Seeking God's Ways
Seeking God's Ways
Lent 4:
From Exceptionalism to Inclusion
First Mennonite Church
Sugarcreek, Ohio March 27, 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 TOGETEHER
Seeking God's Ways
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor your ways my ways, says the LORD." Isaiah 55:8
Lent 4: From Exceptionalism to Inclusion
Prelude: "Shall We Gather at the River" arr. Mary McDonald
Welcome & Announcements:
Dedication of the old Choir Robes:
Focus: "As we seek God's way, we move from a sense that "we" and
"ours" have special standing to the knowledge that all are equally
parts of God's kingdom."
~Gathering~
Time of Meditation: "Let Us Break Bread Together" arr. Mark Hayes
*Call to Worship:
Leader: Together we seek the way of God,
People: rejoicing that we are new creations in Christ.
Leader: From a human point of view, we demand what is ours.
People: but through Jesus we learn that all share in God's inheritance.
Leader: Let us join God's feast,
People: where all celebrate together.
All: Let us live out God's way of inclusion.
Invocation:
Hymn of Gathering:
"Jesus, Stand Among Us" Hymnal a Worship Book #24
~Prayer & Praise~
Old Testament Reading: Psalm 32:1-5
Congregational Prayer/Sharing Our Joys and Concerns:
Lenten Prayer of Confession:
Leader: Holy One, we seek you while you may be found.
People: We call upon you while you are near.
Leader: Have mercy on us, O God, for your thoughts are not our thoughts and our ways are not your ways.
People: Forgive us for thinking we deserve special treatment. Lead us to radical inclusion.
Leader: As we walk with Christ on this Lenten journey, let us see your way more clearly,
All: and follow your way more faithfully.
Prayer:
Hymn of Praise:
"All Praise to Our Redeeming Lord" Hymnal a Worship Book #21
(vs. 1, 2, 3, 4)
~Hearing God's Word~
Scripture/Hymn Medley: Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
"Far, Far Away From My Loving Father" Hymnal a Worship Book #139
Message: "Lost Sons and the Father's Love" by Mike Gehman
~Response & Sending~
Responsive Reading:
Leader: Your ways, O God, are higher than our ways.
People: Your thoughts are higher than our thoughts.
Mike Keim: We seek God's ways.
All: Lord, move us from, our tribal thinking to your radical inclusion.
Hymn of Response:
"New Earth, Heavens New" Hymnal a Worship Book #299
(the offering will be brought forward at this time)
Offering Prayer:
Sending Hymn:
"We are People of God's Peace" Hymnal a Worship Book #407
(vs. 1, 2)
Sending Words:
Postlude: "Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us" arr. Mary Mc Donald
Words of Dismissal:
THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS AND PRAYS FOR
For God's Grace that we do not have to earn, all we have to do is to receive it.
Margaret Cheslock, Bertie Showers, Gene Miller, Suzie Armstrong, the family of Rebecca Cahill, Jason Stein, Buddy Mast
MMN: Mennonite Mission Network requests prayer for Monika Neufeld, a nerse who is serving as an intern with CASAS ( a program of Serminario Anabaptista Latinoamericano, SEMILLA) in Guatemala. Pray for her as she works with other medical staff at a rural clinic to respond to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prayers for Mennonite Education-Bluffton University (OH): Fall semester registration begins this week. Please pray for Bluffton University students as they continue their studies and advance to the next chapter of their lives.
FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER
Next Week's Texts: Isaiah 43:16-21; Psalm 126; John 12:1-8; Philippians 3:4b-14
Harbor of Hope: 21 items of Paper Product were taken to the Harbor of Hope this past Wednesday. Thank you for your generous contributions. The items for April are Spaghetti Sauce & Pasta and are due on Wednesday, April 27.
Mission Projects: Harbor of Hope: Paper Products; MCC Relief Kits
Relief Kits: Some have been asking the cost of making a relief kit. It depends on where you shop. I would say between $30.00-80.00 for a completed kit.
WORSHIP 9:30-10:30
Greeters: Bruce & Sue Stauffer
Minister: Mike Gehman
Worship Leader: Kristy Keim
Song Leader: April Shupe
Organist: Margaret Cheslock
Pianist: Suzanne Stauffer
Head Usher: Leadership Team
THIS WEEK
March 29 Homeless Shelter Meal 6:00 p.m.
UPCOMING EVENTS
April 6 Leadership Team Meeting 7:00 p.m.
April 10 Palm Sunday
April 14 Maundy Thursday Communal Soup/Communion 6:30 p.m.
April 17 Easter Sonrise Service 8:00 a.m. Breakfast / Main Service 10:00 a.m.
April 22-23 Ohio MCC Comforter Bash
April 27 Harbor of Hope items due: Spaghetti Sauce & Pasta
April 29 Senior Breakfast @ Dutch Valley 9:00 a.m.
May 4 Leadership Team Meeting 7:00 p.m.
May 8 Mother's Day
May 25 Harbor of Hope items: Laundry & Cleaning Supplies
May 27 Senior Breakfast @ Dutch Valley 9:00 a.m.
May 30 Memorial Day
May 31 Homeless Shelter Meal 6:00 p.m.
NEXT WEEK
Greeters: April Shupe, Bertie Showers
Minister: Mike Gehman
Worship Leader: April Shupe
Song Leader: April Shupe
Head Usher: Herb Torgler
CHURCH LEADERSHIP
CHURCH;
Pastor: Mike Gehman
Pastor's Hours: Wednesday 9:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m.
Secretary: Tally Maust
Phone: 1-330-852-2822
Email: pastor@firstmennonitesugarcreek.com
Website: http//fmcsugarcreek.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
