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Easter Three: Astounding News! First Mennonite Church Sugarcreek, Ohio April 19, 2026 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 ~Gathering~ Prelude : "Praise the Lord! Ye Heavens, Adore Him" - arr. Mary McDonald Welcome& Announcements Dedication of MCC Hygiene Kits Focus Statement: The two disciples that were going to Emmaus on the day Jesus arose from the grave were downcast and not sure of what to do after all that happened with Jesus’ death on the cross. They meet a man who joins their discussion and begins to open the Scripture to explain the purpose of these events. Later, they realize it was Jesus who was with them, as he broke bread and gave thanks. What are ways that we can see and experience the resurrected Christ in our lives today? Time of Meditation: "Give Me Jesus" - African-American Spiritual, arr. Anna Laura Page Call to Worship: Leader: Easter people, we gather today as people who spent the week inundated with news reports, social media posts, and reels that overpower us with information, worry, and stress. People: Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we carry the weight of being overwhelmed and anxious, wondering who we can believe. Leader: We gather as people who long for peace, for God to break through and bring us clarity and hope once again. People: Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we don’t always recognize when the Risen One comes alongside us, showing us the way where there seems to be no way. Leader: We gather as people hoping to catch a glimmer of Resurrection, ready for our hearts to burn with the truth of the resurrected Christ. People: Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we open our hearts to the possibility that God’s Resurrection life is closer than we think. Leader: Easter people, God knows the burdens we carry, and God is faithful to meet us where we are with good news. All: May the good news of the Resurrection astound us today as we come to worship God! Amen. Invocation Hymn of Gathering : HWB 13 Blessed Jesus, at Your Word ~Praising & Praying~ Psalm Litany: Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19 Leader: I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. People: Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. Leader: The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came over me; I was overcome by distress and sorrow. People: Then I called on the name of the Lord: What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me? All: I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people. Leader: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants. People: Truly I am your servant, Lord; I serve you just as my mother did; you have freed me from my chains. Leader: I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the Lord. People: I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the house of the Lord— in your midst, Jerusalem. All: Praise the Lord! Hymn of Praise: HWB 100 Praise Him, Praise Him! Prayers of the People Easter Hymn: HWB 281 That Easter Day with Joy was Bright ~Hearing God’s Word~ Scripture Readers Theater: Luke 24: 13-35 (The Message) Message: “Recognizing Jesus” ~Responding~ Hymn of Response: HWB 517 Open My Eyes, That I May See (the offering will be collected and brought forth at this time) Offering Prayer ~Sending~ Sending Hymn: HWB 344 I Will Sing of my Redeemer Benediction Postlude : "Jesus Shall Reign" - arr. Anna Laura Page Sending Words WORSHIP 9:30-10:30 Minister: Mike Gehman Worship Leader: Tabatha Murphy Pianist: Suzanne Stauffer Song Leader: April Shupe Usher: Leadership Team FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER Mission Project for April: After a devastating fire, we have set up a fund to help Amy, Paul, and Gretta Stauffer-McNutt through this difficult time. If you would like to donate, mark your donation for the Amy Stauffer-McNutt fire fund. There is a Celebration of Life for Nathan Miller on Sunday, May 3 rd at Brethren Woods Camp, Pine Grove, 4896 Armentrout Path, Keezletown, VA, 22832 Viola Miller Address: Park Place, Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community, 1285 Shank Drive #336, Harrisonburg, VA 22802 Jeanette Marion: 2716 Fletcher Ave NE, Canton OH 44705 THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS FOR Sue Stauffer: We are going to see the Cahill’s and they might be able to come home a month early. Bob Gerber: Thank you for all the prayers and visits. Dan Hostetler: Roommate from College, Randy, that needs a kidney, might have a match. Kristy Keim: Jaden and Dylan had a beautiful wedding. THIS WEEK April 24 th Happy Birthday, Mary