Advent Devotional: Love

“The hardest spiritual work in the world is to love the neighbor as the self – to encounter another human being not as someone you can use, change, fix, help, save, enroll, convince or control, but simply as someone who can spring you from the prison of yourself, if you will allow it.”

– Barbara Brown Taylor

The wait for Christmas is almost over. “Love”- what better word to have this last Sunday of Advent? The English Standard Version of the Bible uses the word “love” 684 times. To complicate our relationship with love, it is said that the English language has only one word for love. In reality, we actually have many different words, they all just seem to end up meaning “love”. There is familial love, God’s love, romantic love, there is even the brotherly love between brothers and sisters in the church.

“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.”

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, ESV

Most of us have heard this beautiful passage. If you haven’t, you should take in a wedding; they can be fun. Hearing 1 Corinthians at a wedding is setting the bar pretty high for the participants as well as those in attendance. Hearing it also gives us the perfect groundwork to help us achieve what Jesus called the most important commandment. 

Jesus said,

“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”

Matthew 22:37-29, KJV

As we look toward Christmas and the coming new year, let’s try to realize that what Paul said to the Corinthians so many years ago is as viable now as it was then. It seems as though loving our neighbor as ourselves starts with being patient and kind, then all we have to do is try not to be rude or arrogant. There is of course more, but at this time of year I also think a smile is a great start. I am going to try.

Merry Christmas,
Ken

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If you are looking for a simple daily practice this season, you can download Kate Bowler's Bless This Advent devotional here.

Fourth Sunday of Advent Bulletins - December 24

THIS IS GOD'S HOUSE - ALL ARE WELCOME

 “Meeting people at their point of need, Inviting all into a dynamic relationship with Jesus”

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.

No Need to Wait for… Love

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, December 24, 2023

Dear Friends in Christ –

Mary was probably no more than fourteen. She is not characterized as “righteous” in her religious observances. She is not visited in holy surroundings in the metropolis of Jerusalem. We can presume the angel Gabriel finds her in humble circumstances in the insignificant northern village called Nazareth.  But Gabriel tells Mary she has found favor with God, that she will conceive a son and name him Jesus, and that he will rule a dynasty, fulfilling all the ancient expectations for a Jewish Messiah. Wow. What are we to think? Are we just to accept this narrative? Are we to be the heralds of this craziness? Well, what else could we report? Does our faith hinge on the science and possibility/probability of a human virgin birth? We are told nothing is impossible with God. How much does it matter to you? How much does it matter to Jesus?

This Sunday we won’t attempt to reduce the mystery and wonder of holy  revelation. We’ll observe the courage of a young girl, the confidence of our maker, the reality of the miraculous, and the promise that we are not alone.

Ah, the wonder –

See you in worship!

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Advent Devotional: Joy

“For it is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child himself.”

– Charles Dickens

We are now halfway through Advent; as a child, my anticipation was just beginning to reach a fever pitch. Christmas is right around the corner and we have now lit two of the candles on our Advent wreath. This week our candle is pink in color and “joy” is how we should be centered. Biblically, joy has us, again, looking to the future.

We often mistake “joy” for simple excitement and happiness. The Joy of Advent is much deeper than the often fleeting nature of happiness. This Joy is based on the solid foundation of God’s promises and gifts. The early disciples must have been full of God’s joy. They had witnessed so much. No matter how Paul was treated by those he was converting, he continued on. Paul realized that his earthly discomforts were temporary and would ultimately be replaced by the promises that Jesus has given us.

Paul’s epistle to the Philippians encapsulates the joy that marks our faith in God’s eternal love and mercy. Philippians 4:4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice.” Our belief in Jesus and the knowledge that that means eternal life for us should make it easy to have joy knowing that this life is but part of the journey that leads us to paradise.

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know."

John 14:1-4 KJV

Be joyful in this Holiday season. Christ is with us!

Ken

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You can sign up here to join our mailing list to receive church emails.

If you are looking for a simple daily practice this season, you can download Kate Bowler's Bless This Advent devotional here.

Third Sunday of Advent Bulletin - December 17

THIS IS GOD'S HOUSE - ALL ARE WELCOME

 “Meeting people at their point of need, Inviting all into a dynamic relationship with Jesus”

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.

