Today’s service may be viewed on Facebook Live Stream at this link:  https://fb.me/e/dvgNlmWWs, hear it in the church parking lot at 107.1 FM, or join us in person. 

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Dear NACCP family,

I hope you are all having a good week. As we gather on Sunday, we will surely give thanks for a relatively calm election day. Praise be!

We will also gather to reflect on a text from the book of Isaiah, considering how the ancient words of Sunday's text apply to how we live today. A question to consider is: How do we best give witness to a fundamental belief in justice and love in a world that often lacks both?  I look forward to exploring this question with you in person or online as we come together.

As always, I'm grateful to be on the journey with you!

Love and peace,

Keith

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Gathering Music                           Polly Dunford

Welcome and Announcements         Jay Lyn Martin

My Story Barb Barham  

Call to Worship

One:  Steadfast One, there is no wavering in you.
Many:  We come boldly, yet uncertain and unsure.
One:  Fountain of truth, you reveal what is true and what is not.
Many:  You help us to see and hear so we’ll know which road to travel.
One:  Eternal Wisdom, your mind and heart are stayed on loving us.
Many:  We set our hearts and minds to love ourselves and others, the way that you do.

Opening Prayer  (in unison)

Unwavering Mystery, we are thankful for the clarity found in you. You welcome us into your presence, even when we aren’t sure of our approach to you. We delight in knowing that even when we come stumbling over ourselves, your love is sure to pick us up and steady us. Because you are love, you keep your promises to us. Help us walk unwavering in the love that helps us keep our promises too. Amen.

Opening Hymn     “Morning Has Broken”           Hymnal #664

    Words by Eleanor Farjeon; Music is a Gaelic melody

      1)  Morning has broken like the first morning; blackbird has spoken like the first bird.

           Praise for the singing! Praise for the morning! Praise for them, springing fresh

            from the Word!

     2)  Sweet the rain’s new fall sunlit from heaven, like the first dewfall on the first grass.

          Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden, sprung in completeness where God’s feet pass.

     3)  Mine is the sunlight! Mine is the morning, born of the one light Eden saw play!

Praise with elation; praise every morning, God’s recreation of the new day!

Scripture Lesson         Isaiah 65:17-25

Sermon     “Everyday Practices” Dr. Keith Ray

Theme: Following the example of the people in Isaiah chapter 65, we are invited to consider how we can claim hope in our day-to-day activities, even in times of trials.

Prayers of the People

Closing Hymn/Offertory       “Healer of Our Every Ill”            Hymnal #795

        Words and Music by Marty Haugen

Refrain:  Healer of our every ill, light of each tomorrow,

give us peace beyond our fear, and hope beyond our sorrow.

1)  You who know our fears and sadness, grace us with your peace and gladness;

    Spirit of all comfort, fill our hearts. Refrain

2)  In the pain and joy beholding how your grace is still unfolding,

    give us all your vision, God of love. Refrain

3)  Give us strength to love each other, every sister, every brother;

    Spirit of all kindness, be our guide. Refrain

4)  You who know each thought and feeling, teach us all your way of healing;

    Spirit of compassion, fill each heart. Refrain

Benediction                           Dr. Keith Ray

Discussion

Shalom (Song of Peace)

Before we sing, we reflect, what does “Shalom” mean?  “Shalom” is taken from the root Hebrew word shalam*, which means to be safe in mind, body or estate.  It refers to an inward sense of completeness, fullness or a type of wholeness that encourages one to give generously, lavishly.  When we say or sing “Shalom”, we are literally saying, “I sincerely wish and hope you will abound in well-being and flourish in peace and all good things good and true.

*Related to Arabic salima  “was safe”, aslama “surrendered, submitted.”

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  

November 20 - Keith Ray; Celebration of the Spirit Through the Arts;

Congregational Meeting;  Sanctuary

Sale of Nicaraguan crafts-100% of proceeds to CDCA

  Session meeting following worship

November 27 - Steve Morgan; Woods stage, weather permitting

Service locations are in the sanctuary on 1st and 3rd Sundays, and at our woods stage on 2nd, 4th and 5th Sundays as long as the weather permits. Please bring a chair if you have one.  Transportation available into the woods area for anyone who feels unsteady on the path.

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The congregation of NACCP extends its love and sympathy to the family and friends of Doug Vaughan who passed away on Friday, October 7.  He was the founding Pastor of NACCP and led the church from 1971-76.  His service will be at Foothills Presbytery home in Easley on November 20, 2022, at 3:30.

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Market Theatre presents “Rent” through November 14. This is a MUST SEE production!   Drew Whitley plays Tom Collins, Thor Raines is in the ensemble, and Rosie Thompson is Asst.  Stage Manager. Go to markettheatre.org and click on Tickets. Seats are selling out fast!

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GAMAC concert on Sunday, November 13, at 3:00 pm!   “An American Season” featuring the Anderson Symphony Orchestra with Howard Kim on piano and Andrew Pettus conducting.  This concert is at Rainey Fine Arts Center at Anderson University.  Tickets can be purchased at  www.gamac.org or call 864-231-6147.

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A New Church Directory is in the making!  Thanks to Manella Calhoun for leading this project!   Ed Yokley will be taking photos of everyone who is “camera ready” for several Sundays.  See the weekly newsletter for information to be included with your photo.  Bring that smile!!

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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. 24, 2022, at 1:00 PM.  Bring a chair and a dish to share.

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Bible Study Update  —  You are invited to join our exploration of the Bible on Mondays at 6:30 PM (returning to original time). If interested, contact David Johnson (ampaw2t@gmail.com) or Cynthia Warner (cynthiakwarner@mac.com) to be added to the email list.

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Remember in prayer: Tawny Booth (friend of Vicki Conrad-Wright); Sharon Fowler; Jason Harding; Friends and Family of Doug Vaughan; Bruce Kalley and family; Bonnie Marsden and family; Tim and Michael Little-Bell and family; Linda McFall; Mike Johnston; Shea Marsden; Taylor Bishop (Whitney’s niece); Steve Hallowell; Pat Weddle; Glenn Burns; Jackie Moore; Whitney Bishop; Latha and Cheryl Semones; Immigrant families; Victims of all violence, oppression, and injustice; People of Ukraine.