Fourth Sunday of Advent: What a Difference a Pronoun Makes

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, December 20, 2020

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Dear Friends in Christ –

Mary was probably no more than fourteen. She is not characterized as “righteous” in her religious observances. She is not visited in holy surroundings in the metropolis of Jerusalem. We can presume the angel Gabriel finds her in humble circumstances in the insignificant northern village called Nazareth. But Gabriel tells Mary she has found favor with God, that she will conceive a son and name him Jesus, and that he will rule a dynasty, fulfilling all the ancient expectations for a Jewish Messiah.

Wow. What are we to think? Are we just to accept this narrative? Are we to be the heralds of this craziness? Well, what else could we report? Does our faith hinge on the science and possibility/probability of a human virgin birth? We are told nothing is impossible with God. How much does it matter to you? How much does it matter to Jesus?

This Sunday we won’t attempt to reduce the mystery and wonder of holy revelation. We’ll observe the courage of a young girl, the confidence of our maker, the reality of the miraculous and the promise that we are not alone. 

Ah, the wonder–

See you in worship! 

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Source: sermons

Christmas Joy Offering: Being Together

MINUTE FOR MISSION

Being Together

“Many hands make light work.”

“Teamwork makes the dream work.”

“If we all do a little, it adds up to a lot.”

There are lots of ways to say it — but working together really does make bigger and better things possible.  And, lots of times, working together makes it more fun, too.  In fact, there are times made better just by our ability to be together, to be with one another.

That is something that really rings true, doesn’t it?  Being together. During these past months, many of us weren’t able to be together in person.  We have always been together in spirit, and in faith.  But we missed seeing each other.  We missed seeing faces we love — up close and personal.  But that doesn’t mean we haven’t been together.  And we definitely have not been alone.

There is a word that comes up a lot during this season we call Advent in the Church, and it points to the same sentiment, but about God: “Emmanuel.” Emmanuel means “God is with us,” and, in Jesus, we Christians claim that God took on human form to be with us. "God is with us” is more than just saying God is along for the ride. It states God values togetherness and relationship with us, leading us to value togetherness and relationship with one another.  When we are all together as we are today — and even when we are apart.

The Christmas Joy Offering is one way we join together as Presbyterians from around the country.  We do this to meet the needs of vulnerable people we might not be able to meet as individuals or as single congregations.  We might not be able to meet face to face with those who need the support that our gifts provide, but we are very much still together. 

The gifts we share connect us.  They also change lives.  Through the Christmas Joy Offering, we support church workers and their families who experience critical financial needs through help from the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions.  We connect with the young people attending Stillman College, Presbyterian Pan American School, and the Menaul School, supporting the education and leadership development for students of color, who will soon be leaders in our Church and in the world.

“God is with us.” All the time. During this season of Advent, as we approach Christmas, I can’t think of a more perfect gift than that.  Thank you for sharing those lessons and those truths, through your gift to the Christmas Joy Offering.

Please give generously, for “if we all do a little — together — it adds up to a lot.”

Let Us Pray ~

God, we are your Church, together. Because of your son Jesus, we are brought together to serve those who lead your Church but find themselves in need. And we are brought together with students at Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color, who have the potential to lead your church and world in the future. In the name of the Christ, Emmanuel we pray, Amen.

 
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God saw the great needs of the world and offered a perfect gift, Jesus Christ. In Jesus, we receive the perfect gift of God being with us, and of being with those in need—the gift of being together when we are near, and being together when we are apart.

The Christmas Joy Special Offering is an opportunity to join other Presbyterian churches throughout the country to support our PC(USA) leaders. Through the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions, our gifts honor the faithfulness of current and retired church workers in need. These generous actions bear witness to our response to Christ's charge to love one another.

Third Sunday of Advent: News of the Day

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Online Church is posted on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. Watch here.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, December 13, 2020

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Dear Friends in Christ –

Beautiful Outlaw: “A dangerous book about a scandalous Savior –  He was accused of nearly everything – breaking the law, keeping bad company, heavy drinking, and being the devil himself.  He was so compelling and dangerous they had to kill him.” –John Eldredge

Simply Good News: “No matter what your world view, your beliefs, or your culture, you will find Jesus haunting, disturbing, and attractive.” –NT Wright 

John 1:26-27:  “Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal." –John, the Baptizer

All three statements are descriptive. All three statements testify to the nature of the one whom we celebrate. We’ve heard this before, but for these days this report has a special resonance, an urgency. It isn’t fake. It isn’t alternative, it’s real and it's essential.

