Dec. 1, 2024

November 30, 2024

Advent:

Together on a Journey

 

First Mennonite Church

Sugarcreek, Ohio

December 1, 2024

 

 

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


Advent One: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

How do we continue on?

 

~Gathering~

Prelude:  "Overture to The Messiah" - G.F. Handel

 

Welcome & Announcements

 

Focus Statement: 

As we journey through life, we inevitably encounter situations where the way forward seems blocked. In these times of trouble, we long to be able to patiently trust and obey God, no matter the risks. This depth of faith grows from daily seeking God’s wisdom and choosing God’s ways as we learn to rely on God. 

 

Time of Meditation: "Of the Father's Love Begotten"

                                                                 - arr. Mark Hayes

 

Call to Worship: 

  Leader: Responding to the call of the living God,

  People: our rescuer and Savior,

  Leader: we welcome the Holy Spirit’s presence,

  People: among and within us.

          Leader: In the name of Jesus, our risen Lord,

                All: we offer ourselves in worship.  

   

Hymn of Gathering: VT 218 Come, Thou Long-Expected

                                                                Jesus

   Candlelighting:

        Reading –  Mike and Kristy Keim

        Together: Our path may meander through rocky situations,

                            but we will hold Christ as our center as we

                            journey together. 

         Reader 1: Today we light a candle for hope: hope in our

                            hearts, hope in our homes, hope in our world. 

         Together: May the light of hope shine through our lives.  

  

   Advent Song: VT 804 There is More Love Somewhere

                                                  (verse hope)

 

~Praying & Praising~


   Journey Story –  Brad Beyer

 

   Old Testament Scripture: Daniel 6:6-27

 

   Prayers of the People

 

   Christmas Carol: VT 210 O Come, O Come, Immanuel

 

~Hearing God’s Word~

   

Scripture:  Luke 23: 1-5


Message: “Finding Strength and Faith For the Journey In

                       Difficult Times” 

 

~Responding~


Hymn of Response: *VT 553 How Many Times We Start Again

                                                         v1

(the offering will be brought forward)

 

Offering Prayer

 

~Sending~


Sending Hymn:  VT 47 God of Our Strength

 

Benediction

 

Postlude:  "All Earth Is Hopeful" - arr. Curt Oliver

 

   

Sending Blessing

 

*Theme song for Advent 2024—we will add a verse each Sunday.

 

 

 

WORSHIP                                                               9:30-10:30  

 Minister:                                                                        Mike Gehman         

 Worship Leader:                                                               April Shupe             

 Song Leader:                                                                      April Shupe

 Pianist:                                                                               Sue Stauffer

 Usher:                                                                               Herb Torgler   

 

Advent Altar Display: This year’s visual display incorporates both the traditional Advent Wreath candlelighting, and the lighting of candles on the altar which correspond to the theme of the day. The display starts quite unadorned , with only candles and a purple cloth making a path to the first candle. But watch as the purple cloth meanders each Sunday to the next candle that is lit, and a thematic symbol is placed by that candle. The cloth path  continues its journey from candle to candle until Christmas.         

 

Thank you to Brad Beyer for providing our journey story today. Brad is

married to Bertie’s niece and April’s cousin, Cindy, and they live in Lakeland, Florida. Brad is a retired minister and hospice chaplain and is currently serving as a chaplain at the local hospital. He has a passion for the outdoors and hiking, and spending time with his family.  And coincidentally, his sister Susan is married to son/brother Dan Showers!

 

 

Christmas Fun: Can you find the hikers? As we move closer to Christmas, the hikers will move closer to the altar.

  

FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER

    White Gift Offering:  During the four Sundays of Advent, we will be

   collecting to replenish the Deacon’s Fund, which is money available to

   members of our church in need. Look for the specially designated

   green sleigh as you enter the sanctuary. You can give cash or make

    a check out to FMC designated White Gift. 

 

   Mennonite Arts Weekend: Early-bird registration is open for the 2025  

   Mennonite Arts Weekend in Cincinnati, Ohio, February 7-9. This 

   weekend celebrates the creativity and discipline of Anabaptist

   Mennonite artists. Find the list of presenters, registration and location

   information at https://mennoniteartsweekend.org

 

 Poinsettias: Please see April or Suzanne today if you would like to  

 order poinsettias to help decorate for Christmas this year. 

 

 Advent Vespers: A Service of Lessons and Carols

On December 8th, this Community service will be at St. Joseph Catholic  

Church in Dover. The music begins at 5:30 and the service at 6. There will be many choirs participating, and our own April Shupe will be singing with the Moravian Choir. All are invited! 

 

Carol Sing at Orrville Mennonite Church: You’re invited to come and sing on Sunday December 15th at 6pm, with cookies and cocoa to follow. A free-will offering will be taken to benefit the Monday Meals program, which serves about 200 people per week. All ages and abilities welcome!

 

THE CHURH GIVES THANKS

Share-A-Christmas Update: Praise be to God for the generous hearts   

and hands that contributed to Share-A-Christmas 2024.  Bruce was able to deliver a check for $900, a dozen lap-size comforters, and 90 stuffed dolphin toys (given to Bruce and Sue by Model T friends) from our church to T-4-C. 

Thank you to everyone for participating in the worship last Sunday! Your comments were meaningful and inspiring. We have much to be thankful for! 

Sue Stauffer: Jim Cahill is sick but that is normal for the procedure he had done. Hopefully his numbers will start to rise.

 

CHURCH PRAYS FOR     

Bruce Stauffer:  Jim Meyers had his leg amputated on Friday due to cancer.

Tabatha Murphy: Dylan’s grandfather was put on hospice.

Mike Gehman: Mom was put on hospice.

 

THIS WEEK

   Dec. 1st        Happy Birthday, Dan Yoder, Jr.

   Dec. 5th       Happy Birthday, Alex Snyder

 

NEXT  WEEK

   Advent Two Text: Joel 2:12-13, 28-29; Luke 11:13

   Minister:                                                                                   Mike Gehman

   Worship Leader:                                                                          Brad Shupe  

   Head Usher:                                                                                Herb Torgler 


UPCOMING EVENTS:

   Dec. 7th       Light Up Sugarcreek 4-7pm

   Dec. 8th       Advent Vespers: A Service of Lessons and Carols, at

                       St. Joseph Catholic Church, Dover 6pm

   Dec. 15th     Carol Sing at Orrville Mennonite Church

   Dec. 24th     Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, 6pm                 

 

LAST WEEK

    ATTENDANCE:                                                                      20

    OFFERING:                                                                             $2165

    Change for a dollar:                                                        $8

    Share-a-Christmas:                                                         $900


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, 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


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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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