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__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Seeing the Glory

(Transfiguration Sunday)

"Love Never Ends:  Being the Body of Christ"

Prelude:  "When Morning Gilds the Skies"--arr. Mark Hayes

Welcome & Announcements:

Focus:  This is the hinge between the Ordinary Time or season after the Epiphany and the penitential season of Lent.  This is the moment that prepares us for that journey, even as it steeled Christ for the path of suffering.  Therefore, it is a day of declaration, when we, once again, claim Jesus Christ as our Lord.  We see him as he is, in a way, in this moment of Transfiguration.  The glory is revealed in a visible way in this mountaintop moment.  We don't have to fully understand all that might be happening here, but we do have to look in awe and wonder at the glory of our God.  It is a day of celebration before a season of denial.

~Gathering~

Lighting of the Candles:

Time of Meditation:  "Holy, Holy, Holy"--arr. Marilyn Ham

Call to Worship:

WL:  We come together today in awe and wonder before the God we worship.

People:  We also come burdened down with the worries of the world and the struggles of our individual lives.

WL:  But in the midst of the worries and the struggles is God, our radiant source of love and hope

People:  We worship together today in awe and wonder to worship the God who transforms our lives.

Prayer:

WL:  Oh Lord, You call us to go to the mountain top with you and we follow, not quite sure of what is to happen, but we like mountain tops, we like the view from up here, we like mountain top experiences.

People:  Lord, sometimes we need mountain top experiences with you when our days are dark and dreary when our hearts are heavy, when the valleys seem more depressing than ever.

WL:  Lord, may this mountain top experience fill our hearts with your light, may we be filled with your love, may we be filled with hope.

People:  Lord, just as Moses and your disciples were changed by their experiences we too are changed and transformed into the image of Christ by your mercy.  Lord, may we have unveiled faces that reflect your love, your hope, and your light.

Hymns of Gathering:

"Holy God, We Praise Thy Name" Hymnal a Worship Book #120 (vs. 1,2,4)

"Crown Him with Many Crowns" Hymnal a Worship Book #116 (vs. 1,4,5)

~Prayer & Praising~

Congregational Prayers and Praise:

Joint Prayer:

WL:  Holy and loving God--whose nature and ways are far beyond our understanding, we thank you for the gift of your Son Jesus--who lets us see your face in his, who shows us your love in his actions, your grace in his manner of being.  In him too, O God, we see ourselves as you would have us be and as your power is able to make us.  Make us more like him now, we pray. . .

People:  Lord, hear our prayer. . .

WL:  Lord--we often find ourselves weary, tired out by a load of care, a heap of responsibility and concern.  We hunger and thirst, and often fail to stop to eat and drink at the table you have prepared for us.  Lord, we are here now--and we ask you--grant us a glimpse of your glory--fill us with your spirit--refresh us and make us new.. . .

People:  Lord, hear our prayer. . .

WL:  Loving God, we pray that your glory may fill your church and give to your people everywhere the energy to shine wherever there is darkness, disunity, persecution, or despair. . .

People:  Lord, hear our prayer. . .

WL:  Father, we pray for those we named i our sharing time and for all those whose names are upon our hearts.  Grant to them health and wholeness, peace and joy, strength and hope. . . We remember before you:

People:  Lord, hear our prayer. . .

WL:  Give us all, O Lord, a greater love of your holiness, a greater delight in your mystery, and a greater joy in seeking your presence.  We ask it through Christ Jesus, who revealed your will to us and who taught us to pray to you as one family, saying,

People:  "Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.  Thy kingdom come,  Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.  For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen."

Scriptures:  Exodus 34:29-35; Luke 9:28-36 (two readers--Bruce and Sue Stauffer)

Hymn of Response:

"Fairest Lord Jesus" Hymnal a Worship Book #117 (vs. 1-4)

~Hearing God's Word~

Scripture: Selected phrases from Psalm 99

Leader:  The Lord is king!

People:  The Lord is mighty!

Leader:  Everyone praise his great and majestic name.

