December 12, 2021

Tally Maust • February 11, 2022

Advent 3:

On the road to Restoration

First Mennonite Church

Sugarcreek, Ohio December 12, 2021

Worship: 9:30-10:30

Fellowship Time: 10:30-11:00

Sunday School: 11:00-12:00

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 3:

On the Road to Restoration

(We light a candle for Joy)


~Preparation~


Prelude:  "Tidings of Comfort and Joy"--arr. Lloyd Laarson

Monologue: "John the Baptist denies being the Messiah"--Tyler Murphy

Focus Statement:

The gift offered to the repentant is restoration.  The road to restoration is a journey toward wholeness in body, soul, and spirit.

Lighting the Advent Candle: JOY

Leader:  We light a candle for Joy:

                  Joy in our hearts,

                  Joy in our homes,

                 Joy in our world.

People:  May the light of Joy shine through our lives.


Hymn:

"He Came Down" Sing the Journey #31 vs. 3 sung twice

He came down that we may have Joy;

He came down that we may have Joy;

He came down that we may have Joy;

Hallelujah evermore.

Welcome & Announcements:


Carols:

"Joy to the World" Hymnal a Worship Book #318

""Twas in the Moon of Wintertime" Hymnal a Worship Book #190


~Gathering~


Call to Worship: adapted from Psalm 16:2-6

Leader:  The Lord has done great things for us, and so we rejoice!

People:  Our mouths are filled with laughter, and our tongues with shouts of joy.

Leader:  Those who sow in tears will reap shouts of joy.

People:  Those who go out weeping will come home with shouts of joy.

All:  The Lord has done great things for us--we rejoice!

Opening Prayer:


Hymn:

"Hope is a Candle" Sing the Story #15 vs. 1,2,4


~Praying & Praising~


Congregational Prayers:


Hymn of Praise:

"My Soul Proclaims with Wonder" Hymnal a Worship Book #181


~Hearing~


Scripture: John 1:6-8, 19-28

Thoughts: "Witness to the Light"--by Mike Gehman


~Responding~


Confession and Words of Assurance:

Leader:  God, we confess we do not always recognize you.

People:  We confess that when we do, we do not always receive you.

All:  Open our eyes to see you and our hearts to receive you.


Hymn:

"Save Us, O Lord" Sing the Story #6

(the offering will be brought forward at this time)


~Sending~


Benediction:

Postlude: "Christmas Joy"--Mary McDonald

Words of Dismissal:


THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

For our road to repentance, to let go of the past and look toward the future.


THE CHURCH PRAYS FOR__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Sue Stauffer: Suzie Armstrong requests prayer for health issue.  Prayers of healing and comfort are much needed.

Julie Gerber:  Continued prayers for Margaret Cheslock as she is awaiting surgery for a broken hip.  Also prayers of comfort and healing.

Bertie Showers:  Prayers for God's guidance as Bertie has mixed feelings about having knee surgery at 93.

Vi Yoder:  Prayers for the family of Vi's sister in-law Arlena Miller who passed this week.

MMN:  Mennonite Mission Network requests prayer for the Orodara region, where many of Burkin Faso's Mennonite live.  Foreign--sponsored guerilla fighters are making it difficult for people to go to work and for children to attend school.  Pray for Mennonites' peace witness, for the families of the more than 1,500 people who have died and for the more than 1.3 million displaced people in Burkina Faso.

Prayers for Mennonite Education-Bethel College, North Newton, KS:  Give thanks for the light of Christ who came into the world, and for the Bethel College community being able to participate in person in the lighting of the Green tonight.  Lancaster (PA) Mennonite School:  All Lancaster Mennonite School campuses will be presenting Christmas concerts from December 13-21.  Pray that all students will perform to the best of their ability, that everyone will be calm, and that students, faculty and those attending the concerts will feel the presence of God as they celebrate the joy of the birth of Christ.


FMC LIVES IN DICIPLESHIP TOGETHER_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Next Week's Texts: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16; Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26; Romans 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38, 46b-55

Harbor of Hope: This month's items are Spaghetti Sauce & Pasta.  They are due on December 15.

Mission Projects for December: Harbor of Hope: Spaghetti Sauce & Pasta; White Gift Offering (Deacon's Fund)

White Gift: This year there is a basket at the back of the sanctuary to put your contributions in this year.

At-Home Advent: There are some At-Home Advent worship guides on the table by the mailboxes, if you would like to celebrate this Advent season.

Christmas Services:  This year Leadership Team has taken a look at the Christmas services.  It is with a general consensus that it would be better to have an earlier start time on the Christmas Eve Service at 4:00p.m.  That was we wouldn't be out so late.  Then we would not have church services on Sunday, the 26th after Christmas so everyone can enjoy more time with family.


WORSHIP                                                                                                                    9:30-10:30_____________________________________________________________

Greeters:                                                                                                                      Mike & Kristy Keim

Minister:                                                                                                                      Mike Gehman

Worship Leader:                                                                                                         April Shupe

Song Leader:                                                                                                                April Shupe

Organist:                                                                                                                      Margaret Cheslock

Pianist:                                                                                                                          Suzanne Stauffer

Head Usher:                                                                                                                 Herb Torgler


THIS WEEK______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Dec. 15th     Harbor of Hope items are due:  Spaghetti Sauce & Pasta


UPCOMING EVENTS_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Dec. 24th       Christmas Eve Service starting at 4:00p.m.

Dec. 25th        Christmas Day

Dec. 31st         Annual Reports Due

Jan.   5th         Leadership Team Meeting

Jan.   6th        Epiphany (Old Christmas)

Jan. 26th        Harbor of Hope items: Canned Fruit & Veggies

Jan. 28th        Senior Breakfast @ Dutch Valley 9:00a.m.


NEXT WEEK_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Greeters:                                                                                                             Wayne & Dorothy Schrock

Minister:                                                                                                             Mike Gehman

Worship Leader:                                                                                                Tally Maust

Song Leader:                                                                                                      April Shupe

Head Usher:                                                                                                       Herb Torgler


CHURCH LEADERSHIP_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

CHURCH:

Pastor:  Mike Gehman

Pastor's Hours: Wednesday 9:30a.m.-2:30p.m.

Secretary: Tally Maust

Phone: 1-330-258-2822

Email: pastor@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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