Summer Series 6

Come to the Water: Springs of Life

First Mennonite Church

Sugarcreek, Ohio August 21, 2022

Worship: 9:30-10:30

Fellowship Time: 10:30-11:00

Sunday School: 11:00-12:00

We believe in Jesus and take his life, teachings, death and resurrection

as the model for how we live and the message we proclaim.

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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                                                                                               

Come to the Water: Springs of Life

~Gathering~

Prelude: "By the Waters of Babylon"--arr. James Clemens

Welcome & Announcements:

Focus: Water is a big part of our lives in many ways-

cooking, bathing, cleaning, recreation, industry,

electricity, agriculture-and the list goes on.  It is no

wonder then that the Bible uses water to help us

understand our Christian walk.  Our relationship with

water goes beyond the survival of our body-it is

indeed spiritual as a metaphor of divine wisdom and

spiritual life.

~Thirsting~

Time of Meditation: "O Let all Those who Thirst"--HWB 495

Call to Worship:

L:  All of you who feel dry and thirsty, come to the water.  Fill your hands.  Splash your face.  Drink deeply.   Let it run down your chin!  Creator God, our Living Water, we give thanks.

P:  for springs of water and deep wells, for the streams and rivers of our watershed, for the rains that fall--

All:  We give thanks for the water that sustains our life.

(pause)

L:  We give thanks, O God,

P:  for water that washes and cleans, for water that refreshes and restores--

All:  We give thanks for the water that sustains our life.

(pause)

L:  We give thanks, O God,

All:  for your love and mercy, pouring into our lives, soaking into our parched places, filling us up to the brim, overflowing in us to be a blessing for all.

(pause)

L:  Come to the water of life.

Opening Prayer:

Hymn of Gathering:

"Come, Ye Disconsolate" Voices Together #643

~Drinking Deeply~

Water Story:  Tabatha Murphy

Hymn of Praise:

"Come Thou Fount" Voices Together #563

Congregational Prayers:

Message: "Springs of Life"--compiled by April Shupe

readers: Julie Gerber, Bob Gerber, Tabby Murphy, Mike Keim, Kristy Keim, Jo Pyle, Bruce Stauffer

scriptures: John 4:14-15; Revelation 22:22

~Satisfied~

Hymn of Response:

"I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say" Voices Together #536

Offering Prayer:

Sending Hymn:

"Joy Is Like the Rain"  April on guitar

(printed in your bulletin)

Benediction:

Postlude: "Beach Spring"--arr. John Carter

Words of Dismissal:

THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS AND PRAYS FOR                                                                               

For God's guiding hand even when we disobey him.

Praise for the monies that were raised at the Relief Sale upward of $300,000.00

Wade Flinner, Mike Gehman, #5 son and family moving to Sugarcreek, Suzie Armstrong, Bertie Showers, Josh Mast family, Sarah and John Mast

MMN: Mennonite Mission Network began a new Enviados (Sent) cohort on Friday.  Pray for participants in this Spanish-language, 12-module course for church planters.  Pray, also, for the facilitator, Mauricio Chenlo, Mission Network's training and resourcing specialist for church planting.

Prayers for Mennonite Education-Goshen (IN) College: Pray for new students as they move-in and begin this new season of life.

FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER                                                                                           

Next Week's Text: Joshua 4:19-24

Harbor of Hope: this month's items are: Soup & Mac-N-Cheese and are due on August 24th.

August Mission Projects: Harbor of Hope: Soup & Mac-N-Cheese; Homeless Shelter Meal; MCC School Kits

MCC School Kits: the list of items for the school kits are on the Harbor of Hope table.

Next Sunday: During the Sunday School hour Sue Stauffer has graciously prepared a mini "Water" recital.  What a wonderful way to top off our series "Come to the Water."

Released Time: Starting next Sunday, you will have an opportunity to donate money to Released Time Education for Garaway Schools.  There will be envelopes in your mailboxes next Sunday.  We will be taking donations until September 18th.

WORSHIP                                                   9:30-10:30                                                                           

Greeters:                                                                            Bruce & Sue Stauffer

Minister:                                                                             Members of the congregation

Worship Leader:                                                                April Shupe

Water Pourer:                                                                     Jaden Murphy

Song Leader:                                                                      April Shupe

Organist:                                                                            Margaret Cheslock

Pianist:                                                                               Suzanne Stauffer

Head Usher:                                                                       Herb Torgler

THIS WEEK                                                                                                                                             

Aug. 22             Brad & April Shupe's Wedding Anniversary

Aug. 24             Harbor of Hope items due: Soup & Mac-N-Cheese

Aug. 26             Senior Breakfast @ Dutch Valley 9:00 a.m.

UPCOMING EVENTS                                                                                                                               

Aug. 30              Homeless Shelter Meal 6:00 p.m.

Sept.   5              Labor Day

Sept.   7              Leadership Team Meeting 7:00 p.m.

Sept. 23              Senior Breakfast @ Dutch Valley 9:00 a.m.

Sept. 29             Harbor of Hope items due: PB & Jelly

Sept. 30-Oct.   1   Ohio Swiss Festival

Oct.   2                World Wide Communion Sunday

Oct.   5                Leadership Team Meeting 7:00 p.m.

Oct. 26               Harbor of Hope items due: Laundry & Cleaning Supplies

Oct. 28               Senior Breakfast @ Dutch Valley 9:00 a.m.

NEXT WEEK                                                                                                                                             

Greeters:                                                                  April Shupe, Bertie Showers

Minister:                                                                  Mike Gehman

Worship Leader:                                                     Bruce Stauffer

Water Pourer:                                                          Jon Gerber

Song Leader:                                                           April Shupe

Head Usher:                                                            Herb Torgler

CHURCH LEADERSHIP                                                                                                                           

CHURCH:

Pastor: Mike Gehman

Pastor's Hours: Wednesday 9:30am-2:30pm

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 LEADERSHIP TEAM:

Chairperson: Mike Keim

Office Contact: Linda Yoder

Mission Contact: Reno Stevanus

Trustees Contact: Dan Hostetler

Secretary Contact: Amy Stauffer-McNutt