Lent Devotional 4: When Words Fail

When Words Fail
Luke 19:28-42

Have you ever sent an email or a text message that someone read in a way you didn’t intend? Sometimes our words are ambiguous, or shrouded by double-meaning, or sometimes we project a tone that we don’t mean to convey. Other times, we just don’t have the words…

My words fail me most when I try to express my sympathies. Everyone has that day in their life when their world stood still; maybe it was the death of a loved one, the unexpected rejection of a loved one or a dream job, or maybe you got life-altering news from the doctor. Did anyone say anything to you to make that life-shattering moment better? Or instead, was there a friend who came over and brought some comfort food and a listening ear?

My wife loves home improvement; we’re always fixing things around the house. So on the day when we had our life-altering moment, my first instinct was to fix it. I offered solutions, I tried to find a reason for the tragedy, and I looked for something I could control, to keep it from happening again. When I saw how fruitless this was, my wife made it clear to me that she didn’t need any fixing or input. I just needed to listen.

In Luke 19, Jesus arrived in Jerusalem as a King in unorthodox form, on a colt with no saddle. Many were appalled by His apparent pride, especially the Pharisees, and they asked Jesus to rebuke those worshipping him like a god. But his reply was that of fact, not pride: “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” Whether his enemies knew it or not, Jesus was God, and no words could alter this fact. He then wept for the city that wouldn’t listen to His words, that would choose to kill Him rather than receive Him.

Our world is full of distractions: Our phone buzzes every time someone calls, our watch vibrates when we’ve been sitting too long, our tablet dings when we get an email. These are indeed wonderful inventions that help us maintain connections with our friends and family, but how often does it help us listen to the Lord? If we make a sincere effort to listen in this season of Lent, we can receive Him in a new light. Maybe that means turning off the devices for a few minutes, or going to the beach for a walk, or sitting alone in a quiet place. When we can truly listen and receive the Lord, we’ll find comfort and rest when words fail.

- Dan Tenpas

Sunday Bulletin - March 27

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

Are you looking for a church home where you can make a difference for the God we serve? Where you belong and you will be known, nurtured, challenged?  We welcome you and invite you to spend some time with us.

MASKS ARE NOT REQUIRED during worship as of March 2, 2022. Find out more about worship guidelines and COVID mitigation efforts here.

6-WEEK LENT SMALL GROUPS information here.

THE BELL TOWER REPAIRS – Read more about the repairs and details of the project here. And give toward the Steeple Fund 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. 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.

Easter Lilies

Easter lilies are now available for order for $15 each. If you would like to make a donation this Easter season to honor a loved one or to the glory of God, please complete the order form below and submit your total donation online, place in the offering plate on Sunday, or deliver it to the church office.

Forms must be submitted by Wednesday, April 13, 2022 in order for memorials to be published.

Easter Lilies Order Form

"Izness"

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m. in-person, following CDC guidelines, and live streamed here.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, March 27, 2022

The Preservation of Truth
The 4th of the 6 Great(!) – emphasis mine:) – Ends of the Church

Dear Friends in Christ –

Are you aware of the term absolute modifiers? Absolute modifiers are adjectives and adverbs that shouldn't be compared or modified because they have an absolute quality such as complete, perfect, final, total. Here’s an example – the word perfect means "having no room for improvement." I would add truth – that which is true.

In our public discourse it has been suggested that some things, some statements, some occasions offer an alternate truth. Don’t buy it. Don’t buy into it. 

The Apostle Paul offered this to the people of Philippi: "Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies."

This Sunday we approach, and we seek, God’s harmony. We’re better together –

See you in worship!

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This Lenten season we are exploring joy through sermon and study.

Rev. Darwin will lead us through the Six Great Ends of the Church as we explore the great joy of doing church together in our sermon series Doin' Church.

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Please worship from home if you are exhibiting any COVID-like symptoms, are aware of an exposure, or have been asked by a school or other institution to quarantine or isolate.

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.

