Access Granted

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, October 23, 2022

Dear Friends in Christ –

There is a moment in most every drama on any/all of the platforms you frequent when there are characters at a computer frantically trying to crack the code that will allow them to save the world or escape the explosion or rescue their loved ones. You hear typing strokes like gun shots and you see fingers flying over the keyboard at breakneck speed, then the camera pans up to the horrified expression on the character’s face. It cuts to the computer screen and you read the bold letters that fill the screen – ACCESS DENIED! When have you read that or been told that or felt that moment?

Imagine the mothers and fathers, the uncles and aunts, the grandparents that had made the journey, left their homes in search of the rabbi who was becoming more renowned (or more notorious) by the day. People were bringing their children to be “touched” by this person of power, to be blessed by the prophet who was doing miraculous things.

This Sunday we’ll hear and sing Gospel Music. We’ll engage the Gospel Truth. We’ll position ourselves for grace that will never be denied.

In great anticipation –

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

Jesus Among the Broken

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, October 16, 2022

Modern-day Jesus followers are called to emulate and imitate the ways of Jesus, but how does one go about such a tall task?

In our often polarized and divided world, many groups have ascribed certain character traits to "their version" of Jesus of Nazareth. But what examples do we have of Jesus' way with the unincorporated and marginalized? What should we notice about the actions, reactions, and interactions of Jesus with the out-groups of His day

This Sunday we look forward to a challenging message from the Gospel of Luke, connecting the words and ways of Jesus with ideas for applications for today.

– Rev. Dr. Marion Platt

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We welcome Rev. Dr. Marion Platt, the sixth Executive Director and Pastor of Star Gospel Mission’s 117-year history. A native of Charleston, Marion served two enlistments as a U.S. Army infantryman before embarking on a nineteen-year ministry with The Salvation Army. He has held executive, academic, and pastoral roles in several cities across the South; he earned his doctoral degree from Trevecca Nazarene University (Nashville) and is a sought-after lecturer, evangelist, and revivalist.

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

Saying Thank You Is Not Enough

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, October 9, 2022

Those ten lepers are so much more than just a morality tale told to improve the social graces of Jesus' followers.

– Ken Carrington

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Ken Carrington is an elder, SPK kindergarten teacher, and our Director of Children and Youth. He is the announcer for the Riverdogs and his greatest joy is teaching the Children’s sermon. Ken is currently a candidate for a Commissioned Pastor in the Presbyterian Church.

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

Guest Preacher: Gentleness

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m. in-person and live streamed here.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, August 21, 2022

We look forward to welcoming elder Nathan Walker as our final summer guest preacher this week.

Nathaniel R. Walker is a serving elder from Little Rock, Arkansas and Tennessee. He and Sally have two children and a dog Archie. He is a Professor of Architectural History at College of Charleston. Nathan specializes in the history of public spaces such as squares and streets, and the ways in which architecture has been drafted into the social and political power systems that alternatively divide or unite people across the jagged, intersecting lines of race, gender, religion, class, etc.

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

Guest Preacher: Keep the Faith

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m. in-person and live streamed here.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, August 7, 2022

She looked up at me and stated, “I am trying to keep the faith.” For her, it was not some frivolous or dismissive phrase but rather an anchor to cling to in the midst of wild uncertainty. A hope that kept her going, a belief that even in the heart of the chaos, the fear, and the anxiety, God was still with her, would not leave her, and would guide her through.

Our scripture for Sunday comes from Hebrews and it is rich in encouragement to keep the faith even when we might not see the things hoped for come to fruition in our lifetime, even when the going gets rough or things seem impossible.

Friends, as we gather together let us try and keep the faith, keep on hoping, and keep our hearts open to the movements of God who is truly in our midst.

– Rev. Margaret Fleming

Rev. Margaret Fleming attended Columbia Theological Seminary and graduated in May 2020. She was ordained in Second's sanctuary on April 18, 2021 and is a staff chaplain at Roper St. Francis, West Ashley Hospital.

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

Guest Preacher: You Are in the Story

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m. in-person and live streamed here.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, July 31, 2022

Mark chapter 5 has some important characters. As we look on Sunday at the synagogue leader, the bleeding woman, the crowd, the disciples, and Jesus, you will see they all have unique differences- and unique similarities. The goal out of the message, is for us to see what character we relate to the most and then reflect on how Jesus relates to us. Can't wait to see you!

– Stephen Popadich

Stephen Popadich has been in ministry for the past 14 years, currently the Young Adult Pastor at Seacoast Church in Mount Pleasant.  His wife, Nicole and two children Owen and Anacapri have lived in Charleston for almost 10 years. 

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

Guest Preacher: If You Don't Ask, You Won't Get

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m. in-person and live streamed here.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, July 31, 2022

Abraham has just been told what the future has in store for him… now he has to deal with the prospects of what is about to happen to Sodom and Gomorrah.

How does Abraham approach this "discussion" with God?

