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 $15/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.

Sunday Bulletin - November 23

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.

The Morning After

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, November 23, 2025

Dear Friends in Jesus –

What do you do the day after?

1. Don’t panic.               

2. Get busy.

3. Do your best work.

Sounds good, but what is the day after? Seems simple enough, but it could very well mean each day/all days. The day after graduation. The day after your child’s birth. The day after the election. The day after resurrection.

Our scripture occurs… after. The rudderless disciples and other followers of Jesus assemble in the only place that can accommodate them and feel safe after their plans and their dreams have been shattered, the rug pulled. They didn’t believe the one whom they called Master, that he would die, rise and join them. If we hadn’t read the book, would we?  

This Sunday we take heart and strength from each other and the ubiquitous Spirit of God as we gather, position ourselves for God’s grace and pray for the courage to lead examined lives and celebrate that Jesus reigns over the wandering, the contrite, even us.  

Bring a friend, or someone whom you wish was.

Henrietta Mears, a great church educator of the 20th century once said, "God is the source of love; Christ is the proof of love; service is the expression of love; boldness is the outcome of love."

In great anticipation –

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

Sunday Bulletin - November 16

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.

Sharing

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, November 16, 2025

Dear Friends in Jesus –

The author of the letter to the Hebrews offers a list of actions for those who are members of the community of  ollowers.

First, they should love their brothers and sisters; treat one another like family.

Second, they should not become insular, focusing only on themselves.

Third, remember those who are in prison and those who are being mistreated.

Finally, a place should exist in their lives for contentment, acknowledging that what they have is sufficient which brings us to the text for this commitment Sunday: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Knowing within our hearts that we have the provision and the protection of God, we need not worry about material goods, so…

”Make sure you don’t take things for granted and go slack in working for the common good; share what you have with others. God takes particular pleasure in acts of worship—a different kind of “sacrifice”—that take place in kitchen and workplace and on the streets,” Hebrews 13:16 (MSG).

In great anticipation,

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

Sunday Bulletin - November 9

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.

You Gotta Serve Somebody (Bob Dylan)

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, November 9, 2025

Dear Friends in Jesus –

Our text this coming Sunday is from the 16th chapter of Luke. It is known as the Parable of the Dishonest Manager, but I think it should be more rightly called the parable of the Shrewd Steward. 

This strange parable seems to highlight dishonesty, yet Jesus uses it to teach his disciples and us about cleverness for the Kingdom and total commitment to a singular goal – loving God by serving God’s beloved. 

For fifty years Bob Dylan has been a major figure in popular music - a performer, musician, but most of all a songwriter. He was born into a Jewish family as Robert Alan Zimmerman, but in the late 1970s, Bob Dylan became a born-again Christian. In 1979, the album, Slow Train Coming (1979) was released. He won Best Male Vocalist of the Year with a single from the album, Gotta Serve Somebody.  It starts out, 

"You may be an ambassador to England or France, 
You may like to gamble, you might like to dance, 
You may be the heavyweight champion of the world, 
You may be a socialite with a long string of pearls
But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You're gonna have to serve somebody, 
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you're gonna have to serve somebody."

In great anticipation, 

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

Sunday Bulletin - November 2

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.

Growing In...

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, November 2, 2025

Dear Friends in Jesus –

This Sunday clocks change – ain’t it weird how we decide another hour of sleep would be useful so we just change time!  

But another significant aspect of Sunday is that we begin a scant three week focus on our responsibility to Christ’s body, the church, this church – our stewardship.  

• We will receive new members.

• We’ll share communion.

• We’ll highlight the missions/ministries we support and enjoy a reception in the Fellowship Hall.

Individuals will share their observations, experiences and commitment to Jesus through Second Church- and you’re invited!

Ephesians 4:15-16 is the text. It’s concerned with church growth. We are growing in so many ways – numbers, activities. But how? why? I suggest through serving God’s beloved, the poor, the hungry, the unhoused, and through sharing God’s love in practical, purposeful, joyful ways. 

Big Sunday comin’! Don’t take my word, come see. And bring a friend!

What we get to do –
In anticipation,

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

Sunday Bulletin - October 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.

Trapped

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, October 26, 2025

Dear Friends in Jesus –

Church attendance (actually, temple attendance) was encouraged – meaning required. I haven’t seen statistics, but an attempt at obedience was expected. Hence the two characters of our text: a Pharisee and a tax collector.

At first glance the narrative is straightforward – on one side of the temple, a well-heeled Pharisee. On the other side, a crestfallen, guilt-ridden, ‘please don’t notice me’ tax-collector. The two fellows who couldn’t be more dissimilar, but are remarkably alike in their unrecognized need. 

This Gospel Sunday, we baptize Jaxon Patrick Brock. At 2:30 p.m. we’ll celebrate All Hallows (and processed sugar) at Trunk or Treat. At 4:30 p.m. we feed the unhoused with the Navigation Center. All in service to Jesus’ beloved for the abundant joy that is promised.

In anticipation,

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

Sunday Bulletin - October 19

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.