March 16, 2025

March 14, 2025

First Mennonite Church

Sugarcreek, Ohio

March 16, 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.

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

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


Lent Two:

Christ Collides With Our Condemnation

 

~Gathering~


Prelude: “I Owe the Lord A Morning Song”

--written and arranged by Amos Herr, a Mennonite preacher from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1891. He wrote it on a snowy Sunday morning when the snowdrifts would not permit even horseback riding to church. 

 

Welcome& Announcements

 

Focus Statement: 

Often the things Jesus taught or the way Jesus treated people collided with the society around him. When that happens, Jesus invites us to see things differently. Jesus changes how we see things. In today’s scripture text from Luke 13, Jesus is confronting the issue of condemnation. He challenges the ideas of where it comes from, who deserves it, how it works, and whether there is any escape. How does Christ collide with our thoughts to condemn as a church and individuals?

 

 

Time of Meditation: They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love

 

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 our unity will one day be restored
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yeah they'll know we are Christians by our love

 

We will work with each other, we will work side by side
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
And we'll guard each man's dignity and save each man's pride
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yeah, they'll know we are Christians by our love.

 

Call to Worship: 

Leader: Christ collides with our thoughts to condemn

              others.

          People: Put them in their place.

Leader: Who is more guilty of wrongdoing?

People: Do you condemn? Should I condemn?

     All: For your reign, O God, transform us as we worship

            you.

 

Invocation

 

Hymn of Gathering: HWB 37 Praise to the Lord, the

                                                                 Almighty

 

~Praying & Praising~

   

Prayers of the People

 

Hymn of Praise: HWB 110 Oh, For A Thousand Tongues

                                     ~Hearing God’s Word~

Scripture: Luke 13:1-9, 31-35

 

Message: “Confronting Condemnation, Repentance, and

                           Following Christ”

 

~Responding~


Prayer of Confession and Words of Assurance:

             All:   Loving and merciful God, we confess that we have

sinned against you.  

       Leader:  We have not loved you with all our thoughts, words,

                        and actions.  

       People:  We have sinned through what we have chosen to

                       do and what we have chosen to neglect.  

       Leader: We have not fully accepted your love for us. We

                       have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. 

       People:  We are quick to pass judgement and to assume

                       your authority to condemn others.

              All:  We repent before each other and before you, our

                       loving God.  Please help us open our hearts to your

                      love. Help us to shake  free from our quickness to

                     condemn  so we may better share your peace in

                       your world, rejoicing in your name. Amen.  

 

Hymn of Response: HWB 491 Softly and Tenderly

 

Offering Prayer


~Sending~


Sending Hymn: HWB 343 My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less

   

Benediction

 

Postlude:  “Amazing Grace / My Chains Are Gone”

                                                          -arr. Chris Tomlin

Sending Words

 

   WORSHIP                                                           9:30-10:30  

   Minister:                                                                      Mike Gehman

   Worship Leader:                                                      Helene Torgler                                

   Usher:                                                                     Leadership Team             

 

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 March: MCC Hygiene Kits

Keeping clean is an important part of staying healthy. Families who have fled their homes because of disaster or war often struggle to afford the necessary supplies. Kits also go to schools or orphanages to encourage healthy habits for children. Last year, MCC shipped 80,060 hygiene kits to El Salvador, Guatemala, Malawi, Ukraine, the U.S. (including Puerto Rico) and Zambia. Pick up a list of items on the table in the fellowship area. 

 

People who are willing to knot one or more pin-basted comforters in their homes are asked to contact Sue Stauffer, who will provide them with a comforter, thread, and a needle. The knots are to be square knots. The comforters will be returned to Katie Miller, who made the tops and backs, and she will pass them on to MCC, where they are greatly needed. Katie has given us 24 comforters to complete. At this point we have six doled out to people, so you can see that there are quite a few more to do. Sue is pin-basting them and finishing the bindings. Thank you.

 

THE CHURH GIVES THANKS

Sue Stauffer: I saw a blue bird yesterday in the bird house.

Celebrating #1 in the State: Amy Stauffer-McNutt’s Business Class had a BIG and memorable experience at BPA State Leadership Conference. They received first place—STATE CHAMPS— in Parliamentary Procedure! This gives them the opportunity of representing the state of Ohio at national competition in May. Congratulations! 

 

CHURCH PRAYS FOR       

Sue Stauffer: Diana Hillard’s sister has passed away.

Dan Hostetler: Amy’s brother-in-law’s father has passed away.

 

This Week

March 17th                 Happy Birthday, JoAnne Miller

March 20th                 Happy Birthday, Kristy Keim

March 23rd                 Happy Birthday, Craig Maurer

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

April 4th          Rotary Pancake Day

April 13th        Palm Sunday

April 17th        Maundy Thursday Supper and Communion Service

April 20th        Easter Sunday

 

NEXT WEEK

Text for Lent Three: Luke 15: 1-32

Minister:                                                                                       Mike Gehman

Worship Leader:                                                                              April Shupe     

Head Usher:                                                                            Leadership Team

 

LAST WEEK

 ATTENDANCE:                                                                                        21

 OFFERING:                                                                                               $785

 Change for a dollar:                                                                            $12


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, 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

August 14, 2026
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June 20, 2026
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
June 12, 2026
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June 6, 2026
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