June 1, 2025

First Mennonite Church

Sugarcreek, Ohio

June 1, 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

~Gathering~

Prelude: “The Heavens Declare His Glory” -Beethoven

Welcome& Announcements

Focus Statement:

Part of Jesus' prayer for his disciples in John 17 was that they would be one, just as he was one with the Father. In this future community for which Jesus is praying, oneness does not mean sameness, but it does mean "love" among the different

members. This commandment to love one another is based on the love between the Father and the Son. "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love." As followers of Christ today, how can we live in love and be one in the Spirit, as Jesus prayed?

Time of Meditation: “Sweet By and By”

–arr. Joseph P. Webster

Call to Worship: (based on Psalm 1 and John 17)

Leader: I tell you this: It is a wonderful thing when members of

the family live together in love and peace.

People: They shall be like trees planted beside flowing rivers.

Leader: May the church be one, just as Christ and God are

one, that Christ may be glorified in us.

People: They shall yield good fruit in its season, and their

leaf shall never wither.

Leader: The grace, mercy and peace, of the Lord Jesus, be

with you all.

People: And also with you.

Invocation

Hymn of Gathering: HWB 12 Come Let Us All Unite to Sing

~Praying & Praising~

Old Testament Reading: Psalm 97:1-6, 9-12

Leader: The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant

shores rejoice.

People: Clouds and thick darkness surround him;

righteousness and justice are the foundation of his

throne.

Leader: Fire goes before him and consumes his foes on every

side. His lightning lights up the world; the earth

sees and trembles.

People: The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,

before the Lord of all the earth.

All: The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all

peoples see his glory.

Leader: For you, Lord, are the Most High over all the earth;

you are exalted far above all gods.

People: Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards

the lives of his faithful one and delivers them from

the hand of the wicked.

Leader: Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in

heart.

All: Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous, and praise

his holy name.

Prayers of the People

Hymn of Praise: HWB 117 Fairest Lord Jesus

~Hearing God’s Word~

Scripture: John 17:20-26

Message: “Are We One in the Spirit? Are We One in the Lord?

~Responding~

Hymn of Response: HWB 420 Heart with Loving Heart United

Offering Prayer

~Sending~

Hymn: HWB 421 Bless’d Be the Tie That Binds v1, 3, 4

Benediction

Sending Song: We Are One in the Spirit

We are One in The Spirit,
We are One in The Lord.
We are One in The Spirit,
We are One in The Lord.
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored.

And they'll know we are Christians

by our love, by our love.

Yes they'll know we are Christians by our love.

Postlude: “How Firm A Foundation” –arr. Ethel Trench Rogers

Sending Words

WORSHIP 9:30-10:30

Minister: Mike Gehman

Worship Leader: Bruce Stauffer

Guest Pianist: Shirley Homan

Usher: Mike Keim

Our On-Going Series on Anabaptist Beliefs:

In conjunction with our Anabaptist at Five Hundred celebration this year, we would love to have pictures of any community, service and/or peace experiences our church members have experienced over the years. Please give to April or Tabby who will scan them into the computer. You will get them back!

FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER

Mission Project #1 for June/July: Dress A Child

As one school year ends, this program looks forward to the new 2025-26 school year. Giving our students who attend school in Tuscarawas County a fresh new set of clothes to begin the year is a wonderful blessing. Dress A Child raises money to serve the children in our county whose families meet the federal poverty guidelines. Last year, they were able to give 980 children $85.00 worth of new clothing! Make checks payable to First Mennonite, and one check will be sent at the end of the month from our church to Dress A Child. Thank you!

“Life is good when you are happy; but much better when

others are happy because of you.” -Pope Francis

Mission Project #2 for June/July: MCC My Coins Count

Each year, spare change (and bills!) collected by families and churches adds up to more than $600,000 toward MCC’s work around the world. Your coins count! When you give to MCC, you’re sending hope to families in the form of food, water or education. We will collect through the last Sunday of June. Drop your coins, bills and/or checks in the breadbasket on the table in the rear of the sanctuary. Make checks payable to First Mennonite, and Buce will send one check from our church to the MCC Ohio Relief Sale held in Mt. Hope on July 11^th-12^th.

Note: Bertie Showers has a new phone number: 330-852-5147.

THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS

Bruce Stauffer: Sue will be flying this week to Zurich.

THE CHURCH PRAYS FOR

Tabatha Murphy: Bill Flinner will be having bladder cancer surgery on Thursday at Mercy Medical Center. Also, Jean Flinner is having problems with her heart and her legs and feet are swelling.

Helene Torgler: Good Friend of Marla’s has been battling cancer; their white blood count is low.

Lizzie Keim: Sarah’s breast cancer has returned and has spread everywhere.

Sue Stauffer: A delegation from Mennonite Action will be going to Gaza.

THIS WEEK

June 5^th Happy Birthday, Khammoune Phoutarath

NEXT WEEK

Text for Pentecost: Acts 2:1-4; Galatians 4:1-7; Galatians 5:16-26

Minister: Mike Gehman Worship Leader: Helene Torgler Head Usher: Mike Keim

UPCOMING EVENTS:

June 6^th – 7^th Fabulous Fifties Fling Downtown Sugarcreek

June 8^th Pentecost Sunday (wear your red and orange!)

June 13^th 29^th Annual Beachy’s Ham and Chicken Buffet benefiting