Meyer April 25 th – 26 th 250 Buckeye Train Transportation Celebration (see description below) NEXT WEEK: Minister: Mike Gehman Worship Leader: Helene Torgler Head Usher: Herb Torgler LAST WEEK Sunday Attendance: 17 Offering: $1590 Change for a Dollar: $25 Easter Flowers: $38.75 Memory of Dorothy Schrock: $130 Memory of Gladys Schrock: $100 Memory of Rebecca Dean: $100 250 Buckeye Train Transportation Celebration Come experience an exciting two day showcase of festivities to celebrate Ohio’s rich transportation history in honor of America’s 250 th anniversary. There will be trains arriving/departing, a car show, vintage aircraft flyovers, food, shows and more, all in downtown Dennison. More info available on their website: dennisondepot.org/events/transportation-celebration/ On our front sign: Those who walk with Jesus, will always reach their destination. 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

Easter Two: Christ Speaks Peace First Mennonite Church Sugarcreek, Ohio April 12, 2026  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 ~Gathering~ Prelude : “Crown Him with Many Crowns” - arr. Anna Laura Page Welcome& Announcements Focus Statement: Jesus told his disciples of his betrayal, death on the cross, and that he would rise again on the third day. They heard the words, but when the reality of these events happened, they fled, and hid in fear of what may happen next. They needed to see Jesus Christ, in his scarred, resurrected body, to again find the hope and peace that only he can bring. As followers of Christ, there are times when we face trials, loss, and difficult things that can cause us to become fearful, weary, and lack hope in believing God’s promises in his word. How can we see and experience the resurrected Christ in our lives today? What brings you peace and hope, to carry on in your journey of faith? Time of Meditation: “ My Jesus, I Love Thee” - arr. Anna Laura Page Call to Worship: (written by Joanna Harader) Leader: We know that God is always with us, People: So we come this morning to remind ourselves that we are with God. Leader: In this time of worship, People: May our hearts be glad; Leader: May our souls rejoice; People: May our bodies rest secure. Leader: God shows us the path of life All: And in God’s presence there is fullness of joy. We are so glad to be together in God’s presence. Invocation Hymn of Gathering: HWB 16 God is here among us ~Praising & Praying~ Psalm Reading: Psalm 16:1-11 (NLT) Hymn of Praise: HWB 46 I sing the mighty power of God Prayers of the People Easter Hymn: HWB 269 Thine is the Glory ~Hearing God’s Word~ Scripture: John 20: 19-23 Message: “From Fear to Peace” ~Responding~ Hymn of Response: HWB 356 Breathe on me Breath of God (the offering will be collected and brought forth at this time) Offering Prayer ~Sending~ Sending Hymn: VT 810 Go, My Friends, in Grace Benediction Postlude : “Rejoice, the Lord Is King” - arr. Lloyd Larson Sending Words WORSHIP 9:30-10:30 Minister: Mike Gehman Worship Leader: Kristy Keim Pianist: Suzanne Stauffer Usher: Leadership Team FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER Mission Project for April: After a devastating fire we have set up a fund to help Amy, Paul, and Gretta Stauffer-McNutt through this difficult time. If you would like to donate, mark your donation for the Amy Stauffer-McNutt fire fund. There is a Celebration of Life for Nathan Miller on Sunday, May 3 rd at Brethren Woods Camp, Pine Grove, 4896 Armentrout Path, Keezletown, VA, 22832 Viola Miller Address: Park Place, Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community, 1285 Shank Drive #336, Harrisonburg, VA 22802 THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS FOR Tabatha Murphy: Dylan and Jaden are getting married on Wednesday. Bruce Stauffer: I visited Bob Gerber and he seems to be getting along alright and should be able to move here soon. THE CHURCH PRAYS FOR Tabatha Murphy: Mike Marion passed away this past week. Sue Stauffer: The Cahill’s are stable at this point but won’t have family over for Easter. Also, Amy is having a hard time and needs our prayers. April Shupe: Dottie’s funeral was on Saturday, prayers for her family. Helene Torgler: Bev’s Paul had a mini stroke and is allergic to the medication that he needs. Linda Yoder: Friend Savana had a son, Colton, who has heart and intestine issues. THIS WEEK April 13 th Happy Anniversary, Khammoune & Keutmy Phoutarath April 18 th Happy Birthday, Wayne Schrock NEXT WEEK: Minister: Mike Gehman Worship Leader: Tabatha Murphy Head Usher: Herb Torgler LAST WEEK Maundy Thursday Attendance: 25 Sonrise Service Attendance: 36 Easter Sunday Attendance: 29 Offering: $1333 Easter Flowers: $40.95 Memory of Dorothy Schrock: $150 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

