March 10, 2024
March 7, 2024
Lent 4:
Christ Among Us, The Way of Mercy
First Mennonite Church
Sugarcreek, Ohio
March 10, 2024
Worship: 9:30-10:30
Fellowship Time: 10:30-11:00
Sunday School: 11:00-12:0
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 “God of Grace and God of Glory” -arr. Mary McDonald
Welcome & Announcements
Focus Statement:
God is always shining God’s light toward us. We can embrace it or cover it. We all stray from the path we are on, but God is always there. God pursues us with an everlasting love. Let us open our hearts to the light so that God’s love can flow in and through us to all those we encounter. To embody Christ is to be
merciful as God is merciful.
Gathering Litany
Left: We are a covenant people, called to God by God.
Right: We are a covenant people, called to Jesus by Jesus, losing one life to gain our life.
Left: Renamed.
Right: Reborn.
All: Renewed. We gather ourselves in the community of believers.
We gather ourselves unto you.
Time of Meditation “Amazing Grace” ar. Lorie Line
Call To Worship: (based on Psalm 107: 1-3, 17=22)
One: Give thanks to God, for God is good!
Many: God’s love endures forever.
One: Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story.
Many: God’s love endures forever.
One: We may make careless choices and lose our way.
Many: God’s love endures forever.
One: We call out to God when we are in trouble.
Many: God’s love endures forever.
One: God rescues us from our anxieties and fears.
Many: God’s love endures forever.
One: God’s word sets us free to walk in newness of life.
Many: God’s love endures forever.
One: God gathers us in, from the east and the west, from the
north and the south.
ALL: For God’s unfailing love, we give thanks to the Creator
of all that is good.
Invocation
Hymn of Gathering VT 170 Wonderful Grace of Jesus
(sing verses 1-3, then refrain)
~Praising & Praying~
Psalm Reading: Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22
Old Testament Reading: Numbers 21:4-9
Hymn of Praise VT 162 The Love of God
Prayers of the People
Prayer Response VT 37 Be Still and Know 2x
~Hearing God’s Word~
Scripture Ephesians 2:1-10; John 3:16-18
Message “I Once Was….But Now”
Time of Introspection (to be read silently)
(from the hymn “I Sought the Lord”)
I sought the Lord, and afterward I knew
he moved my soul to seek him, seeking me.
It was not I that found, O Savior true,
no, I was found of thee.
I find, I walk, I love, but, oh,
the whole of love is but my answer, Lord, to thee!
For thou wert long beforehand with my soul,
always thou lovedst me.
Piano Interlude “Reflection” -arr. Mark Hayes
~Responding~
Prayer of Confession:
One: Merciful God, we forget that you are the light of the
world.
Many: Forgive us for our short memories.
One: Remind us that you are rich in mercy
Many: when we wander away from you.
One: Loving God, convict us of your immense love
Many: that shines brightly on us.
ALL: Merciful God, light of the world, we come seeking new
life in you.
Hymn of Response VT 156 There’s A Wideness in God’s Mercy
(the offering will be brought forward)
Offering Prayer
~Sending~
Sending Hymn ”My Presence Will Go with You”
(printed in bulletin) – Joungmin Kim
Postlude “A Clare Benediction” -arr. John Rutter
(read by Jean Flinner)
Sending Words
Visuals: Our journey toward God leads us on a path. We may stray from time to time, but God is always with us, gently guiding us back. The symbols on the altar represent our journey. The brown cloth represents our path, and the side-by-side footprints represent those we walk along side. Along with the empty bowl which reminds us of God’s never-ending love for us and how God wants to fill us, the cross reminds us that to follow Jesus, we must take up our cross daily. The scrolls represent the Ten Commandments and serve as a guide and reminder of God’s justice and great love for us. This week, the candle reminds us that God is always shining God’s light toward us, covering us with mercy and grace.
WORSHIP 9:30-10:30
Minister Mike Gehman
Worship Leader: Jean Flinner
Song Leader: April Shupe
Organist: Margaret Cheslock
Pianist: Suzanne Stauffer
Head Usher: Leadership Team
THE CHURH GIVES THANKS
Bertie Showers: Son, Dan gets to go back to work.
THE CHURCH PRAYS FOR
Sue Stauffer: Svetlana fell and hit her head and now is recovering in a facility.
FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER
Next Week’s Text: Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 119:9-16; John 12:20-33;Hebrews 5:5-10
Harbor of Hope for March: Paper Products
Mission Project for March: MCC Hygiene Kits
THIS WEEK
March 12th&13th Mennonite Action Peace School Via Zoom at 8pm
March 17th Fifth Sunday of Lent
Happy St. Patrick’s Day
March 17th Happy Birthday, JoAnne Miller
UPCOMING EVENTS
March 23rd Pancake Day & Health Screening at Belden Center
March 24th Palm Sunday
March 27th Mennonite Action Week Comforter Knotting 1pm
March 28th Maundy Thursday Supper and Service 6pm
March 30th Community Easter Egg Hunt at Garaway
Football Stadium
March 31st Easter Sonrise Service 8 am
Breakfast 8:30
Easter Service 10 am
NEXT WEEK
Minister: Mike Gehman
Worship Leader: Tabatha Murphy Head Usher: Leadership Team
LAST WEEK
ATTENDANCE: 31
OFFERING: $2333
Change for a Dollar: $10
2024 Lenten Theme: Christ Among Us
Lent begins with mourning on Ash Wednesday, when we remember who we are as humans and who God is, reminding us of our brokenness and God’s grace. This is followed by passages recalling Christ’s venture into the wilderness and the 40-day journey that we are on as well. The journey starts with this moment of God speaking to God’s Son, announcing to the world who Jesus is, reminding Jesus of his belovedness, and reminding the people of God of the prophecies and promises of the coming Messiah.
This year’s Lenten texts focus on covenants. They point to God’s history of reaching out to continue in relationship with God’s people. Covenants begin with God. God forms an agreement with God’s people. Time and time again, humanity fails to follow these covenants, yet God’s mercy and grace remain. Christ is among us, reminding us of who we are, and even when we fail, reminding us of grace and calling us beloved.
Christ remains among us, and that is where we stand united in our Mennonite denomination. So each week, we consider a key theme among these passages: What might Christ be teaching? What is God expecting of us? How does this enable us to live our Christian—and Mennonite—identity more fully, bringing glimpses of the new heaven and new earth into our communities? What is the journey showing us
as we answer God’s call?

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










