TLent 1:

Christ Among Us, Repent and Believe

First Mennonite Church

Sugarcreek, Ohio

February 18, 2024

Worship: 9:30-10:30

Fellowship Time: 10:30-11:00

Sunday School: 11:00-12:0

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 “Bist du bei mir” – J.S. Bach arr. by John Carter

Welcome & Announcements

Focus Statement:

Today our theme is “Repent and believe.” Jesus tells us, “The time has come, the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”

Gathering Litany

  Right: We are a covenant people, called to God by God.

    Left: We are a covenant people, called to Jesus by Jesus, losing

             one life to gain our life.

  Right: Renamed.

    Left: Reborn.

      All: Renewed. We gather ourselves in the community of

             believers. We gather ourselves unto you.

Time of Meditation “I Need Thee Every Hour”

                                                                         – arr. Mary McDonald

   Call To Worship: 

     Leader: Teach us your pathways, O God—our eyes and our

souls are trained on you.

     People:  For you are the greatest guide, and your map is

always good.

      Leader: Other paths have left us lost; other ways have left us

confused.

      People: You guide us along the trail of your mercy, drawing

                      sinner and saint down this well-worn way.

            ALL: All your paths are love, made smooth by your

 faithful walking. We are led into your truth by

following the tread of your feet.

   Invocation

   Hymn of Gathering VT 62 God Is Here Among Us

~Praising & Praying~

   Psalm Reading:  Psalm 25:1-10

   Old Testament Reading: Genesis 9:8-17

   Hymn of Praise VT 84 To God Be the Glory

   Prayers of the People

~Hearing God’s Word~

   Scripture: Mark 1: 9-15

   Message: “Packing for the Wilderness”

Time of Introspection (to be read silently)

 God, we come with hesitant steps and uncertain motives

 to sweep out the corners where sin has accumulated,

 and uncover the ways we have strayed from Your truth.

 Expose the empty and barren places where we don’t allow

 you to enter. Reveal our half-hearted struggles where we

  have been indifferent to the suffering of others.

 Nurture the faint stirrings of new life, where your spirit has   

 begun to grow. Let your healing light transform us into the

 image of Your Son. For You alone can bring new life and make

 us whole. (~ posted on Godspace)

Piano Interlude  “Reflection” –arr. Mark Hayes

~Responding~

Prayer of Confession: 

  Leader:  God, on Ash Wednesday, we remembered our

                 humanity, our fragility, our limits, our sinfulness, our

                 need for repentance. Today, we come to you with this

                 fresh on our minds as we continue our Lenten journey.

 People:  Be with us in this wilderness.

 Leader: We so often focus on the difficulty of our walk with

                Christ.

 People: Forgive our self-focused minds.

 Leader:  Forgive us, Lord, when on our journey, we forget your

                extensive, covenantal love for the world.

 People:  May we partner with you and your church to

                 remember.

      ALL: (looking at one another) You are beloved.

Hymn of Response  VT 636 Spirit, Open My Heart

   Offering Prayer

~Sending~

   Sending Hymn ”My Presence Will Go with You” 

                                      (printed in bulletin)  – Joungmin Kim

   Benediction

   Postlude 

   Sending Words

   Visuals: Our journey toward God leads us on a path. We may stray

   from time to time, but God is always with us, gently guiding us back.

   This week’s symbol represents our journey. The brown cloth

    represents our path, and the side-by-side footprints represent those   

   who are mentoring younger Christians. The empty bowl reminds us of

   how God wants to fill us; the roundness of it reminds us of God’s

   never- ending love for each person.