DECEMBER 2024
FEAR NOT: FOR, BEHOLD, I BRING YOU GOOD TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY, WHICH SHALL BE TO ALL PEOPLE.
FOR UNTO YOU IS BORN THIS DAY IN THE CITY OF DAVID, WHICH IS a
SaviorChrist the Lord.
My first Bible, probably like many of you, was a King James Version of the Bible I received it from my aunt and uncle for Christmas in 1972 when I was 5 years old. (I’m sure I was thrilled.) I received my second Bible from the CE committee at church when I started 3rd grade. All the 3rd graders got one. They called us all down on Sunday morning during worship and presented us each with our very own red leather Bible Growing up, it was a day we all looked forward to. That Bible was a Revised Standard Version, the preferred version for Presbyterians at the time.
I like going back and reading those first two Bibles from time to time. For a long time that’s pretty much all there was in America – the KJV and the RSV. Sure, modern translations have English that’s smoother and makes more sense, but there’s something comforting about reading the Biblical language from my childhood, even if it is less accessible and more difficult to understand. Something about it just seems more majestic Take the story of Jesus’ birth, for example.
When the angel appears to the shepherds in the fields, Luke tells us they were “terrified”. That’s what the CEB and NRSV translations say. The RSV says they were “filled with fear” All three of those translations are easier to understand than the KJV: “and they were sore afraid.” Yes - easier to understand but not nearly as mysterious!
Now let’s compare the next two verses. Luke 2:10-11 tells what the angel said:
Don’t be afraid! Look! I bring good news… CEB
Do not be afraid; for see – I am bringing you good news...NRSV
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“Fearnot!”Nowthat’sanangeliccommand!And it’s not just news the angel is bringing, it’s tidings Somethinghashappenedandweneedtoknowit!
Also,noticethatboththeoldertranslationsusethe word Behold instead of Look or See. Behold is a fantasticword!It’snotoneweuseveryoftenthese days,whichmakesitfeelweighty,heavy,important. Behold is a poetic word. Behold is meant to direct ourattentiontosomethingimportant.Beholdletsus know that this thing, this good news, these good tidings, this BIRTH is IMPORTANT! The modern equivalentwouldbe,“Attention,everyone!”
Look and See are valid translations, but look and see are words we use every day. The birth of our Savior is not an everyday occurrence It is something we should Behold – take in, witness, contemplate,holdonto SoIinviteusallthisholiday seasontoBeholdJesus Let’stakesometimeeach day to stop the holiday preparation frenzy and prepareourheartsforthe“goodtidingsofgreatjoy forallpeople”Let’sgazeuponhisbeauty,restinhis presence, share with others the good tidings about his love. This Advent and Christmas season, may we become people who pay attention. May we be peoplewhobehold!
GraceandPeace...
UPCOMING SERMON TEXTS & TOPICS
This Advent we conclude the first part of our series on the narrative arc of Scripture, God’s Kingdom People. We will journey with the Israelites as their kingdom is divided, as the prophets confront them over their unfaithful behavior, and then as they are defeated and taken from their land. During this period, the Lord comforts his people through his prophets and promises a Savior who will rescue them from their enemies. On Christmas Eve we will begin Part II of our series by looking at the life of the Savior God provides
December 1st
December 8th
December 15th
December 22nd
December 24th
December 29th
1 Kings 9-12
Amos 1-2
Jeremiah 31-35
Micah 5
Luke 2:1-20
Matthew 2:13-23
God’s Kingdom People: The Kingdom Divided
God’s Kingdom People: The Prophets Confront Israel
God’s Kingdom People: The Prophets Comfort Israel
God’s Kingdom People: Israel Hopes for a Savior
The Life of Jesus: Jesus’ Birth
The Life of Jesus: Escape to Egypt
OUR NEXT 5TH SUNDAY WORSHIP IS DECEMBER 29TH. WORSHIP THAT DAY WILL BE IN THE FELLOWSHIP HALL.
5TH SUNDAY WORSHIP 5TH SUNDAY WORSHIP COME CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR WITH WORSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP!
2ND
BYTERIAN WOMEN MEET DECEMBER 10TH!
al December 10 meeting from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at wship Hall! As PW continues this year ’ s study of agencies ustice, PW’s December program features Karen Cameron, ond Church members befriended 22 years ago. She has me together.
Karen lives in a Habitat for Humanity house that Second Church members built for Karen over 20 years ago. Recently she paid off its 20-year mortgage! Attend the meeting, renew contact with Karen and hear her amazing life’s journey in her treasured home coupled with her personal pursuit of educational goals. Karen, now a grandmother, is a special education educational assistant working at the inner city Green Magnet Academy.
Join us for an inspiring morning with Karen’s story of struggle, determination, and success. Remember that Presbyterian Women’s monthly meetings are for all of the church’s members and visitors, regardless of gender.
CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS
Join us for Christmas Caroling to visit some of our homebound and shut-in members on
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15TH!
We will meet at 1:30 p.m. in the church parking lot and travel together. After our caroling, we will enjoy hot chocolate and treats at the home of Helen Grant.
Everyone is invited to participate in this wonderful ministry of spreading Christmas cheer to those we don’t get to see regularly!
