Summer Series 7

Come to the Water: Crossing

First Mennonite Church

Sugarcreek, Ohio August 28, 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: Crossing

~Gathering~

Prelude: "Like a River Glorious"--arr. Bob Walters

Welcome & Announcements:

Dedication of MCC Comforters:

Julie: We have come together today to offer the comforters provided by MCC that we've knotted to send to places where disaster and wars have occurred, people are on the move, and where basic resources have grown scarce.  As we dedicate these gifts, let us join in prayer.

God of earthquake, wind, flood, and fire, may those who have suffered in disasters and wars find refuge in you.  Help them in their distress to trust in your mercy which never ends.

People:  God of compassion, hear our prayer.

Tally:  We pray for those who are afflicted by powers far beyond their control, who are grieving and afraid and who are vulnerable to further loss.  May you speed to them relief, and strengthen them to face the challenges before them.

People:  God of compassion, hear our prayer.

April:  We urgently pray this day for families across our nation who have been injured or displaced by natural disasters.  We pray for families around the world seeking to rebuild their lives.  We pray for those in areas of conflict and war.

People:  God of compassion, hear our prayer.

Keo:  May you strengthen those who are responding to crises and are engaged in the work of disaster relief, providing food and shelter, clothing, or transportation to those in peril.

People:  God of compassion, hear our prayer.

Amy:  May the comforters that we offer today contribute to this sacred work and may those who receive them sense your loving kindness and find their hope renewed.

People:  God of compassion, renew us in hope and service as we offer our gifts and our lives to you.

All:  Amen.

Focus Statement:

Crossing a body of water.  If it's a puddle, one could splash

through it, jump over it, or walk around it.  If it's larger,

one might need a bridge, a boat or a tunnel.  Rarely do we

find that God parts the waters for us except in a couple of

Scriptures like the passage in Joshua for today.  We do often

face roadblocks and then we need to pause, to pray, to

listen for God's voice, to act, and then to express our

gratitude for God's leading.

~Thirsting~

Time of Meditation: "The Water is Wide"--arr. Howard Helvey

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 streams and rivers of our watershed, for the rains that fall--

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

(pour a stream of water into the vase)

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.

(pour a stream of water into the vase)

L:  We give thanks, O God,

All:  for you 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.

(pour a stream of water into the vase)

L:  Come to the Water of Life.

Opening Prayer:

Hymn of Gathering:

"Wade in the Water" Voices Together #454

~Drinking Deeply~

Water Story: "Crossing the Great Mississippi"--by Tally Maust

Hymn of Praise:

"On Jordan's Stormy Banks I Stand" Voices Together #661

Congregational Prayers:

Scripture Prequel: "Joshua Crosses the Jordan"--by Crystal Bowman read by Tally Maust

Scripture: Joshua 4:17-24

Message:

~Satisfied~

Hymn of Response:

"Lead Me Forth" Voices Together #837

Offering Prayer:

Sending Hymn:

"The Water is Ready" Voices Together #458 (vs. 1,3)

Benediction:

All:  We go into a world of God's wondrous works and wisdom.  May we go as stewards of land and sea and all creatures.  Loving and sharing with others on the way, singing praises to the Lord.

L:  May our meditations be pleasing to God and our lives rejoice in god's leading.

Postlude: "I've Got Peace Like a River"--arr. Mark Hayes

Words of Dismissal:

THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS AND PRAYS FOR                                                                                                                                   

For God providing a sermon from the 1800's and April making it a modern day sermon for us.

Little Josh, Garaway's class of 1972 celebrating 50years, Amy Hostetler, Jessica Morgan and daughter Marley, Bertie Showers, Megan Stauffer-Miller's school, students and also staff, Janet Maust

MMN: Mennonite Mission Network requests prayer for Joseph and Rachel Givens and their sons, Elijah, 8, and Micaiah, 4, as they adapt to life in Calais, France.  Pray for them as the boys prepare to begin school and as Joseph and Rachel immerse themselves in language study before settling into ministry at the Maria Skobtsova House, which offers temporary shelter to migrants from Africa and the Middle East.

