Practical Rules for New Life

Sunday morning worship is livestreamed at 10:30 a.m. Watch here.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, August 8, 2021

Dear Friends in Christ –

I often speak of God’s serendipity. Well, here we are again - I get to preach this Sunday! Now some may be saying, “I didn’t know he wasn’t!” But some calendaring glitches came up and Rev. Stephen Popadich is unable to be here. My family will be returning from Pawleys Island on Saturday, and Sunday we’ll all reflect on the Apostle Paul’s practical exhortation to the Ephesians to live fresh in Jesus. 

In anticipation –

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UPDATED WORSHIP SAFETY GUIDELINES: Due to the rise in COVID-19 cases, the CDC is recommending indoor masking in public settings. Please be considerate of others, even if you have received the vaccination.

Interested in becoming a member of Second Presbyterian? Email Cress for more information and dates for upcoming new members classes.

Listen to sermon podcasts here. Click here to view all Second Presbyterian Church videos. Find upcoming events and announcements here.

Updated in-person worship guidelines for delta variant

Updated in-person worship guidelines:

Out of concern for those most vulnerable, we continue to follow CDC guidelines and current recommendations for indoor gatherings include social distancing and that face coverings be worn by all individuals.

Please wear a face mask and maintain social distancing while gathered for church, regardless of your vaccination status.

Thank you for your continued consideration.

New King Post

You may have seen the front page of the Post and Courier today featuring a picture of a crane and a lift allowing access to the top of the bell tower. The photo is of a new center king post being lowered into place yesterday at the top of the tower; a post that is 13 feet long and weighs about 400 pounds to replace the old post damaged by the fire from last year's lightning strike.

Watch footage of the installation of the new king post from August 4, 2021.

Click here and sign into Realm and go directly to the Steeple Fund.

Check on the progress of the Steeple Project here.

Day of Service: Clean up the Graveyard

Come clean up the graveyard on Saturday, September 4th from 9:30-11:00 a.m.

There are rakes and two mowers but if you can, please bring a rake, leaf bags, or a weed eater. Children are welcome- and we could use their help picking up sticks. Remember, many hands make light work, so let’s all pitch in!

Contact Rob or Dawn McCready for more information.

If you can't make it on Saturdays, there is always mowing or raking to be done as you are able. Please contact the church office or the McCready's with any questions.

Volunteer Opportunities - August 2021

CLICK ON VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES BELOW TO FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION.

Please volunteer your time in some way to an upcoming event or to serve on Sunday mornings. Find more event information here, support the work of Second online here, and contact Jordyn to find out more about how to get involved or to help coordinate future volunteer opportunities. Thank you!

Give to support Second Presbyterian Missions at www.2ndpc.org/give

Bulletin- August 1

THIS IS GOD'S HOUSE - ALL ARE WELCOME

 “Meeting people at their point of need, Inviting all into a dynamic relationship with Christ”

LET US KNOW YOU WORSHIPED WITH US TODAY - If you’re a visitor, online or in person, and would like more information please feel free to fill out a card or email Pastor Cress.

INFORMATION & ANNOUNCEMENTS

YOU CAN STILL GIVE TOWARD THE HANDS OF CHRIST SPECIAL OFFERING – Since 2003, Hands of Christ volunteers from Charleston-area PC(USA) churches have distributed school uniforms and supplies to children in grades K-8. Right now, suppliers are charging double the prices from past years, so your donations are even more important. Please join us in supporting this wonderful ministry through our special offering. Hands of Christ could not exist without your help. Mark checks for Hands of Christ or give online.                  

YOUTH EVENT – All rising 6th-12th graders are invited for some back-to-school fun at Charleston Fun Park on August 12th from 6-8pm. Members, visitors and friends welcome! Please RSVP by August 8th. 

BLESSING OF THE BACKPACKS – Sunday, August 15th we will have a blessing of the backpacks and end-of-summer celebration. All students, teachers and educators are encouraged to bring their bags to be prayed over for the new year.

