Today’s service has THREE choices.  You may view the Live Stream on Facebook at this link:

https://fb.me/e/zmOQxRsvF

hear it in the church parking lot at 107.1 FM, or join us in person inside (masking preferred). 

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Gathering Music   Polly Dunford

Welcome and Announcements   Karen Manley

Call to Worship                                           Rev. Dr. Johnny McKinney

One:   God of All Creation, God of this present hour,

All:      We lift our voices in praise.

One:   We praise You with voices rich in gladness and joy.

All:      We praise You with voices hoarse with questions.

One:   We praise You with voices soft with worry.

All:      We praise You with all that we are.

       One:    We trust You for all we hope to be.

All:      In the name of God, we gather to worship this day.

Opening Hymn     “A Song of Soul Freedom"   Source Unknown

1)  O God of Eden's garden, who grants thy creatures choice,

             Whose way is not coercion, who gives dissenters voice,

             Remind thy fearful people, concerned for unity;

             We find our deepest union when each one's soul is free.

2)  O God of Red Sea waters, whose will is liberty,

             Who moves against oppression and strikes down tyranny,

             Remind thy startled people, by worlds events made numb;

             There is no final kingdom until thy kingdom come.

        3)  O Christ of Calvary's mountain, who died to set us free,

             Who sought no earthly gavel, but rules from on a tree,

             Remind thy challenged people, bu many faiths o'errun;

             The truth of thy great gospel shall stand when histry's done.

        4)  O Pentecostal Spirit, whose winds no creed can tame,

             Best teacher of our scripture, whose errand is our aim,

             Remind thy faithful people of vows we cannot bend;

             Soul freedom that we cherish we will to all extend.

Prayer Concerns and Joys                    Karen Manley

Hymn                                   "Lord God, We Are Set Free"

                            Words by Peggy A. Haymes; Music attributed to William Croft

Scripture Readings       Galatians 5:1, 12-14    Rev. Dr. Johnny McKinney

Sermon   “Separation of Church and State: Vital Reality or Junk History"

                                                                            Rev. Dr. Johnny McKinney

Closing Hymn      "Free to Worship, Free to Know"

                          Words by David Burroughs, by permission; Music by H.A. Cesar Malan

Free to worship, free to know,
Bound by Spirit wind that flows,
Free to dream, to think and live
In the freedom Jesus gives.
In the freedom Jesus gives.

Free to worship, free to know,
Freedom’s gift to all bestowed.
Free to speak a dissenting voice,
Trusting each to make the choice.
Trusting each to make the choice.

Free to worship, free to know,
Truth that stings but makes us grow.
Free to lay old dogmas down
Choose a path to common ground.
Choose a path to common ground.

Benediction           Rev. Dr. Johnny McKinney

Discussion

Shalom (meaning - “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

August  21 - Rev. Dr. Steve Morgan

August 28 - Rev. Laura Collins

On Monday, September 12, at 6:00 PM, see “At The River”, a feature-length documentary about a certain time and place in the deep south, at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 703 E. Washington Street, Greenville.  In the Civil Rights era of the 50s and 60s, most Presbyterian ministers stood on the banks of the cultural river of segregation and white supremacy. Some opted not to stir the waters in their congregations and communities by speaking out. However, a few young southern Presbyterian ministers braved those currents through their sermons, community organizing, and participating in marches and protests. They faced dangerous, hate-filled consequences for these actions. "At The River" chronicles their lives and their decisions, as well as director Carolyn Crowder’s firsthand experience as a young white southern girl from Montgomery, Alabama. During those mean and turbulent times these ministers, through their love and example, had a huge impact on her life in helping her overcome her southern racist brainwashing.   

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Remember in prayer: Linda McFall; Mike Johnston; Shea Marsden; Taylor Bishop (Whitney’s niece); Family and Friends of Terry Ann Hayes; Jason Harding; Steve Hallowell; Pat Weddle; Glenn Burns; Tim and Michael Little-Bell and family; Jackie Moore; Whitney Bishop; Latha and Cheryl Semones; Immigrant families; Victims of all violence, oppression, and injustice; Victims of COVID-19; People of Ukraine; Victims of mass shootings