February 2ND EDITION 2025 - ONLINE

FEBRUARY 2025

SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

2NDPRES.ORG

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.

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.

The profound nature of Jesus’ love for us becomes the example of the love we are to have for one another. Jesus’ love extends to everyone – for God so loved the WORLD. Everyone is worthy of love.

Do we love the way Jesus loved? Probably not as much as we think we do. Still, there are some things 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.

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…

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.

Table of Contents Worship Connect

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Go Support

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Calendar

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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.

Feb 2nd

Mk1 / Lk 7 / Jn 11

The Life of Jesus: Jesus Reveals Kingdom through Works

Feb 9th

Mk 1 / Mt 6 / Lk 11 The Life of Jesus: Jesus Prays for the Kingdom

Feb 16th

Mk 2 / Lk 14

The Life of Jesus: Jesus Forms Kingdom Community

Feb 23rd

Mt 5-7 / Lk 6

The Life of Jesus: Jesus Teaches about Kingdom Life

Love Your Neighbor 2025 Love Your Neighbor Knox (www.loveyourneighborknox.org) is a diverse, inter-faith collection of Knoxville houses of worship who unite every February to spread love in our community and remind our neighbors that we have more in common than not and that everyone is worthy of being loved.

This is the fifth year we have joined with Love Your Neighbor Knox to highlight a message of love during February by Displaying Love (with banners and signs), Preaching Love (proclaiming a message of love during February), and Serving with Love (collecting for 2nd Harvest Food Bank during their slowest season of the year). We will be a drop-off location for donations to 2nd Harvest and encourage everyone to help feed our hungry neighbors by bringing canned food to share.

SCOUT SUNDAY

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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

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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 Neal Peebles 2/21 2/11 Cameron Kite 2/23 2/13 Garrett Kite 2/24 2/14 Becca Kite 2/24 2/14 Christina Young 2/29 2/16 Margaret Walther

Andrew Butler Leonard Bailey Bill Ragsdale Doug Barbour Haley Wall

IF WE INADVERTENTLY MISSED SOMEONE...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! PLEASE HELP US UPDATE OUR RECORDS SO WE'LL HAVE YOUR SPECIAL DAY ON FILE.

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN Presbyterian Women begin the February-June portion of their study year on February 11 from 10:00-11:30 in the Fellowship Hall.

All visitors and members of the church are welcome.

During this portion of PW’s study year, we will be featuring organizations whose main purpose is to address specific issues of our environment, or societal or cultural matters that trouble God’s plan for earth.

For example, Amber Parker, the Executive Director of Ijams Nature Center, an anchor in Knoxville’s 5,000-acre Urban Wilderness, will be our presenter on February 11.

Ijams exists to support environmental and natural history in its policies and practices along with an emphasis on energy conservation.

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Join us on February 11 at 10:00-11:30 to hear and learn about this jewel of a park in the midst of South Knoxville!

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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.

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We are no longer asking for specific household and personal items to be purchased and delivered to the church, and the Fish drop-off bin has been removed. However, we do need specific funding to continue this long-time mission of the church. Once per month, our dedicated Fish volunteers buy, pack, and deliver food and household/personal items to families and individuals all over Knox County who call in need.

To positively impact food insecurity in Knox County, please consider giving directly to our church's Fish designated fund, from which all food, personal, and household item purchases are paid. To contribute, you can do so via Realm, the church website, or by check. Recurring donations would be most helpful.

If you are interested in participating directly in the Fish mission on any 4th Tuesday of the month (packing and/or delivering), contact Dick Dodson at rtdodson52@gmail.com.

HATS & GLOVES 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.

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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.

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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.

Approved the Transitional Associate Pastor contract.

Approved the 2025 Budget.

Elected Elder Terry Weaver to represent the Church at the Presbytery of East Tennessee Meeting on February 8, 2025.

Pictures, please!

If you take pictures at a church event, please send them to Jack (jrosamond@2ndpres.org) for our newsletter and social media accounts, so people know about the awesome things going on at 2nd Pres!

