Nov. 30, 2025

Advent 2025: Be Amazed!

First Mennonite Church

Sugarcreek, Ohio

November 30, 2025

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

Advent One: Hope in the Furnace

~Gathering~

Preludes:

"I Wonder as I Wander" - Appalachian folk song --arr. Jay Rouse

"I wonder as I wander out under the sky..."

"In the Bleak Midwinter" --arr. Larry Shackley

Welcome& Announcements

Opening Hymn: VT 237 Now the Heavens v1

Advent Scripture: Habakkuk 1:1-5

The prophecy that Habakkuk the prophet received. How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, a conflict abounds.

Therefore the law is paralyzed, a justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.

“Look at the nations and see! Be astonished! Be astounded!

For work is being done in your days that you

would not believe, even if you were told.”

Focus Statement:

Imagine stepping into a blazing furnace with Shadrach, Meshach and Abendigo in a trial by fire, trusting God with your life. Although today’s trials seem less terrifying, they are still trials—stories of injustice, poverty, and tragedy from our lives, communities and the larger world. At the beginning of Advent, as the light dims, and we wonder how long we must wait, we also tell amazing stories of hope, stories of a God who saves so that we may emerge singing:

Oh, great is the Lord! Thy name shall endure!

Let heaven and earth, oh, let all sing Thy praise!

Time of Meditation: "O Lord of Light, Who Made the Stars /

"Of the Father's Love Begotten" - arr. Curt Oliver

Call to Worship:

Leader: God of our ancestors, you are our constant hope through

all ages.

People: We come eager for stories of you standing among us.

We come longing to feel your presence among your

people once again.

Leader: As the days darken around us, hope can feel a distant

memory.

People: Even in the middle of trials, we keep our eyes on

you. Our allegiance is to you alone.

Leader: Trust in God’s steadfast love. Stand in amazement,

ready to recognize God already among us here, in this

place.

All: Our hope is in you, O God. Fill our hearts with the

courage of our ancestors. Ready us to enter their story

and be amazed.

Opening Prayer

Advent Candlelighting Litany (Mike Keim, candlelighter)

Leader: We have been wandering in the dark, fear engulfing

us like a burning furnace. We long for your hope to

find us and silence the flames of our fears.

People: Come, Hope of the world. Come amaze us!

All: May your hope flood the flames of our fears.

Hymn: VT 210 O Come, O Come, Immanuel

~Praying & Praising~

Old Testament Scripture: Psalm 26:1-7

Prayers of the People

Christmas Carol: VT 265 Angels, from the Realms of Glory

~Hearing God’s Word~

Scripture: Daniel 3:1, 8-30

Be Amazed Story: Hope in the Furnace -read by Brad Shupe

Message

~Responding~

Hymn of Response: VT 570 When We Walk with the Lord

(the offering will be brought forth at this time)

Offering Prayer

~Sending~

Benediction

Sending Hymn: HWB 79 Lord, With Devotion We Pray

Sending Words: Habakkuk 3: 17-19

Postlude: "Cold December Flies Away"

- Spanish carol arr. by Anna Laura Page

WORSHIP 9:30-10:30

Minister: Mike Gehman

Worship Leader April Shupe

Pianist: Suzanne Stauffer

Song Leader: April Shupe

Usher: Leadership Team

Cover Art: Adrianoupolitis Konstantinos (ca. 1750-1799) - The story of Daniel and the Three Youths in the Fiery Furnace

FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER

Mission Project for November: Dover-Phila Food Bank

The Dover-New Phila Food Pantry’s mission is simple: No one in need is ever turned away, and recipients can come anytime they are open and from anywhere. They are a community-based food pantry supported by the community. Please make out checks to FMC and Bruce will send one check at the end of the month to the Food Bank. (today is the last day to donate)

Special Thanksgiving / Christmas Project: Garaway Pirate Power Packs

The Garaway Pirate Power Pack Program, sponsored by the Sugarcreek United Church of Christ, meets monthly to pack over 350 bags full of food for local students. We will be collecting the following items over the next several weeks to help provide food for this program:

Ramen noodles cans of corn cans of green beans

cans of ravioli cans of tomato soup cans of pork and beans

cans of chicken noodle soup

Lessons and Carols Service at St. Joseph Catholic Church is on Sunday December 7, 6:00 p.m. (prelude beginning at 5:30). The public is invited to join in this special community Advent service. The service will include choirs from the surrounding area, a brass ensemble, hand-bell choir, the singing of carols, and readings from Sacred Scripture.

THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS

Mike Gehman: Thankful Hannah and I are here today and are on the mend.

Sue Stauffer: Classmate from Arizona came through and met with 6 other classmates, we all had a great time.

THE CHURCH PRAYS FOR

Sue Stauffer: Jim Cahill is not doing well and is very ill. He will be starting another round of chemo and might have to move back to hope lodge.

THIS WEEK

Dec. 1^st Happy Birthday, Rick Maurer

Dec. 5^th Happy Birthday, Alex Snyder

Dec. 6th Light Up Sugarcreek, 4-6:30 pm

Dec. 7th Lessons & Carols at St. Joseph in Dover, 5:30 pm

NEXT WEEK

Minister: Mike Gehman