What can we learn from this encounter?

-Ken Carrington

Ken Carrington is an Elder, a K5 teacher at Second Presbyterian Kindergarten, and is Director of Children and Youth for Second Presbyterian. His greatest joy is teaching the Children’s sermon. Ken is currently a candidate for a Commissioned Pastor in the Presbyterian Church.

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

Guest Preacher: Don’t Leave Home Without It

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m. in-person and live streamed here.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, July 17, 2022

Sometimes we don’t know what we’re missing, but we can really feel it.
– Rev. Cooper

Rev. Gale Cooper is an Episcopal priest who was graduated by Union Theological Seminary (Presbyterian) and Virginia Theological Seminary (Episcopal) before serving parishes in Richmond and Charlotte. She and her husband live at Bishop Gadsden.

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

Love For All, Including Our Enemies

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m. in-person, following CDC guidelines, and live streamed here.

Find upcoming events and announcements here.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, February 20, 2022

Dear Friends in Christ –

The Spirit, in all their wondrous mystery and mischief, tends to lead me to the passages whose themes speak straight to our human hearts, with our human worries, and our human struggles. The text for this week, Luke 6:27-38, might be one that has been read, quoted, or referenced to us before—the call, invitation, and command to love our enemies and to do good to those who hate us. In a world with so much division, hatred, frustration, and distrust what does this mean for us?  What does this look like? And is this truly possible?

I look forward to gathering together for worship this Sunday to grapple with this text and to worship the God who calls us to the action of love. 

– Rev. Margaret Fleming

Rev. Fleming is from Mount Pleasant, SC. She attended Columbia Theological Seminary and graduated in May 2020 and was ordained in Second's sanctuary on April 18, 2021. She is a staff chaplain at Roper/St. Francis Hospital, West Ashley. She and her husband Will have been worshipping at Second since 2017.

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CHURCH OFFICER RECOMMENDATIONS OPEN – Please prayerfully recommend members by Sunday, March 6th for the upcoming slate of Church Officers.

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WORSHIP SAFETY GUIDELINES: Wear a face mask in church, even if you are fully vaccinated. Please worship from home if you are exhibiting any COVID-like symptoms, are aware of an exposure, or have been asked by a school or other institution to quarantine or isolate.

Interested in becoming a member of Second Presbyterian? Email Cress for more information and dates for upcoming new members classes.

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

See Yourself as Sent

SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, February 23, 2020

Dear Friends in Christ – 

    Second Presbyterian Church is not the place it was five, ten,  fifteen, fifty years ago– or even last year. With every passing season, our congregation, community and culture changes. Many of the goals set during the previous years have been achieved to one extent or another. We also have discovered new gifts and talents that are finding their place in our ministry. Since the church is a dynamic body with a dynamic relationship with God, it is easy to see that if we are wise, we continually seek discernment. And so: this weekend with Stan Ott. 

    I’ve been aware of Rev. Dr. E. Stanley Ott for years encountering him at conferences, reading his articles, listening to his podcast. Stan has over thirty years of first-hand knowledge of the hard work and challenges that lead to the blessings of being a transformational congregation. He has served three vibrant congregations and is President of Leading Moments ®, LLC and founder of the Vital Churches Institute. His passion is the transformation of the local church and the encouragement of those who follow Jesus. He recently led a number of local churches through the Acts 15:6 Initiative. “So the churches were strengthened in faith and increased in numbers daily.”    

    A hallmark of this Initiative is the fact that Stan is a Pastor and teaches with a Pastor’s heart. His concern is not the ego of pastors or members, but instead the vitality and spiritual growth of congregations. He truly believes that while there are things about a church that may not be working, we must honor who we are and what the past has taught us while boldly stepping into the future into which the Spirit is leading. 

    Second Church, we’re in for a treat this weekend. We have a guest, we have a teacher, a preacher - a specialist for Jesus. 

• This evening the Deacons and Elders meet. 

• Tomorrow everyone’s invited

• Sunday Rev. Ott will teach Sunday School and preach – the text is Matthew 9:36-10:5a “See Yourself as Sent”

    What an opportunity we have to listen, learn, question and celebrate God’s continued blessing and calling of the Second Presbyterian Church of Charleston and it’s Suburbs.

    I invite everyone to come. We have our challenges which we acknowledge, and we have this opportunity to hear from an objective servant of the living God to aid us in discernment and planning.   

    Please take advantage of this moment for our church.

In great anticipation, 

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Laying a Foundation

SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, February 16, 2020

Dear Friends in Christ – 

This week we enter into the new church in Corinth.  Paul writes as reports get back to him that the church has begun to see early disagreements and questions about what it really means to be a follower of Jesus.  

Some of these question remain in the church in 2020. It seems to point to the fact that it was and never will be easy to be a follower of Christ.  But we press on, knowing how our lives have changed and knowing that we are called to plant the word of God across our nation and our world.

Please join me on Sunday as we press forward together!

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