East Zorra Mennonite Church
Volume 66 Sunday November 5, 2023 No. 45
The Parables of Jesus: The Shrewd Manager
Sunday Morning Worship 10 a.m.
Prelude & Accompanist: Chantelle McNeish
Worship Leader: Tracey Kropf Song Leader: Caleb Leis
Greeters: Lorne & Florence Metzger Offering: Mission Partners
Audio/Visual: Drystan Bender/Larry Kropf Message: Pastor Ray
Coffee Hosts: Carol & Owen Cook
Prelude
Welcome & Announcements
Call to Worship and Opening prayer
Songs of Gathering & Praise
VT 98 Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise
VT 133 My Jesus, I Love Thee
Moment for Mission Susan Schmitz
Offering: Mission Partners
Time with the Children Ashley Witzel
Scripture Reading: Luke 16:1-13
Message Pastor Ray
Song of Response: VT 759 Take My Life and Let It Be
Prayer of the Church Heidi Wagler
Sending Song: VT 813 Heart with Loving Heart United
Benediction
Postlude
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.
A draft of the directory is now available in the basement. Please check your household listing and make any changes that are needed.
11 a.m. Junior Sunday School children will meet in their classrooms.
Adult Sunday school follows coffee time in the basement. This fall we will question and discuss together the parables and teachings of Jesus from our reading guide with an ear to trying to understand who is this God Jesus is revealing and what does this mean for how we live?
This Coming Week
Tuesday November 7th
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.
Wednesday November 8th
10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Coffee and Bible Study
Thursday November 9th
9:30 – 11 a.m. E Z Play Group
12:00 High Noon Seniors Lunch at Grace United Church. A hot lunch will be served followed by an afternoon of games – board games, card games, crokinole.
6:30 p.m. CENT Meeting
Friday November 10th
MYF – New Hamburg Thrift Centre
Saturday November 11th
8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. MCEC Equipping Day at EZMC.
A day for pastors, chaplains, parish nurses, congregational leaders and all who are interested in talking about green funerals, funeral planning, advanced care planning and MAID. We have enlisted the expertise of pastors, health professionals and funeral directors to help guide our discussion and learning together.
Registration is required. Please see MCEC’s website for further information.
Next Sunday – November 12, 2023
The Parables of Jesus: Sheep and the Goats – Matthew 25:31-46
Prelude: Kate Wagler Accompanist: Katie Wagler
Worship Leader: Dawn Bender Song Leader: Lindsay Zehr
Greeters: Jess & Tyler Yantzi Offering: Where Needed Most
Audio/Visual: Todd Bender/Brian Wagler Message: Pastor Mike
Coffee Hosts: Megan MacDonald & Russ Schumm
Responding to the Palestine and Israel conflict
As conflict has escalated Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) laments the violence and mourns all lives lost in Palestine and Israel. MCC is planning an emergency response with existing partners. Our response will focus on the humanitarian needs in Gaza, given the vulnerability of the population and lack of resources available. Your support can help provide food and bedding for families. We are also planning to offer trauma healing support and housing reconstruction. Donate online at mcc.org/Palestine-Israel.
The Government of Canada will match donations up to $10 million made by individual Canadians until November 12.
EZMC Announcements
| October 2023 Donations Received Summary | |
| Offering Schedule Designations – $39,212.15 | |
| Thanksgiving – $2,840 | |
| Green Space – $900 | |
Church Directory – The printing of the Fall 2023 EZMC Church Directory will happen in November. If you would still like to submit a photo, please send to Lisa at office@ezmennonite.ca, preferably in jpeg format by Tuesday November 7th. She will reply after her holidays to confirm that she received it.
The Health Ministry Team invites all to participate in a Fall Hike on Sunday November 19 at 2 pm. The hike will be appropriate for young and old those with strollers or walkers/wheelchairs. Experience the Mike Schout Wetlands Boardwalk at 28 Smith’s Creek Drive New Hamburg. Bring a lawn chair for fellowship time following around a campfire at Brian and Heidi Wagler’s with hot dogs and Popcorn. See the bulletin board to sign up.
Wednesday November 22nd Adult Fellowship Christmas Dinner
5:30 pm Punch; 6:15 pm Dinner
Entertainment – Harpist – Eduard & Christine Klassen
Tickets are $35 and are available now.
