Jan. 5, 2025

Epiphany 2025

Together on a Journey

First Mennonite Church

Sugarcreek, Ohio

January 5, 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

Nurturing Faith—From whom do we learn?

~Gathering~

Prelude: “We Three Kings of Orient Are”

– arr. Becki Slagle Mayo

Welcome & Announcements

Focus Statement:

God provides spaces for us to ask questions; God provides mentors and teachers along the way to help us grow in wisdom and faith. Where do we go to learn and be challenged? How do we nurture growth in others? As we finish our Advent to Epiphany worship series, today we are focusing on two Journey stories with the same theme. Just as the Wise Men and Jesus both sought to learn and to follow their calling, we too need to follow our stars or lights. We need to learn to “say yes” if possible (Ed Diller in his Journey talk).

Time of Meditation: “The First Noel” – arr. John Carter

Call to Worship: VT 440 Ask the Complicated Questions -read by Nancy Yoder

(please follow along with the words while Nancy reads)

Invocation: (based on Luke 2:41-52)

Leader: Jesus, grant that we may learn from you as long as we

live,

People: that we would mature in wisdom and years.

Leader: Just as you listened and questioned, grant us humility.

People: that we would sit among the teachers.

Leader: We look to you, Emmanuel,

ALL: Jesus, teach us how to learn. Amen.

Hymn of Gathering: VT 714 Let There Be Light

Candle Lighting Litany:

Reading: Dan and Amy Hostetler

Song: “Eternal Light, Shine In My Heart” (VT 554)

(Christ candles are lit)

Together: 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.

Hymn: VT 514 I Saw a Tree by the Riverside

(vs. 1 – sung by April and Mike)

~Praying & Praising~

New Testament Scriptures:

Matthew 2:1-1 (read by Bruce Stauffer)

Luke 2:41-52

Prayers of the People

Hymn: VT 554 Eternal Light, Shine in My Heart

~Hearing God’s Word~

Old Testament Scripture: Psalm 121

Journey Story: “Journey to and on Mt. Everest”

– Larry Compton

~Responding~

Hymn of Response: VT 9 Come Away from Rush and Hurry

(the offering will be brought forward)

Offering Prayer

~Sending~

Sending Hymn: VT 830 Go, My Children (vs. 1,3)

Benediction

Postlude: “As With Gladness Men of Old” – arr. Larry Shackley

Sending Blessing

WORSHIP 9:30-10:30

Guest Speaker: Larry Compton

Worship Leader: Dan Hostetler

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: 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!

Today - 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

Christmas Fun: Can you spot the hikers? As we have celebrated Christmas, the hikers have arrived at the altar!

Thank you to Larry Compton for sharing his journey story with us this morning. He and his wife Debbie live in Sugarcreek. A graduate of Indian Valley South High School and Kent State University, he served over forty years as a teacher, coach, and principal in the Garaway School District. His love of nature and the great outdoors has led him on numerous extraordinary adventures. Even though he has been a lifelong resident of Tuscarawas County, he has pitched his tent in many unique and wonderful places around the world.

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: Registration is open for the 2025

Mennonite Arts Weekend in Cincinnati, Ohio, February 7-9. This

weekend celebrates the creativity and discipline of Anabaptist

Mennonite artists. Find the list of presenters, registration and location

information at https://mennoniteartsweekend.org

THE CHURH GIVES THANKS

Bertie Showers: Brother Ken’s scabies are clearing up and he was able to spend Christmas with the lady that use to take care of him.

Melanie Blauch Archer: We will be welcoming a new grandchild.

CHURCH PRAYS FOR

Melanie Blauch Archer: Dave was brought home but will need to have a surgery.

THIS WEEK

Jan. 12^th Happy Birthday, Joan Lingler