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 3^rd 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 24^th Happy Birthday, Mary Meyer

April 25^th – 26^th 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 250^th 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