Shandon Presbyterian Church

Woman of Canaan, by Sadao Watanabe

World Communion SundayOctober 4, 2020 • 10:30 am

S h a n d o n P r e s b y t e r i a n C h u r c h607 Woodrow Street • Columbia, South Carolina • 29205

Welcome to Shandon Presbyterian Church

Whether you are a first-time visitor or a longtime member, you have made us better by being with us in worship today.

Every week, our service begins with a word of welcome. We take this seriously. Just as God welcomes all, so too do we strive to be a community as diverse and hospitable as God’s kingdom. We don’t all look alike or act alike or think alike. We come from different backgrounds, we bring different questions, and we carry different burdens. But every Sunday, we come together and worship the same God.

Our worship style is traditional and true to our Reformed heritage. At the same time, we seek to bring our faith into conversation with the world around us and the events of our lives. It is our hope and our prayer that you will experience something personal and relevant this morning — a word of hope, a call to action, a spark of faith, a deeper relationship with God.

After the service, please stay for awhile. We’d love to get to know you and help you learn more about us. Well ... that’s what we’d say to you back in “normal” days. The invitation remains, however. We may not be gathering in-person on Sunday mornings right now, but we hope you’ll take advantage of other ways of getting acquainted. Reach out to one of our pastors. Explore our website and poke around on our Facebook page. Join us for various drive-through or walk-through events on Sunday afternoons. Reserve some time in our Sanctuary to experience one of our sacred spaces for yourself.

At Shandon Presbyterian Church, we strive to be honest in all of our relationships, so we’ll say this from the beginning: if you’re looking for a perfect church, we’re not it. We don’t always get it right. Rather, we’re a group of imperfect people who understand how much we all need grace in our lives. And we believe that God’s love, which never gives up and never lets go, is for everyone. Including you.

There is a place for you here. Welcome home.

Rev. Jenny McDevitt Senior Pastor

Gathering Around the Word

Prelude Shandon Choral Scholars We Walk His Way trad. south african, arr. anders nyberg

We walk his way. Unarmed he faces forces of demons and death; he breaks the bonds of hell, dying on the cross; the tree of freedom blooms by his empty grave. We walk his way.

Welcome Rev. Jenny McDevitt To all who mourn and need comfort; To all who are tired and need rest; To all who are friendless and need friendship; To all who are lonely and need companionship; To all who search for sheltering love; To all who pray and to all who do not, but ought; To whosoever will come: This church opens wide the doors, and in the name of Jesus Christ, says, “Welcome.”

Call to Worship London Oana It is not enough to say we love all people; our love must be active, with no strings attached. It is not enough to beg mercy for ourselves; we are called to extend mercy that triumphs over judgment. It is not enough to be prudent and responsible; God moves through the world with reckless grace, longing for us to do the same. It is not enough to think our best thoughts about God; God desires our passion and praise.

Hymn 346 For the Healing of the Nations st. thomas

Call to Confession Rev. John Cook

Prayer of Confession If we have been the source of pain, O God; If to the weak we have refused our strength; If, in rebellion, we have strayed away; Forgive us, God. (Silent prayer)

Assurance of God’s Grace Friends, believe the Good News of the Gospel: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God!

Passing of the Peace The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. And also with you!

Proclaiming the Word

The Word with Children

Prayer for Illumination Lou Green

Scripture Reading Matthew 15:21-28

Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, ‘Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.’ But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, ‘Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.’ He answered, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’ But she came and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, help me.’ He answered, ‘It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.’ She said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.’ Then Jesus answered her, ‘Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.’ And her daughter was healed instantly.

This is the Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.

Sermon Holy Conversations: Talking About Hunger Rev. Jenny McDevitt

Responding to the Word

The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper Rev. Molly Spangler

Invitation to the Table

The Great Prayer of Thanksgiving

The Lord’s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Words of Institution

Communion of the People

Offering Tithes and Gifts Text SHANDONPC to 73256 or visit shandonpresbyterian.org

Doxology Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow old hundredth

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below; praise him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Gost. Amen.

Presentation of Ambassador Emeritus to Scott Barnes Sandra O’Neal

Benediction

Postlude Matthew McCall Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ arr. mark sedio

Worship Notes

Leading worship today are: Rev. Jenny McDevitt, London Oana, Rev. John Cook, Lou Green, Rev. Molly Spangler, Chae Thames, Karl Heider, Emi Ohta, Marie Maynard, Lynn Kompass, Hayley shealy, Sandra O’Neal, Matthew McCall, and the Shandon Choral Scholars: Johnnie Felder, Dr. Jabarie Glass, Peter Haley, Andrew Mitchell, Jennifer Mitchell, Ashlee Poole, and Kelley Powell, under the direction of Dr. Alicia Walker.

The Call to Worship was written by Rev. Jenny McDevitt. The Prayer of Confession was written by Sara M. de Hall.

Today is World Communion Sunday. Celebrated on the first Sunday of October each year, World Communion Sunday strives to unite people of all Christian traditions around one practice we hold in common: celebrating the meal through which Jesus invites us to remember him — to take, eat, and remember; to take, drink, and remember. In remembering him, we remember how much we have in common, no matter how far flung our lives or our ideals. This call to unity is also a call to justice, however, for to truly be “one” is to work until all have both the freedom and the opportunity to find their place at the table.

FROM CREATIVE WORSHIP: On this day our communion table looks very different. Our more familiar elements are replaced with vessels and breads that represent the worldwide community of Christians joining together in the Holy Feast. Begun by Jesus with the remnants of a Passover meal which likely included bread and wine, today we join in this act with a broader sense of our siblings in the faith.

