Today’s service may be viewed on Facebook Live Stream at this link, hear it in the church parking lot at 107.1 FM, or join us in person indoors. 

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 The Mythology of White Safety: A Conversation Regarding Race, 

Relationship and Emotional Vulnerability.

Worship Associate: Rev. Jason Harding

Gathering Music           Earth, Wind and Fire

Welcome and Announcements         Jason Harding

A Responsive Litany in Remembrance of Innocents    

(Bold -->ALL   Light --> One) 

Luke 1: 2-3   

As it is written in the prophet Isaiah “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one

crying out in the wilderness. Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 

Emmett Till – Aug 28, 1955 - 14 yrs old

Yes, she was pretty.  And because I was smiling, perhaps I also whistled when I passed her.  But I didn’t do any of those dirty things they accused me … I was happy that day ... that was all.  They dragged me out of the house, abused me, tortured me, beat me senseless and bashed my face in so bad even my mama didn’t recognize me.  They lynched me; wrapped barbwire around my neck to weigh me down and tossed me into the Tallahatchie.  They thought the river would never give me up, but it did.  I was found.  Mama said she wanted me to be shown ... as I was ... to all the world ... and that is what she did.  We all know what you did.  We all know.

Hey man I just don’t understand. What’s goin’ on across this land?

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Exodus 23:7, Deuteronomy 5:17

Have nothing to do with a false charge and do not put an innocent or honest person to death, for I will not acquit the guilty.  You shall not murder.

Trayvon Martin – February 2012 - 17 yrs old

He called me a “Fucking Punk!”. He said I was a “suspicious guy - who was up to no good - and that “these assholes (me) they always get away.”  He said I “failed to identify myself!”   I only wanted to get the hell out of there.  Crazy man, white man, screaming, coming after me.  Man, I ain’t got no gun!  I’m talking to my girl.  Mister, it’s only Skittles and a can drink I got in my pocket!  Jesus!  He’s got a gun! Oh God, NO! Bang! (Silence.)   “I had to” ... he said ... “It was self Defense” ... I had the right to stand my ground.

Hey man, I just don’t understand what’s goin’ on across this land.  

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Matthew 22:36-40   

Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  All the law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.  

Ralph Yarl, April 18, 2023 – 16 yrs old

I’m 16 and look like I’m 12 ... and I’m trying to find the right house to pick up my siblings. 115th Terrace ... or is it 115th St?  I don’t know ... all these houses look alike. Got to hurry’ they're expecting me ... better ask someone.  I knock on a door.  Hurry! Gotta go! Hurry ... I'm late. Hear someone shuffle about ... come to the door please! Man cracks open the door.  Huh?  What are you doing ... please ... NO ... Please … BANG!  Everything explodes into black red and white.  BANG!  Time disappears ... sliding down the door.  Blood.  I taste blood ... whose blood? Run Ralph!  Run!  Gotta get out of here ... don’t want to die.  Gotta get out of here ... mama ... help me mama!  Oh God mama ... mama, where are you?

Hey man, I just don’t understand what’s goin’ on across this land.

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Matthew 7:9 … 7:18 … 7:21 

Which of you, if your son asks for bread will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? ... A good tree cannot bear bad fruit nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.  So, you many know men by their fruit ... not everyone who says “Lord” shall enter the kingdom of heaven.

Jordan Neely – May 1, 2023 - 30 yrs old

I am tired, cold, hungry, empty, and screaming.  Screaming fills my head.  The car’s full as it rattled down the tracks.  I don’t care! I don’t care what they do.

I’m yelling to no one and I’m screaming to all.  No one hears me!  No one even see me!  Some bastard has jumped on my back ... pulling me down ... his arm wrapped around my neck.  He’ s like a crab ... all over me ... and I struggle.  He chokes me roughly ... hard ... without mercy.  I scream.  There's no air ... I can’t breathe.  I can’t get up.  Two other thugs got me pinned down.  I am held by heavy weights.  Fight Jordan ... get these devils off you!  My head is going swimmy ... lungs on fire ... about ready to burst.  I just want air.  Get off me!  Get the hell off me!  Everything is going black ... I'm passing out.  He’s going to kill me………………….

Hey man ... I just don’t understand what’s goin’ on across this land.

