JUNE 2ND EDITION 2025 - WEB

JUNE 2025

SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

2NDPRES.ORG

This past month my wife and I were in a production of Stephen Sondheim’s groundbreaking musical Company at the Oak Ridge Playhouse. As most of you know, we have a long history of being involved in theater, going way back to before I was in the ministry. I was thinking this week about some of the things that I learned in the theater that translate into our spiritual lives.

1. Move with purpose. One of the first things an actor learns is that when you move on the stage, you should move with purpose. This means knowing your purpose – the why of your moving – but also moving purposefully – moving with intention.

It’s the same thing in our spiritual journeys. Knowing our purpose informs our actions in the world. Being intentional about what we do, how we interact with others, and the way we make our way through the world is not only helpful for us, but people are drawn to that kind of intentionality.

2. We share a common goal. Everyone in a theatrical production – from the actors to the spotlight operator to the costumer to the floor crew backstage – are all working towards a common goal, putting together a production to share with the world. The cast and crew would literally not be together if not for their shared common goal and everything they do is part of working towards that shared goal.

We, the church community, also share a common goal – to represent the Kingdom of God here on earth. The Bible’s word for this is koinonia. It means “fellowship” but “fellowship with a purpose”. Our purpose is not to have good fellowship dinners or great programs or interesting classes. Our purpose is much bigger, grander, and higher than that. We are God’s chosen representatives on earth, meant to share God’s love, grace, and mercy with the world. Everything we do together should be part of working towards our shared goal.

3. We are servants. This one might surprise you, but the best theaters, the best directors, the best actors have the mindset that their job is to serve the audience. This means that every decision – from lighting to sound to blocking to an actor’s choice in saying a line – is geared toward providing a positive experience for the people in the audience. Actors, especially, are to put their egos aside and make decisions that serve the audience, not perform in such a way as to bring them personal glory.

Those of us who follow Jesus are also servants. We are called, first and foremost, to serve our God. However, God calls us to serve him by serving others.

Jesus showed us what this looks like and calls us to follow him. This means being a servant to those we are in relationships with. This does not mean we are to be weak; actors can be strong and still serve the audience, just like Jesus was strong and still served those around him. It does mean that we are called to be humble, to show grace, to seek what is best for those around us rather than ourselves, and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.

Break a leg!

Grace and peace…

Table of Contents Worship Connect Go Support Calendar

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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.

June 1st June 8

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June 15th June 22

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June 29th

James 1:1-4

Faith in Action: Real Faith for Real Life

James 1:5-11

Faith in Action: The Challenge of Faith

James 1:12-18

Faith in Action: The Snares of the World

TBD

Guest Preacher: Rev. Wendy Neff, Executive Presbyter

James 1:19-27

Faith in Action: The Word at Work

Faith in Action: A Journey Through James What does it really mean to live out the faith we hold? The Book of James offers one of the most practical and challenging guides in all of Scripture – calling us not just to believe, but to act on our beliefs.

Join us for our summer sermon series, Faith in Action: A Journey Through James, where we’ll explore what authentic, active faith looks like in everyday life. From how we respond to trials and treat others, to the way we speak, plan, and pray – James doesn’t hold back. Each week, we’ll walk through a new section of this powerful letter, asking God to shape us into people who don’t just hear God’s Word, but who live it out individually and in community with one another.

Come ready to be encouraged, challenged, and transformed as we go back to the basics and look at the core essentials we need to incorporate into our lives of discipleship. Then let’s put our faith into action—together.

Liturgists Wanted!

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We are currently looking for folks who are interested in serving as a liturgist for worship.

Pastor Tim will provide a training this summer and you will be worked into the rotation beginning in September. If you are interested in serving in this important role, please email Pastor Tim at treynolds@2ndpres.org.

Additionally, Dana Hendrix, who has been serving as a liturgist and scheduling the liturgists is moving to Michigan. If you are interested in creating the liturgist schedule every 3-4 months, please let Pastor Tim know.