Easter Sunday First Mennonite Church Sugarcreek, Ohio April 5, 2026 Worship: 10 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 ~Gathering~ Welcome& Announcements Pre-Prelude: "Christ Arose!" - arr. Lloyd Larson Candlelighting: (candle lighters—Lydia Miller, Greta McNutt, Isaac Miller) Leader: On that first Easter, God raised Jesus to life and the world became a brighter place! (PAUSE to light candles) All: Jesus’ love came to lighten the world. Leader: Jesus’ love shines through each of us and makes the world a brighter place. (PAUSE to light a candle) All: Jesus’ love shines through loving actions and words. Leader: When we share with those who have less, the world becomes a brighter place. (PAUSE to light a candle) All: Jesus wants us to share. Leader: When we trust God and are no longer afraid, the world becomes a brighter place. (PAUSE to light a candle ) All: Jesus wants us to trust. Leader: When we are content with what we have, the world becomes a brighter place. (PAUSE to light a candle) All: Jesus will supply our needs. Leader: When we are honest, the world becomes a brighter place. (PAUSE to light a candle) All: Jesus helps us be truthful. Leader: When Jesus lives in us, the world becomes a brighter place. (PAUSE to light a candle) All: Alleluia! Christ is risen. Prelude: "Jesus Christ Is Ris'n Today" - arr. Lloyd Larson Introductory Poem: Leader: Welcome Easter. ALL: Welcome relief! Leader: Newfound joy is washing over this grief. ALL: Welcome mystery. Welcome surprise!. Leader: Impossible reality—risen, before our eyes! ALL: Welcome Jesus, our Savior and Friend. Leader: Welcome seeking and naming, ALL: Welcome love without end. Focus Statement: Today we celebrate the resurrection of Christ. Death could not defeat him. Jesus lives! Our dissonance now is like that of the first disciples: What does this all mean? Reflective Prayer – Read by Linda Yoder, Kyler Hershberger, Debbie Hershberger, and Kutter Hershberger Hymn of Rejoicing: VT 350 The Strife Is O’er Call to Worship: Leader: Listen. Do you hear it? All: The sound of joy. Laughter breaking in. Leader: Listen! It sounds like harmony. All: Angels singing. Leader: Why are you weeping? For the grief? For the beauty? All: Jesus is risen! Leader: Yes! And creation sings it. Yesterday’s tears linger, as they must, All: But love is stronger than death. Leader: Do you believe this? Listen, Jesus is speaking your name. All: Our names—each one. Leader: Like the music of the soul. Can you hear it? All: It is the sound of resurrection. Leader: Let us worship the Risen One! Hymn of Gathering: VT 346 Christ the Lord Is Risen Today (with a clarinet descant on vs. 4 by Lydia Miller) ~Praising & Praying~ Prayers of the People Confession poem: Leader: Jesus, you don’t always show up where we expect or in the way we expect. Nancy Yoder: Once again, we feel for Mary, weeping by a tomb. In our grief, we assume that the lost is lost forever. ALL: “Tell me where to go!” we say. Tell me how I can find that piece of what was to cling to a while longer. Leader: And we don’t even realize you are there—that you have been there right in front of us all along—until you speak our name. Nancy: As if to say, “I’m here.” As if to say, “I love you” and promise: “This is not the end.” Ending Prayer Hymn of Praise: VT 340 Lift Your Glad Voices ~Hearing God’s Word~ Scripture: Readers Theater “Racing to See Jesus” Read by Brad and April Shupe Message: “Seeing, Hearing, Believing…He is Risen!” ~Responding~ Hymn of Response: VT 355 Thine Is the Glory (the offering will be collected and brought forth at this time) Offering Prayer ~Sending~ Benediction Sending Hymn: VT 359 Christ Is Alive! Let Christians Sing Postlude: "Lift High the Cross" - arr. Lloyd Larson Sending Words WORSHIP 9:30-10:30 Minister: Mike Gehman Worship Leader: Bruce Stauffer Pianist: Suzanne Stauffer Song Leader: April Shupe Usher: Herb Torgler FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER Mission Project for April: After a devastating fire we have set up a fund to help Amy, Paul, and Gretta Stauffer-McNutt through this difficult time. If you would like to donate, mark your donation for the Amy Stauffer-McNutt fire fund. Bob Gerber address: Woodlawn, 2821 Woodlawn Ave, Canton OH 44708 THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS FOR Sue Stauffer: Jim Cahill continues to do well and might be able to come home earlier than planned. Mike Keim: Praise that mom was able to have her heart shocked to get back into rhythm on the first try. THE CHURCH PRAYS FOR Mike Keim: Mike Gehman went to see Wayne and Dorothy Schrock. Dorothy is not doing well. Update: Dorothy passed away earlier this week. Darcy Miller: Friend Rose is coming for a visit, but her husband was unable to attend due to a death in the family. Sue Stauffer: Prayers for Amy as she goes through this difficult time, she needs quiet time and time to write. Jon Gerber: Dad is at Woodlawn after undergoing surgery. THIS WEEK April 10 th Happy Birthday, Susan Lingler NEXT WEEK: Minister: Mike Gehman Worship Leader: Kristy Keim Head Usher: Herb Torgler LAST WEEK Attendance: 17 Offering: $868 Change for a dollar: $9.48 Easter Flowers: $122.55 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