S.T.E.P.S. – This presbytery-wide event is a wonderful opportunity for members and leaders to enrich their faith and understanding of the church. S.T.E.P.S. will take place August 27th and Saturday, August 28th.

RACE4WANZA – Sign up to join or support the 6th Doughnut Dash 5k walk/run on August 28th at 9:00 a.m.

SAVE THE DATE for Homecoming Sunday September 12th and Sunday School Kick-off September 19th.

THE STEEPLE PROJECT moves forward and fire damage repairs are underway. Read more about the details of the project here →

Second Presbyterian is a church community where you will be known and nurtured. Have a prayer request? Please let us know here. Interested in joining Second? Find more about becoming a member here.

And get connected! Join a small group here. While we may be practicing social distancing these days, there are still ways to be involved and to offer your time, talents, and resources in service to others. Please reach out to our Director of Community and Communications Jordyn Pritchard to get connected.

Watch Second Presbyterian services and videos on YouTube, like Second on Facebook, and stay connected by signing up for our emails which offer a snapshot of upcoming church and missions events and announcements.

Stop, Turn Aside, and See

Sunday morning worship is livestreamed at 10:30 a.m. Watch here.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, August 1, 2021

About a year ago I was working through the final stages of my ordination process and was required to write a sermon. I chose to write the sermon on this passage, arguably one of the most well-known stories in scripture, Moses and the burning bush. As I wrestled with the text and let the Holy Spirit guide, pay attention is the message that I kept hearing. God and Moses both pay attention in the text and I believe we are called here and now to pay attention. While discerning what text I would preach on for this week, I felt something stir and so I paid attention to that feeling.

Let us gather together this Sunday to hear a story we might be well acquainted with, paying attention to the new things the Spirit moves in us, and allow ourselves to stop, turn aside, and see. 

Grace and Peace –

Rev. Margaret Fleming

The Reverend Margaret Fleming is from Mount Pleasant, SC. She attended Columbia Theological Seminary and graduated in May 2020 and was ordained in Second's sanctuary on April 18, 2021. She is currently serving as a Chaplain Resident at Roper Hospital, downtown Charleston. She and her husband Will have been worshipping at Second since 2017.

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Interested in becoming a member of Second Presbyterian? There is an upcoming new members class. Email Cress for more information.

Listen to sermon podcasts here. Click here to view all Second Presbyterian Church videos. Find upcoming events and announcements here.

Bulletin- July 25

THIS IS GOD'S HOUSE - ALL ARE WELCOME

 “Meeting people at their point of need, Inviting all into a dynamic relationship with Christ”

LET US KNOW YOU WORSHIPED WITH US TODAY - If you’re a visitor, online or in person, and would like more information please feel free to fill out a card or email Pastor Cress.

INFORMATION & ANNOUNCEMENTS

We are excited to announce that Ken Carrington will be commissioned as Director of Children and Youth during the service. Children's Time and offering during worship will start back this week as well.

The nursery is still available for little ones, but we ask that those who can start out in the service to join us in worship until Children's Time, after which children 6 and under are welcome to go to the nursery. Children over the age of 3 are asked to wear a mask while indoors.

HANDS OF CHRIST SPECIAL OFFERING – Second Presbyterian has been a part of the Hands of Christ team since 2016, usually serving as the downtown distribution site, where we’ve greeted hundreds of children to pick out clothing and supplies before school starts. This year’s distribution will again be touchless and bags will be packed and delivered to the schools. Volunteer details to come later this summer. Please join us in supporting this wonderful ministry through our special offering this week. Hands of Christ could not exist without your help. More at www.2ndpc.org/give.

FOLLY GET-TOGETHER – Young professionals and families are invited to get together this Saturday, July 31st from 9-11am on Folly Beach at 9th Street West. Members, visitors, friends, and children all welcome.

