Commitment Sunday

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, November 17, 2024

Dear Friends in Jesus –

A few years ago I found myself swept up in a cultural ‘moment’. It seemed that a kid from Canada was taking pop music by storm. He wrote lyrics that weren’t filled with expletives. He wrote music that was singable. He wasn’t old enough to shave, but he made my daughter’s girlfriends in the fourth grade squeal. So when the biopic of his journey from the streets of western Canada to a sold out gig/coronation as teenage pop icon at Madison Square Garden came out, I took my daughter and her friends.

When the other parents asked who was going to take them, I said “me.” Almost to a person they couldn’t believe that I would take the time, endure the screams, wrangle the gaggle of fourth grade girls. They didn’t know I was a ‘belieber’! I was a fan!

Well, now you may ask Justin who? He who said, "You're able to do whatever you set your mind to as long as you remember to keep God first and stay grounded,” is no longer on the charts, but often in the tabloids.

This Sunday we gather to worship and to offer our commitment to Jesus and the work we are called to do/ that we get to do through the Second Presbyterian Church for the dynamic, inclusive realm of God!

Last week the question was not, ”do you believe in God?”, but “do you believe God?" as through scripture the faithfulness, the constancy, the courage, the power of love is revealed and made manifest?

See you in worship.

In great anticipation –

 

(I’m a Believer!)

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Source: sermons

Church in the Park

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, November 10, 2024

Dear Friends in Jesus –

Now what?

When I sat down to write,  I was riddled with dis-ease, discomfort rather than relief that years long battles have been waged across the airwaves and at the coffee shop don’t disappear overnight. Then I remembered my job is not to referee but to position myself, and those who I may, for the inexhaustive grace of God.   

What I want to focus on is what we get to do Sunday and each moment of our lives – engage God’s word, become willing to be led by the Spirit and allow the love of God to pour through us as the antidote, the balm for the wounds we incur and that we cause.

So...

This Sunday we engage Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians. He is gathering a purse for the saints in Jerusalem where there has been a severe famine. But as Paul makes his case to the Corinthians to perhaps outshine the church in Macedonia in their generosity, he provides us with a template for generosity.

This Sunday, we worship al fresco. We breathe the fresh air of our beloved renovated Wragg Square and sing and pray reflecting the faith, compassion and joy of the way of Jesus.

Invite a friend, family member, someone you want to know or even someone you’d rather not. God’s grace is for everyone!

In great anticipation –

 

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Source: sermons

What Do You Want?

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, November 3, 2024

Dear Friends in Jesus –

One of my favorite texts in scripture is the narrative of Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus. It’s especially resonant for these particular times.  

Why Bartimaeus? Within the narrative are the elements that describe the heart of Jesus and the necessity that we know what it is we need and the courage to ask for it.

These times cry for clarity, for confidence, for courage.  

Come to worship! Face time is quality time. We’ll all share some time with Jesus as well!

In anticipation,

 

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Source: sermons

Grow Up!

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, October 27, 2024

Dear Friends in Jesus –

‘Ah, the wedding text’ you may say when you hear Elise read from 1 Corinthians this Sunday. It’s true that this text is often read at weddings, even though it’s out of the context in which it was written. It does speak poetically to love’s maturity and enduring that would do for a lifetime of fidelity, commitment, purpose and joy.

But the Apostle is writing to what should be, what could be and what must be to salvage what is for a community in crisis.

A commentary on and prescription for these times as well. 

We are better together – see you Sunday –

 

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Source: sermons

True Enough

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, October 20, 2024

Dear Friends in Jesus -

The news media are supposed to help us understand the world, and faster, better, more varied communication technologies are supposed to enrich that process of understanding, but people are now more comfortable with ideas that feel true, even if the evidence for those beliefs is thin.

Salon writer Farhad Manjoo explains what's powering this phenomenon in his book, True Enough. He explains why things have so often worked in reverse - and why Americans no longer disagree just about opinions and political values, but about basic factual realities. This problem of 'truthiness' is depressingly familiar, but Manjoo adds useful information and insights about its origins, effects, and possible solutions.

