June 22, 2025
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.
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We seek to be a caring and discerning community, the gathered body of Christ that welcomes all to join in worship, study, and service.
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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 11th-12h.
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 24th Happy Birthday, Bob Barnes
June 26th Happy Birthday, Helene Torgler
NEXT WEEK
Text:
Minister: Mike Gehman
Worship Leader: Tabatha Murphy
Head Usher: Mike Keim
UPCOMING EVENTS:
July 11th – 12th Ohio Mennonite Relief Sale at Mt. Hope Event Center
July 13th Winklepleck Grove Service and Picnic
July 20th 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