Palm Sunday / Passion Sunday  First Mennonite Church Sugarcreek, Ohio March 29, 2026 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 “Patient Trust” by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin We are quite naturally impatient in everything to reach the end without delay. We should like to skip the intermediate stages. We are impatient of being on the way to something unknown, something new. And yet it is the law of all progress that it is made by passing through some stages of instability— and that it may take a very long time. ~Gathering~ Prelude : "Triumphal Entry" - arr. Joel Raney Welcome& Announcements Introductory Poem: As we step into Lent, we say “welcome” to the dissonance. Come now, O God, when our love is forsaken; come when our bedrock of faith has been shaken; come when our deepest of hopes are mistaken: come, Emmanual. Come, Emmanuel. Come when we squander the freedom you gave us; come break the systems of sin that enslave us; come, though we wonder if you can still save us: come, Emmanuel. Come, Emmanuel. Come, lead us out of our self-serving madness; come, while the world is still shrouded in sadness; come, turn the tears of our mourning to gladness: come, Emmanuel. Come, Emmanuel. (words from VT 143) As we step into Lent, we say, “welcome” to the dissonance, trusting that God is here, now, in the mystery, before it is resolved. Focus Statement: Most years, the season of Lent is meant to prepare us for Holy Week. This year, the entire season of Lent has been framed by the experience of Holy Week, inviting us to linger in the intensity of the final week of Jesus’ life, to dwell in the dissonance. Today’s worship service provides a unique challenge based on the readings. John 12 tells of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, traditional for Palm Sunday. But in the weeks leading up to this one, we are already past that narrative. John 19, on the other hand, continues the story we have been following and details the crucifixion. So today, we will look at both stories, side by side, and examine the dissonance of Jesus’ triumph and death, and our recognition of Jesus’ finishing work which is not yet completed. Hymn of Dissonance: VT 48 Come, My Way, My Truth, My Life (This hymn was chosen for its dissonant harmonies as well as for the words. Today we will sing all verses.) Call to Worship: All: We gather to worship God and to look back on where we’ve been; Leader: we see old hopes, plans, and dreams, remembered “Hosannas!” and all these weeks of Lent. All: We gather to worship God and to look at where we are now, Leader: at Jesus re-defining triumph; and the king on the cross instead of a throne. All: We gather to worship God and to wonder at this mystery, Leader: of salvation that comes so strangely; of life that comes through death; of brokenness meeting grace. Invocation Hymn of Gathering: HWB 238 Hosanna, Loud Hosanna ~Praising & Praying~ Prayers of the People Confession Poem: Leader: Jesus, this story is not the one we expected. Mike: We feel for your disciples, so happy to proclaim you king as you rode into Jerusalem. People: We too have been eager to follow sure about what that will mean, confident things will turn out well. Kristy: We feel for your disciples devastated at your crucifixion. People: When we are no longer sure about anything. When everything we thought we had and knew falls apart. All: “Hosanna!” we sang back then, “Save us!” “Hosanna!” we cry now, “God, please!” Leader: And though the story has shifted, you do save. Mike: You have. Kristy: You will. All: You are. Ending Prayer Hymn of Praise: HWB 237 All Glory, Laud, and Honor ~Hearing God’s Word~ Dramatic Sketch: A Disciple’s Story--Then and Now -based on John 19:16b—22; 12:12-27 A lone disciple stands by the cross, remembering…. Disciple – Mike Keim Palm Wavers - Kristy Keim, Helene Torgler, Amy Hostetler Message: “From Passion to Pain” ~Responding~ Time of Silence and Reflection: You are invited to write