Summer Worship Change Beginning June 1st and continuing through Labor Day, the Worship Team is asking everyone to sit in the front half of the sanctuary during worship. Since worship attendance is usually slightly lower during the summer months, we feel this is a good way to encourage togetherness and fellowship. We will be placing a sign in the sanctuary from June-August, and we request everyone sit forward of that sign for our summer worship services. We understand this may be difficult at first for those of you who like to sit in the back, so please think of it as you are still sitting in the back, it’s just that the back has moved up!

Pentecost Offering The Pentecost offering will be received on Sunday, June 1st and Sunday, June 8th.

Pentecost celebrates the renewal of the relationship between God and the community of faith.

40% stays with our congregation to support local ministries with children, youth, and young adults.

25% supports Young Adult Volunteers, serving in communities around the world, and growing as leaders through transformative Christian service.

25% supports Ministries with Youth, including the Presbyterian Youth Triennium.

10% is devoted to children-at-risk and supports efforts to improve education and provide safe havens.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 6/5 Kim Hudgens 6/5 Barbara Lamping 6/7 Tim Reynolds 6/7 John Henley 6/8 Jim Thuesen 6/10 Aria Robertson 6/14 Mary Alice Callaway 6/17 Mike Turner

6/18 Jess Tucker 6/23 Mary Farmer 6/24 Janis Smith 6/26 Margie Gill 6/26 Bonnie Krabbenhoft 6/28 Owen Wall 6/28 Lochlan Kennedy 6/30 Sherri Lee

IF WE INADVERTENTLY MISSED SOMEONE...

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

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June Picnic

Presbyterian Women is completing its 2025-2026 study year with its annual June picnic on Tuesday, June 10, at the Pavilion at the First United Methodist Church about one mile west of 2nd Church from 11:00-1:00. All 2nd Church members and visitors are welcome!

The Methodist Church has been most generous in sharing its Pavilion behind the church. It sits near the river, is covered and has nearby parking, both standard and handicapped. (The rainy day location option will be in our own Fellowship Hall).

PW will be focusing the program on the Boy Scout Troop which has been in an historic partnership with 2nd Church for over 100 years. We have been promised some Celtic entertainment during the picnic’s program!

Second Readers will meet at the Buckingham Clubhouse on Wednesday, June 18. Our book is Switchboard Soldiers by Jennifer Chiaverini. We will meet at 11:30 so bring your lunch and join us for a discussion of this most interesting book about the women who served most effectively facilitating communication during WW1. Questions, call Margaret Sullivan at 865-363-3967. All are welcome and we encourage you to give this group a try.

Faith in Action Summer Bible Study This summer our Bible study will coincide with our summer sermon series, Faith in Action: A Journey through James. Each week we will gather with Pastor Tim to discuss (in more depth) the sermon and study the passage that he preached on the previous Sunday. This is a great chance to delve deeper into the book of James than we are able to do on Sunday morning. The class will meet in the Mary Chambers Room at 10:30 am on Tuesdays in the Barbour Room all summer long. We hope you will join us!

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Here are some pictures from parents and church members who shared their talent with Preschool Blue during the week they were learning all about music and different instruments.

Family Promise of Knoxville has helped hundreds of families with children experiencing homelessness since its beginning in July, 2005. Knoxville's Family Promise program is one of more than 200 affiliates nationwide, who have assisted hundreds of thousands of children and adults.

Through the support of local churches, Family Promise offers a place of safety, shelter, and certainty by utilizing the space available at its members' churches to provide meals and overnight housing. During the day, adults receive case management services or work, if they are employed.

Children and teens are in school, while day care is provided for young children.

The Knoxville First Seventh-Day Adventist Church, our neighbor at 3611 Kingston Pike, provided breakfast, dinner, and overnight housing for four families the week of May 11-18. Volunteers from 2nd Presbyterian were honored to serve the evening meal on Friday, May 17th. Doug Barbour was our chief chef, with Sarah Morgan & Janis Smith assisting. Doug also volunteered to sleep in the house, should any needs arise, and stayed that night. Tara & Charlie Sturdivant and Kirsty Bleyl & Andrew Butler assisted Carolyn Hansen of the Seventh Day Adventist Church and Compassion Coalition to close the house on Sunday, when the guests had departed.