YOUTH EVENT – All rising 6th-12th graders are invited for some back-to-school fun at Charleston Fun Park on August 12th from 6-8pm. Members, visitors and friends welcome! Contact Please contact Ken for details and RSVP by August 8th. 

 BLESSING OF THE BACKPACKS – Sunday, August 15th we will have a blessing of the backpacks and end-of-summer celebration. All students, teachers and educators are encouraged to bring their bags to be prayed over for the new year. Each person will receive a tag to place on their bag as a daily reminder of the love of God and their family at Second Pres. Immediately after the service we will celebrate with refreshments and popsicles on the portico! If you have any questions, please contact Aled Pritchard.

SAVE THE DATE for Homecoming Sunday September 12th and Sunday School Kick-off September 19th.

THE STEEPLE PROJECT moves forward and fire damage repairs are underway. Read more about the details of the project here →

Second Presbyterian is a church community where you will be known and nurtured. Have a prayer request? Please let us know here. Interested in joining Second? Find more about becoming a member here.

And get connected! Join a small group here. While we may be practicing social distancing these days, there are still ways to be involved and to offer your time, talents, and resources in service to others. Please reach out to our Director of Community and Communications Jordyn Pritchard to get connected.

Watch Second Presbyterian services and videos on YouTube, like Second on Facebook, and stay connected by signing up for our emails which offer a snapshot of upcoming church and missions events and announcements.

The Theology of Not Yet

Sunday morning worship is livestreamed at 10:30 a.m. Watch here.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, July 25, 2021

Dear Friends in Christ –

And God took Abram outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then God said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Abram believed the Lord, and God credited it to him as righteousness.

In the King James version of this text it reads, “Abram believed in the Lord…”

Over millennia this phrase has shaped three major faiths. Some have come to group them together into the Abrahamic faiths – Jewish, Christian and Muslim, contending that they all witness to the same God, but do they? Perhaps to the novel notion of a monotheistic God. But they exhibit a different way of expressing the relationship. For Jews, Abraham is the ancestor, the progenitor of a people living in the service of God. Rabbi Kushner writes, “believing is secondary to belonging.” For Muslims, Abraham is the symbol of unquestioning obedience. But for Christians Abraham is both and more – progenitor, one whose precepts must be obeyed, but who have been shown, as Paul said, “a more excellent way” – the way of love revealed in teaching and the life of Jesus. 

This Sunday we look at this text from 3000 years ago and live into our own faith in God’s promises – promises that we must believe, that we must live into if we are to be authentic followers of Jesus the Christ.

Ken Carrington is commissioned as Director of Children and Youth. We introduce elements of worship back into our service that can only be accomplished together in proximity, in trust and in joy. 

Stop by. Tune in. Let’s be the church navigating these new waters for and with Jesus. 

In anticipation –

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Interested in becoming a member of Second Presbyterian? Email Cress for more information and dates for upcoming new members classes.

Listen to sermon podcasts here. Click here to view all Second Presbyterian Church videos. Find upcoming events and announcements here.

God’s Ubiquitous Serendipity

Rev. Cress Darwin discusses many spiritual and practical matters on death and dying with friend and end of life doula, Claire O’Berry. Claire is a co-founder of Dying Your Way, which aims to promote, educate and provide practical solutions for people involved in the process of dying. The Dying Your Way podcast features conversations with leaders in the areas of healthcare and palliative care as well as physical, mental and spiritual well being.

Pastor Cress shares the unique perspective of a loving, inclusive community who were rocked by the senseless shooting at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in 2015. The power of forgiveness and the love of neighbors are lessons we can all apply to our own lives. He savors the topic of “God’s ubiquitous serendipity”, and how we are all called to be together; to forgive as we have been forgiven.

Back-to-School Youth Group Event

PIZZA & PUTT-PUTT

Thursday, August 12, 2021

6:00-9:00 p.m.

