Dec. 8, 2024

December 7, 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.

***************************************­

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 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 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

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

                       St. Joseph Catholic Church, Dover 6pm

Dec. 11th         Happy Birthday, Sue Stauffer   

 

NEXT  WEEK

   Advent Three Text: Isaiah 61: 1-11; Luke 4: 16-21

   Minister:                                                                                   Mike Gehman

   Worship Leader:                                                                         Julie Gerber  

   Head Usher:                                                                                Herb Torgler 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Dec. 15th         Carol Sing at Orrville Mennonite Church

Dec. 24th         Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, 6pm                 

 

LAST WEEK

    ATTENDANCE:                                                                      15

    OFFERING:                                                                            $1415

    Change for a dollar:                                                        $8

    White Gift:                                                                      $12

 

   

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

August 14, 2026
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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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