March 31, 2024

March 30, 2024

Easter Sunday

Christ Among Us, He Is Risen! 

 

 

 

First Mennonite Church

Sugarcreek, Ohio

March 31, 2024

 

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 TOGETHER

~Gathering~


Pre-Prelude  “Jesus Shall Reign: a Piano Suite Honoring Christ

                              The King” – Lloyd Larson

Prelude “Thine Is the Glory” -arr. Mark Hayes

 

Welcome & Announcements

 

Focus Statement:

The tomb is empty! The linens are folded up and the stone rolled

away.  The good news of the resurrection is that Jesus is risen! Jesus came to make all things new.  In Christ, we are a new creation. Let us allow the good news of the resurrection to take possession of our lives and transform us so all people can be free.

 

Gathering Litany

Leader:  Christ is risen.

People:  Christ is risen indeed!

Leader: On this day, we celebrate that Jesus overcame death, so

                   that we may have new life.

People:  Alleluia! Christ is risen indeed!

ALL:  Let us worship the risen Christ in spirit and in truth.


Time of Meditation  “Were You There” – arr. Marilyn Ham

“Were you there when they crucified my Lord? …

Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb? …

Were you there when He rose up from the grave? …”

“Crown Him with many crowns!” 

 

Call To Worship: 

One:  When it is still dark, we come seeking Jesus.

Many: The risen Christ is here among us!

One:   The stone has been rolled away, walls torn down.

Many: The risen Christ is here among us!

One:   The burial cloth removed, his body transformed.

Many: The risen Christ is here among us!

One:   Mary Magadalene, Simon Peter, and John see and

     believe.

ALL:  We find the risen Christ among us who has made all

things new! The tomb is empty, the way of Love has

prevailed!

One:   Peace be with you!

Many: Peace be with you!

             

Invocation

 

Hymns of Gathering VT 346 Christ the Lord Is Risen Today

                                             VT 348 Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain

                                                       

~Praising & Praying~


Psalm Reading:  Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24

   

Special Music:  “In Christ Alone” – Mike Gehman, Mike

Showers and April Shupe, by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend


Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 25:6-9

 

Hymn of Praise VT 340  Lift Your Glad Voices

 

Prayers of the People

 

~Hearing God’s Word~


Scripture:  Luke 24:1-12

 

Message “Remember, Retell, Re-live”

 

Time of Introspection and Silence

 

Piano Interlude:  “Sunday Joy” -Mark Hayes

 

~Responding~


Prayer of Rejoicing: 

One:   Risen Jesus, you make all things new.

Many:  You call us by name to come to you.

One:     You come preaching peace and forgiving sins.

Many: You prepare a feast for us and wipe away all tears.

ALL:  You bring life everlasting. We rejoice in your

          salvation, Lord of all!

   

Hymn of Response  VT 352  This Joyful Eastertide

(the offering will be brought forward)

 

Offering Prayer


~Sending~



Sending Hymn VT 565  Christ Is Alive


Benediction

   

Postlude “Hallelujah Chorus” – George Frederick Handel

(feel free to sing or hum along!)

 

Sending Words

 

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

   WORSHIP                                                                           9:30-10:30 

   Worship Leader:                                                       Bruce Stauffer

   Song Leader:                                                                  April Shupe

   Organist:                                                             Margaret Cheslock   

   Pianist:                                                                    Suzanne Stauffer

   Head Usher:                                                           Leadership Team         

 

   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;  the candle, a reminder

   that God is always shining God’s light toward us, covering us with

   mercy and grace. The buds on the forsythia remind us that we must

   die to self so that God can bring forth the beauty inside of us; 

   whenever God lets something fade away, it’s because he has

   something better to replace it.  The palm branches are a reminder that

   Jesus  came as a different kind of King, not to be served, but to serve,

and he calls us to follow him.   We rejoice today with a large stone, Easter

flowers and linens folded to represent the hope we have in the risen Christ! 

 

THE CHURH GIVES THANKS

Paper products given to the Harbor of Hope for March: 27

Kristy Keim: Lizzie had a pacemaker put in. She is home and doing well.

