Fourth 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     Autumn Donnelly      

Anthem “Canon of Praise”

From “Kanon” by Johann Pachelbel and arranged by Hal H. Hopson

Adapted from Psalm 103 by Hal H. Hopson

 

Call to Worship   

One:  Have you come far to be here today?

Many:  You enlarge our gathering: welcome!

One:  Have you come from around the corner?

Many:  You anchor our gathering: welcome!

One:  Do you seek sanctuary?  Do you seek inspiration?

Many:  May this worship meet you.

One:  Do you come with purpose?  Do you come with questions?

Many:  We welcome you as you are!

All:  Let us worship God together!

Opening Hymn “Let Us Build a House - All are Welcome”   Hymnal #301

 

1)  Let us build a house where love can dwell and all can safely live,

a place where saints and children tell how hearts learn to forgive.

Built of hopes and dreams and visions, rock of faith and vault of grace;

here the love of Christ shall end divisions:

all are welcome; all are welcome; all are welcome in this place.

2)  Let us build a house where prophets speak, and words are strong and true,

where all God’s children dare to seek to dream God’s reign anew.

Here the cross shall stand as witness and as symbol of God’s grace;

here as one we claim the faith of Jesus:

all are welcome; all are welcome; all are welcome in this place.

3)  Let us build a house where love is found in water, wine, and wheat;

a banquet hall on holy ground where peace and justice meet.

Here the love of God, through Jesus, is revealed in time and space;

as we share in Christ the feast that frees us:

all are welcome; all are welcome; all are welcome in this place.

4)  Let us build a house where hands will reach beyond the wood and stone

to heal and strengthen, serve and teach, and live the Word they’ve known.

Here the outcast and the stranger bear the image of God’s face;

let us bring an end to fear and danger:

all are welcome; all are welcome; all are welcome in this place.

5)  Let us build a house where all are named, their songs and visions heard

and loved and treasured, taught and claimed as words within the Word.

Built of tears and cries and laughter, prayers of faith and songs of grace;

let this house proclaim from floor to rafter:

all are welcome; all are welcome; all are welcome in this place.

Scripture Lesson                           Luke 15:1–3, 11b–32

 

Sermon               “The Whole Family”                              Dr. Keith Ray

Thoughts to Ponder: The story presented by Jesus in today’s gospel is familiar to anyone who has been around the church community.  We sometimes call this the story of the “Prodigal Son,” but the story is of a parent with TWO sons.  Thomas Long says this about the story: “Jesus wants us to know that, like the man who loved his two sons, there is a God who has many children, and you and I are among those children. If, like the younger son, we feel unworthy. If, like the older son, we feel ignored and unappreciated.  Whoever we are, and whatever broken places we have in our lives, look up, and we will see, coming toward us from the house, the God who, in compassion and mercy, will give us just the love we need and who opens wide the door.”    Let’s consider this story together.

Joys and Concerns 

Prayers of the People 

Closing Hymn and Offertory     “God of Compassion, in Mercy Befriend Us”

Hymnal #436 1)  God of compassion, in mercy befriend us,

giver of grace for our needs all availing.

Wisdom and strength for each day ever send us,

patience untiring and courage unfailing.

2)  Though we are lost, you have sought us and found us,

stilled our rude hearts with your word of consoling.

Wrap now your peace, like a mantle, around us,

guarding our thoughts and our passions controlling.

3)  How shall we stray, with your hand to direct us,

you who the stars in their courses are guiding?

What shall we fear, with your power to protect us,

we who walk forth in your greatness confiding?

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

Calendar of Service -

April 6 - Dr. Keith Ray; 1st Sunday Potluck Meal

April 13 - Dr. Josh Hunt; 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

 

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 at NACCP’s labyrinth
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Easter Preparations:

Easter lily orders will be taken starting March 23.

Clean up labyrinth Thursday, April 17, 6 pm, before Love Feast.

Bring flower donations in water for the labyrinth cross Saturday. Leave on 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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The next PFLAG meeting will be Thursday, April 10, 2025 at 7 pm.  Everyone is welcome!

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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.
Walmart: April 7-14
General Mills: April 21-28

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Undie Sundays are back on!  Please donate new and/or very gently used men’s and ladies’ underwear and socks for South Main Chapel and Mercy Center.

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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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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; the dogs crave human interaction.  Additionally, don’t forget to bring in any donations of blankets, empty cardboard tubes and small cardboard boxes with lids to the church.
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Church Clean-up days are the 2^nd 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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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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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: Apr. 28th, May 26^th 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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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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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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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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