Our theme this Advent is Those Who Dream... Psalm 126 says, "When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream?" What does it look like to live as those who dream?
This series is for those who dream of a deeper connection with God, those who dream of a better world, those who dream of comfort, those who have given up on their dreams, those whose dreams have been crushed, and those who show us that dreams take time.
While we are not able to worship together in person, we are worshipping together virtually! Join us on Sunday morning at 11:00 a.m. for worship by clicking the button above, or by clicking on the "Sunday Live stream" button on the home page of our website, www.2ndpres.org.
Also - if you click the blue button above you will be able to download the worship order so you can follow along at home!
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The flowers this week were given by Dean and Mary Farmer
"to the glory of God and in memory of our 2nd Pres parents Anne (Dean McWhirter), Jack Farmer, and Terrell McWhirter".
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This Sunday is the first Sunday of the month, meaning it is communion Sunday. We will celebrate communion virtually.
Have some bread or crackers and some juice or wine on hand for Sunday morning. If you don’t have those things, whatever you have available as a substitute is fine.
We look forward to gathering with you (virtually) around the Lord’s Table!
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Join us TOMORROW, (Saturday) December 5th.
The church will be hosting a work day from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
FOR CONCERNS REGARDING THE WEATHER - please contact Neal Peebles Saturday morning after 6:30 a.m. (865-384-8741) for help.
If we are rained out, we will reschedule for next Saturday, December 12th 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Please bring your mask, tools, gloves, and plan to work physically distanced!
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UKirk UTK has been a place of sanctuary, growth, and joy for students, faculty, and members of the Presbytery of East Tennessee for more than 60 years. Due to the pandemic we had to make the difficult decision to close the doors to our house for the 2020-2021 school year which made this semester especially difficult to navigate. However, with some out of the box thinking and the help of our student interns we have still been able to find unique ways to gather with and be there for our students. We have hosted outdoor, socially distanced worship services, pumpkin carving, and bonfires. We have handed out free dinner to our students weekly and given away free coffee to students passing by twice a week. In addition to learning to navigate campus ministry outside of our building, at a distance and only being able to see half of our student's faces because of the masks, we are still called to meet the regular spiritual and emotional needs of college students. We have the honor of helping students understand where their faith fits into their future vocation while also being an agent of comfort to them during crisis. UKirk UTK’s mission has always been to help connect students with a life-giving community of faith during the college experience. This is noble and important work that we have the honor of doing every day.
At UKirk UTK we rely on financial support from individuals like yourself to make God’s love known to students at UT Knoxville. Each and every gift, no matter the size, is extremely important to the future of this ministry. We are asking that during our week-long Giving Tuesday Campaign you will keep us in your prayers and consider financially supporting UKirk in a recurring monthly fashion or through a one-time gift. To do so, you can easily go to our website, www.ukirkutk.org/support and set up a one-time or recurring gift. Here are a few examples of the ways in which your generosity can impact students here on campus:
-For only $10 per month, you can provide free coffee for students during a stressful week.
-For only $15 per month, you can provide one free hot and safe meal on a Wednesday for our students.
-For only $20 per month, you can sponsor one student’s scholarship to attend the 2021 Montreat College Conference.
-For only $50 per month, you can provide materials needed for worship each week (communion, candles, etc.)
-For $150 a month, you can sponsor one student intern's stipend for the year.
We thank you for considering us during this time of giving.
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Due to the pandemic, we are not able to pile into cars and vans to go caroling this year. So instead of taking the caroling to the people, we are inviting the people to come to the caroling!
On Sunday, December 13th we will have a Drive-Thru Caroling event between 3 & 5 p.m. at the church for anyone who wishes to come. If you would like to be caroled to, come to the church and take the drive that goes around in front of the church building. The carolers will be on the steps between the sanctuary and chapel, ready to carol to you in your car.
Also, if you would like to be one of the carolers, we’ d love to have you join the choir. Just show up at 2:30 p.m. and come to the courtyard area between the sanctuary and chapel. We will wear our masks and be properly distanced. We hope to see you there!
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The Longest Night service recognizes that the holiday season can be a difficult and painful time for some. This year, perhaps more than ever, this is true. We are not only grieving our loved ones who have passed during the previous year, we are grieving the loss of gatherings with friends and family over the holidays, the inability to be with those we love in person, the loss of a sense of normalcy, the loss of unity and togetherness in our society, and even the loss of beloved traditions such as gathering together in the sanctuary on Christmas Eve to light a candle and sing Silent Night.
Join us virtually this year on Monday, December 21st at 6:00 p.m. as we pray, read Scripture, sing, and are reminded that even though we may be alone in our homes, we are not alone. God’s presence is for those who are grieving, and God’s light shines in the darkness.
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We will gather virtually for our Christmas Eve Carol & Candlelight service this year at 5:30 p.m. There will be a link to the service on our website and we will send out a link that day as we do for our regular Sunday morning worship. As part of the service we will light candles and sing Silent Night, just as we always have, except from the comfort and safety of our own homes.
If you need a candle(s) for the service, they will be available in the vestibule of the church during the week beginning December 14th.
If you would prefer not to get out, we have people that have volunteered to bring you however many you need to your front door. If you would like to have candles delivered to you, please contact Audrey in the church office (ajohnson@2ndpres.org or 865.523.2189).
