Jesus Among the Broken

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, October 16, 2022

Modern-day Jesus followers are called to emulate and imitate the ways of Jesus, but how does one go about such a tall task?

In our often polarized and divided world, many groups have ascribed certain character traits to "their version" of Jesus of Nazareth. But what examples do we have of Jesus' way with the unincorporated and marginalized? What should we notice about the actions, reactions, and interactions of Jesus with the out-groups of His day

This Sunday we look forward to a challenging message from the Gospel of Luke, connecting the words and ways of Jesus with ideas for applications for today.

– Rev. Dr. Marion Platt

We welcome Rev. Dr. Marion Platt, the sixth Executive Director and Pastor of Star Gospel Mission’s 117-year history. A native of Charleston, Marion served two enlistments as a U.S. Army infantryman before embarking on a nineteen-year ministry with The Salvation Army. He has held executive, academic, and pastoral roles in several cities across the South; he earned his doctoral degree from Trevecca Nazarene University (Nashville) and is a sought-after lecturer, evangelist, and revivalist.

 


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

Source: sermons

A Note from Your Pastor

A Note Ahead of Sunday, October 16, 2022

Dear Second Family,

Greetings from the road! I’m grateful for the grace that allows me to accompany my daughter SaSa as she visits colleges. I wanted to say how I will miss being with you Sunday for so many reasons, especially as two of the institutions that Second Church has partnered with for decades will be present.

Rev. Dr. Marion Platt will preach. He is the CEO of Star Gospel Mission, which we have supported since its founding in 1904. He is bringing an energy and heart that is transformative for this vibrant ministry.

Dr. Douglas Lungu will be here from the Medical Benevolence Foundation, presenting in Sunday school, giving a Minute for Mission during the church service, and staying for lunch after church. He is the medical director from Malawi leading MBF into its next phase as they work to strengthen local leaders who oversee mission hospitals, clinics and nursing schools. We have partnered with them for nearly 60 years.

These two institutions put flesh on Jesus’ mandate to care for those in need. It is our joy to join with them in the good work of the Realm. It will be an inspiring Sunday!

With great joy in being your pastor,

 

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.


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

Source: sermons

Sunday Bulletin - October 9

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 where 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.

 
 

Watch Second Presbyterian 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.

Saying Thank You Is Not Enough

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, October 9, 2022

Those ten lepers are so much more than just a morality tale told to improve the social graces of Jesus' followers.

– Ken Carrington

Ken Carrington is an elder, SPK kindergarten teacher, and our Director of Children and Youth. He is the announcer for the Riverdogs and his greatest joy is teaching the Children’s sermon. Ken is currently a candidate for a Commissioned Pastor in the Presbyterian Church.

 


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

Source: sermons

Sunday Bulletin - October 2

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 where 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.

 
 

Watch Second Presbyterian 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.

First of Many

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, October 2, 2022

Dear Friends in Christ –

In J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, Sam wakes up having been rescued from hellish fires on the Mount of Doom. He recognizes his rescuer, Gandalf, and says, “I thought you were dead. But then I thought I was dead. Is everything sad going to become untrue?”

The great narrative of God’s love, the Bible says, is what Jesus is essentially going to do in the end. Every tear will be wiped.

How curious it is that the first time he reveals his true self, the one who will render all that is sad in the fallen world to be untrue, is at a wedding party. No one dying, no miraculous healing, just saving a couple beginning their life together from a shameful start, and peering into the future to the moment where he will drink from a bitter cup – saving us.

Join us Sunday as we engage God’s word and share the feast paid for and prepared by Jesus. There’s plenty. Invite your friends and someone whom you may not have seen around the halls in a while. I love a wedding!

 


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

Source: sermons

Sunday Bulletin - September 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

Are you looking for a church home where you can make a difference for the God we serve? Where you belong and where 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.

 
 

Watch Second Presbyterian 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 New Beginning

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, September 25, 2022

Dear Friends in Christ –

"In the news and in the pews, Christianity seems to be shriveling."

That line jumped from the page.  One more article about empty pews. One more person saying, "I like Christ - just not his followers." Hmmm. Yet I look around. I keep my ear to the ground and the tom tom beat I hear is different. Oh, a lot of what you may witness, hear or feel may be real, but that doesn’t make it fact. The key for me, for us, is to remember the wisdom of the bumper sticker – Don’t believe everything you think!

Our scripture today bears witness to this; Paul has been having a hard time. In fact he would rather occupy his eternal body rather than remain earthbound, but Jesus’ example gives him the courage to continue his mission to preach the gospel. The good news that God is reconciling people to Godself, forgiving their sin, through faith in Christ. Those in Christ become a new creation.

Are you ready? Are we? It's Gospel Sunday! See you there.

In Great Anticipation,

 


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

Source: sermons

Sunday Bulletin - September 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

Are you looking for a church home where you can make a difference for the God we serve? Where you belong and where 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.

 
 

Watch Second Presbyterian 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.

Suit Up!

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, September 18, 2022

Dear Friends in Christ –

Will Willimon writes that “to be a Christian means gradually, Sunday after Sunday to be subsumed into a different story, a different account of where we have come from and where we are going, a story that is called ‘gospel’. You are properly called a ‘Christian’ when it’s obvious that the story told in scripture is your story, above all the other stories that the world tries to impose on you, and that the God who is rendered in the Scripture is the God who has got you.”

Jesus was a storyteller.

“Jesus invites us into a story that is bigger than ourselves, bigger than our culture, bigger even than our imaginations, and yet we get to tell that story with the scandalous particularity of our particular moment and place in time. We are storytelling creatures because we are fashioned in the image of a storytelling God. May we never neglect the gift of that. May we never lose our love for telling the tale. Amen.” – Rachel Held Evans


You often hear me speak of the particularity of this Second Church. I know that we are called to this place at this time to accomplish that which is revealed day by day.

Let’s determine to live into God’s story together armed with truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, scripture, prayer, and love.

In anticipation,

 


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

Source: sermons

The Brief Statement of Faith

In 1983, our General Assembly devised a plan to form the Presbyterian Church  (U.S.A.) by joining the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America and the Presbyterian Church in the United States.  Realizing the diversity and disagreement in the church, a brief statement of faith was written to identify the common identity Presbyterians share.

According to our Book of Confessions, The Brief Statement of Faith is distinctive in several respects.  Unlike the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creeds, which move directly from Jesus’ birth to his death,  this statement focuses on the significance of Jesus’ ministry in Judea and Galilee.  This confession is gender inclusive and also emphasizes both the roles of men and women in God’s covenant by using feminine as well as masculine imagery of God, thereby affirming the ordination of both men and women. The Brief Statement of Faith is a Trinitarian confession in which the grace of Jesus Christ has first place as the foundation of our knowledge of God’s sovereign love and our life together in the Holy Spirit.  

The Book of Confessions reminds us that no confession looks only to the past, rather every confession seeks to cast the light of a priceless heritage on the needs of the present moment, and in doing so shape the future.  It may even reform the tradition itself in the light of the word of God.  From the beginning, the Reformed churches have insisted that the renewal of the church must become visible in the transformation of human lives and societies.  It also states that the church is not a refuge from the world. Rather an elect people is chosen for the blessing of the nations.  Therefore the confessing church itself becomes the body by which Christ continues the blessing of his earthly ministry.  


 

We are incorporating more creeds, confessions and catechisms, both historic and contemporary, as the statements of faith in our worship services. We hope this deepens our understanding of Presbyterian Reformed traditions, prompts questions and discussions and enriches our faith journey.