come as you are and be part of this special moment.

For details, visit mcc.org/meat-cannery-dedication.

We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Saturday January 25, 2025, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Join us for the Great Winter WarmUp!
at the MCC Material Resources Centre, 65 Heritage Dr, New Hamburg
Get ready to cozy up at the Great Winter WarmUp! We’re inviting you, your friends and your family to the MCC Material Resource Centre for a fun-filled comforter knotting blitz. Together, we’ll create handmade comforters that bring warmth and remind those in need that they are loved and cared for. No experience? No problem! Whether you’re a pro at knotting or trying it for the first time, everyone is welcome. Enjoy some hot beverages, connect with great people and help us spread warmth and comfort this winter. We can’t wait to see you there and share some warmth together! For more info, go to  mcc.org/events.

East Zorra Mennonite Church

Volume 67              Sunday December 29, 2024                      No. 52

Sunday December 29, 2024

Prelude/Accompanist: Worship Band               Song Leader: Lindsay Zehr

Worship Leader: Krista Matthews                    Greeters: Joyce & Howard Ropp

Audio/Visual: Greg Pye/Brian Wagler              Offering: Where Needed Most

Coffee Hosts: Janet & Marv Yantzi                 

Prelude

Words of Welcome & Announcements

Call to Worship

Left: Alleluia the Christ child comes,
     Right: And we celebrate his birth.
Left: Let us throw off our distractions,
     Right: And allow the chaos to settle.
Left: Let us see the signs,
     Right: And listen to the messengers.

Left: Let us stand on tiptoe,
     Right: And shout aloud and sing.
All: Something new has emerged.
All: Something new has been birthed.

Opening Prayer

Christmas Songs of Praise

VT #241 “O Come All Ye Faithful”

VT #248 “It Came upon a Midnight Clear”

Offering:  Where Needed Most

Time with the Children

Scripture Reading: Luke 1:26-38

Message    Sharing by Alexis Leis, Ava Ropp and Naomi Ropp

Christmas Caroling

VT #216 “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”

VT #244 “Silent Night”

VT #249 “Angels We Have Heard on High”

Sharing & Prayer of the Church      Pastor Ray

Sending Song VT #240 “Joy To The World”

Benediction

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.

This Coming Week

Tuesday, December 31^st

• 7 -10 p.m.(?)  Are you looking for something fun to do on New Year’s Eve?  All ages are welcome to come to church for an informal evening of games and fellowship! Bring along your favourite games and snacks. Hot/cold drinks will be provided. Any questions, speak to Marv or Janet Yantzi. Hope to see you there!

Thursday January 2^nd 

• 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Visitation for Wallace Steinman at EZMC
• 1 p.m. Funeral Service for Wallace Steinman.

Next Sunday – January 5, 2024

Prelude/Accompanist: Katie Wagler                Song Leader: Caleb Leis

Worship Leader: Sheryl Leis                           Greeters:

Audio/Visual: Greg Pye/Brian Wagler              Offering: Mission Partners

Coffee Hosts: Gloria & Merv Ropp                   Message: Pastors Ray & Mike

12 p.m. Private Party

EZMC Announcements

Christmas Eve offerings received – $4,996.75

If you are on the EZMC Canadian Mennonite Magazine subscription list you will find the December issue in the mailbox lobby. Please take one if you would like it. Your January issue should arrive by mail now that the postal strike is over.

The EZMC Church Directory Update page is in church mailboxes. Please make the updates in your directory as we are not printing one in 2024. There are extras on the bottom row if you would like to share with family members who have a directory at home but do not have a church mailbox.

Are you looking for some reading material to enjoy over the holidays? Stop in at the library and see the selection of Christmas books for adults and children!

Wednesday January 8^th – Gather at 7:30, start at 8 Women’s Bible Study in the MYF room. All are welcome. We have been studying Jennie Allen’s ‘Find Your People’” 

Thursday January 9^th 12 p.m. 12 p.m. High Noon Seniors Lunch at Grace United Church in Tavistock. A homestyle lunch will be served followed by a musical entertainment by Bob Heywood. Cost: Freewill offering.

Save the Dates – Vacation Bible School at EZMC will be held on July 7-11, 2025.

Beyond our Church Community

Urgent Financial Need – MCEC. As we approach the end of the year, we invite you to prayerfully consider making a donation to support the ongoing ministry and mission of MCEC. We face a financial challenge to meet the approved budget. Despite strong reduction in expenses, revenue has greatly declined. Our MCEC Finance Update for December (https://mcec.ca/res/pub/Documents/Financial-Statements/MCEC-Finance-Update-December-2024.pdf) outlines the details. Your donation fuels MCEC’s transformational work. Visit mcec.ca/annual-appeal to give today. Thank you.Your generosity ensures that we can continue to serve and grow as a church community, working together to embody God’s love in the world.

Mail delivery is still being impacted after the postal strike
While this creates uncertainty for many Canadians, we want to reassure you that Mennonite Central Committee’s work continues. Your generosity makes it possible for us to bring Christ’s love to those in need and we’re here to ensure you can stay engaged with the issues you care about. If you usually send your donations through the mail, here are some secure alternatives to consider:
?Donate Online: Make a secure donation anytime on our website. It’s quick, easy and safe. To support MCC this Christmas season, go to https://mcc.org/christmas.
☎️Call-In Donations: Prefer to donate by phone? Call us at 1-888-622-6337, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Our team will be happy to assist you.
This Christmas, we’re grateful to partner with you in spreading warmth, hope, and Christ’s love around the world. Thank you for your continued support during this season of giving.

