World-Wide Communion Sunday

First Mennonite Church

Sugarcreek, Ohio October 2, 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 int eh world

through our prophetic witness and action.

THE CHURCH WORSHIPS TOGETHER                                                                                                 

World-Wide Communion Sunday

Prelude:

Welcome & Announcements:

Focus Statement:

Even though the communion table is the one table to which all Christians

are called, our understanding and practice at the table often serve to divide

us.  One this day, World-Wide Communion Sunday, we seek to overcome these

barriers and commune with each other across them.  As we eat of one

consecrated loaf, we signal our unity with Christ and his broken body, the

church, even as we celebrate and seek the oneness of the whole communion

of saints on earth and in Heaven.  It is indeed, for such as these; broken,

opinionated, sinful, but forgiven people, that Jesus prays for unity "that

they may be completely one, so that the world may know that you have

sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me" (John 17:23b).  It

is to this unity that we give witness on World Communion Sunday.

~We Gather and Praise~

Time of Meditation:

Call to Worship:

Leader:  Today we gather around a bountiful table to celebrate the freedom of God.

People:  From all around the world we come, to rekindle our

spirits and receive strength for our common tasks.

Leader:  Bread from the earth and fruit from the vine, they are gifts to us of

God's presence.

People:  Let us be bound in love, walk together in truth, and be united in

purpose.

All:  For the earth and all its fullness belong not to us, but to the Lord.

Invocation:

Hymn of Gathering:

"Fairest Lord Jesus" Hymnal a Worship Book #117

Congregational Prayers/Praise:

Hymn of Praise:

"For the Beauty of the Earth" Voices Together #120 vs. 1,2,4,5

(the offering will be brought forward at this time)

Offering Prayer:

~We Proclaim~

Scripture Readings & Questions to Ponder:

Genesis 1:26-29--Created in the image of God. ~Bruce Stauffer

To Ponder:

What happens to your ideas about the stranger and enemy when you think

of them as created in the image of God?

How does that image promote the growth of unity among us, God's divided

children?

Psalm 8: Crowned with honour and glory. ~Jean Flinner

To Ponder:

How do we honour each other across our denominational barriers?  How do

we trust each other ecumenically to care for God's people and God's

creation?

Hebrews 1:1-4: God's final word--His Son ~Mike Keim

Hebrews 2:5-12:  Called as brothers and sisters by Jesus ~Kirsty Keim

To Ponder:

The power that brought the universe into being and that keeps it operating

is the very power that removes (provides purification for) our sins.  No sin

is too big for the ruler of the Universe to handle!

Mark 10:13-16:  Receive the kingdom of God as little children ~Bertie Showers

To Ponder:

Children seldom have control over their own lives.  Does having a

"childlike" faith mean that we need to put aside our will and trust that our

Father knows what is best for us?

We may advance in years, but we are still the apple of his eye.  He knows

every hair on our heads, and he rejoices over us in song.  Faith in a love this

deep requires a childlike imagination, because it is certain of what it cannot

see.  Here are three ways to stir your childlike faith:

1) Ask God to search your heart and reveal any way in it that is offensive.

2) Seek Wonder--Go find something way bigger than you, and let it

overwhelm your soul with awe.

3) Express love--Children are naturally huggers.  In fact, they're innate

master of the running-leap-and-hug.  They don't hold back their

affection and they don't try to figure it out ahead of time.  They just say

it, shout it, give it. and when they do, it's a gift to a world in need.

~Response~

Hymn of Response:

"Jesus Loves Me" voices Together #516

Confession and Assurance:

Leader:  Lord Jesus Christ, too often, we have failed to see ourselves as your

beloved children/

Left:  Too often, we have rejected those whom you embraced and blessed,

in whom you saw signs of your kingdom.

Right:  Too often, we have failed to follow the way to your reign on earth

as it is in heaven.

All:  Gracious, table serving, unifying Lord, forgive us.  Forgive us and help

us worship and feast with contrite spirits.

Leader:  We have this assurance:  God, who has crowned us with glory and

honour, who has spoken to us by a son, welcomes us and offers us grace.

this son, Jesus Christ, offers us the gift of his peace.  Embrace and share this

peace.  Trust that the reconciling peace of Christ is at work in and among us.

Amen.

