Good Shepherd Sunday
This is a communion service, so please prepare bread or crackers and juice or wine so that you are ready to take part in communion.
The sermon and children’s sermon are both posted below. Scroll to the bottom for sermon notes.
Pastor Cress delivers a message for the week of May 3, 2020.
Stay home, stay healthy and let’s flatten the curve! Sermon videos will be posted online for 10:30 a.m. on Sundays as we worship together from home.
Children's sermon with Sarah Craven
SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, May 3, 2020
Dear Friends in Christ –
The 23rd Psalm is a perennial favorite. Why? I don’t think we necessarily need a reason, but, of course, there are many. So I looked into it – did some exegesis, some study, of the Psalms. They are a collection of lyrics – songs to be sung in the sundry moments of life, sung in sorrow, sung in anger, sung in despair, sung in praise and sung in worship.
But here’s something unusual: the vast majority of the time we prefer more modern translations of the Bible, and yet we cling to a 400 year old translation of Psalm 23. Why is this? One commentator posed the question this way: Could it be that elevated language, words with some lineage and dignity, are appropriate to the grandeur, the majesty, the immeasurable grace of God who is indeed our shepherd?
I know that’s a big part of it, but I also know there are nuances to the Psalm we’ve missed. So let’s take a deep breath and lean back, lean into something nurturing, comforting, familiar in these times of surprise and disruption. And remember this: “I shall not want.”
It's communion this Sunday. Tune in and be fed.
Best love in Christ –
Interested in becoming a member of Second Presbyterian? Email Cress for more information.
On Sunday May 10th, our congregation will join other Presbyterian churches throughout South Carolina in the Mother's Day Offering in support of Presbyterian Communities of South Carolina. The mission of PCSC is simply this: "We are a compassionate Christian ministry dedicated to enriching the quality of life for seniors of all faiths."
This offering stands as a witness that Presbyterian churches and their members are not content merely with founding Presbyterian Communities. Rather, they continue to embrace this ministry to older adults as their own and witness to God's love for its residents.
On Mother's Day, our congregation will continue this tradition of caring through the Mother's Day Offering. Please give generously. Your gift directly touches the lives of those needing financial assistance, assuring them that they can continue to call Presbyterian Communities " home."
We are praying for Puerto Rico as they face yet another 5.0 earthquake and a number of significant aftershocks.
Presbyteries Disaster Assistance is already in contact with the leadership of the Southwest Presbytery and has offered assistance.
In consultation with the Stated Clerk of Presbytery and in light of the current mandated guidelines, we are unable to hold a congregational meeting at this time. The Session has set the Congregational Meeting for May 31st.
The bell tower was struck by lightning the afternoon of Sunday, April 19. The Steeple Fund campaign for the current renovation continues and, considering the damage from the fire, the need to raise money is now even greater.
Help us bring the Second Church tower back to its former glory, so it can continue to be a beacon for Charleston. Donate today to the Steeple Fund.
Bell tower progress updates (and lots of photos) can be found here.
SUPPORT YOUR CHURCH WHILE YOU PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING! Many of us are ordering online right now and you can support Second Pres any time you shop on Amazon! Choose to support “Second Presbyterian Church” at smile.amazon.com and Amazon will automatically donate to Second Presbyterian with each purchase you make. Remember to check out and place your final order via smile.amazon.com (and not the app) each time you shop to activate the donations.
A benefit telethon with iconic local and national artists on May 8 will raise funds for Homeless to Hope Fund to impact lowcountry area homeless.
More here →
Please text the number 81010 with the message '@2pcchurch' to sign up for church text messages so that you are made aware of pertinent announcements and church-related news. If you didn't receive a text this week regarding the fire, then you aren't yet signed up! Please take a moment to sign up right now so that you're connected in the future. Please contact Jordyn or Sarah if you need help signing up.
MUSC's Psychiatry Unit has reached out offering ways to help patients feel less isolated.
Because of all of the extra measures we have had to take to ensure our patients stay safe with this pandemic, that means many of them are not able to receive any visitors at all, and now they feel more isolated than ever.
Would you be willing to send something to a patient? Something small like a word puzzle book, cards, coloring book, or even a teddy bear can go a long way to just simply let them know someone out there is thinking about them.
Simply send something via their Amazon Registry.
If you would prefer to send us something directly, please send to:
MUSC Institute of Psychiatry, Jessica Carter
67 President St MSC 861
Charleston, SC 29425
One80 Place is in need of volunteers! If you are able, please sign up and help serve those who need us most right now!
Sign up here: one80place.volunteerhub.com/
Or donate to meet their "need of the week".
Wish list: one80place.org/wish-list/
Find it on Amazon: bit.ly/Wish-List-One80
Find it at Walmart: bit.ly/2NSDx7O