See Yourself as Sent

SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, February 23, 2020

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Dear Friends in Christ – 

    Second Presbyterian Church is not the place it was five, ten,  fifteen, fifty years ago– or even last year. With every passing season, our congregation, community and culture changes. Many of the goals set during the previous years have been achieved to one extent or another. We also have discovered new gifts and talents that are finding their place in our ministry. Since the church is a dynamic body with a dynamic relationship with God, it is easy to see that if we are wise, we continually seek discernment. And so: this weekend with Stan Ott. 

    I’ve been aware of Rev. Dr. E. Stanley Ott for years encountering him at conferences, reading his articles, listening to his podcast. Stan has over thirty years of first-hand knowledge of the hard work and challenges that lead to the blessings of being a transformational congregation. He has served three vibrant congregations and is President of Leading Moments ®, LLC and founder of the Vital Churches Institute. His passion is the transformation of the local church and the encouragement of those who follow Jesus. He recently led a number of local churches through the Acts 15:6 Initiative. “So the churches were strengthened in faith and increased in numbers daily.”    

    A hallmark of this Initiative is the fact that Stan is a Pastor and teaches with a Pastor’s heart. His concern is not the ego of pastors or members, but instead the vitality and spiritual growth of congregations. He truly believes that while there are things about a church that may not be working, we must honor who we are and what the past has taught us while boldly stepping into the future into which the Spirit is leading. 

    Second Church, we’re in for a treat this weekend. We have a guest, we have a teacher, a preacher - a specialist for Jesus. 

  • This evening the Deacons and Elders meet. 

  • Tomorrow everyone’s invited

  • Sunday Rev. Ott will teach Sunday School and preach – the text is Matthew 9:36-10:5a “See Yourself as Sent”

    What an opportunity we have to listen, learn, question and celebrate God’s continued blessing and calling of the Second Presbyterian Church of Charleston and it’s Suburbs.

    I invite everyone to come. We have our challenges which we acknowledge, and we have this opportunity to hear from an objective servant of the living God to aid us in discernment and planning.   

    Please take advantage of this moment for our church.

In great anticipation, 

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Laying a Foundation

SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, February 16, 2020

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Dear Friends in Christ – 

This week we enter into the new church in Corinth.  Paul writes as reports get back to him that the church has begun to see early disagreements and questions about what it really means to be a follower of Jesus.  

Some of these question remain in the church in 2020. It seems to point to the fact that it was and never will be easy to be a follower of Christ.  But we press on, knowing how our lives have changed and knowing that we are called to plant the word of God across our nation and our world.

Please join me on Sunday as we press forward together!

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Salt and Light

SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, February 9, 2020

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Dear Friends in Christ – 

Last week we spoke of blessedness, as in who was blessed and why – were they really fortunate? 

In reality, it wasn’t what identified them, but who. Jesus gave an extensive and surprising list of folks, most of whom one wouldn’t have automatically put on the ‘lucky ‘list. But the thread common to each was something that positioned them among God’s favored -  a yearning, a paucity, a humbling need that could be sated by Godly care. (What we get to do!)

This week Christ continues to tell us who we are – not what we must do, or who we should be, but who we are in actuality. Who we are in service to and created for God’s work – we are salt and we are light. We preserve. We give flavor. We illuminate and lead the way powered by God’s Spirit and engineered to run on God (as CS Lewis would say). 

James Earl will be baptized. The Second Presbyterian Kindergarten will parade and sing. Jesus will be lifted up and worshipped. We’ll share lunch and know the joy of our Christ!

Swell day - See you Sunday!

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Close to the Heart of God

SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, February 2, 2020

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Dear Friends in Christ – 

Books are written, TED talks given, and sermons preached on ‘happiness’. What is it? Where do we find it? How can we sustain it? Which algorithms can we employ? 

Jesus begins his manifesto, his seminal teaching, with an aggregate, it seems, of teachings that Matthew has gathered. 