WEST VIEW INTERNATIONAL NIGHT NOVEMBER 12, 2024
Attended by parents, students, teachers, and representatives from Second Pres and Westminster Pres (Community Partners). They had food samples from various countries, information tables for 17 countries, music performances, and dancing. Big Turnout!
Thanks from the GO Team to all who attended the November 13th, 2nd Wednesday and helped fill 108 hygiene kits for Church World Services! The kits are on their way to CWS to be distributed where needed locally, nationally, and globally.
The GO Team is responsible for extending the ministry of 2nd Presbyterian beyond the church both locally and globally through financial donations and volunteer activities. The team relies on the generosity of the congregation to fund their efforts and welcomes recommendations for donations and volunteer opportunities. The team welcomes new members who wish to serve The next meeting is Thursday, December 5th in the Barbour Room
Disbursements:
Presbytery of East Tennessee- $1,100
Gift Cards for West View Thanksgiving Baskets- $150
Retired Missionaries- $1000
Each year the GO Team sends $500 each to the Morgans (Les and Cindy) and the Dimmocks (Frank and Nancy) This is funded by Rennolds Endowments for that purpose with Session approval.
Tuition for Michael Marks- $4,500
Shipping for CWS Hygiene Kits- $216
This pays for the shipping for the Church World Services Hygiene Kits packed on the November 2nd Wednesday when they are distributed where needed locally, nationally, or worldwide.
Activities for October - November:
October 16 – Volunteers served lunch at KARM
October 24 - VMC Carry the Torch Luncheon
October 30 - GO Team table at Fall Festival
November 13 – GO Team sponsored 2nd Wednesday program filling 108 Hygiene Kits for Church World Services
November 29 – Volunteers to serve breakfast at VMC
GOing and Serving in 2024 and 2025 – Watch for upcoming volunteer opportunities at VMC, KARM, Love Kitchen, West View, Compassion Coalition, and others in upcoming weekly newsletters Coming up in December – Love Kitchen
Tuition for Michael Marks
Michael is a young boy from the Saint Marks Children’s Home and Orphanage in Tanzania. The director of the orphanage is Robert Marks Moshi who has visited our church. Robert is from the Maasai tribe as are most of the children at the orphanage and was an orphan himself. Tuition is for Michael to attend a private English language school. Michael is beginning junior high this coming year. 2nd Pres has been helping with Michael’s tuition for several years.
The Christmas Joy Offering provides assistance to current and retired church workers and their families in their time of need, and develops our future leaders at Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color.
The Christmas Joy Special offering will be received on Sunday, December 22nd and Christmas Eve, December 24th.
Received the Treasurer’s Report.
Received reports from the Preschool and Ministry Teams as information
Approved the transfer of Brooke Frolich Morrell to Timber Ridge Presbyterian Church, Greeneville, TN.
Approved the Go Team request that the Christmas Eve loose plate offering be included with the Christmas Joy Offering.
Approved the Go Team request to withdraw and use $200 from the West View Fund to be used to purchase some needed supplies for the school.
Approved the Go Team request to continue to send $500 to retired missionaries Les and Cindy Morgan.
Approved the Go Team request to continue to send $500 to retired missionaries Frank and Nancy Dimmock.
Approved the Facilities Committee’s request to provide $30,000 from Sprankle fund for preschool HVAC repairs.
HOLIDAY OFFICE HOURS
The church office will be closed on Wednesday, Dec. 25th and Thursday, December 26th in observance of the Christmas Holiday.
2ND PRES KNOX
WELCOMING + FAITHFUL + HOPEFUL
CLERGYSTAFF
PastorTimReynolds
Pastor/HeadofStaff treynolds@2ndpres.org
PastorSarahMorgan
TransitionalAssociatePastorfor CongregationalLife&Mission smorgan@2ndpresorg
PROGRAMSTAFF
MatthewMimbs
DirectorofMusic&Arts mmimbs@2ndpresorg
HollyGrimm Children&YouthMinistryCoordinator hgrimm@2ndpresorg
SUPPORTSTAFF
JackRosamond ChurchAdministrator jrosamond@2ndpresorg
MartaP.Villalta
Media&CommunicationsCoordinator mvillalta@2ndpres.org
PRESCHOOLSTAFF
LindaSueByrd Director lsbyrd@2ndpresorg
HollyGrimm AssistantDirector hgrimm@2ndpresorg
CONTACTUS:
SecondPresbyterianChurch
2829KingstonPike
Knoxville,TN37919
Ph.865.523.2189
Fax8656372617
www2ndpresorg
Responding in gratitude to God's love and grace, we are a welcoming, faithful, and hopeful community, following Jesus and serving him in the world.
ELDERS
CLASS OF 2025
Zachary Burch
Lisa Henley
Laura Turner
Terry Weaver
CLASS OF 2026
Leonard Bailey
Doug Barbour
Monica Casey
Clara Hardin
CLASS OF 2027
Betsy Foster
John Gill
William Owen
Cheryl Ragsdale
MINISTRY TEAMS & MODERATORS WORSHIP
Betsy Foster
John Gill CONNECT
Terry Weaver
Cheryl Ragsdale GROW
Zach Burch
Monica Casey
Laura Turner GO Leonard Bailey
Clara Hardin SUPPORT
Doug Barbour
William Owen
PRESCHOOL
Lisa Henley