What’s happening Brother? 

A Brief Quiet Time for Personal Reflection   “Mercy, Mercy Me”           Marvin Gaye

The Prayers of Beloved Community         Jason Harding

Hymn           “Will the Circle be Unbroken”       Handout

  Words by Ada R. Habershon, Tune by Charles H. Gabriel, Arranged by Dave Johnson

Common Domain.  All rights reserved.

Will the circle be unbroken   By and by, Lord, by and by?

Is a better home a-waiting   In the sky, Lord, in the sky?

A Hard Conversation         “The Mythology of White Safety”                      Dr. Ed Yokley

Synopsis: White Safety is a myth.  It does not mitigate risk. It’s based within a mix of power and fear.  It’s freedom to do whatever I want, no matter who else is hurt.

Especially those I deeply believe are less than me.

A Brief Quiet Time for Personal Reflection   Marvin Gaye

Offertory and Closing Hymn         “Lift Every Voice and Sing” Hymnal #339

1)  Lift every voice and sing till earth and heaven ring,

ring with the harmonies of liberty.

Let our rejoicing rise high as the listening skies;

let it resound loud as the rolling sea.

Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us;

sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us.

Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,

let us march on, till victory is won.

2)  Stony the road we trod, bitter the chastening rod,

felt in the days when hope unborn had died.

Yet, with a steady beat, have not our weary feet

come to the place for which our parents sighed?

We have come over a way that with tears has been watered;

we have come, treading our path through the  blood of the slaughtered,

out from the gloomy past,

till now we stand at last where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

3)  God of our weary years, god of our silent tears,

thou who hast brought us thus far on the way;

thou who hast by thy might led us into the light,

keep us forever in the path, we pray.

Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met thee;

lest, our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget thee;

shadowed beneath thy hand may we forever stand,

true to our God, sure to our native land.

A Visual Benediction and Closing with Shalom

The Beloved Community has opportunity to engage in extended dialogue with Dr. Yokley.  This time is intentionally open-ended.  Hence the Shalom before the dialogue. Stay or leave as you wish.  Relationship begins with acknowledged vulnerability.  What is scariest is the first spoken word.  Have sacred courage!

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

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

Dialogue

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Calendar of Service 

June 18 - Keith Ray; Inside service.

June 25 - Keith Ray; Outside service.

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We will begin the following schedule for Sunday services, weather permitting:

• 1st and 3rd Sundays will be indoors in the sanctuary.

• 2nd and 4th Sundays will be at the outdoor stage in the woods. (Also 5th Sundays if applicable.)

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Brian Cromer invites the NACCP community to his Ordination and Installation on Sunday, June 11th at 3 p.m. in the Daniel Chapel, Furman University. 3300 Poinsett Highway, Greenville, SC 29613. Brian shares that NACCP has been such an integral part of his journey in ministry that it would mean so much for folks to join his ordination.
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The next Keenager event will be a visit to the Richardson Daylily farm on June 14th. Meet at the church at 9:30 am. Please note, if you plan to purchase any day lilies, you will need to bring cash or check (no credit cards). Also, if you plan to make a large purchase, then you may need to bring your own car for transport!
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The Keenager event planned for July is a game day (or night) and a volunteer is needed to coordinate this event! Let Sharon know if you are interested in taking the lead on this one.
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The Worship Committee is made up of Sharon Fowler, Laurie Gentry and Karen Manley.  They meet regularly to make sure all parts of each service are in place and discuss special events that arise.  Each of them is responsible for certain months to secure guest ministers.  Their months are as follows: May/June - Sharon, July/ August - Laurie, September/October - Karen, November/ December - Sharon.  If you have questions or concerns about the worship services, please talk to Sharon, Laurie or Karen.

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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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If you are interested in a class on Advanced Directives and/or the “Stop the Bleed” program, let Barb Barham know so that she and Rosie Thompson can plan accordingly for future programming.

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Sarah Shumpert shared the Westside Community Center needs a new roof. They are asking folks to donate $40 in honor of the 40th anniversary of Martin Luther King Day being signed into legislation as a national holiday. Donations can be made online through the United Way of Anderson County.  Use the “Donation Description” box to designate your donation for the Westside Community Center roof.

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

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