First Mennonite Church

Sugarcreek, Ohio October 30, 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                                                                                                               

"Out on a Limb"

for Jesus

Prelude: "Morning Has Broken" (Traditional Gaelic melody)--arr. Penny Rodriguez

Welcome & Announcements:

Focus Statement:

What would it be like to encounter Jesus face-to-face?  We

can't know, of course, but we can get a glimpse of what

happened to those who did in the Gospel texts.  Time and

time again, Jesus has a way of turning everyone's

expectations completely upside down, as he does in the story

of Zaccheus.  What we discover is that like those in these

stories, we are often off track, often misunderstanding,

often too much letting our own desires get in the way of

hearing the word he has for us.  It is. . .funny.  Let's admit

it, our humanness is funny.  In the end, we are laughing at

ourselves.  We are embracing with humility and with joy the

overwhelming grace of God that continues to surprise us

with hospitality and opportunity.  How will you go our on a

limb for Jesus this week?

~Gathering~

Time of Meditation: "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus" (folk melody from India)--arr. Lloyd Larson

Call to Worship:

L:  Come, let us worship the God who came to seek and save the lost!

P:  Let us worship the God who came to seek and save each of us!

L:  Let us welcome God into our homes and our hearts.

P:  Let us give of ourselves in this worship time that we may know God.

All:  Let us joyfully and with gratitude worship God!

Invocation:

Hymn of Gathering:

"Summoned by the God Who Made Us" Voices Together #1

~Prayer & Praising~

Old Testament Reading: Psalm 32:1-7

Congregational Prayers & Praise:

Ending Prayer:

Hymn of Praise:

"To God Be the Glory" Voices Together #84

~Hearing God's Word~

Special Music: "I'm Pressing On the Upward Way"  and "Zaccheus Was A Wee Little Man"

                                            sung by Joe Miller and Mike Gehman

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Message: "Take A Chance"--by Mike Gehman

~Response & Sending~

Hymn of Response:

"Speak, O Lord" printed in the bulletin

(the offering will be brought forward at this time)

Offering Prayer:

Sending Hymn:

"Draw the Circle" Voices Together #802

Sending Words:

Postlude: "Pass It On"--arr. Mark Hayes

Words of Dismissal:

THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS AND PRAYS FOR                                                                                             

For our opportunity to share our stories and what they mean to us.

Bruce Stauffer, Ila Mae Miller new granddaughter of Mike and Hannah, Myrna Jaberg, Joe McCulley family,

MMN: Akiko Aratani and Ray Epp are stepping back from the day-to-day responsibilities of managing the Menno Village form in Japan and focusing on preparing the next generation of leaders and lay people in the church to practice a biblically-based theology of land stewardship.  Mennonite Mission network requests prayer for them as they write and present in workshops and conferences.

Prayers for Mennonite Education-Western Christian School, Salem, OR:  Please pray for our faculty, staff, students, and parents as we work together to prepare our students to be ambassadors of Jesus in our community and around the world.  Quakertown (PA) Christian School:  We give thanks for our support personnel who give of themselves every day as they support our ministry.

FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER                                                                                                       

Next Week's Texts:  Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18; Psalm 149; Ephesians 1:11-23; Luke 6:20-31

Harbor of Hope: 27 items of Laundry & Cleaning Supplies were taken to Harbor of Hope on Wednesday.  thank you for your contributions.  this month's items are Canned Fruit & Veggies and are due on November 16th.

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

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

Remembrance Sunday:  Today is also the Last Sunday to sign your loved ones name for Remembrance Sunday.  The sign-up sheet is also on the mailbox table.

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

Candle Holders:  For the Remembrance service next Sunday we are in need of candle holders, for taper candles.  If you have some to share just put them on the front bench by next Wednesday or Thursday.  Make sure your name is on them that way we get them back to the right people.

The Messiah at Oak Grove: the Messiah will be performed on Sunday, December 18th, at 2:30 p.m.  If you are interested in joining, rehearsals are Friday, December 16th from 7pm-9pm, and Saturday, December 17th 3:15pm-5:15pm.

WORSHIP                                                       9:30-10:30                                                                                           

Greeters:                                                                                   Bruce & Sue Stauffer

Minister:                                                                                   Mike Gehman

Worship Leader:                                                                     Julie Gerber

Song Leader:                                                                            April Shupe

Organist:                                                                                   Margaret Cheslock

Pianist:                                                                                       Suzanne Stauffer

Head Usher:                                                                              Mike Keim

THIS WEEK                                                                                                                                                                       

Oct. 31st               Nancy Yoder has a Birthday

Oct. 31st               Amy Hostetler has a Birthday

Nov.   1st              Jean Flinner has a Birthday

Nov.   2nd            Ambrosia Snyder has a Birthday

Nov.   2nd            Worship Committee Meeting 2:00 p.m.

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

Nov.    5th            Tahn Sixiengmay has a Birthday

UPCOMING EVENTS                                                                                                                                                     

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 service today enjoy family time

Dec. 31st              Year-End Reports due

Dec. 3st                New Years Eve

2023

Jan.   1st               First Sunday after Christmas

Jan.   3rd              Leadership Team Meeting 7:oo 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 in Berlin, Ohio

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

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

NEXT WEEK                                                                                                                                                                   

Greeters:                                                                         April Shupe, Bertie Showers

Minister:                                                                         Mike Gehman

Worship Leader:                                                          Dan Hostetler

Song Leader:                                                                  April Shupe

Head Usher:                                                                   Leadership Team

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

Trustee Contact: Dan Hostetler

Secretary Contact: Amy Stauffer-McNutt