 

THE CHURCH PRAYS FOR

April Shupe: Update on Barb Mullet Glidden—she passed away on Thursday. Keep her husband Vance and family in prayers. 

Bob Gerber: Brother, Harold, was admitted into the hospital for pneumonia.

 

FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER

Next Week’s Text:  Psalm 8; Psalm 92; I Corinthians 15:1-4, 21-23, 51-58

Harbor of Hope for April: Spaghetti Sauce & Pasta

Mission Project for April: Garaway Released Time Offering


Easter Flower Orders: Daffodils, Tulips and Hyacinths are $8. each

and Easter Lilies are $9.00 each. Make checks payable to First

Mennonite and earmark for flowers. Check the list by the mailboxes to see what you ordered.

 

THIS WEEK

April 4th          Happy Birthday, April Shupe

April 5th          Happy Birthday, Susan Yoder

April 5th          Chicken BBQ at Sugarcreek fire department at 4pm

April 6th          Happy Birthday, Dottie Schrock

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

May 10-11th     Sugarcreek Community Garage Sales

May 31st            Beachy Ham and Chicken Buffet for Community Hospice

                             at Legacy Christian School, Sugarcreek at 4:30 – 7pm

   

NEXT  WEEK          

Worship Leader:                                                                     Julie Gerber

Head Usher:                                                                             Herb Torgler

 

   Victory In Jesus! That is what we will be celebrating next Sunday, as

   we gather together the first Sunday after Easter. Be thinking of some

   hymns you would like to sing, as there is nothing more joyful than

   joining in fellowship together and offering up some of our favorite

   songs. As Psalm 92 proclaims: It is good to praise the Lord and make

   music to your name, O Most High, proclaiming your  love in the

   morning and your faithfulness at night. 

 

   LAST WEEK

   ATTENDANCE:                                                                                       25

   OFFERING:                                                                                        $1430

   Easter Flowers:                                                                                 $17

 

   CHURCH LEADERSHIP

   Pastor: Mike Gehman

   Email: pastor@firstmennonitesugarcreek.com

   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

 

 

An Easter Prayer

 

As brother sun shines down on us this morning,

we remember that sister moon was just here.

We remember in this sunlight and in this brightness,

the cold and the darkness of the night we have just been through.

We remember the darkness, when night

bent down and covered our unready eyes.

We remember the cold, when the rays of the sun

no longer held us tight in their embrace.

We remember the hopelessness,

when darkness seemed to have the final word.

And we remember the pain, when distant stars

reminded us of our own Star, our own life-giving Sustainer,

whom we were sure would never leave us.

But it did, and there was night, there was emptiness.

And weary with toil and tears, we turned from the western horizon where we watched our love die,

and we went home with our hearts torn in two,

and somehow, we slept.

 

And yet, we are here, in the sunlight;

and we look back and see the night with new eyes.

The darkness, the cold, the hopelessness, the pain were all real.

But the cosmos was pregnant with a new hope and a new life.

We had to go through those pains for today to happen.

Birthing is not easy, and the laments of Maundy Thursday

and Good Friday were the world’s labor pains.

The sun had descended into the world and the world groaned with the life which it knew it could not contain.

When we saw that descent, that fall, we wept bitterly.

But we were blind, for now the earth brings forth her joy!

The dawn has come, and the sun is risen!

July 5, 2026

July 3, 2026
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June 21, 2026

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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