Lent Devotional 3: Mediocrity for the Win

Mediocrity for the Win: Psalm 19

I’ll confess that I don’t even like the title for this devotional. I tried several times to come up with something else that wouldn’t make it look like I even knew how to think about or understood “mediocrity!” I’ll admit upfront that I’m competitive; I like to win. I like to do things right - the first time. I like for others to at least think that I know what I’m doing or good at what I do. 

I love to cook. I enjoy working in the kitchen with friends, preparing a wonderful meal, sharing stories and tasting as we add ingredients and spices. And the best part of all is serving up a meal for family, friends and strangers who sit at table together to enjoy a great meal! But don’t ask me for a recipe, because at best that’s where I started but it's nowhere close to where I end up. Afterall, if I followed the recipe, someone might see that I missed an ingredient or skipped a step in the process. They may expect it to taste one way and it end up very different! 

I love my woodworking. I am taken deep into my memories and cherish the thoughts of carrying on the craft that my father taught me years ago. When I smell the sawdust and fresh-cut wood in my shop, it is much like a balm to my soul and healing to my spirit. When someone asks me to make them a piece of furniture, I tell them that if they can find me a picture of something they like and give me the dimensions of what they want that I should be able to make them a nice piece. But you would be hard-pressed to find a plan with measurements, markings, instructions for how to build a cabinet, table or shelf just like the one in the picture. I’ve tried to make something “just like that” and it has never worked for me. So don’t send me a detailed plan - because I’d not want to disappoint you and make something that didn’t measure up to the plan or to what you really wanted from me. 

But tell me what you might like in the kitchen and then get out of the way and let me look and smell my way through the spice cabinet to come up with something that I’m pretty sure you’d enjoy. Tell me what kind of furniture or piece you’d like from my woodshop, step out of the way and let me be creative and work with the wood that is in front of me. Either way, kitchen or woodshop, when I trust in my own creativity; when I work with what I have available to me and use the gifts I have, I trust it will result in something pretty amazing - even if it might not measure up to the world’s standards. 

My challenge is to embrace and use the gifts entrusted to me by the Spirit. Your challenge is to do the same. And if indeed we use our gifts to add to God’s wonderful creation, then it will most certainly be “Mediocrity for the Win!” 

- William M Jewell

Sunday Bulletin - March 20

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

Are you looking for a church home where you can make a difference for the God we serve? Where you belong and you will be known, nurtured, challenged?  We welcome you and invite you to spend some time with us.

MASKS ARE NOT REQUIRED during worship as of March 2, 2022. Find out more about worship guidelines and COVID mitigation efforts here.

6-WEEK LENT SMALL GROUPS information here.

WALK FOR WATER – Join us for the 2022 Walk for Water on Saturday, March 26th at 9 a.m. at Riverfront Park in N. Charleston. Together, we will raise funds and awareness to fight the global water crisis by building safe water solutions for people in need around the world.

THE BELL TOWER REPAIRS – Read more about the repairs and details of the project here. And give toward the Steeple Fund 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. 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.

Orthodox Worship

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m. in-person, following CDC guidelines, and live streamed here.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, March 20, 2022

Dear Friends in Christ –

This week: Maintenance of Divine Worship. Orthodoxy... but it's not what you think.

There is a right way to worship and it is through orthodoxy – “ortho” meaning right, and “doxia” meaning praise. That's it.

In the years of the Reformation, one of the fathers of this denomination, John Calvin, looked around and realized that there were many groups who would call themselves Christian, so how was one to know? He came up with this:the true church is where the word of God is rightly preached, and the sacraments administered according to Christ’s institution.

See you in worship –

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This Lenten season we are exploring joy through sermon and study.

Rev. Darwin will lead us through the Six Great Ends of the Church as we explore the great joy of doing church together in our sermon series Doin' Church.

A Lenten devotional reflection is published on Mondays and there are small group times for devotion and discussion throughout the week based on a selection of Kate Bowler's Good Enough devotions. Find out more about the devotional study groups here.

