Seventh Sunday after Epiphany

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                    Ed Yokley

Call to Worship   (based on Psalm 37)

Leader:  Come, Beloved, and release your frenzied fear.

People:  We come, trusting the enduring promises of the Holy One.

Leader:  Let meekness rise as strength of soul.

People:  May our promised inheritance of love shine brightly all around.

Leader:  May it strengthen us in our waiting and our working.

People:  May all that is evil wither, and all that is good grow to fullness.

Leader:  May the grace of God rest on us all as we gather.

Opening Hymn         “Commit Your Way to God the Lord”                   Hymnal #706

1)  Commit your way to God the Lord: your cause will shine as bright as fire;

delight to do God’s holy word and you shall find what you desire.

2)  Be still before the Lord and wait, and do not fret when wrong succeeds;

refrain from anger, turn from hate, for God will punish evil deeds.

4)  Commit your way to God the Lord; to peace and truth and grace aspire;

then mercy shall be your reward; God’s promises, your heart’s desire.

Scripture Lesson                          Luke 6:27-38

Sermon     “There’s Hard Work to Do”             Dr. Keith Ray

Thoughts to Ponder:  Luke’s Jesus has some hard words for us in today’s scripture lesson.  He says, “Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you.  Bless those who curse you.  Pray for those who mistreat you.  If someone slaps you on the cheek, offer the other one as well.  If someone takes your coat, don’t withhold your shirt either. Give to everyone who asks and don’t demand your things back from those who take them.  Treat people in the same way that you want them to treat you.”

But can he be serious? One commentator says this text may not be “good news” but simply “bad advice.”  We live in a time where boundaries between friends and enemies seem firm. How do we deal with these directives from Jesus in such a time as this? Let’s talk about it together.

Joys and Concerns 

Prayers of the People 

Closing Hymn and Offertory           “Walls Mark our Bound’ries”        Handout

  Words by Ruth Duck; Music by Jim Strathdee

Words-1996. The Pilgrim Press. Music-1997. The Pilgrim Press.  All rights reserved.

 

1)  Walls mark our bound’ries and keep us apart;

walls keep the world from our eyes and our heart.

Tables are round making room for one more,

welcoming friends we had not known before.

So build us a table and tear down the wall!

Christ is our host.  There is room for us all!

2)  Walls make us sure who is in and who’s out;

walls keep us safe from all question and doubt,

but at a table in open exchange

new ties are formed as our lives rearrange.

So build us a table and tear down the wall!

Christ is our host.  There is room for us all!

3)  Once we were strangers, divided, alone.

Hate and distrust built a wall stone by stone.

Now at a table the bread that we share

joins us to Christ in a circle of care.

So build us a table and tear down the wall!

Christ is our host.  There is room for us all!

Benediction        

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 -

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

Another Car Wreck!  Don’t be shocked when you pull into the church driveway.  A car came onto our property Thursday morning and flipped.  The car has been towed away, but some yard destruction is left.  No other details are known yet about the driver and/or passengers. 

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Peggy Upton’s memorial service will be 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: Glennie Burns; Family of Peggy Upton; The Marsden family; Michael Little’s friend Mark; Linda McFall; 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.