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_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Seeking God's Ways

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord.

Isaiah 55:8

Lent2:  From Fear to Compassion

Prelude: "Like a River Glorious" arr. Lloyd Larson

Welcome & Announcements:

MCC Mission Moment:

Focus:  As we seek God's way, we move from a place where fear dictates our actions to a space where our response to others is guided by compassion.

~Gathering~

Time of Meditation: "Morning Has Broken" arr. Lloyd Larson

Call to Worship:

Leader:  Together we seek the way of God.

People:  As disappointment oppresses and violence threatens,

Leader:  we come to ask:  Whom shall we fear?

People:  We come to be reminded of God's power and to be led more deeply into God's love.

Leader:  We long to gather under the wings of Christ, as a mother hen,

All:  and to learn the holy way of compassion.

Invocation:

Hymn of Gathering:

"God is Here Among Us" Hymnal a Worship Book #16

~Prayer & Praise~

Old Testament Reading: Psalm 27

Sharing Our Joys & Concerns:

Lenten Prayer of Confession:  Isaiah 55 adapted

Leader:  Holy One, we seek you while you may be found.

People:  We call upon you while you are near.

Leader:  Have mercy on us, O God, for our thoughts are not your thoughts and our ways are not your ways.

People:  Forgive us for living with fear.  Help us live out compassion.

Leader:  As we walk with Christ on this Lenten journey, let us see your way more clearly

All:  and follow your way more faithfully.

Prayer:

Hymn of Praise:

"The God of Abraham Praise" Hymnal a Worship Book #162

~Hearing God's Word~

Scripture: Luke 13:31-35; Philippians 3:20-4:1

Message: "Staying Focused"  by Mike Gehman

~Response & Sending~

Responsive Reading:

Leader:  Your ways, O God. are higher than our ways.

People:  Your thoughts are higher than our thoughts.

Leader:  We seek God's ways.

All:  Lord, move us away from fearful responses into the light of your compassion.

Hymn of Response:

"O Jesus Christ, May Grateful Hymns: Hymnal a Worship Book #404

(the offering will be brought forward at this time)

Offering Prayer:

Sending Hymn:

"Abide, O Dearest Jesus" Hymnal a Worship Book #426

Sending Words:

Postlude: "Lord, I Know I Been Changed"  arr. Larry Shackley

Words of Dismissal:

THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS AND PRAYS FOR______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

For the beginning of our Lenten journey.

Tyler Murphy, Bill Flinner, Bertie Showers, Tabatha Murphy, Gene Miller, Derrick Erb, the Ukrainian people

MMN: Mennonite Mission Network requests prayer for Prince of Peace Mennonite Church and the Service Adventure unit in Anchorage, Alaska, as Zaden Issah, Sam Setiawan and leader Michael Oyer recently welcomed three new participants from Germany:  Sarah Huber, Alexander Mantler , and Daiel Schumacker.  Ask God to bless theri transition to a larger household.

Prayers for Mennonite Education-Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary-Elkhart, IN: Pray for prospective AMBS students who are applying for scholarships this month and for administrators who are discerning how to award funds.  Give thanks for donors who help make seminary study possible!  Bluffton (OH) University:  Please pray for our incoming Bluffton students as they come to campus this week for Experience Bluffton.  Pray they form meaningful connections and bonds with the Bluffton campus community as they move from high school to college studies.

FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Next Week's Texts: Isaiah 55:1-9; Psalm 63:1-8; Luke 13:1-9; I Corinthians 10-1-13

Harbor of Hope: This month's items are Paper Products and are due on March 23.

Easter Flowers:  Today is the last day to order flowers for Easter Sunday.  You will find the order sheet on the mailbox table.

Relief Kits: The Mission, Peace, and Service Committee is requesting that we put together some relief kits through Lent in response to the need in Ukraine.  There is a list on the Harbor of Hope table by the hygiene kits.  If you cannot donate a whole kit you may purchase some of the items listed.

WORSHIP                                                                                                                                                      9:30-10:30______________________________________________________________________________

Greeters:                                                                                                                                                      Mike & Kristy Keim

Minister:                                                                                                                                                       Mike Gehman

Worship Leader:                                                                                                                                       Tally Maust

Song Leader:                                                                                                                                              April Shupe

Organist:                                                                                                                                                      Margaret Cheslock

Pianist:                                                                                                                                                         Suzanne Stauffer

Head Usher:                                                                                                                                                Leadership Team 

THIS WEEK___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

March 13           The 2nd Sunday of Lent

March 13             Gene Miller has a Birthday today!

March 17              JoAnne Miller has a Birthday

March 20             Kristy Keim has a Birthday

March 20             First day of Spring

UPCOMING EVENTS____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

March 23           Harbor of Hope items due: Paper Products

March 25           Senior Breakfast @ Dutch Valley 9:00 a.m.

March 29          Homeless Shelter Meal 6:00 p.m.

April   6              Leadership Team Meeting 7:00 p.m.

April 10             Palm Sunday

April 14             Maundy Thursday Communal Soup Supper/Communion starting at 6:30 p.m.

April 15             Good Friday

April 16             Holy Saturday

April 17             Easter Sunday:  Sonrise @ 8:00 a.m./Main Service @ 10:00 a.m.

April 22-23      Ohio MCC Comforter Bash

April 27             Harbor of Hope items due: Spaghetti Sauce & Pasta

April 29             Senior Breakfast @ Dutch Valley 9:00 a.m.

May   4               Leadership Team Meeting 7:00 p.m.

May   8              Mother's Day

May 25             Harbor of Hope items due: Laundry & Cleaning Supplies

May 27             Senior Breakfast @ Dutch Valley 9:00 a.m.

May 30              Memorial Day

May 31             Homeless Shelter Meal 6:00 p.m.

NEXT WEEK___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Greeters:                                                                                                                                        Herb & Helene Torgler

Guest Minister:                                                                                                                           Ernie Hershberger

Worship Leader:                                                                                                                         Julie Gerber

Song Leader:                                                                                                                                April Shupe

Head Usher:                                                                                                                                 Leadership Team

CHURCH LEADERSHIP__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

CHURCH:

Pastor: Mike Gehman

Pastor's Hours: Wednesday 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.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