Dec. 29, 2024

December 28, 2024

Christmas 2024

Together on a Journey

First Mennonite Church

Sugarcreek, Ohio

December 29, 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

Keeping Promises…Who sees it?

~Gathering~

Prelude: “O Holy Night” -arr. John S. Dwight

Welcome & Announcements

Focus Statement:

God is faithful in keeping promises on the journey but unless we are keenly attuned, we may not recognize promises fulfilled. Even as we wait, we can be assured that God is active in working out the plan of restoring and healing. May we have the eyes to see God’s active presence, and may we have a voice to share what we have seen.

Time of Meditation: “Peace, Peace”

-Legacy Christian School Women’s Choir

(The bells being played in this video were donated by our church to LCS)

Hymn of Gathering: Angels from the Realms of Glory v1, 2 (printed in bulletin)

Call to Worship:

Leader: As we worship today God, we ask this of you:

Right: Wipe pride from our hearts, that we might truly

love one another.

Left: Rinse conceit from our eyes that we might see one

another as you see.

Leader: We rest in your promises and wait for you.

People: Calm and quiet, we trust in you.

Leader: Open our hearts,

All: That we might let go of all that separates us from

you and one another.

Invocation

Carol: HWB 212 O Come, All Ye Faithful

Candle Lighting Litany:

WL: Have you heard the news? Jesus, the promised Messiah has

come! God is with us; Jesus is here!

Together: Let us shout it aloud for everyone to hear!

Come join us on the journey as we live out the

Good News of Christ!

Carol: HWB 201 Hark! the Herald Angels Sing

~Praying & Praising~

Our Journey Stories:

What have you noticed about God’s faithful promises on your

journey? What is the good news you have experienced?

Carol: HWB 210 Good Christian Friends, Rejoice

Old Testament: Psalm 131

Carol: HWB 191 O Little Town of Bethlehem

Prayers of the People

Carol: HWB 197 Angels We Have Heard On High

~Hearing God’s Word~

Scripture: Luke 2:21-38

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now

dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen

your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of

all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the

glory of your people Israel.”

Message: “The Journey May be Difficult, but the Blessings are

Abundant” ~Darcy Miller

Isaiah 61:10 - 62:3 (NIV)

I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For

he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me

in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head

like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For

as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes

seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness

and praise spring up before all nations.

For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I

will not remain quiet, till her vindication shines out like the

dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch. The nations will see

your vindication, and all kings your glory; you will be called

by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow. You

will be a crown of splendor in the Lord’s hand, a royal

diadem in the hand of your God.

Galatians 4: 4 -7 (NIV)

But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born

of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the

law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you

are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the

Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a

slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has

made you also an heir.

~Responding~

Carol: HWB 215 What Child Is This

(the offering will be brought forward)

Offering Prayer

~Sending~

Carol: HWB 318 Joy to the World

Benediction

Postlude: “Yuletide Echoes” -arr. William Hodson

Sending Blessing:

Our sending words are from the poem Sometimes by Mary Oliver.

Let’s say them together--

Instructions for living a life:

Pay attention.

Be astonished.

Tell about it.

WORSHIP 9:30-10:30

Guest Minister: Darcy Miller

Worship Leader: April Shupe

Song Leader: April Shupe

Guest Pianist: Shirley Holman

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.

Advent Altar Display: This year’s visual display incorporates both the traditional Advent Wreath candlelighting, and the lighting of candles on the altar which corresponds to the theme of the day. The display began quite unadorned, with only candles and a purple cloth making a path to the first candle. You may have noticed that the purple cloth “path” has been moving across the altar a little each week, and a symbol representing the theme

for each Sunday of advent has been added—a rock, a heart, a frayed cloth, a multi-colored cloth, and today, a mirror, as we reflect on our own journey stories.

Christmas Fun: Can you spot the hikers? As we have celebrated Christmas, the hikers have arrived at the altar!

FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER

Next Sunday, Jan. 5, we will have our final journey story, one that you don’t want to miss! Larry Compton will be our guest speaker and share about his journey to Mt. Everest and his time in Nepal.

End-of-year reports: Please submit your end-of-year summaries to Tabby in the office as soon as possible so she can begin to prepare the Congregational Report.

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

THE CHURH GIVES THANKS

Sue Stauffer: Jim Cahill transfusion was a success, he has over 90% donor blood.

CHURCH PRAYS FOR

Sue Stauffer: Alan Stacy is working with his wound but will need another surgery.

THIS WEEK

Dec. 31^st Happy Birthday, Chris Gerber

Jan. 1^st Happy Birthday, Casey Kalb

Jan 3^rd Happy Birthday, Myrna Jaberg

NEXT WEEK

Epiphany Text: Psalm 121; Luke 2:41-52

Guest Speaker: Larry Compton

Worship Leader: Dan Hostetler

Head Usher: Monk Yoder

LAST WEEK

ATTENDANCE: 21

OFFERING: $945

Change for a dollar: $12

White Gift: $45

In memory of Julia Gerber: $150

Christmas Eve Service

Attendance: 37

White Gift: $146

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

< Older Post Newer Post >

June 21, 2026

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