Epiphany Sunday

Today’s service will be held indoors in the sanctuary as an in-person service and also live streamed at this link.  Click on “live” for the live stream.  (Our NorthAndersonCCP YouTube Channel).

Join us!   

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Gathering Music                                          Polly Dunford

Welcome and Announcements               Tom Wright    

Call to Worship

Leader:  Herod's treachery could not stop hope!

People:  God's light, whose sign was a star, was poured out for the people.

Leader:  All the fears and fights of this world cannot diminish God's light.

People:  That light is the life of Jesus Christ, who breaks through the darkness.

Leader:  Thanks be to God, for the most precious gift of Light.

People:  Let us live as people of new Light and Hope. AMEN.

 

Opening Hymn     “What Star Is This, with Beams So Bright”   Hymnal #152

1)  What star is this, with beams so bright,

more lovely than the noonday light?

’Tis sent to announce a newborn king,

glad tidings of our God to bring.

2)  ’Tis now fulfilled what God decreed,

“From Jacob shall a star proceed”;

and lo! the eastern sages stand

to read in heaven the Lord’s command.

 

3)  While outward signs the star displays,

an inward light the Lord conveys

and urges them, with tender might,

to seek the giver of the light.

4)  O Jesus, while the star of grace

impels us on to seek your face,

let not our slothful hearts refuse

the guidance of your light  to use.

 

Scripture Lesson Matthew 2:1-12

Sermon                   “I See It!” Dr. Keith Ray

Thoughts to Ponder: In commenting on the day of Epiphany, one writer says,

“An epiphany is a divine manifestation in the midst of human history.

This text points to the birth of Jesus as an incarnation event that involves the daily experience of simple and humble people who are transformed into chosen vessels of God’s purpose and blessing.”

I wonder: what would it be like for us to consider ourselves “chosen vessels” for purpose and blessing in 2025?  Let’s ponder this together.

Responding to the Word Epiphany Stars

Joys and Concerns

Prayers of the People

Closing Hymn and Offertory                     Handout

“Now the Star of Christmas - (Three Faiths Epiphany Carol)”

Words by Shirley Erena Murray; Music by Jim Strathdee. The tune is Becker.

Words - 2008. Hope Publishing Co.  All rights reserved.

Music - 2008.  Desert Flower Music.  All rights reserved.

 

1)  Now the star of Christmas shines into our day,

points a new direction: change is on the way —

there’s another landscape to be travelled through,

there’s a newborn spirit broadening our view.

2)  When the Christ of Christmas speaks to heart and mind,

clears the clouded vision hurting humankind,

kindred spirits gather, drawn toward the light,

sharing revelation, joyful at the sight.

3)  If we choose to follow, we may yet be wise:

where the three kings travel, three great faiths arise:

Jesus Christ for Christians, Jesus, Judah’s son,

Prophet for the Muslim, truth within each one.

4)  Where the star enlightens, light is shared around.

God has drawn no borders, faith sees common ground:

Peace the hopeful journey, justice without bar,

God’s illumination from the Christmas star.

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.

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

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Join us for 1st Sunday Potluck meal following worship service.

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Calendar of Service -

January 5 - Dr. Keith Ray;  Epiphany Stars; 1st Sunday Potluck Meal

January 12 - Dr. Keith Ray

January 19 - Dr. Keith Ray

January 26 - Dr. Keith Ray

NACCP on YouTube.  Since the beginning of this year, a small group of NACCPers have worked to make our gatherings available on YouTube.  As of November 2024, you can find us at NorthAndersonCCP on YouTube.  You can live stream us, or see recordings.

Now we are recruiting others to be part of our NACCP AV Team.  We would like to share recording/streaming among several people.  We will offer training to anyone willing to help. Please let Cynthia (cynthiakwarner@mac.com) or Joanne (843.607.3862) know if you are interested.
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An updated church directory is available for upload.  If you do not have the password, please send request to mhc.clemson@gmail.com
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Hurricane Helene Relief News:

• The United Way of Anderson County and AIM are teaming up to ensure that local needs are met in response to Hurricane Helene. Visit their special website at  https://www.unitedwayofanderson.org/helene to learn more about making donations, and volunteer opportunities for both food distribution and clean-up efforts (especially if you have chainsaws, tools, trailers, etc.).
• To donate money for the NC storm victims, visit these sites:
  Black Mountain Presbyterian Church www.bmpcnc.org
• So that victims in the Black Mountain/Montreat/Swannanoa area get all of your donation (rather than the credit card company getting a percentage of it!), you can send a check to Black Mountain Presbyterian Church, 117 Montreat Rd., Black Mountain, NC 28711, and in the memo line put “Hurricane Helene Relief Fund.  Thank you!
• Presbyterian Disaster Assistance www.pda.pcusa.org
  American Red Cross www.redcross.org

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Please join Presbyterian Earth Care (PEC) for this unique monthly opportunity for community and meaningful Bible study!  The study will run for 75 minutes each session. Dates: Jan. 26th, Feb. 23rd, Mar. 23rd, Apr. 28th, May 26^th all at 7 pm. Study Leaders: Rev. M. Courtenay Willcox and Rev. Lucy Youngblood. For more info and Zoom link: https://presbyearthcare.org/bible-study-pw-2024-2025/
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Sarah Shumpert, AIM Board member, shares this update about the AIM Food Pantry: given the increased need in the community, AIM has increased the number of food boxes distributed to 55 per day (this is up from around 35 per day prior to COVID).  The increase in distribution means that the pantry empties much faster than before.  Please keep that in mind as you bring in food items. Also, the pantry is completely out of peanut butter and they would love to restock this item!
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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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Bible Study meets on Mondays at 6:30 pm through Zoom.  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:  Michael Little’s friend Mark; Shea Marsden; Linda McFall; 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.