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