Mission Sunday

Giving and receiving in God’s mission

First Mennonite Church

Sugarcreek, Ohio November 14, 2021

Worship: 9:30-10:30

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_______________________________________

Giving and receiving hospitality in God’s mission

~Gathering~

Prelude:

Welcome & Announcements:

Focus Statement:

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers,” says the book of Hebrews, “for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it” (13:2). Through hospitality, which creates an opportunity for stranger to become friends, we experience the presence of God.

Time of Meditation:

*Call to Worship:

L: There is no scarcity. There is no shortage. No lack of love, of compassion, of joy in the world. There is enough. There is more than enough. Only fear and greed makes us think otherwise. No one need starve.

P: There is enough land and enough food.

L: No one need die of thirst.

P: There is enough water.

L: No one need live without mercy.

P: There is no end to grace.

L: And we are all instruments of grace.

P: the more we give it, the more we share it, the more we use it, the more God makes.

L: There is no scarcity of love.

*Opening Prayer:

*Hymn of Gathering:

“Come, Thou Almighty King” Hymnal a Worship Book #41

~Praise & Prayer~

Psalm Reading: Psalm 23; Hymnal a Worship Book #814 read in unison

Congregational Prayers & Praises:

Ending Prayer:

Special Music:

“Helpless and Hungry/ What Child is This?” (Sing the Story #26/HWB #215)

Video and song by Notre Dame Folk Group

~Hearing God’s Word~

Children’s Story: “What to Do with the Leftovers”

Scripture:

Message:

~Responding~

Congregational Covenant Renewal:

Leader: God of covenant, your steadfast love endures forever. In Christ, we belong to you and your people.

All: Today, through the Spirit, we renew our commitment to fellowship and worship, service and witness, as partners in your mission. God, give us grace, in this place and for this time, to live this covenant.

Hymn of Response/Offertory:

“Whatsoever You Do” Sing the Story #52 (vs.1,2,6,8,9)

April Shupe & Mike Gehman on guitar

(the offering will be brought forward at this time)

~Sending~

Benediction:

*Sending Hymn:

“Guide My Feet” Hymnal a Worship Book #546

Postlude:



Sending Words:

*Stand if you are able.

Coffee and Fellowship: A very warm welcome to all who worshipped with us today. After Worship you are invited to a time of fellowship in the Gathering Place just outside the sanctuary. This followed by Sunday School for all ages. Ask an usher for the location of classes.

THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS______________________________________________

Thanks to God for those who have gone before us and still guide us.

Jean Flinner: After 2 years the doctors have finally found the cause of facial pain. And with the treatment the past week she has not any pain.

THE CHURCH PRAYS FOR___________________________________________________

MMN: Severe funding cuts are hampering the functions of Kalonda Bible Institute, where many Mennonite church leaders are trained in Congo. Mennonite Mission Network requests prayer for the professors and their families, who have lost their incomes, and for Bercy Mundedi, the director, who has an ardent desire to see the next generation of church leaders prepared for God’s work.

Prayers for Mennonite Education-Bethel College, North Newton, KS: Pray for the audience viewing the film A Home Called Nebraska in the KIPCOR Film Series at Bethel College, and for the discussion that follows on compassion and care for strangers and refugees. Lezha (Albania) Academic Center: Please remember the Lezha Academic Center students who are participating in the National Math Competition.

FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER____________________________________

Next Week’s Texts: II Samuel 23:1-7; Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14; Psalm 132:1-12, (13-18); Psalm 93: (1); CEV; Revelation 1:4b-8; John 18:33

Harbor of Hope: This month’s items are Canned Fruit & Veggies, and are due on Wednesday, November 17^th.

November Mission Projects: Harbor of Hope-Canned Fruit & Veggies; Mission Sunday-Open Arms Ministry; Mitten Tree-Hats, Scarves, Mittens and Gloves; Homeless Shelter Meal Nov. 30, 6:00pm

Greeter Sign-up: If you feel like you would like to serve in this way please sign the sheet on the table with the mailboxes.

