April 27, 2025

April 25, 2025

First Mennonite Church

Sugarcreek, Ohio

April 27, 2025

11 AM


Celebration of Life Service – Julia B. Gerber

“If With All Your Hearts You Truly Seek Me”

(Julie’s service and statement of faith for us)



PRELUDES:

“Holy, Holy, Holy” -arr. Lloyd Larsen

“ I Will Come to You in the Silence” -David Haas, arr. Mark Hayes

1.     I will come to you in the silence, I will lift you from all your fear.

You will hear my voice; I claim you as my choice, be still and know I am here.

2.     I am hope for all who are hopeless. I am eyes for all who long to see. In the shadows of the night I will be your light, come and rest in me…

3.    I am strength for all the despairing, healing for the ones who dwell in shame. All the blind will see, the lame will all run free, and all will know my name. 

4.    I am the Word that leads all to freedom, I am the peace the world cannot give, I will call your name, embracing all your pain, stand up, now walk and live!

Refrain: Do not be afraid, I am with you. I have called you each by name. Come and follow me, I will bring you home: I love you and you are mine. 

 

“Shepherd Me, O God” -Marty Haugen, arr. Mark Hayes

Shepherd me O God, beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life.

“If With All Your Hearts You Truly Seek Me”

           -Feliz Mendelsohn, arr. Lani Smith

If with all your hearts you truly seek me, you shall ever truly find me, thus saith our God. 

WELCOME AND READING OF OBITUARY

 

FOCUS STATEMENT: 

In essence, this service was planned by Julie for us as the final expression of her faith and the truths she learned and tried to practice in her life. The music and Scriptures in this service were chosen by her. There will be an opportunity for us to share our memories and thoughts after the meal in the Fellowship Hall downstairs.

 

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING:

 “The Heavens Are Telling” (from The Creation)

                 – Franz Josef Haydn, arr. Ellen Lorenz

The heavens are telling the glory of God. 

 Scripture: Psalm 84:1-4, 10-12

 Opening Prayer

 Hymns: HWB 65 Praise My Soul, the King of Heaven v 1,2,3

           HWB 438 I Sing with Exultation v1,2

Prayer of Thanksgiving: Praise to God, Immortal Praise (HWB 91)

Hymn: HWB 76 Praise, I Will Praise You Lord v1,3

 Scripture: Psalm 139:1-6, 23

 

ASSURANCE OF GOD’S PRESENCE:

Piano Solo: “He, Watching Over Israel” – Felix Mendelssohn, arr. Jan Sanborn

He, watching over Israel slumbers not, nor sleeps. 

Scriptures: Psalm 63:1

                  Psalm 121

                  Psalm 27:1-5, 14

Hymn: HWB 395 Here I Am, Lord -arr. Jack Schrader

Scripture: John 15:9-14, 16-17

Hymns:  HWB 589 My Shepherd Will Supply My Need v 1,3

          HWB 145 There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy v1,3,4

          HWB 577 O Love That Will Not Let Me Go v. 1

 

 

 

WALKING IN FAITH:

Scriptures: Psalm 116:12

                  Psalm 34: 1-4 

                   Isaiah 43:1-3,5

Piano Solo: “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” – Thomas A. Dorsey, arr. Emily Lund

Hymn: VT 653 Nothing Is Lost on the Breath of God

 

EMBRACING LIFE AND DEATH:

Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 4:18

                  John 4:11-21

Hymns: HWB 459 I Come with Joy v1,4

             HWB 590 My Life Flows On v1,4

 

 

BENEDICTION AND POSTLUDES:

Scripture: Psalm 31:5

 

Hymn: HWB 352 Gentle Shepherd

 

Piano Solo:  “Gaelic Benediction” - John Rutter

“Deep peace of the running wave to you,

deep peace of the flowing air to you.

Deep peace of the quiet earth to you,

deep peace of the shining stars to you,

deep peace of the gentle night to you,

 moon and stars pour their healing light on you.

Deep peace of Christ, of Christ the light of the world to you,

deep peace of Christ to you.”

Closing Prayer / Benediction

Hymn of Sending: HWB 427 You Shall Go Out With Joy

Ringing of the Bells

Dismissal to the Fellowship Hall

 

Guest Organist: G. Randall Gibbs

Pianist: Suzanne Stauffer

Song Leader: April Shupe

Worship Leader: Pastor Mike Gehman

 

Readers: Nancy Yoder, Candy Beaber, Bruce Stauffer, Kim Sherer, Jon Gerber, Megan Stauffer-Miller, Jeptha Hostetler, Myrna Jaberg, Pong Sixiengmay, Joyce Hostetler, Bob Gerber, Amy Stauffer-McNutt, Hope Scott, Mike Keim, Tia Slentz

 

Please stay for lunch, served around 12:15 in the fellowship hall following the

service today---all are invited to eat, share stories and continue to celebrate the

life of Julie.