your thoughts on the paper provided. After three minutes of quiet reflection, the piano will play a hymn during which the offering plates will be passed into which you will place your papers. Hymn of Response: HWB 250 Beneath the Cross of Jesus (the offering will be collected and brought forth at this time) Offering Prayer ~Sending~ Benediction Sending Hymn: HWB 252 O Sacred Head Now Wounded v3, 4 Postlude: "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded" – arr. Eugene Butler Sending Words WORSHIP 9:30-10:30 Guest Minister: Darcy Miller Worship Leader: April Shupe Pianist: Suzanne Stauffer Song Leader: April Shupe Usher: Leadership Team Lent 2026 – “Dwelling in Dissonance” This Lenten season we are choosing to stay in the uncomfortable, the unsettled or unfinished, the times that grate or jar or disturb and to try not to force those times to come to completion. Just as Jesus endured the trials of Holy Week, we too are committed to wait and to fully experience the dissonance in our lives. The worship services during this season will attempt to help us be more comfortable with the dissonances—as reflected in the altar, the music, in the book of John on which our services will focus, and in those disturbing times in our lives. After the sermon during Lent, there will be a three-minute period where we will be writing our thoughts about one of the questions printed on the bulletin insert. When the three minutes are over, the offering plates will be passed for you to put your paper in the plate to be taken to the altar. Please put your pen on the seat beside you so that we can continue to use them each Sunday in Lent. FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER Mission Project for March: MCC Hygiene Kits Keeping clean is an important part of staying healthy. Families who have fled their homes because of disaster or war often struggle to afford the necessary supplies. Kits also go to schools or orphanages to encourage healthy habits for children. A list of items needed is on the table in the coffee and fellowship area. Maundy Thursday Communion and Supper: Bring a quart of vegetable soup to add to the community pot and join us in this holy service of fellowship and communion. Dinner starts at 6pm with the service to follow in the fellowship hall downstairs. Easter Sonrise Service and Breakfast: All are invited to bring guests and attend our annual Sonrise service in the fellowship hall. The short service will begin at 8am and be followed by a hot breakfast complete with Easter eggs and horseradish! Easter Sunday Service will begin a half hour later than usual, at 10 AM. There will be no fellowship time following the service. THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS FOR Sue Stauffer: We are very grateful that no one was harmed in the fire that devastated Amy’s house. Bob Gerber: Chris came home on Friday and will be coming over for a visit. THE CHURCH PRAYS FOR April Shupe: Keep mom in your prayers, she is having dizzy spells in the mornings. Sue Stauffer: Nate Miller has passed away. Melanie Blauch Archer: Keep Dave in your prayers, his blood is not going through the arteries right and he has developed a cough. THIS WEEK April 2nd Maundy Thursday Supper and Communion Service, 6pm April 4th Happy Birthday, April Shupe April 5th Easter Sonrise Service, 8 am Easter Service, 10 am NEXT WEEK: Minister: Mike Gehman Worship Leader: Bruce Stauffer Head Usher: Herb Torgler LAST WEEK Attendance: 20 Offering: $1140 Change for a dollar: $9.70 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

Lent Five: Complicity and Innocence  First Mennonite Church Sugarcreek, Ohio March 22, 2026 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 “Patient Trust” by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin We are quite naturally impatient in everything to reach the end without delay. We should like to skip the intermediate stages. We are impatient of being on the way to something unknown, something new. And yet it is the law of all progress that it is made by passing through some stages of instability— and that it may take a very long time. ~Gathering~ Prelude Welcome& Announcements Introductory Poem: As we step into Lent, we say “welcome” to the dissonance. “We reserve a space for lament and grief to stay a while and do their work. We release our nice little pictures of perfect selves, perfect faith, perfect world, and look for God in the heartache. We listen for God in discordant melodies and follow Jesus to the cross, though we don’t understand and it doesn’t compute.” As we step into Lent, we say, “welcome” to the dissonance, trusting that God is here, now, in the mystery, before