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 live stream. Join us!
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Gathering Music Polly Dunford
Welcome and Announcements Ann Miller
New Minister Announcement Rev. Nancy Blakely
Call to Worship
Leader: From north and south and east and west
People: All creation sings forth your praises!
Leader: The mountains and the hills burst into song;
People: The trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Leader: Your steadfast love never ceases.
People: With joy and peace, let us worship God together.
Opening Hymn “You Shall Go Out with Joy - The Trees of the Field” Hymnal #80
You shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace;
the mountains and the hills will break forth before you;
there’ll be shouts of joy, and all the trees of the field will clap,
will clap their hands.
And all the trees of the field will clap their hands;
the trees of the field will clap their hands;
the trees of the field will clap their hands while you go out with joy.
Scripture Reading Mark 10:32-45
Sermon Rev. Nancy Blakely
Thoughts to Ponder: Jesus challenges the disciples' (and our) fear-driven quests for security and calls them (and us) to an alternative way - the way of servanthood.
Prayerful Circle of Care
Special Music “Plenty of Room” Bongos: Kyle Bruenning
Lyrics and Arrangement by David Johnson Piano: Polly Dunford
Music by Don Felder Guitar and Vocals: David Johnson
He was out on the highway when I parked in the lot;
Had a bag at his side and his thumb out, wasn't sure what I thought.
So I waved and he smiled back, looking oh, so forlorn.
He followed me to the front door. I was honestly torn.
He looked so lost, he was so sad, he was dirty and thin.
But a church is a refuge, so I invited him in.
He said, "no thank you, I don't really belong."
I said, "you're welcome here- no matter what you've done wrong."
There's plenty of room at the table He set for you.
It's a peaceful place. It's a table of grace.
There's plenty of room at the table He set for you.
Lots of bread and wine- You just get in line.
Everybody's welcome, no matter who you are.
It's an open invitation, though it might sound bizarre.
This table is big enough for saints and sinners all.
There's no test to join in, Just answer the call.
The bread is like manna, It keeps us alive.
The wine's life's enjoyment, God wants us to thrive.
It's not about shame or sin- It's about joining in.
Inclusive love for each other. And this is where we begin.
There's plenty of room at the table He set for you.
It's a peaceful place. It's a table of grace.
There's plenty of room at the table he set for you.
It'll clear your head. Have some wine and bread.
Communion Gathering at the Table Rev. Nancy Blakely
The Great Thanksgiving
Sharing the Bread and Cup
Prayer After Communion
Closing Hymn and Offertory “Together We Serve” Hymnal #767
1) Together we serve, united by love,
inviting God’s world to the glorious feast.
We work and we pray through sorrow and joy,
extending God’s love to the last and the least.
2) We seek to become a beacon of hope,
a lamp for the heart and a light for the feet.
We learn, year by year, to let love shine through
until we see Christ in each person we meet.
3) We welcome the scarred, the wealthy, the poor,
the busy, the lonely, and all who need care.
We offer a home to those who will come,
our hands quick to help, our hearts ready to dare.
4) Together, by grace, we witness and work,
remembering Jesus, in whom we grow strong.
Together we serve in Spirit and truth,
remembering love is the strength of our song.
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. ******************************
Session meeting following Worship service
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Calendar of Service -
July 19 - Rev. Deb Richardson-Moore
July 26 - Rev. Tricia Lytle
August 2 - TBD
August 9 - TBD
August 16 - Dave Johnson
August 23 - TBD
August 30 - TBD
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Three Nights of Nature speakers:
July 21 - Jessica Bell - 7:00 pm. Split Creek Goat Farm - program title:
“Golden Guernsey in the U.S. - saving an endangered breed”
July 22 - Jay Keck - 7:00 pm. SC Wildlife Federation’s Industry Habitat Education
Manager, a passionate nature and bird lover since his early teens - program
title: “Become a Better Birder; See & Hear; Create habitat for more birds!”
July 23 - Robby Morrow - 7:00 pm. Geologist with SC Department of Natural Resources - Geological Survey. Co-authored a book, Geology of the Foothills Trail. Program title: “Piedmont Geology in South Carolina: Earth History, Resources, & Hazards”
Please bring some light snacks to share with all those attending.
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Meet and Eat group will gather next time on Wednesday, August 5, at Fruit Punch Sandwich Shop on Hwy 24. Everyone is welcome!
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Anderson Forum on Progressive Theology (AFPT) will present Kieran Fox, MD PhD on August 9, 2026, at 3 pm at North Anderson Community Church Presbyterian. Dr. Fox will speak about his book, I Am a Part of Infinity: The Spiritual Journey of Albert Einstein. His talk will be both live and available via Zoom.
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Shower Update: The shower is now under construction. Please excuse the happy mess!
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Keep up with the latest news from Foothills Presbytery here.
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Bible Study meets on Mondays at 6:30 pm through Zoom. The topic is Apocalyptic Eschatology along with the Book of Revelation. Dave says he will try to make sense of it! If you’d like to be added to the Zoom invite list, contact Cynthia at cynthiakwarner@mac.com.
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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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Remember in prayer: Matt Wolf (hip replacement surgery); Steve and Brenda Swearingen; Jay Lyn Martin and Jerry Meehan; Mary Alice Mundy; Latha Semones; Immigrant families; Victims of all violence, oppression, and injustice; People of the World in ALL walks of life and strife.