He begins with a series of statements that describe those who are ‘blessed”. To review this list you would hardly imagine these people to be ‘happy’. So what is Matthew reporting? What does Jesus mean as he lists the blessed: those who mourn, who are meek, who hunger and thirst; but then goes on to list others who are merciful, who seek peace, and who profess his name even at risk of harm?

He is describing those who are close to the heart of God. 

This Sunday we share communion and we share a celebration of one of our favorites, and surely God’s. Together we get to celebrate the service and the sweetness of Miss Annie and commission her for the next stage in her life. 

We’ll sing, we’ll pray, we’ll worship the God we profess and who claims us. What a great day coming – see you in worship!

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The On-Going Call

SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, January 26, 2020

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Dear Friends in Christ – 

Jesus is at it again this week – assembling ‘the team’. Last week two men already in the system of discipleship – followers of John – were released to Jesus. Then this week, Jesus secures two more simply by invitation. The two men lay down the tools of their trade, and without consultation with or permission from their colleagues or families, they follow. 

I don’t know if we ever really consider how radical that would be – to lay down your pen, your hammer, your chalk, your soufflé pan, your car keys and… follow Jesus. 

Would that even be possible these days? or would we be followed ourselves and be restrained? 

Last week I invited you to ‘come and see’ all that the Spirit is doing at and through Second Presbyterian. This week let’s imagine together what it might look like to walk with God. 

Invite everyone you know. We have work to do!  

In anticipation –

 
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Annual Church Oyster Roast

 
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The annual community-wide Oyster Roast is Saturday, February 29th from noon to 2:00 p.m.

Join us in the park in front of the church for oysters, chili, and hotdogs! Invite your friends and neighbors and please bring a side or dessert if you can. $10/adults, $5/children, $25/family max (or what you can afford).

Come and See 2020

SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, January 19, 2020

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Dear Friends in Christ – 

In the middle of the last century forces converged to enable a Kairos moment – a critical juncture, a divine appointment in time, an intervention. It took global forces. It was accomplished by non-violence by individuals who were courageous and called. 

Martin Luther King, Jr. would be 91 years old had he lived. Monday will be the day set aside by the nation to honor his legacy and to summon us back to the continuing work of living out the scripture mandate to love all people. 

Let’s set aside continuing wars and the stench of partisan political rancor. 

Let’s gather to hear of God’s call to Samuel and of Christ’s invitation by the Galilee to Peter and Andrew. Let's explore how we too are summoned by the Ashley for this critical juncture in our lives and our lives together.

I hope to see you in worship - 

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Ancestry...

SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, January 12, 2020

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Dear Friends in Christ – 

How many of you have taken the plunge, sent in the swab to possibly discover something new or someone unexpected perched in your family tree?

Tomorrow we accompany Jesus into the muddy waters of the Jordan and emerge with him as new creations. 

What we will become at Christ’s side will be revealed each day. But who and whose we are is constant, is part of our DNA. We are God’s beloved. 

What does that mean? Let’s discover together.

For you who were here this past Sunday, you have a shot at perfect attendance. For everyone else, .500 ain’t bad.      

Come be a part of these exciting times in the realm of God through Second Church.

See you in worship!

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What You Need to Know to Best Tend to the Graveyard

 
photo c/o Chris Mai

photo c/o Chris Mai

 

It is a great blessing to have so many members involved in the upkeep of our graveyard. Thank you to all who have expressed the interest and desire to help maintain and clean up this sacred space.  

  1. YARD BAGS TAKEN CURBSIDE TO ELIZABETH ST.

  2. NO PRUNING WITHOUT APPROVAL  

  3. NO BLEACH

Beautify the Yard Day gatherings are hosted the third weekend of each month in 2020. Sign up for Beautify the Yard Days here. You are invited to join the group to help beautify and maintain the churchyard on those Saturday mornings or Sunday afternoons, but you are welcome to weed or rake leaves in the graveyard any day of the week. We have a large graveyard with many deciduous trees, so there are always leaves to rake, paths to weed, and a side yard to mow. Feel free to bring a rake and some leaf bags (or stop by the church office to be directed to equipment), but note that leaf bags need to be brought curbside around to the sidewalk along the wall on Elizabeth Street.