John the Baptizer says, “It ain’t me, but… here’s what I saw.”

We say, “Come Lord Jesus, Come” 

Well, Sunday’s comin’, men and women, and we will light the candle of joy. So stop by, tune in, testify!

See you in worship!

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

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

Source: sermons

Christmas Joy Offering: A Love Story

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God saw the great needs of the world and offered a perfect gift, Jesus Christ. In Jesus, we receive the perfect gift of God being with us, and of being with those in need—the gift of being together when we are near, and being together when we are apart.

The Christmas Joy Special Offering is an opportunity to join other Presbyterian churches throughout the country to support our PC(USA) leaders. Through the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions, our gifts honor the faithfulness of current and retired church workers in need. These generous actions bear witness to our response to Christ's charge to love one another.

MINUTE FOR MISSION

A LOVE STORY

Rev. Ken Tracy has spent much of his more than 30 years with the PC(USA) helping congregations work through conflict and revitalize their membership — a mission grounded in love.

If you have the opportunity to talk with Rev. Tracy for even a few minutes, it’s easy to understand why he would be really good at tackling difficult conversations and helping others heal — he laughs easily and has an infectious personality that quickly draws you in.

Along the way, he’s built a legacy of love and faith with a focus on ministry and service within the church. His wife Carol has been by his side throughout all these years.

His first call was at the Pleasantville, Pennsylvania, Presbyterian Church. He then went on to work within Boulder Presbytery, now known the Presbytery of Plains
and Peaks, and serve for seven years as the executive of Utah Presbytery and then as the pastor at St. James Presbyterian Church in Tarzana, California, following the Northridge earthquake in 1994 that damaged the St. James sanctuary. He went on to lead a congregation in the Alaskan village of Hydaburg, taking him and Carol to the smaller churches he loved to serve. It was in Alaska that Carol got very sick.

“We made three trips to Seattle to see doctors, and the shared grants handled by the Board of Pensions picked up 100 percent of our expenses,” he says. “They paid for our flights, hotel, meals, rental car, whatever we needed.”

The doctors discovered that Carol had significant damage to her lungs due to an exposure to black mold; so they turned again for help to the Board of Pensions, which is funded in part by the Christmas Joy Offering. Now they live in Monte Vista Grove Homes in Pasadena, a retirement community for retired pastors, church workers and missionaries. “Carol now lives in skilled nursing, and I live in independent living. Her room is about 30 feet from me,” Rev. Tracy explains. “I’d never heard of a shared

grant until I was the executive at the Utah Presbytery and a member needed some support. I didn’t realize then that years later it would also help my family.”

This is a love story. Not just about Ken and Carol’s love for each other and love for the mission they have served side by side for so many years, but also about God’s love and the love we show with our gifts. Half of the Christmas Joy Offering goes to the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions to help current and past church workers and their families in their time of need critical financial need. The other half supports education and leadership development at Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color.

Please give generously, for when we all do a little — it adds up to a lot.

Let Us Pray ~

In our passionate leaders,
we see the echo of your passionate love for us, O God.

Thank you for the gift they are, and receive our gifts
to support church leaders, past, present and future.

Amen

Second Sunday of Advent: Penalty Paid - Next?

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, December 6, 2020

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Dear Friends in Christ –

It’s been hard for me to settle into a groove, a theme for this season. Advent is a time of active waiting, anticipating, perhaps even yearning for what only a miracle can provide.  

Can’t be jolly when the wild fire’s bearing down on your friend’s home or there’s another provocation from the east or the west to deprive displaced people dignity, or another charge of sexual misconduct appropriately redrawing the lines of what is cute, funny or demeaning, another storm lurking post-season in the Caribbean, another genocide, another record set for Covid deaths as the United States, as the most advanced(?) country in the world leads, not in diplomacy, nor humanitarian efforts, but in hubris and partisan stalemate as people are evicted from their homes, hungry, frightened and forgotten.

So we need a miracle. We need to be reminded of the God of creation that draws near. Last week we experienced hope as we remembered that Jesus loves us as we are.

This week we look to the prophet Isaiah through whom God promises peace and restoration to an exiled and chastened people. We know what it's like to be living in a ton of hurt. So we will gather and we will pray and we will repent and we will look to the Lord. 

The miracle occurs as we gather as God’s people –

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

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

Source: sermons

Season of Giving

Yesterday David reminded us of something different that we could do on Cyber Monday rather than shop — to go make your pledge for 2021 if you haven’t already! Hope some of you took advantage of that easy way to make your commitment.

