A couple of weeks ago in worship, we looked at James 3:1-12 and the power of the words we use I said that one of the things we should remember when trying to tame the tongue is that we are all created in God’s image. Here’s why this is so important to remember.
I think that when we put any kind of label on someone, whether it’s racial (Black, Hispanic, Asian), economic (middle class, upper class, homeless), political (liberal, progressive), or when we use labelling words like redneck, terrorist, gay, straight, baby-killer, snowflake, illegal alien, or whatever label we assign someone, we are actually dehumanizing them with our words and ignoring the image of God in them. Think about it – we would never say about God the things we say about these groups. Why? Because we respect God. So why don’t we have the same respect for a brother or sister created in God’s image? This is what James means when he says “We bless God and curse human beings made in God’s image with the same mouth My brothers and sisters, it shouldn’t be this way!”
It’s much easier to ignore the image of God in someone we’ve put a label on. It’s much easier to demonize and vilify people and turn them into monsters when we have put labels on them. Because as long as we see somebody as a monster – whether they are or not – we don’t really care what happens to them This is why conditions in prisons can be so bad and no one complains Because the assumption is that everybody there is a monster who deserves to be there. If they don’t have clean water or their food is contaminated or they can’t shower, well they shouldn’t have done whatever bad thing they did to earn that punishment.
When we look at another person and see a label instead of the image of God, it makes it easier to strip away their basic dignity and humanity And when we strip away the basic dignity and humanity of certain groups of people often enough and long enough, it becomes easier to strip away the basic dignity and humanity of any group of people we want.
This is where we find ourselves on so many issues today Take immigration, for instance According to Federal immigration law, the act of being present in the United States in violation of our immigration laws is not, in and of itself, a crime. While federal immigration law does criminalize some actions that can be related to undocumented presence in the U.S., undocumented presence alone is not a violation of federal criminal law
Fox News, however, insists on calling people who did not enter this country legally, “criminal illegal aliens ”
The term “illegal alien” is already inaccurate and misleading; adding the term “criminal” before it is intentionally incendiary and fake news. It dehumanizes millions of our neighbors, millions of people who bear the image of God, which makes it easier to see them as monsters who ought to be deported or to just not care about what happens to them
One of my professors in seminary, the late Walter Brueggemann, used to say, “Whoever controls the language, controls the conversation.” It’s true. Half of the country watches Fox News and hears this phrase multiple times a day, and half the country believes that undocumented immigrants are all criminals who should be deported without due process. My brothers and sisters, it should not be so!
Immigration is not a political issue for Jesus-followers, it is a theological one When we see everyone as a child of God created in the image of God, we not only honor their basic dignity and humanity, we are also more capable of feeling compassion and empathy and respect for them. We are less likely to not care what happens to them and more likely to speak up when we see their basic human rights being violated. We are less likely to see anyone as a monster and more likely to see - and treat - everyone as our neighbor
Grace and peace…
Upcoming Sermon Texts and Topics
Our summer sermon series, Faith in Action: A Journey through James, concludes this month. James is a letter written to encourage and help Christians across the ages face the challenge of putting their faith into action It has been called the “Proverbs of the New Testament” because it is filled with practical advice about how to live out our lives of faith, both individually and in community.
August 3rd
August 10th
August 17th
August 24th
August 31st
James 4:1-10
James 4:11-17
James 5:1-12
James 5:13-20
James selections
Faith in Action: Faith and Humility
Faith in Action: Warning Against Arrogance
Faith in Action: Patience in Suffering
Faith in Action: The Prayers of the Faithful
Faith in Action: Reflections on James
Summer Bible Study
Our summer Bible study coincides with our summer sermon series, Faith in Action: A Journey through James. Each week we gather with Pastor Tim to discuss the sermon and study the passage from the previous Sunday in more depth. The class meets in the Barbour Room on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. The study concludes on August 26 . th
Head Decorator Needed
If you love to decorate for holidays (especially Christmas and Easter), you may just be the person for whom the Worship Team is searching! As you probably know, Ileen Cheek has been doing a splendid job decorating our church for these holidays. She has professed that she needs a break and thus we are looking for someone who would love to work with Ileen and eventually take over her position as Head Decorator.
Here is a summary of the responsibilities: For Christmas, set a date and time for decorating the church. Put up the Christmas tree and other decorations. Order poinsettias Place and water poinsettias twice weekly After Christmas, put decorations away. For Easter, order and place flowers. Decorate cross. There are always several people who are willing to help so it is not a solo committee. For more questions on the position, please contact Ileen Cheek (352-281-2811) or Betsy Foster (865-406-4800).
Second Readers will meet at Buckingham Clubhouse on August 20 at 11:30 am. Our book this month is The Forest of Vanishing Stars by Kristen Harrell. Leslie Matthews will lead our discussion and we invite anyone interested in an informal book discussion to join us. Bring your lunch, thoughts on the book, and share about an hour and a half of fellowship with others who enjoy a good book. Questions? th Call Margaret Sullivan at (865) 363-3967.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Sarah Morgan
8/3 8/7 8/7 8/11 8/13 8/13 8/15
Nichole Duran
Finley Kennedy
John Reynolds
Charles White
Patricia Kennedy
Kevin Proffitt
Dean Turner
Kathryn Freeman
Taylor Jones
John Penmore
Patricia Bailey
Betsy Foster
Craig Hendrix
Caroline Buckner
IF WE INADVERTENTLY MISSED SOMEONE... HAPPY BIRTHDAY! PLEASE HELP US UPDATE OUR RECORDS SO WE'LL HAVE YOUR SPECIAL DAY ON FILE.
