One of the greatest lessons in patriotism I ever received was from my high school history teacher. A graduate of Castle Heights Military Academy (Lebanon, TN) and Florida State University, Mr. Hosier joined the Navy and volunteered for a tour of duty in Vietnam because he felt it was his patriotic duty He volunteered for a second tour because he felt it was his brotherly duty His brother had been drafted but the Navy had a rule, inspired by the Sullivan brothers tragedy in WWII, that only one sibling at a time could serve in combat duty during wartime. By volunteering for a second tour, my history teacher ensured that his brother would not see combat.
Mr Hosier talked often in class about his service in Vietnam; it wasn’t pleasant He described many harrowing and horrific experiences, including saving the life of a fellow sailor and having his own life saved twice He would flinch at loud noises. He had a nervous tic where he blinked his eyes a lot. He was also one of the most brilliant men I’ve ever met and one of the teachers that inspired me the most. My friends and I loved his class, and we loved him.
One day, during a discussion about the riots and protests against the Vietnam war in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, he talked about how difficult it was to come home from that war and experience outright hatred. He described being spit on in the airport as he was coming home and feeling like an enemy in his own country. A classmate of mine asked him if it made him angry to turn on the television after he came home from serving his country and see people who didn’t serve burning the American flag I will never forget his answer as long as I live
“Of course it made me angry. I didn’t like it then and I don’t like it now. I don’t particularly like hippies, to be honest, but they had every right to do it. I fought to protect their right to burn the flag. My friends who died, died for their right to protest the war we were fighting in
The thing that makes this country great is not how many wars we win or don’t win; it’s our freedom of speech.Our right to say what we think, to speak out when we are against something, and not be arrested or punished for it, that’s what makes this country the greatest country on earth As long as we have free speech, even if some people don’t like what’s being said, we will be a great country ”
Free speech is kind of like free will. We use our free will to do many things God doesn’t like – things that anger, sadden, or disappoint God. God could put a stop to these things, but it would mean taking away our free will, so he doesn’t Our free will is so important to God that God is willing to suffer sadness, disappointment, and even anger, to protect it God is willing to watch us do incredibly hurtful and harmful things to one another, rather than take away our free will, because if we no longer had free will, we would no longer be truly human.
I agree with Mr. Hosier. Free speech is the thing that makes our country great, the thing we must protect and allow at all costs, even if that means other people use that free speech to say things we dislike or disagree with We could use more of Mr Hosier’s kind of patriotism today, I think; the kind that isn’t threatened by someone saying something we disagree with or don’t like. Because if we try and silence people, if we arrest or punish people for expressing their thoughts, if we no longer had free speech, we would no longer be truly great
Grace and peace
Upcoming Sermon Texts and Topics
Our summer sermon series is Faith in Action: A Journey through James. 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.
July 6th
July 13th
July 20th
July 27th
James 2:1-13
James 2:14-26
James 3:1-12
James 3:13-18
Faith in Action: No Favorites
Faith in Action: Faith That Works
Faith in Action: Taming the Tongue
Faith in Action: Wisdom from Above
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. We hope you join us!
Summer Worship Seating
Thanks so much for sitting in the front half of the sanctuary during worship this summer. Everyone is doing a great job and many people say they feel the extra energy from being closer together. Let’s keep it up for another two months!
Second Readers will meet at the home of Leslie Matthew’s on Wednesday, July 16, at 11:30. Our book for July is The Evolution of Annabel Craig by Lisa Grunwald. Liz Peebles will lead our discussion and we invite anyone interested in a casual book group to join us. Bring your lunch and enjoy some fellowship and hopefully the book and discussion. Questions?
Our Vacation Bible School was a massive success! Thank you to everyone who joined us and a BIG thank you to First Presbyterian Church for joining us for this amazing program!
GO Team Report – June 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 July 3.
June Disbursements:
Presbytery of East Tennessee - $1,150. This will be the monthly disbursement for the year for a total of $13,800.
Volunteer Ministry Center - $7,000
UKirk at UT - $800. This will pay for two Wednesday night meals for 40 at Ukirk during the upcoming academic year. In addition, a homecooked meal will be provided in October. Lonsdale School Trip to Tremont - $1,000 Each year a contribution is made for an overnight trip for 5 graders at Lonsdale Elementary School to The Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. This trip provides an outdoor experience for kids to learn about nature. For many of the kids this is their first opportunity of this type. www.gsmit.org th Volunteer activities for June:
June 11 – Tim Wright and Leonard Bailey attended the United Way Champions breakfast honoring Community Schools Partners Second Pres is a community partner for West View Elementary School.
June 18 – Five volunteers served at Love Kitchen. 550+ meals were portioned and packed for next day delivery and 200 meals were portioned and packed for the same day. Fresh vegetable and fruit sorting was another activity. The volunteers helped to distribute the same day meals and extras for lunch to those arriving to eat at the Love Kitchen site. https://thelovekitchen.org/
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.
PLEASE NOTE: The West View school supplies box is not out during the summer. We will update everyone with a “supplies needed” list once we are closer to the Fall semester.
MORE TO COME ABOUT WEST VIEW WORKDAY ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 2
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 July - KARM, and FISH.
Go Team in Action
June 2025 Session Highlights
Received the Treasurer’s Report. Received reports from the Pre-School and Ministry Teams as information.
Elected Elder Clara Hardin to represent Second Presbyterian Church at the August 9, 2025 Presbytery of East Tennessee Meeting at Farragut Presbyterian Church. Authorized the distribution of accrued earning of $11,700 for the period of April 2023 through April 2025 from the Hazel Butten Endowment fund (held for the benefit of Presbyterian Women) to the Presbyterian Women.
Staff Vacations
Nichole Duran will be on vacat
C H U R C H C L O S E D4 o f J u l y t h F i r s t P r e s . W h i p p a n y s t a y i n g o v e r n i g h t
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 )
1 0 : 0 0 a m M a t t M i m b s W o r k s h o p ( S a n c t u a r y )
10:30 am Faith in Action Bible Study (Barbour) 4:30 pm Connect Team (Barbour) 5:00 pm Facilities Team (Zoom) 7 :00 pm: UKirk Basketball 9:00 a.m. FISH Pantry (Fellowship Hall) 10:30 am Faith in Action Bible Study (Barbour) 8:45 p.m. Ukirk Basketball (Gym)
10:30 am Faith in Action Bible Study (Barbour) 6:00 p.m. Worship Team (Barbour Room ) 7:00 p.m. Ukirk Basketball (Gym)
10:30 am Faith in Action Bible Study (Barbour) 7:00 p.m. Ukirk Basketball (Gym)
1 2 : 0 0 p . m . P r e s c h o o l B o a r d M e e t i n g ( Z 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
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 10:30 am Faith in Action Bible Study (Barbour) 7:00 p.m. Ukirk Basketball (Gym)
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 )
