October 2, 2022
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