All rising 6th-12th graders are invited for some back-to-school fun Thursday, August 12 from 6:00-9:00pm. We'll meet in the fellowship hall for pizza and ride together with chaperones to play putt-putt at Charleston Fun Park. Drop off and pick up will be at the church in the fellowship hall. Please plan to wear a face mask while indoors in groups and while traveling together on the way to/from putt putt.

Members, visitors and friends welcome!

This youth group event is FREE, but please RSVP below. Contact Ken or Jordyn for more information. If you would be interested in helping chaperone this or other events, please let us know!

RSVP HERE

Bulletin- July 18

THIS IS GOD'S HOUSE - ALL ARE WELCOME

 “Meeting people at their point of need, Inviting all into a dynamic relationship with Christ”

LET US KNOW YOU WORSHIPED WITH US TODAY - If you’re a visitor, online or in person, and would like more information please feel free to fill out a card or email Pastor Cress.

INFORMATION & ANNOUNCEMENTS

IN HONOR OF TYWANZA SANDERS – More information for each event at www.2ndpc.org/events.

o   Camp Wanza Youth Entrepreneur Camp continues through July 23rd here at Second Pres.

o   Join us for the 6th annual birthday celebration in honor and memory of Tywanza Sanders on July 24th at 2pm here at Second Presbyterian Church. Everyone is welcome.

o   Sign up today for the Doughnut Dash 5k walk/run held at South Windemere on August 28th at 9am. The #Race4Wanza was created to memorialize Tywanza Sanders, the remarkable young man lost in the Mother Emanuel Church Massacre. 

THE STEEPLE PROJECT moves forward and fire damage repairs have begun this week! Many thanks to our general contractor Russell Smith and the Bell Tower Committee (Rob McCready, chair, Pat Mellen, Brad Milner, and Rev. Cress Darwin, ex-officio member) and Patterson Smith of the Finance Committee. Read more about the details of the project here →

HANDS OF CHRIST SPECIAL OFFERING – Second Presbyterian has been a part of the Hands of Christ team since 2016, usually serving as the downtown distribution site, where we’ve greeted hundreds of children to pick out clothing and supplies before school starts. This year’s distribution will again be touchless and bags will be packed and delivered to the schools. Volunteer details to come later this summer. Please join us in supporting this wonderful ministry through our special offering Sunday, July 25. Hands of Christ could not exist without your help. More at www.2ndpc.org/give.

NURSERY – The nursery is available again during worship from 10:15 until 11:45am, located at the end of the downstairs hallway of the education building. Children over the age of 3 are asked to wear a mask in both the service and the nursery. Children are always welcome in the service and a cry room is available to the left as you exit the sanctuary.

FOLLY BEACH GET-TOGETHER – Young professionals and families are invited to get together July 31st from 9-11am. Members, visitors, friends, and children all welcome. Details will be announced soon.

Second Presbyterian is a church community where you will be known and nurtured. Have a prayer request? Please let us know here. Interested in joining Second? Find more about becoming a member here.

And get connected! Join a small group here. While we may be practicing social distancing these days, there are still ways to be involved and to offer your time, talents, and resources in service to others. Please reach out to our Director of Community and Communications Jordyn Pritchard to get connected.

Watch Second Presbyterian services and videos on YouTube, like Second on Facebook, and stay connected by signing up for our emails which offer a snapshot of upcoming church and missions events and announcements.

Our Hope In Christ

Sunday morning worship is livestreamed at 10:30 a.m. Watch here.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, July 18, 2021

When we look at the world we live in today, we see a world divided, a world fractured with hostilities, and a lot of labeling of “right and wrong.” Our text for this week, Ephesians 2:11-22, is often given the heading “One in Christ,” for it is a scripture that reminds us that Christ reconciles us and unites us—to God’s own self and to one another. In the times and world we are living in now, I believe that this text reminds us of Christ, the peacemaker, reconciler, and unifier who extends to us an invitation to be active participants in the new humanity that he has created.