No Need to Wait for… Joy

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, December 17, 2023

Dear Friends in Christ –

Here are three descriptions of the one for whom we yearn:

Beautiful Outlaw: “A dangerous book about a scandalous Savior – He was accused of nearly everything – breaking the law, keeping bad company, heavy drinking, and being the devil himself. He was so compelling and dangerous they had to kill him.” – John Eldredge.

Simply Good News: “No matter what your worldview, your beliefs, or your culture, you will find Jesus haunting, disturbing, and attractive.” – NT Wright

John 1:26-27: “Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal." – John, the Baptizer

All three statements are descriptive. All three statements testify to the nature of the one whom we anticipate and celebrate. We’ve heard these reports before, but for these days there is special resonance, an urgency. It isn’t fake. It isn’t alternative. It’s real and it's essential.

John the Baptizer says It ain’t me, but… here’s what I saw.”
            We say, “Come Lord Jesus, Come”

Well, Sunday’s comin’, and we will light the candle of joy. So stop by, tune in, testify! See you in worship!

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

Advent Devotional: Peace

"Guide us gently and firmly toward each other,
Toward peace."

– Rabbi Sheila Weinberg

By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-25 NRSV

We are now in the second week of Advent waiting for the coming of our savior, Jesus Christ. The second Sunday is associated with peace. Depending on your age, peace can mean many things, but “the absence of war” is what often comes to mind. The word peace is used around 450 times in the King James Bible. It is used many different ways, for many purposes. Galatians 5:22 states that “peace” is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. In addition to being a part of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, peace in the Bible is not only the absence of war, but is also used to mean completeness. In Hebrew, peace is often translated as Shalom, which, in fact, means completeness. Shalom comes from the word Shalam, which stands for making something whole or righting the wrongs that we have committed. So, it seems as though the Bible wants us to first pursue wholeness and remember, Christians cannot truly be “whole” without Jesus.

Matthew 5:9 has Jesus praising the “peacemakers”, for they will be the children of God. Our military is often thought of as “peace keepers”; Jesus wants us to be “peace makers”. They are close, but very different. Peacekeepers make boundaries to push others away. Peacemakers go out in an attempt at minimizing conflict. Peacemakers go out to cultivate respectful and loving interactions that make a safe space for restoration and health.

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he began to speak and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

Matthew 5:1-11 NRSV

How often do we, in our daily life, go out during a personal conflict and attempt to understand the needs of the individual with whom we are in conflict? That’s not what most of us normally do. It is usually easier to overwhelm and subdue our enemy, rather than open our hearts. I hope that we can all attempt to be the “children of God” we should be. Let our “peace”, be a peace of wholeness and love. If we all make an attempt to break down the walls that we have built for our personal protection and actively attempt to be the peacemakers that Jesus wants us to be, it could be a beautiful start during this wonderful season.

May peace be with you,
Ken

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You can sign up here to join our mailing list to have these devotionals arrive to your inbox each Monday morning during Advent.

If you are looking for a simple daily practice this season, you can download Kate Bowler's Bless This Advent devotional here.

Second Sunday of Advent Bulletin - December 10

THIS IS GOD'S HOUSE - ALL ARE WELCOME

 “Meeting people at their point of need, Inviting all into a dynamic relationship with Jesus”

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.

No Need to Wait for… Peace

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, December 10, 2023

Dear Friends in Christ –

Advent is a time of waiting, active waiting, anticipating, perhaps even yearning for what only a miracle can provide. 

Can’t be jolly when the wild fire’s bearing down on your friend’s home or there’s another provocation from the east or the west to deprive displaced people dignity, or another charge of sexual misconduct appropriately redrawing the lines of what is cute, funny or demeaning, another storm lurking post season in the Caribbean, another genocide, another record set for mass shootings as the United States, as the most advanced (?) country in the world leads not in diplomacy, nor humanitarian efforts, but in hubris and partisan stalemate as people are evicted from their homes, hungry, frightened and forgotten. So we need a miracle.

Last week we experienced hope as we were reminded that Jesus loves us as we are. This week we look to the prophet Isaiah through whom God promises peace and restoration to an exiled and chastened people.

We too know what it’s like to be living in a ton of hurt. So we will gather and we will pray and we will repent and we will look to Jesus.

Miracles occur when we gather as God’s people.

See you in worship –

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

Advent Devotional: Hope

"God, these are darkening days, with little hope in sight. Help us in our fear and exhaustion. Anchor us in hope."

