Restoration Is Near

Advent 2:  Prepare the way of the Lord

First Mennonite Church

Sugarcreek, Ohio December 4, 2022

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.

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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                                                                                                                                                   

Restoration Is Near

Advent 2:  Prepare the way of the Lord

~Gathering~

Prelude:  "T'was in the Moon of Wintertime"--Harp Solo by Anne Crosby Gaudet

Welcome & Announcements:

Focus Statement:

In a world where power holds sway, Jesus will judge

differently.  We are called to prepare the way for this new kind

of ruler.  this calls for repentance and truth-telling.

Context Question:  What do you need to clean or discard as you prepare for this different kind of king?

Our Responses:

"I need to remove the clutter from our basement and closets, so that my mind

can be clearer.  I need more order and simplicity.  We also need to meet with Bob

Smith to plan for our deaths.

Do not be anxious over anything but accept all things.  To accept every one and

love one another.  Do not judge.

Newspapers, Christmas catalogs, dust the window sills.

Replace or renew old attributes for new worship ones!  Sincerity."

Time of Meditation: "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring"--arr. Muriel Anderson

Candle-lighting Liturgy:

Leader:  Watch!  You know what time it is.  How it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep.

People:  The night is far gone, the day is near.

Hymn:

"O Come, O Come, Immanuel" Voices Together #210 (vs. 1,2)

Leader:  John the Baptist proclaimed, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."

People:  Prepare the way of the Lord, make God's paths straight.

Hymn:

"O Praise the Gracious Power" Voices Together #87 (vs. 1,2)

Call to Worship:

Leader:  A branch shall come forth from the stump of Jesse, its root shall bear fruit.

People:  May we be ready, O Lord, ready to be fruit bearers of your harvest, bringing forth the fruit of dwelling longing, unity, and peace.

Leader:  Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on us.

People:  Renew our spirit, stand as a banner before us, bright as the morning star.

Leader:  Prepare the way for new life that emerges in and through you, life that ripples out to your people, into all nations.

All:  In you there is glorious rest.

Hymn:

"Spirit of the Living God" Voices Together #740

~Praying & Praising~

A Shepherd Remembers:  Jean Flinner, Tyler Murphy

Christmas Carol:

"Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming" Voices Together #216

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10

Congregational Prayers:

Ending Prayer:

~Hearing God's Word~

New Testament Reading:  Matthew 3:1-12

Message: "Hearing and Doing"--by Mike Gehman

~Response & Sending~

Hymn of Response:

"Come, Thou Long -Expected Jesus" Voices Together #218

(the offering will be brought forward at this time)

Offering Prayer:

Sending Hymn:

"God of Grace and God of Glory" Voices Together #716

Benediction:

Postlude: "Christmas Lullaby"--by Amy Grant

Words of Dismissal:

THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS AND PRAYS FOR                                                                                                                               

For the opportunity to wake up and prepare for the Lord.

Julie Gerber:  Praise for the decorations of the season in the church.  Thanks to many who have participated.

Jean Flinner:  Praise to be in church again after her fall.  Still needs pray for continued healing.

Michele Stein, Bev Keller, Margaret Cheslock

MMN: Cassidy Bush, Anna Lubbers, Rachel Miller and Eli Reimer make up Mennonite Mission Network's San Francisco (California) Mennonite Voluntary Service unit.  Pray for them as they join first Mennonite Church of San Francisco in ministries that work toward reducing poverty and homelessness and promoting social justice, education, and health.

Prayers for Mennonite Education-Bluffton (OH) University:  Please pray for Bluffton students as they complete their last week of regular classes for the fall semester, begin finals and return home for Christmas.  May their minds be sharp and their travels safe.  Shalom Christian Academy, Chambersburg, PA:  Please pray that our Christmas events at various times throughout the month will be encouraging for those who participate and a good reflection of Christmas.

FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER                                                                                                                                           

Next Week's Texts:  Isaiah 35: 1-10; Psalm 146:5-10; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11

Harbor of Hope: This month's items are Spaghetti Sauce and Pasta and is due on December 21st.

December Mission Projects: Harbor of Hope: Spaghetti Sauce & Pasta; White Gift Offering

WORSHIP                                                                                   9:30-10:30                                                                                                   

Greeters:                                                                                                                       Bruce and Sue Stauffer

Minister:                                                                                                                        Mike Gehman

Worship Leader:                                                                                                        April Shupe

Song Leader:                                                                                                               April Shupe

Organist:                                                                                                                       Margaret Cheslock

Pianist:                                                                                                                           Suzanne Stauffer

Head Usher:                                                                                                                 Herb Torgler

THIS WEEK                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Dec.   4th           Second Sunday of Advent

Dec.   7th           Leadership Team Meeting 7:00 p.m.

UPCOMING EVENTS                                                                                                                                                                                       

Dec. 11th           Third Sunday of Advent

Dec. 18th            Fourth Sunday of Advent

Dec. 21st             Harbor of Hope items due: Spaghetti Sauce & Pasta

Dec. 23rd            Senior Breakfast @ Dutch Valley 9:00 a.m.

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

Dec. 25th             Christmas Day: no service today enjoy family time

Dec. 31st              Year-End reports due

Dec. 31st                New Year's Eve

2023

Jan.   1st                1st Sunday after Christmas

Jan.   3rd               Leadership Team Meeting 7:00 p.m.

Jan.   6th               Old Christmas (Epiphany)

Jan.   8th               Epiphany Sunday

Jan. 24th              Harbor of Hope items due: Canned Fruit & Veggies

Jan. 24-27            MCC Meat Canning at Berlin, Ohio

Jan. 26th              Senior Breakfast @ Dutch Valley 9:00 a.m.

Jan. 30th              Homeless Shelter Meal 6:00 p.m.

NEXT WEEK                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Greeters:                                                                                                    April Shupe, Bertie Showers

Guest Minister:                                                                                       Ernie Hershberger

Worship Leader:                                                                                     Julie Gerber

Song Leader:                                                                                            April Shupe

Head Usher:                                                                                              Herb Torgler

CHURCH LEADERSHIP                                                                                                                                                                                   

CHURCH:

Pastor: Mike Gehman

Pastor's Hour's: Wednesday 9:30am-2:30pm   

Secretary: Tally Maust

Phone:  1-330-852-2822

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

Missions Contact:  Reno Stevanus

Trustees Contact:  Dan Hostetler

Secretary Contact:  Amy Stauffer-McNutt