May we accept that invitation, today and always.

- Rev. Margaret Fleming

The Reverend Margaret Fleming is from Mount Pleasant, SC. She attended Columbia Theological Seminary and graduated in May 2020 and was ordained in Second's sanctuary on April 18, 2021. She is currently serving as a Chaplain Resident at Roper Hospital, downtown Charleston. She and her husband Will have been worshipping at Second since 2017.

NURSERY – The nursery is available again during worship from 10:15 until 11:45am, located at the end of the downstairs hallway of the education building. Children over the age of 3 are asked to wear a mask in both the service and the nursery. Children are always welcome in the service and a cry room is available to the left as you exit the sanctuary.

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Interested in becoming a member of Second Presbyterian? There is an upcoming new members class. Email Cress for more information.

Listen to sermon podcasts here. Click here to view all Second Presbyterian Church videos. Find upcoming events and announcements here.

The Steeple Project Moves Forward

Fire damage repairs have begun this week. Many thanks to our general contractor Russell Smith and the Bell Tower Committee (Rob McCready, chair, Pat Mellen, Brad Milner, and Rev. Cress Darwin, ex-officio member) and Patterson Smith of the Finance Committee.

The Steeple Fund grew as an initiative out of the Mixed Adults Sunday School Class at the end of 2019 to repair the stucco and paint the bell tower. Funds were raised and cleaning began in February 2020 and the project has since come to span a global pandemic and a lightning strike.

Since the bell tower was struck by lightning April 19, 2020, the scope of the project grew exponentially to include close work with our insurance company, the city, the Fire Marshall and all the permitting and contractor specifics required before work could commence. We are grateful for the continued progress, the long work of the committee and we recognize God's grace along the way. Thankfully, insurance will cover repairs sustained from the lightning strike and fire and many members of the congregation and community have given to support the Steeple Fund along the way.

Second Presbyterian is doing the work we are called to do, work that includes being stewards of this particular house of God, and the beautiful sanctuary where we get to come together to worship. If you would like to contribute toward the preservation of Second Presbyterian Church, PCUSA's Historic Site #1, and the many ways in which God is working through this particular place, please donate to the Bell Tower Steeple Fund online, in the offering plate, or deliver your donations to the church office.

Read more about the history of the building here.

Click here and sign into Realm and go directly to the Steeple Fund.

Check on the progress of the Steeple Project here.

Hands of Christ 2021 Update

Thank you for your support of Hands of Christ. The validated ministry of the Charleston Atlantic Presbytery has served over 60,000 children since 2003 with new school uniforms and school supplies at the start of the academic year. Second Presbyterian Church has been a part of the Hands of Christ team since 2016, serving as the downtown distribution site, where we’ve greeted hundreds of children and their families for two afternoons in early August. Due to the pandemic last year, the distribution became touchless, with schools submitting orders, which were in packed in bags by the Hands of Christ operations team then delivered by members of Second and First (Scots).

This year, as most children will not be vaccinated, we will again be using the same system; but we hope to expand our coverage to more schools. Hands of Christ could not exist without your help. Funding comes from donations, primarily from our member churches and individuals. Please join us in supporting this wonderful ministry through our special offering Sunday, July 25, 2021.

Stay tuned for more details later in the summer. We’ll need volunteers to pick up the bagged clothing and deliver it to schools in the downtown area. In addition, this fall Hands of Christ hopes to create a stronger partnership between our area churches and their schools in their communities. Last year, a great need for winter coats was identified. Other needs may include clothing for a school clothes closet, sweaters, shoes, belts, Bibles, grade-appropriate leisure reading books and hygiene supplies. Individual churches may hold drives for their local schools if they are able, and we may conduct Presbytery-wide collections for the items to supplement local efforts. 

Thank you in advance, and thank you for supporting the Hands of Christ offering on Sunday, July, 25, 2021.