March 8, 2026

Lent Three:

Standing Up and Standing Back

First Mennonite Church

Sugarcreek, Ohio

March 8, 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.

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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

“Patient Trust”

by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

We are quite naturally impatient in everything

to reach the end without delay.

We should like to skip the intermediate stages.

We are impatient of being on the way

to something unknown, something new.

And yet it is the law of all progress

that it is made by passing through some stages of instability—

and that it may take a very long time.

~Gathering and Praising~

Prelude: "Go Down, Moses" - arr. Larry Shackley

Welcome& Announcements

Introductory Poem:

As we step into Lent, we say “welcome” to the dissonance.

In words of truth that shatter rigid silence;

in pain that signals life through what was numb;

in light dissolving false, obscuring shadows;

O God, through chaos, make your presence known.

In words that challenge, bold in confrontation;

in pain and hurt, suppressed but never gone;

in light that burns with unrestrained conviction;

O God of justice, show your pow’r again.

In words unsure, confused and hesitating;

in pain described, but scarcely understood;

in light that shines upon a path of healing;

O God our hope, will you bring something good?

(VT 148)

As we step into Lent, we say, “welcome” to the dissonance,

trusting that God is here, now, in the mystery, before it is resolved.

Focus Statement:

We all have moments of courage and fear, self-protection and

solidarity with others, compassion and denial. This week puts

us firmly in the dissonance that Jesus, the disciples, and we

experience.

Hymn of Dissonance: VT 48 Come, My Way, My Truth,

My Life

This hymn was chosen for its dissonant harmonies as well as for

the words. Today we will sing the verses in unison.

Call to Worship:

WL: Confident, hesitant, maybe just tired.

All: We come to worship.

WL: Wanting to follow but not always sure how.

Embarrassed by the ways we’ve fallen short.

All: We come anyway.

WL: Seeking, hurting, longing, needing.

All: We come.

WL: When hopes are high, and dreams are bright.

When hopes are dashed, and the world is not all right.

All: We come again. We keep coming.

WL: Ready or not. Here we are.

All: Come, Jesus. Come and meet us.

Invocation

Hymn of Gathering: HWB 41 Come, thou Almighty King

~Praising & Praying~

Prayers of the People

Confession Poem:

ALL: Jesus, following you doesn’t always go the way we

expect. We had such high hopes. For you and for

ourselves ….

Bob Gerber: We feel for Peter. In that moment of fear when

everything is falling apart we too may find that we

are not as brave as we wish; that, in fact, we are not

ready to lay down our lives for anyone.

April Shupe: But when we deny you or run from the truth or

refuse your identity and potential, you remain

faithful. When we turn away, still you are

steadfast.

Ending Prayer

Hymn of Praise: HWB 65 Praise, my soul, the King of heaven

~Hearing God’s Word~

Scripture Monologue: “Peter’s Story” -based on John 18:12-27

(read by Brad Shupe)

Message: “When Faced with Fear and Doubt…”

~Responding~

Time of Silence and Reflection:

You are invited to write your thoughts on the paper provided.

After three minutes of quiet reflection, the piano will play a hymn during which the offering plates will be passed into which you will place your papers.

Hymn of Response: VT 585 Faith Begins by Letting Go

(the offering will be collected and brought forth at this time)

Offering Prayer

~Sending~

Benediction

Sending Hymn: VT 74 Just a Closer Walk with Thee

Postlude: "Be Not Afraid" - arr. Douglas Wagner

Sending Words

WORSHIP 9:30-10:30

Minister: Mike Gehman

Worship Leader: Brad Shupe

Pianist: Suzanne Stauffer

Song Leader: April Shupe

Usher: Leadership Team

Lent 2026 – “Dwelling in Dissonance”

This Lenten season we are choosing to stay in the uncomfortable, the unsettled or unfinished, the times that grate or jar or disturb and to try not to force those times to come to completion. Just as Jesus endured the trials of Holy Week, we too are committed to wait and to fully experience the dissonance in our lives. The worship services during this season will attempt to help us be more comfortable with the dissonances—as reflected in the altar, the music, in the book of John on which our services will focus,

and in those disturbing times in our lives.

After the sermon during Lent, there will be a three-minute period where we will be writing our thoughts about one of the questions printed on the bulletin insert. When the three minutes are over, the offering plates will be passed for you to put your paper in the plate to be taken to the altar. Please put your pen on the seat beside you so that we can continue to use them each Sunday in Lent.

FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER

Mission Project for 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. A list of items needed is on the table in the coffee and fellowship area.

The Central District Conference mid-year gathering will be on March 14, from 9:30 a.m. -12:00 p.m. via Zoom. At this year's mid-year gathering they will seek input from congregations that will be used as we revisit Article 19 of the Confession of Faith from a Mennonite Perspective and consider CDC’s actual practice of Article 19. The goal is to be clear about how the Confession of Faith is used in CDC. If you are interested in participating, let Tabby or April know, and they will email you a link to participate.

THE CHURCH PRAYS FOR

Linda Yoder: Prayers for friends and family of Ronnie and Marlin Miller, Ronnie has passed away.

Reno Stevanus: Sister Janet is in the hospital with an aortic aneurysm.

Sue Stauffer: Got to see Deb Cahill, sister-in-law is staying until Wednesday, Jim is not doing well.

Bruce Stauffer: Chris is having open heart surgery this week.

Mike Gehman: Friend Jim has cancer and is in the hospital.

UPCOMING EVENTS

April 2^nd Maundy Thursday Supper and Communion Service, 6pm

April 5^th Easter Sonrise Service, 8 am

Easter Service, 10 am

NEXT WEEK:

Minister: Mike Gehman