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.

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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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

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