Dec. 15, 2024

Advent:

Together on a Journey

First Mennonite Church

Sugarcreek, Ohio

December 15, 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.

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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

Advent 3: Anointing for Justice

Who belongs?

~Gathering~

Prelude: Trio of Songs Celebrating Mary

“The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came” –arr. Curt Oliver

“Lo, How A Rose E’er Blooming” –arr. John Purifoy

“Ave Maria” –Franz Schubert

Welcome & Announcements

Focus Statement:

God’s vision of shalom and justice depicts a kingdom in which we radically realign ourselves with the marginalized and oppressed. Who needs to hear the invitation to belong in God’s kingdom? Who needs to extend the invitation?

Time of Meditation: “The Seven Joys of Mary”

Traditional English –arr. Anna Laura Page

Call to Worship: (based on Isaiah 61:1):

Leader: Merciful One: you anoint us for justice, you call us to

you.

People: Your Spirit is poured out upon us.

Leader: Yours is the way of release and restoration.

People: May your love flow through us to heal the

brokenhearted. May we declare your good news to

bring hope to the poor.

Leader: You anoint us; we are yours.

People: We delight and rejoice in you.

Invocation

Hymn of Gathering: VT 1 Summoned by the God Who

Made Us v1, 4, 5

Candle Lighting:

Reading: Linda Yoder and Reno Stevanus

(lighting the altar candle)

Together: Give us eyes to notice those on the fringes and arms

to extend our boundaries, inviting all to become

woven into our communities.

Reader 1: We light a candle for joy, joy in our hearts, joy in

our homes, joy in our world.

(lighting the wreath candle)

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

Advent Song: VT 804 There is More Love Somewhere

(verses hope, peace, joy)

~Praying & Praising~

Journey Story: Monica Weaver Miller and Dawn Miller

Old Testament: Isaiah 58:6-10

Prayers of the People

Christmas Carols: VT 264 Still, Still, Still

VT 254 Oh, How Joyfully v1

~Hearing God’s Word~

Scripture: Luke 4:16-21

Message: “Serving Christ, Serving Others”

~Responding~

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

v1, 2, 3 (the offering will be brought forward)

Offering Prayer

~Sending~

Sending Hymn: VT 778 Will You Let Me Be Your Servant v1-5

Benediction

Postlude: “While By My Sheep” --arr. Mark Hayes

Sending Blessing

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

WORSHIP 9:30-10:30

Minister: Mike Gehman

Worship Leader: Kristy Keim

Song Leader: April Shupe

Pianist: Sue Stauffer

Usher: Herb Torgler

Our Advent Theme: Together on a Journey

Sing the Journey, one of our Mennonite songbooks, evokes

wonderful images of voices blending in praise as we travel

together on a path toward a deeper understanding of faith. The

road can be smooth for stretches, but also includes rough

patches that may challenge or discourage. Its course is not set;

if we are attentive, we may notice God’s guiding hand

redirecting us. Each of our journeys in faith is unique but meant

to be lived in community. Together, let’s join our voices as we

travel the path that draws us closer to God.

In the past, the third Sunday of Advent was designated the

Sunday of Mary, and hence, the pink candle that we light on the

Advent wreath. But recently, the focus has changed somewhat

for the Sundays of Advent to highlight the emotions of hope,

peace, joy and love. The music Sue is playing today focuses on

the person of Mary. The Time of Meditation highlights the

“seven joys of Mary,” something that we in our “Mennonite-

ness” don’t know much about, but which ties the two

expressions for this Sunday together. Those seven joys, as often

depicted in Medieval art and literature (for the Catholic Church)

are:

1. The Annunciation

2. The Nativity of Jesus

3. The Adoration of the Magi

4. The Resurrection of Christ

5. The Ascension of Christ to Heaven

6. The Pentecost of Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and Mary

7. The Coronation of the Virgin in Heaven

However, in this traditional English version, probably inspired by the Catholic beliefs, the seven joys Mary celebrated are:

1. Being born

2. Curing the lame

3. Curing the blind

4. Reading the Old Testament in the Temple

5. Raising the dead

6. Rising from the dead

7. Wearing the crown of heaven.

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.

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

Thank you to Monica Weaver Miller and Dawn Miller for providing our

journey story today. Monica lives on the family farm in Ragersville with her husband, Jeremy. Together they have three children, Lily, Kingman and Wyatt. She has been a Registered Nurse for 25 years at Pomerene Hospital in Millersburg. She has a passion for serving others.

Dawn lives in Walnut Creek with her husband Brent and three children. She loves Jesus, and finds joy in traveling and exploring new places. She works as a Nurse Practitioner for Case Western University. Together with Brent and two other couples, they co-own Mission: Thrift, a non-profit organization committed to supporting orphans and children in crisis.

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. Let’s fill the sleigh to help

others on their way!

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.

Carol Sing at Orrville Mennonite Church: You’re invited to come and sing on Sunday December 15^th 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

Sue Stauffer: Thankful for prayers for Bruce’s knee surgery, we ended up back in the ER for hip pain, pray for healing and patience.

CHURCH PRAYS FOR

Sue Stauffer: Our hearts go out to the Gerber family, as they deal with the loss of Julia.

Bertie Showers: Brother Ken has broken out with scabies for two weeks and needs healing.

Kristy Keim: Mike took Lizzie to the doctors; she is sick with bronchitis.

THIS WEEK

Dec. 15^th Carol Sing at Orrville Mennonite Church

Dec. 21^st Happy Anniversary, Wayne & Dottie Schrock

NEXT WEEK

Advent Four Text: Psalm 113; Luke 1:26-49

Minister: Mike Gehman