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Second 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!
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Gathering Music Polly Dunford
Welcome and Announcements Karen Manley
Anthem “A Child Will Come”
Words and Music by Mark Patterson.
2008. Choristers Guild. All rights reserved.
Advent Song “When God is a Child” (verses 1-2) 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, 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.
Second Sunday in Advent: Lighting the Second Advent Candle of Peace
(Begin with the first candle relit.)
Bill Bailey, Suzy Bailey
Voice 1:
“The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion will feed together, and a little child shall lead them.” (Isaiah 11:6)
Voice 2: What does peace look like in the new world?
All:
Peace looks like a flowing river where all living things have what they need to flourish.
Peace looks like a place where those who are weak are not afraid of those who are strong.
Peace looks like good conversations around big tables.
Voice 2: Advent is the beginning of this new world, a better world, where we can boldly build a good life together.
Voice 1: May it be so.
Voice 2: (Second Advent candle is lit.) May it be so.
All: Amen.
Opening Hymn “Come Now, O Prince of Peace” Hymnal #103
1) Come now, O Prince of Peace; make us one body.
Come, O Lord Jesus; reconcile all people.
2) Come now, O God of love; make us one body.
Come, O Lord Jesus; reconcile all people.
3) Come now and set us free, O God, our Savior.
Come, O Lord Jesus; reconcile all people.
4) Come, hope of unity; make us one body.
Come, O Lord Jesus; reconcile all people.
Story of Advent Hope and Healing
Scripture Lesson Luke 3:1-6
Sermon “Making the Rough Places Smooth” Dr. Keith Ray
Thoughts to Ponder (from liberation theologian Rubem Alves):
Hope is the presentiment that the imagination is more real, and reality less real, than we had thought. It is the sensation that the last word does not belong to the brutality of facts with their oppression and repression. It is the suspicion that reality is far more complex than realism would have us believe, that the frontiers of the possible are not limited by the limits of the present, and that miraculously and surprisingly, life is readying the creative event that will open the way to freedom and resurrection.
Joys and Concerns
Prayers of the People
Closing Hymn and Offertory “Comfort, Comfort Now My People” Hymnal #87
1) “Comfort, comfort now my people; tell of peace!” So says our God.
“Comfort those who sit in darkness mourning under sorrow’s load.
To my people now proclaim that my pardon waits for them!
Tell them that their sins I cover, and their warfare now is over.”
2) For the herald’s voice is crying is the desert far and near,
calling us to true repentance, since the reign of God is here.
O, that warning cry obey! Now prepare for God away.
Let the valleys rise in meeting and the hills bow down in greeting.
3) Straight shall be what long was crooked, and the rougher places plain.
Let your hearts be true and humble, as befits God’s holy reign.
For the glory of the Lord now on earth is shed abroad,
and all flesh shall see the token that God’s word is never broken.
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 -
December 15 - Dr. Keith Ray, Christmas Pageant, 3rd Sunday in Advent (Joy)
December 22 - Dr. Keith Ray, 4th Sunday in Advent (Love)
December 24 - Dr. Keith Ray, Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 7:00 pm
December 29 - Lessons and Carols
The GAMAC Chorale, Anderson Symphony Orchestra, & The Electric City Big Band will be performing a Christmas concert on Thursday, December 12 at 7 pm in the Fine Arts Center at Anderson University. Visit https://www.gamac.org/masterworks for tickets.
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Anderson County PFLAG will meet Thursday, December 12 at 7 pm at church for their Christmas party. All are invited!
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Keenagers Christmas Party will be held on Saturday, December 14, at 11:30. Bring a gift to exchange. Lunch entree is provided; bring a side dish to share. Everyone is invited!
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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.
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The Winter Solstice Labyrinth Walk will be on December 21 at 4 pm.
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Seasonal choir practice meets on Sundays at 9:25 a.m. in the choir room. Call or text Polly at 864-940-0640 if needed.
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An updated church directory is available for upload. If you do not have the password, please send request to mhc.clemson@gmail.com
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The Carolina Bronze Handbell Ensemble, featuring our very own Cynthia Warner, will be playing several free concerts, including:
December 7, 2024, 2 pm Cascades Verdae, Greenville SC
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Hurricane Helene Relief News:
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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/
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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!
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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.
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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
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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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Remember in prayer: Cat Martin; Family of Steve Hallowell; Gloria Bennett and family; Michael Little’s friend Becky; 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.
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