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Please worship from home if you are exhibiting any COVID-like symptoms, are aware of an exposure, or have been asked by a school or other institution to quarantine or isolate.

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.

Lent Devotional 2: When Good Things Become Burdens

When Good Things Become Burdens

In the past several months, I have been working from this idea of pursuing practices that simply fit in order to create a life that fits me just right, like Goldie Locks. How beautiful to think that God wants to help us create a life, filled with practices that simply fit us like the perfect glove. Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie in Good Enough remind us that when we invite God into our lives, God can help us create the kind of life that fits. They write, “The little habits we create with God’s guidance will actually be made to fit us. Fit me. Fit you. The particular you, in this particular moment” (Bowler and Richie, p. 47).

The Lenten practice of giving something up or putting something on is designed, not to make us feel guilty if/when we do not accomplish it 100%, it is instead an intentional act of creating space to rely on God. This season of Lent, I chose to put on a practice that fit neatly into my life and is reminding me to rely on God.

I am looking for joy in my everyday ordinary life, letting it unveil the Divine in my midst, I then write about it. This practice did not require me to fundamentally alter anything in my life, it simply requires a little shift of perspective and the intention of sitting down and documenting it. God knew I needed a practice that would fit into my life, fit me by providing me with joyful opportunities to rely even more fully on God’s provision. It doesn’t feel like a burden, in fact it has been incredibly life-giving. Just like our authors assured me a practice co-designed with God would. And it is, by the grace of God, good enough.

- Margaret Fleming

You can keep up with Margaret’s Lenten practice on her blog at theversatilegirl.com/lent2022.

These weekly Lenten emails are reflections based on a selection of Kate Bowler's Good Enough devotions. 

A devotional reflection will be published each Monday during Lent. If you would like to receive devotionals and weekly updates please make sure you sign up for our email list. Join a "Good Enough" Lent devotion small group for discussion of these themes and other group devotions.

•      Midweek: 

Wednesday discussion group on Zoom at 8:00 p.m.

•      Sundays at 9:30 a.m.: 

Adults in the downstairs classroom with Sue & Aled

Youth "donuts and devotions" up in the conference room with Jordyn

Sunday Bulletin - March 13

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

Are you looking for a church home where you can make a difference for the God we serve? Where you belong and you will be known, nurtured, challenged?  We welcome you and invite you to spend some time with us.

MASKS ARE NOT REQUIRED during worship as of March 2, 2022. Find out more about worship guidelines and COVID mitigation efforts here.

6-WEEK LENT SMALL GROUPS information here.

WALK FOR WATER – Join us for the 2022 Walk for Water on Saturday, March 26th at 9 a.m. at Riverfront Park in N. Charleston. Together, we will raise funds and awareness to fight the global water crisis by building safe water solutions for people in need around the world.

THE BELL TOWER REPAIRS – Read more about the repairs and details of the project here. And give toward the Steeple Fund 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. 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.

A Place Where Everybody Knows Your Name

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m. in-person, following CDC guidelines, and live streamed here.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, March 13, 2022

Great Ends of the Church #2:
Shelter, Nurture, and Spiritual Fellowship of the Children of God

”Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.”

Philippians 2:1-5

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Dear Friends in Christ –

Embedded in the Preliminary Principles section of the Book of Order is the church’s basic mission statement that has the capacity to shape faith and faithfulness in every expression of the church.

All God’s promises were made to God’s people – plural. All the New Testament epistles address Christians in churches. The Bible simply doesn’t know of the existence of an individual isolated Christian. We are better together. We grow, serve, worship and reach out better together.

Through our efforts to shelter and nurture each other we may come to enjoy the fellowship of the Spirit and become blessed. A blessed church is a healthy church, uniquely grounded in a relationship with God that allows blessings to flow through it.

The world is watching. Jesus gave the world the right to judge the authenticity of our faith by how much we love one another. We prove our faith not by the rules we keep, but by the love we give to God’s people, i.e. everybody.  

