Sunday Bulletin - May 29

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.

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.

How Long?

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

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, May 29, 2022

Dear Friends in Christ –

For 154 years a day has been set aside to honor those who have fallen in defense of our nation. This year is no exception. But this year for the first time in decades our nation is not engaged in an overt war though across the globe women and men serve in advisory positions and train national forces to care for themselves.

How strange and how tragic to find ourselves in deadly domestic battles of ideology that play out in destructive ways resulting in death of innocents. When seeds of hate find fertile ground on media platforms that don’t demand responsibility nor truth and evade culpability, life itself and our way of living is compromised.

The prophet Habakkuk asked, “How long, Lord, must I call for help but you do not listen?”

It may feel like that now. Feelings are real, but not necessarily based on what we know be true. Our watchful God is present each moment and attentive to our needs.

On this Memorial Day, let us honor those who have fallen in defense of our nation, and those who have fallen through no fault of their own trusting that the God of the cosmos is the God of each moment and the lover of each of us.

As we look through a dimly lit mirror, let us access the clarity of God’s illimitable grace together.

 

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.

Source: sermons

Keeping the word after Uvalde

A vigil this week at the Princeton Theological Seminary reunion.

“Lord, how long will I cry, and you will not hear? I cry out to you, “Violence!” and will you not save?" – Habakkuk 1:2

The words of the prophet Habakkuk resonate throughout our communities and our country. As I write, my mind defaults to us/them – no matter which side… and I’m sick of it.

Why is it that we aren’t willing to act? We’re in paralysis. We’re concretized in our self-righteousness. We’re stuck in a stalemate. They see it. We do too. Yet neither is willing to blink… and children die.

Pointing fingers won’t break the impasse. Thoughts and prayers offer little comfort. Jesus said “If you keep my words, you love me. If you don’t keep my words, you don’t love me.”

Just because we don’t know the answer doesn’t mean there isn’t one. Love is a verb. Let us keep the word. May we be fierce, resolute, and unafraid.

 

Here are some direct links to resources from the PC(USA) Office of Christian Formation shared by the presbytery that might be helpful.

Source: sermons

Sunday Bulletin - May 22

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.

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.

Jesus' Words Matter

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

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, May 22, 2022

Dear Friends in Christ –

These last few weeks we’ve engaged stories punctuated with visions and trances. Saul, Ananias, Cornelius, Peter – the gamut of folks in an early church narrative who are directed by the voice of God to do extraordinary things. Of them all, I think Peter’s vision was the most bizarre. A blanket descending with animals forbidden to be eaten by observant Jews, and a voice saying, “Get up! Kill and eat!” Peter protested, "Ain’t nothing non Kosher passed these lips!" The voice of God says, "What God has made clean, you must not call profane." Enough said!

This Sunday we reach back to the ‘farewell discourse’ where Jesus makes the most of his last chance with them, his last hours with them. He uses every moment in every way to imprint on them his love, his method, his humility. He tells them the one thing above all others that they must know and practice for life without him. He says, “Keep my word.” What does that mean? It may sound simple, but it isn’t easy.

Let’s look at this together this Sunday as we baptize Margaret Craw, welcome Alex Treyz (update: postponed due to illness) into membership and point to Jesus –

In great anticipation,

 

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.

Source: sermons

We have work to do.

Dear Friends in Christ –
 
I received this from Father Kennedy, the Chaplain at Porter Gaud, the school my daughter attends, and I wanted to share it with you.

“[... We] are rooted in the belief that all people are creatures made in the image of God. Each and every one of us - without exception - is a product, recipient, and reflection of Divine love. We are all therefore persons with innate and immeasurable dignity and worth, persons of one human family, whose lives are intricately interwoven with one another. 
 
The acts of white supremacy and violence experienced in the city of Buffalo over the weekend - and all forms of racism and hatred - are anathema to this vision of the human person. Such events fracture the human family and remind its members that things are not as they should be, that we are not as we should be.”
 
We have work to do!
 
Best love,

 
Source: sermons

Sunday Bulletin - May 15

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.

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.

“Who was I that I could hinder God?”

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

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, May 15, 2022

Dear Friends in Christ –

Table manners matter. At least they had an outsized significance in ancient Palestine, and around much of the world today.

