First Sunday in Lent
Daylight Saving Time begins.
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!
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Today is the first Sunday in Lent AND the first One Great Hour of Sharing during Lent. Please wear your blue PDA shirt or any blue clothing item.
***********************************************************************
Gathering Music Polly Dunford
Welcome and Announcements Manella Calhoun
Anthem “For Where Love Is, There Is God”
Words by Charlotte Lee, adapted from “Ubi Caritas et amor” (9th century)
Music by Douglas E. Wagner. Tune: Beach Spring
Call to Worship (Inspired by Psalm 91)
One: Are you restless and unsettled? This place is for you.
Many: Let us worship in this community!
One: Are you hungry for love and hope? This place is for you.
Many: Let us worship in this community!
One: Are you searching for direction? This place is for you.
Many: Let us worship in this community!
One: Do you have love to share? This place is for you.
Many: Let us worship in this community!
Opening Hymn Hymnal #43
“You Who Dwell in the Shelter of the Lord - On Eagle’s Wings” (Psalm 91)
1) You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord, who abide in his shadow for life,
say to the Lord, “My refuge, my rock in whom I trust!”
Refrain: And he will raise you up on eagle’s wings,
bear you on the breath of dawn, make you to shine like the sun,
and hold you in the palm of his hand.
2) The snare of the fowler will never capture you, and famine will bring you no fear: under his wings, your refuge, his faithfulness your shield. Refrain
3) You need not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day; though thousands fall about you, near you it shall not come. Refrain
4) For to his angels he’s given a command to guard you in all of your ways;
upon their hands they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.
Refrain
Scripture Lesson Luke 4:1-13
Sermon “Searching for a Vocation” Dr. Keith Ray
Thoughts to ponder: A number of years ago, the Lilly Endowment funded programs at a variety of colleges and universities that focused on the idea of “vocation.” Groups of faculty and students gathered for a variety of experiences, considering the question, “What is vocation and how does the idea of vocation fit into the story of my life?” Vocation is beyond the job we hold or used to hold. Vocation is more akin to purpose. And we begin the season of Lent with a story of Jesus discerning his own vocation in the midst of wilderness temptations. How will we wrestle with our own life’s purpose in this season of introspection and reflection?
Let’s talk about it together.
Joys and Concerns
Prayers of the People
Closing Hymn and Offertory “I Sing a Song of the Saints of God” Hymnal #730
1) I sing a song of the saints of God, patient and brave and true,
who toiled and fought and lived and died for the Lord they loved and knew.
And one was a doctor, and one was a queen, and one was a shepherdess on the green:
they were all of them saints of God, and I mean, God helping, to be one too.
2) They loved their Lord so dear, so dear, and God’s love made them strong;
and they followed the right, for Jesus’ sake, the whole of their good lives long.
And one was a soldier, and one was a priest, and one was slain by a fierce wild beast:
and there’s not any reason, no, not the least, why I shouldn’t be one too.
3) They lived not only in ages past; there are hundreds of thousands still;
the world is bright with the joyous saints who love to do Jesus’ will.
You can meet them in school, or in lanes, or at sea, in church, or in trains, or in shops, or at tea;
for the saints of God are just folk like me, and I mean to be one too.
Benediction
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. *************************************************************************************
Session meeting following worship service.
***********************************************************************
Calendar of Service -
March 16 - Dr. Keith Ray
March 23 - Dave Johnson
March 30 - Dr. Keith Ray
A Celebration of Life Service for Shea Marsden will be held at Iron Oak Barn, 120 History Lane, Pendleton, SC, on Saturday, March 15, 2025, from noon to 4:00 pm. Heavy hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine and sodas. RSVP to Bonnie Marsden at bcmarsden@bellsouth.net.
**********************
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.
Amazon: March 7-14
Nestle: March 21-28
Walmart: April 7-14
General Mills: April 21-28
**************************
Reminder that PFLAG meets the 2nd Thursday of the month (March 13) at NACCP at 7 pm.
*********************
There will be Free Paper Shredding Day on March 15 from 8 am until 12 pm at the Anderson County Complex, 1428 Pearman Dairy Rd.
***********************
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.
********************
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.
********************
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.
**********************
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.
*********************
An updated church directory is available for upload. If you do not have the password, please send request to mhc.clemson@gmail.com
*************************
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/
**********************
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.
**********************
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.
*********************
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.
**********************
Women’s clothing is needed for women coming out of incarceration. Good, gently used items please. All sizes.
******************
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.
********************
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.
********************
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.
Site by Upstate SC Web Design