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April 19, 2026

April 17, 2026
Easter Three: Astounding News! First Mennonite Church Sugarcreek, Ohio April 19, 2026 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 ~Gathering~ Prelude : "Praise the Lord! Ye Heavens, Adore Him" - arr. Mary McDonald Welcome& Announcements Dedication of MCC Hygiene Kits Focus Statement: The two disciples that were going to Emmaus on the day Jesus arose from the grave were downcast and not sure of what to do after all that happened with Jesus’ death on the cross. They meet a man who joins their discussion and begins to open the Scripture to explain the purpose of these events. Later, they realize it was Jesus who was with them, as he broke bread and gave thanks. What are ways that we can see and experience the resurrected Christ in our lives today? Time of Meditation: "Give Me Jesus" - African-American Spiritual, arr. Anna Laura Page Call to Worship: Leader: Easter people, we gather today as people who spent the week inundated with news reports, social media posts, and reels that overpower us with information, worry, and stress. People: Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we carry the weight of being overwhelmed and anxious, wondering who we can believe. Leader: We gather as people who long for peace, for God to break through and bring us clarity and hope once again. People: Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we don’t always recognize when the Risen One comes alongside us, showing us the way where there seems to be no way. Leader: We gather as people hoping to catch a glimmer of Resurrection, ready for our hearts to burn with the truth of the resurrected Christ. People: Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we open our hearts to the possibility that God’s Resurrection life is closer than we think. Leader: Easter people, God knows the burdens we carry, and God is faithful to meet us where we are with good news. All: May the good news of the Resurrection astound us today as we come to worship God! Amen. Invocation Hymn of Gathering : HWB 13 Blessed Jesus, at Your Word ~Praising & Praying~ Psalm Litany: Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19 Leader: I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. People: Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. Leader: The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came over me; I was overcome by distress and sorrow. People: Then I called on the name of the Lord: What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me? All: I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people. Leader: Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants. People: Truly I am your servant, Lord; I serve you just as my mother did; you have freed me from my chains. Leader: I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the Lord. People: I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the house of the Lord— in your midst, Jerusalem. All: Praise the Lord! Hymn of Praise: HWB 100 Praise Him, Praise Him! Prayers of the People Easter Hymn: HWB 281 That Easter Day with Joy was Bright ~Hearing God’s Word~ Scripture Readers Theater: Luke 24: 13-35 (The Message) Message: “Recognizing Jesus” ~Responding~ Hymn of Response: HWB 517 Open My Eyes, That I May See (the offering will be collected and brought forth at this time) Offering Prayer ~Sending~ Sending Hymn: HWB 344 I Will Sing of my Redeemer Benediction Postlude : "Jesus Shall Reign" - arr. Anna Laura Page Sending Words WORSHIP 9:30-10:30 Minister: Mike Gehman Worship Leader: Tabatha Murphy Pianist: Suzanne Stauffer Song Leader: April Shupe Usher: Leadership Team FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER Mission Project for April: After a devastating fire, we have set up a fund to help Amy, Paul, and Gretta Stauffer-McNutt through this difficult time. If you would like to donate, mark your donation for the Amy Stauffer-McNutt fire fund. There is a Celebration of Life for Nathan Miller on Sunday, May 3 rd at Brethren Woods Camp, Pine Grove, 4896 Armentrout Path, Keezletown, VA, 22832 Viola Miller Address: Park Place, Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community, 1285 Shank Drive #336, Harrisonburg, VA 22802 Jeanette Marion: 2716 Fletcher Ave NE, Canton OH 44705 THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS FOR Sue Stauffer: We are going to see the Cahill’s and they might be able to come home a month early. Bob Gerber: Thank you for all the prayers and visits. Dan Hostetler: Roommate from College, Randy, that needs a kidney, might have a match. Kristy Keim: Jaden and Dylan had a beautiful wedding. THIS WEEK April 24 th Happy Birthday, Mary Meyer April 25 th – 26 th 250 Buckeye Train Transportation Celebration (see description below) NEXT WEEK: Minister: Mike Gehman Worship Leader: Helene Torgler Head Usher: Herb Torgler LAST WEEK Sunday Attendance: 17 Offering: $1590 Change for a Dollar: $25 Easter Flowers: $38.75 Memory of Dorothy Schrock: $130 Memory of Gladys Schrock: $100 Memory of Rebecca Dean: $100 250 Buckeye Train Transportation Celebration Come experience an exciting two day showcase of festivities to celebrate Ohio’s rich transportation history in honor of America’s 250 th anniversary. There will be trains arriving/departing, a car show, vintage aircraft flyovers, food, shows and more, all in downtown Dennison. More info available on their website: dennisondepot.org/events/transportation-celebration/ On our front sign: Those who walk with Jesus, will always reach their destination. 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