03/03/2024

February 29, 2024

Lent 3:

Christ Among Us, Showing Us Justice

 

And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

 

First Mennonite Church

Sugarcreek, Ohio

March 3, 2024

 

Worship: 9:30-10:30

Fellowship Time: 10:30-11:00

Sunday School: 11:00-12:0

We believe in Jesus and take his life, teachings, death and resurrection

as the model for how we live and the message we proclaim.

***************************************

We seek to be a caring and discerning community,

the gathered body of Christ.

that welcomes all to join in worship, study, and service.

******************************************

We embody God’s transforming and redeeming Spirit in the world

through our prophetic witness and action.

 

THE CHURCH WORSHIPS TOGETHER_____________________

~Gathering~

Prelude   “When the Poor Ones” –from Sing the Journey #69

 

Welcome & Announcements

 

Focus Statement:

God pursues us with words of love. God gave us commandments to follow so we could rest in the giver of life. When the world pulls us in different directions, let’s circle back to the path that directs us toward God. We may stumble and fall, but God is always there to guide us. What does the Lord require of us? To act justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

 

Gathering Litany

 Right: We are a covenant people, called to God by God.

    Left: We are a covenant people, called to Jesus by Jesus, losing one

               life to gain our life.

  Right: Renamed.

    Left:  Reborn.

      All:  Renewed. We gather ourselves in the community of believers.

              We gather ourselves unto you.

 

Time of Meditation “Beauty for Brokenness” VT 712 v1-5

   Call To Worship: 

             All: May the words of our mouths and the meditations of

                     our hearts be pleasing to you, O God. 

       Leader: We speak because you spoke first, bringing voice to

         the brightness of the sun and singing the airy

         darkness of the sky. You spoke this earth from end to

         end, and speaking must have given you pleasure, for

         you said, “It was good.” 

       People: May the words of our mouths and the meditations

                      of our hearts be pleasing to you, O God. 

       Leader: Year after year you have poured forth speech:

                       passing stories and statutes down through hands

                       and lips. From you we learned to speak, and

                       speaking, we spoke to you—singing songs

                       of consolation that would become your psalms to us;

                       writing poems our children’s children would hear as

                       the voice of God. 

       People: May the words of our mouths and the meditations

                      of our hearts be pleasing to you, O God. 

       Leader: Your law, O Lord, is perfect. Your Word is the one

           that endures. We seek the grammar of your justice in

           the words that you spoke before. Speak here now;

           speak here once more. 

              All:  And may the words of our mouths and the

                       meditations of our hearts be pleasing to you, O God.

   Invocation

 

   Hymn of Gathering VT 10 Here in This Place 

 

~Praising & Praying~

   Psalm Reading:  Psalm 19: 7-11

 

   Old Testament Reading: HWB 807 Exodus 20: 1-17, 22, 24b

 

Hymn of Praise VT 194- Lead On, O Cloud of Presence

 

Prayers of the People

 

~Hearing God’s Word~

Scripture John 2:13-22

 

Message  “A Necessary Reminder”

 

Time of Introspection (to be read silently)

Prayer based on Psalm 19

O Lord, the heavens declare Your glory,

and the firmament shows Your handiwork. 

The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to my heart. 

The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to my eyes. The decrees of the Lord are firm,

and all of them are righteous.

By them your servant is warned;

in keeping them there is great reward.

But who can understand their own errors?

Forgive my hidden faults. 

Keep your servant also from willful sins;

may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless,

innocent of great transgression.

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart

be pleasing in your sight, Lord,

my Rock and my Redeemer. Amen.

 

Piano Interlude “If the War Goes On” from Voices Together #794

If the war goes on and the children die of hunger,

and the old men weep, for the young men are no more,

and the women learn how to dance without a partner,

who will keep the score?

If the war goes on and the truth is taken hostage,

and new terrors lead to the need to euphemize;

when the calls for peace are declared unpatriotic,

who’ll expose the lies?

 

If the war goes on and the daily bread is terror,

and the voiceless poor take the road as refugees;

when a nation’s pride destines millions to be homeless,

who will heed their pleas?

 

~Responding~

   Prayer of Confession: 

Leader: We often miss the beauty in your work, God.

         People: Forgive our distracted hearts.

           Leader: When we put our trust in other things,

           People: remind us of your love and care.

                  All: Bring joy to us once again.

           Leader: May the reverence we give your name pull us out

   of selfishness that prevents us from seeing the pain

   of our neighbor. 

           People: Your kingdom come, your will be done.

                  All: Help us to create a world where we will act justly,

  love tenderly, and walk humbly with You and each

  other.