Family Promise believes that every family's future begins with a home and nearly 90% of families in the program secure affordable housing within nine weeks. While in the program parents are equipped, encouraged, and empowered to pursue their dreams of home-ownership and independence. It is really a wonderful experience to sit with families while they dine, watch them interact with their kiddos, and share stories of their days. It's also rewarding to both ready the space and close it up - as both are done with prayer for each family.

We will have another opportunity to help serve with members of the SDA Church August 24-31. Please note those dates in your calendar. If you are interested, please contact Kathy Duggan or Janis Smith via email or text.

Kathy: kduggan55@gmail.com / (865) 441-8683 7 Janis: smithjb1@gmail.com / (615) 260-7784”

GO Team Report – May 2025 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. They rely on the generosity of the congregation to fund their efforts and welcome recommendations for donations and volunteer opportunities.

The team meets on the first Thursday of each month at 1pm in the Barbour Room. Next meeting June 5.

April Disbursements: • Presbytery of East Tennessee - $1,150. This will be the monthly disbursement for the year for a total of $13,800.

• Sunset Gap - $3,000. Sunset gap community center is a Christian based organization uniting people of all faiths by providing programs that contribute to the physical, social, economic, and spiritual growth of the people of Cocke and Sevier counties. https://sunsetgap.weebly.com/ • Preschool Scholarship - $5,000.

• Preschool Teacher Appreciation Luncheon - $442.47 • West View Elementary Teacher Appreciation Week Kickoff Breakfast - $450 from West View designated fund.

Volunteer activities for May: • May 2 – Ten church members attended the Emerald Youth Foundation Breakfast and sat together at the table sponsored by 2nd Pres.

• May 2 – West View Carnival – Volunteers popped and sold popcorn. Many jazzy jars were donated.

Eighteen cakes (homemade and bought) were collected and delivered to the school for the cakewalk. In addition, approximately 300 soft drinks were donated. This is the main fundraising event for the school.

• May 5 – The GO team provided and served breakfast to teachers and staff as the kickoff event for Teacher Appreciation Week at West View.

• May 7 – Three members attended the Compassion Coalition meeting of member churches. The agenda included opportunities for members to be in service to families without housing or other resources.

• May 11 – 18 Family Promise. Volunteers helped host families during the week by preparing the house at the SDA Church, preparing and serving an evening meal, and providing overnight hosts.

• May 30 – The GO team will be providing and serving breakfast to participants in Resource Center programs at Volunteer Ministry Center.

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.

GOing and Serving in 2025 – Watch for upcoming volunteer opportunities at VMC, KARM, and Love Kitchen, West View, and others in upcoming weekly newsletters.

8 Coming up in June and July – Love Kitchen, KARM, and FISH.

New Ministry Team Leadership With the Class of 2028 taking its place on the Session and the Class of 2025 rolling off, we have new Ministry Team Leadership for the coming year. Below are the elders co-leading each Ministry Team of the congregation. If you have questions or want to find out how to get involved in a particular ministry of the congregation, please reach out to one of the people listed below:

Worship

Betsy Foster betsyfoster47@gmail.com

Connect

cherylintennessee@yahoo.com

geoffrey.n.kennedy@gmail.com

Grow

monicacasey@bellsouth.net

Monica Casey

Kathy Duggan kduggan55@gmail.com

Go

Leonard Bailey lbailey@chartertn.net

Clara Hardin cghardin59@gmail.com

Support

William Owen wandgowen@aol.com

Doug Barbour dhbar1@gmail.com

Preschool

Cleston Jones clesjones@comcast.net

Cheryl Ragsdale

John Gill jwgilljr@bellsouth.net Geoffrey Kennedy

Lauren Dodson april551960@gmail.com

Summer Staff Vacations Summer means vacation time and family trips, and this year also a sabbatical! Staff members will be out of the office the following dates:

Pastor Sarah will be on sabbatical from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Pastor Tim will be on vacation June 19th-23rd. Rev. Wendy Neff, Executive Presbyter for the Presbytery of East Tennessee, will fill the pulpit on Sunday, June 22nd.

Jack Rosamond will be on vacation May 30th – June 9th.

Nichole Duran will be on vacation from July 7th to July 17th.

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May Session Highlights Received the Treasurer’s Report.

Received reports from the Pre-School and Ministry Teams as information.

The staff at the Preschool would like to thank you for the delicious lunch served during Teacher Appreciation Week.

