Feb. 9, 2025

First Mennonite Church

Sugarcreek, Ohio

February 9, 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

Welcome & Announcements

Focus Statement:

Jesus called his disciples to leave some of what they knew about fishing, and to obey his words to launch out into the deep to find a greater number of fish. They stepped out in what faith they had and were amazed to see how Jesus provided more fish than they thought possible. Jesus expanded this call and told them they would learn a new thing about calling others to follow Jesus in faith. As believers in Jesus Christ, the call to hear, follow, trust and obey still speaks to those who are listening. How is Jesus still calling us to follow him today?

Time of Meditation

Call to Worship:

Leader: The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent

before him.

People: God is here among us and within us. We await God’s

word.

Leader: God’s greatness fills us with wonder and with awe.

People: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth

is full of his glory.

All: We worship a holy God, who inhabits our world and

lives within us.

Invocation

Hymn of Gathering: HWB 16 God Is Here Among Us

~Praying & Praising~

Scripture: Psalm 138

Leader: I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; before the

“gods” I will sing your praise.

People: I will bow down toward your holy temple and will

praise your name for your unfailing love and your

faithfulness,

Leader: for you have so exalted your solemn decree that it

surpasses your fame.

People: When I called, you answered me; you greatly

emboldened me.

Leader: May all the kings of the earth praise you, Lord, when

they hear what you have decreed.

All: May they sing of the ways of the Lord, for the glory of the

Lord is great.

Leader: Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the

lowly; though lofty, he sees them from afar.

People: Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve

my life.

Leader: You stretch out your hand against the anger of my

foes; with your right hand you save me.

People: The Lord will vindicate me;

All: your love, Lord, endures forever—do not abandon the works

of your hands.

Prayers of the People

Hymn: HWB 59 Sing Praise to God Who Reigns

~Hearing God’s Word~

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

Message: “Hear, Follow, Faith”

~Responding~

Hymn of Response: HWB 544 When We Walk With the Lord

(the offering will be dedicated at this time)

Offering Prayer

~Sending~

Sending Hymn: HWB 505 I Am Thine, O Lord

Benediction Prayer

Postlude

Sending Words

WORSHIP 9:30-10:30

Minister: Mike Gehman

Worship Leader: April Shupe

Song Leader: April Shupe

Guest Pianist: Shirley Homan

Usher: Mike Keim

In conjunction with our Anabaptist Five-Hundred celebration, we would love to have pictures of any 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 February 23^rd. Look for your Annual Report booklet in your mailbox soon.

THE CHURH GIVES THANKS

Bertie Showers: Happy Birthday brother Ken, he is still dealing with a rash.

Mike Gehman: MCC is very thankful for all the kits and support that we provide. Here is the letter we received from them recently:

Greetings in the name of Christ. Thank you for your donation to Mennonite Central Committee which will be used to help those who are suffering around the world. The past year has seen conflicts intensify, wars threaten more people and weather disasters cause devastation around the planet. But your contributions of kits, canned meat and comforters have helped children cope with some of the challenges they face every day. Thank you. Your Contributions for 2024: 16 Comforters, 25 Hygiene Kits, 53 Kit Bags, 27 Sewing Kits, 21 School Kits

CHURCH PRAYS FOR

April Shupe: Barb Taylor has passed away. Prayers for her friends and family.

THIS WEEK

Feb. 10^th Happy Birthday, Bill Flinner

Feb. 12^th Happy Anniversary, Keo & Tanh Sixiengmay

Feb. 16^th Happy Birthday, Nate Miller

UPCOMING EVENTS

Feb. 23^rd Annual Congregational Meeting following worship

March 9^th First Sunday of Lent

NEXT WEEK

Text: Jeremiah 17:5-10; Psalm 1; I Corinthians 15:12-20; Luke 6:17-26

Minister: Mike Gehman