July 7, 2024

July 5, 2024

We Become What We Behold


First Mennonite Church

Sugarcreek, Ohio

July 7, 2024

 

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

Beholding God’s Transformation In Us

Prelude 

 

Welcome & Announcements

 

Focus Statement:

As we seek to walk out our life of faith in following Christ, our hearts and minds are often drawn away from God’s purpose and plan for us.  God wants us to seek him and his kingdom first, and the righteousness he gives us through Jesus Christ.  We need to remember that God is at work in transforming us, teaching us

to store up treasures in heaven, because it keeps our hearts focused on what is eternal.

 

Time of Meditation: “Jesus Loves Me”

 

Call To Worship: (based on Psalm 146)

 Leader:  Praise God!

 People:  Praise God, O my soul!

 Leader:  We put our hope in God

 People:  who made heaven and earth and sea and all that is in

                     them;

Leader:  who keeps faith forever;

People:  who brings justice for the oppressed,

Leader:  gives food to the hungry,

People:  sets the prisoners free,

Leader:  brings insight to those who don’t understand,

People:  and lifts up those who are bowed down.

All:  Praise God! Praise God, O my soul!

   

Invocation

     

Hymn of Gathering: HWB 41 Come, Thou Almighty King

 

Scripture: Psalm 146

 

Hymn of Praise HWB 37 Praise to the Lord, the Almighty

 

Prayers of the People

 

Hymn HWB 71 Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee

 

Becoming: Taking Hold of Eternal Life

   

Scripture:  I Timothy 6:6-19; Matthew 6:19-21

 

Message: “Where Is Your Treasure?”

 

Hymn of Response: HWB 502 Spirit of God! Descend

(the offering will be brought forward)

Offering Prayer

 

Benediction

Sending Hymn: HWB 343 My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less

Sending Words

     

Postlude

   

 

WORSHIP                                                                           9:30-10:30 

Minister:                                                                        Mike Gehman

Worship Leader:                                                             Tabatha Murphy

Song Leader:                                                                  Doug Winkler

Organist:                                                                 Margaret Cheslock   

Pianist:                                                                          Bonnie Winkler

Head Usher:                                                              Leadership Team     

 

This Week:

o  Restore and refinish something discarded

o  Throw out and let go of things you’ve outgrown

o  Fix something without complaint, but with thanks

 

Thank you to Doug and Bonnie Winkler for sharing their musical gifts with us this morning. They are from the Dalton area. Bonnie is a retired elementary music teacher, and Doug served as a school treasurer before he retired. 

   

 

FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER

Mission Project for July: Tuscarawas County Dress-A-Child

Dress-A-Child has been helping students begin a new school year with   

new clothes for over 50 years. Over the years, their number of

children has exploded, and for many years, the donations have

increased. But it continues to get harder and harder each year. Last

year, they served a total of 2,860 children, but could only provide $31.

worth of clothing. They serve students in grades K-12 whose families

meet the federal poverty guideline and attend school in Tuscarawas

County. One hundred percent of all funds raised go to the clothing

voucher.  Please make your donation out to First Mennonite Church

and designate it for “Dress A Child.” Bruce will send one check to

them at the end of the month. 

 

Harbor of Hope for July: Paper Products

   

Winklepleck Grove Church Service and Picnic will be held on Sunday   

July 14th with the service beginning at 10 AM under the picnic shelter. 

Following the service, we will have a picnic lunch together. Please

bring your own table service and a dish or two to share.  Cups,

lemonade, water and coffee will be provided. 

 

THE CHURH GIVES THANKS

Mike Gehman: Dottie Schrock was in the hospital this past week but is

back at Walnut Hills.

Sue Stauffer: We have guests all the way from Poland visiting us

right now.

Julie Gerber: Pong Sixiengmay is coming home for a visit and will be

coming today.

 

CHURCH PRAYS FOR

Nancy Yoder: Roman is in Union hospital with congested heart failure.

Sue Stauffer: Jim Cahill will start chemo tomorrow, also Deann and Janice Stoner both have cancer.

Bertie Showers: I have some hip pain and will be going to the doctors soon.

Julie Gerber: Let’s keep Jean Flinner and Jocele Meyer in our prayers as they heal.

   

THIS WEEK

July 10th          Happy Birthday, Bertie Showers

July 12th          Happy Anniversary, Nikki & TJ Bahler 

July 12-13th     59th Ohio Mennonite Relief Sale & Auction

July 14th          Winklepleck Grove Church Service & Picnic, 10 am

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

July 18-28th     Mennonite Action Walk for a ceasefire

July 28th          Music Fest at Union Hill Church, 5pm - ?

 

NEXT  WEEK        

Text:  Exodus 16:4-7; Colossians 3:15-17; John 6:30-35; 

Revelation 3:19-20

Minister:                                                                               Mike Gehman

Worship Leader:                                                                        Dan Hostetler

Head Usher:                                                                          Leadership Team

 

LAST WEEK

ATTENDANCE:                                                                         32

OFFERING:                                                                         $1878

Change for a dollar:                                                           $10

My Coins Count:                                                                $650

 

CHURCH LEADERSHIP

Pastor: Mike Gehman

Email: pastor@firstmennonitesugarcreek.com

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

 

Summer Series: Beholding and Becoming

 We are entering the  longest season of the Christian Year, the  Sundays after Pentecost, or what is also called Ordinary Time.  For many, it feels rather ordinary, week after week of the long spring and summer and even into the early fall season. Yet, it could be argued that this season is where our faith gets put to the test, where the church takes the stage and seeks to live out all that has been learned as we show to the world what living in the kingdom looks like. We will begin with the theme, Beholding and Becoming. English poet William Blake may have been the first to say, ‘We become what we behold,’ but in 2 Corinthians, Paul describes true beholding and becoming for us who long to become like Christ:

 

We all with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord,

are being transformed into the same image from one degree

of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the

Spirit. ---2 Corinthians 3:18

 

Here, in the season after Pentecost, we ascribe to God all the glory, all the wonder, all the joy that is within us. By gazing at the nature of God with unveiled minds, we can be more like Him. This is our invitation to you to be transformed this summer, one everyday moment at a time.