Mennonite Disaster Services encourages you to consider their online and telephone giving options this Christmas season.

You can:

• Donate online at mds.org/donate-canada; or
• Make a credit card donation by calling us toll-free at 1(866) 261-1274.

Your gift will bring hope, warmth and a community of volunteers around those who need it most — so that disaster survivors don’t face a difficult journey towards recovery alone.

Mennonite Disaster Service – The December edition of On the Level is now available. In this edition, you’ll read about Executive Director Ross Penner’s inspiration from his mother’s Christmas bread, celebrate with families in West Virginia who are home for Christmas, thanks to MDS volunteers, plus details of the 75th Anniversary celebration coming in February.

Read On the Level: https://conta.cc/3BJdOe3

Friday January 10^th & Saturday January 11^th  7 p.m. Bonhoeffer: Cell 92 – | A cinematic theatre production created by Jerry Holsopple and Justin Poole. This thought-provoking single actor play focuses on the final period of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s life, a German pastor and theologian involved in the Protestant resistance to Hitler and National Socialism. Two nights only, at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo. Tickets: uwaterloo.ca/grebel/events/bonhoeffer-cell-92 

Exciting News! The New MCC Meat Cannery is ready!

Saturday January 18, 2025 from 1:45 – 4 p.m., 65 Heritage Dr., New Hamburg
After months of hard work and anticipation, the MCC Meat Cannery in New Hamburg is complete—and it’s time to celebrate!

? Join us for the grand dedication event ?
✨ Explore the new facility.
? Discover the life-changing impact of MCC’s canned meat around the world.
? Enjoy delicious refreshments and appetizers.

No need to RSVP—just come as you are and be part of this special moment.

For details, visit mcc.org/meat-cannery-dedication.

We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Saturday January 25, 2025, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Join us for the Great Winter WarmUp!
at the MCC Material Resources Centre, 65 Heritage Dr, New Hamburg
Get ready to cozy up at the Great Winter WarmUp! We’re inviting you, your friends and your family to the MCC Material Resource Centre for a fun-filled comforter knotting blitz. Together, we’ll create handmade comforters that bring warmth and remind those in need that they are loved and cared for. No experience? No problem! Whether you’re a pro at knotting or trying it for the first time, everyone is welcome. Enjoy some hot beverages, connect with great people and help us spread warmth and comfort this winter. We can’t wait to see you there and share some warmth together! For more info, go to  mcc.org/events.

Thursday January 16, 2025 7:30 pm. Anabaptism at 500: A service of Commemoration and Celebration, W-K United Mennonite Church, Waterloo. | A service of music, reading, and reflection on the 500th anniversary of the first adult baptisms in Zurich, Switzerland. uwaterloo.ca/grebel/events/anabaptism-500-service 

Friday January 17, 2025 7:30 pm Bechtel Lecture | Commemorating Anabaptism’s 500 Years: Anabaptist beginnings and the stories we tell, at Conrad Grebel University College, Waterloo. Dr. Karl Koop considers our dominant communal memories and the stories we tell, suggesting that in avoiding stories from the margins and stories we have marginalized, we will be left with a situation intellectually unsatisfying, and significantly limiting in our understanding of the past. uwaterloo.ca/grebel/events/anabaptist-beginnings  

Tuesday January 28, 2025 9:30 a.m. New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale Feature Quilt Reveal, Mennonite Central Committtee, 50 Kent Ave., Kitchener.
Each year, a talented individual or team creates the feature quilt for the New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale. Feature quilts have depicted historical churches, the play of colour and light across fabric, a journey through Africa, among other innovative designs. On January 28, the curtain will be removed and the 2025 feature quilt will be revealed. Join us in the lower atrium at 50 Kent Ave, Kitchener or on the NHMRS Facebook page. Learn more at mcc.org/events.

February 27 – March 1, 2025 Rockway Mennonite Collegiate proudly presents their all-school musical, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.rockway.ca/events. We look forward to welcoming you and your family into Wonka’s world of Pure Imagination! 

Monday March 24, 2025 6 p.m. Hope Starts at Home: An evening with Phyllis Webstad, at Bingemans Conference Centre, 425 Bingemans Centre Dr, Kitchener
Join us on March 24 along with author and speaker, Phyllis Webstad, the founder and ambassador of the Orange Shirt Society. Phyllis will share her childhood of healing and reconciliation in Canada as we seek to restore justice, foster belonging and address poverty in Ontario. Funds raised at the event will supply MCC Ontario’s new meat cannery. To learn more and order your tickets, go to mcc.org/evening-with-phyllis-webstad.

Mennonite Church Canada Gathering – July 2-5, 2025 in Kitchener/Waterloo.

This Gathering is shaping up to be an incredible experience with three unique avenues for engagement: 

1.Congregational Gathering: Join delegates and congregational representatives for inspiring sessions, worship, and connection.

2.Youth Gathering: A vibrant, energetic event designed specifically for youth, hosted on the University of Waterloo campus.

3.U30 Young Adult Gathering: Engage with peers through tailored events, including a special post-Gathering celebration at Hidden Acres!

More info coming soon!