The magnificent kente cloth covering the communion table is from Ghana, Africa. It was a gift to Dr. Robert Walker, our church business administrator, while he was doing mission work in western Africa. He wore the kente cloth in Ghanaian style when he preached there. The stoles our pastors wear today are crafted from fabrics from Palestine, Ghana, and Guatamala.

From the corners of the earth to our local Publix, the baskets and vessels come together to hold the wheat stalks that become bread and grapes that become juice and wine. Even some of our created fish are included to represent the breadth of diverse cultures who dare to follow Christ. They gathered us together on Rally Day, now they gather us around the table.

Annoucements

OCTOBERFEST AT SHANDON. Four Sundays of fall fun and fellowship — mark your calendars now !

OCTOBER 4: BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS. Meet us on the church lawn with your (properly restrained) pet for a walk-through Blessing of the Animals from5-6:30 pm. If you aren’t able to come to Shandon today but would like a blessing for your pet, we will come to your home or offer a blessing via Zoom.

OCTOBER 11: DONUT WORRY, BE HAPPY. Enter the church parking lot from Woodrow Street for a multi-stage drive-through event! Munch on a donut while you chat with the pastors, write down your hopes and dreams for our church, and take photos, all while listening to Matt McCall on the piano. Come any time between 5-6:30 pm.

OCTOBER 18: TRIVIA TREASURE HUNT. Come park in the Shandon Lot beginning at 5 pm, when we’ll all tune to the same radio frequency. We’ll have a list of items and ideas along with some trivia questions; you come prepared to find creative ways to answer each challenge using whatever items you have in your car with you.

OCTOBER 25: OUTDOOR PRAYER SERVICE. Join us for our first in-person worship time together since March! We’ll gather on the Church Lawn for a 25 minute service at 5 pm. Advance registration, masks, and social distancing ar required. Partipation limited to 50 individuals. The same service will be repeated at 6 pm, if needed to ensure all who wish to participate may do so. Watch for registration information in the weeks to come.

HYMN STUDY: COMMUNITY THROUGH SONG. Explore some of our most loved hymns, focusing on scriptural connections, theological implications and the stories behind them in a 30-minute weekly class at 6 pm each Wednesday on Facebook. Join Matt McCall, director of music and organist, in the commentsportionofthevideotoaddyourownthoughts,askquestionsandfindcommunitythroughsong. In October, we will study these hymns: Oct. 7 “For Everyone Born,” Oct. 14 “Amazing Grace,” Oct. 21”O God, Our Help in Ages Past,” and Oct. 28, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.”

MEALS ON WHEELS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED. Meals on Wheels has resumed regular weekday deliveries, and volunteers are needed to deliver meals and make a friendly visit to seniors and people with disabilities. To sign up, contact Harriet McMaster at harrietmcmaster@gmail.com.

TIME FOR COFFEE. As we begin to get a taste of fall weather, it’s a great time to order from Shandon’s Just Coffee Program. Our mission partner Frontera de Cristo supports Cafe Justo, a fair trade cooperative in which the farmers own the entire line of production. A one-pound bag costs $10, all of which goes to the farmer. All coffee is organic and shade-grown. For selection and ordering, go to bit.ly/cafejusto, or contact Rowena Nylund at 803-252-7752 or Rnylund@sc.rr.com.

VISITING OUR SACRED SPACES. If you would like to spend some time in the Sanctuary, you may schedule a time to do so through Jess Joyner in the church office at 803-771-4408 or jjoyner@shandonpresbyterian.org.Therewillbeampletimebetweenappointmentstoallowforairflowandproper venting. The Sower’s Chapel will be arranged in a more intimate way with prayer stations.

ELECTION CONNECTION. The Outreach Ministry’s Peacemaking Committee has discerned that an important part of our mission is to encourage civic engagement among our congregation and in our community. “Election Connection” provides timely information about the election processes in our local counties, along with support and hospitality to our members and neighbors. For information about registering to vote, voting absentee or volunteering at the polls, go to www.shandonpresbyterian.org.

The Staff of Shandon Presbyterian ChurchRev. Jenny McDevitt, Senior Pastor

Rev. John Cook, Associate Pastor for DiscipleshipRev. Molly Spangler, Associate Pastor for Children, Youth, and Families

Tinsley Moise, Children’s Ministry AssistantMatthew McCall, Director of Music and Organist

Dr. Alicia Walker, Chancel Choir DirectorAshlee Poole, Youth Choir Director

Sally Tackett, Children’s Choir DirectorJohn Maynard, Handbell Director

Carol Ward, Communications CoordinatorDr. Robert Walker, Church Administrator

Jessica Joyner, Office ManagerCatherine Teal, Financial Manager

Sandie Stillinger, BookkeeperGerald Taylor, Sexton

Upcoming Worship at Shandon Presbyterian Church

Fall Sermon SeriesHoly Conversations

September 20 Talking About Suffering Rev. Jenny McDevitt

September 27 Talking About Unrest Rev. Brian Ellison, guest

October 4 Talking About Hunger Rev. Jenny McDevitt World Communion Sunday

October 11 Talking About Money Rev. Molly Spangler Baptism Sunday

October 18 Talking About Vision Rev. Jenny McDevitt Ordination of Officers

October 25 Talking About Accountability Rev. Jenny McDevitt Baptism Sunday

Stewardship Sermon SeriesAll Things New

November 1 Looking Back Rev. Jenny McDevitt All Saints’ Day

November 8 Looking Around Rev. Jenny McDevitt Confirmation Sunday

November 15 Looking to the Future Rev. Jenny McDevitt Dedication Sunday