 

Note: What are you beholding this summer? Please share pictures of what you are thinking on, meditating on, and/or enjoying seeing the glory of the Lord in. Please send pictures to the church email at 

office@firstmennonitesugarcreek.com, and look for them to be a part of the bulletin board display outside of the office. Please see April or Tabby if you have any questions. 

July 5, 2026

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June 21, 2026

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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

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April 19, 2026

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Easter Three: Astounding News! First Mennonite Church Sugarcreek, Ohio April 19, 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 ~Gathering~ Prelude : "Praise the Lord! Ye Heavens, Adore Him" - arr. Mary McDonald Welcome& Announcements Dedication of MCC Hygiene Kits Focus Statement: The two disciples that were going to Emmaus on the day Jesus arose from the grave were downcast and not sure of what to do after all that happened with Jesus’ death on the cross. They meet a man who joins their discussion and begins to open the Scripture to explain the purpose of these events. Later, they realize it was Jesus who was with them, as he broke bread and gave thanks. What are ways that we can see and experience the resurrected Christ in our lives today? Time of Meditation: "Give Me Jesus" - African-American Spiritual, arr. Anna Laura Page Call to Worship: Leader: Easter people, we gather today as people who spent the week inundated with news reports, social media posts, and reels that overpower us with information, worry, and stress. People: Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we carry the weight of being overwhelmed and anxious, wondering who we can believe. Leader: We gather as people who long for peace, for God to break through and bring us clarity and hope once again. People: Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we don’t always recognize when the Risen One comes alongside us, showing us the way where there seems to be no way. Leader: We gather as people hoping to catch a glimmer of Resurrection, ready for our hearts to burn with the truth of the resurrected Christ. People: Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we open our hearts to the possibility that God’s Resurrection life is closer than we think. Leader: Easter people, God knows the burdens we carry, and God is faithful to meet us where we are with good news. All: May the good news of the Resurrection astound us today as we come to worship God! Amen. Invocation Hymn of Gathering : HWB 13 Blessed Jesus, at Your Word ~Praising & Praying~ Psalm Litany: Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19 Leader: I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. People: Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. Leader: The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came over me; I was overcome by distress and sorrow. People: Then I called on the name of the Lord: What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me? All: I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people. Leader: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants. People: Truly I am your servant, Lord; I serve you just as my mother did; you have freed me from my chains. Leader: I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the Lord. People: I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the house of the Lord— in your midst, Jerusalem. All: Praise the Lord! Hymn of Praise: HWB 100 Praise Him, Praise Him! Prayers of the People Easter Hymn: HWB 281 That Easter Day with Joy was Bright ~Hearing God’s Word~ Scripture Readers Theater: Luke 24: 13-35 (The Message) Message: “Recognizing Jesus” ~Responding~ Hymn of Response: HWB 517 Open My Eyes, That I May See (the offering will be collected and brought forth at this time) Offering Prayer ~Sending~ Sending Hymn: HWB 344 I Will Sing of my Redeemer Benediction Postlude : "Jesus Shall Reign" - arr. Anna Laura Page Sending Words WORSHIP 9:30-10:30 Minister: Mike Gehman Worship Leader: Tabatha Murphy Pianist: Suzanne Stauffer Song Leader: April Shupe Usher: Leadership Team FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER Mission Project for April: After a devastating fire, we have set up a fund to help Amy, Paul, and Gretta Stauffer-McNutt through this difficult time. If you would like to donate, mark your donation for the Amy Stauffer-McNutt fire fund. There is a Celebration of Life for Nathan Miller on Sunday, May 3 rd at Brethren Woods Camp, Pine Grove, 4896 Armentrout Path, Keezletown, VA, 22832 Viola Miller Address: Park Place, Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community, 1285 Shank Drive #336, Harrisonburg, VA 22802 Jeanette Marion: 2716 Fletcher Ave NE, Canton OH 44705 THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS FOR Sue Stauffer: We are going to see the Cahill’s and they might be able to come home a month early. Bob Gerber: Thank you for all the prayers and visits. Dan Hostetler: Roommate from College, Randy, that needs a kidney, might have a match. Kristy Keim: Jaden and Dylan had a beautiful wedding. THIS WEEK April 24 th Happy Birthday, Mary Meyer April 25 th – 26 th 250 Buckeye Train Transportation Celebration (see description below) NEXT WEEK: Minister: Mike Gehman Worship Leader: Helene Torgler Head Usher: Herb Torgler LAST WEEK Sunday Attendance: 17 Offering: $1590 Change for a Dollar: $25 Easter Flowers: $38.75 Memory of Dorothy Schrock: $130 Memory of Gladys Schrock: $100 Memory of Rebecca Dean: $100 250 Buckeye Train Transportation Celebration Come experience an exciting two day showcase of festivities to celebrate Ohio’s rich transportation history in honor of America’s 250 th anniversary. There will be trains arriving/departing, a car show, vintage aircraft flyovers, food, shows and more, all in downtown Dennison. More info available on their website: dennisondepot.org/events/transportation-celebration/ On our front sign: Those who walk with Jesus, will always reach their destination. 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