Feb. 23, 2025

February 21, 2025

Anabaptism 500

Belief One: Scripture Reading



First Mennonite Church

Sugarcreek, Ohio

February 23, 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.

***************************************­

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

 

Introduction to Series on Anabaptist Beliefs:

In 2018, Lisa Weaver and Elizabeth Miller, as part of the Bearing Witness Stories project, wrote a book for children entitled, Let the Children Come to Me: Nurturing Anabaptist Faith Within Families. “The materials gathered together in this book beautifully illustrate the central convictions of the Anabaptist tradition.” (John D. Roth, Director of the Institute for the Study of Global Anabaptism)

 

As residents of Holmes and Tuscarawas counties, oftentimes we each have been asked, “Are Mennonites Amish?” and “What do you believe that’s different from other Protestant denominations?” It’s sometimes hard to come up with an explanation of our faith. Hopefully this series of worship services (that will be spread out through this year of Anabaptism at Five Hundred ) will enable us to answer these questions more accurately. We are basing this series on the abovementioned book. 

 

~Gathering in the Royal Bible Classroom~

(around tables)

 

Welcome & Announcements

 

   Focus Statement: 

   Scriptures are holy writings. For Christians, the Bible is

   Scripture. The  Old Testament tells the story of the people of

   Israel. The New Testament continues the story by describing

   the life of Jesus and the beginnings of the Christian Church. 

   “As followers of Jesus, we take Scripture seriously in defining

   what it means to be a disciple of Christ.” --Iris de Leon-

    Hartshorn

 

   Scripture: Luke 4:16-17a

   When Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up,

   he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his

   custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah

   was given to him. 

 

   Time of Meditation: HWB 567 How Firm A Foundation

                                                  v1,2

 

   Call to Worship: 

       Leader:  In the beginning when it was very quiet, the Word

was with God

             All:  and the Word was God. 

       Leader:  In the beginning when it was very dark, God said,

“Let there be light.”

             All:  and there was light.

       Leader:  When the time was right, God sent the Son;

             All:  Christ came among us and was one of us. 

 

   Invocation

 

   Hymn of Gathering: HWB 314 The Word of God is Solid

                                                                   Ground

 

~Storytelling~

Global Story: Samuel Kakesa, Republic of Congo

                                     –read by Nancy Yoder

 

~Praying & Praising~

Hymn of Praise: VT 420 God of the Bible 

   

Prayers of the People

 

Hymn of Praise: VT 57 Holy Spirit, Come With Power

 

~Storytelling~

 Early Anabaptist Story in Drama:

“The Interrogation: Elizabeth Dirkson, 1549”

Written by Alan Kreider and Eleanor Kreider

--read by Tyler Murphy, Hannah Gehman, Bruce Stauffer,

Helene Torgler, Bob Gerber, Reno Stevanus, Mike Keim

 

~Responding~

Hymn of Response: VT 546 There Is A Line of Women

 

Scripture & Pastoral Remarks: Matthew 25:34-40

 

Offering Prayer

~Sending~

Sending Hymn: VT 570 When We Walk With the Lord

 

Benediction

 

WORSHIP                                                               9:30-10:30  

Minister:                                                                          Mike Gehman

 Worship Leader:                                                          Tabby Murphy       

 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 2nd.  Look for your Annual Report booklet in your mailbox. 

 

THE CHURH GIVES THANKS

Brad and April Shupe: Grandbaby Harvey Albert Wesley Kalb was born on February 17th and weighed in at 7 lbs. 11 oz. to son Casey and wife Karissa. All doing well! 


CHURCH PRAYS FOR       

Lizzie Keim: Sister Mary has cancer in her liver, will be seeing doctor next week.

Mike Gehman: Mom will be moving into a new home.

 

THIS WEEK

Feb. 25th         Happy Birthday, Jackie Agler

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

March 2nd       Annual Congregational Meeting following worship

March 9th       First Sunday of Lent

                       Daylight Savings Time Begins

April 13th        Palm Sunday

April 20th        Easter Sunday

 

NEXT  WEEK 

Minister:                                                                                       Mike Gehman

Worship Leader:                                                                          Dan Hostetler

Head Usher:                                                                           Leadership Team

 

LAST WEEK

 ATTENDANCE:                                                                                      18

 OFFERING:                                                                                               $910

 Change for a dollar:                                                                            $27.5

 Garaway Power Pack:                                                                      $50


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, 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

August 14, 2026
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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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June 6, 2026
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