           Leader: May the meditations of our hearts

           People: be pleasing in your sight,

                  All: our Rock and our Redeemer. AMEN. 

 

   Hymn of Response  VT 42 Could It Be That God Is Singing

(the offering will be brought forward)

 

   Offering Prayer

 

~Sending~

Sending Hymn ”My Presence Will Go with You” 

                                      (printed in bulletin)  – Joungmin Kim

Statement of Covenant: 

    Left: We are not called to be fearful,

  Right: we are called to love.

    Left: We are not called to be perfect,

  Right: we are called to be faithful.

    Left: We are not called to be fearless,

  Right: we are called to be obedient.

    Left: We are not called to be all-knowing,

  Right: we are called to believe.

    Left: We are not called to claim,

  Right: we are called to give.

    Left: We are not called to be victorious,

  Right: we are called to be courageous.

    Left: We are not called to lord it over others,

  Right: we are called to serve.

    Dan: For it is in serving that we shall reign,

   April: It is through courage that we shall find victory,

  Bruce: It is in giving all that we shall gain all,

  Bertie: It is in believing that we shall overcome,

 Nancy: It is in obedience that we shall overcome,

       Bill: It is in faithfulness that we shall find perfection,

  Tabby: It is in loving that we shall dispel fear,

      ALL: It is in slavery to Christ and his justice that we shall

              find freedom, now and forever, for ourselves and for the

              world. Amen.

 

Postlude “How Can We Be Silent” VT 790 v1-3

   Sending Words

 

   Visuals: Our journey toward God leads us on a path. We may stray

   from time to time, but God is always with us, gently guiding us back.

   The symbols on the altar represent our journey. The brown cloth

    represents our path, and the side-by-side footprints represent those   

   we walk along side.   Along with the empty bowl which reminds us of

   God’s never-ending love for us and how God wants to fill us,  the cross

   reminds us that to follow Jesus, we must take up our cross daily. 

   Today, we add the scrolls, which represent the Ten Commandments

    and serve as a guide and reminder of God’s great love for us. 

 

   WORSHIP                                                                     9:30-10:30 

   Minister                                                                           Mike Gehman 

   Worship Leader:                                                                   Dan Hostetler

   Song Leader:                                                                                 April Shupe

   Organist:                                                                          Margaret Cheslock     

   Pianist:                                                                                 Suzanne Stauffer

   Head Usher:                                                                        Leadership Team         

 

   THE CHURH GIVES THANKS__________________________   

   Hannah Gehman: Glad that Kim was able to come this morning.

 

   THE CHURCH PRAYS FOR___________________________

   Hannah Gehman: For Keutmy’s health and well-being.

   Mennonite Mission Network: Tomorrow, members of the Central     

   Plains Mennonite Conference will begin a week-long Just Peace   

   Pilgrimage, organized by Mennonite Mission Network. Pray for open

   minds and hearts as participants focus on the struggle for civil rights in

   Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi, and how Jesus is calling his

   followers to respond.


 

 

FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER_________________

Next Week’s Text: Numbers 21:4-9; Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22; 

John 3:14-21; Ephesians2:1-10 

Harbor of Hope for March: Paper Products 

Mission Project for March: MCC Hygiene Kits

 

 

THIS WEEK______________________________

March 10th     Fourth Sunday of Lent

 

UPCOMING EVENTS________________________ 

March 17th     Fifth Sunday of Lent

                       Happy St. Patrick’s Day

March 23rd     Pancake Day & Health Screening at Belden Center

March 24th     Palm Sunday

March 30th     Community Easter Egg Hunt at Garaway Football Stadium

 

NEXT  WEEK______________________________               

   Minister:                                                                               Mike Gehman

   Worship Leader:                                                                         Jean Flinner

   Head Usher:                                                                       Leadership Team

 

LAST WEEK___________________________________________

   ATTENDANCE:                                                                                   27   

   OFFERING:                                                                                    $1050

   Change for a Dollar:                                                                      $15

   Garaway Power Packs Offering                                                   $50


2024 Lenten Theme: Christ Among Us

 

Lent begins with mourning on Ash Wednesday, when we remember who we are as humans and who God is, reminding us of our brokenness and God’s grace. This is followed by passages recalling Christ’s venture into the wilderness and the 40-day journey that we are on as well. The journey starts with this moment of God speaking to God’s Son, announcing to the world who Jesus is, reminding Jesus of his belovedness, and reminding the people of God of the prophecies and promises of the coming Messiah.

 

This year’s Lenten texts focus on covenants. They point to God’s history of reaching out to continue in relationship with God’s people. Covenants begin with God. God forms an agreement with God’s people. Time and time again, humanity fails to follow these covenants, yet God’s mercy and grace remain. Christ is among us, reminding us of who we are, and even when we fail, reminding us of grace and calling us beloved.