 

The banner hanging at the front of the sanctuary was designed by Megan

Stauffer-Miller and created by Dotti Schrock in 1998 when the women of First

Mennonite, Sugarcreek, were in charge of the Women's Retreat at Camp

Friedenswald. Julie was one of the committee members to plan the retreat and

helped to choose the theme, "I Come with Joy to Meet My Lord," which was one of

her favorite hymns.

 
“A Flow’r Remembered

By John Rutter

 

A flow’r remembered can never wither:

forever blooming as bright as day,

Its fragrance ling’ring like music softly playing,

a gentle voice that’s saying ’ll never fade away.’

 

I hear the echoes of many voices;

Sometimes they’re distant, sometimes so clear;

through all the sounds of life they seem to whisper,

Will you remember, will you remember, will you remember?

 

The birds fly homeward across my valley

toward the mountains all white with snow;

the birds are gone now, the mountain snows have melted,

but still I see their beauty, those scenes of long ago.

 

The birds still fly in other valleys;

the snows have turned to flowing streams;

All things must pass, but memories are lasting;

we will remember, we will remember, we will rem

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June 20, 2026
First Mennonite Church Sugarcreek, Ohio June 21, 2026 Happy Father’s Day! 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. ***************************************­ 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 God’s Faithfulness ~Gathering~ Prelude: “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” -arr. John Carter Welcome& Announcements Focus Statement: In Psalm 100:5, the psalmist declares that the Lord is good and his love endures forever, and his faithfulness continues through all generations. We have seen the many ways said that God has shown his love and faithfulness to us through the years, as followers of Jesus Christ and as believers who worship together as First Mennonite Church. How can we live and share about God’s love and great faithfulness in our lives, as we continue to follow Christ today? Time of Meditation: “Trust and Obey” -arr. Johanna Miller Call to Worship: Leader: Let us worship the eternal God, the Source of love and Life, who creates us. People: Let us worship Jesus Christ, the risen one who lives among us. All: To the one true God be praise, in all times and places, through the grace of Jesus Christ. Invocation Hymn of Gathering : HWB 71 Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee ~Praising & Praying~ Psalm Litany: Psalm 89:1-8 (NIV) Leader: I will sing of the LORD’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. People: I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself. Leader: You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant, People: ‘I will establish your line forever and make your throne firm through all generations.’ Leader: The heavens praise your wonders, LORD, your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones. People: For who in the skies above can compare with the LORD? Who is like the LORD among the heavenly beings? Leader: In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared; he is more awesome than all who surround him. People: Who is like you, LORD God Almighty? All: You, LORD, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you. Hymn of Praise: HWB 70 Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise Prayers of the People Hymn of Praise: HWB 327 Great is Thy Faithfulness ~Hearing God’s Word~ Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1--14 Message: “God’s love and faithfulness abounds…passing it on” ~Responding~ Hymn of Response: HWB 338 I Know Not Why God’s Wondrous (the offering will be brought forward) Offering Prayer ~Sending~ Sending Hymn: HWB 420 Heart with Loving Heart United Benediction: Leader: We go now with faith, trusting God’s Spirit to guide us; People: We go now with hope, waiting for the fullness of Christ’s reign. Leader: We go now with love, resting in God’s care and the care of God’s people. All: We go out with joy: to listen and speak, to sing and suffer, to proclaim good news, and give glory to God. Postlude: “A Gaelic Blessing” -John Rutter Deep peace of the running wave to you, Deep peace of the flowing air to you, Deep peace of the quiet earth to you, Deep peace of the shining stars to you, Deep peace of the gentle night to you, Moon and stars pour their healing light on you, Deep peace of Christ, of Christ the light of the world to you, Deep peace of Christ to you. Sending Words WORSHIP 9:30-10:30 Pastor: Mike Gehman Worship Leader: Bruce Stauffer Pianist: Suzanne Stauffer Usher: Mike Keim FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER Mission Project for June: My Coins Count Each year, coins and bills collected by children, families and churches along with matches add up to more than $600,000 toward MCC’s work around the world. Your coins (and bills and checks!) count! The money collected will be sent to the MCC Relief Sale held at Mt. Hope on July 10 th -11 th and go toward MCC water, education and/or food projects. Please stay for the Congregational Meeting today following worship. Remember: No church at FMC next Sunday, June 28 th . THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS FOR Melanie Blauch Archer: We went to Panama Beach to watch my granddaughter get married. Sue Stauffer: Greta and Issac are going to high school camp at Camp Friedenswald. THE CHURCH PRAYS FOR Melanie Blauch Archer: Cousin’s wife, Tammy was diagnosed with a mass in her chest. Also, Sony has passed away, prayers for family and friends. THIS WEEK June 24 th Happy Birthday, Bob Barnes June 26 th Happy Birthday, Helene Torgler June 28 th Visitation Sunday (No church at FMC) UPCOMING EVENTS July 3 rd Happy Anniversary, Dan & Amy Hostetler July 24 th Kick-Off 100 th Anniversary Event: Ice Cream Social IN TWO WEEKS: Worship Leader (7/5): Kristy Keim Head Usher: Leadership Team LAST WEEK Attendance: 27 Offering: $1195 My Coins Count: $35.25 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
June 12, 2026
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