Today’s service has THREE choices.  You may view the Live Stream on Facebook at this link:  https://fb.me/e/55nkefgah, hear it in the church parking lot at 107.1 FM, or join us in person inside (masking preferred). 

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Gathering Music                      Sharon Fowler

Welcome and Announcements with recognition of visitors   Thor Raines        

Opening Hymn “Here in This Place: Gather Us In” Hymnal #401

               Words and Music by Marty Haugen

1)  Here in this place the new light is streaming; now is the darkness vanished away;

     see in this space our fears and our dreamings brought here to you in the light of this day.

     Gather us in, the lost and forsaken; gather us in, the blind and the lame;

     call to us now, and we shall awaken; we shall arise at the sound of our name.

2)  We are the young, our lives are a mystery.  We are the old who yearn for your face.

     We have been sung throughout all of history, called to be light to the whole human race.

     Gather us in, the rich and the haughty; gather us in, the proud and the strong;

     give us a heart, so meek and so lowly; give us the courage to enter the song.

3)  Here we will take the wine and the water; here we will take the bread of new birth.

     Here you shall call your sons and your daughters, call us anew to be salt for the earth.

     Give us to drink the wine of compassion; give us to eat the bread that is you;

     nourish us well, and teach us to fashion lives that are holy and hearts that are true.

4)  Not in the dark of buildings confining, not in some heaven, light years away:

     here is this place the new light is shining; now is the kingdom, and now is the day.

     Gather us in and hold us forever;  gather us in and make us your own;

     gather us in all peoples together, fire of love in our flesh and our bone.

Reading of Community Gathering 

Though we may be separated within and without by many cares and preoccupations, by diverse and selfish aims,

we gather together from the fragmented world of our everyday lives in search of wholeness.

We know that no branch is utterly severed from the Tree of Life that sustains us all.

So, we cherish community with those around us and the generations that have gone before.

We would hold fast to all the good we have inherited, even as we desire to leave behind superstitions and falsehoods we may have been taught.

We pray for escape from bondage to lies and delusions regarding race, gender, nation, and creed.

Let us labor in hope for the dawning of a new day without hatred, violence, and injustice.

May we nurture together the possibilities of new experiences of truth, goodness, and beauty in our lives individually and our lives together. 

In this spirit we gather.

In this spirit we pray.

Recognition and Receiving of Persons Joining in Membership   Rev. Steve Morgan

Drew Whitley, Rosie Thompson, Jonathan Thor Raines,

Ann Blackwood, Sarah Shumpert and Helen Garcia

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-10 (The Message Translation)

Address by North Anderson Elder                    Patti Pitts

North Anderson Vision and Mission Statements (November, 2014)

Vision Statement

“The NACCP family embraces all as we seek love, justice and peace in our fragile world.  We celebrate our differences as we demonstrate openness, compassion and understanding.”

Mission Statement

As a family of God’s people, and believers in the teachings of Jesus Christ, we will seek to be

  a haven of safety for those who might need one,

    a light of hope for all who seek healing

      and a ministry of compassion for those who feel left out.

We will be vocal as we actively seek peace and social justice and

  brave as we lovingly speak the truth in a world that might not wish to hear us.

We will endeavor to live into our hopes of what is just and

  not be governed by fear of persecution or the unknown.

With open minds, open hearts, open doors and open arms

  we will move forward as a diverse community, 

    embracing everyone’s unique faith journey and

      empowering not only ourselves but those outside our congregation as well.

We will proudly welcome ALL without question.

  We will celebrate the diversity of God’s gifts among us.

      We will serve the greater good with intentional passion as we

         seek to deepen our understanding of 

           the life we are called to live.

We will recognize our reformed tradition as an ever-dynamic phenomenon and

  will therefore remain inspired to exercise the initiative to stay informed,

        the discipline to remain involved, and the compassion to be inclusive.

We will seek to maintain an open dialogue amongst ourselves as well as

  with those outside our congregation, ever striving to understand one another

    in hopes that all may grow from our willingness to remain open.

We will be responsible stewards of the environment and

  honor our connectedness with all creation.

We will give freely of our money, time and talents to

  further the ministry of this church for our children and future generations as we

    continue to listen to God and to one another for direction in this fragile world we share.

Introductions with Conversation about Church and Membership in It

Sharing of Prayer Concerns and Praise Notes          Thor Raines

Prayerful Response                Rev. Steve Morgan

Closing Hymn   “O God in Whom All Life Begins”    Hymnal #308

Words by Carl P. Daw Jr. and Music is an English melody

1)  O God in whom all life begins, who births the seed to fruit,

    bestow your blessing on our lives; here let your love find root.

        Bring forth in us the Spirit’s gifts of patience, joy, and peace;

    deliver us from numbing fear, and grant our faith increase.

2)  Unite in mutual ministry our minds and hands and hearts

    that we may have the grace to seek the power your peace imparts.

    So let our varied gifts combine to glorify your Name

    that in all things by word and deed we may your love proclaim.

3)  Through tears and laughter, grief and joy, enlarge our trust and care;

    so bind us in community that we may risk and dare.

    Be with us when we gather here to worship, sing, and pray;

    then send us forth in power and faith to live the words we say.

Closing                                    Rev. Steve Morgan

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.

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Calendar of Service

July 24 - Rev. Deb Richardson-Moore

July 31 - Rev. Dr. Phuc Dai Nguyen

August 7 - Dr. Elaine Nocks (1st Sunday Potluck meal)

August 14 - Rev. Johnny McKinney

August  21 - Rev. Dr. Steve Morgan

August 28 - Rev. Laura Collins

Red Cross “Hands Only CPR” training is scheduled for Saturday, July 23, at 2:00 PM.   Please let Barb know ASAP if that works for you.  If not, we can arrange a later date.  Text her at 864-940-0429.

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On Saturday, July 23, at 9:00 AM, NACCPers will engage in our Summer Litter Collection along Liberty Highway.  Our congregation partners with the Adopt-A-Highway program of Anderson County to keep a 2-mile stretch of Liberty Highway clean.  If you are able to help us, we would be happy to have you!  We provide vests, gloves and grabbers - all you need to do is show up!  If you can help, please let Cynthia know at cynthiakwarner@mac.com or text to 678-697-8249) in advance; that would be great.  If you want to show up at the last minute, she will be glad to see you!

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The Atlantic Institute is conducting a Tour of Faith with speaking engagements at locations around the country.  You may read more about this organization at atlanticinstitutesc.org .  Some of their presentations are available by Zoom and some in person.  They will host a speaking time at NACCP on Thursday, July 28, at 11:00 AM.

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Church clean-up for August is Saturday, August 13, at 9:30 AM.  Please join Bill and others to sweep, mop floors, clean the bathrooms, straighten up chairs, and such.  More hands make for light work.  Thanks.

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Remember in prayer: Linda McFall; Mike Johnston; Shea Marsden; Taylor Bishop (Whitney’s niece); Family and Friends of Terry Ann Hayes; Jason Harding; Steve Hallowell; Pat Weddle; Glenn Burns; Tim and Michael Little-Bell and family; Jackie Moore; Whitney Bishop; Latha and Cheryl Semones; Immigrant families; Victims of all violence, oppression, and injustice; Victims of COVID-19; People of Ukraine; Victims of mass shootings