Menu
Fourth Sunday in Advent
Today’s service will be held indoors in the sanctuary as an in-person service and also live streamed at this link. Join us!
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Gathering Music Polly Dunford
Welcome and Announcements Ann Blackwood
Advent Song “When God is a Child” (verses 1-4) 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.
Peace is a ribbon that circles the earth, giving a promise of safety and worth.
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.
Joy is a song that welcomes the dawn, telling the world that Jesus is born.
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.
Love is a flame that burns in our heart, Jesus has come and will never depart.
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.
Fourth Sunday in Advent: Autumn Donnelly
Lighting the Fourth Advent Candle of Love Cierra Donnelly
Voice 1: “Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19)
Voice 2: What does love feel like in the new world?
Voice 1: Love feels like knowing I am a sacred piece of a magnificent whole.
Many Voices: Love feels like acceptance and gratitude. Love feels like being cherished.
Voice 2: Advent is the beginning of this new world, a better world, where you, and me, and all of God’s creation are treasured and beloved.
Voice 1: May it be so.
Voice 2: (Fourth Advent candle is lit.) Amen.
Many Voices: Amen.
Opening Hymn “People, Look East” Hymnal #105
Choir sings verses 1-3; Congregation joins in to sing verses 4 & 5
1) People, look east. The time is near of the crowning of the year.
Make your house fair as you are able; trim the hearth and set the table.
People, look east and sing today: Love, the Guest, is on the way.
2) Furrows, be glad. Though earth is bare, one more seed is planted there.
Give up your strength the seed to nourish, that in course the flower may flourish.
People, look east and sing today: Love, the Rose, is on the way.
3) Birds, though you long have ceased to build, guard the nest that must be filled.
Even the hour when wings are frozen God for fledging time has chosen.
People, look east and sing today: Love, the Bird, is on the way.
4) Stars, keep the watch. When night is dim one more light the bowl shall brim,
shining beyond the frosty weather, bright as sun and moon together.
People, look east and sing today: Love, the Star, is on the way.
5) Angels, announce with shouts of mirth Christ who brings new life to earth.
Set every peak and valley humming with the word, the Lord is coming.
People, look east and sing today: Love, the Lord, is on the way.
Gospel Lesson Luke 1:39-56
Sermon “The Present Tense Gospel” Dr. Keith Ray
Thoughts to Ponder: Denial can be wonderful thing. Because if I don’t see a problem, I don’t have to do anything about it. Is that what Mary is doing? Pretending that everything is fine and dandy when it’s not? She sings, “Look what God has done!” even before anything is done. Why does she say such a thing?
I for one think Mary has chosen her verb tenses on purpose. I think Mary knows how hard life is for some people, and how injustice and greed still exist. But she has such faith in the promises of a better future. Mary, in her song, embodies what Dr. King taught us:
“The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.”
Joys and Concerns
Prayers of the People
Closing Hymn and Offertory
“My Soul Gives Glory to My God - Song of Mary” #99
1) My soul gives glory to my God; my heart pours out its praise.
God lifted up my lowliness in many marvelous ways.
2) My God has done great things for me; yes, holy is God’s name.
All people will declare me blessed, and blessings they shall claim.
3) From age to age to all who fear, such mercy love imparts,
dispensing justice far and near, dismissing selfish hearts.
4) Love casts the mighty from their thrones, promotes the insecure,
leaves hungry spirits satisfied; the rich seem suddenly poor.
5) Praise God, whose loving covenant supports those in distress,
remembering past promises with present faithfulness.
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.
*******************************************************************************************************
Reprinted with permission under One License #A-625711. All rights reserved.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Calendar of Service -
December 24 - Dr. Keith Ray, Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 7:00 pm
December 29 - Lessons and Carols
The Winter Solstice Labyrinth Walk will be on December 21 at 4 pm.
********************
NACCP on YouTube. Since the beginning of this year, a small group of NACCPers have worked to make our gatherings available on YouTube. As of November 2024, you can find us at NorthAndersonCCP on YouTube. You can live stream us, or see recordings.
Now we are recruiting others to be part of our NACCP AV Team. We would like to share recording/streaming among several people. We will offer training to anyone willing to help. Please let Cynthia (cynthiakwarner@mac.com) or Joanne (843.607.3862) know if you are interested.
***************************
An updated church directory is available for upload. If you do not have the password, please send request to mhc.clemson@gmail.com
*************************
Hurricane Helene Relief News:
********************
Please join Presbyterian Earth Care (PEC) for this unique monthly opportunity for community and meaningful Bible study! The study will run for 75 minutes each session. Dates: Dec. 22nd, Jan. 26th, Feb. 23rd, Mar. 23rd, Apr. 28th, May 26th all at 7 pm. Study Leaders: Rev. M. Courtenay Willcox and Rev. Lucy Youngblood. For more info and Zoom link: https://presbyearthcare.org/bible-study-pw-2024-2025/
**********************
Sarah Shumpert, AIM Board member, shares this update about the AIM Food Pantry: given the increased need in the community, AIM has increased the number of food boxes distributed to 55 per day (this is up from around 35 per day prior to COVID). The increase in distribution means that the pantry empties much faster than before. Please keep that in mind as you bring in food items. Also, the pantry is completely out of peanut butter and they would love to restock this item!
**********************
Adult Children of Alcoholics & Dysfunctional Families Support Group meets each Thursday from 6:00-7:00 p.m. at Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church, 1501 Sandy Springs Rd., Sandy Springs, SC. This is a 12-formatted program.
For more information, call 864-844-7137. Please share this with anyone who may benefit from this group.
*********************
Bible Study meets on Mondays at 6:30 pm through Zoom. Contact Cynthia Warner at cynthiakwarner@mac.com or Dave Johnson at ampaw2t@gmail.com
*********************
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.
**********************
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.
***********************
Women’s clothing is needed for women coming out of incarceration. Good, gently used items please. All sizes.
******************
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.
********************
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.
*******************
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.
********************
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.
********************
Remember in prayer: Cat Martin; Family of Steve Hallowell; Gloria Bennett and family; Michael Little’s friend Mark; Shea Marsden; Linda McFall; Glennie Burns; Mary Alice Mundy; Latha and Cheryl Semones; Immigrant families; Victims of all violence, oppression, and injustice; People of Ukraine; People of Israel and Palestine.
Site by Upstate SC Web Design
