Jan. 12, 2025

January 11, 2025

Together on a Journey

 

First Mennonite Church

Sugarcreek, Ohio

January 12, 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_____________________

The Journey Continues…

 

~Gathering~

Prelude: "Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine" - arr. Mark Hayes

 

Welcome & Announcements

 

Focus Statement: 

After the visit of the Magi to worship and bring gifts to the newborn Messiah, the lives of Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus were uprooted and changed in moment’s notice. They were led by God as refugees into the land of Egypt through an angelic dream given to Joseph. God’s presence, care and protection were guiding them in this journey, as they left their home to go to a new country. Sometimes our journey of faith is met with unexpected turns and events, and we often see in retrospect the evidence of God’s providential care, presence and guidance. 

 

Time of Meditation: "Abide with Me" - arr. Joshua Evanovich

 

Call to Worship

 Leader: Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the

                Lord glory and strength. 

 

     People: Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name; worship

                    the Lord in holy splendor. 

     Leader: The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.

     People: The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness.

     Leader: The voice of the Lord causes the oaks to whirl, and

                    strips the forest bare; and in his temple all say, ‘Glory!’

     People: May the Lord give strength to his people!

            All: May the Lord bless his people with peace! AMEN. 

 

   Invocation: 

     

  Hymn of Gathering: HWB 651 I Owe the Lord a Morning Song

 

   Candle Lighting:

   Reading –

            (Christ candles are lit)

   Reader One: Now is the moment, let us prepare our hearts.

   Together w/Congregation: In our words, in our hearts, in all we

                                                   say and do—may God’s extravagant

                                                   love shine through. 

   

  Hymn of Praise: HWB 59 Sing Praise to God Who Reigns

 

~Praying & Praising~

   Old Testament: Psalm 27:1-8

      The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?
     The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be

          afraid?

     

 When the wicked advance against me to devour me,
  it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall.
 Though an army besiege me,

 my heart will not fear;
 though war break out against me,

 even then I will be confident.

 One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek:
 that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
   to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his

   temple.
 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
 he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high

    upon a rock.

  Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround

     me;
 at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will

     sing and make music to the Lord.

  Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer

     me.
 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will

     seek.

 

Prayers of the People

   

Hymn: HWB 121 Holy God, We Praise Thy Name

 

~Hearing God’s Word~

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23

 

Message: “Providence, Guidance, Presence” 

~Responding~

 Hymn of Response: HWB 328 O God, Our Help In Ages Past

(the offering will be brought forward)

   Offering Prayer

~Sending~

   Sending Hymn: HWB 419 Lead On, O Cloud of Presence

 

   Benediction

 

   Postlude: "Shepherd Me, O God" - arr. Mark Hayes (VT 744)

"Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants,

beyond my fears, from death into life."

   Sending Blessing

 

WORSHIP                                                             9:30-10:30  

Minister:                                                                          Mike Gehman

 Worship Leader:                                                          Tabby Murphy          

 Song Leader:                                                                     April Shupe

 Pianist:                                                                       Suzanne Stauffer

 Usher:                                                                                 Monk Yoder  

 

*Cover Art: The Flight into Egypt is a 1627 oil painting on panel by Rembrandt, now in the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Tours, which depicts the Flight into Egypt by JosephMary, and Jesus.

 

Our Advent Theme: Together on a Journey

Sing the Journey, one of our Mennonite songbooks, evokes     

wonderful images of voices blending in praise as we travel

together on a path toward a deeper understanding of faith. The

road can be smooth for stretches, but also includes rough patches that may challenge or discourage. Its course is not set; if we are attentive, we may notice God’s guiding hand redirecting us. Each of our journeys in faith is unique but meant to be lived in community. Together, let’s join our voices as we travel the path that draws us closer to God.

 

Advent Altar Display: This year’s visual display incorporates both the traditional Advent Wreath candlelighting, and the lighting of candles on the altar which corresponds to the theme of the day. You may have noticed that the purple cloth “path” has been moving across the altar a little each week, and a symbol representing the theme for each Sunday of advent has been added—

1-    A rock: Our path may meander through rocky situations, but we will hold Christ as our center as we journey together. 

2-    A heart: We open our hearts to receive the Spirit to become more like our loving God. 

3-    A frayed cloth: Give us eyes to notice those on the fringes and extend our boundaries, inviting all to become woven into our communities. 

4-    A multi-colored cloth and hikers: With Christ as our center, we join hands with others, walking together on the journey.

5-    A mirror: Let us share our own journey—shout it aloud for everyone to hear! Invite others on this journey as we live out the good news of Jesus Christ! 

     6 - A plant and a piece of wood showing growth rings: 

Like a tree, may we grow in faith and wisdom with roots

            spreading deep to provide grounding, and rings of

            growth showing our continued learning.

 

FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER

End-of-year reports: Please submit your end-of-year summaries to Tabby in the office as soon as possible so she can begin to prepare the Congregational Report. 

 

Mennonite Arts Weekend:  Join us at Mennonite Arts Weekend, February 7-9, 2025, in Cincinnati, Ohio. This weekend celebrates the creativity and discipline of Anabaptist Mennonite artists. Presentations by musicians, visual artists, writers, and craftspeople start on Friday evening and conclude with Sunday morning worship. Activities and workshops designed specifically for Pre-K children through high school are planned throughout the weekend. A nursery will be available. Find

the list of presenters and registration and location information at

https://mennoniteartsweekend.org.

 

THE CHURH GIVES THANKS

Sue Stauffer: Jim Cahill is at hope lodge and is doing well.

Bertie Showers: Thankful to have Larry Compton today.

 

CHURCH PRAYS FOR       

Sue Stauffer: Bill Alexander and family went with Amy & Gretta to Camp Friedenswald; while there, he broke his ankle and is having trouble getting home.

Mike Gehman: Friend will need to have surgery.

Kristy Keim: Daughter-in-law lost a great aunt and has an aunt in the hospital.

 

THIS WEEK

Jan. 14th          Happy Birthday, Monk Yoder

 

NEXT  WEEK  

Text: : Genesis 12:1-9; Psalm 71:1-6; Hebrews 11:8-16

Minister:                                                                                     Mike Gehman

Worship Leader:                                                                            Brad Shupe

Head Usher:                                                                                   Monk Yoder   

 

LAST WEEK

    ATTENDANCE:                                                                      25

    OFFERING:                                                                            $2033

    Change for a dollar:                                                        $5.71

    Memory of Julia Gerber:                                                $50

    White Gift:                                                                      $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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