It may seem naive and shallow to just point to Jesus, but… the way of humble, loving service, and inclusive, embracing love of Jesus (and by Jesus) is the antidote to the chaos, brutality, and evil of the world.

“If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free,” John 8:31-32.

 

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Source: sermons

Where in the World Is God?

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, October 13, 2024

We pray:

Be with those whose lives have been forever changed - by storms, by violence, by sickness, by fear. Be with those who’s eyes are set on the storm - whose belongings have washed away, whose pictures and books and music and toiletries have vanished, whose way of living is gone.

We know through experience in this place that new memories are made and lives rebuilt, but be with those whose recovery and livelihoods are yet to be known.

And may we be fervent in our prayers and constant in whatever tangible support we may offer.

To you who is always with us we pray –
Amen.

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Source: sermons

Bearers of the Good News!

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: World Communion Sunday, October 6, 2024

Dear Friends in Jesus –

In his first letter to the people of Corinth, Paul is writing to a ragged congregation that seems to have been having a hard time – and have been giving him a hard time.

So Paul begins where he has to, and where he always begins.  He offers a definition of himself and those like him. He says, “Think of us as servants of Christ.”

So I am passing that on this day, suggesting that you make this  your self-identity, your primary self-understanding as we take up the calling of Christian ministry together in the name of Jesus. 

Remember this: You are, we are the priesthood of all believers. Yes – this is what we get to do! :)

In great anticipation –

 

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Source: sermons

Just Droppin’ By

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, September 29, 2024

Dear Friends in Jesus –

Some in our community remember Hurricane Hugo and the devastation of Charleston 35 years ago.

It’s mid-afternoon and the sun is shining here. Streets are open and Helene seems a frightful dream from the darkness, yet we know the storm continues to wreak havoc – a million people in danger of flash floods, four and a half million people without power. 

We have been spared, though through no merit nor actions of our own. Thanks be to God. But we must have a special compassion for those whose lives are forever changed and must support targeted efforts to help. 

This Sunday we engage a story related in all three of the synoptic Gospels – a story of friendship, of faith, of courage and hutzpah!

A paralytic man is dropped in as Jesus teaches, heals the people, and frustrates the temple authorities. Would we have the creativity, the courage to risk and persevere for a friend to be made whole? 

Who are you in the story?

Come this Gospel Music Sunday. Experience the strength, the compassion and community, the urgency of Jesus. 

Invite someone you’d like to know as well as someone you’d rather not – there’s room for all of us in need of Jesus.

With great joy in being your pastor –

 

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Source: sermons

To Tame or to Train

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, September 22, 2024

Dear Friends in Jesus –

The Book of James offers that...

  • we can endure and even know joy in the midst of challenge and trials.

  • it's not enough to hear the word, we must be doers of the word.

  • our salvation must be evidenced by faithful actions.

  • the words we speak have power for good or for bad. We can be agents of disarray or agents of grace.

Our text this Sunday: James 3:1-12. Words: they lift up and they tear down. They can be weaponized or heal. Let us never think, as the children’s rhyme goes, “They can’t hurt me.”

Let's share the practical, the inspirational, radically loving word/words of Scripture this Sunday (and everyday:)

In great anticipation,

 

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Source: sermons

The Time to Hope

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, September 15, 2024

Dear Friends in Jesus –

Our scripture this week is from Paul’s letter to the Romans. In this letter (to the only congregation he writes to that he has not physically established) Paul pens words with clarity and power of the grace in which we stand through Jesus.

Paul acknowledges the sufferings of the Christian community there, but offers solace and points to purpose and process that lead to hope – a dynamic expectation residing in God’s grace that does not disappoint.

We need hope. Now is time for hope and the time to hope that we, God’s beloved, will stand, not in our strength, but in the strength of Jesus’ righteous love.

It's practical, it's cosmic, and it never fails.

In gratitude –

 

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Source: sermons

Homecoming Sunday

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, September 8, 2024

Dear Friends in Jesus –

When my family and I arrived at Second Church, the first Sunday after Labor Day was ‘Rally Day’ as observed by many churches – a day to reconvene after summer, to celebrate a new start of the program year. But Rebecca and I attended a church that celebrated ‘Homecoming’. The idea of returning home added a lovely dimension.

