April 5, 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.
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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
~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
