2nd Sunday of Advent
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 Sharon Fowler
Anthem “Carol for Advent” Words by Nancy Price & Don Besig and Music by Don Besig
Advent Song “When God is a Child” (verses 1 and 2) Handout
Words by Brian Wren; Music by Joan Collier Fogg
1989. Hope Publishing Co. All rights reserved.
Hope is a star that shines in the night, leading us on till the morning is bright.
When God is a child there’s joy in our song. The last shall be first and
the weak shall be strong, and none shall be afraid.
Peace is a ribbon that circles the earth, giving a promise of safety and worth.
When God is a child there’s joy in our song. The last shall be first and
the weak shall be strong, and none shall be afraid.
Second Sunday of Advent — Lighting the Second Advent Candle of Peace Barb Barham
Sharon Fowler
(Begin with the first candle relit.)
Voice 1: “The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion will feed together, and a little child shall lead them.” (Isaiah 11:6)
Voice 2: What does peace look like in the new world?
All: Peace looks like a flowing river where every living thing has what they need to flourish.
Peace looks like a place where those who are weak are not afraid of those who are strong.
Peace looks like good conversations around big tables.
Voice 2: Advent is the beginning of this new world, a better world,
where we can boldly build a good life together.
Voice 1: May it be so.
Voice 2: (Second Advent candle is lit.) Amen.
Opening Hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” Verses 1, 2, 5, 6, 7 Hymnal #88
Words - Latin prose; Music - Plainsong, adapt. by Thomas Helmore
1) O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
2) O come, thou Wisdom from on high, who orderest all things mightily:
to us the path of knowledge show; and teach us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
5) O come, thou Key of David, come, and open wide our heavenly home;
make safe the way that leads on high, and close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
6) O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by thine advent here;
disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
7) O come, Desire of nations, bind all peoples in one heart and mind;
bid envy, strife, and discord cease; fill the whole world with heaven’s peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
Scripture Lesson Isaiah 40:1-11
Sermon “Dreams or Possibilities?” Dr. Keith Ray
Advent pondering: Advent waiting is an invitation to consider the possibilities of a world of justice, love, and peace. And yet, is such thinking simply utopian fluff?
The prophet encouraged us to hold fast to dreams. As does Langston Hughes:
Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.
(Langston Hughes, 1901-1967)
Special Music “Immanuel” Kristin Cascio, soprano
by Point of Grace David Johnson, guitar
Arranged by David Johnson Polly Dunford, piano
No decorations No tree with tinsel No lights this year at home
The rooms are silent No carols play It’s the first time she is alone
But what a wonder She says “There’s comfort”
Immanuel Our God is with us Yes he is with us still
Immanuel He has not left us And he never will
They may be next door Maybe the next row But there’s someone with a heartache
They face the seasons The happy greetings With no joy in this holiday
For all the broken Here in this moment
Immanuel Our God is with us Yes he is with us still
Immanuel He has not left us And he never will
Communion Invitation to the Table Rev. Nancy Blakely
The Great Thanksgiving
The Breaking of the Bread
Prayer after Communion
Prayers of the People
Closing Hymn and Offertory Hymnal #89
“For You, O Lord, My Soul in Stillness Waits” (verses 1-4)
Words and Music by Marty Haugen
Refrain: For you, O Lord, my soul in stillness waits; truly my hope is in you.
1) O Lord of Light, our only hope of glory,
your radiance shines in all who look to you;
come, light the hearts of all in dark and shadow. Refrain
2) O Spring of Joy, rain down upon our spirits;
our thirsty hearts are yearning for your word;
come, make us whole, be comfort to our hearts. Refrain
3) O Root of Life, implant your seed within us,
and in your advent, draw us all to you,
our hope reborn in dying and in rising. Refrain
4) O Key of Knowledge, guide us in our pilgrimage;
we ever seek, yet unfulfilled remain;
open to us the pathway of your peace. Refrain
Benediction
Discussion
Congregational Meeting
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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Calendar of Service -
December 17 - Dr. Keith Ray; Christmas Pageant
December 24 -Dr. Keith Ray (Lessons and Carols at 10:15; Candlelight Service at 7 pm)
December 31 - Rev. Dr. Steve Morgan
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Music Abounds — On Friday, December 8 at 7:00 pm, GAMAC presents Christmas in Anderson at Anderson University’s Rainey Fine Arts Center. $23 per person and children are free with the donation of a new, unwrapped toy to benefit the Upstate Fatherhood Coalition.
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Church Clean-up days are the 2nd Saturday of the month at 9:30 am and usually take no more than 90 minutes. The sign-up sheet is in the church. Our next clean-up day will be Saturday, December 9, 2023, at 9:30 am.
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The Keenagers Christmas Party and lunch will be on Wednesday, December 13 at 11:30 at church. Meats will be provided. Please bring a side dish and/or dessert to share. Bring a white elephant gift for a fun game.
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The next PFLAG meeting will be Thursday, December 14, at 7:00 pm. All are welcome!
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New Foundations Home for Children will have a Christmas Bingo party on Sat., Dec. 16, at 3:00 pm. Donations of prizes would be greatly appreciated.
Community Outreach — New Foundations is also asking for Christmas gifts for the children who live at the home. Below is a list of gift suggestions. Please bring your unwrapped gifts to church.
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We will have a Winter Solstice Labyrinth walk on December 21 at 4 pm.
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PAWS is currently in need of blankets. Please bring them to church if you have donations.
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Choir practice each Sunday through Dec. 24. No practice on December 17. Please be seated and ready to rehearse at 9:25 am so we can make full use of our practice time. Questions? Contact Polly at (864) 940-0640.
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Theatre opportunity — This show features our NACCP family: “Willy Wonka” at Greenville Theatre, Dec. 2 - 17. Go to greenvilletheatre.org for booking tickets.
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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.
New Foundations Home for Children
Suggestions for Christmas Gifts
Art supplies Hygiene products - Always a need!
#2 pencils shampoo and hair conditioner
mechanical pencils and extra lead body wash and body lotion
sketch books toothpaste and toothbrushes
watercolor paper hair brushes and combs
canvases feminine products
acrylic paints and brushes
colored pencils Garments for males and females
paint by number kits sports bras
simple cross stitch kits socks
watercolor paints t-shirts
other craft kits appropriate for teens underwear
solid color Polo shirts
$25 Gift Cards black belts
Walmart joggers
Amazon
QT Cleaning supplies
Chick-Fil-A wipes
Old Navy disinfectant spray
bleach and laundry detergent
MP3 players and headphones dryer sheets
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
