Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ June 12, 2022

Tally Maust • June 9, 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.

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

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 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

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December 12, 2025
Advent 2025: Be Amazed! First Mennonite Church Sugarcreek, Ohio December 14, 2025 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 Advent Three: Joy in the Desert ~Gathering~ Preludes: “I Wonder as I Wander” – arr. Jay Rouse “Twas in the Moon of Wintertime” – arr. Mark Hayes Welcome& Announcements Opening Hymn: VT 237 Now the Heavens v3 Advent Scripture: Habakkuk 1:5 “Look at the nations and see! Be astonished! Be astounded! For work is being done in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” Focus Statement: Imagine wandering thirsty through a desert wasteland and happening upon a spring of clear, cold water. On this third Sunday of Advent, you are invited to lay down your cares; find rest, comfort and joy in God’s amazing provision, in the places where you least expect it. Time of Meditation : “ Silent Night” – arr. Rachel Trelstad Porte Call to Worship: Leader: Come, all who hunger and thirst for more—God calls us to the feast! People: We are weary exiles, longing for home, caught in a world that drains our hope. Leader: “Listen, so that you may live! My covenant is everlasting, my promise sure.” People: The invitation is for all people, from the farthest reaches on the earth. Leader: The word of the Lord does not return empty—it brings forth life! People: The mountains and the hills will burst into song, the trees of the field will clap their hands! All: You are the source of true joy, O God. You expand our vision, lifting our eyes beyond the moment, beyond despair, into amazement. We stand before you, ready to enter your story and be amazed. Opening Prayer Advent Candlelighting Litany (Mike Keim, candlelighter) Leader: We have been wandering in the dark, cold desert of grief and despair, and we feel heavy, dry and lifeless. People: Come, Joy of the world. Come amaze us. All: May your joy water our thirsty souls, that we may become your fountains of joy, freely sharing your joy with the world. Hymn: VT 218 Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus ~Praying & Praising~ Old Testament Scripture : Psalm 42 Prayers of the People Christmas Carol: VT 248 It Came Upon a Midnight Clear ~Hearing God’s Word~ Scripture: Isaiah 55:1, 6, 9-12 Be Amazed Story: “Joy in the Chaos” -read by Nancy Yoder Message: “Come to the Lord. Receive his joy, comfort, and peace.” ~Responding~ Hymn of Response: VT 209 We Dream of a Turning (the offering will be brought forth at this time) Offering Prayer: Leader: God, we are thirsty and you call us to your waters. But sometimes we try to slake our thirst from other sources. People: Forgive us when we turn away from the living water that you offer. Leader: God, we are hungry and you offer us bread without cost. But sometimes we pay too much for food that does not nourish. People: Forgive us when we do not accept your gracious provision. Leader: Forgive us, God, for the many ways we fail to trust you: People: when we spend our money for that which is not bread and our labor for that which does not satisfy. Leader: God, we seek you; we call upon you. ALL: Have mercy on us, for we know that you abundantly Pardon. Accept our offerings and use them for good. Bless them and endow us with your mercy, your grace, and your desire to bring peace and joy to our world. Amen. ~Sending~ Benediction Sending Hymn: VT 847 You Shall Go Out with Joy Sending Words: Habakkuk 3: 17-19 Postlude : “Cold December Flies Away” – Spanish carol arr. by Anna Laura Page WORSHIP 9:30-10:30 Minister: Mike Gehman Worship Leader: Bruce Stauffer Pianist: Suzanne Stauffer Song Leader: April Shupe Usher: Herb Torgler Please note that the music for our Advent services is carefully chosen to represent the meditative side of Advent as reflected in the night sky on the altar. Different arrangements of "Silent Night" will be used each Sunday during the Time of Meditation to emphasize the theme. Cover Art: Visio Divina—The Clapping Trees ARTIST: Len Rempel (Visio Divina Collection, 2023) Advent 2025: This year, our theme is, “Be Amazed!” Each week, we’ll be invited to notice the surprising and powerful ways in which God shows up—even when we least expect it. We invite you to immerse yourself in the visuals and explore the theme, “Be Amazed!” in several ways: *One way is through the picture you will see each week on the big screen as you walk into the sanctuary. Even before the service begins, you can look at the picture and along with it, the introductory scripture which you can read in the Bibles located in the pews, or bring your own Bible. This way you can contemplate the story of the scripture passage and prepare for the worship to follow. *Another way we invite you to explore the theme is through the symbol of a star. The stars remind us of God’s mysterious and guiding presence—distant yet near, powerful yet gentle. Like the blazing stars in the sky, God’s glory is sometimes hidden from view by our distractions, expectations or the “clouds” of daily life. Yet, the light of God is always shining—waiting for us to notice. Just as the Magi followed the star to find Christ, we too are invited to look up, notice, and be amazed by God’s presence. Watch as this display becomes brighter each week to reflect the growing light and clarity of God’s revelation, culminating in the full radiance of Christ’s birth at Christmas. We also invite you to ponder God’s amazing stories represented by the symbols placed on the altar each Sunday. As we wait for the fullness of Christmas, may this light call us to look up, look around, and be amazed at the God who comes close—bringing hope, peace, joy, and love, even in the places you least expect it. May you find wonder in the work God is doing in your life this Christmas! FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER Mission Project for December: White Gift Offering During the four Sundays of Advent, we will be collecting to replenish the Deacon’s Fund, which is money available to members of our church in need. Look for the specially designated green sleigh as you enter the sanctuary. You can give cash or make a check out to FMC designated White Gift. Let’s fill the sleigh to help others on their way! Special Thanksgiving / Christmas Project: Garaway Pirate Power Packs The Garaway Pirate Power Pack Program, sponsored by the Sugarcreek United Church of Christ, meets monthly to pack over 350 bags full of food for local students. We will be collecting the following items over the next several weeks to help provide food for this program: Ramen noodles cans of corn cans of green beans cans of ravioli cans of tomato soup cans of pork and beans cans of chicken noodle soup THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS April Shupe: Bruce and Sue are visiting Megan and Brent this Sunday; Bruce is doing better and will be here next Sunday. Mennonite Mission Network: Praise God that Caleb Schrock-Hurst, who serves jointly with Mennonite Mission Network and Virginia Mennonite Missions, has successfully finished his cancer treatments and is cancer free. Now, he and his wife, Stephanie, are moving forward with their plans to respond to an invitation to go to Mennonite Christian Hospital in Taiwan. Pray for physical and spiritual health as they resume preparations that were put on hold for the past year. THIS WEEK Dec. 21 st Happy Anniversary, Wayne & Dorothy Schrock NEXT WEEK Guest Minister: Ernie Hershberger Worship Leader: Tabatha Murphy Head Usher: Herb Torgler UPCOMING EVENTS Dec. 24 th Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 6pm LAST WEEK Attendance: 18 Offering: $2045 Change for a dollar: $34.35 Garaway Power Pack: $40 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

