Third Sunday in Lent
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 Joanne Batten
Leader: For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light.
People: Walk as children of light.
Leader: For the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true.
People: Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord.
Leader: Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness; rather, expose them.
People: Everything exposed by the light becomes visible,
All: Live as children of light.
Opening Hymn “Christ, You Made the Blind Man See” Handout
Lyrics by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette; Music by Joseph Parry
1) Christ, you made the blind man see; with some mud you healed his eyes.
So you acted lovingly, bringing health and changing lives.
Yet it was a Sabbath Day; rules were all that some folks saw;
They were quick to scorn the way you put love before the law.
2) Christ, you came to judge the earth, bringing truth and life and light,
showing humble ones their worth, giving vision bold and bright.
Those who proudly think they see are the ones who often find
Though they act quite boastfully, they, in fact are really blind.
3) God, we pray that we will be people filled with light and grace.
Show us what we need to see in this culture time, and place:
We are called to be your light, telling how you’ve changed us here.
Love can make the darkness bright; faith in you makes all things clear.
Anthem “Be Thou My Vision”
Sermon “Here’s Mud in your Eye” David Johnson
Thoughts to ponder: We are continuing with the Lenten theme of healing. Healing stories are almost always metaphors for something bigger than the specific physical healing. In John’s story where Jesus healed the man born blind, physical blindness is a metaphor for spiritual blindness. Sight, light, and understanding are synonyms.
Let’s explore the larger meaning of the story as the season of Lent invites us to consider our own needs for healing.
Joys and Concerns
Prayers of the People
Closing Hymn and Offertory “Open My Eyes” Hymnal #451
1) Open my eyes, that I may see glimpses of truth thou hast for me.
Place in my hands the wonderful key that shall unclasp and set me free,
Silently now I wait for thee, ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my eyes; illumine me, Spirit divine!
2) Open my ears, that I may hear voices of truth thou sendest clear.
And while the wave notes fall on my ear, everything false will disappear.
Silently now I wait for thee, ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my ears; illumine me, Spirit divine!
3) Open my mouth, and let me bear gladly the warm truth everywhere.
Open my heart, and let me prepare love with thy children thus to share.
Silently now I wait for thee, ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my heart; illumine me, Spirit divine!
Discussion
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. *************************************************************************************
Reprinted with permission under One License #A-625711. All rights reserved.
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Calendar of Service -
March 30 - Dr. Keith Ray
April 6 - Dr. Keith Ray; 1st Sunday Potluck Meal
April 13 - Dr. Keith Ray; Palm Sunday
April 17 - Dr. Keith Ray; Holy Thursday Love Feast at 7:00 pm
April 20 - Dr. Keith Ray; Easter Sunday in Labyrinth
April 27 - Sarah Junkin Woodard
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Some upcoming Labyrinth walks at NACCP:
April 5 at 9 am - Suicide Awareness walk at Anderson University
May 3 at 1 pm – “Walk as One at One” for World Labyrinth Day
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Easter Preparations:
Easter lily orders will be taken starting March 23.
Clean up the labyrinth Thursday, April 17, 6 pm, before Love Feast.
Bring flower donations in water for the labyrinth cross Saturday, April 19. Leave on woods stage or in labyrinth.
Wear your Easter bonnet Sunday morning!
Potluck Easter brunch following service in the labyrinth.
Easter Egg Hunt during brunch.
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An “Economic Blackout” is scheduled as a protest to companies that have changed their DEI policies in response to President Trump’s Executive Order. The boycott includes NO SPENDING in-person or online. If you absolutely need to purchase something during that week, then go to a locally owned retailer.
Nestle: March 21-28
Walmart: April 7-14
General Mills: April 21-28
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New Foundations will have a golf tournament on April 17. More details to come, but if you are interested in being on a team, contact Tom Wright.
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Church Clean-up days are the 2nd Saturday of the month at 9:30 am and usually take no more than 90 minutes. The sign-up sheet is in the church.
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United Way sponsors a snack packing program for Anderson school children.
Currently there are no open dates. If you are interested in trying it out, you can also sign up as an individual at https://uwandsc.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=1031432. You will need to set up an account and can then sign up any open date.
If you are interested or have questions, please call Vicki Wright at 585-781-4620.
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Bible Study meets on Mondays at 6:30 pm through Zoom. Dave Johnson is guiding the group through the book of Leviticus. If you’d like to be added to the Zoom invite list, contact Cynthia at cynthiakwarner@mac.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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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: Mar. 23rd, Apr. 28th, May 26th 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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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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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-steps program. For more information, call 864-844-7137. Please share this with anyone who may benefit from this group.
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The glass “tip jar” is still on the piano. Feel free to drop in any amount 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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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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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: Glennie Burns; Family of Peggy Upton; The Marsden family; Michael Little’s friend Mark; Linda McFall; Mary Alice Mundy; Latha Semones; Immigrant families; Victims of all violence, oppression, and injustice; People of Ukraine; People of Israel and Palestine; Victims of Hurricane Helene; Victims of US Wildfires.
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