April 3, 2022

Tally Maust • April 1, 2022

Seeking God's Ways

Lent 5:

From Scarcity to Abundance


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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       


Seeking God's Ways

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor your

ways my ways, says the LORD."  - Isaiah 55:8

Lent 5: From Scarcity to Abundance


Prelude: "Be Strong in the Lord" arr. Page

Welcome & Announcements:

Focus:  As we seek God's way, we move from the fear there is not

enough to the freedom of living within God's  abundance.


~Gathering~


Time of Meditation: "Praise the Lord" arr. Martin

Call to Worship:

Leader:  together we seek the way of God,

People:  who makes a way in the sea and provides rivers in the desert.

Leader:  God fills our lives with love and beauty as sweet fragrance fills the air.

People:  We live within the abundance of God,

Leader:  so let us laugh and shout for joy

All:  as we worship God together.

Invocation:


Hymn of Gathering:

"What is This Place"  Hymnal a Worship Book #1


~Prayer & Praise~


Old Testament Reading: Psalm 126 (NIV)

Sharing Our Joys & Concerns:


Lenten Prayer of Confession:

Leader:  Holy One, we seek you while you may be found.

People:  We call upon you while you are near.

Leader:  Have mercy on us, O God, for our thoughts are not your thoughts and our ways are not your ways.

People:  Forgive us for believing the myth of scarcity.  Help us to live into your abundance.

Leader:  As we walk with Christ on this Lenten journey, let us see your way more clearly

All:  and follow your way more faithfully.

Prayer:


Hymn of Praise:

"This is a Day of New Beginnings" Hymnal a Worship Book #640


~Hearing God's Word~


Scripture: John 12:1-8; Philippians 3:7-11

Message:  "It Doesn't Matter"  by Mike Gehman


~Response & Sending~


Responsive Reading:

Leader:  Your ways, O God, are higher than our ways.

People:  Your thoughts are higher than our thoughts.

Leader:  We seek God's ways.

All:  Lord, move us away from fearful responses into the light of your compassion.


Hymn of Response:

"When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" Hymnal a Worship Book #259

(the offering will be brought forward at this time)

Offering Prayer:


Sending Hymn:

"Beyond a Dying Sun" Hymnal a Worship Book #323


Sending Words:

Postlude: "Gentle Shepherd, Come and Lead Us"  Gaither

Words of Dismissal:


THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS AND PRAYS FOR                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

For our continuing journey this Lenten season.

Gene Miller, Bertie Showers, Suzie Armstrong, Derek and his father, Tabatha Murphy

MMN: Tomorrow, Eastern Mennonite High School students will conclude their week-long Mennonite Mission Network civil rights tour in the southern United States through the Youth Venture program.  Pray for participants as they apply their new perspectives to the injustice in their home communities and congregations.  Pray also for participants in Youth Venture's two July civil rights tours and an immigration/borderlands tour.  Application deadline is May 1.

Prayers for Mennonite Education-Bluffton University (OH): This week, Bluffton celebrates and lives out our Civic Engagement theme: Cultivating Modern Minimalism:  Planet, People, and Popular Culture.  Pray for our campus community as we delve into the complexities of living in harmony with our planet, ourselves and our communities.  MEAS Instituto Biblico Anabautista (IBA--Anabaptist Bible Institute): Pray for the five IBA students who will be graduating today at the Harrisonburg, VA, Study Center.  May they continue to be a blessing for their respective congregations and communities, and may they be an inspiration to others to serve the church.


FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Next Week's Texts: Isaiah 50:4-9b; Psalm 31:9-16; Luke 22:14-23:56; Philippians 2:5-11

Harbor of Hope:  This month's items are Spaghetti Sauce & Pasta and is due on April 27th.

Mission Project for April: MCC Relief Kits; Harbor of Hope: Spaghetti Sauce & Pasta; Collection for Garawa's Released Time Education

Relief Kits: Some have been asking the cost of making a relief kits.  It depends where you shop.  I would say that between $30.00-80.00 for a completed kit.

  **COMMUNITY EVENT**

Kyle and Anya Schlegel are speaking at First UCC on April 19th at 7:00 p.m. about their ministry in the UKRAINE and the war that is going on now.  A free-will offering will be collected and the presentation will last 45 minutes and will close with 15 minutes of questions.  Coffee and cookies will follow the event.  Plan to join us and hear how God is at work.  All are welcome!


WORSHIP                                                                                                                       9:30-10:30                                                                                                                                                                                 

Greeters:                                                                                                                        April Shupe, Bertie Showers

Minister:                                                                                                                         Mike Gehman

Worship Leader:                                                                                                          April Shupe

Song Leader:                                                                                                                 April Shupe

Organist:                                                                                                                         Margaret Cheslock

Pianist:                                                                                                                            Suzanne Stauffer

Head Usher:                                                                                                                  Herb Torgler


THIS WEEK                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

April   4        April Shupe has a Birthday

April   5        Susan Yoder has a Birthday

April   6        Dotti Schrock

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

April   7        Tom & Jacki Agler's Wedding Anniversary

April 10        Susan Lingler has a Birthday

April 10       Palm Sunday


UPCOMING EVENTS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

April 10           Palm Sunday

April 14           Maundy Thursday Communal Soup Supper/Communion 6:30 p.m.

April 15          Good Friday

April 16          Holy Saturday

April 17          Easter Sunday:  Sonrise Service 8:00 a.m./breakfast   Main Service @ 10:00 a.m.

April 22-23   Ohio MCC Comforter Bash

April 27          Harbor of Hope items due: Spaghetti Sauce & Pasta

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

May   4            Leadership Team Meeting 7:00 p.m.

May   8            Mother's Day

May 25           Harbor of Hope items due:  Laundry & Cleaning Supplies

May 27           Senior Breakfast @ Dutch Valley 9:00 a.m.

May 30            Memorial Day

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


NEXT WEEK                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Greeters:                                                                                                               Mike & Kristy Keim

Minister:                                                                                                                Mike Gehman

Worship Leader:                                                                                                Jean Flinner

Song Leader:                                                                                                       April Shupe

Head Usher:                                                                                                         Herb Torgler


CHURCH LEADERSHIP                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

CHURCH:

Pastor:  Mike Gehman

Pastor's Hours: Wednesday 9:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m.

Secretary: Tally Maust

Phone:  1-330-852-2822

Email: pastor@firstmennonitesugarcreek.com

Website: http//fmcsugarcreekoh.org

Address:

113 W. Main St  P.O. Box 250

Sugarcreek, Ohio 44681


CONGREGATIONAL LESDERSHIP TEAM:

Chairperson: Mike Keim

Office Contact: Linda Yoder

Mission Contact:  Reno Stevanus

Trustees Contact: Dan Hostetler

Secretary Contact: Amy Stauffer-McNutt     








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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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June 6, 2026
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