Sept. 22, 2024

September 21, 2024

First Mennonite Church

Sugarcreek, Ohio

September 22, 2024

 

Worship: 9:30 – 10:30

Fellowship Time: 10:30-12:00

 

We believe in Jesus and take his life, teachings, death and resurrection

as the model for how we live and the message we proclaim.

***************************************­

We seek to be a caring and discerning community, the gathered body

of Christ, that welcomes all to join in worship, study, and service.

******************************************

We embody God’s transforming and redeeming Spirit in the world

through our prophetic witness and action.

 

THE CHURCH WORSHIPS TOGETHER


Listen! Wisdom Is Calling: Creation

 

~Gathering~


Prelude “When Morning Gilds the Skies” – arr. Marilyn Ham

 

Welcome & Announcements

 

Focus Statement:

“Wisdom itself is intertwined with the great origin story of our

Scriptures.  Proverbs chapter 8 celebrates wisdom as the first of Creator’s acts. Wisdom, it declares, was there from the beginning, ‘rejoicing in God’s inhabited world and delighting in the human race’ (Proverbs 8:31). Wisdom is displayed in the calls for justice from the Hebrew prophets and the writings of the sages.  Jesus becomes the embodiment of wisdom in his ministry.

Out of resurrection life comes the call of the church to be a manifestation of God’s Wisdom, all the while remembering that we are first and foremost listeners to that which long precedes us.” –from the CDC four-week worship

 

 

Time of Meditation VT 175 Planets Humming as They Wander


vs. 1 – Mike Keim

Planets humming as they wander,

stars aflame with silent song:

galaxies that spin on, endless;

melodies afar but strong.

God’s creation tunes its carol,

far beyond our mortal gaze.

Heav’nly bodies help us listen

To the boundless song of praise.

 

vs. 2 – Kristy Keim

Atoms quiv’ring deep inside us,

cells a-buzz with energy.

Particles are chanting psalms

in tiny, holy synergy.

All these molecules provide us

patterns of the craft of God,

off’ring up melodic first-fruit

grateful hymns which leave us awed.

 

vs. 3 – Bruce Stauffer and congregation

Human voices praise our Maker,

part of the created choir:

rumbl’ing tones of space below us,

neutron’s descant every higher.

Hymns arise from all around us,

thankful praise our whole life long,

to the One who made us, knows us,

author of the endless song!


Call To Worship:

   Leader:  Listen! Wisdom is calling.

   People:  Let us come together to worship in the variety of her

                  wonder

   Leader:  Listen! Wisdom is calling.

   People:  The Wisdom that was created before the earth began.

                  The earth is filled with her creativity.

   Leader:  Listen! Wisdom is calling.

   People:  The whole creation waits breathless for Her.

   Leader:  Listen! Wisdom is calling.

   People:  Let us come together for worship this day, Wisdom-

                  created, listening for Wisdom’s call.

 

Invocation

 

Hymn of Gathering: VT 179 At the Dawn of Your Creation

 

Introductory Story: “Wisdom and Creation”

-read by Nancy Yoder


~Praying & Praising~


Prayers of the People

 

Hymn of Praise: VT 180 “This Is God’s Wondrous World”

 

Scripture: Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-34

 

Wisdom Sharing


~Hearing God’s Word~


Scripture: James 3:13-18


Message: “Wise and Unwise”

   

Hymn of Response: VT 182 “I Sing the Mighty Power of God”

(the offering will be brought forward)


Offering Prayer


~Sending~

   

Sending Hymn: VT 554 “Eternal Light, Shine in My Heart”

 

Benediction

 

Postlude “My Father’s Beautiful World” – arr. Marilyn Ham

 

Sending Words

 

WORSHIP                                                                            9:30-10:30 

Minister:                                                                      Mike Gehman

Worship Leader:                                                        Bruce Stauffer                               

Song Leader:                                                                   April Shupe

Organist:                                                             Margaret Cheslock   

Pianist:                                                                   Suzanne Stauffer

Usher:                                                                              Monk Yoder     

 

FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER

Mission Project for September: TBA

Note: Harbor of Hope is in transition at this time, so we will not be

collecting anything for the month of September.

Canning For Relief for 2024 will happen in the Gerber Building in 

Kidron Monday October 14 thru Friday October 18. Because we will be   

limited to 10 hour work days daily start times may vary. With the

potential to do up 32,000 pounds your help and support is needed.

Call/Text Trent at 330-465-4191 and schedule a time to come.


THE CHURH GIVES THANKS

Mike Gehman: Thankful that Julie and Keo is back with us this morning.

Bertie Showers: Blessings for our guests as they travel.

Tom: Thankful for the United States of America and for a wonderful place to worship.

 

 CHURCH PRAYS FOR      

 April Shupe: Classmate, Crieg Zimmerman, has passed away.

Julie Gerber: Sister-in-law, Deb, was diagnosed with cancer.

Bertie Showers: Mike Miller has had a couple falls and was taken to the hospital where they found he needs a pacemaker.

