When I Remember You in My Prayers

First Mennonite Church

Sugarcreek, Ohio September 4, 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                                                                                   

When I Remember You in My Prayers

~Gathering~

Prelude: "God Be the Glory"--arr. Anna Laura Page

Welcome & Announcements:

Focus Statement:  How should we pray for others?

Should we pray just for people going through tings, or

are we to pray for others who are doing fine.  Do you

thank God for the opportunity to pray for others, for good

times and not so good times?  Let's see what Paul says in

Philemon, as he prays from jail.

Time of Meditation: "Trust in Jesus"--arr. James Kirkpatrick

Call to Worship/Prayer:

L:  Come, follow Jesus to the sacred place where God is, a place of intimate prayer, of open heart.

P:  We come, seeking God's face, pierced by the power of Love's presence, silent before the glory of divine beauty.

L:  Come, follow Jesus to a place of community, to the place where sons and daughters join as one, sharing in the bountiful grace of our Provider.

P:  We come, seeking God's face in our brothers and sisters, we worship, work and play, sharing our lives together.

All:  Jesus, lead us to the Holy One that we might see God's face.  Amen.

Gathering Hymn:

"What is This Place" Voices Together #22

~Prayer & Praise~

Psalm Reading: Psalm 1

L:  Blessed are the faithful ones who seek the path of integrity.

Right Side:  the faithful are like fountains that spray and dance in sunlight.

Left Side:  The faithful shower joy and delight upon their communities.

L:  the evil ones in the world are not so.

Right Side:  their thoughtless actions destroy a wholesome environment.

Left Side:  Their misuse of power only leads to death and destruction.

All:  God of righteousness, help us to choose life and not death.

L:  Because every secret thought shapes how we live and every concrete action sculpts who we are, our choices matter.

All:  While we have the gift of breath, we want to choose life.  god of righteousness, grant us wisdom to walk in your ways.

Congregational Prayers: 

Ending Prayer:

L:  Listening God,

All:  you hear our prayers before we speak yet welcoming our praying; therefore we come with confidence to lay our requests before you

L:  We pray for Christians everywhere, for our denomination and congregation, for strength to persevere in faithfulness.  We pray for the whole people of God

P:  God of grace, hear our prayer.

L:  We pray for the nations of the world, for all leaders, and for those who make policy decisions.  We pray for the well-being of our global community.

P:  God of grace, hear our prayer.

L:  We pray for the earth and all living creatures, for regions and species at rick, and for the sharing of resources.  We pray for the wholeness of creation.

P:  God of grace, hear our prayer.

L;  We pray for those who are overcome by violence, for victims of injustice or oppression, and for those in poverty or pain.  We pray for all who need healing and peace.

P:  God of grace, hear our prayer.

L:  We pray for those who endure trials, for those who are dying, and for those who mourn.  We pray for all in need of comfort and hope.

P:  God of grace, hear our prayer.

L:  You have heard the prayers of your people, O God.  We rest in the comfort of your care, as we pray in Jesus' name.

All:  Amen.

Hymn of Praise:

"O Worship Our God" Voices Together #129

~Hearing God's Word~

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-21

Message: "Do This In Love"--by Mike Gehman

Hymn of Response:

"Quietly, Peacefully" Voices Together #533

(the offering will be brought forward at this time)

Offering Prayer:

~Sending~

Sending Hymn:

"Go Now In Peace" Voices Together

(We will sing this as a round/April Shupe on guitar)

Benediction:

Postlude: "Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us"--arr. William Bradbury

Words of Dismissal:

THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS AND PRAYS FOR                                                                                 

For the memories of our crossings.

Bruce Stauffer: Praise for the comforter projects his ladies headed and for the service this morning that Sue planned.

Marlene Gerber and family,  Marlene Stilton and family

MMN: Kate Widmer, who is serving with Mennonite Mission Network in France, continues to build relationships with children and people fleeing violence in their home countries.  Pray that she will receive the documents she needs to live in France long term.

Prayers for Mennonite Education-Bluffton (OH) University: Please pray for Bluffton University's student-athletes as we roll out our Virtue-Driven program and athletic competition begins.  The City School, Philadelphia, PA:  Please pray for our teaching staff.  We still have several positions to fill.  Please pray for the mental and spiritual health of our returning and new staff.

MC-USA: Please pray for those leading and participating in the Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference Annual Fall Gathering on Sept. 9 and 10.  May God bless their time together.

FMC LIVES IN DISICPLESHIP TOGETHER                                                                                                                                               

Next week's Texts: Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28; Psalm 14; Exodus 32:7-14; Psalm 51:1-10; I Timothy 1:12-17; Luke 15:1-10 (4) CEB

Harbor of Hope: This month's items are PB & Jelly and is due on September 28.

September Mission Projects: Harbor of Hope: PB & Jelly; Share-A-Christmas/Tuff Bags: Underwear & socks

WORSHIP                                                              9:30-10:30                                                                                                                         

Greeters:                                                                                           Mike & Kristy Keim

Minister:                                                                                            Mike Gehman

Worship Leader:                                                                            Tally Maust

Song Leader:                                                                                   April Shupe

Organist:                                                                                           Margaret Cheslock

Pianist:                                                                                               Suzanne Stauffer

Head Usher:                                                                                     Monk Yoder

THIS WEEK                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Sept.   4           Dan Hostetler has a Birthday Today!

Sept.   5           Labor Day

Sept.   7         Leadership Team Meeting 7pm

UPCOMING EVENTS                                                                                                                                       

Sept. 23        Senior Breakfast @ Dutch Valley 9:00 a.m.

Sept. 29        Harbor of Hope items: PB & Jelly

Sept. 20-Oct. 1    Ohio Swiss Festival

Oct.   2           World-Wide Communion

Oct.   5           Leadership Team Meeting 7:00 p.m.

Oct. 26          Harbor of Hope items: Laundry & Cleaning Supplies

Oct. 28          Senior Breakfast @ Dutch Valley 9:00 a.m.

Oct. 30            Halloween

NEXT WEEK                                                                                                                                                         

Greeters:                                                                   Herb & Helene Torgler

Guest Minister:                                                       Ernie Hershberger

Worship Leader:                                                     Jean Flinner

Song Leader:                                                            April Shupe

Head Usher:                                                             Monk Yoder

CHURCH LEADERSHIP                                                                                                                                   

CHURCH:

Pastor:  Mike Gehman

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

Secretary:  Tally Maust

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

Trustees Contact:  Dan Hostetler

Secretary Contact:  Amy Stauffer-McNutt