Prayers for Mennonite Education-Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg, VA: Please pray for our new and returning students as they transition into a new season of education, exploration, and community-building.  May they enjoy rekindling friendships, find new friends, and begin to build a strong and healthy community of support for the year ahead.

FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER                                                                                                                                             

Next Week's Texts: Jeremiah 18:1-11; Psalm 1; Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Philemon 1:1-21; Luke 14:25-33

Harbor of Hope: 75 items of Soup & Mac-N-Cheese were taken to the Harbor of hope this past Wednesday.  Thank you for your generous donations.  Next month's items are PB & Jelly and are due on September 28th.

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

This 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:  Today you will find in your mailboxes an envelope designated for a monetary collection for the Released Time Ministry.  We will be collecting from now until September 18th.

WORSHIP                                                             9:30-10:30                                                                                                                           

Greeters:                                                                                          April Shupe, Bertie Showers

Minister:                                                                                           Mike Gehman

Worship Leader:                                                                           Bruce Stauffer

Water Pourer:                                                                                 Jon Gerber

Song Leader:                                                                                  April Shupe

Organist:                                                                                          Margaret Cheslock

Pianist:                                                                                              Suzanne Stauffer

Head Usher:                                                                                    Herb Torgler

THIS WEEK                                                                                                                                                                                                           

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

Aug. 31               Bob & Karen Barnes's Wedding Anniversary

Aug. 31              Worship Committee Meeting 2:00p.m.

Sept.   2              Amy Stauffer-McNutt & Paul McNutt's Wedding Anniversary

Sept.   3              Keutmy Phoutarath has a Birthday

Sept.   4              Dan Hostetler has a Birthday

Sept.   5              Larbor Day

UPCOMING EVENTS                                                                                                                                                                                         

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

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.

Oct. 30                Halloween

NEXT WEEK                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Greeters:                                                                                      Mike & Kristy Keim

Minister:                                                                                       Mike Gehman

Worship Leader:                                                                       Tally Maust

Song Leader:                                                                              April Shupe

Head Usher:                                                                                Monk Yoder

CHURCH LEADERSHIP                                                                                                                                                                                   

CHURH:

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

Missions Contact:  Reno Stevanus

Trustees Contact:  Dan Hostetler

Secretary Contact: Amy Stauffer-McNutt

August 28, 2022:  Access to the Well

     "Some families are lucky.  They can turn on the tap for drinking water, to fill a bathtub, wash theri car or water the garden.  But other families around the world are less fortunate.  One billion people, almost 16% of Earth's population, have to walk more than fifteen minutes to get to the nearest water supply.  there, they gather water for the day--just a few jugs, barley enough for drinking, cooking and cleaning.  Other families don't have access to enough water to meet even these most basic needs.

     "While the amount of water on Earth is always the same, the distribution of water across the world isn't.  Huge differences in rainfall can happen from country to country and even within the same country.  Less rainfall means less water available in lakes, rivers and aquifers.  Sometimes there just isn't enough water where it's needed most.

     "Because water is not evenly distributed across the globe, nearly one-fifth of the world's population does not have access to enough water.  Many of these people live in Africa and Asia.

     "1.  North America has one-third of the population of Africa, yet North Americans use three times as much water.  How is that possible?  Nearly 300 million people in Africa do not have access to enough freshwater.

     "2.  A bucket of water weighs about 10kg. (22 lbs.)  Imagine if you had to carry a bucket or two from a well to your house every day.

     "3.  China and India are home to over one-third of the world's population, yet they only have access to one-tenth of the world's freshwater."

"Place:  Average daily water use per person (1 bucket-10 L (2.6 U.S. gal.)

                      North America*******************************************************55 buckets

                      Russia************************************************************27 1/2 buckets

                      Poland***************************************************************14 buckets

                      India******************************************************************7 buckets

                      Nepal*****************************************************************3 buckets

                      Haiti***************************************************************1 1/2 buckets

                      Ethiopia****************************************************************1 bucket

                     --taken from One Well:  the Story of Water on Earth--Rochelle Strauss, c. 2007, pg. 20-21