Service Bulletin

Sunday, January 7, 2024 at 10:15 a.m. Church Gathering with Dr. Keith Ray

Epiphany Sunday

Today’s service may be viewed on Facebook Live Stream at this link in the comfort of your own home or in person in the sanctuary.  Join us!

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Gathering Music                                   Polly Dunford                

Welcome and Announcements           Laurie Gentry

Call to Worship

 

One:  As the sun climbs from the horizon

Many:  God’s presence endures with us.

One:  As the clouds mask the sun’s warming presence,

Many:  God’s presence remains with us.

One:  As the sun drifts back to the horizon,

Many:  God’s presence lingers with us.

One:  As light rests until morning,

Many:  God’s presence persists with us.

Opening Hymn “Who Sweep the Stable?”         Handout

  Words by Shirley Erena Murray;  Music by Jim Strathdee

    Words - 2004. Hope Publishing Co.  All rights reserved.

    Music - 2004. Desert Flower Music.  All rights reserved.

1)  Who sweep the stable when Christmas is over,

who clear the table, the crumbs of the meal?

Practical people, compassionate people,

people not proud to take basin and kneel.

2)  Who take the load for the helpless and hurting,

who drive the road when the crisis is there?

People of spirit, compassionate people,

people with hands at the ready to care.

3)  Who are the first to bring calm into chaos,

who tend the worst and restore what is best?

Heart and soul people, compassionate people,

saviors and servants, humanity’s test.

4)  God give us eyes for the needs of our neighbor.

God make us wise to the actions that bless,

being your servants and taking directions,

gladly and instantly answering “Yes!”

                                                                                                                                                                              Scripture             Matthew 2:1-12

Sermon                 “The Stars of Epiphany”                       Dr. Keith Ray

Celebrating the New Year with Epiphany Stars

         

Prayers of the People

Closing Hymn and Offertory                               Handout

                        “Now the Star of Christmas (Three Faiths Epiphany Carol)”

Words by Shirley Erena Murray; Music by Jim Strathdee. The tune is Becker.

Words - 2008. Hope Publishing Co.  All rights reserved.

Music - 2008.  Desert Flower Music.  All rights reserved.

1)  Now the star of Christmas shines into our day,

points a new direction: change is on the way —

there’s another landscape to be travelled through,

there’s a newborn spirit broadening our view.

2)  When the Christ of Christmas speaks to heart and mind,

clears the clouded vision hurting humankind,

kindred spirits gather, drawn toward the light,

sharing revelation, joyful at the sight.

3)  If we choose to follow, we may yet be wise:

where the three kings travel, three great faiths arise:

Jesus Christ for Christians, Jesus, Judah’s son,

Prophet for the Muslim, truth within each one.

4)  Where the star enlightens, light is shared around.

God has drawn no borders, faith sees common ground:

Peace the hopeful journey, justice without bar,

God’s illumination from the Christmas star.

Benediction

Discussion

Shalom       (“May you be well and whole and in communion with all creation.”)

                          Shalom, my friends, Shalom, my friends, Shalom, Shalom.

                            Till we meet again, Till we meet again, Shalom, Shalom.

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Reprinted with permission under One License #A-625711.  All rights reserved.

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Please join us for our 1st Sunday Potluck meal.

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Calendar of Service -

January 14 – Rev. Dr. Steve Morgan — New Elder ordination and installation;

Session meeting

January 21 - Dr. Keith Ray

January 28 - Dr. Keith Ray

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February 4 - Potluck Hymn Sunday - Pick a hymn, write its name and number on the paper provided, and put your completed paper in the basket on the Communion table.

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PAWS is currently in need of blankets.  Please bring them to church if you have donations.

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The Bible Study Group (BSG) meets Mondays at 6:30 pm via Zoom. Dave Johnson is guiding us through the book of Exodus. If you’d like to be added to the Zoom invite list then contact Cynthia at cynthiakwarner@mac.com. We’d love to have newcomers!

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Joanne reminds us all to keep up the food donations for AIM (Anderson Interfaith Ministries)!  Bring your non-perishable items to the church.  This is an on-going need that should become part of everyone’s shopping routine.

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Are you interested in becoming a member of NACCP?  Would you like to make this community your spiritual home?  Please contact Keith at keithdray@gmail.com or at 864-508-1530.

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Remember in prayer:  Ann Blackwood; Linda McFall; Bonnie Marsden and son Michael; Jackie Moore; Glennie Burns; Mary Alice Mundy; Jason Harding; Madison Bishop (Whitney’s niece); Latha and Cheryl Semones; Immigrant families; Victims of all violence, oppression, and injustice; People of Ukraine; People of Israel and Palestine.

NACCP is an inclusive Faith Community that values questions

and the journey to the answers.

Ministry Leader: Dr. Keith Ray
keithdray@gmail.com

Pianist and Choir Director: Polly Dunford

Mailing address: P.O. Box 4346, Anderson, SC 29622

Phone: 864-225-3575

Website:  naccpchurch.org

Church News:  naccpnews@yahoo.com

Instagram:  northandersonccp

Facebook:  NorthAndersonCommunityChurchPresbyterian