Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ June 12, 2022
"Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ"
First Mennonite Church
Sugarcreek, Ohio June 12, 2022
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 TOGETEHER
"Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ"
Prelude: "Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ"--arr. Jon Carter
Welcome & Announcements:
Focus Statement: A hymnbook is a statement of faith. As we retire the two hymnbooks,
Sing the Journey (purchased in 2008) and Sing the Story(purchased
in 2016,) we review and reflect on the spiritual journey to which each calls us--to
be generous with our love, gifts, and possessions.
~Gathering~
Call to Worship: STJ #124
Left: I will light a light in the name of the Maker, who lit the world and breathed the breath of life for me.
Right: I will light a light in the name of the Son, who saved the world and stretched out his hand to me.
Front: I will light a light in the name of the Spirit, who encompasses the world and blesses my soul with yearning.
All: We will light three lights for the Trinity of Love, God above us, God beside us, God beneath us; The Beginning, The End, The Everlasting One.
Hymn Response:
"Jesus Calls Us Here to Meet Hime" Sing the Journey #3 (vs. 1-3)
~Praising & Adoring~
Prayer: STJ #125
Leader: God of all kindness, we thank you for the many ways your love enters our lives.
People: You have filled our mouths with laughter and our tongues with singing.
Leader: Accept our sacrifice of song in your church on earth
People: and grant us a part in the music of your church in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
Hymns of Praise:
"Halle, Halle, Hallelujah" Sing the Journey #17
"Why Should I Be Discouraged" Sing the Journey #103
(repeat verses 1 and 2 then sing refrain)
~Praying~
Prayer: STJ #137
Prayers of the Congregation:
Prayer Hymn:
"Keep Me Safe, O Lord" Sing the Journey #50 (vs. 1,2,6,7)
Prayers for the World:
Worship Leader: To you, Creator of nature and humanity, of truth and beauty, I pray:
Reno Stevanus: Hear my voice, for it is the voice of the victims of all wars and violence among individuals and nations.
John Gerber: Hear my voice, for it is the voice of all children who suffer and who will suffer when people put their faith in weapons and war.
Vi Yoder: Hear my voice when I beg you to instill into the hearts of all human beings the vision of peace, the strength of justice, and the joy of fellowship.
Jean Flinner: Hear my voice for I speak for the multitudes in every country and in every period of history who do not want war and are ready to walk the road of peace.
People: Hear my voice and grant insight and strength so that we may always respond to hatred with love, to injustice with total dedication to justice, to need with the sharing self, to war with peace.
All: O God, hear my voice, and grant to the world you everlasting peace. Amen.
Prayer for the World:
"Make My a Channel of Your Peace" Sing the Journey #56
(vs. 1, vs. 3, vs. 2, vs. 3, vs. 4 Slow down at the end, "born to eternal life"--watch April)
~Faith Journey/Witnessing~
Reading: STJ #153
WL: Blessed be the ones
Nancy Yoder: who dance in the corridors of death,
Lizzie Keim: who sing in the hallways of terror,
Bill Flinner: who laugh in the prisons of fear,
Helene Torgler: who shout across the silencing walls,
Tyler Murphy: who love beyond the border of hatred,
Kristy Keim: who live to welcome home freedom,
Bertie Showers: who die never turning their heads,
Bob Gerber: who return as the rising of hope.
Hymns of Witnessing:
"Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ" Sing the Story #123
"I Will Stand in the Congregation" Sing the Story #113 (vs. 1,2 and then the ending)
"God Has Chosen Me" Sing the Story #114 (vs. 1)
~Offering~
Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30 (parable of the talents)
"Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going into another country, who called together his servants and loaned them money to invest for him while he was gone.
"He gave $5,000 to one, $2,000 to another, and $1,000 to the last--dividing it in proportion to their abilities--and then left on his trip. The man who received the $5,000 began immediately to buy and sell with it and soon earned another $5,000. The man with $2,000 went right to work, too, and earned another $2,000.
"But the man who received the $1,000 dug a hole in the ground and hid the money for safekeeping.
"After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to him to account for his money. The man to whom he had entrusted the $5,000 brought him $10,000.
His master praised him for good work. 'You have been faithful in handling this small amount, 'he told him, 'so now I will give you many mor responsibilities. Begin the joyous tasks I have assigned to you.'
"Next came the man who had received the $2,000, with the report, 'Sir, you gave me $2,000 to use, and I have doubled it.'
"Good work, 'his master said. 'You are a good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over this small amount, so now I will give you much more.'
"Then the man with the $1,000 came ad said, 'Sir, I knew you were a hard man, and I was afraid you would rob me of what I earned, so I hid your money in the earth and here it is!'
"But his master replied, 'Wicked man! Lazy slave! Since you knew I would demand your profit, you should at least have put my money into the bank so I could have some interest. Take the money from this an and give it to the man with the $10,000. For the man who uses well what he is given shall be given more, and he shall have abundance. But from the man who is unfaithful, even what little responsibility he has shall be taken from him. And now throw the useless servant out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Reading: STJ #152
Bruce Stauffer: We clutch our tiny bits of faith in tight fists shoved in our pockets.