it is resolved. Focus Statement: This week, our attention turns to the cast of characters beyond Jesus at his “trial.” Notice the roles various people play in this horrible moment. We are faced with our dissonance when we feel powerless, complicit, innocent, or accused. Hymn of Dissonance: VT 48 Come, My Way, My Truth, My Life (This hymn was chosen for its dissonant harmonies as well as for the words. Today we will sing all verses.) Call to Worship: All: Welcome Lent— WL: terrible dissonance, as we condemn the Human One. All: Welcome lament and confession WL: as the story comes undone. All: Welcome holy mystery WL: that even this can find a place in the tale of God’s salvation. All: Welcome suffering love and grace. Invocation Hymn of Gathering: HWB 37 Praise to the Lord ~Praising & Praying~ Prayers of the People Confession Poem: All: Jesus, things don’t always turn out the way we expect. Or want. And sometimes your choices (or the choices of our neighbors or family members or politicians) really don’t agree with us. Reader 1: We hate to admit it, but we feel for the angry crowd. In our fury, we too can become so consumed, so focused on who or what we are opposing, that we turn away from the things that matter most. Reader 2: “We have no king but the emperor!” we find ourselves saying. And only after we hear our voice do we realize how distorted our allegiance has become. God, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Ending Prayer Hymn of Praise: HWB 66 O Worship the King ~Hearing God’s Word~ Scripture: John 19:1-16a Message: “ Seeing Jesus, the Suffering, Tortured, Dying One” ~Responding~ Time of Silence and Reflection: You are invited to write your thoughts on the paper provided. After three minutes of quiet reflection, the piano will play a hymn during which the offering plates will be passed into which you will place your papers. Hymn of Response: VT 325 O Sacred Head, Now Wounded (the offering will be collected and brought forth at this time) Offering Prayer ~Sending~ Benediction Sending Hymn: HWB 259 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross Postlude Sending Words WORSHIP 9:30-10:30 Minister: Mike Gehman Worship Leader: Dan Hostetler Pianist: Suzanne Stauffer Song Leader: April Shupe Usher: Leadership Team Lent 2026 – “Dwelling in Dissonance” This Lenten season we are choosing to stay in the uncomfortable, the unsettled or unfinished, the times that grate or jar or disturb and to try not to force those times to come to completion. Just as Jesus endured the trials of Holy Week, we too are committed to wait and to fully experience the dissonance in our lives. The worship services during this season will attempt to help us be more comfortable with the dissonances—as reflected in the altar, the music, in the book of John on which our services will focus, and in those disturbing times in our lives. After the sermon during Lent, there will be a three-minute period where we will be writing our thoughts about one of the questions printed on the bulletin insert. When the three minutes are over, the offering plates will be passed for you to put your paper in the plate to be taken to the altar. Please put your pen on the seat beside you so that we can continue to use them each Sunday in Lent. FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER Mission Project for March: MCC Hygiene Kits Keeping clean is an important part of staying healthy. Families who have fled their homes because of disaster or war often struggle to afford the necessary supplies. Kits also go to schools or orphanages to encourage healthy habits for children. A list of items needed is on the table in the coffee and fellowship area. Fox is having a three-part Biblical event starting tonight at 8 p.m . called The Faithful: Women of the Bible. Each episode follows the journey of five women of faith: Sarah, Hagar, Rebekah, Leah, and Rachel. THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS FOR Mike Keim: Jim Cahill continues to do well. THE CHURCH PRAYS FOR Mike Keim: Chris went into a fib yesterday and needs our prayers. April Shupe: Karissa’s mom fell and broke her shoulder. She had her shoulder replaced. Linda Yoder: Mom had blockage of 95% and had a stint put in. Dan Hostetler: Nate Miller has passed away. THIS WEEK March 23rd Happy Birthday, Craig Maurer UPCOMING EVENTS April 2nd Maundy Thursday Supper and Communion Service, 6pm April 5th Easter Sonrise Service, 8 am Easter Service, 10 am NEXT WEEK: Guest Minister: Darcy Miller Worship Leader: April Shupe Head Usher: Leadership Team LAST WEEK Attendance: 19 Offering: $140 Change for a dollar: $11 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