Today’s service will be held indoors in the sanctuary as an in-person service and also live streamed at this link.  Click on “live” for the live stream.  Join us!   

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Gathering Music                                          Polly Dunford

Welcome and Announcements       Vicki Conrad-Wright

Land Acknowledgment

Opening Hymn    “This Is My Song”          Hymnal #340

1)  This is my song, O God of all the nations,

a song of peace for lands afar and mine.

This is my home, the country where my heart is;

here are my hopes, my dreams, my holy shrine;

but other hearts in other lands are beating

with hopes and dreams as true and high as mine.

2)  My country’s skies are bluer than the ocean,

and sunlight beams on cloverleaf and pine.

But other lands have sunlight too, and clover,

and skies are everywhere as blue as mine.

So hear my song, O God of all the nations,

a song of peace for their land and for mine.

Alternating Scripture Reading                   Luke 6:17f     (Prophetically revised)

Jesus came down with the twelve apostles and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people.

Then he looked up at them and said:

Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

And blessed are the immigrants who have no documentation but are good citizens and not criminals.

Blessed are you who are hungry now,
for you will be filled.

And blessed are those who pick our crops and harvest our vegetables.

Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.

And blessed are those who labor in poultry farms and in dangerous meat packing plants for our meat diets.

Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you or revile you,

for that is what they did to the prophets before.

And blessed are those who are scared, gay, lesbian and transgender, and fear for their well-being.

But woe to you who are rich,
for you have received your consolation.

But blessed are those who clean your grand offices and condo buildings.

Woe to you who are full now,
for you will be hungry.

But blessed are those who wash the dishes after your banquets and work the night shifts in hospitals.

Woe to you who are laughing now,
for you will mourn and weep.

But blessed are the children who fear their parents will be taken away.

Woe to you when all speak well of you,

for that is how those in the past spoke of those who lied for political gain.

But blessed are those with the strength and courage to honor the dignity of every human being, to speak the truth in love, and to walk humbly with one another – for the good of all people, this nation and the world.

Black History Month Recognition

Special Music             “If I Can Help Somebody”                     David Johnson

Sung and arranged by David Johnson

Words and music by Alma Androzzo

 

Prayerful Sharing of Joys and Concerns

Message “The Alfie Question and Allelon”         Rev. Dr. Steve Morgan

Closing Hymn and Offertory       “Filled with Loving Kindness”        Handout

Words from Traditional Buddhist Meditation.

Adapted by Mark W. Hayes, 1949.  2001. Mark W. Hayes.

Music by Ian W. Riddell, 1968.  2001. Ian W. Riddell.

1)  May I be filled with loving kindness.

May I be well.  May I be filled with loving kindness.

May I be well.  May I be peaceful and at ease.  May I be whole.

2)   Replace each “I” with “you.”

3)   Replace each “I” with “we.”

Discussion

 

Shalom  (meaning - “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.

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Calendar of Service -

February 23 -  Dr. Keith Ray; Worship Committee meeting

March 2 - Dr. Keith Ray; 1st Sunday Potluck meal

March 9 -  Dr. Keith Ray; Session meeting

March 16 -  Dr. Keith Ray

March 23 - Dave Johnson

March 30 - Dr. Keith Ray

There will be a graveside service for Peggy Upton at Graceland Cemetery West, 4814 White Horse Road, Greenville, SC  29611, on Monday, February 17, at 10:00 am.

Then a memorial service for Peggy Upton will be held at North Anderson Community Church, Presbyterian, on Sunday, March 2, following our Potluck meal.

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A Celebration of Life Service for Shea Marsden will be held at Iron Oak Barn, 120 History Lane, Pendleton, SC, on Saturday, March 15, 2025, from noon to 4:00 pm.  Heavy hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine and sodas. RSVP to Bonnie Marsden at bcmarsden@bellsouth.net.

 

Prior to Shea’s Celebration, the family will spread his ashes in the labyrinth after worship service on Sunday, February 23, 2025.

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United Way sponsors a snack packing program for Anderson school children. Children in need are provided snacks for the weekend so they are able to learn when they return to school on Mondays. Snack packing consists of filling plastic bags with items and a handwritten word of encouragement before boxing the packs.  This is a fun event that we have done in the past as a group.  I have decided to sign up on Tuesdays as an individual because I think this is a very special program.

Current open dates are 3/3, 3/10.  These are Mondays or Tuesdays.  The shift is from 9-11 am.  If enough people are interested in working as a group, I will book us as a group.  If you are interested in trying it out, you can also sign up as an individual at  https://uwandsc.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=1031432. You will need to set up an account and can then sign up any open date. If you are interested or have questions, please call Vicki Wright at 585-781-4620.
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Lenten Season choir is meeting Sunday mornings at 9:25. Please try to be in your seat and ready to sing on time to make the best use of our rehearsal. Thanks!  Polly
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Bible Study meets on Mondays at 6:30 pm through Zoom.  Dave Johnson is guiding the group through the book of Leviticus. If you’d like to be added to the Zoom invite list, contact Cynthia at cynthiakwarner@mac.com.

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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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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: Feb. 23rd, Mar. 23rd, Apr. 28th, May 26^th 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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Please remember to donate non-perishable food items to AIM (Anderson Interfaith Ministries).  An extra item when you shop is a great help to others in our community.

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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-steps program.  For more information, call 864-844-7137. Please share this with anyone who may benefit from this group.

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The glass “tip jar” is still on the piano. Feel free to drop in any amount 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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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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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:  Family of Peggy Upton; The Marsden family; Michael Little’s friend Mark; Linda McFall; Glennie Burns; Mary Alice Mundy; Latha Semones; Immigrant families; Victims of all violence, oppression, and injustice; People of Ukraine; People of Israel and Palestine; Victims of Hurricane Helene; Victims of US Wildfires.