Celebrating Mother’s Day—

One Endless Line of Faith

 

First Mennonite Church

Sugarcreek, Ohio

May 11, 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.

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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

~Gathering~

Prelude:    “When Morning Gilds the Skies” -arr. Mark Hayes, 

           performed by David Lutz, piano and Karen Eddinger, organ

Welcome& Announcements

Focus Statement: 

Our journey of faith in walking with Christ began as we believed in Jesus' death on the cross and his resurrection life that gives us the power to become people of faith. Before our journey began seeds were sown and examples of Christ's love were seen in the lives of family and friends who lived out their faith. These powerful examples are part of a legacy of faith and love that were demonstrated in their lives, and also served as models of what it means to follow Jesus Christ. Think of people who were examples of faith and showing Christ's love that influenced your life. How can we continue to carry out this calling to pass on the legacy of faith in Christ to others?

Time of Meditation: “The Sweet By and By” 

                                  -arr. Mark Hayes, performed by Timothy King

(words printed in back of bulletin)

Call to Worship: 

         Leader: We gather together to worship our loving, nurturing

                         God, who, like a mother, knows us intimately, loves

                          us unconditionally, teaches us the way we should

                          go, and comforts us in times of need.

         People: Praise God, the Source and Sustainer of life!

         Leader: We’ve come to worship God, who loved us before

                         we were yet born, who knows us even better than

                         we know ourselves, whose presence never leaves

                         us, and whose love for us never ceases.

         People: This is our God. Let’s worship together!

Invocation

Hymn of Gathering: HWB 14 Come, We That Love the Lord

~Praying & Praising~

Old Testament Reading:   Deuteronomy 4: 1-2, 6-9

Prayers of the People

Hymn of Praise: HWB 156 All Things Bright & Beautiful

~Hearing God’s Word~

Scripture: II Timothy 1:3-7

Message: “Pass It On”

Special Music: Pass It On

~Responding~

Hymn of Response: HWB 490 Lord of the Home

Offering Prayer

~Sending~

Sending Hymn:  HWB I Love to Tell the Story

Benediction:

 Leader: May the Lord who brought us to birth by his Spirit,

               strengthen us for the Christian life. 

   Right: May the Lord who provides for all our needs sustain us

               day by day.  

      Left: May the Lord whose steadfast love is as constant as a mother's 

                  care, send us out to live and work for others. 

     All: May the Lord, who hears our ardent prayers, grant that

             our  families will embrace Christ and indeed continue that

             one endless line of faith until He returns. AMEN. 

Postlude: “For the Beauty of the Earth” -arr. John Rutter,

                             performed by the Cambridge Singers

Sending Words

*At the end of the service, please help fold the comforters around you and either lay them at the end of the pew, or take them to the back bench. Thank you!

WORSHIP                                                               9:30-10:30  

Minister:                                                                          Mike Gehman

Worship Leader:                                                              April Shupe                             

Usher:                                                                                 Monk Yoder        

Note about the altar and cover art:

The Infant Samuel - 1776, by Sir Joshua Reynolds (b. 1723 England, d. 1792).  Here in his portrait of the child Samuel, the stylistic guise he dons is that of Rembrandt. In earthy shades of brown, he shows Samuel, the last judge and first prophet of Israel, as a child. The very choice of theme is unusual, considering the role of Samuel as the epitome of constant obedience, great wisdom and just but firm rule, a weighty role indeed for a child of such tender age, as Reynolds shows here. But it all began with his mother Hannah. After years of infertility, she prays for a son and vows to dedicate him to the Lord if granted. God answers her prayer, and she names her son Samuel, meaning "heard of God." She later fulfills her vow by dedicating Samuel to the priesthood at Shiloh. 

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!

THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS                                         

Tabatha Murphy: Uncle Bill is home from the hospital and is doing better.

April Shupe: During the storm last week, a tree fell on our pool, thankful for our neighbors who came to help in our time of need.

THE CHURCH PRAYS FOR     

Sue Stauffer: The roof of our garage came off during the storms, the garage door was saved thanks to our neighbors. Also, Jim Cahill has contracted a virus, his blood counts are messed up and he will need an infusion.

Bertie Shupe: Ken will be brought to Sugarcreek where we will have a service for him.

Reno Stevanus: Ted Brown passed away Tuesday morning, prayers to his friends and family.

THIS WEEK

May 14^th         Happy Birthday, Jocele Meyer

May 14^th         Happy Birthday, Lizzie Keim

NEXT WEEK   

Note: Next Sunday we will be having another Anabaptist at Five Hundred worship service, meeting in the S.S. room beside the office instead of in the sanctuary. We will be meeting at our usual time. 

Worship Leader:                                                               Tabatha Murphy                                                  

Head Usher:                                                                                   Monk Yoder

LAST WEEK

Attendance:                                                                         18

Offering:                                                                              $1683

Change for a dollar:                                                           $79

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

The Sweet By and By

Words by Sanford Fillmore Bennet

Music by Joseph P. Webster

1) There's a land that is fairer than day,
    And by faith we can see it afar,
    For the Father waits over the way
    To prepare us a dwelling place there.

Refrain:
In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore;
In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore.

2) We shall sing on that beautiful shore
    The melodious songs of the blest;
    And our spirits shall sorrow no more-
    Not a sigh for the blessing of rest. [Refrain]

3) To our bountiful Father above
    We will offer our tribute of praise
    For the glorious gift of His love
    And the blessings that hallow our days. [Refrain]