May 25, 2025
Anabaptism At Five Hundred
First Mennonite Church
Sugarcreek, Ohio
May 25, 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
Anabaptism at 500
Belief Four: Bearing Witness
“Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid,
which is Jesus Christ.”
~Gathering in the Royal Bible Classroom~
(around tables)
Welcome and Announcements
Focus Statement:
Anabaptists have a history of “bearing witness” to their faith in Jesus, even in difficult circumstances. Bearing witness may mean that a person continues to live out her or his faith even when it is against the law. For some, bearing witness means participating in a public action to show a way of thinking believing, or being. Others would explain bearing witness as a way of living each day, no matter how ordinary, as a disciple of Christ. The term is used in both the Old and New Testaments to describe various forms of testimony, including that of prophets, individuals, and even divine entities.
Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid.
No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket,
but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.
In the same way, let light shine before others,
so that they may see your good works and
give glory to your Father in heaven.”
Time of Meditation: HWB 403 The Church of Christ, in Every Age
Call to Worship:
Leader: In defiance of corruption and falsehood,
People: we commit to truth and integrity, and we pray for honesty
and uprightness to increase in our world.
Leader: In defiance of apathy and hatred,
People: choose to be proactive in love, and we pray for understanding
and peace to increase in our world.
Leader: In defiance of skepticism and cynicism,
People: we embrace the mystery of faith, and we pray for humility
and wonder to increase in our world.
Leader: In defiance of all that would oppose God’s purpose among us,
People: we choose again to follow Christ, and we continue to pray, not
just now, but at all times. Amen.
Invocation
Hymn of Gathering: VT 87 O Praise the Gracious Power v 1,6,7
~Storytelling~
Early Anabaptist Story: Joriaen Simon -read by Nancy Yoder
~Praising and Praying~
Hymn of Praise: VT123 Come, Ye Thankful People
Prayers of the People
~Storytelling~
Global Story: Hugo Donatti -read by Linda Yoder
Early Anabaptist Story in Drama:
The Farmer and The Preacher: Jacob Hottinger, 1523
Narrator – Suzanne Stauffer, Farmer – Bruce Stauffer,
Preacher Lorenz - Brad Shupe, Reader 1 – Helene Torgler,
Reader 2 – Tyler Murphy
Hymn of Response: VT 590 How Can We Be Silent
~Hearing God’s Word~
Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20
Remarks: Thoughts about the Church and the Importance of Bearing Witness -Tabby Murphy
~Responding~
Hymn of Response: VT 545 Here I Am, Lord
Offering Prayer
~Sending~
Sending Hymn: VT 841 As You Go Out from Here
Benediction
WORSHIP 9:30-10:30
Worship Leader: Brad Shupe
Pianist: Suzanne Stauffer
Head Usher: Monk Yoder
Our On-Going Series on Anabaptist Beliefs:
In 2018 Lisa Weaver and Elizabeth Miller, as part of the Bearing Witness Stories project, wrote a book for children entitled Let the
Children Come to Me: Nurturing Anabaptist Faith within Families.
“The materials gathered together in this book beautifully
illustrate the central convictions of the Anabaptist tradition.”
-John D. Roth, Director of the Institute for the
Study of Global Anabaptism
As residents of Holmes and Tuscarawas counties, oftentimes we each have been asked, “Are Mennonites Amish?” and “What do you believe that’s different from other Protestant denominations?” It’s sometimes
hard to come up with an explanation of our faith. Hopefully this series of worship services (that will be spread out through this year of Anabaptism at 500) will enable us to answer these questions more accurately. We are basing this series on the above-mentioned book.
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 for June: Dress A Child
As one school year ends, this program looks forward to the new 2025-26 school year. Giving our students who attend school in Tuscarawas County a fresh new set of clothes to begin the year is a wonderful blessing. Dress A Child raises money to serve the children in our county whose families meet the federal poverty guidelines. Last year, they were able to give 980 children $85.00 worth of new clothing! Make checks payable to First Mennonite, and one check will be sent at the end of the month from our church to Dress A Child. Thank you!
“Life is good when you are happy; but much better when
others are happy because of you.” -Pope Francis
THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS
Dan Hostetler: Mom is home from rehab.
Linda Yoder: Dad had a cardiologist appointment and everything went well.
Amy Hostetler: Tomorrow, I will retire from being a teacher.
THE CHURCH PRAYS FOR
Lizzie Keim: My sister Katie had a stroke, will have an MRI on Monday. Also, please pray for the people affected by the tornadoes last week.
Sue Stauffer: College roommate Janice has cancer.
THIS WEEK
May 26th Happy Birthday, Brad Shupe
May 31st Happy Anniversary, Bill & Jean Flinner
NEXT WEEK
Text: Psalm 97; John 17:20-26
Minister: Mike Gehman
Worship Leader: Bruce Stauffer
Head Usher: Mike Keim
UPCOMING EVENTS:
June 6th – 7th Fabulous Fifties Fling Downtown Sugarcreek
June 8th Pentecost Sunday
June 13th 29th Annual Beachy’s Ham and Chicken Buffet benefiting
Ohio Hospice, 4:30-7:30 pm at Legacy Christian School.
July 13th Winklepleck Grove Service and Picnic
July 20th Church Visitation Sunday
(Visit a church of your choice—No morning service at FMC)
LAST WEEK
Attendance: 19
Offering: $1265
Change for a dollar: $12
Easter Flowers: $47.75
CHURCH LEADERSHIP
Pastor: Mike Gehman: 1-330-749-674
Email: pastor@firstmennonitesugarcreek.com
Pastor’s Hours: Wednesday 9:30a.m.-2:30p.m
Church Secretary: Tabatha Murphy
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
