Jan. 5, 2025

January 4, 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.

***************************************­

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


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. 12th          Happy Birthday, Joan Lingler

 

NEXT  WEEK

   Epiphany One Text:  Isaiah 43:1-7; Matthew 2:12-18

   Minister:                                                                                  Mike Gehman

   Worship Leader:                                                                      Tabby Snyder

   Head Usher:                                                                               Monk Yoder   


LAST WEEK

    ATTENDANCE:                                                                      21

    OFFERING:                                                                            $888

    Change for a dollar:                                                        $3.56


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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