Restoration Is Near

Epiphany Sunday

The manifold wisdom of God be made known

First Mennonite Church

Sugarcreek, Ohio January 8, 2023

Worship: 9:30-10:30

Fellowship Time: 10:30-11:00

Sunday School: 11:00-12:00

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                                                                                                   

RESTORATION IS NEAR

EPIPHANY

The manifold of wisdom of God be made known

~Gathering~

Prelude: "Blessed Assurance"--arr. Mason Knapp

Welcome & Announcements:

Focus Statement:

God's restoration is for the whole world.  Through God's grace,

we are merely a small part of the richness of God's works.

Context Question:

Where, beyond your community, do you see God's restoration taking place?

How can you spotlight it and give thanks?

Our Responses:

In the work of MCC, MDS, and Mennonite Mission Network.

In publications from these agencies.

In the effort of our church colleges!  Seminaries

Support and give as well as you can!

Time of Meditation: "Oh, Beautiful Star of Bethlehem"--arr. Adger M. Pace, sung by April Shupe & Mike Gehman

Candle-lighting Hymn:

"As With Gladness Men of Old" Hymnal a Worship Book #218

Call to Worship:

Leader:  O God, by the healing of a star you revealed your only Son in all his glory to the people of the earth.

People:  the manifestation of light and new life, you are Emmanuel, God with us.

Leader:  Guide us into your presence, where we may see your glory face-to-face.

All:  Let all the earth adore you, for you are the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings.  Amen.

Hymn:

"Joy to the World" Hymnal a Worship Book #318

~Praying & Praising~

A Shepherd Remembers: Jean Flinner, Tyler Murphy

Hymn of Praise:

"Hark! the Herald Angels Sing" Hymnal a Worship Book #201

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6

Congregational Prayers:

Ending Prayer:

~Hearing God's Word~

New Testament Reading: Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12

Message: "Keep On Searching"--by Mike Gehman

~Response & Sending~

Special Music:

"In the Bleak Midwinter"--sung by April Shupe & Mike Gehman

(the offering will be brought forward at this time)

Offering Prayer:

Sending Hymn:

"Good Christian Friends, Rejoice" Hymnal a Worship Book #210

Benediction Prayer:

Postlude: "As With Gladness Men of Old"--arr. William Dix

Words of Dismissal:

THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS AND PRAYS FOR                                                                               

For the birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ our deliverer.

Mike Gehman: Praise for a most enjoyable Christmas.  Laura made it home for the Christmas celebration especially with our new granddaughter Ila.

Tabatha Murphy, Suzanne Stauffer, Mary and Mahlon Miller

MMN: Mennonite Mission Network praises God for the 40 SOOP participants who are serving this month in places like Kykotsmovi, Phoenix, and Tucson, Arizona; Gotha, Florida; Americus, Georgia; Meridian, Mississippi; Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania; and San Antonio, Texas.  Pray that they will be instruments of God's justice, peace, and love.

Prayers for Mennonite Education-Dock Mennonite Academy, Lansdale, Pennsylvania: Please pray for traveling mercies for all students leaving and returning to the area as they visit family.  Hinkletown Mennonite School, Ephrata, Pennsylvania: I Thessalonians 5:17 instructs us to, "Pray continually."  As we return the page on a new calendar year, we give thanks for an active mother's prayer group who gathers regularly to pray for the school.  In today's world prayers of protection, wisdom, discernment, and God's favor are desperately needed.  Rockway Mennonite Collegiate, Kitchener, Ontario:  Rockway students will be returning to the classroom after a much-deserved Christmas break tomorrow, January 9.  They will have several weeks before they write their semester one exams at the end of the month.  For many students, this is their first in-person, end-of-semester exam experience.  We pray that the Spirit will keep our grade 9-12 students calm as they review and prepare, alongside their teachers, provide them strength as they study on their own, and instill perseverance as they write their exams.

FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER                                                                                             

Next Week's Texts: Isaiah 63:7-9; Psalm 148; Hebrews 2:10-18; Matthew 2:13-23;

Harbor of Hope: This month's items are Canned Fruit & Veggies and are due on January 25th.

January Mission Projects: MCC Meat Canning, Berlin, Ohio Jan. 24-27; Harbor of Hope: Canned Fruit & Veggies; Homeless shelter Meal 6:00p.m. January 31st.

WORSHIP                                                                      9:30-10:30                                                                 

Greeters:                                                                                                       Lizzie Keim, Keo Sixiengmay

Minister:                                                                                                       Mike Gehman

Worship Leader:                                                                                        Julia Gerber

Song Leader:                                                                                                April Shupe

Organist:                                                                                                       Margaret Cheslock

Pianist:                                                                                                           Suzanne Stauffer

Head Usher:                                                                                                 Monk Yoder

THIS WEEK                                                                                                                                                         

Jan.   8th             Second Sunday after Christmas Epiphany Sunday

Jan. 12th                Joan Lingler has a Birthday

Jan. 14th                Monk Yoder has a Birthday

Jan. 15th             Third Sunday after Christmas

UPCOMING EVENTS                                                                                                                                         

Jan. 25th               Harbor of Hope items due: Canned Fruit & Veggies

Jan. 24-27             MCC Meat Canning, Berlin, Ohio

Jan. 27th               Senior Breakfast @ Dutch Valley 9:00 a.m.

Jan. 30th              Homeless Shelter Meal 6:00 p.m.

Feb.   1st                Leadership Team Meeting 7:00 p.m.

Feb. 14th                  Valentine's Day

Feb. 22nd             Harbor of Hope items due: Cereal

Feb. 22nd             Ash Wednesday

Feb. 24th              Senior Breakfast @ Dutch Valley 9:00 a.m.

Feb. 26th              First Sunday of Lent

March   1st           Leadership Team Meeting 7:00 p.m.

March   5th          Second Sunday of Lent

March 12th          Third Sunday of Lent

March 17th              St. Patrick's Day

March 19th          Fourth Sunday of Lent

March 20th             First Day of Spring

March 22nd        Harbor of Hope items due: Paper Products

March 24th         Senior Breakfast @ Dutch Valley 9:00 a.m.

NEXT WEEK                                                                                                                                                       

Greeters:                                                                               Bruce & Sue Stauffer

Minister:                                                                                Mike Gehman

Worship Leader:                                                                 Bruce Stauffer

Song Leader:                                                                        April Shupe

Head Usher:                                                                         Monk Yoder

CHURCH LEADERSHIP                                                                                                                                 

CHURCH:

Pastor: Mike Gehman

Pastor's Hours: Wednesday 9:30am--2:30pm

Secretary: Tally Maust

Phone: 1-330-852-2822

Email: pastor@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