~Communion~

Invitation to the Communion Table:

Hymn of Meditation:

"The Water is Ready" Voices Together #458

(you are invited to follow along with the words while it is being played)

Communion Litany:

Leader:  Jesus, on the night when he was betrayed, took a loaf of bread, and

when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "When you share bread

together, remember me."

All:  Blessed are you, abundant God, for you made bread to strengthen us;

you gave us this bread as a sign of your body.  Let our sharing be a taste of

the bread of heaven that feeds the world.  Amen.

Leader:  At this table, we receive the bread of life, a worldwide communion

with Christ and one another.

All:  Thanks be to God!

(participants may eat together)

Leader:  Jesus took the cup after supper saying, "This cup is the new

covenant.  When you drink it together, remember me."

All:  Blessed are you, bountiful God, for you made the fruit of the vine to

nourish us; you gave us this cup as a sign of your blood.  Let our sharing be

a taste of the wine we shall drink in your joyful feast.  Amen.

Leader:  At this table, we receive the cup, the life of Jesus that binds us together.

All:  Thanks be to God!

(participants may drink together)

Prayer:

~Sending~

Sending Hymn:

"Breathe on Me, Breath of God" Voices Together #737

Benediction:

Postlude:

Words of Dismissal:

THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS AND PRAYS FOR                                                                               

For God's call for each of us, to sustain his kingdom on earth.

April Shupe:  Praise for Sue Stauffer's gift of the waterfall, that we have used all summer long.

Michele (Blauch) Stein, Gene Miller, JoAnn Miller, Mitch Stevanus, the women of Iran

MMN: Today, the women's leadership conference led by African American women and co-sponsored by Mennonite Women USA and

Mennonite Mission Network, concludes with worship in Elkhart, Indiana.  Pray that all participants will receive new tools to work for diversity, equity and inclusion in the church.

Prayers for Mennonite Education-Eastern Mennonite School, Harrisonburg, VA: It's "MCC week" at Eastern Mennonite School where students learn about the organization, collect coins for Ukraine relief, and knot comforters.  Many then participate in the Virginia Mennonite Relief Sale.  Hinkletown Mennonite School, Ephrata, PA: I Chronicles 16:34 says, "Oh give thanks to the LORD, for the LORD is good; the LORD's steadfast love endure forever!"  We are thankful for the positive start to the new school year as students build new friendships and deepen their relationship with the Lord.  The City School, Philadelphia, PA:  We give thanks for a healthy and safe start tot he school year.

FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER                                                                                             

Next Week's Texts: Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7; Psalm 66:1-12; II Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c; Psalm 111 (5); II Timothy 2:8-15; Luke 17:11-19

Harbor of Hope: 40 items of PB & Jelly were taken to the Harbor of Hoe on Wednesday.  Thank you for your generous contributions.  this month's items are Laundry & Cleaning Supplies, and are due on October 26th .

Mission Projects: Harbor of Hope: Laundry & Cleaning Supplies

WORSHIP                                                      9:30-10:30                                                                                 

Greeters:                                                                                  April Shupe, Bertie Showers

Worship Leader:                                                                   April Shupe

Song Leader:                                                                           April Shupe

Organist:                                                                                   Margaret Cheslock

Pianist:                                                                                       Suzanne Stauffer

Head Usher:                                                                             Mike Keim

THIS WEEK                                                                                                                                                         

Oct.   2nd              World-Wide Communion Sunday Today

Oct.    5th                  Margaret Cheslock has a Birthday

Oct.   5th               Leadership Team Meeting 7:00 p.m.

UPCOMING EVENTS                                                                                                                                         

Oct. 12th               Worship Committee Meeting 1:00 p.m.

Oct. 23rd              Special Meeting with CDC representatives, catered lunch will be provided

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. 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 services today enjoy family time

Dec. 31st               Year-End Reports due

2023

Jan.   3rd               Leadership Team Meeting 7:00 p.m.

Jan.   6th               Old Christmas  (Epiphany)

Jan.   7th               First Sunday after Christmas

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:                                                                           Mike & Kristy Keim

Minister:                                                                            Mike Gehman

Worship Leader:                                                             Jean Flinner

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

Missions Contact:  Reno Stevanus

Trustees Contact:  Dan Hostetler

Secretary Contact:  Amy Stauffer-McNutt