People:  The Lord id the Holy One!

Leader:  Mighty king, you love what is right.

People:  You have brought righteousness and fairness.

Leader:  Praise the Lord, our God.

All:  The Lord is Holy!

Message:

~Response and Sending~

Hymn of Response:

"Christ, Whose Glory Dills the Skies" Hymnal a Worship Book #216

Offering Prayer:

Sending Hymn:

"To God Be the Glory" Hymnal a Worship Book #102

Benediction:

Postlude: "Praise the Lord, You Heavens Adore Him!"--arr. Mary McDonald

Words of Dismissal:

THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS AND PRAYS FOR_________________________________________________________________________________________

For Darcy Miller's message

Ray Miller

Ron Elliott

the community of Carrollton

Bertie Showers

Bill Flinner

MMN: Mennonite Mission Network, with more than a dozen partners, realized a long-held dream in 221--to make Anabaptist theological resources available in the French language.  Praise God for the launch of this program with free monthly online webinars offered by the le Centre de Formation a la Justice et a la Paix (Justice and Peace Training Center), and pray for its continued development.

Prayers for Mennonite Education-Bluffton (OH) University: Please pray for Bluffton University and our alumni this week as we recognize the 15th anniversary of the 2007 baseball team bus accident in Atlanta, GA.  The 2007 team and campus community demonstrated remarkable courage and strength in responding to the accident including completing the 2007 baseball season under difficult circumstances.  Please hold the team member, families and friends who lost loved one in prayer.

FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Next Week's Texts: Deuteronomy 26:1-11; Psalm 91:1-2 9-16; Luke 4:1-13; Romans 10:8b-13

Harbor of Hope: This month's items are Paper Products and are due on March 23rd

Mission Project for March: Harbor of Hope: Paper products; MCC Hygiene Kits; Garaway Power Packs collection.

Easter Flowers: The sign-up sheets are on the mailbox table to purchase for Easter Flowers this year.  Tulips, Hyacinths, Daffodils are $7.80 each and Lilies are $9.5 each.

WORSHIP                                                                                                                                       9:30-10;:30______________________________________________________________

Greeters:                                                                                                                                                                Bruce & Sue Stauffer

Minister:                                                                                                                                                                Mike Gehman

Worship Leader:                                                                                                                                             Bruce Stauffer

Song Leader:                                                                                                                                                        April Shupe

Organist:                                                                                                                                                                Margaret Cheslock

Pianist:                                                                                                                                                                    Suzanne Stauffer 

Head Usher:                                                                                                                                                        Mike Keim

THIS WEEK_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

March   1st          Shrove Tuesday

March   2nd       Ash Wednesday

March   2nd       Leadership Team Meeting 7 p.m.

March   6th        First Sunday of Lent

UPCOMING EVENTS____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

March 23rd         Harbor of Hope items due: Paper Products

March 25th          Senior Breakfast @ Dutch Valley 9:00 a.m.

March 29th          Homeless Shelter Meal 6:00 p.m.

April   6th               Leadership Team Meeting 7:00 p.m.

April 10th               Palm Sunday

April 14th               Maundy Thursday

April 15th               Good Friday

April 16th               Holy Saturday

April 17th               Easter Sunday

April 22-23            Ohio MCC Comforter Bash

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

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

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

May   8th                 Mother's Day

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

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

May 30th                Memorial Day

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

NEXT WEEK____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Greeters:                                                                                                                                                 Tyler & Jaden Murphy

Minister:                                                                                                                                                 Mike Gehman

Worship Leader:                                                                                                                               April Shupe

Song Leader:                                                                                                                                         April Shupe

Head Usher:                                                                                                                                          Leadership Team

CONGREGATIONAL LEADERSHIP______________________________________________________________________________________________________

CHURCH:

Pastor: Mike Gehman

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

Secretary: Tally Maust

Phone: 1-330-852-2822

Email: pastor@firstmennonitesugarcreek.com

Website: http//fmcsugarcreek.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