MC-USA: Open enrollment for The Corinthian Plan continues through Dec. 31. All Mennonite Church USA-affiliated congregations can enroll their eligible staff for coverage. For more information, please visit mennoniteusa.org/tcp.

MC-USA: Three pastors from across the denomination share their experiences with Intergenerational worship in this recent Mennonite Church USA Faith Formation roundtable discussion. Watch the recorded webinar here: https://www.mennoniteusa.org/ff-intergenerational

MC-USA: As part of the Mennonite Church USA and MennoMedia’s Common Read initiative, Sara Wenger-Shenk discussed her book “Tongue-Tied,” in which she investigates the reasons why people who claim the name of Christ are so reluctant to talk about him. Watch and share the webinar recording here: mennoniteusa.org/commonread-webinar

MC-USA-Learn, Pray, Join: Cost of Poverty: Lane Miller laments the systems that benefit some and leave others in poverty in his prayer, “The cost of poverty,” which is part of Mennonite Church USA’s “Learn, Pray, Join” initiative. Join him in praying that we can achieve a different way of seeing and being, so that poverty can be vanquished. www.mennoniteusa.org/menno-snapshots/the-cost-of-poverty/

WORSHIP                                                                                               9:30-10:30__________

Greeters:                                                                                                 Herb & Helene Torgler

Minister:                                                                                                  Mike Gehman

Worship Leader:                                                                                  Tally Maust                                                                                                 

Song Leader:                                                                                          April Shupe

Organist:                                                                                                  Margaret Cheslock

Pianist:                                                                                                      Suzanne Stauffer

Head Usher:                                                                                            Leadership Team

THIS WEEK_________________________________________________________________

Nov. 17^th      Harbor of Hope items due: Canned Fruit & Veggies

UPCOMING EVENTS________________________________________________________

Nov. 26^th         Senior Breakfast @ Dutch Valley 9:00 a.m.
Nov. 28^th         1^st Sunday of Advent
  Nov. 30^th         Homeless Shelter Meal 6:00 p.m.

Dec.  1^st          Leadership Team Meeting 7:00p.m.

Dec. 15^th         Harbor of Hope items due: Spaghetti Sauce & Pasta

Dec. 24^th         Christmas Eve Service

Dec. 25^th         Christmas Day

Dec. 31^st          Annual Reports Due😊

NEXT WEEK_________________________________________________________________

Greeters:                                                                                     Keo Sixiengmay, Keutmy Phoutarath

Guest Minister:                                                                         Ernie Hershberger

Worship Leader:                                                                       Jean Flinner

Song Leader:                                                                              April Shupe

Head Usher:                                                                                Leadership Team

LAST WEEK_________________________________________________________________

ATTENDANCE:                                                                                                                                         23

OFFERING:

Change for a Dollar:                                                                                                                      $7.00

Contributions:                                                                                                                           2,354.00

Total:                                                                                                                                            $2,361.00

CHURCH LEADERSHIP______________________________________________________

CHURCH:

Pastor: Mike Gehman: 1-330-749-6746

Pastor’s Hours: Wednesday 9:30a.m.-2:30p.m.

Secretary: Tally Maust

Phone: 1-330-852-2822

Email: pastor@firstmennonitesugarcreek.com

Website: http//fmcsugarcreekoh.org

Address:

113 W. Main St. P.O. Box 250

Sugarcreek, Ohio 44681

CONGREGATIONAL LEADERSHIP TEAM:

Chairperson: Mike Keim: 1-330-407-9291

Office Contact: Linda Yoder: 1-3330-204-1668

Mission Contact: Reno Stevanus: 1-330-243-0263

Trustees Contact: Dan Hostetler: 1-330-852-2151

Secretary Contact: Amy Stauffer-McNutt: 1-330-243-4485