Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Today’s service will be held outside at the woods stage.  Please bring a chair.  

This will be an in-person service only.  Join us!  There will be NO live streaming. 

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Gathering Music                                          Polly Dunford

Welcome and Announcements                   Thor Raines

Call to Worship (Inspired by Psalm 125)

One:  Those who trust in the Holy One are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever.

Many:  Surround us, O God, like the atmosphere around the earth.

One:  We stretch out our hands and our hearts reaching for your goodness and righteousness.

Many:  Surround us, O God, like the atmosphere around the earth. 

One:  Lead us on good paths and make us agents of peace.

Many:  Surround us, O God, like the atmosphere around the earth.

Opening Hymn      “Trust in God - Psalm 125” Hymnal #848

1)  Trust in God and you will be sheltered for eternity;

like a mountain, strong and sure, by God’s grace you will endure.

2)  Lift your eyes to see the hills, through the ages standing still,

wrapped around the city walls: so our God surrounds us all.

3)  In the promised, holy land may the wicked never stand;

but where good and kindness reign, may the peace of God remain.

Scripture Lesson            Mark 7:24-37

Sermon       “We Are All Growing - Even Jesus!”           Dr. Keith Ray

Thoughts to Ponder: I was raised to believe in the divinity of Jesus. He was/is, according to the Sunday School teachers of my youth, all knowing, fully developed, perfect.

But then I began reading stories like today’s lesson where, it seems, Jesus misses the mark. He even refers to a non-Jewish woman as a dog!

What if this story is intended to remind us that we are all on a journey, learning to practice steadfast love more completely?  Just like Jesus!  Let’s consider the possibilities together.

Prayers of the People

Closing Hymn and Offertory     “Breathe on Me, Breath of God”          Hymnal #286

1)  Breathe on me, Breath of God; fill me with life anew,

that I may love what thou dost love, and do what thou wouldst do.

2)  Breathe on me, Breath of God, until my heart is pure,

until with thee I will one will, to do and to endure.

3)  Breathe on me, Breath of God, till I am wholly thine,

until this earthly part of me glows with thy fire divine.

4)  Breathe on me, Breath of God, so shall I never die,

but live with thee the perfect life of thine eternity.

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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Calendar of Service -

September 15 - Dr. Keith Ray

September 22 - Remembrance Sunday; Dr. Keith Ray

September 29 - Dave Johnson

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Fall respiratory season is around the corner! Make a plan to get your vaccines.

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Don’t miss Thor’s upcoming shows! How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying at Greenville Theatre, Sept. 5-22 and The Rocky Horror Show at Market Theatre Oct. 11– Nov. 2.

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The next PFLAG will be Thursday, September 12, at 7:00 pm.  Everyone is welcome to come!

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The Cancer Association of Anderson’s Annual Concert of Hope and Remembrance will be “Folk Songs from the Heart.”  The concert will be on September 14 at 7:00 PM at Boulevard Baptist Church in Anderson.  For tickets contact KATIE-BETH@CAAANDERSON.ORG or call (864) 222-3500.

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GAMAC’s 3^rd annual Ray McGee’s Jazz Club fundraiser will be on Thursday, September 19 at 7 pm. See www.gamac.org/specialevents for more information and to buy tickets.
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Adult Children of Alcoholics & Dysfunctional Families Support Group meets each Thursday from 6:00-7:00 p.m. at Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church, 1501 Sandy Springs Rd., Sandy Springs, SC. This is a 12-formatted program.

For more information, call 864-844-7137. Please share this with anyone who may benefit from this group.

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Steve Hallowell is selling some furniture items. Please let him know if you are interested.

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Bible Study meets on Monday’s at 6:30 pm through Zoom and has begun the study of the book of Deuteronomy.  Contact Cynthia Warner at cynthiakwarner@mac.com or Dave Johnson at ampaw2t@gmail.com

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You may have noticed the new glass “tip jar” on the piano at church that serendipitously came about when someone didn’t claim a flower vase. Feel free to drop in a dollar or five when you like the music during the service. Dave and Polly will donate the “tips” to a cause related to music, such as bringing music to schools.
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If you would like to donate to the family of Eric Childs, who was tragically killed in a car accident, please use this link: https://gofund.me/6340eb47.  Eric’s wife Jessicka Spearman heads the PFLAG group that meets at NACCP.

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Women’s clothing is needed for women coming out of incarceration. Good, gently used items please. All sizes.
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Doug Booth encourages everyone to volunteer at PAWS – there is something for everyone, from socializing with the dogs on-site to taking a dog to lunch to hosting weekend visits. There are many dogs at the facility who crave human interaction.  Additionally, don’t forget to bring in any donations of blankets to the church.
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Karen highlighted that the Prayer Tree has been moved into the sanctuary. If you have a prayer request to add to the tree, write it on one of the provided tags and hang it on a branch.
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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 can easily 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:  Gloria Bennett and her family; Michael Little’s friend Becky; Shea Marsden; Linda McFall; Bonnie Marsden and son Michael; Glennie Burns; Mary Alice Mundy; Latha and Cheryl Semones; Immigrant families; Victims of all violence, oppression, and injustice; People of Ukraine; People of Israel and Palestine.