We are currently holding two in-person services: 9:00 a.m. (outdoors) and 11:00 a.m. (indoors). You will need to provide contact tracing information if you plan on attending either, or both, of these services. (click the button above.) And if you are not yet ready to return to in-person worship, that's perfectly okay! Our live stream is there for you just like it has been the last several years.
Please read over the guidelines (located further down in this email) for in-person worship and activities.
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As a general rule, if bad weather is expected on a Sunday morning please check the website prior to leaving home if you plan on attending the 9:00 a.m. outdoor worship service.
If the service is cancelled, an announcement will be posted on the website by 8:00 a.m.
If there is no announcement, we will hold the service.
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Even though we are not limiting worship attendance, we are asking anyone who plans on attending worship on Sunday mornings to register in advance. We need to have an accurate list of attendees each week, along with contact information, for contact tracing protocols should someone in attendance test positive for Covid-19.
We will have on-site registration on Sunday morning for those who are not able register in advance. However, registering in advance will keep a line from forming prior to worship, which could delay worship from starting and/or compromise physical distancing measures.
Clicking the button below will take you to our registration page where you will have the option of choosing either the 9:00 (outdoor) or 11:00 (sanctuary) service, or both. (You will have to click the button a second time to register for a second service.)
Once you have chosen which service you plan on attending, you will be asked to provide your name, phone number, email, and the number in your party. There is also a button on the home page of our website – www.2ndpres.org – where you can register, as well. Thank you in advance for helping us to stay as safe as possible during the pandemic.
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We need folks to help out on Sunday mornings, now that we have returned to in-person worship. There are 4 volunteer opportunities each Sunday:
9:00 a.m. Service
· Greeter: Welcome worshipers, ensure that everyone signs in if they have not done so online, ensure worshipers have a mask and a bulletin, collect offering following worship and place in safe
· Setup-Teardown: Help set up the stage prior to worship, help put stage away following worship (some lifting required)
11:00 a.m. Service
· Greeter: Welcome worshipers, ensure that everyone signs in if they have not done so online, ensure worshipers have a mask, offer worshipers a bulletin if they want one (bulletins are not necessary for the 11:00 a.m. service)
· Usher: Help worshipers find a physically distanced seat, monitor seating in sanctuary and send people to balcony if necessary, collect offerings following worship and place in safe
You will not have duties during the service and will be able to worship at whichever service you choose to volunteer for. This is the perfect opportunity for couples to serve together.
If you are willing to help on a Sunday in the near future, click the button below to be taken to the sign-up page. We are currently taking sign-ups through the end of November. Thanks in advance for your consideration!
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We have added a page on our website dedicated to Pastoral Care. Here we will share more specific updates regarding those on our prayer list. This page will be updated frequently by the church staff.
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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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.
Donation bins will be available in the artrium for drop offs that occur Monday through Thursday during normal office hours, and in the narthex for donations on Sunday morning. 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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Our Wednesday Night Cooking Teams are starting a new project! Beginning shortly, members of the cooking teams will begin collaborating to create a homecooked meal, will gather safely at the church to package them into individual portions, and then will distribute them 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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Our Wednesday night Bible study continues on November 11th at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom. This week we will begin our study of Lars and the Real Girl*.
It is available on Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Vudu, YouTube Movies, Google Play, Pluto TV, Tubi, and Hoopla. We also have the DVD in the Church Office.
Our remaining schedule for the fall is as follows:
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Nov 11 & 18 - Lars and the Real Girl
- Nov 25 - Thanksgiving Break
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Dec 2 - Gathering Around the Word: Confession & Pardon
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Dec 9 - Elf
*Disclaimer: "Lars and the Real Girl" is rated PG-13 but it does deal with concepts of an adult nature, including romantic love. While sexual acts are not depicted, the story revolves around sexual scenarios and allusions.
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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 meet in the church library, first room on the right in the hallway just outside the sanctuary narthex, beginning at 9:45 a.m. We are also on the same phone conference we have been using for those who prefer not to attend in person. All are welcomed to participate.
Start time: 9:45 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.
Jeff Bridges' Lymphoma Diagnosis Causes Him to Appreciate His Mortality.
Popular actor Jeff Bridges recently revealed that he has cancer. He used the occasion of that news to tell his fans that his diagnosis has caused him to "appreciate" his mortality and his impermanence. His words give us an opportunity to look at how the Bible addresses the topic of our mortality and to examine our feelings about it. So that will be the topic of this Sunday’s installment of The Wired Word. Dick Dodson will be leading the discussion.
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The Service & Outreach Ministry is working to resume FISH on the 4th Tuesday each month, starting November 24th.
FISH Hospitality Pantries are the largest direct food providers that distribute food to over 7,000 families each month.
If you are interested and can help with delivery or the packaging of food at the church, please contact Tim Wright, Tracy Horton, or Dick Dodson.
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Congratulations to Dale Henley for making the varsity basketball team at Hardin Valley Academy! Games begin November 17th and can be streamed at diamondclearmedia.com. If you would like a schedule so you can stream the games, please let Lisa Henley know (lmrhenley@gmail.com and 865-335-1752) and she will get one to you.
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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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Notes from the Book Lady of Second Pres:
Many people are out and about. Many of us are not. I have been given some books that you might be interested in reading as we stay at home and stay safe.