Continue to Help Us Be Good Stewards You have all been doing a great job at turning off the lights if you are the last one to leave the building in the evening. Please keep up the good work! If you are leaving the building and see a light on, please turn it off on your way out, even if you think someone else might be coming later. Thanks for helping us conserve energy and be good stewards of our resources!

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APRIL

YTD 2025

BUDGET 2025

TOTAL GIFTS

$163,163.84

$473,037.01

$918,901.00

TOTAL EXPENSES

$70,324.12

$273,749.27

$920,375.00

EXCESS (SHORTAGE)

$92,839.72

$199,287.74

($1,474.00)

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9:15 a.m. Choir Practice 5:00 p.m. Young Adult 9:15 a.m. Faith, Science and Ladies Life Group (Youth) Future Sunday School (Barbour Room) 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Worship 10:45 a.m. Children’s Church

10:30 am Faith In Action Bible Study (Barbour Room) 4:30 pm Connect Team (Barbour) 5:00 pm Facilities Team (Zoom) 7:00 pm: UKirk Basketball

Jul 1

10:30 am Faith In Action Bible Study (Barbour Room) 9:00 a.m. FISH Pantry (Fellowship Hall) 7:00 p.m.Ukirk Basketball (Gym)

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5:00 p.m. Young Adult 9:15 a.m. Choir Practice 9:15 a.m. Faith, Science and Ladies Life Group (Youth) Future Sunday School (Barbour Room) 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Worship 10:45 a.m. Children’s Church

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

10:30 am Faith In Action Bible Study (Barbour Room) 6:00 p.m. Session Meeting (Barbour Room) 7:00 p.m.Ukirk Basketball (Gym)

9:45am Staff meeting (SM 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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1:00 p.m. Go Team Meeting (Barbour)

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6:30 pm: UTK Upward Bound Program (Fellowship Hall)

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6:30 pm: CoS Session Meeting (Barbour Room)

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10:30 am Faith In Action Bible Study (Barbour Room) 11:00 am Presbyterian Women (First United Methodist) 6:00 p.m. Worship Team (Barbour Room) 7:00 p.m.Ukirk Basketball

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THURSDAY

1:00 p.m. Go Team Meeting (Barbour)

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WEDNESDAY

10:30 am Faith In Action Bible Study (Barbour Room) 4:30 pm Connect Team (Barbour) 5:00 pm Facilities Team (Zoom) 7:00 pm: UKirk Basketball

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TUESDAY

5:00 p.m. Young Adult 9:15 a.m. Choir Practice 9:15 a.m. Faith, Science and Ladies Life Group (Youth) Future Sunday School (Barbour Room) 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Worship 10:45 a.m. Children’s Church

9:45am Staff meeting 9:15 a.m. Choir Practice (SM Conference Room) 9:15 a.m. Faith, Science and 10:00 am: Arts and Crafts Future Sunday School (Room 227) (Barbour Room) 3:00 p.m. Budget Finance 9:30 a.m. Sunday School Team Meeting (Zoom) 10:30 a.m. Worship 5:00 p.m. Young Adult 10:45 a.m. Children’s Church Ladies Life Group (Youth)

MONDAY

SUNDAY

June 2025

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CHURCH CLOSED: 4th of July

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Deadline for 2 Edition Articles

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6:00 pm: Kathryn Paden Voice Studio (Sanctuary)

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FRIDAY

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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 Sarah Warner Organist swarner@bellarmine.edu SUPPORT STAFF Jack Rosamond Church Administrator jrosamond@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

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

CLASS OF 2026 Leonard Bailey Doug Barbour Monica Casey Clara Hardin CLASS OF 2027 Betsy Foster John Gill William Owen Cheryl Ragsdale CLASS OF 2028 Geoffrey Kennedy Kathy Duggan Lauren Dodson Cleston Jones

MINISTRY TEAMS & MODERATORS WORSHIP Betsy Foster John Gill CONNECT Geoffrey Kennedy Cheryl Ragsdale GROW Monica Casey Kathy Duggan GO Leonard Bailey Clara Hardin Lauren Dodson SUPPORT Doug Barbour William Owen PRESCHOOL Cleston Jones