Sept. 7, 2025

First Mennonite Church

Sugarcreek, Ohio

September 7, 2025

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.

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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

~Gathering~

Prelude: "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God"

- arr. Lloyd Larson

"A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing."

Welcome& Announcements

Focus Statement:

Jesus taught many things to his disciples and the crowds that were

there listening about God’s kingdom and what it meant to follow him. Many things he taught were difficult to hear but he wanted to clearly explain the cost involved in choosing to follow him and becoming a disciple. Priorities of family may need to be realigned and one must be willing to carry his own cross if they want to be a disciple of Jesus. How can we grow in learning to count the cost, as we live out our calling to follow Christ today?

Time of Meditation: "Day by Day and with Each Passing

Moment" - arr. Lloyd Larson

"Day by day and with each passing moment strength

I find to meet my trials here;..."

Call to Worship:

Leader: Loving God, you call us to turn away from our own

selfish interests, to take up our cross, and to follow

you.

People: To find our lives, may we live them in service of

your mission.

Leader: As we come before you this morning, give us open

hearts and open hands.

People: Make us eager to hear your voice and seek your

guidance.

Leader: Open our minds to your ever-present spirit that is

always moving within and around us.

People: Open our spirits to your nudging and open our

lives to your love.

Invocation

Hymn of Gathering: HWB 349 Spirit of the Living God

~Praying & Praising~

Old Testament Scripture: Jeremiah 18:1-11

Prayers of the People

Hymn of Praise: HWB 59 Sing praise to God who reigns

~Hearing God’s Word~

Scripture: Luke 14:25-35

Message: “Hearing and Answering the Call”

~Responding~

Instrumental: “Count Well the Cost”

(follow along with the words in VT 577)

Prayer: (together)

Living God,

by the power of your Spirit,

help us to hear your holy word,

that we may truly understand;

that, understanding, we may believe;

and believing, we may follow

in faithfulness and obedience,

seeking your honor and glory in all we

do, through Jesus Christ, Amen

Hymn of Response: HWB Take My Life v1, 3, 4, 6

(the offering will be brought forward at this time)

Offering Prayer

~Sending~

Sending Hymn: HWB 504 Have Thine Own Way

Benediction

Postlude: "Be Not Afraid" - Robert J. Dufford,

arr. by Douglas Wagner

Refrain: ":Be not afraid. I go before you always.

Come follow me and I will give you rest."

Sending Words:

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.

Leader: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,

and the Communion of the Holy Spirit be with you

all.

WORSHIP 9:30-10:30

Minister: Mike Gehman

Worship Leader Helene Torgler

Pianist: Suzanne Stauffer

Usher: Monk Yoder

FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER

Mission Project for September: Share-A-Christmas

Every year, many Tuscarawas County families turn to this program for assistance during the holiday season. Please make your check out to First Mennonite, and Bruce will then send one contribution at the end of the month. Thank you for helping bring joy, love and peace to our neighbors in need this Christmas season!

Note: We will be meeting in the Royal Bible Sunday School classroom the next two Sundays.

THE CHURCH PRAYS FOR

Tabatha Murphy: Cousin Larry Flinner’s mom Eunice “dody” Young has passed away, prayers for friends and family.

Mike Gehman: Brianna will be having a C-section this week, prayers for a speedy delivery and recovery.

THIS WEEK

Sept. 8^th Happy Birthday, Michael Yoder

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sept. 19^th-21^st Women’s Retreat @ Camp Friedenswald

Sept. 26^th-27^th Swiss Festival

NEXT WEEK

Minister: Mike Gehman

Worship Leader: Dan Hostetler