Aug. 24, 2025

First Mennonite Church

Sugarcreek, Ohio

August 24, 2025

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.

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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~

Preludes:

"My Lord, What a Morning" - arr. Larry Shackley

"If with All Your Hearts" - Mendelsohn, arr. Lani Smith

Welcome& Announcements

Focus Statement:

We are called to pray for “open doors,” (opportunities), but do we recognize them when they are presented to us? What if they occur when we are tired, or suffering or having a bad day? Let’s do some prepping so when opportunities arise, our watchful prayers help us know how to be ambassadors for Christ in every circumstance!

Time of Meditation: "Be Thou My Vision" - arr. Cindy Berry

Call to Worship: (based on Psalm 29)

Leader: Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the

Lord glory and strength.

People: Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name; worship the

Lord in holy splendor.

Leader: The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.

People: The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;

Leader: The voice of the Lord causes the oaks to whirl,

People: and strips the forest bare;

All: and in his temple all say, ‘Glory!’

Leader: May the Lord give strength to his people!

People: May the Lord bless his people with peace!

All: Amen!

Invocation

Hymn of Gathering: HWB 124 O Worship the Lord

~Praying & Praising~

Prayers of the People

Hymn of Praise: HWB 517 Open My Eyes That I May See

~Hearing God’s Word~

Scripture: Colossians 4:2-6

Storytime: “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good,

Very Bad Day” by Judith Viorst, illustrated by

Ray Cruz

Message: “This Is Opportunity?”

~Responding~

Hymn of Response: HWB 499 Lord, Speak To Me

(the offering will be brought forward at this time)

Offering Prayer

~Sending~

Sending Hymn: HWB 226 You Are Salt for the Earth

Benediction

Postlude: "Praise to the Lord” - arr. Joel Raney

Sending Words

WORSHIP 9:30-10:30

Guest Minister: Darcy Miller

Worship Leader: Brad Shupe

Pianist: Sue Stauffer

Usher: Herb Torgler

FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER

Mission Project for August: The MCC School Kit Challenge

With the first stroke of a new pencil on a crisp notebook page, a child has the potential to write an amazing story of resilience. This year, MCC has come up with a fun challenge and a goal of sending 25,000 kits to some of our youngest global neighbors. So whether it’s one or one hundred, let’s share God’s love and help kids learn and grow around the world. Pick up a list on the table by the cookies, and lay school items on the same table by the end of August. Bags, erasers and pencil sharpeners will be provided.

THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS

Sue Stauffer: Keo is thankful for all of the prayers and is starting to feel better.

Mike Gehman: Thank you for the prayers for Brianna, she is home after being in the hospital.

THE CHURCH PRAYS FOR

Brad Shupe: Dad had surgery on his eyes, his retina was detaching in his eyes. Prayers for a speedy recovery.

THIS WEEK

Aug. 24^th Music Fest & Ice Cream Social @ Union Hill Church, 6pm

Aug. 26^th Happy Birthday, Vi Miller

Aug. 30^th Happy Anniversary, Rick & Bambi Maurer

Aug. 31^st Happy Anniversary, Bob & Karen Barnes

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sept. 19^th-21^st Women’s Retreat @ Camp Friedenswald