Dec. 7, 2025

December 5, 2025
Advent 2025: Be Amazed! First Mennonite Church Sugarcreek, Ohio December 7, 2025 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 __________ Advent Two: Peace in the Valley of Bones ~Gathering~ Preludes: “O Little Town of Bethlehem” -arr. Mark Hayes For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above, While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wond’ring love. O morning stars together proclaim the holy birth! And praises sing to God the king, and peace to all the earth! Welcome& Announcements Opening Hymn: VT 237 Now the Heavens (listen to verse 1, sing verse 2) Advent Scripture: Habakkuk 1:1-5 “Look at the nations and see! Be astonished! Be astounded! For work is being done in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” Focus Statement: Imagine a valley full of dry bones, with not a breath of wind. Then a noise, a rattling sound as the bones come together, bone to bone, tendon to tendon. In this miraculous vision given to the prophet Ezekiel, God breathes life into the bones so that they may dance again. Come, Holy Spirit! We pray on this second Sunday of Advent for peace as a renewal of body, mind, and spirit. Time of Meditation : “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” -performed by The Piano Guys Call to Worship: Leader: God in our desert, you are our peace to all places. People: Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely. Leader: Thus says the LORD GOD: “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.” People: Can these dry bones live? Leader: The wind of God moves among these dry bones. Stand and live! People: We are the people of God, a vast multitude, filled with God’s Spirit. Leader: “I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live. I will place you on your own soil; then you shall Know that I, the LORD, have spoken and will act,” says the LORD. All: You are the only source of true life, O God. You breathe new life into our dry bones and fill us with your peace. We stand before you, ready to enter your story and be amazed. Opening Prayer Advent Candlelighting Litany (Mike Keim, candlelighter) Leader: We have been wandering in the dark, our spirits dry and cracked from conflict, aching for peace to pour into the crevices to revive us. People: Come, Peace of the world. Come amaze us. All: May Your peace fill the cracks in our dry, brittle bones. Bind us together, strengthen and unite us, that we might dance! Hymn: HWB 174 Bless’d Be the God of Israel ~Praying & Praising~ Old Testament Scripture : Psalm 130:1-8 (NIV) Prayers of the People Christmas Carol: HWB 191 O Little Town of Bethlehem -accompanied by Kaleb Brasee ~Hearing God’s Word~ Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14 Be Amazed Story: “Peace in the Valley of Bones” -read by Nancy Yoder Message: “ Breathe on us Spirit of God; restore life, peace, and hope!” ~Responding~ Hymn of Response: HWB 26 Holy Spirit, Come With Power -performed by Berlin Mennonite Church (the offering will be brought forth at this time) Offering Prayer ~Sending~ Benediction Sending Hymn: HWB 356 Breathe on Me, Breath of God -accompanied by by Sangah Noona Sending Words: Habakkuk 3: 17-19 Postlude : Come, Gentle Peace -music by Lloyd Larsen, Words by Joseph Martin and Jonathan Martin Come gentle peace, sing to our pain, Comfort the world, let the healing begin. Bring us your goodness, show us your dream, Teach all creation your beautiful theme. WORSHIP 9:30-10:30 Minister: Mike Gehman Worship Leader Helene Torgler Song Leader: April Shupe Usher: Herb Torgler Cover Art: Can These Bones Live? by Josh Tiessen, is a painting representing the dry bones story in Ezekiel. He writes: I approached my painting as a modern interpretation, seeing the Monarch Butterfly as symbolic of breathing new life into lifeless human bones. Advent 2025: This year, our theme is, “Be Amazed!” Each week, we’ll be invited to notice the surprising