January 8, 2023

Tally Maust • January 6, 2023

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.

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

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                                                                                                   


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

             




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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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