Adult Fellowship Committee Members are Jim & Carol Schumm, Shirley & Phil Ruby, and Laurel & Ray Zehr
Friday November 24th 7 – 9 p.m. JWalkers (Jr Youth) Christmas Bonanza at church.
Agape Fellowship Invitation: As Agape Fellowship continues to be without a pastor, there is a need for speakers at their church this fall. We would like to support them on one or two of their Sunday 4:00 PM worship services. If you are interested in speaking and/or singing, please contact Pastor Ray or Susan Schmitz.
Thank you ……… to all who participated in choosing a forever name for EZ’s newly developed outdoor space.
The result was overwhelming support for the name “Green Space” citing a feeling the name brought positive feelings of new life, fresh beginnings etc.
Again – thank you for your support and interest in naming this space.
JCET is still in need of volunteers for the month of November and a couple in December. Please check the sign up sheet across on the bulletin board by the back stairwells or Thank you to everyone who has signed up!
Beyond Our Church Community
Sunday November 12th 7 p.m. St Jacobs Mennonite Church is hosting members of the KW Symphony in a Fundraising Concert entitled ‘Baroque and Beyond… A Musician’s Fundraiser.’ This concert of Baroque music will be conducted by Andre Feher and feature Ian Whitman on solo bass and guest soprano Bethany Horst.
Saturday November 18th at Elmira Mennonite Church
Following their popularity at the Not Alone Conference earlier this year, we are excited to announce that Theatre of the Beat are returning to Elmira for a FREE workshop. Theatre of the Beat will use forum theatre to present three short plays that offer an effective and unique way to recognize subtle signs of abuse, and to find solutions to change unsafe and unhealthy behaviours.
Since 1984, the Province of Ontario, through the Ontario Women’s Directorate, has traditionally declared November as “Wife Assault Prevention Month”, “Domestic Violence Awareness Month”, and now “Women Abuse Prevention Month.” The Family Violence Prevention Program (FVPP) prefers the more inclusive term of “Family Violence Prevention Month” because we believe violence in relationships is a broader issue than that of physical assaults on women.
This event, including breakfast, is FREE to attend, however registration is still required. Please follow this link to ensure your spot.
Saturday November 18th MCC Peace Conference at Rockway Mennonite Collegiate, 110 Doon Rd, Kitchener. 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. Go to mcc.org/peace-conference to learn more and to register today.
High School Students! Are you thinking of attending the University of Waterloo? On Saturday, November 25 from 10-5, attend the UWaterloo Open House and stop by the Conrad Grebel University College residence, right on the UWaterloo campus. Learn about the supportive residence environment that this small and vibrant faith-based community can provide for students studying in any faculty or program at UWaterloo. uwaterloo.ca/grebel/tour
Sunday December 10th 3 p.m. Menno Singers and Mennonite Mass Choir present Handel’s Messiah with artistic director Brandon Leis, a 230 voice choir, soloists Bethany Hörst (soprano), Jennifer Enns Modolo (mezzo soprano), Owen McCausland (tenor) and Nathan Keoughan (baritone) along with orchestra members of the former KW Symphony. Tickets are on sale now at the Centre in the Square Box Office. www.centreinthesquare.com
Mennonite Central Committee Ontario Current Openings
Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of others? If so, we’d love to have you join our team. We have an opening for an Advocacy and Program Associate, and Community Safety and Outreach Associate in Kitchener, as well as an Associate Hardline at the New Hamburg Thrift Centre. Learn more about these positions at www.mcc.org/careers.
NHMRS Food Convener
The New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale committee is looking for a new food convener. If this is something you’re interested in, contact John Reimer at johnreimer@nhmrs.com for more information.
Graphic designer (half-time) sought to work for Canadian Mennonite from November 22, 2023 until May 31, 2025. Work with a creative team to help tell the church story. Apply by November 6. Go to canadianmennonite.org/employment for details.
Shop Niska for Christmas
This Christmas, give fairly-traded one of a kind gifts that support Indigenous Artisans in First Nations and communities living in Northeastern Ontario. Choose from a variety of items, including moccasins, mittens, jewellery and more. Niska products are made with traditional techniques, quality materials, and dedication. Head to niskaartisans.ca to shop today!