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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First Sunday of Advent

Gathering Music                                    Polly Dunford                                                                                          

Welcome and Announcements         Sharon Fowler

 

Anthem “A Litany for Advent”

Words and musical arrangement by Shirley W. McRae,

Set to the tune “O Waly Waly”, an English folk melody

           

First Sunday of Advent                                       Autumn Donnelly

Focus: Isaiah 64:1–9; Hope for Renewal             Cierra Donnelly

Reader 1: O God, we light the first candle of Advent.

Reader 2:  We kindle it with hope. We long for you to come to our world, to break through and reign with compassion, justice, and peace.

Reader 1:  The prophet Isaiah also cried to God to tear open heaven and come down. He called God’s people to do right.

Reader 2:  Isaiah called them to be refashioned like clay by God, the potter. This Advent, we call out to God.

People:  God of the Possible and Probable, gloom often encapsulates us when life is confusing and conflict is great. Our faith is rattled, and we are swallowed by shadows of fear. The world often feels like the end is near even when a new beginning is around the corner. We forget that even when shadows have lengthened, there remains a crack in the surface. Light begins to stream into our space, and warmth dances upon our hearts. When fear unnerves us, may we cling to the hope of God’s love and the possibilities of joy once again.  Amen.

Advent Song “When God is a Child”   (verse 1 only)                   Handout

Words by Brian Wren; Music by Joan Collier Fogg

1989. Hope Publishing Co.  All rights reserved.

 

Hope is a star that shines in the night, leading us on till the morning is bright.

When God is a child there’s joy in our song. The last shall be first and

the weak shall be strong, and none shall be afraid.

                 

Call to Worship

Leader:  God of timeless grace, you fill us with joyful expectation.

People:  Make us ready for the message that prepares the way, that with uprightness of heart and holy joy we may eagerly await the kingdom of God who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit.

Leader:  Hear our humble prayer that we may serve in holiness and faith and give voice to your presence among us.  Amen.

Opening Hymn        “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”   Verses 1,2,5,6,7         Hymnal #88

Words - Latin prose; Music - Plainsong, adapt. by Thomas Helmore

1)  O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel,

that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

 

2)  O come, thou Wisdom from on high, who orderest all things mightily:

to us the path of knowledge show; and teach us in her ways to go.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

5)  O come, thou Key of David, come, and open wide our heavenly home;

make safe the way that leads on high, and close the path to misery.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

6)  O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by thine advent here;

disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadows put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

7)  O come, Desire of nations, bind all peoples in one heart and mind;

bid envy, strife, and discord cease; fill the whole world with heaven’s peace.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

 

Reading   Yertle the Turtle by Dr. Seuss            Rev. Tricia Lytle                   

Scripture Lesson             Isaiah 9:2,6-7 and Luke 3:1-6

Isaiah 9:2, 6-7

2 The people walking in darkness

have seen a great light;

on those living in the land of deep darkness

a light has dawned.For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the greatness of his government and peace

there will be no end.

He will reign on David’s throne

and over his kingdom,

establishing and upholding it

with justice and righteousness

from that time on and forever.

The zeal of the Lord Almighty

will accomplish this.

Luke 3:1-6

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene— 2 during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:

“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,

‘Prepare the way for the Lord,

make straight paths for him.

5 Every valley shall be filled in,

every mountain and hill made low.

The crooked roads shall become straight,

the rough ways smooth.

6 And all people will see God’s salvation.’”[a]

                

Sermon    “A Holy Burp”                     Rev. Tricia Lytle

Joys and Concerns

Prayers of the People 

Closing Hymn and Offertory       “Come, O Long Expected Jesus”   Hymnal #82

 

1)  Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free;

from our fears and sins release us; let us find our rest in thee.

Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art;

dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.

2)  Born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a king,

born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring.

By thine own eternal Spirit rule in all our hears alone;

by thine all sufficient merit raise us to thy glorious throne.

Benediction

Leader:  Can you be a voice crying in the wilderness?

Can you proclaim that God is active in the world?

People:  Maybe?

Leader:  The time is near, of the crowning of the year.

People:  We sing with angels,

setting the roadways and the buildings humming 

Leader:  As people who are being changed,

we go into a world that is being changed.

People:  Ready to share the Good News

that the long expected Jesus is coming,

that we are being freed from whatever binds us. 

Leader:  Glory be to God!

Who walks with us, sings with us, and struggles with us,

People:  each and every day. Amen       

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 -  

December 7 - Dr. Keith Ray; 2nd Sunday in Advent, First Sunday Potluck

December 14 - Dr. Keith Ray; 3rd Sunday in Advent; Pageant rehearsal

December 21 - 4th Sunday in Advent; Christmas Pageant; Winter Solstice & Walk

December 24 - Dr. Keith Ray; Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, 7 pm

December 28 - Lessons and Carols

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It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of Tommye Clifton, Mike Clifton’s wife, Tuesday morning.   Her service is Friday, November 28, at 2:00 pm at McDougal Funeral Home in Anderson; viewing with the family is prior to the service from 12:30-1:30.  If anyone would like to remember Mike’s wife with a memorial, donations may be made to the Good Neighbor Cupboard at 313 S. Towers Street, #113, Anderson, SC.  Please join us in remembering Mike at this difficult time.

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The NACCP Search Committee recently sent a survey to everyone via email.  Please take a moment to fill this out as the committee really wants your input about our next minister and your thoughts for our church’s future. This is very important!  Paper copies available too.

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Christmas is coming.  That means Christmas Concerts are coming.  The Carolina Bronze Clemson Christmas Concert will be at 7 PM on Friday, December 5 at Clemson United Methodist Church.  To those copied who have never heard this choir:  you are in a for a treat.  To those who know their performance quality:  Mark your calendars!

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The GAMAC Christmas Concert featuring the GAMAC Chorale, Anderson Symphony Orchestra, and The Electric City Big Band will be on Tuesday, December 9 at 7:00 PM in the Rainey Fine Arts Center at Anderson University. Children are free with a donation of pet food, treats or toys for Anderson County PAWS. Call (864) 231-6147 or go to www.gamac.org for tickets.

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Meet & Eat gathering will be Wednesday, December 10 at J. Peters at 5:30 pm.

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Our next Keenager event will be at Boxwood Manor, Annette Buchanan’s home, on Wednesday, December 17 at 11 am.  More details to follow.

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Our Christmas Pageant will be on Sunday, December 21 and will incorporate the traditional story with a play set in a truck stop. The play is based on a story written by Harriett Richie.  If you are interested in being part of cast or crew, contact Diane Lee at dianeblee48@gmail.com

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A new group, Al-Anon, is now using the church building on Saturdays from 9:30-10:30.  Volunteers have been asked to open and close the building for them.

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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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