East Zorra Mennonite Church

Volume 67          Sunday December 22, 2024                      No. 51

Sunday December 22, 2024

Prelude/Accompanist: Laurie Yantzi               Song Leader: Caleb Leis

Greeters: Hannah & Dylan Yantzi                    Worship Leader: Pastor Mike

Audio/Visual: Dathan Bender/Brian Wagler      Offering: Where Needed Most

Coffee Hosts: Michelle & Brad Brenneman         

Prelude

Nursery & Preschool & JK & SK

“Away in a Manger”

“Happy Birthday”

Welcome & Announcements

Advent reading & lighting of the candles

Names of Jesus – Grades 1-5

          Readers (Lydia, Ila, Hannah, Lake, Noah, Lydia, Garner, Liam, Emmett W)

Congregational Song:       “O Come, O Come, Immanuel” #210 VT

                                        “To Us a Child of Hope Is Born” #259 VT

Names of Jesus: Immanuel & Prince of Peace

Video – “The Birth of Jesus Retold”

          Written, Filmed & Edited by Colton Yantzi

          Acted out by Grades 1-5.

Christmas Video Word Definitions 

“That’s wacked!” – That is crazy!

“Aight”- OK

“That was SICK!” – That was amazing!

“Gnarly”- Cool!

” Is this Jesus’s crib?” – Is this Jesus’s home?

“This baby is dope!”- This baby is awesome! 

Names of Jesus: Son of God & Good Shepherd

Congregational Song:       “What Child is this” #267 VT

                              “Good Christian Friends Rejoice” #261 VT

Offering – Where Needed Most

Offertory – Elise & Lydia

Names of Jesus: Friend & Saviour

Sharing & Prayer – Pastor Mike

Names of Jesus: Light of the World & King of Kings

Song – Grades 1-5  “Something about that Name” (by Anne Wilson)

Names of Jesus

Song – JWalkers (Grades 6,7 & 8) “Go Tell it on the Mountain” (by Zack Williams)

Benediction

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.

Thank you to everyone who made cupcakes for today! 

12 p.m. Private Party

Christmas Giving Gift Card Project

Each Sunday during Advent as you come to worship the worship committee will be collecting Gift Cards that we will distribute to Tavistock Assistance Program (TAP) and Wilmot Family Resource Centre. There will be a box in the foyer for you to place your gift cards. While any gift card amount is welcome, $25 Gift Cards (or lower) become the most useful to distribute. The Gift cards most requested are: Shell, PC, Esso, Petro-Canada, Walmart. Winners, IDA, Shoppers Drugmart. Each week, we will display ornaments on a Christmas Tree to mark the number of cards we have received. Thank you for any contribution you can make to the Christmas giving project!

This Coming Week

Tuesday December 24^th

• 7 p.m. Christmas Eve Service at EZMC.

Friday December 27^th    

• 4 – 9 p.m. Private Party

Christmas Eve – December 24, 2024

7 p.m.

Prelude/Accompanist: Bethany Zehr               Song Leader: Myron Ruby

Worship Leader: Pastor Ray                            Message: Pastor Mike

Audio/Visual: Todd Bender/Brian Wagler        

Offering: Operation Sharing (Oxford) and United Way (Homelessness in Perth)

Next Sunday – December 29, 2024

Prelude/Accompanist: Worship Band               Song Leader: Lindsay Zehr

Worship Leader: Kris & Krista Matthews          Greeters: Joyce & Howard Ropp

Audio/Visual: Greg Pye/Brian Wagler              Offering: Where Needed Most

Coffee Hosts: Janet & Marv Yantzi                  Message: Alexis Leis                   

Extending God’s Love

Thank you for the cards, gifts and Christmas Blessings you have shared with us this year. May the joy of the angels, the humility of the shepherds, the anticipation of the Magi, and the peace of Christ be God’s gift to you and your people this Christmas as you receive the love of God revealed in Jesus. Pastors Mike & Ray

EZMC Announcements

If you are on the EZMC Canadian Mennonite Magazine subscription list you will find the December issue in the mailbox lobby. Please take one if you would like it. Your January issue should arrive by mail now that the postal strike is over.

The EZMC Church Directory Update page is in church mailboxes. Please make the updates in your directory as we are not printing one in 2024. There are extras on the bottom row if you would like to share with family members who have a directory at home but do not have a church mailbox.

Are you looking for some reading material to enjoy over the holidays? Stop in at the library and see the selection of Christmas books for adults and children!

Wednesday January 8^th – Gather at 7:30, start at 8 Women’s Bible Study in the MYF room. All are welcome. We have been studying Jennie Allen’s ‘Find Your People’” 

Save the Dates – Vacation Bible School at EZMC will be held on July 7-11, 2025.

Beyond our Church Community

Urgent Financial Need – MCEC. As we approach the end of the year, we invite you to prayerfully consider making a donation to support the ongoing ministry and mission of MCEC. We face a financial challenge to meet the approved budget. Despite strong reduction in expenses, revenue has greatly declined. Our MCEC Finance Update for December (https://mcec.ca/res/pub/Documents/Financial-Statements/MCEC-Finance-Update-December-2024.pdf) outlines the details. Your donation fuels MCEC’s transformational work. Visit mcec.ca/annual-appeal to give today. Thank you.Your generosity ensures that we can continue to serve and grow as a church community, working together to embody God’s love in the world.

