April 5, 2026

April 3, 2026

Easter Sunday

 

First Mennonite Church

Sugarcreek, Ohio

April 5, 2026

 

 

Worship: 10 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


~Gathering~


Welcome& Announcements

 

Pre-Prelude: "Christ Arose!" - arr. Lloyd Larson

 

Candlelighting: 

(candle lighters—Lydia Miller, Greta McNutt, Isaac Miller)

 Leader: On that first Easter, God raised Jesus to life and the

                world became a brighter place! 

(PAUSE to light candles)

      All: Jesus’ love came to lighten the world.

 Leader: Jesus’ love shines through each of us and makes the

                world a brighter place.

(PAUSE to light a candle)

     All: Jesus’ love shines through loving actions and words.

 Leader: When we share with those who have less, the world

                 becomes a brighter place.

(PAUSE to light a candle)

     All: Jesus wants us to share.

 Leader: When we trust God and are no longer afraid, the world

                 becomes a brighter place.

                                   (PAUSE to light a candle)

     All: Jesus wants us to trust.

    

      Leader: When we are content with what we have, the world

                     becomes a brighter place.

                                   (PAUSE to light a candle)

            All: Jesus will supply our needs.

     Leader: When we are honest, the world becomes a brighter

                     place.

                                   (PAUSE to light a candle)

            All: Jesus helps us be truthful.

      Leader: When Jesus lives in us, the world becomes a brighter

                     place.

                                   (PAUSE to light a candle)

            All:  Alleluia! Christ is risen.

 

Prelude: "Jesus Christ Is Ris'n Today" - arr. Lloyd Larson

 

Introductory Poem:

        Leader: Welcome Easter.

               ALL: Welcome relief!

Leader: Newfound joy is washing over this grief.

              ALL: Welcome mystery. Welcome surprise!.

Leader: Impossible reality—risen, before our eyes!

              ALL: Welcome Jesus, our Savior and Friend.

Leader: Welcome seeking and naming,

              ALL: Welcome love without end.

 

Focus Statement:

   Today we celebrate the resurrection of Christ. Death could not  

   defeat him. Jesus lives! Our dissonance now is like that of the

   first disciples: What does this all mean?

 

Reflective Prayer – Read by Linda Yoder, Kyler

            Hershberger, Debbie Hershberger, and Kutter Hershberger

 

Hymn of Rejoicing: VT 350 The Strife Is O’er

 

Call to Worship: 

 Leader: Listen. Do you hear it?

        All: The sound of joy. Laughter breaking in.

 Leader: Listen! It sounds like harmony.

        All: Angels singing.

 Leader: Why are you weeping? For the grief? For the

                beauty?

        All: Jesus is risen!

 Leader: Yes! And creation sings it. Yesterday’s tears

                linger, as they must,

         All: But love is stronger than death.

 Leader: Do you believe this? Listen, Jesus is speaking

                 your name.

        All: Our names—each one.

 Leader: Like the music of the soul. Can you hear it?

        All: It is the sound of resurrection.

 Leader: Let us worship the Risen One!

 

Hymn of Gathering: VT 346 Christ the Lord Is Risen Today (with a clarinet descant on vs. 4 by Lydia Miller)

 

~Praising & Praying~


Prayers of the People

 

Confession poem:

 Leader: Jesus, you don’t always show up where we expect or in

                 the way we expect.

  Nancy Yoder: Once again, we feel for Mary, weeping by a tomb. In

                           our grief, we assume that the lost is lost forever.

       ALL: “Tell me where to go!” we say. Tell me how I can find

                  that piece of what was to cling to a while longer.

     Leader: And we don’t even realize you are there—that you

                    have been there right in front of us all along—until

                    you speak our name.

     Nancy:  As if to say, “I’m here.” As if to say, “I love you” and

                    promise: “This is not the end.”

 

Ending Prayer

 

Hymn of Praise: VT 340 Lift Your Glad Voices

 

~Hearing God’s Word~

   

Scripture: Readers Theater “Racing to See Jesus”

                       Read by Brad and April Shupe


Message: “Seeing, Hearing, Believing…He is Risen!”

 

~Responding~

    

Hymn of Response: VT 355 Thine Is the Glory

(the offering will be collected and  brought forth at this time)

 

Offering Prayer


~Sending~

   

Benediction

 

Sending Hymn: VT 359 Christ Is Alive! Let Christians Sing

 

Postlude:  "Lift High the Cross" - arr. Lloyd Larson

 

Sending Words


WORSHIP                                                               9:30-10:30  

Minister:                                                                         Mike Gehman                                    

Worship Leader:                                                            Bruce Stauffer

Pianist:                                                                        Suzanne Stauffer

Song Leader:                                                                      April Shupe

Usher:                                                                                 Herb Torgler      

 

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.

 

Bob Gerber address: Woodlawn, 2821 Woodlawn Ave, Canton OH 44708

 

THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS FOR

Sue Stauffer: Jim Cahill continues to do well and might be able to come home earlier than planned.

Mike Keim: Praise that mom was able to have her heart shocked to get back into rhythm on the first try.

 

THE CHURCH PRAYS FOR

Mike Keim: Mike Gehman went to see Wayne and Dorothy Schrock. Dorothy is not doing well. Update: Dorothy passed away earlier this week. 

Darcy Miller: Friend Rose is coming for a visit, but her husband was unable to attend due to a death in the family.

Sue Stauffer: Prayers for Amy as she goes through this difficult time, she needs quiet time and time to write.

Jon Gerber: Dad is at Woodlawn after undergoing surgery.

 

 

THIS WEEK

April 10th        Happy Birthday, Susan Lingler

 

NEXT WEEK:      

Minister:                                                                                     Mike Gehman

Worship Leader:                                                                            Kristy Keim

Head Usher:                                                                                  Herb Torgler

  

LAST WEEK

Attendance:                                                             17

Offering:                                                                   $868

Change for a dollar:                                                $9.48

Easter Flowers:                                                       $122.55


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


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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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