Dr. Scott Black of Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church where we had attended asks: Where is home?

Is home where you were born? Or is home is where you pick up your mail? Is it where your parents live? Is it where you know the rules and crave the local barbeque?

I ask: Is home the place where you belong?

Near the end of his life, the prophet Moses was traveling through the wilderness with people who had recently escaped from slavery. As they moved through the desert, the people kept asking their leader: Where’s home? Where’s this land you have been promising us?
 
Responding, Moses assured them, “the eternal God is thy dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms” (KJV, Deut. 33:27).
 
When people of faith look for home, our tradition points to God. God is home.
 
This Sunday is Homecoming Sunday at Second Church. We’ll sing, "All Hail the Power", hug those whom we’ve missed, welcome new folk to experience the love of Jesus, and be surrounded by God’s everlasting arms.

See you at home –

 

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Source: sermons

We All Need Something to Do

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, September 1, 2024

Dear Friends in Jesus –

The British theologian G. K. Chesterton writes about the joy of God's unending act of creation in his great book Orthodoxy. He muses that God says to the rising sun every morning, "Do it again!" And so when our work may involve seemingly endless routine, we need to find the joy that lurks beneath even the most menial tasks. Many have imagined what it might be that makes for a happy life, often distilling it down to a few essentials: something to do, someone to love, something to hope for. Chesterton suggested that “thanks are the highest form of thought, that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.”

This Sunday is Labor Day – let’s look at what we get to do!

Glad to be home –

 

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Source: sermons

Knowing Good and Evil

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, August 18, 2024

King David has just died. The nation of Israel is at a crossroads. An inflection point. A moment of high national anxiety. The potential for crisis is high. Sound familiar?

At the beginning of Solomon’s reign, God comes to him in a dream and says, “Ask what I shall give you.” Solomon’s response? “An understanding mind, …that I may discern between good and evil.”

Today, if ever there was a time for discerning between good and evil, that time is now.

– Stephen Elliott
 

Stephen earned his undergraduate degree in Mathematics and Economics from DePauw University in Indiana, a Master of Divinity from Duke University, and a Doctor of Medicine from Indiana University. Raised in the United Methodist Church, he served as a pastor in the North Indiana Conference for 10 years before turning his attention to the study and practice of medicine for the past 32 years. Far more importantly, he has been very happily married to Linda, his amazing wife of 33 years, and enjoys, whenever possible, the role of father and grandfather to 3 children and 4 grandchildren, respectively.

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Source: sermons

That's Enough

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, July 28, 2024

Do you believe in miracles?
 
In a world that turns more skeptical every day of anything “miraculous,” believers are faced with questions like does God really care about us and creation? Or maybe you wonder why the stories of Jesus feeding the five thousand and walking on water that we will examine this Sunday never seem to happen any more in our modern world.
 
This weekend, I encourage us to read the Scripture from John 6:1-21 and hear the story fresh again. Maybe we will see something new that we never have seen before. Maybe we will be able to recognize miracles happening right in front of our noses. And perhaps we will discover that with Jesus, there is always enough – for ALL.
 
See you Sunday,
Steven


Rev. Steven Baines is a Charleston native who currently serves as our church administrator after twenty-five years in our nation’s capital. He graduated from Furman University, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and served as Executive Minister at National City Christian Church, the “national cathedral” of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He has also held senior leadership positions at national civil rights organizations including Americans United for Separation of Church and State and People For the American Way.

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Source: sermons

We’re All on Our Road to Damascus

Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, July 14, 2024

The Bible is full of individuals who are not ready to be called, perhaps none more than Paul. Paul’s calling was undeniable, but he had to come a very long way.

We are all called, how will we respond?


Ken Carrington is 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.

***

Unfortunately Ken ended up in urgent care on Sunday morning, but our own Rev. Steven Baines was able to step in to deliver a wonderful sermon that he had been working on for later in the summer. This sermon will be delivered Sunday, July 21 instead and Ken will preach again August 25, in turn with Rev. Baines stepping in for him on July 14.

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

Source: sermons