Mail delivery this Christmas will likely be impacted by the postal strike
While this creates uncertainty for many Canadians, we want to reassure you that Mennonite Central Committee’s work continues. Your generosity makes it possible for us to bring Christ’s love to those in need and we’re here to ensure you can stay engaged with the issues you care about. If you usually send your donations through the mail, here are some secure alternatives to consider:
?Donate Online: Make a secure donation anytime on our website. It’s quick, easy and safe. To support MCC this Christmas season, go to https://mcc.org/christmas.
☎️Call-In Donations: Prefer to donate by phone? Call us at 1-888-622-6337, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Our team will be happy to assist you.
This Christmas, we’re grateful to partner with you in spreading warmth, hope, and Christ’s love around the world. Thank you for your continued support during this season of giving.

Due to the Canada Post strike, Mennonite Disaster Services encourages you to consider their online and telephone giving options this Christmas season.

You can:

• Donate online at mds.org/donate-canada; or
• Make a credit card donation by calling us toll-free at 1(866) 261-1274.

Your gift will bring hope, warmth and a community of volunteers around those who need it most — so that disaster survivors don’t face a difficult journey towards recovery alone.

Mennonite Disaster Service – The December edition of On the Level is now available. In this edition, you’ll read about Executive Director Ross Penner’s inspiration from his mother’s Christmas bread, celebrate with families in West Virginia who are home for Christmas, thanks to MDS volunteers, plus details of the 75th Anniversary celebration coming in February.

Read On the Level: https://conta.cc/3BJdOe3

Thursday January 9^th 12 p.m. 12 p.m. High Noon Seniors Lunch at Grace United Church in Tavistock. A homestyle lunch will be served followed by a musical entertainment by Bob Heywood. Cost: Freewill offering.

Friday January 10^th & Saturday January 11^th  7 p.m. Bonhoeffer: Cell 92 – | A cinematic theatre production created by Jerry Holsopple and Justin Poole. This thought-provoking single actor play focuses on the final period of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s life, a German pastor and theologian involved in the Protestant resistance to Hitler and National Socialism. Two nights only, at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo. Tickets: uwaterloo.ca/grebel/events/bonhoeffer-cell-92 

Exciting News! The New MCC Meat Cannery is ready!

Saturday January 18, 2025 from 1:45 – 4 p.m., 65 Heritage Dr., New Hamburg
After months of hard work and anticipation, the MCC Meat Cannery in New Hamburg is complete—and it’s time to celebrate!

? Join us for the grand dedication event ?
✨ Explore the new facility.
? Discover the life-changing impact of MCC’s canned meat around the world.
? Enjoy delicious refreshments and appetizers.

No need to RSVP—just come as you are and be part of this special moment.

For details, visit mcc.org/meat-cannery-dedication.

We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Saturday January 25, 2025, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Join us for the Great Winter WarmUp!
at the MCC Material Resources Centre, 65 Heritage Dr, New Hamburg
Get ready to cozy up at the Great Winter WarmUp! We’re inviting you, your friends and your family to the MCC Material Resource Centre for a fun-filled comforter knotting blitz. Together, we’ll create handmade comforters that bring warmth and remind those in need that they are loved and cared for. No experience? No problem! Whether you’re a pro at knotting or trying it for the first time, everyone is welcome. Enjoy some hot beverages, connect with great people and help us spread warmth and comfort this winter. We can’t wait to see you there and share some warmth together! For more info, go to  mcc.org/events.

Thursday January 16, 2025 7:30 pm. Anabaptism at 500: A service of Commemoration and Celebration, W-K United Mennonite Church, Waterloo. | A service of music, reading, and reflection on the 500th anniversary of the first adult baptisms in Zurich, Switzerland. uwaterloo.ca/grebel/events/anabaptism-500-service 

Friday January 17, 2025 7:30 pm Bechtel Lecture | Commemorating Anabaptism’s 500 Years: Anabaptist beginnings and the stories we tell, at Conrad Grebel University College, Waterloo. Dr. Karl Koop considers our dominant communal memories and the stories we tell, suggesting that in avoiding stories from the margins and stories we have marginalized, we will be left with a situation intellectually unsatisfying, and significantly limiting in our understanding of the past. uwaterloo.ca/grebel/events/anabaptist-beginnings  

Tuesday January 28, 2025 9:30 a.m. New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale Feature Quilt Reveal, Mennonite Central Committtee, 50 Kent Ave., Kitchener.
Each year, a talented individual or team creates the feature quilt for the New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale. Feature quilts have depicted historical churches, the play of colour and light across fabric, a journey through Africa, among other innovative designs. On January 28, the curtain will be removed and the 2025 feature quilt will be revealed. Join us in the lower atrium at 50 Kent Ave, Kitchener or on the NHMRS Facebook page. Learn more at mcc.org/events.

Monday March 24, 2025 6 p.m. Hope Starts at Home: An evening with Phyllis Webstad, at Bingemans Conference Centre, 425 Bingemans Centre Dr, Kitchener
Join us on March 24 along with author and speaker, Phyllis Webstad, the founder and ambassador of the Orange Shirt Society. Phyllis will share her childhood of healing and reconciliation in Canada as we seek to restore justice, foster belonging and address poverty in Ontario. Funds raised at the event will supply MCC Ontario’s new meat cannery. To learn more and order your tickets, go to mcc.org/evening-with-phyllis-webstad.

Mennonite Church Canada Gathering – July 2-5, 2025 in Kitchener/Waterloo.

This Gathering is shaping up to be an incredible experience with three unique avenues for engagement: 

1.Congregational Gathering: Join delegates and congregational representatives for inspiring sessions, worship, and connection.

