Did You Hear?

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, March 5, 2023

Dear Friends in Christ –

There’s a lovely parable  by Soren Kierkegaard, 19th Century Danish philosopher and theologian. He tells a parable of the ducks:

“There is a town where only ducks live.

Every Sunday the ducks waddle out of their houses and waddle down the main street to their church.

They waddle into the cathedral and squat in their pews.

The duck choir sings and then the duck pastor comes and reads from the duck bible.

He encourages them, “Ducks, God has given you wings!  With these wings you can fly!  With these wings you can rise up and soar like eagles!  No walls can confine you, no fences can hold you.  You have wings and you can fly like birds!”

All the ducks quack  “Amen!” And then they waddle home.”

This week God’s scripture reminds us that we must be doers of the word, not just hearers.

Men and women, we are created to soar on the breath of God! Invite your friends, someone whom you haven’t seen for a while. Experience God’s sanctifying word this Sunday!

And the people of God said…

 


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

Source: sermons

Sunday Bulletin - Feb. 26

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.

Interested in joining Second? Find more about becoming a member here. Have a prayer request? Please let us know 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.

Joy in the Challenge

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, February 26, 2023

Dear Friends in Christ –

With an especially moving service Ash Wednesday evening, an affirmation of our baptism, we are officially into Lent! Though not really utilized by many, I find a Lenten discipline essential to my spiritual well-being. Note I didn’t say that it’s not usually recognized, noted or accepted. I said not utilized, because I think that each season, each day, each hour, we are to live purposefully and living into the realm of Jesus.

I’ve chosen to preach from The Letter of James, for the next few weeks. Why? Because James addresses issues as resonate for these times as they were when Jesus’ half-brother wrote them two thousand years ago.   

James is seen by many to be the most practical text, encouraging our perseverance through trials: putting our faith to the pavement, recognizing the power of our words, and embracing powerful, faithful prayer.

Scripture will instruct us. The Holy Spirit will guide us. We start this Sunday. (You have a fresh chance for perfect attendance! The reward will be far more than an attendance pin!)

In anticipation,

 


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

Source: sermons

Mamie Garvin Fields

Black History Month

An educator, activist, and community leader, Mamie Garvin Fields grew up in Charleston and spent many of her adult years here as a teacher. In 1916, she joined the City of Charleston Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs, a group that united clubs around Charleston together in cultural and charitable activities, and was a lifelong clubwoman, expanding her role when she retired. As an educator, her work went beyond the traditional classroom – she helped with adult education classes on John’s and James Islands in the 1920s and created the first Vacation Bible School for migrant workers during the Depression. After her retirement from teaching in the 1940s, she led the Marion Wilkinson Home for Girls for two years, working with girls who needed a home, and she helped to establish Charleston’s first public daycare center. Her life was one of service - to the Black people of Charleston, to the community as a whole, and to the next generation of Charlestonians.

Throughout February, we’ve been highlighting Black members of the Lowcountry community, discussing the lives they led, the work they did and the impact they made.

Sunday Bulletin - Feb. 19

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.

Interested in joining Second? Find more about becoming a member here. Have a prayer request? Please let us know 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.

Do As I Say and As I Do

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, February 19, 2023

Dear Friends in Christ –

We’re continuing this Sunday with Christ’s Sermon on the Mount – a window into the heart of God. He has called his disciples, has taken them up the mountain, and now gives them a glimpse of their lives now that they have said ‘yes’ to follow him. Would they have said yes if they had known what was ahead? Jesus, forever the rabbi, the mentor, the motivator, gives them a taste of what is to come with a spoonful of grace:

“This is what God does. God gives God’s best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.

“In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up! You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”

- Matthew 5:43-47, MSG


Live toward others the way God lives toward you. Lest we forget the grace in which we breathe and walk, let us gather. Let’s get right  - let’s worship Jesus God!

In anticipation –

 


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

Source: sermons

Lent Small Group

There are multiple ways to engage our Lenten devotions this year. Devotional reflection emails will be emailed on Mondays during Lent (sign up here) and there will be a midweek small group discussing a selection from the study guide Bless the Lent We Actually Have by Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie. This daily Lent guide is designed to be used in conjunction with the book of blessings, The Lives We Actually Have: 100 Blessings for Imperfect Days. You can just use the free 40-day Lent study guide by itself or get the book as well if you would like a more full practice this season.

 

Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.

February 23 through April 6

Download the study guide

Join the Bible study Facebook group

LENTEN STUDY GROUP

THURSDAYS, 6:30 p.m.

Join the Facebook group or contact Jordyn for more information

We'll be referencing selections each week from Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie's study guide Bless the Lent We Actually Have. Download the study guide here for free. You can follow the guide each day, but a full 40 day practice is not necessary for the Thursday night small group meetings.