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DECEMBER

YTD 2024

BUDGET 2024

TOTAL GIFTS

$91,918.16

$900,453.50

$833,965.00

TOTAL EXPENSES

$83,124.83

$818,285.51

$841,294.00

EXCESS (SHORTAGE)

$8,793.33

$82,285.51

($7,329.00)

9:15 a.m. Choir Practice 9:15 a.m. Faith, 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

5:00 p.m. Young Adult Ladies Life Group (Youth)

9:45 a.m. Staff Meeting (Small Conference Room) 5:00 p.m. Young Adult Ladies Life Group (Youth) 5:30 p.m. Preschool Board Meeting (Zoom)

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9:15 a.m. Choir Practice 9:15 a.m. Faith, 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

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5:00 p.m. Young Adult Ladies Life Group (Youth)

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9:15 a.m. Choir Practice 9:15 a.m. Faith, 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

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9:15 a.m. Choir Practice 9:15 a.m. Faith, 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

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MONDAY

9:45am Staff meeting (SM Conference Room) 3:00 p.m. Budget Finance Team Meeting (Zoom) 4:30 p.m. Cross Ministries Board Meeting (Barbour Room 5:00 p.m. Young Adult Ladies Life Group (Youth)

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SUNDAY

February 2025

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10:30 a.m. Galatians Bible Study (Barbour Room) 1:00 p.m. Go Team Meeting (Barbour Room)

9:00 a.m. FISH Pantry (Fellowship Hall) 7:00 pm Scouts (Gym) 8:45 p.m.Ukirk Basketball (Gym)

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Basketball(Gym)

8:45pm Ukirk

Scout Room)

7:00pm Scouts (Gym,

(Barbour)

6:00pm Session Meeting

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11:30am 2nd Readers Book Club (Buckingham Clubhouse)

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12 5:30 p.m. Grow Team Meeting (Small Conference Room) 6 p.m. 2nd Wednesday Dinner & Program (Fellowship Hall)

11 10:00 a.m. Presbyterian Women (Fellowship Hall) 6:00 p.m. Worship Team (Barbour Room) 7:00 pm Scouts (Gym) 8:45 p.m.Ukirk Basketball (Gym)

10:30 a.m. Galatians Bible Study (Barbour Room)

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10:30 a.m. Galatians Bible Study (Barbour Room) Deadline for 2nd Edition Articles

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10:30 a.m. Galatians Bible Study (Barbour Room) 5:30 p.m. Young Women’s Life Group (Youth)

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5 10:00am Arts & Crafts (Room 227)

4:30pm CONNECT team (Barbour Room) 5:00pm Facilities (Zoom) 6:30pm Scout leaders 7:00pm Scouts (Gym, Scout Room) 8:45pm Ukirk Basketball (Gym)

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THURSDAY

WEDNESDAY

TUESDAY

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FRIDAY

Mar. 1

8:00 a.m. Kite Birthday Party (Gym)

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9:00 a.m. Kite Birthday Party (Gym)

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9:00am Burch Birthday Party (Gym)

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SATURDAY

THE SECOND EDITION

2ND PRES KNOX

WELCOMING + FAITHFUL + HOPEFUL

SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 2829 KINGSTON PIKE KNOXVILLE, TN 37919

CLERGY STAFF Pastor Tim Reynolds Pastor/Head of Staff treynolds@2ndpres.org Pastor Sarah Morgan Transitional Associate Pastor for Congregational Life & Mission smorgan@2ndpres.org PROGRAM STAFF Matthew Mimbs Director of Music & Arts mmimbs@2ndpres.org Holly Grimm Children & Youth Ministry Coordinator hgrimm@2ndpres.org

SUPPORT STAFF Jack Rosamond Church Administrator jrosamond@2ndpres.org

PRESCHOOL STAFF Linda Sue Byrd Director lsbyrd@2ndpres.org Holly Grimm Assistant Director hgrimm@2ndpres.org --------------------------------------------------CONTACT US: Second Presbyterian Church 2829 Kingston Pike Knoxville, TN 37919 Ph. 865.523.2189 Fax 865.637.2617 www.2ndpres.org

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

MINISTRY TEAMS & MODERATORS

CLASS OF 2025 Zachary Burch Lisa Henley Laura Turner Terry Weaver

WORSHIP Betsy Foster John Gill

CLASS OF 2026 Leonard Bailey Doug Barbour Monica Casey Clara Hardin CLASS OF 2027 Betsy Foster John Gill William Owen Cheryl Ragsdale

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