2.Youth Gathering: A vibrant, energetic event designed specifically for youth, hosted on the University of Waterloo campus.

3.U30 Young Adult Gathering: Engage with peers through tailored events, including a special post-Gathering celebration at Hidden Acres!

More info coming soon!

East Zorra Mennonite Church

Volume 67          Sunday December 15, 2024                      No. 50

Sunday December 15, 2024

Watch Out! God is on the Way

Advent Week Three: Light

Prelude/Accompanist: Brandy Sell                  Song Leader: Susan Schmitz

Greeter: Jan Ropp                                Worship Leader: Jared Yantzi

Audio/Visual: Drystan Bender/Larry Kropf       Offering: Leadership

Coffee Hosts: Shirley & Phil Ruby          Message: Pastor Ray                   

Prelude                                     

Words of Welcome & Announcements

Call to Worship

Opening Prayer

Songs of Gathering & Praise                

VT #215 “Oh, How Shall I Receive Thee”

VT #227 “Here I am to Worship”

Offering – Leadership

Time with the Children & Lighting of the Advent Candles –          

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 60:1-3; John 1:1-9

Message – Pastor Ray      

Song of Response   VT #211 “Hope Is a Candle”                            

Sharing & Prayer of the Church                               

Sending Song                    VT #271 “Christ, You Are Light”                                                                          

Benediction

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

Christmas Giving Gift Card Project

Each Sunday during Advent as you come to worship the worship committee will be collecting Gift Cards that we will distribute to Tavistock Assistance Program (TAP) and Wilmot Family Resource Centre. There will be a box in the foyer for you to place your gift cards. While any gift card amount is welcome, $25 Gift Cards (or lower) become the most useful to distribute. The Gift cards most requested are: Shell, PC, Esso, Petro-Canada, Walmart. Winners, IDA, Shoppers Drugmart. Each week, we will display ornaments on a Christmas Tree to mark the number of cards we have received. Thank you for any contribution you can make to the Christmas giving project!

This Coming Week

Tuesday December 17^th

• 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. Prayer Shawl at Jean MacDonald’s (182 Rudy Ave, Tavistock). Anyone interested in joining us for knit and chat is always welcome.
• 7:30 p.m. Finance & Facility Meeting

Wednesday December 18^th   

• E Z Play Group setup

Thursday December 19^th                 

• 9:30 – 11 a.m. E Z Play Group
• 7 – 9 p.m.  Games night – Come for an informal night of games or puzzles in the church basement. Bring along games or puzzles to enjoy with people of all ages.

Friday December 20^th  

• 7 p.m. MYF – Christmas Party at church.It’s a potluck, and you’re invited to bring your favourite snack! We will also be doing a mystery gift exchange – for those who want to participate, there’s a $5 limit on the gift.

Saturday December 21^st   

• 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Private Party

Next Sunday – December 22, 2024

Children’s Sunday School Program

Prelude/Accompanist: Laurie Yantzi               Song Leader: Caleb Leis

Greeters: Hannah & Dylan Yantzi                    Worship Leader: Pastor Mike

Audio/Visual: Dathan Bender/Brian Wagler      Offering: Where Needed Most

Coffee Hosts: Michelle & Brad Brenneman                   

JCET would like to remind all the Children Grade 1-8 to meet in the blue assembly room by 9:45 a.m. No special costumes or outfits will be needed this year for the Christmas Program. Jwalkers (Junior Youth) are reminded to please bring a pair of sunglasses.

Please note that there are no Sunday School classes on this day.

12 p.m. Private Party

This Advent season, we will be drawing on a resource by Will Willimon called Heaven and Earth: Advent and the Incarnation. In it, Willimon challenges readers to wrestle anew with scripture traditionally heard during the Advent season. He writes “You’ve got four weeks to adjust to the jolt of God taking time for us…So brace yourself. God is on the way.”

Advent is a time of recommitting ourselves to the God who is decisively committed to us in Jesus Christ – even if that commitment makes us squirm. The following Scripture readings are meant to help us prepare, grow, and even squirm before the God who is coming to us.

Let us heed the call of John the Baptist, last of the prophets who cries out: “Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.”

Bible Readings for Week Four: Rejoice

December 16^th to 20^th    

Monday                            2 Samuel 7

Tuesday                           Psalm 89

Wednesday                   Luke 1:46-55

Thursday                         Romans 16:17-27

Friday                                Luke 1:26-38

EZMC Announcements

Are you looking for some reading material to enjoy over the holidays? Stop in at the library and see the selection of Christmas books for adults and children!

Save the Dates – Vacation Bible School at EZMC will be held on July 7-11, 2025.

Beyond our Church Community

Friday January 10^th & Saturday January 11^th  7 p.m. Bonhoeffer: Cell 92 – | A cinematic theatre production created by Jerry Holsopple and Justin Poole. This thought-provoking single actor play focuses on the final period of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s life, a German pastor and theologian involved in the Protestant resistance to Hitler and National Socialism. Two nights only, at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo. Tickets: uwaterloo.ca/grebel/events/bonhoeffer-cell-92 

Exciting News! The New MCC Meat Cannery is ready!

Saturday January 18, 2025 from 1:45 – 4 p.m., 65 Heritage Dr., New Hamburg
After months of hard work and anticipation, the MCC Meat Cannery in New Hamburg is complete—and it’s time to celebrate!

