Today’s service will be held outdoors at the woods stage.  The service will NOT be live-streamed as this is not yet possible outdoors.   However, the service will be recorded and posted afterwards rather than live-streamed.  Bring a chair.   Join us!   

************

Gathering Music                                    Polly Dunford

Welcome and Announcements             Katelyn Saunier                  

Call to Worship

Leader:  To know the warmth of love,
People:  To have the assurance that someone cares,
Leader:  To be confident of our worth,
People:  To be bold to love in return,
Leader:  To be washed over with grace,
People:  To be accepted as we are,
Leader:  To accept others as they are:                                                                                                                                                 All:  This is to know a bit of God.
Let us worship our God.

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 17:11-19

On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Sama'ria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices and said, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us."  When he saw them he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests."  And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks.  Now he was a Samaritan. Then said Jesus, "Were not ten cleansed?  Where are the nine?  Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?"  And he said to him, "Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well."

                   

Sermon                              “Following the Rules”                               David Johnson

Thoughts to Ponder:  What are we called to do when societal rules conflict with fundamental values?  Are we willing to cross the boundaries established by religion or government?

What does Luke (and Luke’s Jesus) have to say about this?

Choral Response                   How Could Anyone? (Libby Roderick)                                                                                                                   Arranged by Dave Johnson

Joys and Concerns 

Prayers of the People 

Closing Hymn and Offertory             “Help Us Accept Each Other”           Hymnal #754

1)  Help us accept each other as Christ accepted us;

teach us as sister, brother, each person to embrace.

Be present, Lord, among us and bring us to believe

we are ourselves accepted, and meant to love and live.

2)  Teach us, O Lord, your lessons, as in our daily life

we struggle to be human and search for hope and faith.

Teach us to care for people, for all, not just for some,

to love them as we find them, or as they may become.

3)  Let your acceptance change us, so that we may be moved

in living situations to do the truth in love;

to practice your acceptance until we know by heart

the table of forgiveness, and laughter’s healing art.

4)  Lord, for today’s encounters with all who are in need,

who hunger for acceptance, for justice and for bread,

we need new eyes for seeing, new hands for holding on:

renew us with your Spirit; Lord, free us; make us one!                  

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

Calendar of Service -  

October 19 - Keith Ray; Blessing of the Animals  (Outdoor service); Worship Committee

October 26 - Worship and lunch at South Main Chapel and Mercy Center

*********************

It’s time for seasonal choir practices. We’ll have choir practice beginning Sunday, November 2 to continue through November and most of December until Christmas Eve. Practices begin at 9:25 AM.  Contact Polly at (864) 940-0640 with questions.

*****************

During October, Undie Sundays will collect underwear items for South Main Chapel and Mercy Center for both men and women, all sizes.

*******************

NACCP is conducting a love offering to benefit World Central Kitchen in their efforts to alleviate starving in Gaza.  We will accept donations through the middle of October.

*****************

October’s Keenager Event will be a A Who-Dunnit Murder Mystery; you may be part of the cast or a guest.  It will be held at the Red Shutter Bed & Breakfast in Starr, SC, on Saturday October 25, 11:30 am-2:30 pm.  David Sanders and Michael Crump are hosting the event and serving a lasagna lunch.  Sign up at church for this fun event!

********************

Bible Study meets on Mondays at 6:30 pm through Zoom.  If you’d like to be added to the Zoom invite list, contact Cynthia at cynthiakwarner@mac.com.

*********************

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.

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

********************