Today’s service may be viewed on Facebook Live Stream at this link in the comfort of your home or in person in the sanctuary.  Join us!

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Gathering Music                                          Polly Dunford

Welcome and Announcements                     Lin Hagen    

Call to Worship   (Inspired by Psalm 111)

One:  Praise the Holy One!  Give thanks to God in the congregation.

Many:  God’s works delight us, inspire us, challenge us, and uphold us.

One:  Praise the Holy One!  Give thanks to God in the congregation.

Many.  Righteousness endures forever.  The covenant is everlasting.

One:  Praise the Holy One!  Give thanks to God in the congregation.

Many:  Honoring God leads to wisdom.  Let us praise the Holy One forever!

Opening Hymn    “A Grateful Heart  (Psalm 111)” Hymnal #652

1)  A grateful heart is what I bring,

a song of praise, my offering.

Among the saints I lift my voice:

in you, O God, I will rejoice.

2)  Your name is known in all the lands.

You feed the poor with gentle hands.

Your word is true, your works are just;

in you, O God, the faithful trust.

3)  With saving love you set us free,

and still you dwell in mystery

with wisdom none can comprehend.

Your praise, O God, will never end.

Scripture Lesson Psalm 137

Sermon  “The Long Haul”       Dr. Keith Ray

Thoughts to Ponder:  We will continue talking about Psalms today, this time focusing on a difficult text, Psalm 137.  At first, we can affirm the teaching of the psalm:

Sometimes we are forced to stick out difficult circumstances for the long haul.

Immediate resolutions are not always possible. What do we do in such long-haul times?And how do we process the ill will and anger that comes in seasons of

loss and injustice?   Let’s consider these questions together.

Prayers of the People

Closing Hymn and Offertory   “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me ”     Hymnal #775

1)  I want Jesus to walk with me;  I want Jesus to walk with me;

all along my pilgrim journey, Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.

2)  In my trials, Lord, walk with me;  in my trials, Lord, walk with me;

when my heart is almost breaking, Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.

3)  When I’m in trouble, Lord, walk with me;

when I’m in trouble, Lord, walk with me;

when my head is bowed in sorrow,  Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me.

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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Calendar of Service -

August 25 - Dr. Keith Ray

September 1 - Dr. Keith Ray

September 8 - Dr. Keith Ray

September 15 - Dr. Keith Ray

September 22 - Remembrance Sunday

September 29 - Dr. Keith Ray

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The congregation of NACCP extends its love and sympathy to Gloria Bennett, her family, and to friends of Elva Adame, Gloria’s mother.  Elva passed away peacefully around 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at the Hospice of the Upstate.

Elva will be cremated and her ashes scattered on September 26 at Gloria’s sister, Claudia’s farm under a special fruit tree.   This day would have been her 100th birthday.

A memorial service at North Anderson Community Church is pending.

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Bible Study has begun the study of the book of Deuteronomy.

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Session is forming a small task force to attend the Foothills Presbytery Church Safety and Security Training and subsequently draft recommendations for a safety plan for NACCP. The training will be held at First Presbyterian in Greer on Saturday, September 14 with lunch provided. If you are interested in participating in the task force, please contact Karen Manley at mountainmama@bellsouth.net.
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Don’t miss Thor’s upcoming shows!  How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying at Greenville Theatre, September 5-22 and The Rocky Horror Show at Market Theatre October 11 – November 2.
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You may have noticed the new glass “tip jar” on the piano at church that serendipitously came about when someone didn’t claim a flower vase. Feel free to drop in a dollar or five 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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Karen highlighted that the Prayer Tree has been moved into the sanctuary. If you have a prayer request to add to the tree, write it on one of the provided tags and hang it on a branch.
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Joanne reminds us all to keep up the food donations for AIM (Anderson Interfaith Ministries)!  Bring your non-perishable items to the church.  This is an on-going need that can easily become part of everyone’s shopping routine.

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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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