Join us virtually on Sunday morning at 11:00 a.m. for worship by clicking on the "Sunday Live stream" button on the home page of our website, www.2ndpres.org (or by clicking the button above). We will also email an active link on Sunday morning.
Also - if you click the blue button you will be able to download the worship order so you can follow along at home!
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The flowers this week are given in honor of our dedicated church friends who have been brave and resourceful during this period of confinement; and to the dedicated church staff who have provided worship and fellowship experiences that have helped us all. |
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At their recent meeting, the Session decided to wait another month before deciding the timetable for returning to in-person worship.
Therefore, we will continue virtual worship only at least through the end of March.
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The Session has determined that committees, ministry units, Bible studies, Sunday School classes, youth activities, and any other groups of the church may resume in-person meetings beginning March 1st. Face coverings should be worn by everyone who comes to the building and proper physical distancing guidelines should be observed. Meetings will be limited to 25 persons or less and held only in rooms where appropriate physical distance can be maintained. Outside groups that are not part of the church will also be allowed to use the church building for meetings and gatherings beginning in March, with the same guidelines.
We will NOT have Wednesday night dinners, and the weekly Bible Study will still take place online only.
The Church Administrator will assist groups in scheduling meeting rooms so that safe physical distancing may be maintained. Please do not plan a meeting at the church without notifying the Church Administrator. Some groups may not be able to meet at their normal meeting times and the number of groups able to meet on church property simultaneously may be limited. The Church Administrator will have final determination in scheduling church groups.
It is up to each individual group to weigh the risks and make its own determination regarding whether or not to meet. The Session would like to remind groups that just because they are allowed to meet in person doesn’t mean that they should or that they must meet in person. Any groups that choose to meet in person should make allowances or opportunities for individuals who do not yet feel comfortable meeting in person, to join the meeting virtually.
Finally, please remember the Five Core Principles: practice physical distancing; wear cloth face coverings when in public and physical distancing can’t be achieved; wash hands properly and often; clean surfaces regularly; stay home when sick.
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The church office will open for its regular office hours, Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., beginning March 1st.
In order to maintain social distancing guidelines and not take any unnecessary risks, we are still encouraging folks to complete all church business via phone and email and to not come to the church office unless absolutely necessary.
If you do find it necessary, however, we ask the following:
1) Make an appointment. If at all possible, we would prefer that you please call and make an appointment to see whomever you need to see or do whatever business needs to be done. This allows us to keep density at a minimum and to avoid having too many people on the property at the same time.
2) Wear a face covering. We are asking anyone coming to the church office to please wear a face covering while on the church property. This is for the protection of everyone, including office staff. We will have disposable masks available, should you forget yours.
3) Do not come if you are sick. If you are sick or have symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, fever, or shortness of breath, please do not come to the church office. Additionally, if you have had direct contact with someone who has recently had symptoms, please refrain from coming to the church office.
4) Avoid congregating in groups. Please conduct whatever business you have at the church office quickly and efficiently. We ask that you not “hang out” or congregate in staff offices, especially the church administrator’s office. Once you have conducted your business, we ask that you leave the church premises to make room for others who need to conduct their own business.
5) Maintain physical distancing. For your safety and the safety of the church staff, we ask that everyone stay at least 6 feet away from staff and from one another whenever possible while on the church premises. Remember, “farther is safer.”
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In a year when we have all felt so disconnected, let’s take on a Lenten practice that may help us to feel just a bit more connected. During the forty days of Lent, the congregation is invited to join together in Lenten Letter Writing. Often, we think of giving things up for Lent, but this year we encourage you to take on writing one letter a day during Lent.
We will publish a list of letter recipients, one for each day, that will be available on the website. In addition, blank notecards with envelopes are available to those who would like to have them for their letter writing. They will be available in bundles of 40 on the table in the vestibule. You may pick them up between 9:00am and 4:00pm. Be sure to get them by Thursday, February 18 when the letter writing will begin! If you need notecards but are not getting out and about, please let us know, and someone will bring them to your house.
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Beginning Wednesday, February 24th, and continuing each Wednesday during Lent, 2nd Presbyterian Church will present a noontime concert for reflection. Music will be provided by Matthew Mimbs, David Stultz, and guest musicians from the community.
Each concert will be 20-30 minutes in length. Log on to our YouTube Channel (or click on the link that will be sent) each Wednesday at noon (or anytime thereafter) for music to help you reflect on your Lenten journey.
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Please see below for information about opportunities and resources to receive your vaccines!
1. Volunteer Pharmacy in Hardin Valley
2559 Willow Point Way, Knoxville 37931
Phone: (865)560-0135
2. Walmart Pharmacies
3. Vaccinate Tennessee
866-442-5301
*This website includes how to “get in line” for the vaccinations and to find out when you are eligible based on questions relative to demographic info (mainly age) and medical history. And when eligible, how to search for an open slot (which does not have to be in your county of residence). If you don’t mind travelling to a surrounding county, there is the potential to get vaccinated quicker in less populated areas.
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The March Second Edition Deadline is TOMORROW!
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Second Presbyterian Church has a long history of service and beneficence to the community both near and far. We are a church that views advocacy for all humanity as an integral part of our mission. Sharing our gifts, as a church, provides an interconnection to minister in many different ways.