Let’s do church.

In anticipation –

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This Lenten season we are exploring joy through sermon and study.

Rev. Darwin will lead us through the Six Great Ends of the Church as we explore the great joy of doing church together in our sermon series Doin' Church.

A Lenten devotional reflection is published on Mondays and there are small group times for devotion and discussion throughout the week based on a selection of Kate Bowler's Good Enough devotions. Find out more about the devotional study groups here.

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Please worship from home if you are exhibiting any COVID-like symptoms, are aware of an exposure, or have been asked by a school or other institution to quarantine or isolate.

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.

Helping our neighbors in Ukraine

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is the refugee and disaster response program of the PC(USA). You can find out more information at pda.pcusa.org and respond to natural disasters and other crises with your prayers and by donating directly.

If you’d like to support Second Presbyterian’s missions you can do so here.

PRESBYTERIAN DISASTER ASSISTANCE RESPONSE IN UKRAINE

As the violence continues, the number of people being displaced internally and fleeing to neighboring countries increases by the day. The first priority at PDA is to provide funding to partners on the ground; sibling churches and ecumenical partners who are already providing assistance with basic items for survival. Funds are being used for emergency humanitarian aid such as food items, shelter, medicines, diapers, hygiene items, etc. Join us in praying for a peaceful solution and an end to the violence.

Lent Devotional 1: Regula

Lent is the time leading up to Easter, a season where many of us tend to welcome tradition and the spiritual formation associated with ritual. Or maybe we acquiesce or even bristle at the notion of practicing Lent.

I have come to really appreciate the rhythms of church calendar, these built-in reminders to contemplate, celebrate and remember together, but the truth is I'm an "ordinary time" person. All the traditions can feel burdensome and I perpetually tend toward the contemplative so I find it more fulfilling to focus on the "why" and less on the to dos that can often feel like "shoulds" and "oughts", which feel suffocating to me. Let's cut to the chase and let go of all the frills.

Kate Bowler's framing of Lent as a time the Church comes together to all tell the truth, starting with the raw honesty of Ash Wednesday, feels so freeing and honest. Her "good enough" approach to Lent is my kind of approach to a season because I gave up on perfection long ago. I remember a specific time in middle school. And again when I became a parent. And definitely when I had twins, and then again last week, and probably again before I see you on Sunday. The truth, as Bowler puts it, is that "the world is beautiful, meaningful, difficult, and challenging." Life is hard- for all of us and we need each other for it.

Bowler reminds us that "our spiritual selves need encourage­ment. We need community. We need a hot minute alone. And we need a regula." Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen... wait, what? A regula, a rule of life, "is simply a regular pattern of activities that becomes more valuable over time because its structure creates a space for good things." Whether you are fueled by these ritual seasons or find them burdensome, I hope you'll find the "good enough" in it. Recognize the urge to change something, or begin a practice, or open your eyes to the joy and good around you. Find quiet or sit in prayer, be present in your relationships or simply commit to paying attention. Spiritual practices may not be a guarantee of spiritual growth, “but somehow and sometimes, God shows up." We open ourselves up to that mystery when we practice what scripture offers us and is found in Church tradition... when we do church together.

With or without a 40-day practice, the "why" of the season reminds us to leave room in our daily life for God to show up. Joy may be abundant or joy may sustain us, but joy is always available to us. What joy there is just in the knowledge that there is good to be found if we simply open our eyes to it. God is here with us when joy is abundant, and God is here with us in our suffering, pain, grief and despair. May the joy find and sustain you this week.

-Jordyn Pritchard

These weekly Lenten emails are reflections based on a selection of Kate Bowler's Good Enough devotions. 

A devotional reflection will be published each Monday during Lent. If you would like to receive devotionals and weekly updates please make sure you sign up for our email list. Join a "Good Enough" Lent devotion small group for discussion of these themes and other group devotions.

•      Midweek: 

Wednesday discussion group on Zoom at 8:00 p.m.

