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.

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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

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