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Pastor Cress Darwin of Second Presbyterian Church in Charleston SC, delivers a message for Sunday July 26, 2020.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, July 26, 2020

Dear Friends in Christ –

This week will be our last engagement with the Gospel of Matthew for a while. So it’s fitting that the text is the closing of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus has just finished a flurry of illustrations/parables where he has described “the kingdom, the realm of God is like…”

He points out that the highway to hell is easy, while the righteous life is found through a small gate at the end of a narrow road.
False teachers abound like wolves in sheep’s clothing.
A tree is known by its fruit. And,
not everyone who calls on God and leans into religion, is fit for the realm.

The proof is in obedience. Matthew has just spent chapters detailing what it is we are to do, how it is we are to live.

We are to hear and we are to do. It’s really that simple. You base your behavior, you give your heart, you build your life in Jesus and when the storm comes – and it will – you will stand.

Folks, we got some storms. Let’s pay attention.

Invite your friends. Share with your neighbors. Share the answer –

Interested in becoming a member of Second Presbyterian? Email Cress for more information.

CLICK HERE TO LET US KNOW IF THERE ARE SPECIFIC WAYS WE CAN BE IN PRAYER FOR OR OF SERVICE TO YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES

Volunteer opportunities can be found here →

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 … — 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.
FIND OUT MORE about the MBF Live Webcasts here.
VISIT Medical Benevolence Foundation here.

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 … — 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.
Read full update here →

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 t… — **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… — 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.** →

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 Jardi… — 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.
FIND OUT MORE HERE →

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 h… — 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!

Purchase Tywanza T-shirts HERE

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… — 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