November 27, 2022

Tally Maust • November 25, 2022

Restoration Is Near

Advent 1:

Watch:  The day is almost here


~Gathering~

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

Welcome & Announcements:

Focus Statement:

We need restoration, awaiting Christ's coming in our time just as the world

waited before the first incarnation.  In anticipation, we are to live as

restored people.

Context Question:

         Where is your community earnestly longing for restoration?

         What is your role in that context of brokenness?

 (It is our hope that during the service you will write out answers to these questions on paper that is included in your bulletin.  Your answers are to be placed in the basket at the back of the sanctuary where the offering plate is kept.  No name is required.  Our collective answers will be published in the bulletin the following Sunday.)

Time of Meditation: "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence"--arr. Mark Hayes

Candle-Lighting Liturgy:

Leader:  Watch!  You know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep.

People:  the night is far gone, the day is near.

Hymn:

"O Come, O Come, Immanuel" Voices Together #210 (vs. 1,6)

Leader:  As we watch, we light this candle as a sign of our hope.

People:  Bring your restoration to your people, we pray.

Hymn:

"O Praise the Gracious Power" Voices Together #87 (vs. 1)

Call to Worship:

Leader:  Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel; you who sit on the mercy seat between the cherubim, we stand in your presence, seeking your face.

People:  Shine Forth, O Lord, in the sight of your people, that we may see you clearly.  Stir up your strength in us; come, rescue us.

Leader:  The time is near, we are watching; restore us again, O God.

People:  Cause your face to shine and we shall be saved, make whole by your gracious love and kindness.

All:  We are watching and waiting for you, O Lord.

Hymn of Petition:

"Comfort, Comfort, O My People" Voices Together #212 (vs. 1,3)


~Praying & Praising~


A Shepherd Remembers: By Jean Flinner

Hymn:

"How Firm A Foundation" Voices Together #592

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 122

Congregational Prayers/Joys:

Ending Prayer:


~Hearing God's Word~


New Testament Reading: Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:36-44

Message: "Prepare and Wait"--by Mike Gehman


~Response & Sending~


Hymn of Response:

"For the Healing of the Nations" Voices Together #705

(the offering will be brought forward at this time)


Offering Prayer:


Sending Hymn:

"Beauty for Brokenness" Voices Together #712


Benediction:

Postlude: "All Earth Is Hopeful"--arr. Curt Oliver

Words of Dismissal:


THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS AND PRAYS FOR                                                                                                                                For the peace that comes when we are thankful for what God provides.

For the beautiful altar this morning with the singing bird by Suzanne Stauffer.

Margaret Cheslock, Sue Stauffer, Rain Campbell, Tyler's Grace, Bill and Jean Flinner, Jeff Schrock

MMN: Austin Roberts, who is serving through Mennonite Mission Network, requests prayer for Northern Ireland, where Queen Elizabeth's death had fueled tensions between Catholics and Protestants.  Inflation and the rise in heating oil prices and electricity, a result of Russia's was in Ukraine, add to the unrest.  He asks us to join him in his plea for "a swift and peaceful end to this aggression," for the benefit of the people of Ukraine, all of Europe and the world.

Prayers for Mennonite Education-Eastern Mennonite School, Harrisonburg, VA: Generosity.  Philanthropy.  Eastern Mennonite School students grades 6-12 learn about these when they help to implement the school's annual Christmas Fund Drive, a student-led initiative since 1948.  Pray for seeds sown and gifts given.  Quakertown (PA) Christian School:  We ask for prayers for our Leadership Team and Board as we continue to make decisions to better our ministry.


FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER                                                                                                                                           

Next Week's Texts: Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12

Harbor of Hope:  This month's items are Spaghetti Sauce & Pasta and are due on December 21st.

November Mission Projects:  Harbor of Hope:  Spaghetti Sauce & Pasta; Mitten Tree: Hats, Gloves, and Scarves; Mission Sunday

Fun and Games Next Sunday:  Next Sunday, December 4th at 2:30 p.m. we will have another game afternoon.  So bring your favorite game to play.  Food will be provided,


WORSHIP                                                                     9:30-10:30                                                                                                                 

Greeters:                                                                                                    Lizzie Keim, Keo Sixiengmay

Minister:                                                                                                     Mike Gehman

Worship Leader:                                                                                     Tally Maust

Song Leader:                                                                                            April Shupe

Organist:                                                                                                    Margaret Cheslock

Pianist:                                                                                                        Suzanne Stauffer

Head Usher:                                                                                              Leadership Team


THIS WEEK                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Nov. 29th           Homeless Shelter Meal 6:00 p.m.


UPCOMING EVENTS                                                                                                                                                                                       

Dec.   1st             Worship Committee Meeting 2:00 p.m.

Dec.   4th             Second Sunday of Advent

Dec.   7th             Leadership Team Meeting 7:00 p.m.

Dec. 11th            Third Sunday of Advent

Dec. 18th            Fourth Sunday of Advent

Dec. 21st             Harbor of Hope items due: Spaghetti Sauce & Pasta

Dec. 23rd            Senior Breakfast @ Dutch Valley 9:00 a.m.

Dec. 24th            Christmas Eve Service starting at 4:00 p.m.

Dec. 25th            Christmas Day: no service today enjoy family time

Dec. 31st             Year-end Reports Due

Dec. 331st           New Year's Eve

2023

Jan.   1st               First Sunday after Christmas

Jan.   3rd              Leadership Team Meeting 7:00 p.m.

Jan.   6th              Old Christmas (Epiphany)

Jan.   8th               Epiphany Sunday

Jan. 24th             Harbor of Hope items due: Canned Fruit & Veggies

Jan. 24-27           MCC Meat Canning in Berlin, Ohio

Jan. 26th             Senior Breakfast @ Dutch Valley 9:00 a.m.

Jan. 30th            Homeless Shelter Meal 6:00 p.m.


NEXT WEEK                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Greeters:                                                                                               Bruce & Sue Stauffer

Minister:                                                                                                Mike Gehman

Worship Leader:                                                                                Dan Hostetler

Song Leader:                                                                                       April Shupe

Head Usher:                                                                                         Herb Torgler


CHURCH LEADERSHIP                                                                                                                                                                                 

CHURCH:

Pastor:  Mike Gehman

Pastor's Hours: Wednesday 9:300am-2:30pm

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

Office Contact:  Linda Yoder

Mission Contact:  Reno Stevanus

Trustees Contact:  Dan Hostetler

Secretary Contact:  Amy Stauffer-McNutt
















August 14, 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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