WEEK 1

Feb 23: Jordyn & Aled’s house

Blessed are the Fragile

Study Guide p. 12, 13

WEEK 2

Mar 2: Jordyn & Aled’s house

Blessed are the Imperfect

Study Guide p. 17, 21

WEEK 3

Mar 9: Katie & Emma’s house

Blessed are the Curious

Study Guide p. 31

WEEK 4

Mar 16: Jordyn & Aled’s house

Blessed are Those Who Suffer

Study Guide p. 36, 39

WEEK 5

Mar 23: Jordyn & Aled’s house

Blessed are Those Who Feel Alone

Study Guide p. 46, 49

WEEK 6

Mar 30: Jordyn & Aled’s house

Blessed are Those Who Mourn

Study Guide p. 52, 58

WEEK 7

Apr 6: Jordyn & Aled’s house

Blessed are Those Who Are Rejected

Study Guide p. 65, 67

CONTACT: Jordyn Pritchard

Edmund Thornton Jenkins

Black History Month

Edmund Thornton Jenkins grew up surrounded by music. He was the son of the Reverend Daniel Jenkins, who founded Jenkins Orphanage and the world-famous band of children who lived there. He eventually attended Morehouse College and later served as Director of Bands for the children’s home, until he was invited to attend London’s Royal Academy of Music in 1914. He continued to study under musicians in London and Paris, but eventually composed a tribute to his native city. Charlestonia honored the city that Edmund grew up in but chose not to make his home, possibly because of how many more opportunities he had outside of the American South at the time. The composition was performed in London and Belgium, but not in Charleston – until 1996, when performed by the Charleston Symphony Orchestra as a part of “Edmund Jenkins Homecoming Month.” Edmund composed many other pieces, including an operetta, called Afram. He died in 1926 in Paris after an illness.

Throughout February, we’re highlighting Black members of the Lowcountry community, discussing the lives they led, the work they did and the impact they made.

Sunday Bulletin - Feb. 12

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.

Interested in joining Second? Find more about becoming a member here. Have a prayer request? Please let us know 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.

"Choose Me" -God

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, February 12, 2023

Dear Friends in Christ –

How many of you were picked first when teams were chosen? I recall jumping up behind the taller kids, running around the bigger kids so I’d be seen. I was smart, I was agile, and I was fast, but my hand to eye coordination was suspect and my growth was yet to spurt!

In our text this Sunday from Deuteronomy, it seems that the creator God was needing Moses to make a case that Yahweh was the best choice. God was directing Moses to make it clear that the people of Israel had a simple decision to make – choose obedience that leads to life, or choose death. Yahweh implores, “Choose me!” 

That may be hard to imagine, the creator of all that has been created jockeying for favor, but experience shows how often we choose something or someone else. This Sunday we look to both testaments for a word to carry us through.

BTW, it’s supposed to rain (of course). Brave the rain! We’ll celebrate our good fortune and pray for those who have escaped the rubble in Turkey and Syria only to find themselves in the cold and snow.

Bring a dessert for Second Sunday Lunch after church and invite someone you know, someone you like or don’t, who believes or you don’t know. Be a herald for the realm!

In gratitude and anticipation –

 


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

Source: sermons

Esau Jenkins

Black History Month

Esau Jenkins was born in 1910 on Johns Island and left school in the fourth grade to work the fields with his family. But he would go on to ensure the children and adults on the island always had a way to get an education. In 1945, after furthering his schooling through night classes and correspondence courses, Jenkins purchased a bus in order to bring children from John's Island into the city’s public schools. He later offered rides to adults to their jobs, but it wasn’t just transportation. On the rides, Jenkins taught the adults to recite passages from the state constitution, a requirement to vote at the time.

Among his many civil rights efforts over the decades, Jenkins created the Progressive Club, which raised money to open a grocery store and gas station on the island. He helped to found a Citizenship School that taught people to read so that they could pass voting tests and he encouraged the City of Charleston to hire their first Black bus drivers. In the 1960s, he extended his efforts to the Hispanic migrant labor force that came to the area. Jenkins died in 1972 and was inducted in the South Carolina Black Hall of Fame in 2003.

Throughout February, we’re highlighting Black members of the Lowcountry community, discussing the lives they led, the work they did and the impact they made.

Sunday Bulletin - Feb. 5

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.

Interested in joining Second? Find more about becoming a member here. Have a prayer request? Please let us know 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.

Ontology

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, February 5, 2023

Dear Friends in Christ –

Last week we spoke of blessedness and what identified them as fortunate, privileged, lucky. The Greek word for it is markarios.

In reality, it wasn’t what identified them, but who. Jesus gave an extensive and surprising list of folks, most of whom one wouldn’t have made the list of the lucky. But the thread common to each was a natural citizenship in the realm of God that had come in Christ – those who mourn and are meek, those who are poor in spirit and merciful, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.

This week Jesus continues to tell us who we are – not what we must do, or who we should be, but who we are in actuality. In service to and created for realm work, we are salt and light. We preserve and we give flavor, we illuminate and lead the way powered by the Spirit and engineered to run on God (as C.S. Lewis would say).

See you Sunday –

 


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

Source: sermons