As the Service and Outreach Ministry Unit plans support and funding in 2021, we invite and encourage you to suggest missions or charities you would like to see our church assist. Please contact any of these members to share your ideas:
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Pastor Tim is leading us in a virtual study of the Major Messages of the Minor Prophets. A new lesson will be posted on our YouTube channel and on our website each Thursday and we invite you to study the lesson at your leisure. Then on the 2nd Wednesday of each month (Feb 10, Mar 10, Apr 14, May 12) we will meet at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom to discuss the lessons from the previous month. This will be a time to bring your questions, comments, and insights and share them with the group.
Our sixth Bible study of the New Year is linked below, and has been posted on our YouTube channel, as well as on our website. There are also questions for further reflection on our website (both the video and questions can be found under the Wednesday Night Bible Study tab).
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Continuing a tradition of community involvement that goes back many years, 2PC will be participating with 11 other churches in our Presbytery, UKirk at UTK and Edward Jones Investments in the building of a Habitat house beginning Saturday, March 20th and continuing through Saturday, May 22nd.
(The work dates and tasks that will be accomplished each workday can be accessed via the button below.) The building site is located in North Knoxville on Mint Rd. (just north of where I-640 crosses N. Broadway)
At this time we want to sign up volunteers to help with the build. Signup must be done online and you can go to:
to sign up! The link will also be on our website! Obviously, with 13 partners on this build the number of volunteer slots allocated to each project partner is limited and will go fast. So if you want to help with this important project of the church don’t delay in signing up. (Additional volunteer slots may open up a week or so before the March 20 start date, so you may want to recheck the signup link then if you have difficulty signing up now.)
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Books from the Book Lady
February is Black History month. For those that want to continue their understanding of people of color, there are some books that might help: (for adults) This is Your Time by Ruby Bridges; a small book with lots of pictures beginning with Ruby as a six-year-old black student who integrated an all-white elementary school in New Orleans; Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges (a Jane Addams Peace Assn. Award book) Ruby’s narrative and pictures make this book come alive advancing our understanding of how hard it was to break through the separate but equal mindset (older Elementary thru adult).
Dear Martin by Nic Stone follows Justyce McAllister who is a student at the top of his class until he is put in handcuffs (middle school thru adult); Darius the Great is not OK by Adib Khorram: Darius is on a journey of self-acceptance on a trip to Iran (middle school thru adult); Martin’s Big Words: the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.(Elementary thru Middle school).
A Band of Angels: a story inspired by the Jubilee Singers by Deborah Hopkinson: living in Tennessee you should know the story of the Jubilee Singers of Fisk University. This group brought the beloved laboring field songs to light – songs we know today as Negro spirituals (elementary-adult).
In addition to the books above for elementary aged children, there are two more: I Am Rosa Parks by Brad Meltzer from his series Ordinary People Change the World (I also have Abraham Lincoln); Skin like Mine by Latashia Perry celebrates diversity among young children.
Remember it is my pleasure to deliver books to you. Contact Liz Peebles directly for all your book delivery needs!
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CHURCH FRIENDS! JOIN THE TRIPLE P (Presbyterian Prayer Partners)
The Discipleship Team is extending this spiritual growth opportunity of having a prayer partner as we enter the “winter of our discontent.” Our separation is more difficult in winter months where there are fewer times to be outdoors even for driveway visits. For many reasons, it is important that we stay in contact with each other. Pastor Tim’s message on Sunday, January 10th emphasized the importance of prayer, and the Discipleship Team to emphasize the importance of connection with each other by becoming part of the Triple P.
Communication can be accomplished by phone, Facetime, Zoom, or snail mail. As we seek to be the priesthood of believers let us join with each other to pray. Partners can read and discuss a daily Bible reading calendar, scriptures for the day, have a casual discussion, or just exchange prayer requests.
To participate, go to the homepage of the church website (2ndpres.org) or call/email the church office to sign up and leave your name with Audrey (865-523-2189, ajohnson@2ndpres.org). There is no deadline for signing up.
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Check out the Pastoral Care page on our website. On this page we will share more specific updates regarding those on our prayer list. It will be updated frequently by the church staff.
Visit our website: 2ndpres.org. The page is located under the 'Members' tab.
To keep all information private, the page is password protected. Please contact Audrey at the church office (via email: ajohnson@2ndpres.org or phone: 865.523.2189) for the password.
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Compassionate Cuisine is a program from the Care and Compassion committee and our Cooking Teams. This group is collaborating to create a homecooked meal, and will gather safely at the church to package them into individual portions, that they will then distribute to some of our members who are living in their homes but may not be getting out and about to pick up dinner or groceries to make a home-cooked meal.
The teams would love to have your help in cooking and/or distributing meals in hopes that this ministry might be able to grow in the coming months. If you’re interested in helping by cooking a portion of one of the meals and/or would be willing to deliver some of the meals, please contact Leslie Matthews: flowlilly@gmail.com, (865) 765-0549.
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The Faith, Science & the Future Sunday School class uses The Wired Word curriculum which looks at current events through the lens of faith.
We will meet via phone conference only at 9:30 a.m. All are welcome to participate!
Start time: 9:30 a.m.
Phone number to call: (712) 775-8972
Conference code: 179021
*Please be advised this is a long distance call for any who
might be using a home phone with long distance charges.
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Prayer List:
Please keep Patsy Wright, Derryl Kasler, Amy Cross, the Rose family, and Aggie Bell in your prayers.
Please contact the Church Office (865.523.2189 or ajohnson@2ndpres.org) with prayer concerns to be listed in the weekly email or bulletin.
Names remain on the prayer list 4 weeks unless requested by the individual or a close family member of the individual to keep them on longer.
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