Oct. 5, 2025
First Mennonite Church
Sugarcreek, Ohio
October 5, 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: “Let Us Break Bread Together” -arr. Patti Drennan
Welcome& Announcements
Focus Statement:
This year’s World Communion Sunday highlights three powerful scriptures that remind us of our unity in Christ. From 1 Corinthians 12, we learn that the church is like one body made of many different parts, each important and needed. Psalm 133 celebrates how good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in harmony. And in John 17, Jesus prays that all believers may be one, just as He and God are one. Together, these passages invite us to celebrate our differences while remembering the unity we share at Christ’s table.
Time of Meditation: Jesus, Help Us Live in Peace
-April & Pastor Mike
Call to Worship: (based on Psalm 133, by Rev. Joanna Harader,
from SpaciousFaith.com.)
Leader: Though we may be inclined to brag, let us come together
with humility.
People: How good a thing it is when all of God’s people
live together in unity.
Leader: Though we may be tempted to use harsh words, let
us come together with gentleness.
People: How good a thing it is when all of God’s people
live together in unity.
Leader: Though we may want everything to happen quickly,
let us come together with patience.
People: How good a thing it is when all of God’s people
live together in unity.
Leader: Though the world around often encourages hate, let
us come together in love.
People: How good a thing it is when all of God’s people
live together in unity.
Leader: In humility, gentleness, patience, love, and unity,
ALL: Let us worship the God who has called us together.
Invocation
Hymn of Gathering: HWB 120 Holy, Holy, Holy
~Praying & Praising~
Scripture: John 17:21-23 (Jesus prays for all believers)
Prayers of the People
Hymn of Praise: HWB 99 We Praise Thee, O God
~Hearing God’s Word~
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12–27
Message: “Relationship Restored”
~Communion~
Body of Christ—A Hymn -sung by April
-words by Joanna Harader and Jim Krause
(the elements will be passed at this time)
The body of Christ alive in this place,
We are Christ’s hands, his feet and his face.
All genders and races the young to the old,
Each one is a part that we need for the whole.
We drink from the cup, we eat of the bread.
From my hand to yours, each one will be fed.
The rich and the poor this great banquet shall share.
With Christ as our host we will rest in God’s care.
As we eat the meal, join voices in song,
our bodies are fed, our spirits grow strong.
In joy or in sorrow, united we’ll be:
One body, one Spirit, one great mystery.
Invitation to the Table Litany:
-by Rev. Joanna Harader, from SpaciousFaith.com
Pastor: We gather around the Table in places far and near,
Right: eating sourdough, rye, tortillas,
Left: crackers, wafers, and Wonder bread–
All: The body of Christ.
Pastor: Drinking the wine or the juice
Right: from handmade chalices and silver goblets,
Left: golden spoons and little mini cups–
All: The blood of Christ.
Pastor: The bread and the cup unite us with all who would follow
Jesus.
Right: This meal reaches back through the centuries.
Left: This table reaches around the world.
All: Let us eat and drink with joy.
Partaking of the Bread and Cup
Prayer of Thanksgiving
~Responding~
Hymn of Response: We Are One In the Spirit
(offering brought forward)
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord;
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord;
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored.
Chorus: And they’ll know we are Christians
by our love, by our love,
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians
by our love, by our love.
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand;
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand;
And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land.
Chorus
We will work with each other, we will work side by side;
We will work with each other, we will work side by side;
And we’ll guard each one’s dignity and save each one’s pride.
Chorus
Offering Prayer
~Sending~
Sending Hymn: VT 812 Sent Forth By God’s Blessing
Benediction
Postlude: “We Will Remember You”
–words by Louis F. Benson and Lloyd Larson, arr. Lloyd Larson
Sending Words
WORSHIP 9:30-10:30
Minister: Mike Gehman
Worship Leader Kristy Keim
Song Leader: April Shupe
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.
Thank you for taking part in this year’s MCC School Kit Challenge! Thanks to the work of people like you throughout the U.S. and Canada, we went well above our goal of 25,000 school kits for the 2025 challenge. Working together, you, your community and other devoted supporters packed 29,639 school kits! Each of the 29,639 school kits you shared will be a gift and treasure for a student dreaming of a bright future – and for the loved ones, teachers and community members dreaming alongside them. Thank you for being part of this year’s School Kit Challenge. We hope you’ll join us again next year!
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. 26th after the church service to share your stories and memories and help us to complete the timeline.
THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS
Dan Hostetler: Randy did hear from Cleveland Clinic and will get a kidney when one becomes available.
Sue Stauffer: Jim and Deb Cahill went to Italy to do a weeklong walk.
THE CHURCH PRAYS FOR
Bertie Showers: Please pray for April who stayed home to cook for 20 people who are coming to lunch.
Amy Stauffer-McNutt: Kay Bontrager-Singer’s son and his wife, Hans and Lily Bontrager-Singer will be serving a five year term with MCC in Mexico City.
Sue Stauffer: Please pray for the immigrants who fear ICE raids.
THIS WEEK
Oct. 11th Happy Birthday, Grace Yoder
UPCOMING EVENTS
Oct. 26th Heritage Sunday w/ Guest Speaker Perry Bush from Bluffton College
Nov. 23rd Thanksgiving Sunday
NEXT WEEK
Minister: Mike Gehman
Worship Leader: Tabby Murphy
Head Usher: Mike Keim
LAST WEEK
Attendance: 21
Offering: $675
Meat Canning: $1000
Share A Christmas: $70
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