? Join us for the grand dedication event ?
✨ Explore the new facility.
? Discover the life-changing impact of MCC’s canned meat around the world.
? Enjoy delicious refreshments and appetizers.

No need to RSVP—just come as you are and be part of this special moment.

For details, visit mcc.org/meat-cannery-dedication.

We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Saturday January 25, 2025, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Join us for the Great Winter WarmUp!
at the MCC Material Resources Centre, 65 Heritage Dr, New Hamburg
Get ready to cozy up at the Great Winter WarmUp! We’re inviting you, your friends and your family to the MCC Material Resource Centre for a fun-filled comforter knotting blitz. Together, we’ll create handmade comforters that bring warmth and remind those in need that they are loved and cared for. No experience? No problem! Whether you’re a pro at knotting or trying it for the first time, everyone is welcome. Enjoy some hot beverages, connect with great people and help us spread warmth and comfort this winter. We can’t wait to see you there and share some warmth together! For more info, go to  mcc.org/events.

Mail delivery this Christmas will likely be impacted by the postal strike
While this creates uncertainty for many Canadians, we want to reassure you that Mennonite Central Committee’s work continues. Your generosity makes it possible for us to bring Christ’s love to those in need and we’re here to ensure you can stay engaged with the issues you care about. If you usually send your donations through the mail, here are some secure alternatives to consider:
?Donate Online: Make a secure donation anytime on our website. It’s quick, easy and safe. To support MCC this Christmas season, go to https://mcc.org/christmas.
☎️Call-In Donations: Prefer to donate by phone? Call us at 1-888-622-6337, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Our team will be happy to assist you.
This Christmas, we’re grateful to partner with you in spreading warmth, hope, and Christ’s love around the world. Thank you for your continued support during this season of giving.

Due to the Canada Post strike, Mennonite Disaster Services encourages you to consider their online and telephone giving options this Christmas season.

You can:

• Donate online at mds.org/donate-canada; or
• Make a credit card donation by calling us toll-free at 1(866) 261-1274.

Your gift will bring hope, warmth and a community of volunteers around those who need it most — so that disaster survivors don’t face a difficult journey towards recovery alone.

Silver Lake Mennonite Camp

Winter and Spring Retreats Registration Opens December 1 at 12pm: Come to Silver Lake in 2025 for fun camp experiences! On the calendar are… Fathers & Kids Retreat (Jan 17-19), Women’s Retreat (Jan 31-Feb 2), Winter Camp for Grown-Ups (Feb 28-Mar 2), Staff Alumni Retreat (Mar 21-23), Music Retreat (Mar 28-30), Family Camp (May 16-18). Go to slmc.ca/retreats for more info.

Summer Camp: Registration for overnight camp and day camp opens February 1 at 8am. Outtrip registration opens Jan 7 – sign up before Jan 30 to get $100 off! Visit slmc.ca/summer-camp to have a sneak peek at the 2025 schedule.

Thursday, January 16, 2025 7:30 pm. Anabaptism at 500: A service of Commemoration and Celebration, W-K United Mennonite Church, Waterloo. | A service of music, reading, and reflection on the 500th anniversary of the first adult baptisms in Zurich, Switzerland. uwaterloo.ca/grebel/events/anabaptism-500-service 

Friday January 17, 7:30 pm Bechtel Lecture | Commemorating Anabaptism’s 500 Years: Anabaptist beginnings and the stories we tell, at Conrad Grebel University College, Waterloo. Dr. Karl Koop considers our dominant communal memories and the stories we tell, suggesting that in avoiding stories from the margins and stories we have marginalized, we will be left with a situation intellectually unsatisfying, and significantly limiting in our understanding of the past. uwaterloo.ca/grebel/events/anabaptist-beginnings  

Tuesday January 28, 2025 9:30 a.m. New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale Feature Quilt Reveal, Mennonite Central Committtee, 50 Kent Ave., Kitchener.
Each year, a talented individual or team creates the feature quilt for the New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale. Feature quilts have depicted historical churches, the play of colour and light across fabric, a journey through Africa, among other innovative designs. On January 28, the curtain will be removed and the 2025 feature quilt will be revealed. Join us in the lower atrium at 50 Kent Ave, Kitchener or on the NHMRS Facebook page. Learn more at mcc.org/events.

February 27 – March 1, 2025 Rockway Mennonite Collegiate proudly presents their all-school musical, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.rockway.ca/events. We look forward to welcoming you and your family into Wonka’s world of Pure Imagination! 

Monday March 24, 2025 6 p.m. Hope Starts at Home: An evening with Phyllis Webstad, at Bingemans Conference Centre, 425 Bingemans Centre Dr, Kitchener
Join us on March 24 along with author and speaker, Phyllis Webstad, the founder and ambassador of the Orange Shirt Society. Phyllis will share her childhood of healing and reconciliation in Canada as we seek to restore justice, foster belonging and address poverty in Ontario. Funds raised at the event will supply MCC Ontario’s new meat cannery. To learn more and order your tickets, go to mcc.org/evening-with-phyllis-webstad.

Mennonite Church Canada Gathering – July 2-5, 2025 in Kitchener/Waterloo.

This Gathering is shaping up to be an incredible experience with three unique avenues for engagement: 

1.Congregational Gathering: Join delegates and congregational representatives for inspiring sessions, worship, and connection.

2.Youth Gathering: A vibrant, energetic event designed specifically for youth, hosted on the University of Waterloo campus.

