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Anabaptism At Five Hundred First Mennonite Church Sugarcreek, Ohio November 23, 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 Nine: Communion ~Gathering in the Royal Bible Classroom~ (around tables) Welcome and Announcements Focus Statement: The Lord’s Supper is the last meal that Jesus shared with his disciples before he was crucified on the cross. While eating this meal of bread and wine, Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of me.” Communion is the religious practice of sharing bread and wine (or juice) as part of a worship service. Anabaptists in the sixteenth century differed from the state churches in their understanding of communion. Anabaptists understood the bread and cup as symbols of the body and blood of Jesus, rather than believing that an actual transformation of the elements took place. Anabaptists shared communion as a way to remember and renew their commitment to the church community and to the teachings of Jesus. Anabaptists also began the practice of serving communion to one another, instead of requiring a priest to do so. This understanding of ministering to one another is known as the Priesthood of All Believers. Scripture: Luke 22:19-20 “Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.’” Time of Meditation : HWB 94 Come, Ye Thankful People Call to Worship: Leader: As God’s people, we have gathered. We may be discouraged, dismayed, discordant with life. People: Let us sit together, sharing the solace of silence. Let us possess the peace of God’s presence and be wrapped in the warmth of God’s love. Let us be comforted and quieted, prepared for communion with God and fellowship with one another. Invocation Hymn of Gathering: HWB 17 We Gather Together ~Storytelling~ Early Anabaptist Story from Martyrs Mirror: Story about the Sacraments – read by April Shupe Early Anabaptist Story in Drama #1: Medicine for Christ’s Body?: Pilgram Marpeck, 1531 Narrator –Hannah Gehman, Spiritualist – Mike Gehman, Marpeck – Reno Stevanus ~Praising and Praying~ Hymn of Praise: HWB 86 Now Thank We All Our Prayers of the People ~Storytelling and Communion~ Global Story: Cheyenne Peace Chief Lawrence Hart read by – Helene Torgler Scripture: Colossians 3:1-17 Reader 1 – Bertie Showers Reader 2 – Bruce Stauffer Reader 3 – Nancy Yoder Hymn: HWB 453 Let Us Break Bread Together From the Schleitheim Confession, Article Third . Concerning the breaking of bread we have become one and agree thus… – read by Suzanne Stauffer Communion Service (sharing of the bread and the cup with each other) Invitation to the Communion Table Leader: As John baptized Jesus in the Jordan, the Holy Spirit baptized the body of Christ. God now gathers us at these tables as the body of Christ to hear the voice of heaven, spoken over the waters of baptism, saying, “You are my beloved.” People: Water, bread, and wine, the gifts of the earth, the gifts of the church, reveal that we belong with God and one another. Leader: Come with your hunger. Come with your thirst. ALL: This is Christ’s table. This is our feast. Come, Holy Spirit! Communion Prayer—Inspired by Early Christian Practice Leader: May God be with you! People: And also with you. Leader: Lift up your hearts! People: We lift them up to God. Leader: Let us give thanks to God . People: It is good to give thanks and praise. Leader: It is a good and joyful thing always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Holy One. With your people on earth and all the company of heaven we praise your name and join their unending hymn: ALL: Holy, holy, holy, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the one who comes in your name. Hosanna in the highest. Leader: And so we proclaim this mystery of faith: ALL: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. Leader: We praise you, all holy God, the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, today, tomorrow, and forever. Amen! ALL: Amen! Leader: Let us pray together the Lord’s Prayer: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen. Leader: The gifts of God for the people of God. People: Thanks be to God. (Share the bread and cup.) ~Responding~ Prayer after Communion – Iona Community Leader: In deep gratitude for this moment, this time together, these people, we give ourselves to you. People: Send us to live as changed people because we have shared the Living Bread and cannot remain the same. Ask much of us, expect much from us, enable much by us, encourage many through us. All: So, God, may we glorify you as inhabitants of earth and citizens of heaven. Amen. Hymn of Response: HWB 472 I am the Bread of Life v. 1, 4, 5 HWB 96 We Plow the Fields and Scatter ~Sending~ Benediction Sending Hymn: VT 812 Sent Forth by God’s Blessing Sending Words: ALL: We’ve seen diversity as a sign of love, and so we put on love and live as one. (The Passing of the Peace) WORSHIP 9:30-10:30 Minister: Mike Gehman Worship Leader: Dan Hostetler Pianist: Suzanne Stauffer Head Usher: Leadership Team 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 November: Dover-Phila Food Bank The Dover-New Phila Food Pantry’s mission is simple: No one in need is ever turned away, and recipients can come anytime they are open and from anywhere. They are a community-based food pantry supported by the community. Please make out checks to FMC and Bruce will send one check at the end of the month to the Food Bank. Special Thanksgiving / Christmas Project: Garaway Pirate Power Packs The Garaway Pirate Power Pack Program, sponsored by the Sugarcreek United Church of Christ, meets monthly to pack over 350 bags full of food for local students. We will be collecting the following items over the next several weeks to help provide food for this program: Ramen noodles cans of corn cans of green beans cans of ravioli cans of tomato soup cans of pork and beans cans of chicken noodle soup Bill & Jean Flinner new address: 1000 Addington Dr. Apt. 129 Russell, KY 41169 THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS April Shupe: Thankful that Darcy Miller and Mike Gehman are both here with us today. Sue Stauffer: Jim Cahill is finished with his chemo, he needs infusions but is starting to feel better. THE CHURCH PRAYS FOR Tabatha Murphy: Dylan’s grandma, Malinda Hamilton, had abdominal surgery, prayers for a speedy recovery. April Shupe: Melanie Blauch Archer has diverticulitis, also Dick Douthitt is in the hospital. THIS WEEK Nov. 25 th Happy Birthday, Suzie Armstrong Nov. 30 th Advent Begins NEXT WEEK Minister: Mike Gehman Worship Leader: April Shupe Head Usher: Leadership Team LAST WEEK Attendance: 23 Offering: $1533 Change for a dollar: $22.03 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