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 Barb Barham                                            

Call to Worship 

In the midst of a world where people hunger and thirst,

come worship a God who feeds the hungry.

In the midst of a world where people are abused and oppressed,

come worship a God who calls for compassion and justice.

In the midst of a world filled with wars and rumor of war,

come worship a God who desires nothing less than peace for the world.

In the midst of a world of spiritual emptiness,

come worship a God who gives life meaning.

Come worship a God whose grace and love know no end.

Opening Hymn                “There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy” Hymnal #435

1)  There’s a wideness in God’s mercy, like the wideness of the sea.

There’s a kindness in God’s justice, which is more than liberty.

There is no place where earth’s sorrows are more felt than up in heaven.

There is no place where earth’s failings have such kindly judgment given.

2)  For the love of God is broader than the measures of the mind.

And the heart of the Eternal is most wonderfully kind.

If our love were but more faithful, we would gladly trust God’s Word,

and our lives reflect thanksgiving for the goodness of our Lord.

Scripture      Matthew 25:15-30

                  

Sermon                      “Balancing Prudence With Risk"       Dr. Keith Ray

Thought to consider: I sometimes wonder if organized religion is overly prudent, that is, so focused on self preservation that keeps it from being committed to a kind of radical self-giving that we see embodied in the stories and teachings of Jesus.

Risky behavior seems to be a part of communities committed to justice.

What are we willing to risk?

Prayers of the People

Closing Hymn/Offertory           “The Way Old Friends Do”            Handout

    Words and Music by Benny Andersson; Arranged by David Johnson

         1980. All rights reserved.

You and I can share the silence, finding comfort together, the way old friends do.

 I always turn to you for guidance, we stand up for each other the way old friends do.

Times of joy, and times of sorrow, we will always see it through.

I don’t care what comes tomorrow, we can face it together the way old friends do.

You and I can share the silence, finding comfort together, the way old friends do.

 I always turn to you for guidance, we stand up for each other the way old friends do.

Times of joy, and times of sorrow, we will always see it through.

I don’t care what comes tomorrow, we can face it together the way old friends do.

We can face it together the way old friends do.

Times of joy, and times of sorrow, we will always see it through.

I don’t care what comes tomorrow, we can face it together the way old friends do.

We can face it together the way old friends do.

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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Calendar of Service - Worship services are indoors until the weather warms in Spring.

November 26 - Rev. Lucy Youngblood; Decorate the church for Advent

December 3 - Dr. Keith Ray - 1st Sunday Potluck

December 10 - Dr. Keith Ray

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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Please plan to stay after the service on November 26 to help decorate the church for Advent.
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We will have a Winter Solstice Labyrinth walk on December 21 at 4 pm.

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Choir practice each Sunday through Dec. 24. Please be seated and ready to rehearse at 9:25 am so we can make full use of our practice time. I’m planning for the Advent/Christmas Eve services. Check your calendars to see when you won’t be available on Dec. 3, 10, 17, and 24 (morning and evening). I have a schedule sheet on the piano in the choir room. Please sign your name under the date you’re not available. Questions? Contact Polly at (864) 940-0640.

Also from Polly: We will take a pause on our current pool of Potluck Hymns during the Advent season. Please select your favorite Advent songs (pages 82-107 of the hymnal) for a new pool of Advent songs to choose from.

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Please bring your Fall Food Fest items by November 26. See details at the end of the bulletin.

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Andi Nelson will host her Thanksgiving potluck dinner in the barn at Rabbit Hill Farm, 423 Sargent Road, Pendleton, on Nov. 23, 2023, at 1:00 PM.  Bring a chair and a dish to share.

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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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Upcoming shows featuring our NACCP family to watch for: “She Kills Monsters” at Market Theatre, Nov. 17 – 20.    “Willy Wonka” at Greenville Theatre, Nov. 30 – Dec. 17.

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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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Jay Lyn shares that the Anderson County Public Library is seeking volunteers to fulfill a variety of duties. Please call the main number at 864-260-4500 and ask for Kelly.

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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; Mike Johnston; 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; People of Acapulco and Lewiston, Maine. 

NACCP Fall Food Fest

Who —  North Anderson members and friends may participate.

What —  A fun food drive to fill the shelves at AIM’s Food Cupboard by the end of November

Where —  Collect food at home and then bring to church.

When —  Beginning November 8, add one of the items on the checklist below daily to your donation box and bring your filled box to church on Sunday, November 26 by 5:00 PM.

Why —  Because we have plenty to share and some folks may not have enough to eat.

LIST OF POSSIBILITIES

Cereal Peanut butter

Stuffing mix Boxed potatoes

Macaroni and Cheese Canned fruit

Canned tomatoes Canned tuna

Dessert mix Applesauce

Cranberry sauce Canned beans

Box of crackers Taco kit

Box/bag of rice Oatmeal

Pasta Spaghetti sauce

Chicken noodle soup Tomato soup

Canned corn Canned vegetables

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