3.U30 Young Adult Gathering: Engage with peers through tailored events, including a special post-Gathering celebration at Hidden Acres!

More info coming soon!

East Zorra Mennonite Church

Volume 67              Sunday December 8, 2024                      No. 49

Sunday December 8, 2024

Join Zoom Meeting at 10 a.m.

Watch Out! God is on the Way

Advent Week Two: Surprised

Prelude/Accompanist: Glorify                        Song Leader: Glorify

Greeters: Donna & Jim Witzel                         Worship Leader: Dawn Bender

Audio/Visual: Greg Pye/Brian Wagler              Offering: MCEC & MC Canada

Coffee Hosts: Carol & Owen Cook                   Message: Pastor Mike                 

Prelude                                     

“Hark the Herald Angels Sing”/”King of Heaven”

“⁠High King of Heaven”/”Jesus We Love You”

VT#275 “Oh Beautiful Star of Bethlehem”

Welcome & Announcements

Call to Worship & Opening Prayer

Songs of Gathering & Praise                

“Joy to the World” (Unspeakable Joy)

“King of Kings”

Offering – Mennonite Church Eastern Canada and Mennonite Church Canada

Offertory – “On Christmas Eve in Bethlehem”

Time with the Children & Lighting of the Advent Candles – Dawn Bender         

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 40: 1-11; Mark 1:1-8

Message – Pastor Mike      

Song of Response                      

VT#212 “Comfort, Comfort, O My People”  

Prayer of the Church – Pastor Ray                           

Sending Song                                       

“We Have a Savior”

Benediction

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

Christmas Giving Gift Card Project

Each Sunday during Advent as you come to worship the worship committee will be collecting Gift Cards that we will distribute to Tavistock Assistance Program (TAP) and Wilmot Family Resource Centre. There will be a box in the foyer for you to place your gift cards. While any gift card amount is welcome, $25 Gift Cards (or lower) become the most useful to distribute. The Gift cards most requested are: Shell, PC, Esso, Petro-Canada, Walmart. Winners, IDA, Shoppers Drugmart. Each week, beginning December 8. we will display ornaments on a Christmas Tree to mark the number of cards we have received. Thank you for any contribution you can make to the Christmas giving project!

This Coming Week

Wednesday December 11^th   

• 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Coffee and Bible Study
• E Z Play Group setup
• 7 p.m. Worship Committee Meeting

Thursday December 12^th                 

• 9:30 – 11 a.m. E Z Play Group
• 12 p.m. High Noon Lunch @ Grace United in Tavistock. A homestyle lunch will be served followed by a musical entertainment by a presentation by Callie Haverkamp about Northern Love and singing of favourite Christmas Carols.  Cost: Freewill offering.

Friday December 13^th  

• 7 p.m. MYF – Games Night

Saturday December 14^th  

• 8 a.m. Live Nativity Set Takedown.
• 12:30 – 6 p.m. Private Party

Next Sunday – December 15, 2024

Watch Out! God is on the Way

Advent Week Three: Light

Prelude/Accompanist: Brandy Sell                  Song Leader: Susan Schmitz

Greeter: Jan Ropp                                          Worship Leader: Jared Yantzi

Audio/Visual: Drystan Bender/Larry Kropf       Offering: Leadership

Coffee Hosts: Shirley & Phil Ruby                    Message: Pastor Ray                   

12 p.m. Private Party

This Advent season, we will be drawing on a resource by Will Willimon called Heaven and Earth: Advent and the Incarnation. In it, Willimon challenges readers to wrestle anew with scripture traditionally heard during the Advent season. He writes “You’ve got four weeks to adjust to the jolt of God taking time for us…So brace yourself. God is on the way.”

Advent is a time of recommitting ourselves to the God who is decisively committed to us in Jesus Christ – even if that commitment makes us squirm. The following Scripture readings are meant to help us prepare, grow, and even squirm before the God who is coming to us.

Let us heed the call of John the Baptist, last of the prophets who cries out: “Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.”

Bible Readings for Week Two: Surprised

December 9^th to 13^th    

Monday                             Isaiah 64

Tuesday                  Psalm 126

Wednesday             1 Thessalonians 5

Thursday                John 1:1-18

Friday                     John 1:19-28

Extending God’s Love

We extend our sympathy to the family of Mary Ropp. Mary died on Thursday December 5^th. Her visitation will be on Sunday December 8^th from 2-5 p.m. at Francis Funeral Home in Tavistock. Her funeral service will be here at East Zorra on Monday December 9^th at 2 p.m.

EZMC Announcements

We are pleased to share that Becky Bender has accepted the position of temporary/interim Treasurer at East Zorra. Becky brings a wealth of bookkeeping, financial systems, and volunteer treasurer experience to this role. We thank Dawn for her many years of service and her willingness to remain involved during this time of transition. Becky’s training and transition will begin in the new year and Dawn will be involved with year end activities until after the annual meeting.

Are you looking for some reading material to enjoy over the holidays? Stop in at the library and see the selection of Christmas books for adults and children!

Church Directory Update Page – We are not printing a full church directory in 2024. Please send any address, email or phone updates, that have taken place since the last directory printing in November 2023, to Lisa by Tuesday December 10^th. She will be printing a directory update page later in December. Thanks so much.

Saturday December 14^th  8 a.m. The Live Nativity Sets will be removed and put away. Please contact Joe Wagler if you can help with this.

