January 2023

When I came here in 2016, we “Fireside Chats” where we discussed what was special about 2nd Presbyterian Church. One of the things repeated over and over was the sense of welcoming and community. In 2017 we held a Session retreat to discuss a new Vision Statement. Once again, welcoming and community were seen as hallmarks of 2nd Presbyterian Church. So much so, that we made “welcoming” the first word in our description of 2nd as “a welcoming, faithful, and hopeful community”.

In the fall of 2021, the Session held another retreat to discuss how we should organize ourselves as a congregation for the mission and ministry to which we are called. When I asked the question, “What made you decide to become a member of 2nd Presbyterian Church?” the overwhelming majority of elders responded by saying it was the welcome from and the connection with the people who call 2nd Presbyterian home.

Each week we have a number of visitors in worship. Some have been worshiping with us virtually and have finally decided to come in person. Others come for any number of reasons. We want these visitors to experience and feel the same welcome and connection so many of us have already felt. In thinking about the best way to do this, the Worship and Connection teams recommended, and the Session approved, moving our coffee and fellowship time from the half-hour prior to worship to the half-hour following worship. This is to give us a chance to welcome, show hospitality to, and get know newcomers. It is also to give them the chance to get to know the best part of 2nd Presbyterian Church – YOU!

I encourage you to circulate during this fellowship time. Ask questions of newcomers: What brought you here today? Do you have a place where you usually worship? And then listen. Ask follow-up questions and be interested in their replies. This is a way of saying “I heard you.” Talk with members you haven’t had a chance to speak with much since the pandemic. Circulate. Move. Don’t stay glued to one comfortable person for the entire time. Make it a point to speak to at least 5 people – preferably 10!

In order to accommodate this time of fellowship, worship is being moved to 10:30 a.m. This is so people will not feel rushed after worship and will want to hang out and fellowship with one another. There’s nothing magical about worship at 11:00. When we were an agrarian society, 11:00 a.m. was the earliest farmers could make it into town for worship after completing their chores. Now that we live in a technological society, there really is no reason to maintain an 11:00 a.m. worship time, other than tradition or because people just want to sleep in a little bit. We’re going to try this out for a few months and then evaluate. If it works to engage visitors and keep us better connected to one another, we’ll keep the new time. If it doesn’t, we’ll switch back and try to find some other way to engage potential new members. See you in the Mary Chambers Room on Sunday after worship!

Grace and peace...

7 C O N N E C T 4 W O R S H I P

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G R O W

S U P P O R T

www.youtube.com/@2ndPresKnox/

This month in our journey through the Narrative Lectionary we move into the next chapter of God’s story, what we Christians call the New Testament. The Gospel of Matthew will be our focus now through Easter as we follow Jesus’ life and teachings.

JANUARY 1ST JANUARY 8TH JANUARY 15TH JANUARY 22ND JANUARY 29TH

MATTHEW 1:1-17 MATTHEW 3:1-17 MATTHEW 4:1-17 MATTHEW 5:1-20 MATTHEW 6:7-21

GENEALOGY OF JESUS JESUS' BAPTISM TEMPTATION IN THE WILDERNESS THE BEATITUDES TREASURE IN HEAVEN

5TH SUNDAY WORSHIP 5TH SUNDAY WORSHIP

The Worship Team has decided to return to our pre-Covid practice of worshiping together in the Fellowship Hall whenever there is a 5th Sunday in the month. Since January is the first month in 2023 with 5 Sundays, we have the opportunity to start right away!

Worship will be in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday, January 29th. Worship on these Sundays is a little less formal and gives an opportunity to be together in a different way than usual. We hope you will join us!

The Annual Congregational Meeting will take place in conjunction with the Souper Bowl luncheon following worship on Sunday, February 12th. The luncheon and the meeting will take place in the Fellowship Hall following worship. Mark your calendars now!

The first day of the year is the perfect opportunity for us to renew our covenant with God and hear of God’s covenant faithfulness to us. We can think of no better way to ring in the New Year than by rededicating ourselves to God and God’s mission in the world.

Sunday Worship: Worship will never be cancelled due to weather, though there may be some last minute modifications to the worship service. Please use your own discretion, however, in deciding whether or not to come. Safety is of primary importance; stay home if you don’t feel you can make it here safely. You can always join virtually!

All Other Activities (Choir, Committees, Fellowship, etc.): These will be determined on a case-bycase basis. The chairperson or director will make the call and contact participants. Thanks to Zoom there is always the option of meeting virtually! The church office will be closed only in the weather.

To everyone who remembered our family with cards, emails, and gifts during the Christmas Season, we offer a heartfelt thank you. We are truly blessed to serve this congregation. – Tim, Tuesday, Seth & Lily Grace Reynolds

COOKIE SWAP AND ARTS & CRAFTS TIME

Second Readers will gather at the Buckingham Clubhouse, on January 11, at 11:30.

Our book for January is "The Maid" by Nita Prose and Leslie Matthews will lead our discussion. Just bring your lunch, and a drink and give this activity a try. It is not an intense group but we do have varying takes on the books we read and enjoy our discussions. We would welcome others and if you have questions, call Margaret Sullivan at (865)588- 3103.

In the event of inclement weather, we will not meet.

PRESBYTERY BIBLE STUDY PRESBYTERY BIBLE STUDY

This January and February, the Presbytery of East Tennessee is hosting a virtual/in-person Bible study of Genesis. Each week, participants will gather in person at 3:00 p.m. at a Presbyterian Church near them (2nd Pres is one of the hosts).

Rev. Dr. Wendy Neff will lead the study from a different location each week. Participants may also join via Zoom from home each week if they prefer. The dates are in the graphic above.

JOIN THE JOIN THE TEAM! TEAM!

2nd Presbyterian is again looking for some volunteers interested in joining the Video Streaming team At this time, it would involve serving once every four or five weeks after an initial training “apprenticeship”. Volunteers would be running audio or video, although training would be provided on both allowing volunteers to alternate between both or focus on a particular one if so desired.

Typically, it would require arriving between 09:30 and 10:00 for the initial setup. Take down takes only minutes after the service ends.

Feel free at any time to just come up to the balcony and watch the whole process there during a service, or stop by at the end of a service for a personal ‘tour’ and get any questions answered

If you are interested in pursuing volunteering, you can let Pastor Tim know or see / text / email me at the contact info below I’m also up on the balcony virtually every Sunday by 10:00, so feel free to stop by with any questions or just to watch!

Paul Sexauer (865) 850-7328

Do you have a favorite recipe for an entrée or side dish? Come join the Compassionate Cuisine Team. Our group communicates by Zoom on the second and fourth Wednesdays to plan the meal which is delivered to others on the first and third Wednesdays of the month A couple of our favorite entrees include Chicken Spectacular and pork tenderloin; Lasagna from Gordon Food Service (GFS) is pretty good too

Questions? Contact Leslie Matthews (flowlilly@gmail.com) (865-765-0549) or Pastor Sarah Morgan at the church. 865-523-2189. We'll see you at our next Zoom meeting Wednesday, January 11, 2023, at 4:00.

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