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;

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;

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;

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. 26^th 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. 11^th Happy Birthday, Grace Yoder

UPCOMING EVENTS

Oct. 26^th Heritage Sunday w/ Guest Speaker Perry Bush from Bluffton College

Nov. 23^rd Thanksgiving Sunday

NEXT WEEK

Minister: Mike Gehman

Worship Leader: Tabby Murphy

Head Usher: Mike Keim

LAST WEEK

Attendance: 21