Saturday December 14^th  Christmas Carolling at 10:30 a.m. Join us to spread some Christmas joy. Please gather by the post office. Carol sheets will be provided. 

Thursday December 19 from 7-9 – Games night – Come for an informal night of games or puzzles in the church basement. Bring along games or puzzles to enjoy with people of all ages.

Beyond our Church Community

Sunday December 8^th 7:30 p.m. Menno Singers with Artistic Director Brandon Leis invites you to a service of Lessons and Carols, with choral music for the season, plus readings and congregational singing. (Trillium Lutheran Church, 22 William St, Waterloo): Tickets $25, Child/Student $5 at the door or from choir members.

Tuesday December 10^th 12 p.m. Lunch and Listen: An MCC Journey through Uganda, in the Community Room, 50 Kent Ave., Kitchener or online.
Join us for an inspiring presentation as MCC staff Lynda Lynch and Debbie Siertsema share their experiences from a recent learning tour in Uganda, where they explored MCC’s impactful programs across the region. Join us in-person in the Community Room, 50 Kent Ave., Kitchener or watch the livestream on Facebook.

Friday December 13^th 7 p.m. Menno Youth Ensemble is excited to present our Christmas concert: For the Beauty of the Earth, at Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church. The concert will explore the wonders of nature and the joys of the Christmas season through choral music, original compositions, and carols. Admission is by donation.

Friday January 10^th & Saturday January 11^th  7 p.m. Bonhoeffer: Cell 92 – | A cinematic theatre production created by Jerry Holsopple and Justin Poole. This thought-provoking single actor play focuses on the final period of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s life, a German pastor and theologian involved in the Protestant resistance to Hitler and National Socialism. Two nights only, at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo. Tickets: uwaterloo.ca/grebel/events/bonhoeffer-cell-92 

Exciting News! The New MCC Meat Cannery is ready!

Saturday January 18, 2025 from 1:45 – 4 p.m., 65 Heritage Dr., New Hamburg
After months of hard work and anticipation, the MCC Meat Cannery in New Hamburg is complete—and it’s time to celebrate!

? Join us for the grand dedication event ?
✨ Explore the new facility.
? Discover the life-changing impact of MCC’s canned meat around the world.
? Enjoy delicious refreshments and appetizers.

No need to RSVP—just come as you are and be part of this special moment.

For details, visit mcc.org/meat-cannery-dedication.

We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Saturday January 25, 2025, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Join us for the Great Winter WarmUp!
at the MCC Material Resources Centre, 65 Heritage Dr, New Hamburg
Get ready to cozy up at the Great Winter WarmUp! We’re inviting you, your friends and your family to the MCC Material Resource Centre for a fun-filled comforter knotting blitz. Together, we’ll create handmade comforters that bring warmth and remind those in need that they are loved and cared for. No experience? No problem! Whether you’re a pro at knotting or trying it for the first time, everyone is welcome. Enjoy some hot beverages, connect with great people and help us spread warmth and comfort this winter. We can’t wait to see you there and share some warmth together! For more info, go to  mcc.org/events.

Mail delivery this Christmas will likely be impacted by the postal strike
While this creates uncertainty for many Canadians, we want to reassure you that Mennonite Central Committee’s work continues. Your generosity makes it possible for us to bring Christ’s love to those in need and we’re here to ensure you can stay engaged with the issues you care about. If you usually send your donations through the mail, here are some secure alternatives to consider:
?Donate Online: Make a secure donation anytime on our website. It’s quick, easy and safe. To support MCC this Christmas season, go to https://mcc.org/christmas.
☎️Call-In Donations: Prefer to donate by phone? Call us at 1-888-622-6337, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Our team will be happy to assist you.
This Christmas, we’re grateful to partner with you in spreading warmth, hope, and Christ’s love around the world. Thank you for your continued support during this season of giving.

Due to the Canada Post strike, Mennonite Disaster Services encourages you to consider their online and telephone giving options this Christmas season.

You can:

• Donate online at mds.org/donate-canada; or
• Make a credit card donation by calling us toll-free at 1(866) 261-1274.

Your gift will bring hope, warmth and a community of volunteers around those who need it most — so that disaster survivors don’t face a difficult journey towards recovery alone.

Silver Lake Mennonite Camp

Winter and Spring Retreats Registration Opens December 1 at 12pm: Come to Silver Lake in 2025 for fun camp experiences! On the calendar are… Fathers & Kids Retreat (Jan 17-19), Women’s Retreat (Jan 31-Feb 2), Winter Camp for Grown-Ups (Feb 28-Mar 2), Staff Alumni Retreat (Mar 21-23), Music Retreat (Mar 28-30), Family Camp (May 16-18). Go to slmc.ca/retreats for more info.

Summer Camp: Registration for overnight camp and day camp opens February 1 at 8am. Outtrip registration opens Jan 7 – sign up before Jan 30 to get $100 off! Visit slmc.ca/summer-camp to have a sneak peek at the 2025 schedule.

Mennonite Church Canada Gathering – July 2-5, 2025 in Kitchener/Waterloo.

This Gathering is shaping up to be an incredible experience with three unique avenues for engagement: 

1.Congregational Gathering: Join delegates and congregational representatives for inspiring sessions, worship, and connection.

2.Youth Gathering: A vibrant, energetic event designed specifically for youth, hosted on the University of Waterloo campus.

3.U30 Young Adult Gathering: Engage with peers through tailored events, including a special post-Gathering celebration at Hidden Acres!

More info coming soon!