2nd Pres Youth at Top Golf!
Go Team at KARM!
Labor Day Holiday
The Church will be closed Monday, September 1 in recognition of the st Labor Day holiday.
LITURGIST TRAINING CLASS:
There will be a training class for liturgists on Monday, August 4 , at 6:00 p.m. in the Barbour Room. Anyone interested in joining the liturgist rotation is welcome to attend! th
This fall we are starting a new small group ministry we are calling Growth Groups. On Wednesday, September 3 at 6:00 p.m. we will have an informational session in the Fellowship Hall designed to give you detailed information about our Growth Group Ministry and an opportunity to ask questions about how they will work. If you cannot attend the meeting, a FAQ sheet will be available on our website following the meeting.
We will offer a light dinner prior to the meeting at 5:30 p.m., as well as childcare for those who need it. In order to know how many to plan for, please use the QR code or the home page of our website to RSVP if you plan on eating dinner or need childcare.
Sarah Morgan’s Sabbatical
GO Team Report – July 2025
The GO Team is responsible for extending the ministry of 2 Presbyterian beyond the church both locally and globally through financial donations and volunteer activities. They rely on the generosity of the congregation to fund their efforts and welcome recommendations for donations and volunteer opportunities. nd
The team meets on the first Thursday of each month at 1pm in the Barbour Room. Next meeting August 7.
June Disbursements:
Presbytery of East Tennessee - $1,150. This will be the monthly disbursement for the year for a total of $13,800
Compassion Coalition - $3,000 This donation is divided into $1,500 to help with direct client assistance and staffing at Compassion Coalition made necessary by reduction in grants and $1,500 to help support the Getting Ahead Program Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-By World is a 16 session course offering a step-by-step process for people who have found themselves in a cycle of poverty an opportunity to investigate their lives and start moving forward https://compassioncoalition.org/
Vine School Health Center - $1,500. The Vine School Health Center has become a model of innovation for healthcare solutions that meet the needs of children and families who live in Knox County, Tennessee. The clinic is accessible to all children and families living in Knox County and provides quality pediatric medical care and mental health services that foster the overall physical, mental, and behavioral health of those in the community.
Massanetta Springs - $500. Massanetta Springs is a camp and conference center in Harrisonburg, Virginia and a ministry of the Presbyterian Church (USA). https://massanettasprings.org/
Volunteer activities in July:
July 16 – Eight volunteers served lunch at KARM. 305 meals were served.
July 17 – A group of GO Team members visited the Helping Mamas warehouse to learn more about their services and how Second Pres could be involved. Helping Mamas assists new mothers to obtain diapers, baby wipes, Pack & Play, car seats, and period products.
West View Supplies Collection Box
This box located in the atrium has a current list of supplies needed. As a result of generous donations, several deliveries to West View have already been made this year. Please check the current needs listed at the collection box as they will be updated from time to time.
GOing and Serving in 2025
Watch for upcoming volunteer opportunities at VMC, KARM, and Love Kitchen, West View, and others in upcoming weekly newsletters.
Coming up in August – West View Workday, VMC, Family Promise, and FISH.
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3 : 3 0 p m P r e s c h o o l G r a d u a t i o n ( S a n c t u a r y )
10:30 am Faith in Action Bible Study (Barbour) 4:30 p.m. Connect Team (Barbour Room ) 5:00 pm: Facilities Team (Zoom) 7:00 pm: Scouts 9:00 p.m. Ukirk Basketball
1 : 0 0 p m : I c e C r e a m S o c i a l S e t u p ( G y m ) 6 : 3 0 p m : C o S S e s s i o n M e e t i n g ( B a r b o u r R o o m ) T E N T A T I V E : B i r t h d a y P a r t y ( G y m )
10:30 am Faith in Action Bible Study (Barbour) 6:00 pm: Worship Team (Barbour Room) 6:30 pm: Boy Scouts Welcome Back Event (FH) 9:00 p.m. Ukirk Basketball (Gym)
10:30 am Faith in Action Bible Study (Barbour) 6:00 pm: Session Meeting (Barbour Room) 7:00 pm: Scouts 9:00 p.m. Ukirk Basketball (Gym)
1 2 : 0 0 p . m .
9 : 4 5 a m S t a f f m e e t i n g ( S M C o n f e r e n c e R o o m )
5 : 0 0 p . m Y o u n g A d u l t L a d i e s L i f e G r o u p ( Y o u t h )
Ice Cream Social (Gym) 9:15
Choir Practice 9:15 a.m .
Science and Future Sunday School (Barbour Room) 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Worship 10:45 a.m. Children’s Church 9:00 a.m. FISH Pantry (Fellowship Hall) 10:30 am Faith in Action Bible Study (Barbour) 7:00 pm : Scouts 9:00 p.m. Ukirk Basketball (Gym)
