Oct. 19, 2025

First Mennonite Church

Sugarcreek, Ohio

October 19, 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

~Gathering~

Prelude: “Prelude religioso” -Ludwig van Beethoven

Welcome& Announcements

Focus Statement:

Is faith a gift or a choice? Is it something God does in us or something we do for God? You guessed that the answer is “Yes,” no doubt. Faith is a mixture of all that and more. It is a partnership with God as we enter into a relationship for our good and the good of the world around us, the community around us. We are choosing every day to live by our faith, to be shaped by our faith, and to submit all our actions and relationships to the measure of faith. Today, we examine what it means to be people of faith. We are the people who are choosing faith.

Time of Meditation: “Learning to Lean” -John Stallings

Call to Worship:

Leader: Destruction and violence are everywhere; strife and

contention are all around

People: The needs of the world are so great;

All: O Lord, increase our faith.

Leader: The law is slack, and justice does not prevail.

People: The needs of the world are so great;

All: O Lord, increase our faith.

Leader: How many threats surround us; warfare,

homelessness, loneliness, loss.

People: The needs of the world are so great, but you, O God,

are greater still –the One in whom all things are

possible.

All: O Lord, increase our faith in you!

Invocation

Hymn of Gathering: HWB 86 Now Thank We All Our God

~Praying & Praising~

Old Testament Scripture: Lamentations 3:19-26

Prayers of the People

Hymn of Praise: HWB 327 Great Is Thy Faithfulness

~Hearing God’s Word~

Scripture: Luke 17:5-10

Homily: “Moving Forward in Faith” -April Shupe

~Responding~

Hymn of Response: HWB 565 My Faith Looks Up To Thee

Offering Prayer

~Sending~

Sending Hymn: HWB 357 O Master, Let Me Walk With Thee

Sending Prayer:

Leader: Saviour Christ, increase our faith,

People: that we may trust the unseen truths as more important

than bland or trivial physical possessions.

Leader: Loving God, increase our hope,

People: that we may reach out for a better tomorrow and be

undaunted by temporary setbacks.

Leader: Inspiring Spirit, increase our love,

People: that we may put into the world something of the joy

and compassion which you put into our lives.

ALL: For the sake of your new world, and to your praise and

glory. Amen!

Postlude: “At Calvary” -arr. Daniel B. Towner

Sending Words

WORSHIP 9:30-10:30

Worship Leader Helene Torgler

Song Leader: April Shupe

Guest Pianist: Shirley Homan

Usher: Mike Keim

FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER

Mission Project for October: MCC Meat Canning

Your help is needed to fund MCC meat canning in Kidron: They are grateful for the volunteers who will help can 30,000 pounds of turkey in the Gerber Building behind Central Christian School from October 20-23. However, they are struggling to raise the necessary funds to pay for the canning. While they were able to secure a loan from MCC that enables the canning to move forward without delay, they need to raise $40,000 to repay the cost of the meat and canner operations. Please consider supporting this important project, helping people in need around the world, providing important nutrients through canned meat. Make checks payable to First Mennonite, earmarked for Meat Canning and Bruce will send one check at the end of the month.

100 Year Huddle: Timeline

In preparation for our 100-year anniversary we will be making a timeline of events and people who have been part of our church. Please join us on Oct. 26^th after the church service to share your stories and memories and help us to complete the timeline. Please bring a cover dish from one of the church’s cookbooks.

THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS

Tabatha Murphy: Bill is home from the hospital; he is doing well but still has a drainage tube.

THE CHURCH PRAYS FOR

April Shupe: Bertie is feeling pain in her hip and arm, might be inflamed.

THIS WEEK

Oct. 20^th Happy Birthday, Pong Sixiengmay

Oct. 20^th Happy Birthday, Hannah Gehman

Oct. 21^st Happy Birthday, Jon Gerber

Oct. 21^st Happy Birthday, Jaden Murphy

Oct. 23^rd Happy Birthday, Ila Miller

Oct. 25^th Happy Birthday, Ron Meyer

Oct. 26^th Heritage Sunday w/ Guest Speaker Perry Bush from Bluffton College and Carry-In Meal following worship