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__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Lent 2022

Seeking God's Ways

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways

says the LORD.--Isaiah 55:8

Lent 1:  From Security to Generosity

Prelude: "Since Jesus Came Into My Heart"--Joe Miller & Mike Gehman

Welcome & Announcements:

Focus: As we see God's way, we move from prioritizing our personal security to living with generosity toward our neighbors.

~Gathering~

Time of Meditation: "Down to the River to Prays"--Joe Miller & Mike Gehman

Call to Worship:

L: Together we seek the way of God,

P:  through the wilderness of Lent, through the wilderness of life.

L:  We crave the safety of God's shelter,

P:  the cool comfort of the divine shadow, the security of the holy fortress.

L:  God offers the care of angels,

P:  the gentleness of creation the protection of love.

L:  God is generous to all who call on the holy name,

All:  so come, let us seek God's way of generosity.

Invocation:

Hymn of Gathering:

"Come, thou Almighty King" Hymnal a Worship Book #47

~Prayer & Praise~

Old Testament Reading: Deuteronomy 26:1-11

Sharing Our Joys & Concerns:

Lenten Prayer of Confession: (adapted from Isaiah 55)

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

P:  We call upon you while you are near.

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

P:  Forgive us for seeking security.  Lead us into your way of generosity.

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

All:  and follow your way more faithfully.

Prayer:

Hymn of Praise:

"Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing" Hymnal a Worship Book #110

~Hearing God's Word~

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Message: "Facing Temptations and Testings"--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 from our ways of clinging to security to your ways of generous living.

Hymn of Response:

"Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God" Hymnal a Worship Book #324

(the offering will be brought forward at this time)

Offering Prayer:

Sending Hymn:

"The Lord Lift You Up" Sing the Journey #73

Sending Words:

Postlude: "In the Garden"--Joe Miller & Mike Gehman

Words of Dismissal:

THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS AND PRAYS FOR________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

For God's transformation in us.

       Gene Miller, Bertie Showers, Bill and Jean Flinner, the Ukrainians

For the beautiful altar this morning.

MMN: Mennonite Mission Network praises God for the safety of its personnel and partners in Burkina Faso during January's coup d'etat.  Pray for peace , both on the national level and in the increasing number of communities impacted by Islamist militant violence.  May Mennonite churches witness to God's peace.

Prayers for Mennonite Education-Bethel College, North Newton, KS:  Pray for Bethel College students and faculty during spring break, March 6-12, especially for safe travel, good health, and plenty of rest.  Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg, VA:  Pray for the students from EMU who will be serving in organizations in Washington DC that are supporting food insecurity and homelessness initiatives.

FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Next Week's Texts: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18; Psalm 27; Luke 13:31-35; Philippians 3:17-4:1

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

March Mission Projects: Harbor of Hope: Paper products

Hygiene Kits:  Thank you for your generous donation of 25 kits for MCC.

Easter Flowers:  The sign-up sheets are on the mailbox table.  The last date to order is March 13.

MC-USA: Mennonite Education Agency of Mennonite Church USA has released its free Lent at Home 2022 worship guide and calendar.  There are copies on the table by the mailboxes.

WORSHIP                                                                                                                                9:30-10:30_____________________________________________________________________________

Greeters:                                                                                                                                 Tyler & Jaden Murphy

Minister:                                                                                                                                 Mike Gehman

Worship Leader:                                                                                                                   April Shupe

Song Leader:                                                                                                                          April Shupe

Organist:                                                                                                                                 Margaret Cheslock

Pianist:                                                                                                                                     Suzanne Stauffer

Head Usher:                                                                                                                            Leadership Team

THIS WEEK______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

March 10th     Worship Committee Meeting 1:30 p.m.

March 13th       Gene Miller has a Birthday

UPCOMING EVENTS________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

March 13th            Harbor of Hope items due: Paper Products

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

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

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

April 10th               Palm Sunday

April 14th               Maundy Thursday

April 15th               Good Friday

April 16th               Holy Saturday

April 17th               Easter Sunday

April 22-23              Ohio MCC Comforter Bash

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

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

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

May   8th                Mother's Day

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

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

May 30th                 Memorial Day

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

NEXT WEEK_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Greeters:                                                                                                            Mike & Kristy Keim

Minister:                                                                                                             Mike Gehman

Worship Leader:                                                                                                Tally Maust

Song Leader:                                                                                                      April Shupe

Head Usher:                                                                                                       Leadership Team

CHURCH LEADERSHIP_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

CHURCH:

Pastor:  Mike Gehman

Pastor's Hours: Wednesday 9:30a.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