7th Sunday of Easter

Let the Earth Rejoice

First Mennonite Church

Sugarcreek, Ohio May 29, 2022

Worship: 9:30-10:30

Fellowship Time: 10:30-11:00

Sunday School: 11:00-12:00

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

7th Sunday of Easter:

Let the Earth Rejoice

Prelude: "Trust in Jesus"--arr. Kirkpatrick

Welcome & Announcements:

Focus Statement:  Psalm 97:1 says The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad let

the distant shores rejoice.  How comforting knowing that the

Lord reigns.  How can we not rejoice, not only us, but all of

creation!

Time of Meditation: "Jesus I Have Promised"--arr. Mann

~Gathering~

*Call to Worship:

L:  To worship is to stand in awe under a heaven of stars, before a flower, a leaf in sunlight, or a grain of sand.

P:  To worship is to be silent, receptive, before a tree astir with the wind, or the passing shadow of a cloud.

L:  To worship is to work with dedication and with skill; it is to pause from work and listen to a strain of music.

P:  To worship is to sing with the singing beauty of the earth; it is to listen through a storm to the still small voice within.

All:  Worship is the mystery within us reaching out to the Mystery beyond.

Invocation:

Gathering Hymn:

"For the Beauty of the Earth" Hymnal a Worship Book #89

Honoring Our Graduate:

L:  God, you have created us in your image, with minds to think, hearts to yearn, and hands to create.  We give you thanks.

P:  We give thanks for this graduate who has studied, learned, questioned, synthesized, grown, and finished his work.  Bless Tyler Murphy

Tyler:  I give thanks for those who have supported, encouraged, loved, and put us with me.  Bless our teachers, our families and friends.

L:  God, you have come to us in Christ and accompany us by your Holy Spirit.  Guide us in the way of truth and life.

P:  Walk with this graduate.  Grant him wisdom and courage, strength and patience, hope and grace.

Tyler:  Guide me in all knowledge and truth.  Sharpen my mind and soften my heart.  Widen my wisdom and deepen my faith.  Guard me from all danger and keep me close to you.

All:  We entrust ourselves to you--our past and our future, our memories and our dreams.  Bless and keep us, for Christ's sake we pray.  Amen.

~Prayer & Praising~

Psalm Reading: Psalm 97

Congregational Prayers & Praises:

Special Video: "The Prayer of the Children"--arr. Kurt Bestor

Ending Prayer:

Hymn of Praise:

"Creation is a Song" Sing the Journey #24

~Hearing God's Word~

Scripture: John 17:20-26

Message: "Signposts of Believers"--by Mike Gehman

~Response & Sending~

Hymn of Response:

"Let the Whole Creation Cry" Hymnal a Worship Book #51

(the offering will be brought forward at this time)

Offering Prayer:

Sending Hymn:

"God of the Earth, the Sky, the Sea" The Mennonite Hymnal (rust) #51

Benediction:

Postlude: "I Love to Tell the Story"--arr. Ricter

Words of Dismissal:

THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS AND PRAYS FOR                                                                                                                                   

For Jesus' kind and steady hand in guiding us when we fall short of understanding.

For Tyler and the graduating class at Garaway; Janet Maust, Larry Flinner II; Tricia Stauffer Malley; The Congregation at UMC in Coshocton

MMN: Mennonite Mission Network praises God for the growth of Mennonite Bible School (formerly Bethany Bible School) in South Africa.  Pray for the school's coordinator, Rueben Mgodeli, as he teaches and provides administrative support in the five locations in South Africa's Eastern Cape Province.  Pray also that the participants will be strengthened in their faith and in their leadership ministries.

Prayers for Mennonite Education-Central Christian School, Kidron, Ohio:  Please join us in praying for our seniors as they prepare for graduation and the next stage in the journey of life.  Hillcrest Academy, Kalona, Iowa:  With thankfulness, we celebrate the graduation of our senior class.  As we lament with them the loss of so many things, we pray that our graduates move forward with hopefulness and preparedness to change our world for the better and impact our community in positive ways.  With God as their foundation and guide, we pray that todday and tomorrow they will lead others through their faith.

FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER                                                                                                                                               

This Week's Texts:  John 2:28-29; Luke 4:18-19; I Corinthians 2:1-5

Harbor of Hope:  24 items of Spaghetti Sauce & Pasta were taken to the Harbor of Hope.  Thank you for your contributions.  This month's item is Cereal and is due on June 22nd.

Mission Projects for June: Harbor of Hope item: Cereal; MCC My Coins Count

WORSHIP                                                                                             9:30-10:30                                                                                           

Greeters:                                                                                                                                     Lizzie Keim, Keo Sixiengmay

Minister:                                                                                                                                      Mike Gehman

Worship Leader:                                                                                                                      April Shupe

Song Leader:                                                                                                                             April Shupe

Organist:                                                                                                                                     Margaret Cheslock

Pianist:                                                                                                                                         Suzanne Stauffer

Head Usher:                                                                                                                               Monk Yoder

THIS WEEK                                                                                                                                                                                                           

May 30                 Memorial Day

May 31                 Bill & Jean Flinner's Wedding Anniversary

May 31                Homeless Shelter Meal 6:00 p.m.

June   1               Leadership Team Meeting 7:00 p.m.

June   2               Worship Committee Meeting 2:00 p.m.

June   4               Tyler Murphy's Graduation Party 2-6pm in the Fellowship Hall

June   5                Kammoune Phoutarath has a Birthday

June    5              Pentecost Sunday

UPCOMING EVENTS                                                                                                                                                                                         

June 14                 Flag Day

June 19                Father's Day

June 22                Harbor of Hope item due, Cereal

June 24                Senior Breakfast @ Dutch Valley 9:00 a.m.

July   6                  Leadership Team Meeting 7:00 p.m.

July 10                 Winklepleck Grove Service with "The Lovedays"

July 10                Music Fest behind the Fire Station

July 27                Harbor of Hope items due:  Paper Products

July 29                Senior Breakfast @ Dutch Valley 9:00 a.m.

NEXT WEEK                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Greeters:                                                                                                                     Bruce & Sue Stauffer

Minister:                                                                                                                      Mike Gehman

Worship Leader:                                                                                                      Tally Maust

Song Leader:                                                                                                             April Shupe

Head Usher:                                                                                                               Mike Keim

CHURCH LEADERSHIP                                                                                                                                                                                   

CHURCH:

Pastor: Mike Gehman

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

Secretary: Tally Maust

Phone: 1-330-852-2822

Email: pastor@firstmennonitesugarcreek.com

Website: http//fmcsugarcreek.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