4th Sunday in Lent
Today’s service may be viewed on Facebook Live Stream at this link in the comfort of your own home or in person in the sanctuary. Join us!
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Gathering Music Polly Dunford
Welcome and Announcements Ed Yokley
Anthem “Shepherd Me, O God”
Words and Music by Marty Haugen
Call to Worship
God’s love is for all of creation.
The vastness of God is for human, animal, soil, and sun, all together as God’s beloved.
God has not come into the world to condemn us.
Jesus has come to live God’s love in the flesh.
While the world is dim with injustice and the feeling of loneliness,
it is our belief that the light of love illuminates our path of friendship. Come, let us join our lives with the Friend Jesus, whose love is for the whole world. Let us worship God!
Opening Hymn “God Welcomes All” Hymnal #399
God welcomes all, strangers and friends.
God’s love is strong and it never ends.
Scripture Lesson Numbers 21:4-9 and John 3:14-21
Sermon “The Ongoing Work of Transformation” Dr. Keith Ray
Thoughts to ponder (this week from the Buddhist master, Thich Nhat Hanh): Around us, life bursts forth with miracles - a glass of water, a ray of sunshine, a leaf, a caterpillar, a flower, laughter, raindrops. If you live in awareness, it is easy to see miracles everywhere. Each human being is a multiplicity of miracles. Eyes that see thousands of colors, shapes, and forms; ears that hear a bee flying or a thunderclap; a brain that ponders a speck of dust as easily as the entire cosmos; a heart that beats in rhythm with the heartbeat of all beings.
When we are tired and feel discouraged by life’s daily struggles,
we may not notice these miracles, but they are always there.
Prayers of the People
Closing Hymn and Offertory “What a Wonderful World” Handout by George David Weiss and Bob Thiele; Arranged by David Johnson
From One World, Many Voices songbook, Interfaith Center at the Presidio, 2002.
Used by permission from Abilene Music, Range Road Music and Quartet All rights reserved.
1) I see trees of green, red roses too,
I see them bloom for me and you,
and I think to myself
What a Wonderful World.
2) I see skies of blue and clouds of white,
the bright blessed day, the dark sacred night,
and I think to myself
What a Wonderful World.
3) The colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky are also on the faces of people goin’ by,
I see friends shakin’ hands, sayin’ “How do you do!” They’re really sayin’ “I love you.”
4) I hear babies cry, I watch them grow.
They’ll learn much more than I’ll every know
and I think to myself What a Wonderful World.
Yes, I think to myself What a Wonderful World.
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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Reprinted with permission under One License #A-625711. All rights reserved.
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Calendar of Service -
March 17 - Rev. Nancy Blakely; Communion; Session meeting
March 24 - Dr. Keith Ray - Palm Sunday
March 31 - Dr. Keith Ray - Easter
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Choir practice will meet every Sunday at 9:25 AM in the choir room. The remaining choir practice dates for this season are 3/10, 3/17, and 3/24, and we will sing during services on these same dates. Please come a little early so that you are ready to start on time.
See you all then! Polly 864- 940-0640
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Sharon reminds us that the “One Great Hour of Sharing” special collections continue through Lent season. You may write “OGHS” on the memo line of your check or use the designated envelopes for cash donations.
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Filling snack packs at Golden Harvest on March 15 has been cancelled due to scheduling conflicts.
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Easter lily order forms are available on the table outside the sanctuary. The cost is $10. each. Please put your order form and money in the offering basket. Order deadline is March 17.
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AFPT is hosting an event on Sunday, March 17, at 3:00 pm. This is a live event with Zoom provided to hear Ramsey Hanhan. His presentation is “What It Means to Be Palestinian: A Palestinian’s Dream.” There are three ways to watch: 1) Join the in-person event at NACCP. No registration necessary. 2) View at home alone - Register for the Zoom link here.
3) Create your own satellite “watch party” with friends using the Zoom registration above.
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The Junior League of Anderson will hold its annual Oyster Roast fundraiser on March 16 at 6:00 pm. Visit https://andersonsc.jl.org/events/register-2024-spring-oyster-roast/ for tickets.
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Market Theatre presents “Jersey Boys” opening March 8. Drew Whitley is directing, Thor Raines is choreographing the show, and Rosie Thompson is understudying the role that Joe Pesci had in the movie.
The group from church will see the show on Sunday, March 24, with lunch before the show. More details to follow.
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“Is it I, Lord?”, a Maundy Thursday Tableau, will be presented to NACCP on Tuesday, March 26, at 7:00 pm. This is a short drama that tells the story of the disciples and Jesus during the last supper. Please consult the chart in the church hallway for rehearsal dates and times. See you there!
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The Kudzu Krew is now the “Kudzu Killers” who are set to take out the kudzu that has invaded our labyrinth. New members are welcome! If you have the energy and/or interest in joining, please let Cynthia know via email (cynthiakwarner@mac.com)
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If you are interested in volunteering at the Anderson Soiree children’s games on April 26-27, please let Vicki know. 585-781-4620
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PAWS is currently in need of blankets. Please bring them to church if you have donations.
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The Bible Study Group (BSG) meets Mondays at 6:30 pm via Zoom. If you’d like to be added to the Zoom invite list then contact Cynthia at cynthiakwarner@mac.com. We’d love to have newcomers!
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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 should 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: Michael Little’s friend Becky; Shea Marsden; Linda McFall; Bonnie Marsden and son Michael; Jackie Moore; Glennie Burns; Mary Alice Mundy; Jason Harding; Madison Bishop (Whitney’s niece); Latha and Cheryl Semones; Immigrant families; Victims of all violence, oppression, and injustice; People of Ukraine; People of Israel and Palestine.
NACCP is an inclusive Faith Community that values questions
and the journey to the answers.
Ministry Leader: Dr. Keith Ray
keithdray@gmail.com
Pianist and Choir Director: Polly Dunford
Mailing address: P.O. Box 4346, Anderson, SC 29622
Phone: 864-225-3575
Website: naccpchurch.org
Church News: naccpnews@yahoo.com
Instagram: northandersonccp
Facebook: NorthAndersonCommunityChurchPresbyterian