Dec. 8, 2024

Advent:

Together on a Journey

First Mennonite Church

Sugarcreek, Ohio

December 8, 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 2: Opening Hearts

What Do We Ask For?

~Gathering~

Prelude: "In the Bleak Midwinter" - arr. Larry Shackley

Welcome & Announcements

Focus Statement:

God generously pours out the Holy Spirit on all who are humble and seek God’s ways. By keeping our eyes on God as we journey, despite the turmoil around us, we open the door for the flowing movement of God’s Spirit.

Time of Meditation: "I Wonder and I Wander"

- arr. Jay Rouse

Call to Worship:

Leader: Let us return to the Lord with all our hearts.

People: With our whole heart?

Leader: The hurting and hurtful part? The bleeding and empty

part?

People: The ‘sewn-up-tight-don’t-come-in’ heart part?

All: With our whole heart, with all our hearts we come to

worship the Lord God,

Leader: whose merciful compassion, abundant patience, and

faithful forgiving love meet us in our need.

Invocation

Hymn of Gathering: VT 42 Could It Be That God Is Singing

Candlelighting:

Reading – Mike and Hannah Gehman

Together: We open our hearts to receive the Spirit, to become

more like our loving God.

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

hearts, peace in our homes, peace in our world.

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

Advent Song: VT 804 There is More Love Somewhere

(verses hope, peace)

~Praying & Praising~

Old Testament: Joel 2:12-13, 28-29

Prayers of the People

Christmas Carol: VT 245 O Little Town of Bethlehem

~Hearing God’s Word~

Scripture: Psalm 121

Journey Story: “The Spiritual Discipline of Pilgrimage”

By Terry and Kay Shue

~Responding~

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

v1, 2

(the offering will be brought forward)

Offering Prayer

~Sending~

Sending Hymn: VT 239 He Came Down

Benediction

Postlude: "Savior of the Nations, Come" - arr. Laura Wasson

Sending Blessing

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

WORSHIP 9:30-10:30

Minister: Mike Gehman

Worship Leader: Brad Shupe

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.

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 Terry and Kay Shue for providing our journey story today. They live in Kidron where they have raised three adult daughters and have five grandchildren. Terry has been a longtime pastor and denomination leader in the Mennonite church and has recently worked at Central Christian School and Orrvilla Retirement Community part-time. In his free time, Terry likes to make pottery, pizza and dream about his next pilgrimage.

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.

Advent Vespers: A Service of Lessons and Carols

Tonight: 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 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

Bertie Showers: Granddaughter Laura Kaufman came for a visit, and we wish her a safe journey home.

April Shupe: Laura Kaufman said that she can go out into the community without crying after the devastation from the hurricane.

CHURCH PRAYS FOR

Sue Stauffer: Bruce will be having surgery on his knee on Monday. Also, Julie Gerber is not feeling steady on her feet.

Linda Yoder: Mark Scharr is being treated for a deep dive coma.

Mike Gehman: Mike Polnick is sick with a cough and exhaustion.

April Shupe: Judy Smith Frutig had to have a toe removed due to diabetes.

THIS WEEK

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

St. Joseph Catholic Church, Dover 6pm

Dec. 11^th Happy Birthday, Sue Stauffer