Deformed, Transformed, Restored
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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, July 19, 2020
Dear Friends in Christ –
Our text this week is about a journey from deformity to transformation to restoration – the Gerasene Demoniac. The story occurs in three of the Gospels, but the narrative is most richly told as Luke writes it to the gentiles. He weaves the story of a man tragically possessed by demons, as it was thought at the time. The name of the demon is Legion, a Roman army unit of about six thousand soldiers. For the people of the day, it would symbolize “occupying forces whose power was overwhelming and whose presence meant the loss of control over every dimension of their lives.” That was the effect of the Roman soldiers over the Jewish populace and the effect of the demons over the man. Does this sound like a pandemic? Not too much of a reach as we strive to cope with an unpredictable, insidious and viral enemy. Not too much of a reach as we come to a reckoning of generations of systemic racism and denial.
Jesus has crossed the sea, has entered enemy territory, has rebuked the natural elements, has flummoxed his recently conscripted disciples. No place he won’t go, no one beyond his reach. This is a 2000 year old tale of chaos calmed and conquest for a man’s soul through compassion that gives us hope for today.
Turn on and tune in – dial your spirits into the Gospel truth. Invite your friends. Chat about it. Find yourself in the story. Though we are distanced, let us still be engaged.
In anticipation –
Interested in becoming a member of Second Presbyterian? Email Cress for more information.
Volunteer opportunities can be found here →
Join MBF's Webinar on Tuesday, July 21st, for a discussion with Dr. Paul Osteen about the future of medical mission. For the past 11 years, as Associate Pastor he has provided oversight to all pastoral ministries at Lakewood Church and is one of the teaching pastors. Paul has always had a heart for missions and followed God’s call to the mission field, where he is able to enjoy two of his greatest passions: ministry and medicine. As part of his commitment, he spends 4-5 months each year in remote mission hospitals caring for people who have little or no access to healthcare.
When: Tuesday, July 21st, 2020-7 PM Central Time (U.S. and Canada)
Topic: The Future of Medical Mission with Dr. Paul Osteen
Please click the link to join the webinar Tuesday night:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81867822185
For the last three months, the COVID-19 pandemic has provided the opportunity for us to look more deeply at the future of international medical missions. And as Yogi would say – that future looks much different today than it ever has before.
Medical Missions Live continues its all-star lineup in July with more highly respected missions leaders that you won’t want to miss.
Life is different and can often be described as “upside-down.” My heart goes out to everyone because I know that few have ever experienced shortages, confinement, and a feeling of not being in control. After having spent decades in some of the most impoverished countries where everything is in short supply – especially medicines and good health – I know that life is challenging. We can, however, come through this; hopefully, stronger in faith and more aware of our global neighbors.
I stay in touch with my South Sudanese worshipping community, friends, colleagues and neighbors. They have had much concern for all of us here and are following the news very closely. More importantly, they are praying for everyone. Let us continue to pray for each other and those beyond our borders.
Special Offering this Sunday for Hands of Christ
Thank you for your continued support of our effort as a Church to support the incredible Hands of Christ ministry in the Charleston community. This year may be even more important than ever. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are modifying our distribution to safeguard both our members and the children we serve.
Find out more about how children will be served and how you can volunteer this year.
You can still donate to the Special Offering for Hands of Christ online by designating 'Hands of Christ'.
MUSC's Psychiatry Unit has reached out offering ways to help pregnant women and new moms right here in Charleston. They are collecting donations for the women in our community to help with mental health care, child care and provide support for young child education.
Find out specific ways to help here. →
One80 Place is in need of volunteers! If you are healthy and 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
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is in contact with partners in Guatemala and El Salvador offering assistance after Tropical Storm Amanda. Please join us in praying for the affected communities.
To support PDA’s response, designate gifts to DR000139. bit.ly/DR000139
The City has reached out asking for volunteer drivers to help care for our neighbors without housing right now. A volunteer driver is needed for each day of the week for both available options. Please consider volunteering. Contact Christopher Jardin at jardinc@charleston-sc.gov or 843.607.8570 for more information.
The Tywanza Sanders Legacy Foundation launches a new T-shirt design as a fundraiser each year to help support Camp Wanza, an entrepreneurship camp for ages 10-18, and fund scholarships. This year's design is special as it is an original by Tywanza himself.
Order your shirts today!
Lee Pringle, founder of the Charleston Gospel Choir that makes its home here at Second Presbyterian and sings twice yearly in our services, is also the founder of the Colour of Music Festival. Based in Charleston and organized in 2013, the Colour of Music Festival has brought international, national, and regional classically trained black musicians of African descent to share their musical talents, knowledge, and inspiration to concert and performance halls across the U.S.
The Festival has decided to re-release the yellow 2017 poster as it has become a symbol of national solidarity and togetherness.
Resistance, solidarity, and togetherness is the context for the artist’s use of a five-string violin and a fist, a symbol of black resistance, that commemorated the Festival’s fifth anniversary.
Posters and new t-shirts are available in the shop at colourofmusic.org, where you can also view their George Floyd Memorial montage video.
Find more information about the poster and artists here →
CHURCH-WIDE TAG SALE
We have decided to delay our tag sale (yard, garage sale), till the end of September or October because of the virus. I now go around my house picking up nicknacks, and saying "bye- bye" I am decluttering. I look in closets and drawers and say to my clothes, "I haven't worn you in a year, so I guess I don't need you "bye-bye". Now I have a few piles and bags for the tag sale. So go around your house, garage, basement, and attic before time goes by and it's too late. I will need volunteers at the beginning of September to help me organize and price things. I will also need volunteers to spread the word, make posters/flyers to post at the college, stores, and churches and to put an ad in the paper. Please call and let me know if you can help out.
Thanks so much,
Dawn McCready
293-921-7819
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.
The bell tower was struck by lightning the afternoon of Sunday, April 19, 2020. 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.
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.