Communion Sunday

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, January 4, 2026

Dear Friends in Jesus –

Happy New Year! Really? Yes!

We get to gather this coming first Sunday of 2026 as those who would not only follow Jesus, but proudly claim the name Christian. We who aren’t ashamed to be known as Christian have the privilege and responsibility to live Jesus’ way.

Progressive Christian writer Rachel Held Evans once said, “I’m a Christian because the story of Jesus is still the story I’m willing to risk being wrong about.” 

Here’s to communion and the right start to the best year of our lives – together, in Jesus.

See you Sunday (prefect attendance for the year!)

In anticipation,

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

Second Edition Book Club

The Second Edition Book Club meets monthly on a Sunday afternoon, generally the second Sunday. Contact Fred Schuh, Carol Howe, or Peggy Pinckney for more information.

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OCTOBER SELECTION:

Discussion on Sunday, Oct. 11th, 2 p.m. at Peggy’s home

Pathogenesis by Jonathan Kennedy

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NEXT SELECTIONS:

November

December

January

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PREVIOUS READS

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PREVIOUS READS -

Sunday Bulletin - December 28

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.

For Us… Would a Dream Be Enough?

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, December 28, 2025

Dear Friends in Jesus –

Joseph is often thought of as only the earthly father of Jesus, but he was so much more.

Let’s take a look at some of the things he did and find that, although he never had words of his own recorded in Scripture, Joseph shows that true heroism is found in faithful action, silent courage, and an unwavering trust in God. 

– Ken

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 Ken Carrington is a kindergarten teacher at SPK and our Director of Children and Youth. Ken is finishing his last semester to become a commissioned pastor in the Presbyterian USA denomination.

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

Christmas Eve 11:00 p.m. Service

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.

Christmas Eve 4:00 p.m. Service

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.

Christmas Eve

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Wednesday, December 24, 2025

Dear Friends in Jesus –

I like to look at Christmases past to get an idea of what was on my heart and to infer what was on your hearts at that particular time. I can get an idea of the state of the nation, the state of the church and the state of our lives together the way scripture was treated, by the titles of the sermons.

• The sermon title for Sunday was Into the Mess and it spoke to the crazy circumstance into which Jesus was born.

• Tomorrow afternoon we’ll celebrate Christmas Eve, and savor Something About a Baby (rather THE baby) and enjoy special music by our own Tripp Carrington, Beckett Carrington, and Daniel Stroman and their School of the Arts friend Ava Whitener.

• At 11:00 we will observe The Night God Lost His Way, be blessed with a service of Lessons and Carols, and be strengthened by sharing Communion.

The earth is now tilted toward the sun. We have born the darkness and look to the light of Jesus, that we may live by the light of Jesus and be the light for a world in turmoil.

There are still storms and fires, assaults on decency, civility, on the fragile dignity of our lives together.

But… Emmanuel is come.

Let us set aside logic and reason and convention and embrace the mystery of God’s incursion.

It’s easier together.  

See you in worship!

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

Sunday Bulletin - December 21

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.

Advent IV

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, December 21, 2025

Dear Friends in Jesus –

Last week I said that we would turn our attention from the apocalyptic lectionary readings of Advent, from the desert of John’s powerful proclamation, toward Bethlehem. As we will see in scripture this Sunday morning, the birth narrative/report in Matthew is anything but angels singing and starlight.

Matthew reports a marriage contract seemingly broken, a ‘righteous man’ humiliated, a young woman presumed unfaithful- in other words, a mess. But… angels intercede in a dream. The prophecy from Isaiah is fulfilled and we move on, but not without risk.

Other birth narratives are offered in other gospels that more closely match our expectations and perhaps offer a winsome Christmas needed, but the humanness we see in Matthew ‘prepares the way of the Lord’ in the most real sense.

Into our messiness a child is born, not in random circumstance, but in intention. Divinity set aside, humanity embraced, the grace and mystery of God’s loving intention and holy strategy made known.

Christmas week begins. We need it. We need each other. The world needs what is offered through you and me as we are faithful in God’s joyful and triumphant love made known through… a baby.

Come Lord Jesus –

In anticipation,

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

Sunday Bulletin - December 14

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.

Advent III

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, December 14, 2025

Dear Friends in Jesus –

“Are you the one?” How often is this the question asked? The contemporary ask may be ominous or the question may reflect a spiritual longing or, as in our context in The Gospel of Matthew, John the Baptizer, prophet in/of the desert, languishes in a lightless cell and anguishes – is his cousin Jesus the one foretold?
 
It’s not an unreasonable question to ask. John was a Jew. His expectation was of a Messiah who would wield a winnowing fork and put things right. But things are not "right" and his cousin isn’t giving evidence of a plan that would accomplish the expectations of an oppressed and disheartened people.
 
But we’ve read the story. We are aware of the power that transformed the ancient world and the only power that will transform ours.
 
Come this Sunday. We will engage the centuries old question that is asked and must be answered by each generation. 
 
The children will be heralds and we will bear witness to the one who comes, in humility, bearing our salvation.
 
In anticipation,

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

Sunday Bulletin - December 7

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.

Advent II

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, December 7, 2025

Dear Friends in Jesus –

Sojourners, insufferables, sycophants and swells – (did I miss anybody?)

We find ourselves in the company of John the baptizer and , by extension, of those who are flocking from ‘all of Judea’ to be baptized. The text describes a horde of folks from all walks and backgrounds. What did the experience offer seekers then and us now?

John is the herald of the messiah foretold by the prophet Isaiah. John functions also like a community organizer. He identifies that which must be remedied and repaired to receive what and who is to come.  No subtle contrivances. No leaning into joyless impossible law. Ritual cleansing. Repentance is required to embrace and embody that which is offered – changing your life for the change that is a-comin’.  

Lest we despair, Jesus comes that we may receive him. Indeed, Jesus receives us when we come.

In anticipation,

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

Poinsettias 2025

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 received by Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025.

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

Dedications need to be received by Dec. 17, 2025 to be included in publications,

Advent I

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, November 30, 2025

Dear Friends in Jesus –

Pastor Will Willimon introduces his book, Heaven and Earth – Advent and Incarnation, the resource for our Saturday morning study, with -

“As the world’s calendar winds down, the church’s calendar begins again. One year comes, another goes. Not much changes. The same old frustrations, the same old us.

"But then the church gives us Advent—a season that keeps time differently. Four weeks to pause, to take stock, and to let God reset our understanding of what time really means. Advent doesn’t begin with our resolutions or our determination. It begins with God’s decision to show up, to take time for us.

"If there is to be a fresh start, it won’t come from our own effort. It will come as a gift. We need a God who refuses to stay distant—Good news: that is exactly the God we have.”

Not a moment late nor a moment too soon.

In great anticipation,

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