•      Sundays at 9:30 a.m.: 

Adults in the downstairs classroom with Sue & Aled

Youth "donuts and devotions" up in the conference room with Jordyn

Sunday Bulletin - March 6

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

Are you looking for a church home where you can make a difference for the God we serve? Where you belong and you will be known, nurtured, challenged?  We welcome you and invite you to spend some time with us.

MASKS ARE NOT REQUIRED during worship as of March 2, 2022. Find out more about worship guidelines and COVID mitigation efforts here.

6-WEEK LENT SMALL GROUPS information here.

CHURCH OFFICER RECOMMENDATIONS OPEN – Please prayerfully recommend members by Sunday, March 6th for the upcoming slate of Church Officers.

WALK FOR WATER – Join us for the 2022 Walk for Water on Saturday, March 26th at 9 a.m. at Riverfront Park in N. Charleston. Together, we will raise funds and awareness to fight the global water crisis by building safe water solutions for people in need around the world.

SUPPORT SECOND – You can support Second Pres whenever you shop on Amazon. Use the link: bit.ly/2ndpcsmile or choose to support “Second Presbyterian Church” at smile.amazon.com and Amazon will automatically donate to Second Presbyterian with each purchase you make.

THE BELL TOWER REPAIRS – Read more about the repairs and details of the project here. And give toward the Steeple Fund 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. 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.

Tellin' It

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m. in-person, following CDC guidelines, and live streamed here.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, March 6, 2022

Dear Friends in Christ –

The title of the Lenten Series is Doin’ Church. Years ago here at Second Church we imagined what it would look like if we were to stop coming to church and concentrate on being the church. We are in such a state of flux. Pandemic metrics fall, then rise, then morph. Thugs launch war. Inflation skyrockets. Markets lurch. And as was, is and shall be, God is with us.

The intention was that we should all stop just going to church and discover together the great joy of being church. This year I propose that we take the next step together and do church.

We have a story to tell and good news to share – not for the edification, enjoyment or diversion of the world, but for the reclamation and restoration of all God’s created.

As of this week, face masks are no longer required. There are also options for study at 9:30 a.m. Youth and adults will start a Good Enough Lenten study engaging the world as it is -- beautiful, meaningful, difficult, and challenging. Come share in the joy of gathering together.

See you Sunday for communion!

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Watch full communion service here.

This Lenten season we are exploring joy through sermon and study.

Rev. Darwin will lead us through the Six Great Ends of the Church as we explore the great joy of doing church together in our sermon series Doin' Church.

A Lenten devotional reflection are published on Mondays and there are small group times for devotion and discussion throughout the week based on a selection of Kate Bowler's Good Enough devotions. Find out more about the devotional study groups here.

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CHURCH OFFICER RECOMMENDATIONS – Please prayerfully recommend members by Sunday, March 6th for the upcoming slate of Church Officers.

Please worship from home if you are exhibiting any COVID-like symptoms, are aware of an exposure, or have been asked by a school or other institution to quarantine or isolate.

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.

"A Good Enough Lent" Small Groups

There will be multiple ways to engage our Lenten devotions this year! Devotional reflection emails will be published on Mondays (sign up here) and there will be Sunday and midweek small groups based on a selection of Kate Bowler's Good Enough devotions.

Join the midweek time of devotion and discussion on Zoom

Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m.

March 9 through April 13

“GOOD ENOUGH” SMALL GROUPS

WEDNESDAYS ON ZOOM at 8:00 p.m. | SUNDAYS 9:30 a.m.

A 6-week Lenten study engaging the world as it is -- beautiful, meaningful, difficult, and challenging. This intergenerational adult group is offered beginning March 6, 2022 during the Sunday school hour before church at 10:30 a.m. or Wednesday evenings at 8:00 p.m. on Zoom. Books will be available but you can order your own copy of Good Enough if you would like to follow along on your own throughout the week.

CONTACT: Jordyn Pritchard

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