Well, today, I’m sure that your email inbox is already filling up with appeals for GIVING TUESDAY. While all non-profits are especially in need this year due to the pandemic, so is the church. Sure, support your favorite charities, but remember what hopefully is at the center of your life, God and your faith. So today, why not give to Second Presbyterian Church first with an extra gift for this year or to get current with your 2020 pledge.

Step up to the plate today. Be generous. Make a difference for our church and its vital work in the community and the world.

Stay warm and stay safe!

Thanks,
Stewardship Team

Season of Giving: Cyber Monday

Advent is a season of giving. We're enticed by clever marketing to shop Black Friday and Small Business Saturday. The commercial celebration continues with Cyber Monday– today, November 30.

While you're online taking advantage of those great offers, remember to give here too. If you haven't done so already, make your pledge for 2021. Don't forget to get current on your 2020 pledge, too, if you can.

The church needs your support now more than ever. Step up to the plate, and make Second first in your giving plan.

Thanks,
Stewardship Team

 
AND! If you shop Amazon this holiday season (and throughout the year) make sure your purchases go to support the mission and ministry of Second. Link your account at smile.amazon.com to "Second Presbyterian Church" and Amazon will automatically don…

AND! If you shop Amazon this holiday season (and throughout the year) make sure your purchases go to support the mission and ministry of Second.
Link your account at smile.amazon.com to "Second Presbyterian Church" and Amazon will automatically donate a percentage of eligible purchases to the church when you checkout through smile.amazon.com.
Or connect from your phone! Open your Amazon App > go to Settings > click AmazonSmile > Turn On.

 
Watch David's stewardship reminder for us all from the Sunday church service.

Watch David's stewardship reminder for us all from the Sunday church service.

First Sunday of Advent: A Quiet Thing

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Online Church is posted on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. Watch here.

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SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, November 29, 2020

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Dear Friends in Christ –

“Advent asks us not to treat this time differently, but to live in time differently altogether.” - Karoline Lewis 

Here’s the question as we begin this annual journey together: Is any amount of time long enough?

Is there any behavior that we can change or strengthen that is sufficient to prepare us for God’s intrusion into and disruption of our lives and Jesus' mission to reclaim us? 

Then again, aren’t our lives disrupted enough? If it’s the divine purpose to rattle us out of complacency, hasn’t that already been achieved through COVID, political rancor, and climate change? Maybe not. I get so annoyed at myself when I think that Jesus had any other purpose than to love us and reveal to us the right life. Yep, there is a right life, the one described last week that allows us to live – truly live. This has nothing to do with portfolios and little to do with achievement. 

It isn’t contingent on our schedules nor dependent on vaccines. We commemorate the most important and significant event in the whole course of human history. God came once and will come again with “the same silence and the same devastating humility into any human heart ready to receive him.”

Friends, may we use this time with holy purpose to look beyond the prose and the poetry. May the first visit of our God be known and God’s constant return welcomed. 

Amen –

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

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

Source: sermons

First Advent Devotional

SCRIPTURE

Luke 21:25-36

25 “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26 People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” 

29 Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; 30 as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 

34 “Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, 35 like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

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DEVOTIONAL

The day was dark, heavy grey clouds cloaked Charleston, the rain came down in steady streams. The wedding was meant to be outside on the lawn of a beautiful wedding venue overlooking the marsh; complete with the perfect sunset coloring the sky with colors of pink and orange. Instead, there was a greyish darkness and the plans had to change. So, we gathered together on the porch, sitting shoulder to shoulder, with the rain steadily falling down and we watched and celebrated two people joining their lives together. As I looked out over the water and watched as the rain drops made ripples, I listened to two people vow to love one another all the days of their life. I thought to myself, “This is holy, this is sacred, the light is pouring in and this is love.”

If we are not careful we will miss it, we will miss the mischievousness of the divine dancing around us here and now. Sitting on that porch, with the music of the rain, and the warmth of love filling the space I realized that Rev. Darwin was completely right when he said, “Advent is an invitation to living in time differently.” We were all invited to live into time differently at that wedding; we were invited to pay attention, to keep our hearts open to the movings of God, to look and to see that even in the darkness of a rainstorm God is present and doing incredible things.

Advent is a season of anticipation, a waiting period for the baby Savior to be born. Here we are at the beginning of that season of waiting and I hope and pray that you will live into time differently. That you will pay attention to the world all around you and you will look and see that God is present even as we wait.

Grace and Peace,

Margaret Fleming

Margaret is a seminary student at Columbia Theological Seminary and an inquirer for Ordained Ministry under the care of the Session of Second Presbyterian Church.