I was in Pago Pago as a student in a program that traveled by ship around the world. The stop between Hawaii and Borneo was American Samoa. As a guest in the home of the Talking Chief, I was instructed that under no circumstance was I to stretch my legs toward him; offering the soles of my feet was more than discourteous so I kept my legs crossed. A position that was referred to as "criss cross applesauce" back in kindergarten. Who knew how useful it could be!

The point is this: I had no idea how powerful something I took for granted could be! An unwitting stretch of the legs could undo years of relationship building! You think an innocent snack of pork knuckles could undo generations of cultural dogma? Yes.

In the 10th and 11th chapters of the Acts of the Apostles, a Roman commander, his family and associates have visions, hear the story of the incarnate God, and are baptized into the community of believers, followers of "the way." It was that simple.

In chapter 11, Peter has a dream that upsets the cart, continues to challenge generational tradition, breaks barriers for him, and instructs who’s right it is to name who’s in and who isn’t. (Spoiler: everybody’s invited!)

This Sunday we welcome new members. We engage the Bible’s sweeping narrative of God’s love. Invite someone you haven’t seen in a while. Or if you haven’t been seen, get up and get out. Let’s worship Jesus together this Sunday.

In great anticipation,

 

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.

Source: sermons

Tea Room News

We are just over 2 weeks away from reopening the doors of our "Seconds Please" Tea Room, after a 2 year absence. Since 2006, we have helped to support the Missions programs at Second Church through the proceeds of the Tea Room. We operate during the Spoleto Festival, as we have a captive audience with the Crafts Fair in our front yard. Tea Room is multi-generational and the most fun it is legal to have in a church setting. What's not to enjoy, FOOD, FUN AND FELLOWSHIP!

Our Tea Room is only successful with the help of our volunteer members. If you are new to our Second family, this is a wonderful way to get to know other members of the congregation and have great fun! We serve on Friday and Saturday, May 27-28, serving times of 11:30 am -2 pm. Volunteers arrive an hour ahead of serving to train and help get stations ready. All volunteers are fed, a definite plus.

Prep Day is Thursday, May 26, from 10 am - 2 pm, later only if we do not get it all done. We need 8-12 volunteers for prep. We need 25-30 volunteers for each day of Tea Room. Nursery is available for our staff.

There are many ways to be a part of Tea Room. We only serve homemade desserts, so we are always in need of your expert baking skills. Wait staff, kitchen staff, dessert, take-out are some of the areas of volunteer need. Our Tea Room needs YOU to make our reopening a success. I ask that you prayerfully consider how you can help. The volunteer sign-up poster will remain until Sunday, May 15 and online sign-up will end on Wednesday, May 18.

The Tea Room Committee is working hard to get things ready, We hope that you will join us to support our Missions programs by helping to make our reopening a spectacular one.

THANK YOU FOR VOLUNTEERING!

Blessings,

The Tea Room Committee

Cathy Hinson, Chair, Cyndi McLean, Chuck Medbery, Dolly Hamlin, Erin Beam, Erin Kerr, Meredith Mosny, Mia Maness, Rebecca Kettering, Ruth Carr, Sandy Petrowski, Sarah Mitchell and Sue Henderson

Sunday Bulletin - May 8

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.

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.

An African Proverb- “It Takes a Village"

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

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, May 8, 2022

Dear Friends in Christ –

The call of Saul of Tarsus is a narrative made for the big screen - or for binge-watching The story of a fellow born of a privileged lineage, connected at court and aflame with a passion to protect his people of the covenant - a screenwriter’s dream!

Last week we found Saul in pursuit of infidels, a break away group duped into believing there was a way from the restrictions of Judaism – they called it the way. And this way offered an expansive life defined by grace and generosity and radical inclusion. Saul was determined to tamp out this heresy until he found himself knocked off his horse, with a voice that asks, ”Why are you persecuting me?” Saul asks who it is and is told, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do."

So this week Saul is on his rump. Eyes wide open, absolutely blind and told to go into the city and wait for instructions. How? With a little help from his friends and those who are sent to help – the village it takes.

Join us Sunday as we discover the village it takes to… do many things. In this case: care for, nurture and transform an enemy into an advocate. Passion redirected, repurposed, reborn.

Important stuff. Way to go. Way to live. The Way –

See you in worship,

 

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.

Source: sermons