 

THIS WEEK

Sept. 26-28     Swiss Festival

 

NEXT  WEEK      

Text:  Daniel 1; Esther 1; Proverbs 1:1-3; Psalm 37:28-31; Isaiah 11:1-9

Guest Minister:                                                                             Darcy  Miller

Worship Leader:                                                                     Tabatha Murphy

Head Usher:                                                                                    Monk Yoder

 

LAST WEEK

 ATTENDANCE:                                                                                  23   

 OFFERING:                                                                                 $525

 Change for a dollar:                                                            $6.26

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHURCH LEADERSHIP

   Pastor’s Hours: Wednesday 9:30 am-2:30 pm

   Church Secretary: Tabatha Murphy

   Church Phone: 1-330-852-2822

   Email: office@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

August 14, 2026
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June 20, 2026
First Mennonite Church Sugarcreek, Ohio June 21, 2026 Happy Father’s Day! Worship: 9:30 am Coffee & Fellowship Time: 10:30 am We believe in Jesus and take his life, teachings, death and resurrection as the model for how we live and the message we proclaim. ***************************************­ We seek to be a caring and discerning community, the gathered body of Christ, that welcomes all to join in worship, study, and service. ****************************************** We embody God’s transforming and redeeming Spirit in the world through our prophetic witness and action. THE CHURCH WORSHIPS TOGETHER God’s Faithfulness ~Gathering~ Prelude: “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” -arr. John Carter Welcome& Announcements Focus Statement: In Psalm 100:5, the psalmist declares that the Lord is good and his love endures forever, and his faithfulness continues through all generations. We have seen the many ways said that God has shown his love and faithfulness to us through the years, as followers of Jesus Christ and as believers who worship together as First Mennonite Church. How can we live and share about God’s love and great faithfulness in our lives, as we continue to follow Christ today? Time of Meditation: “Trust and Obey” -arr. Johanna Miller Call to Worship: Leader: Let us worship the eternal God, the Source of love and Life, who creates us. People: Let us worship Jesus Christ, the risen one who lives among us. All: To the one true God be praise, in all times and places, through the grace of Jesus Christ. Invocation Hymn of Gathering : HWB 71 Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee ~Praising & Praying~ Psalm Litany: Psalm 89:1-8 (NIV) Leader: I will sing of the LORD’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. People: I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself. Leader: You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant, People: ‘I will establish your line forever and make your throne firm through all generations.’ Leader: The heavens praise your wonders, LORD, your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones. People: For who in the skies above can compare with the LORD? Who is like the LORD among the heavenly beings? Leader: In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared; he is more awesome than all who surround him. People: Who is like you, LORD God Almighty? All: You, LORD, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you. Hymn of Praise: HWB 70 Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise Prayers of the People Hymn of Praise: HWB 327 Great is Thy Faithfulness ~Hearing God’s Word~ Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1--14 Message: “God’s love and faithfulness abounds…passing it on” ~Responding~ Hymn of Response: HWB 338 I Know Not Why God’s Wondrous (the offering will be brought forward) Offering Prayer ~Sending~ Sending Hymn: HWB 420 Heart with Loving Heart United Benediction: Leader: We go now with faith, trusting God’s Spirit to guide us; People: We go now with hope, waiting for the fullness of Christ’s reign. Leader: 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: “A Gaelic Blessing” -John Rutter Deep peace of the running wave to you, Deep peace of the flowing air to you, Deep peace of the quiet earth to you, Deep peace of the shining stars to you, Deep peace of the gentle night to you, Moon and stars pour their healing light on you, Deep peace of Christ, of Christ the light of the world to you, Deep peace of Christ to you. Sending Words WORSHIP 9:30-10:30 Pastor: Mike Gehman Worship Leader: Bruce Stauffer Pianist: Suzanne Stauffer Usher: Mike Keim FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER Mission Project for June: My Coins Count Each year, coins and bills collected by children, families and churches along with matches add up to more than $600,000 toward MCC’s work around the world. Your coins (and bills and checks!) count! The money collected will be sent to the MCC Relief Sale held at Mt. Hope on July 10 th -11 th and go toward MCC water, education and/or food projects. Please stay for the Congregational Meeting today following worship. Remember: No church at FMC next Sunday, June 28 th . THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS FOR Melanie Blauch Archer: We went to Panama Beach to watch my granddaughter get married. Sue Stauffer: Greta and Issac are going to high school camp at Camp Friedenswald. THE CHURCH PRAYS FOR Melanie Blauch Archer: Cousin’s wife, Tammy was diagnosed with a mass in her chest. Also, Sony has passed away, prayers for family and friends. THIS WEEK June 24 th Happy Birthday, Bob Barnes June 26 th Happy Birthday, Helene Torgler June 28 th Visitation Sunday (No church at FMC) UPCOMING EVENTS July 3 rd Happy Anniversary, Dan & Amy Hostetler July 24 th Kick-Off 100 th Anniversary Event: Ice Cream Social IN TWO WEEKS: Worship Leader (7/5): Kristy Keim Head Usher: Leadership Team LAST WEEK Attendance: 27 Offering: $1195 My Coins Count: $35.25 CHURCH LEADERSHIP Pastor’s Hours: Wednesday 9:30 am-2:30 pm Church Secretary: Tabatha Murphy Church Phone: 1-330-852-2822 Email: office@firstmennonitesugarcreek.com Website: http//fmcsugarcreekoh.org Address: 113 W. Main St. P.O. Box 250 Sugarcreek, OH 44681 CONGREGATIONAL LEADERSHIP TEAM: Chairperson: Mike Keim Office Contact: Linda Yoder Mission Contact: Reno Stevanus Trustees Contact: Dan Hostetler Secretary Contact: Amy Stauffer-McNutt
June 12, 2026
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June 6, 2026
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