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