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             Rob Gentry          

Special Music                                          “Mambo No. 5”

by Damaso Perez Prado; Arranged by David Johnson

Marimba - Kyle Bruenning

Trumpet - David Johnson

Flute - Laurie Gentry

Piano - Polly Dunford                                                                                                                                                                                          Call to Worship

Leader:  We gather in the presence of memory, carrying with us the names and faces of those we have loved and lost.

People:  Their stories live in us, their love shapes us, their courage steadies us.

Leader:  Today we give thanks for lives well-lived, for bonds that death cannot sever, for hope that outlasts grief.

People:  We come with sorrow and gratitude, with tears and laughter, with hearts open to healing.

Leader:  In remembering, we are not alone. The great cloud of witnesses surrounds us still.

People:  Together, we honor the past, embrace the present, and walk in hope toward the future.

Leader:  Come, beloved community, and let us worship the God who holds us and our beloved dead in eternal love.

People:  With reverence and joy, we worship and remember. 

Opening Hymn             “God, We Praise You For the Morning”        Handout

Words by Jim and Jean Strathdee;  Music by Jim Strathdee

1985.  Desert Flower Music.  All Rights Reserved.

 

1)  God we praise you for the morning, Hope springs forth with each new day,

New beginnings, prayer and promise, Joy in work and in play.

2)  God we praise you for creation, Mountains, seas, and desert land.

Waking souls find joy and healing, In your bountiful hand.

3)  God we praise you for compassion, All the loving that you show.

Human touching, tears and laughter help your children to grow.

4)  God we praise you for your Spirit, Comforter and daily friend,

Restless searcher, gentle teacher, Strength and courage you send.

5)  God we praise you for the Savior, Come that we may know your ways.

In his loving, dying, rising Christ is Lord of our days.

6)  Alleluia, alleluia, Alleluia  Alleluia.  Alleluia, Alleluia!  Christ is Lord of our days.   

Scripture       Ecclesiastes 3:1–4

Hebrews 12:1

Special Music       “In My Life”             David Johnson, vocals & guitar

by John Lennon and Paul McCartney              Polly Dunford, piano

                    Arranged by David Johnson

Remembering Our Journey

Peggy Upton —  Laurie Gentry

Jackie Moore  —  Michelle Ricketson

Shea Marsden  —  Bonnie Marsden

Steve and Brenda Hallowell   —  Ed Yokley

Prayers of the People 

Closing Hymn and Offertory        “I Sing a Song of the Saints of God”     Hymnal #730

 

1)  I sing a song of the saints of God, patient and brave and true,

who toiled and fought and lived and died for the Lord they loved and knew.

And one was a doctor, and one was a queen, and one was a shepherdess on the green:

they were all of them saints of God, and I mean, God helping, to be one too.

2)  They loved their Lord so dear, so dear, and God’s love made them strong;

and they followed the right, for Jesus’ sake, the whole of their good lives long.

And one was a soldier, and one was a priest, and one was slain by a fierce wild beast:

and there’s not any reason, no, not the least, why I shouldn’t be one too.

3)  They lived not only in ages past; there are hundreds of thousands still;

the world is bright with the joyous saints who love to do Jesus’ will.

You can meet them in school, or in lanes, or at sea, in church, or in trains, or in shops, or at tea;

for the saints of God are just folk like me, and I mean to be one too.

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 -  

September 28 - Keith Ray  (Outdoor service)

October 5 - Keith Ray; World Communion Sunday; Potluck meal; Undie Sunday begins

October 12 - David Johnson  (Outdoor service)

October 19 - Keith Ray; Blessing of the Animals  (Outdoor service)

October 26 - Worship and lunch at South Main Chapel and Mercy Center

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The Autumnal Equinox will be celebrated at the Labyrinth on Monday, September 22, at 6:00 pm.

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During the month of September, we will have a clothing drive for the teens at New Foundations.  Requested items in sizes medium and large (mostly for boys) are:  sweatshirts, hooded sweatshirts, t-shirts for outerwear (colorful and fun), underwear and socks.

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PFLAG will be hosting a potluck brunch picnic in Linley Park on Saturday, September 20 starting at 10 am. Bring a dish to share. They are also collecting donations of pet food for PAWS during the event.
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A special GAMAC fundraising event is Ray McGee’s Jazz Club featuring Willmatic & Friends at The Bleckley Station on September 25, 2025, at 7:00 PM. Table seating with food and drinks is $75/person or $600/table of 8.

For tickets and information about the 2025/2026 GAMAC concert season visit www.gamac.org or call (864) 231-6147.

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Our next Meet and Eat gathering will be Wednesday, October 1, at 5:30 pm.  Meet at Chili’s in Anderson.  All are welcome!  (Remember — 1st Wednesday of every month!)

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NACCP is conducting a love offering to benefit WorldCentral Kitchen in their efforts to alleviate starving in Gaza.  We will accept donations through the middle of October.

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October’s Keenager Event will be a A Who-Dunnit Murder Mystery; you may be part of the cast or a guest.  It will be held at the Red Shutter Bed & Breakfast in Starr, SC, on Saturday October 25, 11:30 am-2:30 pm.  David Sanders and Michael Crump are hosting the event and serving a lasagna lunch.  Sign up at church for this fun event!

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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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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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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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