May 4, 2025

May 2, 2025

Finding Hope on the Road to Emmaus

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Mennonite Church

Sugarcreek, Ohio

May 4, 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


~Gathering~


Prelude:  "Fairest Lord Jesus" - arr. Cindy Berry

 

Welcome& Announcements

 

MCC Comfort and Hygiene Kit Dedication

 

Focus Statement: 

Jesus told his disciples of his betrayal, death on the cross, and that he would rise again on the third day. They heard the words, but when the reality of these events happened, they fled, hid in fear of what may happen next, and lost hope in what they thought the Messiah would do to restore God’s kingdom. They needed to see Jesus Christ, in his scarred, resurrected body, to again find the hope and peace that only he can bring. As followers of Christ, there are times when we face trials, loss, and difficult things that can cause us to become fearful, weary, and lack hope in believing God’s promises in his word. How can we see and experience the resurrected Christ in our lives today? What brings you hope, to carry on in your journey of faith? 

 

Time of Meditation: "Trust and Obey" - arr. Lloyd Larson

 

Call to Worship: 

     Leader: We need your presence on the long road, Lord.
     People: The road between fear and hope, the road between

                     the place where all is lost and the place of

                     resurrection.
     
Leader: Like the disciples walking the road to Emmaus, we are

                    in need of your company!
           All: Jesus, stand among us, in your risen power, let this

                   time of worship, be a hallowed hour.

 

Invocation

 

Hymns of Gathering: HWB 13 Blessed Jesus at Your Word

         

~Praying & Praising~


Psalm Reading: 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.

           All: Then I called on the name of the Lord: “Lord, save

                    me!”

     People: What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to

                     me?

     Leader: I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name

                   of the Lord.

     People: 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.

         All: Truly I am your servant, Lord; I serve you just as my

                  mother did; you have freed me from my chains.

   People: I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the

                  name of the Lord.

 Leader: 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 46 – “I sing the mighty power of God”

 

Prayers of the People

 

Hymn of Praise: HWB 71 Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee

 

~Hearing God’s Word~


Scripture: Luke 24: 13-35

   

Message: “Hope Restored”

 

~Responding~


Hymn of Response: HWB 594 Lord, You Sometimes Speak

 

Offering Prayer


~Sending~


Sending Hymn: VT 810 Go My Friends in Grace

 

Benediction

 

Postlude: "Be Still, My Soul" - arr. Lloyd Larson

 

Sending Words

 

WORSHIP                                                               9:30-10:30  

Minister:                                                                          Mike Gehman

Worship Leader:                                                           Helene Torgler                              

Usher:                                                                                 Monk Yoder        

 

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                                             

Bruce Stauffer: It is great to see Laura Kaufman here today and for my grandchildren to help decorate.

 

THE CHURCH PRAYS FOR         

Mike Gehman: Ken is having his 3rd brain surgery on May 8th.

Bertie Showers: Lost both brother Ken and sister Wanda, Had services in Lebanon OH.

Dan Hostetler: Mom JoAnn in the hospital with pneumonia, and Amy’s Mom Dolores fell, but is back home and doing OK. 

Tabby Murphy: Bill Flinner has been admitted to Pomerene Hospital. He was dehydrated and has a UTI, he also hasn't been feeling well for a while.

 

 

 

THIS WEEK

May 1st           Happy Anniversary, Herb & Helene Torgler

May 5th           Happy Birthday, Bruce Stauffer

May 8th           Happy Birthday, Linda Yoder

May 11th         Happy Birthday, Herb Torgler

                       Mother’s Day

NEXT WEEK 

Minister:                                                                                       Mike Gehman 

Worship Leader:                                                                    April Shupe                                                        

Head Usher:                                                                                   Monk Yoder

 

LAST WEEK

Maundy Thursday Attendance:                                           25

Sonrise Service Attendance:                                                 41

Easter Service Attendance:                                                  31

Offering:                                                                                $2006

Change for a dollar:                                                              $7

Cabin (Release Time):                                                           $50

Celebration of life for Julia Gerber Attendance:                 92

Dinner after celebration of life service:                               72

Offering:                                                                                $495

Easter Flowers:                                                                      $31.95

Cabin (Release Time):                                                           $100                                                             

 

About the Cover Art:

"Road to Emmaus" by Robert Zünd (1826-1909). He was a painter who lived through the Industrial Revolution and into the 20th Century, but you wouldn't know it by looking at his paintings. They are all serene landscapes, with no machines, arranged in classical composition theory, a style harkening to the century before his. As he got older, he became more religious, and wove Biblical themes into his landscapes. Note how Zund has Jesus pointing to the light! Walk with us, Jesus! Teach us! 

 

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, 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

August 7, 2026
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June 20, 2026
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
June 12, 2026
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June 6, 2026
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