Commitment Sunday Bulletin - Nov. 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 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.

Count Me In

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

SERMON SNAPSHOT: Christ the King Sunday, November 20, 2022

Dear Friends in Christ –

This Sunday is the last of the season known as Common Time, a non-festival block of time. The ‘Common’ season is capped off with a Sunday decidedly not common Christ the King leading into the festival season of Advent. I looked for an alternate title. This is what came up – Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe!

We approach this Sunday through the Old Testament, positioning ourselves for the grace of Jesus by looking to Joshua. Joshua followed Moses and having brought the people to the land promised, he would soon die. So, he brings the leaders of Israel together, knowing that if the leaders aren’t on board the people will drift. He lays it out: Yahweh brought them this far. He recaps their journey from Egypt through the desert, through conflict, famine, temptations. Then he asks, “Who will you serve?” (Unfortunately, a reasonable question.)

This Sunday we face the same question. Jesus has called us here just as Joshua called the leaders of Israel. (You may remember that we are the priesthood of all believers.) Second Church, we will have the chance to answer as well. Who will we serve?

Bring your Pledge Cards to church on Sunday. If you are pledging online, indicate on the card and join the parade of folks committing to the work of Jesus’ realm through Second Church. Dying institutions don’t need money. Vibrant, purposeful, service-minded, Christocentric churches do!

See you on Sunday!

 


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

Source: sermons

Sunday Bulletin - Nov. 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 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.

Gotcha

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, November 13, 2022

Dear Friends in Christ –

This Sunday we find Jesus in the temple. The Pharisees and the Herodians have joined forces, making for an uneasy and unlikely alliance, and they send their disciples to trip Jesus up.

They flatter him with saccharin words. They show they have no real understanding of who Jesus is. They embarrass themselves with their lame and futile attempt to trap him into saying something with which they could prosecute and silence him. Jesus turns the table, and they shrink away.

Folks this Sunday we engage the fellow who won’t suffer silliness. Jesus, this Jesus, is who we need right now. Strong, righteous, charismatic, clever, compassionate God… lover of us all.

Amen.

 


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

Source: sermons

Introduction to The Confession of 1967

Introduction to The Confession of 1967

As Presbyterians we have tenets expressed by the confessions of our church contained in The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). If we become ministers of word and sacrament, elders or deacons we take vows to do all of these things. Yet many of us are quite unfamiliar with these tenets. Though we are supposed to be instructed, led and guided by them in our lives and in our work. To aid in the continual formation of our shared faith we will begin exploring excerpts from The Confession of 1967 as part of our statement of faith.

The Confession of 1967 is built around a single passage of scripture: “In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself…” (2 Cor. 5:19, NRSV). The confession addresses the church's role in the modern world by asking us to “approach the scripture with literary and historical understanding”. It is calling us to obedient action to social problems such as discrimination, nationalistic arrogance, and family and class conflict. It sees the life, death and resurrection and promised coming of Jesus Christ as the pattern for the church's mission today and calls all Christians to be reconciled to God and to one another. Without understanding all of our creeds and confessions would be equivalent to not reading and understanding the entire bible. We simply would not know the whole story.

In Christ,

Wendy Jewell

Co-chair of Music and Worship Committee

 

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.

 

A Note from Your Pastor: In Gratitude This Veterans Day

In Gratitude This Veterans Day



Dear Friends in Christ –

I’m engaged in a month-long study/consideration/contemplation/exploration of gratitude. Diana Butler Bass is leading this online with her book, Gratitude as the text. Have I surrendered to the journaling and the zoom calls and podcasts? No. (Anyone surprised?) But I’m positioned for an awareness of my place in the realm of God as a beloved, forgiven, empowered person. I more easily and more often embrace the unmerited blessings that are mine – and yours/ours.

The study highlighted BOATLIFT, an Untold Tale of 9/11 Resilience. Tom Hanks narrates the epic story of the 9/11 boatlift that evacuated half a million people from the stricken piers of lower Manhattan the day the Twin Towers fell. I remember that day and the heroic efforts of men and women who stepped up to do what they could.

On this day we remember the men and women who gave their all-in service to our great nation. Let us all take a moment to lift each one and their loved ones in gratitude. And may we pray for the courage to stand in God’s righteousness and purpose in the days ahead.

In gratitude on this Veterans Day,

 

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

Communion Sunday Bulletin - Nov. 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 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.

Name Your Need

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

SERMON SNAPSHOT: Communion Sunday, November 6, 2022

Dear Friends in Christ –

Over the past few weeks I’ve referenced Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, for context as Jesus approaches Jerusalem.

Why Bartimaeus? Within the narrative are the elements that describe the heart of Jesus and the necessity that we know what it is we need, and the courage to ask for it.

These times cry for clarity, for confidence, for courage.

Come to worship! Face time is quality time. We’ll all share some lap time as well with Jesus.

 


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

Source: sermons

Reformation Sunday Bulletin - October 30

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.

Zacchaeus Recast

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

SERMON SNAPSHOT: Reformation Sunday, October 30, 2022

Dear Friends in Christ –

What if Zacchaeus wasn’t such a bad fella after all? What if rather than a tale of repentance and restoration the text is a story of witness and acknowledgement. Yikes– exegesis is a wonderful tool!

Yep, this Sunday is Reformation Sunday– and yes, we will continue.

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 - October 23

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.

Access Granted

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, October 23, 2022

Dear Friends in Christ –

There is a moment in most every drama on any/all of the platforms you frequent when there are characters at a computer frantically trying to crack the code that will allow them to save the world or escape the explosion or rescue their loved ones. You hear typing strokes like gun shots and you see fingers flying over the keyboard at breakneck speed, then the camera pans up to the horrified expression on the character’s face. It cuts to the computer screen and you read the bold letters that fill the screen – ACCESS DENIED! When have you read that or been told that or felt that moment?

Imagine the mothers and fathers, the uncles and aunts, the grandparents that had made the journey, left their homes in search of the rabbi who was becoming more renowned (or more notorious) by the day. People were bringing their children to be “touched” by this person of power, to be blessed by the prophet who was doing miraculous things.

This Sunday we’ll hear and sing Gospel Music. We’ll engage the Gospel Truth. We’ll position ourselves for grace that will never be denied.

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 - October 16

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.