Jan. 25, 2026

January 23, 2026

First Mennonite Church

Sugarcreek, Ohio

January 25, 2026



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

Bearers of the Light


~Gathering~


Prelude: “Be Still, My Soul” -arr. Barbara Boertje

 

Welcome& Announcements

 

Focus Statement: 

Fear is a powerful motivator. People will respond out of fear, will rise up out of fear, will demand change because of fear. The question is, “Are we still being led by fear and those who stoke our fears? Or is it time to find something else upon which to build tomorrow?” There are plenty out there who will itemize the fears we need to embrace. It is the way of the world. And while we live in and embrace the world, we don’t live by the ways of the world. We are called to live differently. We are called to live confidently. We are called to be bearers of the light—the light of hope and confidence, the light of faith and transformation.

 

Time of Meditation: “There Is a Balm in Gilead”

                                                       -arr. Cindy Berry

Call to Worship: 

 Leader: Children of God, when fears press in on every side, we can 

                 proclaim with confidence:

      People: God is our light and salvation! Whom shall we fear?

       Leader: When our problems overwhelm us and we feel

                      pressed in on every side, we can declare with

                      confidence:

       People: God is the stronghold of our lives! Of whom shall

                       we be afraid?

       Leader: No matter the troubles we face, we seek after God

                      and to live in the house of God forever.

       People: God shelters and protects us in the day of trouble. 

       Leader: Come, let us worship God with joy, for God is our

                      light and salvation!

       People: We come to worship as bearers of the Light.

                      Thanks be to God! Amen.

 

Invocation

 

Hymn of Gathering: VT 47 God of Our Strength

 

~Praying & Praising~

   

Old Testament Scripture LitanyPsalm 27:1, 4-9

     Leader: The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I

                    fear? 

     People: The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom

                    shall I be afraid?

     Leader: One thing I asked of the LORD; this I seek: 

           All: to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,

                  to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his

                 temple.  

     Leader: For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; 

     

  People: he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he

                    will set me high on a rock.  

  Leader: Now my head is lifted up above my enemies all around

                me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of

                joy; 

   People: I will sing and make melody to the LORD. Hear,

                 O LORD, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and

                 answer me!

   Leader: "Come," my heart says, "seek his face!" Your face,

                  LORD, do I seek.   

   People: Do not hide your face from me. Do not turn your

                  servant away in anger, you who have been my help. 

         All: Do not cast me off; do not forsake me, O God of my

                 salvation.  

 

Prayers of the People

 

Hymn of Praise: VT 91 We Praise Thee, O God

 

~Hearing God’s Word~


Scripture:   Matthew 4:12-23

 

Message: “Shining Christ’s Light, Following His Call”

 

~Responding~


Hymn of Response: VT 715 Longing For Light

(the offering will be brought forth at this time)

 

Offering Prayer

 

 

Reflection Song: “As the Deer” -arr. Mark Hayes

As the deer panteth for the water, so my soul longeth after Thee.

You alone are my heart's desire, and I long to worship Thee.

You alone are my Strength, my Shield,

To You alone may my spirit yield.

You alone are my heart's desire, and I long to worship Thee.

 

~Sending~

   

Sending Hymn: VT 671 The Hand of God Shall Hold You

 

Benediction Prayer

 

Postlude: “This Little Light of Mine” -arr. Mark Hayes

 

Sending Words

 

WORSHIP                                                               9:30-10:30  

Minister:                                                                          Mike Gehman                                      

Worship Leader:                                                                Kristy Keim

Pianist:                                                                        Suzanne Stauffer

Usher:                                                                                  Monk Yoder   

 

FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER

Mission Project for January: 

Friends of the Homeless of Tuscarawas County

We will be collecting money for this organization in New Philadelphia, which is currently building a new facility called, “Jack’s House of Hope.” It will house 14 men, 13 women, and 4 family units, along with a kitchen and dining room, chapel, conference rooms, offices, and an outdoor play area and courtyard in a protected space. As of March 1st, they have raised 3.4 million dollars in cash, pledges, and in-kind donations; their goal is 5.5 million dollars. Please make your check out to First Mennonite, then Bruce will send one check at the end of the month. 

 

THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS

Bruce Stauffer: Elaine is making progress and will be moved to a rehab in Wooster.

Brad Shupe: April and Bertie made it to Florida, also I have been reemployed as head coach.

 

THE CHURCH PRAYS FOR

Sue Stauffer: Jim Cahill will start his 10 days of chemo. Also, Anna was hospitalized with blood clots in her lungs.

Amy Hostetler: Margaret Cheslock passed away last week.

Tabatha Murphy: Rob and Andrea Fogle has two daughters that are in the hospital with mental health issues.

Helene Torgler: Marla’s friend Lori is battling cancer and will have a stem cell transplant.

Mike Keim: Melonie’s husband Dave is in the ICU with possible sepsis.

 

THIS WEEK

Feb. 1st           Happy Birthday, Bob Gerber

 

NEXT WEEK:      

Minister:                                                                                  Mike Gehman

Worship Leader:                                                                     Helene Torgler

Head Usher:                                                                               Mike Keim

 

LAST WEEK

Attendance:                                                             19

Offering:                                                                   $570

Change for a dollar:                                                $36

Tom & Julie Mauer:                                                $500

Donation for Fellowship Hall:                              $45

 

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


August 7, 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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