April 19, 2026
Easter Three: Astounding News!
First Mennonite Church
Sugarcreek, Ohio
April 19, 2026
Worship: 9:30 am
Coffee & Fellowship Time: 10:30 am
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
~Gathering~
Prelude: "Praise the Lord! Ye Heavens, Adore Him"
- arr. Mary McDonald
Welcome& Announcements
Dedication of MCC Hygiene Kits
Focus Statement:
The two disciples that were going to Emmaus on the day Jesus arose from the grave were downcast and not sure of what to do after all that happened with Jesus’ death on the cross. They meet a man who joins their discussion and begins to open the Scripture to explain the purpose of these events. Later, they realize it was Jesus who was with them, as he broke bread and gave thanks. What are ways that we can see and experience the resurrected Christ in our lives today?
Time of Meditation: "Give Me Jesus" - African-American
Spiritual, arr. Anna Laura Page
Call to Worship:
Leader: Easter people, we gather today as people who spent the
week inundated with news reports, social media posts,
and reels that overpower us with information, worry,
and stress.
People: Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we carry
the weight of being overwhelmed and anxious,
wondering who we can believe.
Leader: We gather as people who long for peace, for God to
break through and bring us clarity and hope once
again.
People: Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we don’t
always recognize when the Risen One comes
alongside us, showing us the way where there seems
to be no way.
Leader: We gather as people hoping to catch a glimmer of
Resurrection, ready for our hearts to burn with the
truth of the resurrected Christ.
People: Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we open
our hearts to the possibility that God’s Resurrection
life is closer than we think.
Leader: Easter people, God knows the burdens we carry, and
God is faithful to meet us where we are with good
news.
All: May the good news of the Resurrection astound us
today as we come to worship God! Amen.
Invocation
Hymn of Gathering: HWB 13 Blessed Jesus, at Your Word
~Praising & Praying~
Psalm Litany: Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19
Leader: I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my
cry for mercy.
People: Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as
long as I live.
Leader: The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the
grave came over me; I was overcome by distress and
sorrow.
People: Then I called on the name of the Lord: What shall I
return to the Lord for all his goodness to me?
All: I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name
of the Lord. I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the
presence of all his people.
Leader: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his
faithful servants.
People: Truly I am your servant, Lord; I serve you just as my
mother did; you have freed me from my chains.
Leader: I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the
name of the Lord.
People: I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of
all his people, in the courts of the house of the Lord—
in your midst, Jerusalem.
All: Praise the Lord!
Hymn of Praise: HWB 100 Praise Him, Praise Him!
Prayers of the People
Easter Hymn: HWB 281 That Easter Day with Joy was Bright
~Hearing God’s Word~
Scripture Readers Theater: Luke 24: 13-35 (The Message)
Message: “Recognizing Jesus”
~Responding~
Hymn of Response: HWB 517 Open My Eyes, That I May
See
(the offering will be collected and brought forth at this time)
Offering Prayer
~Sending~
Sending Hymn: HWB 344 I Will Sing of my Redeemer
Benediction
Postlude: "Jesus Shall Reign" - arr. Anna Laura Page
Sending Words
WORSHIP 9:30-10:30
Minister: Mike Gehman
Worship Leader: Tabatha Murphy
Pianist: Suzanne Stauffer
Song Leader: April Shupe
Usher: Leadership Team
FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER
Mission Project for April: After a devastating fire, we have set up a fund to help Amy, Paul, and Gretta Stauffer-McNutt through this difficult time. If you would like to donate, mark your donation for the Amy Stauffer-McNutt fire fund.
There is a Celebration of Life for Nathan Miller on Sunday, May 3rd at Brethren Woods Camp, Pine Grove, 4896 Armentrout Path, Keezletown, VA, 22832
Viola Miller Address: Park Place, Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community, 1285 Shank Drive #336, Harrisonburg, VA 22802
Jeanette Marion: 2716 Fletcher Ave NE, Canton OH 44705
THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS FOR
Sue Stauffer: We are going to see the Cahill’s and they might be able to come home a month early.
Bob Gerber: Thank you for all the prayers and visits.
Dan Hostetler: Roommate from College, Randy, that needs a kidney, might have a match.
Kristy Keim: Jaden and Dylan had a beautiful wedding.
THIS WEEK
April 24th Happy Birthday, Mary Meyer
April 25th – 26th 250 Buckeye Train Transportation Celebration
(see description below)
NEXT WEEK:
Minister: Mike Gehman
Worship Leader: Helene Torgler
Head Usher: Herb Torgler
LAST WEEK
Sunday Attendance: 17
Offering: $1590
Change for a Dollar: $25
Easter Flowers: $38.75
Memory of Dorothy Schrock: $130
Memory of Gladys Schrock: $100
Memory of Rebecca Dean: $100
250 Buckeye Train Transportation Celebration
Come experience an exciting two day showcase of festivities to celebrate Ohio’s rich transportation history in honor of America’s 250th anniversary. There will be trains arriving/departing, a car show, vintage aircraft flyovers, food, shows and more, all in downtown Dennison. More info available on their website:
dennisondepot.org/events/transportation-celebration/
On our front sign:
Those who walk with Jesus, will always reach their destination.
CHURCH LEADERSHIP
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, OH 44681
CONGREGATIONAL LEADERSHIP TEAM:
Chairperson: Mike Keim
Office Contact: Linda Yoder
Mission Contact: Reno Stevanus
Trustees Contact: Dan Hostetler
Secretary Contact: Amy Stauffer-McNutt











