Seeking God's Ways

Easter Sunday:

From Certainty to Openness

First Mennonite Church

Sugarcreek, Ohio April 17, 2022

Worship: 10:00-11:00

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Seeking God's Ways

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are

your ways my ways, says the LORD." --Isaiah 55:8

Easter:  From Certainty to Openness

Prelude: "Open the Gates to the Temple"  arr. Knapp

Welcome & Announcements:

Focus:  "As we seek God's way, we move from the confidence of

knowing how things are to the unsettling openness of realizing

God's ways are beyond what we can imagine.

~Gathering~

Time of Meditation:  "Praise Him, Praise Him!"  arr. Allen

Call to Worship:

Leader:  Together we seek the way of God.

Group 1 (pulpit side):  the generous,

Group 2 (lectern side):  compassionate,

Group 1 (pulpit side):  grace-filled,

Group 2 (lectern side):  inclusive,

Group 1 (pulpit side):  abundant,

Group 2 (lectern side):  powerful,

Group 1 (pulpit side):  unsettling,

All:  way of God.

Leader:  On this day that God has made, may our hearts be open to the good news:  Christ is not here, for he is risen.

All:  Jesus Christ is risen indeed!

Leader:  Spring is risen!

People:  Spring is risen indeed!

Leader:  Hope is risen!

People: Hope is risen indeed!

Leader:  Christ is risen!

All:  Alleluia!  Christ is risen indeed!

Invocation:

Hymns of Gathering:

"Christ the Lord Is Risen Today" Hymnal a Worship Book #280

"Lift Your Glad Voices" Hymnal a Worship Book #275

~Prayer & Praise~

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 65:17; Psalm 118:1-2, 19-24

Congregational Prayers/ Sharing Our Joys & Concerns:

Prayer:

Hymn of Praise:

"That Easter Day with Joy Was Bright" Hymnal a Worship Book #281

~Hearing God's Word~

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Message:  "Remember and Tell"  by Mike Gehman

~Response & Sending~

Responsive Reading:

Leader:  We celebrate the resurrected Jesus, who lives among us,

People:  whose Spirit empowers us to remove barriers, tear down walls, heal division, and seek shalom without and within.

Leader:  We celebrate the resurrected Jesus, who lives among us,

People:  whose Spirit empowers us to see our sister's good as our own, to be our brother's advocate, to love our neighbor as ourselves, and to contribute to the well-being of every part of Christ's body,

All:  so that indeed we can build us, and grow up, and be joined together into a new structure:  where Christ's Spirit dwells, where Christ's Spirit empowers us to be shalom-seekers, shalom-finders, and shalom-makers!

Hymn of Response:

"Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain" Hymnal a Worship Book #264

(the offering will be brought forward at this time)

Offering Prayer:

Dedication of MCC Relief, Hygiene, and School Kits:

   (by the FMC Peace, Justice, and Service Committee)

April:  We ae gathered together this joyous Easter morning with our offering of gifts of MCC School kits compiled by Amy and her students,  the 26 hygiene kits we made last month, and 8 relief kits to be distributed to places where disasters have occurred, people are on the move, and where basic resources have grown scarce.  We wish to help alleviate the suffering in the world as our response to you by sending your son to save.  As we dedicate these gifts, let us join in prayer,

Julie:  God of earthquake, wind, flood, and fire; God of those who wage war and those who are victims of war; may those who have suffered in disasters find refuge in you.  Help them in their distress to trust in your mercy which never ends.

People:  God of compassion, hear our prayer.

Tally:  We pray for those who are afflicted by powers for beyond their control, who are grieving and afraid and who are vulnerable to further loss.  May you speed to them relief, and strengthen them to face the challenges before them.

People:  God who loves all people, hear our prayer.

April:  We urgently pray this day for families across our world who have been injured or displaced by disasters of all kinds, be they natural or man-made.  We pray for families around the world seeking to rebuild their lives.  We pray for those in areas of conflict and war.

People:  God who desires wholeness and safety for all, hear our prayer.

Julie:  May you strengthen those who are responding to crises and are engaged in the work of disaster relief, providing food and shelter, clothing or transportation to those in peril.

People:  God who gives thrength and courage, generous and open hearts, hear our prayer.

Tally:  May the kits we offer today contribute to your sacred work, and may those who receive these kits sense your loving kindness and find healing and hope.

People:  God of healing and hope, renew us in hope and service as we offer our gifts and our lives to you.

All:  AMEN

Sending Hymn:

"Christ Is Alive" Sing the Story #89

Sending Words: 

Postlude: "Christ the Lord is Risen Today"  arr. Wesley

Words of Dismissal:

THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS AND PRAYS FOR                                                                                                                                                                         

For a beautiful Palm Sunday Service.

For having a visit from Nate & Vi Miller from Virginia, also Rain Campbell

Gene Miller, Betty Miller, Earl Shutt and family, Michele Stein (Blauch), the people of Ukraine,

MMN: On this Easter Sunday, join Mennonite Mission Network's 161 workers and 116 partners organizations throughout the United States and in 47 countries around the world in proclaiming the message of Jesus' resurrection power and love to those you encounter.  Pray that each of God's children will be a faithful witness.

Prayers for Mennonite Education-Lancaster (PA) Mennonite School: Pray that all Lancaster Mennonite students, faulty, and staff can relax and enjoy the Easter break as they celebrate Christ's resurrection.  Pray that they return renewed and ready to finish strong for this academic year.  Quakertown (PA) Christian School:  We rejoice in the life our Risen Lord has given us all.

FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER                                                                                                                                                                                     

Next Week's Texts:  Acts 5:27-32 (32); Psalm 118 or Psalm 150; Revelation 1:4-8; John 20:19-31

Harbor of Hope: This month's items are Spaghetti Sauce & Pasta and are due on April 27th.

Mission Projects for April: MCC Relief Kits; Harbor of Hope: Spaghetti Sauce & Pasta; Collection for Released Time Education.

WORSHIP                                                                                             10:00-11:00                                                                                                                                   

Greeters:                                                                                                Herb & Helene Torgler

Minister:                                                                                                Mike Gehman

Worship Leader:                                                                                Bruce Stauffer

Song Leader:                                                                                        April Shupe

Organist:                                                                                               Margaret Cheslock

Pianist:                                                                                                   Suzanne Stauffer

Head Usher:                                                                                         Herb Torgler

THIS WEEK                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

April 18           Wayne Schrock has a Birthday

April 22-23    Ohio MCC Comforter Bash

UPCOMING EVENTS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

April 27          Harbor of Hope items due:  Spaghetti Sauce & Pasta

April 29          Senior Breakfast @ Dutch Valley 9:00 a.m.

May   4            Leadership Team Meeting 7:00 p.m.

May   8            Mother's Day

May 25            Harbor of Hope items due: Laundry & Cleaning Supplies

May 27            Senior Breakfast @ Dutch Valley 9:00 a.m.

May 30              Memorial Day

May 31             Homeless Shelter Meal 6:00 p.m.

NEXT WEEK                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Greeters:                                                                                        Lizzie Keim, Keo Sixiengmay

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 9:30 am - 2:30 pm

Secretary:  Tally Maust

Phone:  1-330-852-2822

Email:  pastor@firstmennonitesugarcreek.com

Website:  http//fmcsugarcreekoh.org

Address:

113 W. Main St.    P.O. Bos 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