and powerful ways in which God shows up—even when we least expect it. We invite you to immerse yourself in the visuals and explore the theme, “Be Amazed!” in several ways: *One way is through the picture you will see each week on the big screen as you walk into the sanctuary. Even before the service begins, you can look at the picture and along with it, the introductory scripture which you can read in the Bibles located in the pews, or bring your own Bible. This way you can contemplate the story of the scripture passage and prepare for the worship to follow. *Another way we invite you to explore the theme is through the symbol of a star. The stars remind us of God’s mysterious and guiding presence—distant yet near, powerful yet gentle. Like the blazing stars in the sky, God’s glory is sometimes hidden from view by our distractions, expectations or the “clouds” of daily life. Yet, the light of God is always shining—waiting for us to notice. Just as the Magi followed the star to find Christ, we too are invited to look up, notice, and be amazed by God’s presence. Watch as this display becomes brighter each week to reflect the growing light and clarity of God’s revelation, culminating in the full radiance of Christ’s birth at Christmas. We also invite you to ponder God’s amazing stories represented by the symbols placed on the altar each Sunday. As we wait for the fullness of Christmas, may this light call us to look up, look around, and be amazed at the God who comes close—bringing hope, peace, joy, and love, even in the places you least expect it. May you find wonder in the work God is doing in your life this Christmas! FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER________ Mission Project for December: White Gift Offering During the four Sundays of Advent, we will be collecting to replenish the Deacon’s Fund, which is money available to members of our church in need. Look for the specially designated green sleigh as you enter the sanctuary. You can give cash or make a check out to FMC designated White Gift. Let’s fill the sleigh to help others on their way! Special Thanksgiving / Christmas Project: Garaway Pirate Power Packs The Garaway Pirate Power Pack Program, sponsored by the Sugarcreek United Church of Christ, meets monthly to pack over 350 bags full of food for local students. We will be collecting the following items over the next several weeks to help provide food for this program: Ramen noodles cans of corn cans of green beans cans of ravioli cans of tomato soup cans of pork and beans cans of chicken noodle soup Lessons and Carols Service at St. Joseph Catholic Church is this evening at 6:00 p.m. (prelude beginning at 5:30). The public is invited to join in this special community Advent service. The service will include choirs from the surrounding area, a brass ensemble, hand-bell choir, the singing of carols, and readings from Sacred Scripture. THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS ____________________ Brad Shupe: Dad is home and is doing well after hip replacement. THE CHURCH PRAYS FOR ________________________ April Shupe: Sue had to take Bruce to the ER this morning, prayers for healing. Mike Gehman: Friend who has brain cancer needs prayers. Also, Barb Debor, the Lutheran minister, is on life support. THIS WEEK _______________________________________ Dec. 7th Lessons & Carols at St. Joseph in Dover, 5:30 pm Dec. 11 th Happy Birthday, Sue Stauffer NEXT WEEK ________________________________ Minister: Mike Gehman Worship Leader: Bruce Stauffer Head Usher: Herb Torgler LAST WEEK __ _______________ _______ __ Attendance: 16 Offering: $951 Change for a dollar: $17 Food Bank: $50 White Gift: $10 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: 1-330-407-9291 Office Contact: Linda Yoder: 1-330-204-1668 Mission Contact: Reno Stevanus: 1-330-243-0263 Trustees Contact: Dan Hostetler: 1-330-852-2151 Secretary Contact: Amy Stauffer-McNutt: 1-330-243-4485