Aug. 3, 2025

August 1, 2025

Anabaptism At Five Hundred


First Mennonite Church

Sugarcreek, Ohio

August 3, 2025

 

Worship: 9:30 – 10:30

Fellowship Time: 10:30 – 12:00

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

Anabaptism at 500

Belief  Six : Nonviolence

 

“Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid,

which is Jesus Christ.”

 

~Gathering in the Royal Bible Classroom~

(around tables)

Welcome and Announcements

 

Focus Statement: 

Anabaptists reject the use of violence, because Jesus rejected

violence and told his disciples to love their enemies. Because the

sword was a soldier’s weapon in the sixteenth century, the early

Anabaptists sometimes referred to nonviolence and the “rejection of

the sword.” Anabaptists seek change through prayer, faithful witness,

and peaceful actions. Christian lives reflect the ultimate peace that

comes from God.

 

Scripture: Isaiah 2:4b

“They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears

into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation,

neither shall they learn war any more.”

 

 

Time of Meditation: VT 716 God of Grace and God of Glory

 

Call to Worship:

 Leader: In the days to come, the mountain of God’s house will be

                established as the highest of the mountains and raised above

                all other hills; all nations will stream toward it.

 People:  Many people will come and say, “Come, let us climb God’s

               mountain; that we may be instructed in God’s ways and walk

               in God’s paths.” For out of Zion will go forth instruction,

               and the word of God from Jerusalem.

 Leader:  God will judge between the nations, and render decisions for

                many countries;

 People:  They will beat their nuclear bombs into plowshare, and their

                guns into gardening tools; nation will not raise weapons

                against nation, and never again will they train for war.

 ALL:  May we be co-creators with God in making that day a reality.

              May it begin today. Let us worship God!

 

Invocation

 

Hymn of Gathering: VT 573 Strong, Peaceful Man of Galilee

 

~Storytelling~

   Early Anabaptist Story: Menno Simons –Helene Torgler

 

   Early Anabaptist Story in Drama #1:

Peace, Peace: Menno Simons,1552

Pastor: Mike Gehman, Menno: Mike Keim

                                                             

~Praising and Praying~

Hymn of Praise:  VT 797 We Are People of God’s Peace

 

Prayers of the People

~Storytelling~

 Global Story: Melvin Ira Glick –Nancy Yoder

 

 Early Anabaptist Story in drama #2:

“Dirk Turns Back: Dirk Willems, 1569”

Reader 1 – Hannah Gehman, Reader 2 – Kristy Keim

 

Hymn of Response: SJ 56 Make Me a Channel of Thy Peace

(in unison with special piano accompaniment)

 

~Hearing God’s Word~

Scriptures:

  Proverbs 3:31 –Hannah Gehman

   Psalm 11:5 –Kristy Keim

   Psalm 34:14 –Helene Torgler

   Isaiah 2:3-4 –Nancy Yoder

   Matthew 5:9 –Mike Gehman

   Matthew 5:39-42, 44 –Bruce Stauffer

   Matthew 26: 52 –Tyler Murphy

   John 14:27 –Reno Stevanus

   Romans 12: 17-21 –Mike Keim

   I Peter 3:9 –Tabby Murphy

 

 Remarks On Nonviolence –Mike Gehman

 

~Responding~

    Hymn of Response: VT 556 I Bind My Heart This Tide

 

    Offering Prayer

 

~Sending~

   Sending Hymn: VT 574 We Shall Walk through the Valley

 

   Benediction

 

 

WORSHIP                                                                           9:30-10:30                                                                                            

Worship Leader:                                                                    Bruce Stauffer     

Pianist:                                                                          Suzanne Stauffer

Head Usher:                                                                               Herb Torgler                                  

 

Our On-Going Series on Anabaptist Beliefs:

In 2018 Lisa Weaver and Elizabeth Miller, as part of the Bearing Witness Stories project, wrote a book for children entitled Let the

Children Come to Me: Nurturing Anabaptist Faith within Families.

 

“The materials gathered together in this book beautifully

illustrate the central convictions of the Anabaptist tradition.”     

-John D. Roth, Director of the Institute for the

Study of Global Anabaptism

 

As residents of Holmes and Tuscarawas counties, oftentimes we each have been asked, “Are Mennonites Amish?” and “What do you believe that’s different from other Protestant denominations?” It’s sometimes

hard to come up with an explanation of our faith. Hopefully this series of worship services (that will be spread out through this year of Anabaptism at 500) will enable us to answer these questions more accurately. We are basing this series on the above-mentioned book.

 

In conjunction with our Anabaptist at Five Hundred celebration this year, we  would love to have pictures of any community, service and/or peace experiences our church members have experienced over the years. Please give to April or Tabby who will scan them into the computer.   You will  get them back.


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 and pencil sharpeners will be provided. 

 

The Annual Young Life Prayer Vigil is coming up soon, a wonderful way to begin a new school year. Here are the details for the 24 hour vigil on August 16th:

1. You pick a one-hour block of time on Aug. 16 (like 3-4am, 1-2pm, 8-9pm, etc)

       2. We hand deliver or mail you a prayer booklet filled with prayer requests and

           praises for our local students, volunteers, and the YL ministry here in Tusc &

            Holmes counties

      3. On August 16th you pray from wherever you are for the hour you selected.

All the above information and sign-up sheet is by the mailboxes. 

 

 

THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS

Melonie Blauch Archer: It is a joy to come to church to see people I grew up with.

 

THE CHURCH PRAYS FOR

Mike Gehman: Daughter, Brianna is in her 3rd trimester and has been diagnosed with placenta previa.

 

THIS WEEK

Aug. 10th          Happy Birthday, Tabatha Murphy

 

NEXT WEEK        

Minister:                                                                                              Mike Gehman

Worship Leader:                                                                                   April Shupe

Head Usher:                                                                                         Herb Torgler                                                                                    

 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS:

August 16th     Young Life Prayer Vigil

 

LAST WEEK

Attendance:                                                                                                      18

Offering:                                                                                                            $2069

Change for a dollar:                                                                                         $14

 

CHURCH LEADERSHIP

Pastor: Mike Gehman: 1-330-749-674

Email: pastor@firstmennonitesugarcreek.com

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

Church Secretary: Tabatha Murphy

Phone: 1-330-852-2822

Email: office@firstmennonitesugarcreek.com

Website: http//fmcsugarcreekoh.org

Address: 113 W. Main St. P.O. Box 250 Sugarcreek, Ohio 44681

 

CONGREGATIONAL LEADERSHIP TEAM:

Chairperson: Mike Keim

Office Contact: Linda Yoder

Mission Contact: Reno Stevanus

Trustees Contact: Dan Hostetler

Secretary Contact: Amy Stauffer-McNutt

August 7, 2026
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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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