A highly acclaimed book from author Eric Larson is The Splendid and the Vile. This book is also recommended by Helen Grant, Ed Batts, and Liz Peebles. It deals with the story of Churchill, his family, and happenings during the Blitz. More history comes from author Elaine Weiss - The Woman’s Hour: The Great Fight To Win The Vote. Reviews say “superb… I got goosebumps” and “political history at its best.” Finally, there are two books from Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard: Killing Patton and Killing Jesus. Both are billed as fast reads.
Two fiction books that are set in World War II Europe. A Train in Winter by Caroline Moorehead recounts the extraordinary story of women, friendship, and resistance in occupied France. It is a "Notable Book of the Year" in the New York Times. From the author of Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker Jennifer Chiaverini is the novel Resistance Women. This takes a different approach to World War II resistance – inside Nazi Germany! The book is inspired by actual events.
Two books dealing with faith are When God Winks at You by Squire Rushnell and The Faith Club by Ranya Idliby, Suzanne Oliver, and Priscilla Warner. My friend and church member Tammy Akers loaded me her well-used book When God Winks at You. I really enjoyed this book, especially at the beginning of Covid-19. So those are two recommendations.
Finally, do you need some jollies? Then I recommend the Sam Venable book You Gotta Laugh to Keep From Cryin': A Baby Boomer Contemplates Life Beyond Fifty.
REMEMBER, I DELIVER!
The Second Pres Book Lady
Please contact Liz Peebles directly at 247-4503; 660-9597 (text available); enp3613@gmail.com.
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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 narthex and atrium.
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Join us for our outdoor worship service at 9:00 a.m.!
This informal service will be held outdoors, in the courtyard space between the chapel and sanctuary. The service is for anyone who would like to come, but is especially for those who would like to gather with others for in-person worship but do not feel comfortable doing so indoors. We ask that you still wear a face covering and maintain at least 6 feet of physical distance from others.
The service will be an abbreviated version of the 11:00 service; we will hear the same scripture, sermon, and prayer as the later service. The one difference is that since we are outdoors, we will be able to sing hymns, which we will do joyfully!
The service is BYOC – Bring Your Own Chairs! – and we will not gather if it is raining. Please check our website prior to leaving home. If we are going to cancel, an announcement will be on the home page by 8 a.m. on Sunday morning.
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Guidelines for In-Person Worship
The Session has voted to implement the following guidelines for in-person worship. Please note that these guidelines were agreed upon by the Session and are self-imposed, not out of fear but out of love and for the safety and well-being of anyone choosing to worship at Second Presbyterian Church.
The following guidelines are for all worship services, indoor and outdoor.
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Wear a face covering. This is not just to protect and show our love for and others, but also allows us to focus on God, which is the purpose of worship. If someone is not wearing a face covering, others will be focused on that person and not on worship.
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Maintain a physical distance of at least 6 ft. Worshipers should observe appropriate physical distancing and refrain from physical contact with those outside of one’s household. Each household is requested to maintain a distance of 6 feet from other households. Again, this is not just for safety but to prevent distractions during worship. The pews in the sanctuary will be marked to help worshipers maintain the proper distance. The balcony is also available for seating at the 11:00 service.
The following guidelines are for the 11:00 service which will be held in the sanctuary.
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There will be no attendance limits for the worship service. The nursery will be open during worship and childcare will be available for children, infant to age 6. We encourage worshipers who fall into one of the high-risk categories for Covid-19 to seriously consider continuing to worship virtually via our live stream on Sunday morning.
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We request that everyone enter and exit the building through the main sanctuary door. Anyone who has difficulty with stairs may be dropped off at the portico and enter through that door.
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We request that worshipers stay in the sanctuary on Sunday mornings unless it is absolutely necessary to visit other parts of the building. Restrooms will be open and available for those needing to use them. Both the sanctuary and the restrooms will be thoroughly cleaned before and after worship, but not during.
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Offering plates will not be passed during the service. Plates will be placed at the entrances to the sanctuary.
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There will be no congregational singing until further notice. The hymns will be played on the organ and the congregation is invited o meditate on the words. (If you are worshiping online, sing away!) There will be a small chancel choir during the worship service who will maintain an appropriate distance from the congregation and each other, as well as wear special masks designed for singers. They will provide an anthem each week, as they are able.
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We will not celebrate the sacrament of communion until further notice.
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Pastors and liturgists will not wear face coverings while leading the service. They will conduct the service from behind the communion table in order to maintain a safe distance from worshipers. Pastors will not greet people at the entrance to the sanctuary following the service.
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Bulletins will be available for those who desire them. For those who do not, communal readings such as the Affirmation of Faith or Prayer of Confession will be projected onto a screen located at the front of the sanctuary.
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Just a reminder to please notify the Church Administrator in order to plan a meeting that you wish to take place at the church.
The Church Administrator makes the final determination in scheduling church groups only to insure that everyone can meeting in a safe capacity and that there are no conflicts with rooms that will allow for safe physical distancing.
Your help and assistance is very appreciated!
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If you would like to "sponsor" an arrangement of chancel flowers, please contact the church office and an order will be placed by the Church Administrator. The cost is $50.00.
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Prayer List:
Please keep Imogene Posey, Katie Sergent Keene, Betty McCollum, Brenda Gosley, Mariann Thuesen, Emily Rose, Dr. Ed Carver, Bill Gosnell, Aggie Bell, Dotty Barbour, Donna Downen, Douglas Hamilton, Frances and Mary Johnson, Ken Frazer, 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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Church Office Hours of Operation:
Monday through Thursday
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
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