Feb. 16, 2025

First Mennonite Church

Sugarcreek, Ohio

February 16, 2025

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.

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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

~Gathering~

Prelude: “Start A Fire” by Unspoken

Welcome & Announcements

Focus Statement:

Jesus called some of his followers to a life of discipleship and walking with him in faith. Later he expanded this call and taught them what it means to live your life in ways that demonstrate what his kingdom is like and how different it is than the kingdoms of the world. It involved things like being poor in spirit, showing mercy, being pure in heart, and peacemakers, and living as salt and light in a world that needs God. As believers in Jesus Christ, we are called to live our lives today, in ways that show God's love and demonstrate his kingdom to the world around us.

Time of Meditation: “A City on a Hill” by The City Harmonic

Call to Worship:

Leader: The buzz of the world interrupts our lives and fills our

ears

People: Call us into Your way of life, O God

Leader: The complaints of others settle in our mind and cloud

our vision.

People: Lead us into Your vision of life, O God

Leader: The cries of the poor, the oppressed and the outcast

pierce our hearts

People: Guide us in Your example of living for others,

O God

Leader: Fill our hearts, fill our eyes, fill our ears with Your

love, O God.

People: Let us be Your hands and feet in the world, O God.

All: Let us worship You together.

Invocation

Hymn of Gathering: HWB 12 Come, Let Us All Unite to Sing

~Praying & Praising~

Old Testament Reading: Psalm 1

Prayers of the People

Hymn of Praise: This Little Light of Mine

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

The light that shines is the light of love,

lights the darkness from above.

It shines on me and shines on you,

shows what the power of love can do.

I'm gonna shine my light both far and near,

Shine my light both bright and clear,

Where there's a dark corner in this land

I'm gonna let my little light shine!

(repeat chorus)

~Hearing God’s Word~

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-16—The Beatitudes

Leader: When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain;

and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then

he began to speak, and taught them saying:

People: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the

kingdom of heaven.

Leader: Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be

comforted.

People: Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Leader: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for

righteousness, for they will be filled.

People: Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

Leader: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

People: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called

children of God.

Leader: Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’

sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

People: Blessed are you when people revile you, and persecute

you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on

my account.

Leader: Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven,

for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who

were before you.

People: You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste,

how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good

for anything, but is thrown out and trampled

underfoot.

Leader: You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill

cannot be hid.

People: No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel

basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all

in the house.

All: In the same way, let your light shine before others,

so that they may see your good works and give glory

to your Father in heaven.”

Message: “Living Out the Call to Discipleship”

~Responding~

Hymn of Response: HWB 226 You are Salt for the Earth

(the offering will be dedicated at this time)

Offering Prayer

~Sending~

Sending Hymn: HWB 444 Lord I Want to be a Christian

Benediction Prayer

Postlude: “Do Something” by Matthew West

Sending Words

WORSHIP 9:30-10:30

Minister: Mike Gehman

Worship Leader: Kristy Keim

Song Leader: April Shupe

Usher: Mike Keim

In conjunction with our Anabaptist at Five Hundred celebration this year, we would love to have pictures of any community, service and/or peace experiences our church members have experienced over the years. Please give to April or Tabby who will scan them into the computer. You will get them back!

FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER

Mission Project for February: Garaway Power Pack Offering

Once a month, grocery bags full of food are packed at the United Church of Christ in Sugarcreek and handed out to local families in need. Any community member in the Garaway District can sign up to be part of this program and receive one grocery bag full of non-perishable food per month, no questions asked. Please make your check out to FMC and Bruce will send one check at the end of the month.

FMC Annual Congregational Meeting will be held following the worship service on Sunday March 2^nd. Look for your Annual Report booklet in your mailbox soon.

THE CHURH GIVES THANKS

Dan Hostetler: Mom is turning 90 this week and family is gathering to celebrate.

Bertie Showers: Had a nice visit with Dan & Susan, we celebrated his birthday.

CHURCH PRAYS FOR

Mike Gehman: Josh’s wife Erin is having problems with her kidneys.

April Shupe: Nikki Bahler’s mom has passed away.

Dan Hostetler: Friend Kathy Ray has been diagnosed with brain cancer and will have surgery on Tuesday.

Bertie Showers: Safe travels for Bruce & Sue Stauffer.

THIS WEEK

Feb. 20^th Happy Birthday, Mike Gehman

UPCOMING EVENTS

March 2^nd Annual Congregational Meeting following worship