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Advent Devotionals are available! A digital version is on our website under the “Publications” tab, or you can simply click the button below. Hard copies are also available on the table in the vestibule outside the atrium. To request a copy be mailed to you, please email or call Audrey.
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The Discipleship Team is offering a new spiritual growth opportunity this Advent season by inviting you to become an Advent Prayer Partner. Anyone who wishes to participate may do so. Prayer partners can communicate by notes, phone, email, Zoom, Facetime, or even a well-distanced lunch. Partners can read and discuss the Advent devotional together, have a casual discussion, or just exchange prayer requests.
Since we must stay distanced, we hope that this prayer partnership will draw us closer together as a congregation. To participate, go to the home page of the website or call or email the church office and leave your name with Audrey (523-2189, ajohnson@2ndpres.org). You may decide to participate anytime during Advent season.
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This year we will be recording the lighting of the Advent wreath in advance for Sunday mornings and have several ways to do so safely. We can even record safely with people who aren't in the same household via Zoom! So if you, your family, your group of friends, Sunday School Class, Fellowship Group, or any other combination of folks are interested in lighting the candles on the Advent Wreath this Advent season, please let Pastor Tim know.
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Nana is going home! So if you would like to help support Pastor Sarah and her family, here is an opportunity to assist them by providing a meal. Click the green button to sign up!
This was organized by a friend of the family, and all instructions can be found on the website linked above!
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Christmas Joy Special Offering |
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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.
When we give to the Christmas Joy Offering, we share our love with the leaders of our Church - past, present, or future.
50% of your gifts make it possible for students to learn and grow in faith at Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color.
50% of your gifts provide assistance for current and retired church workers and their families with critical financial needs.
Please mail your contribution to the church with "Christmas Joy Offering" on the memo line of the check.
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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 'About Us' tab and is called 'Pastoral Care'.
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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Our Wednesday Night Zoom Bible Study is on hiatus through the end of the year.
The Discipleship Team and the pastors are in the process of planning new ways to engage our congregation in spiritual formation and growth during Advent and in the new year. Keep checking this space, the worship order, and the newsletter for details!
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For the past several years we have hosted the WordPlayers for our last Wednesday night dinner of the year. They usually offer a touring production of a play during Advent, however due to Covid-19, this year they have made a film of their Advent story.
They are offering this video from Nov. 29 through Dec. 25.
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The Second Readers Book Club invites the congregation to participate in the collection of new, stuffed animals to be given to the Juvenile Court for distribution to the children going through the court system. These children face much stress during these times, and Judge Irwin and other court personnel have found that the children are comforted by the animals and having something of their own.
We have collected animals for several years and invite the congregation to join us in this endeavor. Animals must be new, about 12” long, and cuddly. Each animal costs approximately ten dollars.
If you would like to participate but cannot shop, we will do this for you. Checks may be sent to the church, but please include in the memo line something along the lines of, "for stuffed animals donations" so the office knows where to direct your donation.
A donation bin will be available in the vestibule for drop offs. This opportunity will run through the end of the year and delivery to the court will be in early January.
Any questions? Call Margaret Sullivan at 865-588-3103.
Thank you for you participation!
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Members of the Wednesday Night Cooking Teams have begun 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.
Two-Shot Vaccines Pose Challenges for Inoculating America
Several coronavirus vaccines are now on their way to the public, which many people consider to be good news. But the vaccines will require two shots, which creates difficulties for inoculating the population. Since a vaccine will not be a quick fix for Covid-19, the challenges of persistence, delayed gratification and living a disciplined life will be the topics of this Sunday’s installment of The Wired Word.
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HELP US FILL UP THIS SECTION!
We would love to hear what good things are happening in your lives!
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Help us stay connected during this time of physical distancing. If you have a joy, celebration, milestone, an honor, recognition, or some good news you would like to share with others, send it to Audrey at ajohnson@2ndpres.org.
Be aware that our weekly email is posted on our website and social media, so anything you share may be seen by anyone. We look forward to hearing what good things have been happening in your life!
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The November-December Upper Room is available! If you would like one, contact Sandra Butler and she will hand deliver one to you!
Please contact Sandra directly by phone (659-4416 or 584-4397)
There are also copies available in the vestibule.
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All in-person worship services are currently suspended, at least through the end of January. The Session will take up this matter again at its next regular stated meeting on January 19th and make any adjustments or further recommendations at that time.
Additionally, the Session has also closed the church building for the same period of time. The staff will continue to work from both home and the office, the church phone and emails will be answered during normal office hours (M-Th 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.), and the regular business of the church will continue uninterrupted.
However, other than the preschool, the building will be closed to both groups and individuals until the end of January.
For more information regarding this decision - please click HERE.
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Prayer List:
Please keep Kay Weaver, the Stultz family, the Bartlett family, the Frazer family, Harriet Campbell, Frieda Sims, Imogene Posey, Katie Sergent Keene, Betty McCollum, Brenda Goslee, Emily Rose, Dr. Ed Carver, Bill Gosnell, Aggie Bell, Dotty Barbour, Donna Downen, Douglas Hamilton, Frances and Mary Johnson, and Jennifer Levy-Tatum 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.
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