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                                             Cole Miller               

                                                                                                                                                       Welcome and Announcements                      Lin Hagen  

Call to Worship 

Leader:  We see a world ripe with need—where truth must be spoken and justice must be done.

People:  We gather to listen, reflect, and respond with compassion and courage.

Leader:  In a time of injustices, let us be mindful.

People:  We commit to standing with those who are struggling—especially the poor, the hungry, and the unheard.

Leader:  This moment calls not for comfort, but for honesty, solidarity, and change.

People:  Together, we begin again—seeking equity, practicing kindness, and walking toward a better world.

Opening Hymn “Though I May Speak - The Gift of Love”   Hymnal #693

1)  Though I may speak with bravest fire, and have the gift to all inspire,

and have not love, my words are vain, as sounding brass, and hopeless gain.

2)  Though I may give all I possess, and striving so my love profess,

but not be given by love within, the profit soon turns strangely thin.

 

3)  Come, Spirit, come, our hearts control; our spirits long to be made whole.

Let inward love guide every deed; by this we worship, and are freed.

               

Scripture Lesson           Amos 8:1-12

                   

Sermon              “The Economy of the Divine”                           Dr. Keith Ray

Thoughts to Ponder:  What if the most uncomfortable voices are the ones we most need to hear?  The ancient prophet Amos didn’t offer soothing words—he spoke of injustice, economic exploitation, and the way society turns a blind eye to the suffering of the poor.  His message still echoes: when profit is valued over people, something sacred is lost. How might we wrestle with the hard truth that justice and compassion are not optional—they are essential to the practice of faith, not just in our tradition but in most.  As we diminish the humanness of people in our society today, what is our calling? In facing what is broken, we may just find the seeds of something new.

 

Joys and Concerns 

Prayers of the People 

Closing Hymn           “Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness”                 Hymnal #291

Refrain: Spirit, spirit of gentleness, blow through the wilderness, calling and free.

  Spirit, spirit of restlessness, stir me from placidness, wind, wind on the sea.

1)  You moved on the waters; you called to the deep;

then you coaxed up the mountains from the valleys of sleep;

and over the eons you called to each thing,

“Awake from your slumbers and rise on your wings.”Refrain

2)  You swept through the desert; you stung with the sand;

and you goaded your people with a law and a land.

When they were confounded with idols and lies,

then you spoke through your prophets to open their eyes.Refrain

3)  You sang in a stable; you cried from a hill;

then you whispered in silence when the whole world was still.

And down in the city, you called once again

when you blew through your people on the rush of the wind. Refrain

4)  You call from tomorrow; you break ancient schemes;

from the bondage of sorrow the captives dream dreams.

Our women see visions; our men clear their eyes.

With bold new decisions your people arise.Refrain

 

Benediction        

Discussion/ Informational Meeting

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.                        *************************************************************************************

Calendar of Service -  

July 27 - Dr. Keith Ray

August 3 - Julie Tovey from New Foundations Home for Children

August 10 - Steve Morgan

August 17 - Keith Ray

August 24 - Keith Ray

August 31 - Keith Ray

 

Outdoor services are being suspended until the weather cools - late summer/early fall.                                                                *********************

Keenager event on July 22: Christmas in July!  Meet at church — 11:00-1:00.

Our Chrismon ornaments need to be freshened up.  All supplies will be provided. However, if you have a supply of gold and/or white craft items that you would like to use or share, please bring them along.  Bring a bag lunch too.  Water, tea and lemonade will be provided.

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PFLAG Chapter will have a Game Night on Saturday, July 26, from 5-8 pm at church.  Join us for a fun-filled evening of games, laughs, and good vibes!  Bring your favorite game and snack.

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The next Meet & Eat group will be on Wednesday, August 6, at 5:30 pm.  Meet at Da Vinci’s Italian Restaurant at 194 Civic Center Blvd., Anderson.

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Bible Study meets on Mondays at 6:30 pm through Zoom.  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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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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