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Gathering Music Polly Dunford
Welcome and Announcements Autumn Donnelly
Call to Worship (Inspired by Psalm 132)
One: Rise up, O God, dwell in the praise of your people. Make your home in our worship.
Many: Let your people be clothed with righteousness, and let your faithful shout for joy.
One: Rise up, O God, remind us of your covenant and your commands. May your presence be a balm and your direction our guide.
Many: Let your people be clothed with righteousness, and let your faithful shout for joy.
One: Rise up, O God, reign with power, wisdom and love. May your kingdom come full and complete.
Many: Let your people be clothed with righteousness, and let your faithful shout for joy.
Opening Hymn “We Gather Together ” Hymnal #336
1) We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;
he chastens and hastens his will to make known;
the wicked oppressing now cease from distressing.
Sing praises to his name; he forgets not his own.
2) Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
ordaining, maintaining his kingdom divine;
so from the beginning the fight we were winning;
thou, Lord, wast at our side; all glory be thine!
3) We all do extol thee, thou leader triumphant,
and pray that thou still our defender wilt be.
Let thy congregation escape tribulation;
thy name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!
Scripture Lesson John 18:33-37
Sermon “Unexpected Places” Dr. Keith Ray
Words to Ponder: Lately I have been reflecting on the idea of how we find goodness in the midst of encountering difficult circumstances, events, and people. Today marks a special day in the church’s calendar, “The Reign of Christ Sunday.” And while our progressive theology chafes at more traditional notions of kingship, perhaps this is a day to “re-member” the idea that Divine Goodness is present in all of life’s circumstances. The Divine Spirit accompanies both those who beat the disease and those who are beaten by it. Let’s continue to explore what it means to celebrate the reign of Christ in a troubled world.
Communion Hymn “Come to the Table of Grace” Hymnal #507
1) Come to the table of grace. Come to the table of grace.
This is God’s table; it’s not yours or mine. Come to the table of grace.
2) Come to the table of peace . . .
3) Come to the table of love . . .
4) Come to the table of hope . . .
5) Come to the table of joy . . .
Communion Invitation to the Table Rev. Nancy Blakely
The Great Thanksgiving
The Breaking of the Bread
Prayer after Communion
Joys and Concerns
Prayers of the People
Closing Hymn and Offertory “I Will Come to You - You Are Mine ” Hymnal #177
1) “I will come to you in the silence; I will lift you from all your fear.
You will hear my voice; I claim you as my choice.
Be still and know I am here.
2) “I am hope for all who are hopeless; I am eyes for all who long to see.
In the shadows of the night, I will be your light.
Come and rest in me.
Refrain — Do not be afraid, I am with you. I have called you each by name.
Come and follow me, I will bring you home; I love you and you are mine.”
3) “I am strength for all the despairing, healing for the ones who dwell in shame.
All the blind will see; the lame will all run free,
and all will know my name. Refrain
4) “I am the Word that leads all to freedom;
I am the peace the world cannot give.
I will call your name, embracing all your pain.
Stand up, now walk and live! Refrain
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.
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Calendar of Service -
December 1 - Dr. Josh Hunt, 1st Sunday in Advent (Hope)
December 8 - Dr. Keith Ray, 2nd Sunday in Advent (Peace)
December 15 - Dr. Keith Ray, Christmas Pageant, 3rd Sunday in Advent (Joy)
December 22 - Dr. Keith Ray, 4th Sunday in Advent (Love)
December 24 - Dr. Keith Ray, Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 7:00 pm
December 29 - Lessons and Carols
Following worship service on November 24, we will decorate the church for Advent. Please stay and help make the church festive.
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The Potluck Hymns on December 1 will be Advent hymns for the first Sunday of Advent. Look through pages 82-107 in the hymnal to choose an Advent hymn. Write the name and number of your hymn choice on a paper and put it in the potluck basket on the Communion table.
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Keenagers Christmas Party will be held on Saturday, December 14, at 11:30. Bring a gift to exchange. Lunch is still being planned. Everyone is invited!
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Seasonal choir practice meets on Sundays at 9:25 a.m. in the choir room. Call or text Polly at 864-940-0640 if needed.
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Video recordings of services can now be found on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@NorthAndersonCCP/streams. Indoor services should be available in real time. Outdoor services are available on a delay. Please be patient as the team continues to refine this
process.
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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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The Carolina Bronze Handbell Ensemble, featuring our very own Cynthia Warner, will be playing several free concerts, including:
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Hurricane Helene Relief News:
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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: Nov. 24th, Dec. 22nd, Jan. 26th, Feb. 23rd, 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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Sarah Shumpert, AIM Board member, shares this update about the AIM Food Pantry: given the increased need in the community, AIM has increased the number of food boxes distributed to 55 per day (this is up from around 35 per day prior to COVID). The increase in distribution means that the pantry empties much faster than before. Please keep that in mind as you bring in food items. Also, the pantry is completely out of peanut butter and they would love to restock this item!
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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-formatted program.
For more information, call 864-844-7137. Please share this with anyone who may benefit from this group.
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Bible Study meets on Mondays at 6:30 pm through Zoom. Contact Cynthia Warner at cynthiakwarner@mac.com or Dave Johnson at ampaw2t@gmail.com
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You may have noticed the new glass “tip jar” on the piano at church that serendipitously came about when someone didn’t claim a flower vase. Feel free to drop in a dollar or five 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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If you would like to donate to the family of Eric Childs, who was tragically killed in a car accident, please use this link: https://gofund.me/6340eb47. Eric’s wife Jessicka Spearman heads the PFLAG group that meets at NACCP.
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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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Karen highlighted that the Prayer Tree has been moved into the sanctuary. If you have a prayer request to add to the tree, write it on one of the provided tags and hang it on a branch.
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Joanne reminds us all to keep up the food donations for AIM (Anderson Interfaith Ministries)! Bring your non-perishable items to the church. This is an on-going need that can easily become part of everyone’s shopping routine.
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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: Family of Steve Hallowell; Gloria Bennett and family; Michael Little’s friend Becky; Shea Marsden; Linda McFall; Glennie Burns; Mary Alice Mundy; Latha and Cheryl Semones; Immigrant families; Victims of all violence, oppression, and injustice; People of Ukraine; People of Israel and Palestine.
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