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                     Jax Collins      

Call to Worship  (Inspired by Psalm 84)

One:  O Holy one of hosts, happy is everyone who trusts in you.

Many:  We long to be in your beautiful assembly. Our hearts sing for joy!

One:  O Holy one of hosts, happy is everyone who trusts in you.

Many. You keep the sparrow and the spring. You sustain the splendor of creation. 

One:  O Holy one of hosts, happy is everyone who trusts in you.

Many:  In you, we go from strength to strength.  You hear our prayers, bestow blessings and honor, and withhold no good thing.  Praise our God!

Opening Hymn    “How Lovely, Lord”  (Psalm 84) Hymnal #402

1)  How lovely, Lord, how lovely is your abiding place;

my soul is longing, fainting, to feast upon your grace.

The sparrow finds a shelter, a place to build her nest;

and so your temple calls us within its walls to rest.

2)  In your blest courts to worship, O God, a single day

is better than a thousand if I from you should stray.

I’d rather keep the entrance and claim you as my Lord

than revel in the riches the ways of sin afford.

3)  A sun and shield forever are you, O Lord Most High;

you shower us with blessings; no good will you deny.

The saints, your grace receiving, from strength to strength shall go,

and from their life shall rivers of blessing overflow.

Scripture Lesson     Psalm 145

Sermon  “Let Every Living Thing Bless”     Dr. Keith Ray

Thoughts to ponder:  We continue our exploration of the Psalms. Today we look at one of the “Psalms of Orientation,” that were, according to Walter Brueggemann, “created, transmitted, valued, and relied upon by a community of faithful people.  To these people, their faith was both important and satisfying.”

Psalm 145 is, in fact, a song of creation. But it is even more. The very character of the Divine is named as not only a powerful creator but also a guardian of the weak and needy.  Let’s consider this song of people of old and consider how it speaks to our reality as progressive people of faith.

How does this song call us to be a people with songs of praise on our lips?

Prayers of the People

Closing Hymn and Offertory   “Your Faithfulness, O Lord, Is Sure” (Psalm 145)        Hymnal #42            

                                                                                                                                                                                                        1) Your faithfulness, O Lord, is sure in all your words, your gracious deeds;

you gently lift all burdened souls and well provide for all our needs.

2) The eyes of all are fixed on you; by you their wants are all supplied;

your open hand is bountiful and every soul is satisfied.

3) Lord, you are just in all your ways, and kind in everything you do;

forever near you stand to hear and help all those who call on you.

4)My mouth shall speak your praise, O Lord; my soul shall bless your holy name;

let all things living join the song of praise, from age to age the same.

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 -

September 1 - Dr. Keith Ray

September 8 - Dr. Keith Ray

September 15 - Dr. Keith Ray

September 22 - Remembrance Sunday

September 29 - Dave Johnson

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A Celebration of Life service for Elva Adame, Gloria's mother, will be held at NACCP Saturday, August 31 at 4 pm.  Many of the extended family live in other areas of the country and are unable to attend, so the service will be live streamed to those family members.  A potluck meal will be served following the celebration.  Chicken and ham will be provided but side dishes are requested by others.  Because of some severe allergies, please no live flowers or plants. Silk arrangements will be used instead.
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Gloria extends her thanks for all in the church community who sent cards, thoughts, and prayers after her mother’s passing.
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We will be collecting school supplies for New Foundations Home for children through September 1. Place your items in the clear plastic bins in the sanctuary.
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Don’t miss Thor’s upcoming shows! How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying at Greenville Theatre, Sept. 5-22 and The Rocky Horror Show at Market Theatre Oct. 11– Nov. 2.

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The Cancer Association of Anderson’s Annual Concert of Hope and Remembrance will be “Folk Songs from the Heart.”  The concert will be on September 14 at 7:00 PM at Boulevard Baptist Church in Anderson.  For tickets contact KATIE-BETH@CAAANDERSON.ORG or call (864) 222-3500.

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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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GAMAC’s 3^rd annual Ray McGee’s Jazz Club fundraiser will be on Thursday, September 19 at 7 pm. See www.gamac.org/specialevents for more information and to buy tickets.
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Steve Hallowell is selling some furniture items. Please let him know if you are interested.

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Bible Study meets on Monday’s at 6:30 pm through Zoom and has begun the study of the book of Deuteronomy.  Contact Cynthia Warner at cynthiakwarner@mac.com or Dave Johnson at ampaw2t@gmail.com

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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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