First Mennonite Church

Sugarcreek, Ohio October 16, 2022

Worship: 9:30-10:30

Fellowship Time: 10:30-11:00

Sunday School: 11:00-12:00

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                                                                                                                                                   

Sacred Listening

~Gathering~

Prelude: "Magnify the Lord" --arr. Tim Doran

Welcome & Announcements:

Focus Statement:

As we live out this life of faith as followers of Christ, we are called to remember

and share stories of how god's love, grace, faithfulness and discipline have kept

and sustained us in our journey.  Remembering and telling these stories, can

serve as markers of his help in the past, bring us strength to continue to follow,

and offer hope for the future, that we have through our faith in Jesus Christ.

Time of Meditation: "Amazing Grace"--arr. John Beck

Call to Worship:

L:  Gracious and Eternal god, through Jesus Christ, you have joined us into one

living body.  We thank you for these bonds of love that form.

P:  Help us to perceive your unseen hand, in the unfolding of our life together.

Work within and among us.

L:  Confront us with your tenderness and set us on fire.

P:  Enable us by your Spirit, to walk together in unity of love and purpose, to

uphold one another by word and example, and to live in faithful obedience to

your will.

L:  by the mercy and justice we show one another, may we reach out to a

watching and waiting world.

All:  In our work and worship may your glory be revealed and your name be

praised, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Prayer:

Gathering Hymn:

"We Praise You, O God, Our Redeemer" Voices Together #34

~Prayer & Praising~

Psalm Reading: Psalm 105:1-10 (ESV)

Congregational Prayers of Joys & Concerns:

Ending Prayer:

Hymn of Praise:

"O god Our Help in Ages Past" Voices Together #203

~Hearing God's Word~

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Matthew 22:34-40

Message: "Remembering and Telling"--by Mike Gehman

~Response~

Hymn of Response:

"I Love to Tell the Story" Voices Together #761

(the offering will be brought forward at this time)

Offering Prayer:

~Sending~

Sending Hymn:

"Blest Be the Ties That Binds" voices Together #831

Benediction:

L:  We go now in faith, trusting in God's Spirit to guide us.

P:  We go now with hope, waiting for the fullness of God's reign.

L:  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: "I Love to Tell the Story"--arr. William Fischer

Words of Dismissal:

L:  Go in peace.  Christ is with you.

All: Thanks be to God.

THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS AND PRAYS FOR                                                                                                                                 

For God's guidance and supplying our needs.

Bill and Brenda Stauffer, Gene Miller and family, Pam Gerber

Jean Flinner: Praise for a trip to West Virginia with 4 generations of women.

MMN:  Deb Byler has concluded her Mennonite Mission Network ministry with the

Kekchi Mennonite Church in Guatemala, where she worked since 2018.  (Previously,

she served with Eastern Mennonite Missions from 1984-1996.)  Praise

God for Deb's ministry of walking alongside the women leaders of the church.  Ask

God to strengthen the Kekchi women, and pray for Deb as she retires at

Greencroft Communities, a retirement community in Goshen, Indiana.

Prayers for Mennonite Education-Bethel College, North Newton, KS:  Pray for

Brad Gregory of the University of Notre Dame as he gives Bethel's annual Menno

Simons Lectures on campus.  Mennonite Early Childhood Network:  Pray that

adults may use today, World Food Day, as an impetus to involve children in eating

mindfully.  REPURPOSE food waste at our tables.  REDUCE candy consumption with

harvest treats especially at Halloween time.  REVITALIZE those who are food

insecure by sharing our abundance.  RECOVER God's vision of a just and

compassionate society.

FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER                                                                                                                                         

Next Week's Texts:  Luke 24:35-49

Harbor of Hope: This month's items are Laundry & Cleaning Supplies, and are due on October 26th.

October Mission Projects:   Harbor of Hope: Laundry & Cleaning Supplies

Next Sunday:  We will have 2 representatives from Central District Conference

leading our Service "Sacred Listening".  Followed by a catered meal in the

Fellowship Hall.

Bertie Showers:  Bertie Showers has a new phone number: 330-852-5219

Remembrance Sunday: The sign-up sheet in on the mailbox table, so if you would like to remember a loved one please sign the sheet.  Remembrance Sunday is November 6th.

Poinsettia Time: I know it's hard to believe but the sign-up sheet for the Christmas poinsettias in on the mailbox table.  I have to order them by November 1st.  They are the same price as last year  $8.50.

Game Night:  We are having a time for games, fellowship, and food, on Sunday, October 30, starting at 4:00 p.m.  Bring a board/card game, snack of finger food, and invite a friend for this time of fellowship and fun.  Drinks will be provided.

WORSHIP                                                      9:30-10:30                                                                                                                           

Greeters:                                                                                Herb & Helene Torgler

Minister:                                                                                 Mike Gehman

Worship Leader:                                                                 Tally Maust

Song Leader:                                                                        April Shupe

Organist:                                                                                Margaret Cheslock

Pianist:                                                                                    Suzanne Stauffer

Head Usher:                                                                          Mike Keim

THIS WEEK                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Oct. 19th             Tom Agler has a Birthday

Oct. 20th              Hannah Gehman has a Birthday

Oct. 21st               Jon Gerber has a Birthday

Oct. 21st                Jaden Murphy has a Birthday

Oct. 23rd              Vi Yoder has a Birthday\

Oct. 23rd              Special Service with representatives from Central District

                                   Conference, catered lunch will be provided in Fellowship

                                   Hall

UPCOMING EVENTS                                                                                                                                                                                     

Oct. 26th             Harbor of Hope items due:  Laundry & Cleaning Supplies

Oct. 28th             Senior Breakfast @ Dutch Valley 9:00 a.m.

Nov.   2nd            Leadership Team Meeting 7:00 p.m.

Nov. 16th            Harbor of Hope items due:  Canned Fruit & Veggies

Nov. 24th            Thanksgiving Day

Nov. 25th            Senior Breakfast @ Dutch Valley 9:00 a.m.

Nov. 27th            First Sunday of Advent

Nov. 29th            Homeless Shelter Meal 6:00 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. 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. 31st               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 at Berlin, Ohio

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

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

NEXT WEEK                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Greeters:                                                                                Lizzie Keim, Keo Sixiengmay

Minister:                                                                                 Mike Gehman

Worship Leader:                                                                 Tally Maust

Song Leader:                                                                        April Shupe

Head Usher:                                                                         Mike Keim

CHURCH LEADERSHIP                                                                                                                                                                                   

CHURCH:

Pastor:  Mike Gehman

Pastor's Hours:  Wednesday 9:30am--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