 

Christ remains among us, and that is where we stand united in our Mennonite denomination. So each week, we consider a key theme among these passages: What might Christ be teaching? What is God expecting of us? How does this enable us to live our Christian—and Mennonite—identity more fully, bringing glimpses of the new heaven and new earth into our communities? What is the journey showing us as we answer God’s call?

 

CHURCH LEADERSHIP_____________________________

   Pastor: Mike Gehman: 1-330-749-6746

   Email: pastor@firstmennonitesugarcreek.com

   Pastor’s Hours: Wednesday 9:30 am-2:30 pm

   Church Secretary: Tabatha Murphy

   Church Phone: 1-330-852-2822

   Email: office@firstmennonitesugarcreek.com

   Website: http//fmcsugarcreekoh.org

   Address: 113 W. Main St. P.O. Box 250 Sugarcreek, Ohio 44681

 

   CONGREGATIONAL LEADERSHIP TEAM:

   Chairperson: Mike Keim

   Office Contact: Linda Yoder

   Mission Contact: Reno Stevanus

  Trustees Contact: Dan Hostetler
  Secretary Contact: Amy Stauffer-McNutt

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Anabaptism At Five Hundred  First Mennonite Church Sugarcreek, Ohio June 22, 2025 Worship: 9:30 – 10:30 Fellowship Time: 10:30 – 12:00 We believe in Jesus and take his life, teachings, death and resurrection as the model for how we live and the message we proclaim. *************************************** We seek to be a caring and discerning community, the gathered body of Christ that welcomes all to join in worship, study, and service. ********************************************* We embody God’s transforming and redeeming Spirit in the world through our prophetic witness and action. THE CHURCH WORSHIPS TOGETHER Anabaptism at 500 Belief Five: Worship “Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” ~Gathering in the Royal Bible Classroom~ (around tables) Welcome and Announcements Focus Statement: Worship is a time when church members come together to pray, sing, read Scripture, share with each other, and give praise to God. It can be a time of fellowship, comfort, celebration, or a call for renewed action. It is a time to come together in God’s presence and remember why we make Jesus the center of our lives. Believers can worship in a church building, in a home, or in a boat—worship can happen anywhere. Scripture: Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them..” Time of Meditation : VT 1 Summoned by the God Who Made Us v1-4 Call to Worship: Leader: Wake up, O First Mennonite people! People: True evangelical faith cannot lie sleeping. It clothes the naked, it comforts the sorrowful, It shelters the destitute, it serves those that harm it, It binds up that which is wounded. It has become all things to all people.* (moments of silence for meditation) ALL: Let us rise up in true faith and shine the Light of Love to the world this day! * Quote from Menno Simons Invocation: Leader: We have come to worship you, O God; People: gather us in. Leader: Some of us come full of happiness; People: gather us in. Leader: Some of us come a little sore from what life brings; People: gather us in. Leader: Some of us come indifferent or confused; People: gather us in. Leader: We honor you—who forms us and calls us each by name You are our God, known yet unknown, present here yet everywhere now and forever. You have made us distinctly unique and yet part of your people world-wide. ALL: Gather us in to your fierce love, your tender care, your abundant grace. Leader: We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. Hymn of Gathering: VT 9 Come Away from Rush and Hurry ~Storytelling~ Early Anabaptist Story: Dirk Pieters and Andrew Samuel ~Praising and Praying~ Hymn of Praise: VT 5 All People That on Earth Do Dwell Prayers of the People ~Storytelling~ Global Story: Story about drums, – Suzanne Stauffer Early Anabaptist Story in Drama #1: Anabaptist Worship in the Forest: Magister Elias Schad, 1576 Background – April Shupe Reader 1 – Nancy Yoder, Reader 2 – Bob Gerber Waker – Herb Torgler Brother Peter – Tyler Murphy Sister Elisabeth – Hannah Gehman, Brother Hans – Mike Gehman Hymn of Response : VT 4 Christ Is Our Cornerstone ~Hearing God’s Word~ Scriptures: Sincere Worship: John 4:24, – Nancy Yoder Praise and Thanksgiving: Psalm 95:6, Psalm 150:6,– Bob Gerber Offering One’s Life: Romans 12:1, Reader 3 – Mike Gehman Singing and Hymns: Colossians 3:16, Reader 4 – Kristy Keim Reverence and Awe: Hebrews 12:28, Reader 5 - Tabby Murphy Living in God’s Presence: Psalm 63:1-4, Reader 6 – Reno Stevanus Worship as a Calling: Revelation 5:13, Reader 7 – Hannah Gehman Anabaptist Story in Drama #2: