East Zorra Mennonite Church
Volume 69 Sunday August 16, 2026 No. 33
Sunday August 16, 2026 – Join Sunday Worship Zoom at 10 a.m.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83137404938?pwd=hcotNxuDaoj9icACblTui3Jcsx9aOK.1
Meeting ID: 831 3740 4938 Passcode: 415319
Dial in using your phone: +1 647 374 4685 OR Toll-free 855 703 8985
Prelude/Accompanist: Katie Wagler Song Leader: Lindsay Zehr
Greeter: Gwen & Dan Matthews Worship Leader: Tracey Kropf
Audio/Visual: Dathan Bender/Kristen Cressman Offering: Local Ministries
Coffeetime: Gloria & Merv Ropp Message: Alexis Leis
Prelude
Welcome & Announcements
Call to Worship & Opening Prayer
Songs of Gathering & Praise
VT #495 “Morning Has Broken”
VT #297 “You Are Salt for the Earth”
Offering – Local Ministries
Children’s Story
Scripture Reading: Matthew 28:16-20
Message Alexis Leis
Song of Response
VT #765 “Listen, God Is Calling”
Prayer of the Church Pastor Ray
Sending Song
“The Commission” by Cain
Benediction
Postlude
Today
Coffeetime in the basement immediately following the worship service. Everyone is welcome. We would ask that everyone provides their own mug to help simplify the preparation and clean up time. We will provide mugs for those who forget theirs or who come as guests on a Sunday morning.
This Coming Week
Tuesday August 18th
- 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. Holy Movement Summer Series – Bring a water bottle, fitness mat, and light weights. New participants welcome!
Wednesday August 19th
- 6:30 – 8:30 pm Community Campfire in the Green Space. Congregational Life Committee will be providing ice cream.
Thursday August 20th
- 9 a.m. All items for the Sun Aug 23rdbulletin are due to the church office. The bulletin will be emailed and printed on Thursday August 20th.
Saturday August 22nd
- 12 – 7 p.m. Private Party
Next Sunday – August 23, 2026
Prelude/Accompanist: Laurie Yantzi Song Leader: Caleb Leis
Greeter: Mike Williamson & Brandy Sell Worship Leader: Sheryl Leis
Audio/Visual: Todd Bender/Brian Wagler Offering: Leadership
Coffeetime: Carol & Owen Cook Message: Bevin Witmer
Extending God’s Love
Please pray for MCEC congregations in the St. Catharines area that have been impacted by recent heavy rains and flooding. They had two rainfalls of over five inches in less than a week. Linwell Church in St. Catharines was damaged.
Remember Grace Mennonite Church, Lao Christian Fellowship, Linwell Church, Westview Christian Fellowship, Bethany Mennonite Church, Niagara United Mennonite Church, The First Mennonite Church and Vineland United Mennonite Church. Pray for affected members and families as the deal with property damage and disruptions, asking for God’s protection, comfort, wisdom, and provision.
Also pray for Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) as volunteers have begun serving in this area. Pray for strength, wisdom, safety, and the resources needed for the work ahead. If you wish to volunteer with MDS, please contact Chris Lepp at (905) 563-7811.
Pray for Indigenous communities affected by fire
Please pray for northern Ontario communities affected by wildfires, especially remote Indigenous communities. As people face evacuation, uncertainty and displacement, MCC Ontario is working with partners to coordinate support and will share opportunities to help.
EZMC Announcements
July 2026 Donations Received Summary
Offering Schedule – $32,971
For our first Young Adult Bible study we will be taking a closer look at the creation story. For those of you who would like to prep ahead of time, please read through Genesis 1 & 2 a few times. Take note and look for the differences in the creation order between the two chapters. More details on the event will come shortly.
Walking Club feedback wanted! Do you love to walk but haven’t yet been out to Walking Club? Or perhaps you’ve come out occasionally, but it’s difficult to prioritize for Monday evenings? Or maybe the current format does not work for you? If so, I want to hear from you! This is your chance to influence what this program will look like in the fall! Please speak with Tracey Kropf, send a email (tracey.kropf@gmail.com). Thank you!
Church Directory Update Page
We will not be printing a new church directory in 2026. A Church Directory Update Page will be distributed later in the Fall. If you have any changes to your home address, phone number, or email address since the December 2025 EZMC Directory please send to Lisa by September 18th at office@ezmennonite.ca. Thanks so much.
Gunn’s Hill Artisan Cheese Tour – Thursday August 27th, all adults are invited to participate in the cheese tour and lunch. Meet at Gunn’s Hill Artisan Cheese for 11:15 a.m.Learn how Gunn’s artisan cheese is made! The tour is an hour plus long and is doable with a walker. At the end of the tour you will have the opportunity to sample 3 types of cheese. Cheeses and other local artisan products are for sale. (Bring an insulated bag or small cooler if you want to purchase some cheese!) The tour is $15 per person. (Please pay Susan Schmitz for the cost of the tour.) Following the tour we’ll head to Sunrise Pho Binh Thanh restaurant to have fellowship over Canadian or authentic Vietnamese cuisine! Excellent accessibility and there is lots of parking at both locations. Please sign up on the sheet in the lower foyer as we need a fairly accurate head count for the cheese tour and reservation at the restaurant.
