May 4, 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.
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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: "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