Dotti Schrock: We clutch it suspiciously, so unwilling to let it go--we don't want to lose it.
Jaden Murphy: We clutch it fearing that once it is spent, we will be without hope, cast adrift, out of luck.
Bruce Stauffer: Help us loosen our grip.
Dotti Schrock: Help us to pull our hands out of our pockets.
Jaden Murphy: Help us to uncurl our fingers stiffened over time:
Bruce Stauffer: to grow,
Dotti Schrock: to shimmer,
Jaden Murphy: to pulse
Together: to explode into the air like a thousand red birds. Amen.
Offertory:
"Reflection"--arr. Mark Hayes
(the offering will be brought forward at this time)
Prayer: STJ #150
~Sending~
Benediction: STJ #163
Sending Hymn:
"Go, My Friends, in Grace" Sing the Story #57 (all vs.)*
Sending Words:
Postlude: "Sizohamba naye/We will walk with God" Sing the Journey #78
Note: Thanks to Mike Keim and Herb Torgler for seeing that the microphones are passed to those speaking in the readings.
This is the final Sunday we will have the two supplemental hymnbooks, Sing the Journey and Sing the Story, in the pews. We purchased STJ in 2008 and STS in 2016 for congregational use. They have served us well. The readings for the service today were taken from Sing the Journey and Sing the Story. We will be singing hymns that are not included in the new Voices Together hymnbook* which we will begin using next week Sunday, June 19th =. Hymnal a Worship Book will remain in the pews and will be used occasionally.
Note: "Go, My Friends, In Grace" and "Sizohamba naye/We will walk with God" are in Voices Together.
THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS AND PRAYS FOR
For the guidance of the Advocate, the Holy Spirit that God has sent.
Julie Gerber, Tyler Murphy, Margaret Cheslock, Arvin Boyan family
MMN: Mennonite Voluntary Service participants, serving through Mennonite Mission Network, are in their final months at their unit houses and volunteer placements. Pray for them as they bring closure to relationships in their hosting communities and find ways to implement what they have learned, as they move into their futures.
Prayers for Mennonite Education-Eastern Mennonite university, Harrisonburg, VA: The Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival in June 12-19. Pray for the gifts of renewed friendships and music-making for all the guest musicians and the audiences who come to hear them. We are thankful for the long service and gifts of festival founder Ken Nafziger, who retires this 30th season, and for the new leadership of David Berry as artistic director.
FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER
Next Week's Texts: I Kings 19:7-15; Luke 9:51-62
Harbor of Hope: This months item is Cereal and due on June 22nd
Mission Project for June: Harbor of Hope: Cereal; MCC's My Coins Count
Next Sunday: For the altar next Sunday we would like to have framed picture of your dads to display on the altar. If you can bring them to the church before Sunday just put them on the mailbox table. Or if you can't make it before Sunday bring them a ittle earlier next Sunday so we can display them on the altar.
Comforter Knotting Party: A comforter--knotting party for MCC (to finish comforters not completed during the Comforter Bash in April) will be held at the church on Wednesday evening, June 22nd, at 6:30 p.m. Men, women, and children are invited. Feel free to bring guests (and your own scissors.)
Summer Series "Coming to the Water": the Worship Committee is looking for people to share water stories. The categories are: River, Danger, Searching, Healing, Storms, Living Water, and Crossing. Please see a member of the Worship Committee if you are willing to share your water experiences.
WORSHIP 9:30-10:30
Greeters: April Shupe, Bertie Showers
Minister: Mike Gehman
Worship Leader: Julie Gerber
Song Leader: April Shupe
Organist: Margaret Cheslock
Pianist: Suzanne Stauffer
Head Usher: Mike Keim
THIS WEEK
June 12 Keo Sixiengmay has a Birthday Today!
June 14 Flag Day
UPCOMING EVENTS
June 19 Father's Day
June 22 Harbor of Hope item due: Cereal
June 22 Comforter Party 6:30p.m. at the church
June 24 Senior Breakfast @ Dutch Valley 9:00 a.m.
July 6 Leadership Team Meeting 7pm
July 10 Winklepleck Grover Service with "The Lovedays"
July 10 Music Fest behind the Fire Station
July 27 Harbor of Hope items due: Paper Products
July 29 Senior Breakfast @ Dutch Valley 9:00 a.m.
NEXT WEEK
Greeters: Kristy & Mike Keim
Minister: Mike Gehman
Worship Leader: Dan Hostetler
Song Leader: April Shupe
Head Usher: Mike Keim
CHURCH LEADERSHIP
CHURCH:
Pastor: Mike Gehman
Pastor's Hours: Wednesday 9:30a.m.--2:30p.m.
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
