Jan. 19, 2025

January 17, 2025

Together on the Journey

 

First Mennonite Church

Sugarcreek, Ohio

January 19, 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


Our Journey of Faith

 

~Gathering~


Prelude: 

  “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” - arr. Larry Shackley

  “He Leadeth Me” -arr. Larry Shackley 

 

 

Welcome & Announcements

 

Focus Statement: 

When no one else was tuned in to God, Abraham was tuned in. When no one else was hungering and thirsting for righteousness, Abraham was. At a time when there were many idols, Abraham heard the still small voice of God calling to him. Verse 4 of Genesis 12 says it well: "So Abram went as the Lord had told him." Abraham learned to pay attention to God's call and walk out his journey of faith, building altars of worship to the One True God. These altars of worship helped to remind him of God's plan in times of weakness and doubt.

 

Time of Meditation: “We Walk by Faith and Not by Sight”

                                                        - arr. Rachel Trelstad Porter 

 

   Call to Worship

     Leader: The sacrifice that honours God is a thankful heart.

     People: We lift up our hearts with gratitude, and our voices

                     with praise for all that God has done.

    Leader: Wait upon the Lord who is our help and shield.

    People: We trust in God’s holy name and so we come to

                   worship.

 

   Invocation

     

  Hymn of Gathering: HWB 36 God of Our Strength

 

~Praying & Praising~


   Old Testament:   Genesis 12:1-9

 

   Prayers of the People

 

   Hymn of Praise: HWB 79 Lord, With Devotion We Pray

 

~Hearing God’s Word~


   Scripture: Hebrews 11:8-16

 

   Message: “Perseverance: Keeping Faith and Hope Alive”


~Responding~



 Hymn of Response: HWB 565 My Faith Looks Up to Thee

 

(the offering will be brought forward)

   Offering Prayer

 

~Sending~

Sending Hymn: HWB 357 O Master Let Me Walk With Thee

 

Benediction

 

Postlude: “The God of Abraham Praise” - arr. John Carter

 

Sending Blessing

 

WORSHIP                                                             9:30-10:30  

Minister:                                                                          Mike Gehman

 Worship Leader:                                                                Brad Shupe        

 Song Leader:                                                                     April Shupe

 Pianist:                                                                       Suzanne Stauffer

 Usher:                                                                                 Monk Yoder  

 

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: The visual display left from our Advent through Christmas theme incorporates the lighting of candles on the altar with 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.

     7-Wiley McDowell’s walking stick, on loan to us from Darcy

          Miller: reminds us to lean on and trust God in our times of

           doubt so that we can go forward in our journey of faith

           with strength and confidence. 

 

   Next Sunday, January 26, we will take a special offering to be sent to

   help with relief from the fires in California. Make your check out to   

   FMC and Bruce will send one check to MDS. 


Also, next Sunday will begin our celebration of the 500th anniversary of

Anabaptism. On Jan. 21, 1525, a small group of Christians secretly gathered in Zurich for a worship service. They renounced their baptism as infants and experienced voluntary baptism as adults. In 2025, we as an Anabaptist community, will be commemorating this anniversary through a series of worship services inviting us to look back as we strive to live wholeheartedly into God’s future. They will guide us toward a renewed groundedness in our community’s sacred stories, a renewed trust in yielding ourselves to seek and do God’s will, and a renewed sense of joy and celebration as siblings around Jesus’ table. 

Note: we will be meeting in the Royal Bible Classroom instead of the

sanctuary next Sunday.

 

In conjunction with our Anabaptist 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.   

 

FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER

Mission Project for January: MCC Meat Canning---make your check out to FMC designated meat canning and Bruce will send one check.

End-of-year reports: Please submit your end-of-year summaries to Tabby in the office as soon as possible so she can 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 shows no sign of cancer.

Melanie Blauch Archer: New grandchild has arrived, Knox Alan.

 

CHURCH PRAYS FOR      

Dan Hostetler: Neighbor Arlene Ray’s daughter, Kathy, has brain cancer.

Also, safe travels for the Ashville residents as they travel home.

April Shupe: Stephanie Richter’s mom, Barb Taylor, has a blocked artery and had 80% of her small intestine removed. 

Sue Stauffer: Prayers for the people in California.

Melanie Blauch Archer: Dave is having surgery this week.

 

THIS WEEK

Jan. 24th          Happy Birthday, JoAnne Pyle

 

NEXT  WEEK

Text: I Corinthians 3:11

Minister:                                                                                     Mike Gehman

Worship Leader:                                                                        Bruce Stauffer  

Head Usher:                                                                                   Monk Yoder   

 

 

LAST WEEK

    ATTENDANCE:                                                                      20

    OFFERING:                                                                            $860

    Change for a dollar:                                                        $16

  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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