Baptism of Christ Sunday

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                 Sharon Fowler                

Call to Worship

Leader:  Come, beloved of God, to remember who you are and whose you are.

People:  God in Christ, has named us all “Beloved.”

Leader:  Yes, here and now, God’s heaven of love is being poured out anew.

People:  May this motion of the Holy One, shape our hearts and minds.

Leader:  May it brighten the Epiphany light in us and the whole creation.

People:  And may it shape our words and work into good news for the world!

Opening Hymn                 Potluck Hymn

Scripture Lesson        Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

Sermon           “Forgetting Our Names”         Dr. Keith Ray

Thoughts to Ponder:  In its earliest days, the church was a bit embarrassed by Jesus’ baptism. John was baptizing people in the Jordan River for one reason: they were sinners. And John baptized them as a sign of cleansing, encouraging them to begin again.  “Be cleansed from your brokenness and have a fresh start.

Walk in the newness of life.”

But what about Jesus?  Is he in need of cleansing?  Luke’s gospel spends a great deal of time emphasizing the uniqueness of Jesus.  His birth is announced by an angel.    He is not conceived in the normal way.  And yet he stands with the crowd of people, listening to John the Baptist preach and then, after everyone else was baptized,

he walks into the water, too.

But the baptism of Jesus is different. Let’s talk about it together.

Joys and Concerns 

Prayers of the People

Closing Hymn and Offertory          Potluck 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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Calendar of Service -

January 19 - Dr. Keith Ray

January 26 - Dr. Keith Ray

The next Anderson Forum for Progressive Theology presentation will be “Progressive Islam: Universal Values vs. the Politics of Human Rights -- What's the Difference Between a Progressive Muslim and Other Muslims?” by Ani Zonneveld.

Join this Zoom event on Sunday, January 12 at 3 pm to hear Ani’s unlikely story of becoming a voice for progressive female thought in the Muslim world.  FREE Program - To Register for Zoom, click: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0ID24xplSke-dv4HLnkjEw#/registration
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Keenagers resumes in 2025 with a luncheon at the church on Wed., January 15, at 11:30 a.m. to get to know Salee and Abed, our visitors from Iraq.  Lunch will be provided, so no need to bring any food; however, if you are inclined and able, Salee and Abed do have needs with setting up house in Anderson, so cash or gift cards would be greatly appreciated (although certainly not expected)!  Hope you can come!  
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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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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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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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Hurricane Helene Relief News:

• The United Way of Anderson County and AIM are teaming up to ensure that local needs are met in response to Hurricane Helene. Visit their special website at  https://www.unitedwayofanderson.org/helene to learn more about making donations, and volunteer opportunities for both food distribution and clean-up efforts (especially if you have chainsaws, tools, trailers, etc.).
• To donate money for the NC storm victims, visit these sites:
  Black Mountain Presbyterian Church www.bmpcnc.org
• So that victims in the Black Mountain/Montreat/Swannanoa area get all of your donation (rather than the credit card company getting a percentage of it!), you can send a check to Black Mountain Presbyterian Church, 117 Montreat Rd., Black Mountain, NC 28711, and in the memo line put “Hurricane Helene Relief Fund.  Thank you!
• Presbyterian Disaster Assistance www.pda.pcusa.org
  American Red Cross www.redcross.org

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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: Jan. 26th, 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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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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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:  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.