Gunn’s Hill Artisan Cheese address: 445172 Gunn’s Hill Road, Woodstock
Sunrise Pho Binh Thanh address: 882 Dundas St.Woodstock
Where taste meets impact – For nearly 80 years, MCC has been canning meat and shipping it to countries facing food insecurity and hunger crises. Now you can cook up recipes with a can (or case) of your very own. From now until September 1, place an order for a can of delicious chicken breast, fully cooked in its own juices with just a pinch of salt. Every can purchase directly supports future shipments of meat to neighbours in Ontario and around the world. Visit any of the six Ontario Thrift shops today to place an order or download the form (see July 10 EZMC bulletin email) and send it directly to dylanyantzi@mcco.ca. Paper copies are also available on the main bulletin board.
Community Campfires at East Zorra Mennonite
6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Green Space on Aug 19 & Sept 2. Everyone of all ages is invited to bring a lawn chair, a snack, and a refreshment to drink and join us this Summer in our Green Space around the campfire for a time of fellowship, conversation, and fun. There will be no set agenda and children will be free to use the equipment and play. Alexis will plan to provide a few organized events for the children for about 30 minutes. We look forward to enjoying each other’s company.
Tavistock Fall Fair Parade
On September 12th at 11am, East Zorra Mennonite Church will be participating in the Tavistock Fall Fair Parade again this year! Theme is: Autumn Leaves and Pumpkins Please.
If you are interested in helping to decorate the float, have ideas for it or think you could help out in any way, please reach out to Amy Yantzi, amy.yantzi@outlook.com.
There will be a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board for those who would like to attend the day of the parade float on September 12th at 11am.
Beyond Our Church Community
Interfaith Counselling Centre is thankful for funding they received through the Waterloo Region Community Foundation – Neighborhoods Grant. With this funding, they are upgrading furniture in 3 of their counselling rooms. REQUEST – Does anyone have a connection with a local furniture company? If so, please reach out to Matthew Isert Bender or Kristin Oliver.
Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp is looking to hire a part-time LINC Staff member. They will support the LINC Coordinator in running our programs for young adults with special needs from September to May. For more details, visitwww.hiddenacres.ca.
Bucket of Thanks – Save the Date
Saturday August 29th 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the MCC Hub in New Hamburg.
From the MCC Hub, thousands of kits and cans of meat are shipped worldwide to people in need. At Bucket of Thanks, it’s your turn to roll up your sleeves and pack a kit that will be shipped overseas. In addition, you can sample and purchase canned meat and enjoy family-friendly activities like face painting and a bouncy castle. Gather some friends and participate in a competitive Soap Structure Contest. Learn more here.
Repurposing Textiles at MCC Thrift on Kent
At MCC, a new pilot project is underway. Quality materials that cannot be sold at MCC Thrift are being given a second life as industrial rags, while creating local opportunities for people facing barriers to employment. Perfect for garages, workshops, manufacturing facilities, farms and projects around the home, our rags are now for sale. Purchase packages of 10 rags for $3.00, 5 lbs for $8.00 or 24 lbs for $24. For sale at MCC Thrift on Kent or contactjodivannord@mcco.ca for quantity purchases.
MCC Ontario Annual General Meeting
Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 7:00 p.m., on Zoom
The 2026 AGM is our opportunity to share with MCC Ontario constituents and supporters our financial results and strategic progress, while empowering congregational delegates to participate in decision-making through voting on key organizational matters. We warmly invite you to join us. Register here.
Join us Friday, September 25 for Rockway’s BIG Night Out at the Tapestry Hall in Cambridge. For more information and to get your tickets, visit rockway.ca/events.
Job opportunity: Are you a highly organized community builder with a talent for communication and event logistics? The Kindred Centre for Peace Advancement (CPA) at Conrad Grebel University College is looking for a Coordinator to help animate and support this vibrant peacebuilding ecosystem.
Interested? Application deadline: August 24, 2026. Details and full job description:uwaterloo.ca/grebel/careers
Want to learn more about volunteering with Mennonite Disaster Service? Join our Zoom call on August 24 at 7:30pm EST. This Zoom meeting provides an opportunity for prospective volunteers to learn about MDS and the many available volunteer opportunities! Register by August 19 at https://mds.org/event/ways-to-get-involved-with-mds-2/.
Join the MCC team!
We are excited to announce new opportunities to join our team and make a meaningful impact in communities across Ontario. If you are passionate about community engagement, collaboration and fostering belonging, we invite you to apply.
- Community Engagement & Outreach Associate (Part-time) – Kitchener
- Thrift Team Member (Full-time, 3-month contract) – Elmira
For full job descriptions and to apply, visitmcc.org/serve.
Volunteers Needed at MCC Thrift
Impact your community, support MCC and join a fun team as a volunteer at MCC Thrift, where every purchase is a gift to the world. The MCC New Hamburg Thrift Centre has an urgent need for volunteers. Join a community rooted in service and love. Visit here to get in touch with us and find a role that suits your abilities and interests!
Join the Soup of the Month Club!
The Raw Carrot Soup of the Month Subscription is available for preorder. By joining, you will receive one of 10 delicious, exclusive soups each month (from September 2026 to June 2027). Purchases support the Raw Carrot program and provide meaningful employment to individuals with disAbilities. For more information or to preorder, visit the website.