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
Call to Worship
Leader: We gather not to escape the world, but to engage it with open hearts.
People: We come seeking courage for the work of love.
Leader: We gather not merely for comfort, but for transformation.
People: We come seeking a peace rooted in justice and compassion.
Leader: There is a peace that avoids conflict.
People: And there is a peace that heals what is broken.
Leader: There is a silence that protects the status quo.
People: And there is a voice that speaks truth with love.
Leader: May we have the courage to choose the harder path when it leads toward greater wholeness.
People: May we become people of hope, justice, and courageous love.
Leader: Let us worship.
People: Let us worship together.
Opening Hymn “Jubilate, Everybody” Handout
By Fred Dunn
Copyright Fred Dunn, South Chard UK. All rights reserved.
Jubilate, ev’rybody, serve the Lord in all your ways,
and come before his presence singing; enter now God’s court with praise.
For the Lord our God is gracious, and the mercy everlasting.
Jubilate, jubilate jubilate Deo!
Scripture Reading Matthew 10:27-39
Message “The Sword, I Mean Peace, of Jesus” Dr. Keith Ray
Thought to Ponder: Some of us like to avoid conflict at all cost. Indeed, at times the message of the Christian church has been reduced to this: “Be nice.”
And yet, in today’s scripture lesson, Jesus does not command niceness, but he prepares his followers for days of conflict, knowing that his radical teachings might end in conflict and even death.
What might his words teach us today?
Joys and Concerns
Prayers of the People
Closing Hymn and Offertory “Stand for What Is Right” Handout
By Jim Strathdee
2006. Desert Flower Music. All rights reserved.
1) When injustice harms our friends, stand for what is right.
When the violence never ends, stand for what is right.
Yes, stand and speak, work and pray and keep your courage strong.
The Spirit of God will be leading us through our whole life long.
2) When the children have no voice, speak for what is right.
When the mothers have no choice, speak for what is right.
Yes, stand and speak, work and pray and keep your courage strong.
The Spirit of God will be leading us through our whole life long.
3) When we hurt our mother earth, work for what is right.
When we deny each other’s worth, work for what is right.
Yes, stand and speak, work and pray and keep your courage strong.
The Spirit of God will be leading us through our whole life long.
4) When the world seems most unfair, pray for what is right.
When we’re lost in deep despair, pray for what is right.
Yes, stand and speak, work and pray and keep your courage strong.
The Spirit of God will be leading us through our whole life long.
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. ******************************
Reprinted with permission under One License #A-625711. All rights reserved.
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Join in the Summer Solstice Labyrinth Walk following worship service.
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Calendar of Service -
June 28 - Rev. Dr. Steve Morgan (outdoors)
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Cortney Burgess gave us a great overview of his organization, Upstate Fatherhood Coalition, on Sunday. For more information, go to their website at upstatefathers.org
Their location in Anderson is 100 Miracle Mile Drive, Suite-A, Anderson SC, 29621.
864-965-0200. Hours 9:00-5:00 pm.
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The 227th General Assembly of PCUSA begins this Monday, June 22, through July 2, both online and in person in Milwaukee. Diane Lee is one of six commissioners from Foothills Presbytery.
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Looking ahead to the next gathering of the Meet and Eat group, they will get together on Wednesday, July 1, at 5:30 pm at Grand China in Anderson. All are welcome to join!
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Three Nights of Nature speakers:
July 21 - Jessica Bell - Split Creek Goat Farm - Goat species brought from near extinction
July 22 - Jay Keck - SC Wildlife Federation’s Industry Habitat Education Manager, a passionate nature and bird lover since his early teens.
July 23 - Robby Morrow - Geologist with SC Department of Natural Resources - Geological Survey. Co-authored a book, Geology of the Foothills Trail.
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Rob Gentry will make coffee mugs one more time. If you would like one, PRINT your name on a note paper and give it to Rob.
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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: Mike Johnston and family; Bonnie Marsden; 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.