Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

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.  Join us!   

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Gathering Music                                          Polly Dunford

Welcome and Announcements         Sarah Shumpert                          

Call to Worship 

Leader:  There is a good word for you if you are weary.

People:  It is the Word of Love, deeper than every despair.

Leader:  There is a good word if you have ever felt unworthy.

People:  It is the Word of Hope, “Do not be afraid!”

Leader:  There is a good word that needs to be heard.

People:  It is the Word of Life, that raises up abundant blessings.

Opening Hymn   “We Limit Not the Truth of God”        Handout

By Kenneth Lowenberg.  2000 by Kenneth Lowenberg

Written by George Rawson in the 1850’s, based on the final words Pastor John Robinson

gave to the Pilgrims upon their departure to the New World in 1620.

1)  We limit not the truth of God to our poor reach of mind

By notions of our day and sect - crude, partial, and confined.

No, let a new and better hope within our hearts be stirred,

For God hath yet more light and truth to break forth from the Word.

2)  Who dares to bind to one’s own sense the oracles of heaven

For all the nations, tongues, and climes, and all the ages given?

That universe, how much unknown!  that ocean unexplored,

For God hath yet more light and truth to break forth from the Word.

 

3)  Eternal God, Incarnate Word, Spirit of flame and dove,

Enlarge, expand all living souls to comprehend your love;

And help us all to seek your will with wiser powers conferred.

O God, grant yet more light and truth to break forth from the Word.

Scripture Lesson Psalm 138

         

Sermon “Your Faithful Love Lasts Forever”           Dr. Keith Ray

Thoughts to ponder:  In Psalm 138, the people of God say/sing that God’s love endures forever.  The writer says, “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies; you stretch out your hand, and your right hand delivers me.”

But we know it’s not always true.  People who are mistreated, treated unjustly, and targeted by hate are, sometimes, not delivered.  So how do we deal with such a text, particularly in an unjust time?  Let’s consider what it means to proclaim the power of divine Love even when injustices prevail.

Joys and Concerns 

Prayers of the People 

Closing Hymn and Offertory  Hymnal #334

“With Grateful Heart My Thanks I Bring” (Psalm 138)

1)  With grateful heart my thanks I bring; before the “gods” your praise I sing.

I worship in your holy place and praise you for your truth and grace;

for truth and grace together shine in your most holy Word divine.

2)  I cried to you, and you did save; your word of grace new courage gave.

The kings of earth shall thank you, Lord, for they have heard your wondrous word;

yes, they shall come with songs of praise for great and glorious are your ways.

3)  O Lord, enthroned in glory bright, you reign alone in heavenly height;

the proud in vain your favor seek, but you have mercy for the meek.

Through trouble though my pathway be, you will revive and strengthen me.

4)  You will stretch forth your mighty arm to save me when my foes alarm.

The work you have for me begun shall by your grace be fully done.

Your love forever will endure: your mercy, Lord, is ever sure.

                           

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

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Calendar of Service -

February 16 -  Rev. Dr. Steve Morgan

February 23 -  Dr. Keith Ray; Worship Committee meeting

March 2 - Dr. Keith Ray; 1st Sunday Potluck meal

March 9 -  Dr. Keith Ray; Session meeting

March 16 -  Dr. Keith Ray

March 23 - Dave Johnson

March 30 - Dr. Keith Ray

Church Clean-up Day is Saturday, February 8.  Please sign up to volunteer.

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The next PFLAG meeting is Thursday, February 13, at 7:00 pm.  All are welcome!

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The Beach Ball, a fundraiser for the Greater Anderson Musical Arts Consortium (GAMAC), will be on Thursday, February 13 at 7:00 PM at the Bleckley Station in Anderson. Call (864) 231-6147 or visit GAMAC.org/specialevents for tickets. Reservations required by February 10.

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Our next Adopt-A-Highway (AAH) Day is Saturday 15 February at 9:00 AM.  The more AAH “pickers” we have, the more trash we can collect!  Please join us on 15 February.  You do not need to bring anything but yourself.  We have supplies for all who come.
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The next Keenagers event will be the Sunday, February 16 matinee performance of “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” at the Market Theatre. Sign up with Karen Manley to be included in a group ticket purchase.  
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United Way sponsors a snack packing program for Anderson school children. Children in need are provided snacks for the weekend so they are able to learn when they return to school on Mondays. Snack packing consists of filling plastic bags with items and a handwritten word of encouragement before boxing the packs.  This is a fun event that we have done in the past as a group.  I have decided to sign up on Tuesdays as an individual because I think this is a very special program.

Current open dates are 2/10, 2/25, 3/3, 3/10.  These are Mondays or Tuesdays.  The shift is from 9-11 am.  If enough people are interested in working as a group, I will book us as a group.  If you are interested in trying it out, you can also sign up as an individual at  https://uwandsc.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=1031432. You will need to set up an account and can then sign up any open date. If you are interested or have questions, please call Vicki Wright at 585-781-4620.
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Lenten Season choir is meeting Sunday mornings at 9:25. Please try to be in your seat and ready to sing on time to make the best use of our rehearsal. Thanks!  Polly
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NACCP on YouTube.   Our gatherings are now available on YouTube. You can live stream us, or see recordings.  If you are interested in being a part of our NACCP AV Team, please contact Cynthia (cynthiakwarner@mac.com) or Joanne (843.607.3862).
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Bible Study meets on Mondays at 6:30 pm through Zoom.  Dave Johnson is guiding us through the book of Deuteronomy (editor’s note: it’s far more interesting than it sounds!). If you’d like to be added to the Zoom invite list, contact Cynthia at cynthiakwarner@mac.com.

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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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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: 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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Please remember to donate non-perishable food items to AIM (Anderson Interfaith Ministries).  An extra item when you shop is a great help to others in our community.

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

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The glass “tip jar” is still on the piano at church. Feel free to drop in any amount 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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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:  The Marsden family; Michael Little’s friend Mark; 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; Victims of Hurricane Helene; Victims of US Wildfires.