Multivoiced Worship: the Anabaptist Perspective, 1536 Background – April Shupe, Narrator –Helene Torgler, Matt – Bruce Stauffer, Tim – Mike Keim Remarks on Worship – April Shupe ~Responding~ Hymn of Response: VT 40 In This Holy Place We Bow v2 Offering Prayer ~Sending~ Sending Hymn: VT 638 Love Divine, All Loves Excelling Benediction WORSHIP 9:30-10:30 Worship Leader: April Shupe Pianist: Suzanne Stauffer Head Usher: Mike Keim Our On-Going Series on Anabaptist Beliefs: In 2018 Lisa Weaver and Elizabeth Miller, as part of the Bearing Witness Stories project, wrote a book for children entitled Let the Children Come to Me: Nurturing Anabaptist Faith within Families. “The materials gathered together in this book beautifully illustrate the central convictions of the Anabaptist tradition.” -John D. Roth, Director of the Institute for the Study of Global Anabaptism As residents of Holmes and Tuscarawas counties, oftentimes we each have been asked, “Are Mennonites Amish?” and “What do you believe that’s different from other Protestant denominations?” It’s sometimes hard to come up with an explanation of our faith. Hopefully this series of worship services (that will be spread out through this year of Anabaptism at 500) will enable us to answer these questions more accurately. We are basing this series on the above-mentioned book. In conjunction with our Anabaptist at Five Hundred celebration this year, we would love to have pictures of any community, service and/or peace experiences our church members have experienced over the years. Please give to April or Tabby who will scan them into the computer. You will get them back. FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER Mission Project #1 for June/July: Dress A Child As one school year ends, this program looks forward to the new 2025-26 school year. Giving our students who attend school in Tuscarawas County a fresh new set of clothes to begin the year is a wonderful blessing. Dress A Child raises money to serve the children in our county whose families meet the federal poverty guidelines. Last year, they were able to give 980 children $85.00 worth of new clothing! Make checks payable to First Mennonite, and one check will be sent at the end of the month from our church to Dress A Child. Thank you! “Life is good when you are happy; but much better when others are happy because of you.” -Pope Francis Mission Project #2 for June/July: MCC My Coins Count Relief Sale Project Each year, spare change (and bills!) collected by families and churches adds up to more than $600,000 toward MCC’s work around the world. Your coins count! When you give to MCC, you’re sending hope to families in the form of food, water and/or education. We will collect through the last Sunday of June. Drop your coins, bills and/or checks in the bread basket on the table in the rear of the sanctuary. Make checks payable to First Mennonite, and Buce will send one check from our church to the MCC Ohio Relief Sale held in Mt. Hope on July 11 th -12 h . THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS Sue Stauffer: Jim Cahill has a goal to ride his bike this week for GOBA (Great American Bicycle Adventure), His family is coming to ride with him. Prayers he will be capable to complete this challenge. Bertie Showers: Brad and April will be home today from camping. Dan Hostetler: Mom’s test results came back good from the spot on her lung. THE CHURCH PRAYS FOR Kristy Keim: Friend, Diana is having problems with a bulged disc in her back. Lizzie Keim: Sister Marry will need to have a liver transplant. THIS WEEK June 24 th Happy Birthday, Bob Barnes June 26 th Happy Birthday, Helene Torgler NEXT WEEK Text: Minister: Mike Gehman Worship Leader: Tabatha Murphy Head Usher: Mike Keim UPCOMING EVENTS: July 11 th – 12 th Ohio Mennonite Relief Sale at Mt. Hope Event Center July 13 th Winklepleck Grove Service and Picnic July 20 th Church Visitation Sunday (Visit a church of your choice—No morning service at FMC) LAST WEEK Attendance: 22 Offering: $980 Change for a dollar: $7 My Coins Count: $41.50 CHURCH LEADERSHIP Pastor: Mike Gehman: 1-330-749-674 Email: pastor@firstmennonitesugarcreek.com Pastor’s Hours: Wednesday 9:30a.m.-2:30p.m Church Secretary: Tabatha Murphy Phone: 1-330-852-2822 Email: office@firstmennonitesugarcreek.com Website: http//fmcsugarcreekoh.org Address: 113 W. Main St. P.O. Box 250 Sugarcreek, Ohio 44681 CONGREGATIONAL LEADERSHIP TEAM: Chairperson: Mike Keim Office Contact: Linda Yoder Mission Contact: Reno Stevanus Trustees Contact: Dan Hostetler Secretary Contact: Amy Stauffer-McNutt

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