– Kate Bowler

'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.'

Jeremiah 29:11

During children’s time in church I once asked what they thought “hope” was. His answer was “faith”. Well, that sounds pretty accurate, but, perhaps biblically, “hope” is more accurately the part of faith that deals with the future.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1

Our world is a difficult place. It is almost impossible to turn on any media source and not be fearful of our future.  How is that some people are able have joy in these arduous times? I would say, “hope”.  How can some seem to grow stronger through personal adversity? Again, “hope.”  We all need hope to get through these trying times. To know what God has for us is our salvation.

So I finish up this Devotion on hope by asking that we all, "be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

Romans 12:12

In hope,
Ken

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You can sign up here to join our mailing list to have these devotionals arrive to your inbox each Monday morning during Advent.

If you are looking for a simple daily practice this season, you can download Kate Bowler's Bless This Advent devotional here.

First Sunday of Advent Bulletin - December 3

THIS IS GOD'S HOUSE - ALL ARE WELCOME

 “Meeting people at their point of need, Inviting all into a dynamic relationship with Jesus”

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.

No Need to Wait for… Hope

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, December 3, 2023

Dear Friends in Christ –

“Advent asks us not to treat this time differently, but to live in time differently altogether.” – Karoline Lewis

Here’s the question as we begin this annual journey together: Is any amount of time long enough? Is there any behavior that we can change or strengthen that is sufficient to prepare us for God’s entering our lives, Jesus’ mission to reclaim and redeem what is his?

I get so annoyed when I allow myself to imagine Jesus has/had any other purpose than to love us and reveal to us the right life.

By the way, yep, there is a right life and it has nothing to do with portfolios and little to do achievement. It isn’t contingent on our productivity, nor dependent on vaccines. We commemorate the most important and significant event in the whole course of human history. God has come once and comes again with “the same silence and the same devastating humility into any human heart ready to receive him.”

Friends, may we use this time with holy purpose to look beyond the prose and the poetry. May the first visit of our God be celebrated and God’s constant returning welcomed.

Amen

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

Volunteer Opportunities - December 2023

Desserts and non-perishable donations are collected on Communion Sundays. Food and toiletry donations are collected for our neighbors at The Canterbury House living on a fixed income in the non-profit senior living community. Baked goods that can be divvied up will be included with Meals on Mondays, an outreach program that delivers meals to folks on Wadmalaw Island.

Please bring dessert and non-perishable donations the first Sunday of each month.

We are serving breakfast for the men at Star Gospel Mission 8:00-9:15 a.m. before church on the third Sunday each month through March 2024. Please contact Sally McDuffie or the church office to volunteer. 

Volunteers needed: Dec. 17, Jan. 21, Feb. 18, Mar. 17

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VOLUNTEER FORM

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Please volunteer your time in some way to an upcoming event or to serve on Sunday mornings. Find more event information here, support the work of Second online here, and contact the church office to find out more about how to get involved or to help coordinate future volunteer opportunities. Thank you!

God saw the great needs of the world and offered a perfect gift, Jesus Christ. In Jesus, we receive the perfect gift of God being with us, and of being with those in need—the gift of being together when we are near, and being together when we are apart.

The Christmas Joy Special Offering received on December 17th is an opportunity to join other Presbyterian churches throughout the country to support our PC(USA) leaders. Through the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions, our gifts honor the faithfulness of current and retired church workers in need. These generous actions bear witness to our response to Christ's charge to love one another.

Please give using the special envelope available in the sanctuary or online any time this month.

Poinsettias 2023

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Poinsettias will be placed in the sanctuary at Christmastime and can be dedicated in memory or in honor of loved ones or to the glory of God. Please submit the form below and the dedications will appear in the Christmas Eve bulletin and will be listed online if ordered by December 20.

Fill out the form below and give $20/poinsettia online, via Venmo (@chs2ndpc), designated in the offering plate on Sunday, or deliver to the church office.

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Poinsettia Order Form

Orders may still be placed if you would like to contribute toward sanctuary poinsettias, but dedications made after Dec. 20 will not be listed in the printed service bulletin.

Sunday Bulletin - November 26

THIS IS GOD'S HOUSE - ALL ARE WELCOME

 “Meeting people at their point of need, Inviting all into a dynamic relationship with Jesus”

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.