The Graveyard Task Force has asked that any pruning be cleared by Jennie Harding or Sue Henderson. 

  • Flowering trees and shrubs should only be pruned immediately after blooms fall. 

  • Camellias should rarely be pruned. 

  • Hydrangeas, Cassia, tea olive, boxwood and azaleas can be pruned, but care should be taken not to remove blooms that are “set”.  The rule of thumb for hydrangeas:  they may be cut from April to August. 

Also, please be mindful not to use bleach if cleaning headstones. We recommend D/2 Biological Solution, a cleaner that will not harm the stones nor the plants nearby--though some of the lichens and mosses can kill surrounding grass and plants as they die off the stone. D/2 cleans the stone from the outside in and will continue cleaning for up to a year.

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D/2 can be used on all wood, stone, masonry, metal, vinyl, and roofing surfaces to safely resolve the problem of staining and soiling, which contribute significantly to the degradation and disfiguring of structures. D/2 is what is used to clean the Statue of Liberty and Arlington Cemetery!

There is a “No Scrub/No Rinse Method” and an “Immediate Results Method” for D/2 which can be employed as need be. Details can be found here.

For more information on helping around the church property, please contact Rob McCready or the church office.

MIDWEEK BIBLE STUDIES

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Midweek Bible Studies

Tuesdays * Wednesdays * Fridays

Midweek Bible Studies return the week of January 12th! Different groups meet upstairs in the conference room throughout the week for bible studies and fellowship. You are encouraged to join a small group. You don't have to be there every week to benefit and contribute. 

  • Women’s Morning Bible Study – Now on Tuesdays!! Join a group of moms for a weekly bible study on Tuesdays at 9:00 a.m. upstairs in the conference room. The group is going through the Beth Moore study Entrusted: A Study of 2 Timothy. There is no required “homework” for this group; you can be just as involved even if you don’t have the time to commit outside of the class to read the book. Contact Mary Driver for more information.

  • Women's Bible Study – This group meets on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. in the conference room. You are welcome to join these ladies studying Trustworthy by Lysa Terkeurst. Please contact Sue Henderson for more info.

  • Men's Bible Study – A group of men will be meeting early Friday mornings at 6:00 a.m. to read and discuss Rob Bell’s Velvet Elvis. Please contact Aled Pritchard if you are interested.

  • Young Professionals Group soon!

Please contact Sarah or Cress if you are interested in a joining or leading a bible study group!

Are We Good Neighbors?

SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, January 5, 2020

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Dear Friends in Christ – 

A number of people with whom I’ve spoken are eager to leave 2019 in the past. We’ve had our challenges but/and (I love conjunctions) our opportunity is before us.

Our joy, if we claim it, is what we get to do in obedience and in God’s purpose.

Someone told me last week that Charleston needs this church - not another church, but this one that you and I serve - our calling and our privilege. 

This Sunday we begin at the beginning with the Gospel of John.

“The Word was made flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood.”  -John 1:14, The Message

Are we good neighbors?

See you Sunday!
God’s peace and laughter –

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Called Back Into a Whole Relationship with God

SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, December 29, 2019

Dear Friends in Christ – 

From the very beginning of scripture we see a story of our God calling us back into a whole relationship with Him. He brings His people time and time again from places where power and darkness have us enslaved, into something with a redeeming power. Just as he brought both the Israelites and Jesus out of Egypt into new life and new ministry.
 
He calls us now, as people, as a church, out of that which keeps us enslaved and into a new place. He has always healed the wounds of His people and will continue to do so.
 
Looking forward to worshiping the new born King this Sunday with you all!

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