Second Sunday of Easter

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         Sharon Fowler

Earth Day Update     Manella Calhoun                        

Opening Hymn      “The Earth is the Lord’s”       Handout                                                           Tune is Traditional Welsh hymn (“Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”)  1839.  Songs of the Sanctuary. Words by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. 2001. Upper Room Books. All rights reserved.

1) “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof.”

Creation reminds us, O God, of your love.

By grace we are learning, as year leads to year,

We’re called to be stewards, your caretakers here.

2)  Your rainforests nurture the world that we share.

Your wetlands give animals shelter and care.

Your coral reefs cradle the life of the sea.

You’ve shown us, in love, what your good world can be.

 

3)  Too often, O God, we abuse your good earth.

We fail to remember its beauty and worth.

We take from creation much more than we need,

We threaten your world through indifference and greed.

4)  May we be good stewards of all that you give,

Protecting creation wherever we live.

May we be a church that renews and restores

And lovingly cares for this earth that is yours.

Call to Worship

In the midst of a world where people hunger and thirst…,

come worship a God who calls us to feed the hungry.

In the midst of a world where people are abused and oppressed…,

come worship a God who calls for compassion and justice.

In the midst of a world filled with wars and rumors of war…,

come worship a God who desires nothing less than peace for the world.

In the midst of a world of spiritual emptiness…,

come worship a God who gives life meaning.

Come worship a God whose grace and love knows no end.

Amen.

 

Scripture Lesson   Readings from Nicaragua                       Dr. Keith Ray

 

Sermon                               Sarah Junkin Woodard

“Building Sustainable Communities: Insight from Nicaragua”

Prayers of the People

Closing Hymn and Offertory   “Lord, You Have Come to the Lakeshore”  Hymnal #721

 

1)  Lord, you have come to the lakeshore looking neither for wealthy nor wise ones;

you only asked me to follow humbly.

Refrain: O Lord, with your eyes you have searched me, 

  and while smiling have spoken my name;

  now my boat’s left on the shoreline behind me. 

  By your side I will seek other seas.

2)  You know so well my possessions; my boat carries no gold and no weapons;

you will find there my nets and labor.Refrain

3)  You need my hands, full of caring, through my labors to give others rest

and constant love that keeps on loving.Refrain

4)  You, who have fished other oceans, ever longed for by souls who are waiting,

my loving friend, as thus you call me:Refrain

      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.

Calendar of Service -

May 4 – Dr. Keith Ray at South Main Chapel and Mercy Center
May 11 – Dr. Keith Ray

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Upcoming Labyrinth walk at NACCP:
May 3^rd at 1 pm – “Walk as One at One” World Labyrinth Day
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Anderson Forum for Progressive Theology (AFPT) presents Dr. Andy Root on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at 3 pm at Boulevard Baptist Church.  His presentation is “Doing Theology in a Secular Age.”  His presentation is also available via Zoom.  Click here to register..

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Peanut Butter Whiskey at NACCP!  Mark your calendars.  On Saturday May 17th, we will host Laurie’s band, Peanut Butter Whiskey (PBW), at NACCP! You can learn more about PBW here:  https://www.facebook.com/RockinTheSouthland2022. Her band will be on our stage from to 5:00 to 7:00 that day and those who attend will have hamburgers and hot dogs to enjoy while they listen.  This event is free!  Come join us for a memorable evening of music "in the woods at NACCP!” Bring your friends and a chair!
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For several weeks, a small group of NACCPers have gathered on Tuesdays to do Grounds Keeping in our woods.  Beginning Friday, April 25, we will work on Fridays. Cynthia will arrive early (maybe as early as 7:30) and welcome anyone who wants to join at any time thereafter. Several types of work are available including weed pulling, mulch carrying and vine winding. She hopes you will consider joining us!
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Campus Edge Concerts at Saint Andrew Catholic Church presents Carolina Bronze on Thursday, May 1 at 7:30.  The one-hour, family-friendly program is free.  Carolina Bronze, the Upstate’s premiere bell-ringing ensemble, has been performing regionally for 25 years.  They last appeared at Saint Andrew’s in December of 2023, offering a Christmas music program to an enthusiastic audience.  Many of the musicians are active in other church, community and professional groups.  Carolina Bronze performs on five octaves of cast bronze handbells as well as seven octaves of choir chimes.  Don’t miss it!

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The documentary Banned Together will be shown at First Baptist Church (FBC) Pendleton (351 S Broad Street, Pendleton, SC 29670) on April 24 at 7 pm.  Although the screening is free, you must register to attend.  You can register here:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/banned-together-documentary-screening-tickets-1307211738499?aff=oddtdtcreator.

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The Bible Study Group (BSG) meets Mondays at 6:30 pm via Zoom. If you’d like to be added to the Zoom invite list then contact Cynthia at cynthiakwarner@mac.com. We’d love to have newcomers!

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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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