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           Autumn Donnelly                                          

 

Call to Worship 

Leader:  Come, all who are weary of rigid rules and judgmental faith.

People:  We come seeking the Spirit that sets us free.

Leader:  For freedom, we have been called—not to indulge the self, but to love the  other.

People:  We are free to embrace, not exclude; to welcome, not withdraw.

Leader:  The Spirit does not bind us in fear but calls us to joy, peace, patience, and kindness.

People:  We long to be people of gentleness and generosity, guided by love.

Leader:  Here, no one is forced to conform. No one is left behind.

People:  Here, we are free to be as we are and still belong—because love is the law.

Leader:  So let us worship not from obligation, but from deep gratitude.

People:  We gather as beloved ones, already held in grace—free to love because we are loved.

Opening Hymn “We Love”                            Handout

Words and Music by Ann F. Price

1986, 1975. Graded Press.  All rights reserved.

We love (clap, clap) because God first loved us,

we love (clap, clap) because God first loved us.

We love. (clap, clap)  We love. (clap, clap)

We love (clap, clap) because God first (clap) loved (clap) us. (clap, clap)

         

Scripture Lesson         Galatians 5:1, 13–25

                    

Sermon                        “Free From What?”                                 Dr. Keith Ray

Thoughts to Ponder:  What does it mean to be truly free?  In a world where religion is too often used to control, exclude, or divide, the Apostle Paul offers a different vision: freedom rooted in love, not law.  Consider a faith that liberates rather than restricts—a faith that empowers us not to fear difference but to embrace it.

How might our communities look if we lived as if grace, not rule-keeping, were the foundation of belonging?  Come explore the kind of freedom that doesn’t isolate us, but draws us more deeply into relationship with God and one another.

 

Joys and Concerns 

Prayers of the People 

Closing Hymn     “O God in Whom All Life Begins”  Hymnal #308

1)  O God in whom all life begins, who births the seed to fruit,

bestow your blessing on our lives; here let your love find root.

Bring forth in us the Spirit’s gifts of patience, joy, and peace;

deliver us from numbing fear, and grant our faith increase.

2)  Unite in mutual ministry our minds and hands and hearts

that we may have the grace to seek the power your peace imparts.

So let our varied gifts combine to glorify your Name

that in all things by word and deed we may your love proclaim.

3)  Through tears and laughter, grief and joy, enlarge our trust and care;

so bind us in community that we may risk and dare.

Be with us when we gather here to worship, sing, and pray;

then send us forth in power and faith to live the words we say.

Benediction        

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.                         *************************************************************************************

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

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Calendar of Service -  

July 6 - TBD; Potluck is Cookout Encore!  Sign up for side dishes and desserts.

July 13 - Dr. Keith Ray

July 20 - Dr. Keith Ray

July 27 - Dr. Keith Ray

 

Outdoor services are being suspended until the weather cools - late summer/early fall.                                                                *********************

Potluck Meal on July 6 — Join in for Cookout 2.0!  We have leftovers from Peanut Butter Whiskey’s band night.  There are hotdogs, hamburgers, buns and chips left to serve.  Your help is needed to contribute side dishes and desserts.  A sign-up sheet will be circulated Sunday.

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Three Nights on Nature is coming!

July 15, 7:00 pm - Dr. Mike Ferro - "A Few Stops on the Walk Around the Back Yard"

Collection Manager at the Arthropod Collection of Clemson University, a research and teaching resource, with 1.3+ million specimens.

July 16, 7:00 pm – Melissa Fuentes – “Nature’s Wonders, Part 2”

Curator of the Vertebrate Collection at the Bob and Betsy Campbell Museum of Natural History, Clemson University.

July 17, 7:00 pm – Dale Gilbert – “The Marvelous Gift of Weather”

Retired Meteorologist, yet working part time with WYFF4. Also, a football and basketball public address announcer for the Clemson Tigers.

NACCP folk: Please bring an item for the light refreshments to be shared with all.

Non-perishable food item(s) are encouraged as donations to Hope Mission.

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South Main Chapel and Mercy Center has asked for help with building up their snack pack supplies.  As you feel moved, any of the following items would be appreciated.

Needs are: canned tuna, potted meat, canned food with pop top lids, applesauce cups, crackers, cereal bars, fruit cups, cookies.  Thank you for all your help.

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The Anderson County Library is hosting a “tree” event which will last until October.  When you go to the library, write a wish on a supplied piece of cloth and then tie your wish to a tree there.  For every 20 wish ties on the tree, a new tree will be planted at the Anderson Civic Center in October.

You may be able to write your wishes at church and then they will be taken to the library.

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Bible Study meets on Mondays at 6:30 pm through Zoom.  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 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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Remember the glass “tip jar” is still on the piano.  Dave and Polly will donate the “tips” to a cause related to music, such as bringing music to schools.
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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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