Jan. 12, 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.

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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_____________________

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 Joseph, Mary, 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. 14^th 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