Ah, February. The month we celebrate love. This is the 5th year we have joined with other houses of worship in Knoxville for Love Your Neighbor Knox, a proclamation of love that reminds us we have more in common than not and everyone is worthy of love. But what does it truly mean to love our neighbor?
As Christians, it means we are to love like Jesus did. Jesus taught and displayed a kind of love that was revolutionary because it was centered on giving, not getting. It was the same kind of love with which God loves – the kind we see in the most famous verse in Scripture: For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16) The word “gave” is the key to understanding Jesus’ love. God loved, so God gave. God the Father gave God the Son, and God the Son gave his life freely so that we might live. The full extent of God’s love was Jesus giving his life for us on the cross.
we can remember to help us as we try. We can…
Be selfless: Demonstrate our love of others without expecting anything in return.
Be humble: Serve others and give them what they need, not what we think they need!
Be willing to sacrifice: Give our time, money, and possessions to help others, even if that means we have to forego something that is special or important to us.
To love as Jesus loved, we must first receive God’s love for us. The apostle John reminds us emphatically that we love because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19) Once we have experienced and understand the depth of God’s love for us, then – and only then – are we able to love the way Jesus did. In fact, when we truly understand how we have been loved, I would say God’s love impels us to love others.
To love as Jesus loved means we follow the pattern of love in Jesus’ life. Jesus loved his Father in heaven, which produced obedience in his life. Jesus loved his friends, which changed and transformed their lives and relationships with others. Jesus’ love extended beyond his close relationships; it extended even to his enemies. Jesus loved his enemies and opponents, which produced a new hope for the world.
Love unconditionally: Have no prior “conditions” people must meet before we love them; love everyone as they are, even those that are difficult to love.
Love without judgment: Love others who haven’t earned or don’t deserve our love – the way we have been loved by Jesus.
Grace, peace, and love…
Upcoming Sermon Texts and Topics
January ended with Jesus proclaiming the central message of his ministry: the Kingdom of God is here. In February we will examine the different ways Jesus accomplished his Kingdom Mission.
Scout Sunday is Sunday, February 2nd. For over 100 years Boy Scouts has enjoyed the support of religious organizations. Our own Troop 6 was founded on January 29, 1915 and is the oldest troop in the Great Smoky Mountain Council. Second Presbyterian Church has been the charter organization since 1916. Together we have enriched the spiritual lives of youth for over four generations. We will celebrate this long history of common service together, as members of Troop 6, and their families will join us in worship
Youth Christmas Party
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN (OF EAST TENNESSEE)
The Presbytery of East Tennessee Presbyterian Women (PWPET) will be meeting Saturday, April 26, 2025, for its spring gathering at Powell Presbyterian Church, at 2910 W. Emory Road in Knox County.
Our chapter of PW sent three representatives to Chattanooga last spring and looks forward to a good turnout to support our Powell Presbyterian Church neighbors this spring. Put this on your calendar and let’s plan a car pool to Powell on April 26, 2025. There will be more information on this gathering soon.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
2/9
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IF WE INADVERTENTLY MISSED SOMEONE... HAPPY BIRTHDAY! PLEASE HELP US UPDATE OUR RECORDS SO WE'LL HAVE YOUR SPECIAL DAY ON FILE.
Second Readers will meet February 19th at 11:30. Bring your lunch and join us for a discussion of The Housemaid is Watching by Frieda McFadden. Leslie will lead our discussion and we welcome all to join us at the Buckingham Clubhouse. If you have any questions, call Margaret Sullivan at 865-363-3967.
Annual Congregational Meeting & Souper Bowl
The Annual Congregational Meeting will take place following worship on Sunday, February 9th. The meeting will be held in conjunction with our annual Souper Bowl fundraiser and luncheon. The luncheon and the meeting will take place in the Fellowship Hall. This year we are asking everyone to bring a recipe card to place in front of their soup, so that members of the congregation can take pictures of the recipes they like.
An electronic signup sheet has been created so you can sign up to let us know what kind of soup, salad, or dessert you are bringing to share. A link to the signup is on the home page of our website or you can scan the QR Code here. If you don’t want to sign up electronically, just call the church office and let us know. Our young people will be collecting canned goods and/or monetary donations for 2nd Harvest Food Bank.
During the Christmas season, the Crafts Group and the GO Team sponsored the Hat and Glove Tree in the atrium. The adult sized hats and gloves were collected for homeless neighbors at the Volunteer Ministry Center who are working with the Resource Center program to achieve permanent housing. The congregation was very generous, and a good supply of hats and gloves were delivered to the Resource Center just in time for the early January extremely cold weather and snow. THANK YOU to all who donated! The Resource Center was very happy with the donation.
GO Team Report – January 2025
The GO Team focuses on extending the ministry of Second Presbyterian outside of the walls of the church locally, nationally, and worldwide. This is done through financial donations and volunteer activities. Since the GO Team is acting for the congregation and using funds generously donated by the congregation, recommendations are encouraged and welcomed as to donation and volunteer opportunities.
The GO Team did not meet in January. Next meeting will be at 1pm Thursday, February 6, in the Barbour Room.
GOing and Serving in 2025 – Watch for volunteer opportunities at Volunteer Ministry Center, KARM, Love Kitchen, Compassion Coalition (Family Promise), West View Elementary School, and others.
Pastor Sarah recently had the privilege of participating in the Christian Unity Day worship service at Sacred Heart Cathedral School, where Owen Wall is a Pre-K student. After the service Sarah got to enjoy lunch with Owen and Haley and some other students, their families, and other clergy from the community.
January Session Highlights
Received into of the Congregation Glenn Lamping, Barbara Lamping and Zach Wright by letter of transfer and Jessie Wilson by reaffirmation of faith.
Elected Nancy Montgomery as Clerk for six months.
Elected Susanne White as Treasurer for one year.
Called an Annual Congregational Meeting for February 9, 2025.
Approved the request of the Kennedy’s for the Baptism of their son Lochland.
(jrosamond@2ndpres.org)
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