1st Sunday of Advent 

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

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Gathering Music                   Polly Dunford                

Welcome and Announcements       Rosie Thompson

Anthem “A Litany for Advent”  Words and Musical Arrangement by Shirley W. McRae

Tune set to the English folk melody “O Waly Waly”

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.

         

First Sunday of Advent (Focus: Isaiah 64:1–9; Hope for Renewal)   Rosie Thompson

                                                Drew Whitley

Reader 1: O God, we light the first candle of Advent. (The reader lights the first candle.)

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

People: Mighty God, creator of the world, break through all that keeps us from you. We ask for your mercy and reform us in your image. This Advent, may we stay awake to your visiting us with your justice, love, and peace. Amen.

Opening Hymn Potluck Advent Hymn    

Scripture Lesson Mark 13:24-37

Sermon Advent: Daring Deeds and Kindled Hope     Dr. Keith Ray

Thoughts to consider: The late Rev. Dr.  Howard Thurman, first African American dean of the chapel at Boston college, writes:  “The movement of the Spirit of God in the hearts of men (and women) often calls them to act against the spirit of their times or causes them to anticipate a spirit which is yet in the making. In a moment of dedication, they are given wisdom and courage to dare a deed that challenges and to kindle a hope that inspires.”

What might this reflection mean for us along our Advent journey?

Prayers of the People

Closing Hymn and Offertory         Potluck Advent Hymn

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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Please join us for 1st Sunday Potluck meal following worship service.  

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Calendar of Service -

December 10 - Dr. Keith Ray

December 17 - Dr. Keith Ray; Christmas Pageant

December 24 -Dr. Keith Ray (Lessons and Carols at 10:15; Candlelight Service at 7 pm)

December 31 - Rev. Dr. Steve Morgan

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GAMAC has two programs coming up soon.  On Sunday, December 3 at 3:00 pm, there is a Messiah Sing-Along at 1st Baptist Church, 307 S. Manning Street, Anderson. Sing along with Handel’s beloved Christmas oratorio!  $10 per person.

Music Abounds — And then on Friday, December 8 at 7:00 pm, GAMAC presents Christmas in Anderson at Anderson University’s Rainey Fine Arts Center.  Our own Lilliana Sanchez has the only solo in the program.  $23 per person and children are free with the donation of a new, unwrapped toy to benefit the Upstate Fatherhood Coalition.

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Church Clean-up days are the 2nd Saturday of the month at 9:30 am and usually take no more than 90 minutes.  The sign-up sheet is in the church.  Our next clean-up day will be Saturday, December 9, 2023, at 9:30 am. 

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Outreach — New Foundations is also asking for Christmas gifts for the children who live at the home.  See below is a list of gift suggestions.  Please bring your unwrapped gifts and items to the church by Sunday, December 10.

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There will be a Congregational Meeting on December 10 to elect new Elders. Please attend.

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The Keenagers Christmas Party and lunch will be on Wednesday, December 13 at 11:30 at church.  Meats will be provided.  Please bring a side dish and/or dessert to share.  Bring a white elephant gift for a fun game.

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New Foundations Home for Children will have a Christmas Bingo party on Sat., Dec. 16, at 3:00 pm.  Donations of prizes would be greatly appreciated.

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We will have a Winter Solstice Labyrinth walk on December 21 at 4 pm.

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PAWS is currently in need of blankets.  Please bring them to church if you have donations.

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Choir practice each Sunday through Dec. 24. No practice on December 17.  Please be seated and ready to rehearse at 9:25 am so we can make full use of our practice time.   Questions? Contact Polly at (864) 940-0640.

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Theatre opportunity — This show features our NACCP family: “Willy Wonka” at Greenville Theatre, Dec. 2 - 17.  Go to greenvilletheatre.org for booking tickets.

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The Bible Study Group (BSG) meets Mondays at 6:30 pm via Zoom. Dave Johnson is guiding us through the book of Exodus. 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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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 should 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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Remember in prayer:  Ann Blackwood; Linda McFall; Bonnie Marsden and son Michael; Jackie Moore; Glennie Burns; Mary Alice Mundy; Jason Harding; Madison Bishop (Whitney’s niece); Latha and Cheryl Semones; Immigrant families; Victims of all violence, oppression, and injustice; People of Ukraine; People of Israel and Palestine.

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New Foundations Home for Children

Suggestions for Christmas Gifts

Art supplies Hygiene products - Always a need!

#2 pencils                                          Shampoo and hair conditioner

mechanical pencils and extra lead    Body wash and body lotion

sketch books                                         Toothpaste and toothbrushes

watercolor paper                                     Hair brushes and combs

canvases                                                  Feminine products

acrylic paints and brushes Colored pencils

Garments for males and females

paint by number kits                              Sports bras

simple cross stitch kits                              Socks

watercolor paints                                         T-shirts

other craft kits appropriate for teens        Underwear

solid color Polo shirts joggers

$25 Gift Cards 

Walmart                                                        Amazon

QT                                                              Old Navy

Chick-Fil-A

disinfectant spray, wipes Cleaning Supplies: bleach and laundry detergent

MP3 players and headphones          dryer sheets

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NACCP is an inclusive Faith Community that values questions

and the journey to the answers.

Ministry Leader: Dr. Keith Ray
keithdray@gmail.com

Pianist and Choir Director: Polly Dunford

Mailing address: P.O. Box 4346, Anderson, SC 29622

Phone: 864-225-3575

Website:  naccpchurch.org

Church News:  naccpnews@yahoo.com

Instagram:  northandersonccp

Facebook:  NorthAndersonCommunityChurchPresbyterian