NOVEMBER 2ND EDITION 2025 WEB

SECOND EDITION NOVEMBER 2025

SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

2NDPRES.ORG

ON SECOND

Thought...

These are anxious times. Every day there seems to be another crisis, another violation of a long-established norm, another news story or social media post to be angry about. Inflation is up 3% just in the last month.

Grocery prices are also up 3% over last year. Beef prices are at an all-time high. The price of coffee is up 21%, while electricity bills are up 10%. The average price of a new car surpassed $50,000 for the first time in September. Healthcare costs are about to triple. And as of this writing, SNAP benefits will not be available after November 1st. This means 690,000 Tennesseans will have difficulty putting food on the table.

To make things more complicated, it’s almost Thanksgiving. There will be many who will not be able to afford a Thanksgiving meal this year. There will be many who will not be celebrating because a family member or loved one has been deported or is being detained. There will be many who will wonder how to even celebrate Thanksgiving when there is so much turmoil in our land. There are many who are struggling to find something to be thankful for right now.

Even in non-anxious times, the Thanksgiving holiday can be complicated for many. Some struggle because they are far from family and want to be closer. Some struggle because family is closer and they want them to be farther away. Then there are those who don’t have much family to begin with, or those who are grieving the loss of a family member this time of year. Even those who are close to family both physically and emotionally may not relish the table conversation during these divisive times.

In his letter to the Philippians, the Apostle Paul says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6-7)

Paul reminds us to give thanks, even in the less than thankful moments, even in less than certain times. It isn’t that he’s asking us to be thankful because we are anxious; he’s not even saying that thankfulness is the solution to anxiety. What he does seem to be assuming is that even when we are anxious because of all the aforementioned issues, we can still find something to be thankful for. We can still live grateful lives with grateful hearts.

For what? Most people would say something like friends, family, chocolate, or Rick Barnes. As wonderful as these things may be, however, these things do not endure. We will say goodbye to our loved ones at some point and Rick Barnes will one day retire. Chocolate may outlast us, but our ability to enjoy sadly comes to an end at some point. So, what is something that we can unreservedly give thanks for, even when we are anxious or don’t know what there is to be thankful for?

I think it’s this. Despite all our anxiety, frustration, fear, outrage, worry, anger, despair, or any of the other things we might currently be feeling, God is in control. It may not always seem like it, it may not always feel like it, it may not always be obvious to us, but it is something we affirm. The Bible teaches it, history reveals it, and we can trust that it is true. God has done the enduring work of redemption in Christ Jesus, in which we find hope. God promises that, even now, he is working to bring about justice and that all things work together for good for those who love God. When we affirm this, when we believe this, we become people who find peace beyond understanding in the midst of any circumstance, no matter how dire. We become grateful people who are able to say God’s steadfast love endures forever. Happy Thanksgiving!

Grace and peace…

Table of Contents Worship Connect Grow Go Support Calendar

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Upcoming Sermon Texts and Topics We are currently following the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) on Sunday mornings. The RCL is a widely used three-year cycle of Bible readings for use in Christian worship, designed for use by various denominations. It provides a structured way to engage with Scripture throughout the liturgical year, encompassing major festivals and seasons, and provides a common set of readings from Scripture that Christians across the world hear together.

November 2nd

Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4

When the Wicked are Winning

November 9th

2 Thess. 2:1-5, 13-17

The Day of the Lord

November 16th

Isaiah 65:17-25

God’s Kingdom Come, God’s Will Be Done

November 23rd

Luke 23:33-43

What If...Jesus Hadn’t Been Crucified?

November 30th

Isaiah 2:1-5

Wake Up & Get Ready!

Don’t Forget to Fall Back!

Set your clocks back one hour before going to bed on Saturday, November 1st, or you’ll be an hour early for worship on Sunday, November 2nd!

All Saints Sunday

Pick up your November-December Upper Room Devotionals!

Copies are available in the vestibule and narthex.

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All Saints Sunday is this Sunday, November 2nd. If you have a friend or loved one who has passed away in the last year and would like their name to be read in worship, please email Pastor Sarah (smorgan@2ndpres.org).

November 19th, we will be meeting at the Buckingham Clubhouse. Our book is Waiting for Christmas by Lynn Austin and Mariann Thuesen will lead our discussion.

All are welcome and all meetings are at 11:30 and hopefully you will bring your lunch and join us.

ATTENTION:

If you have any questions, please call Margaret Sullivan at (865) 363-3967.

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN MEET NOV. 11 Presbyterian Women meets Tuesday, Nov. 11 from 10:15-11:30 in the Fellowship Hall. All are welcome to join us for Hymn Sing with Pastor Tim and Bible study with Helen Grant.

The subject for Nov. 11 is Part 1-- Finding Our Resilience: Lesson 3, “Jesus is Tested”. In this third-part lesson on how to achieve the strength to follow only God’s path, we see Jesus before his public ministry actually started. We see Jesus as fully human as well as being God’s son. He is tempted by what the devil offers him.

Why was it important to establish that Jesus was human??

Join us as we explore the devil at work!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! IF WE INADVERTENTLY MISSED SOMEONE...

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

11/2 11/3 11/5 11/5 11/9 11/11

Angela Jones Bob Cross Joe Clarke Bennie Myers Miller Callaway Marsha Grieve

11/18 11/18 11/19 11/21 11/22 11/29

Parker Dodson William Owen James Morgan Mancil Milligan Mary Nell Pruitt Jim Gray

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A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE PRESCHOOL FALL FESTIVAL!!!

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Oakes Farm

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y a D s t n e r a p d n a r G l o P rescho

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W O N K U O DID Y 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, will provide breakfast, dinner, and overnight housing for four families the week of December 7- 14. Volunteers from 2nd Presbyterian have been able to assist with an evening meal one day during the week and with getting the house ready for guests on the Sunday the week begins and closing the house the following Sunday. Doug Barbour has been a consistent volunteer sleeping in the house one night, should any needs arise. Training is available for anyone who can spend an overnight..

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.

Please note December 7 - 14 in your calendar and consider if you might help serve with members of the SDA Church. If you are interested, please contact Janis Smith via email or text: smithjb1@gmail.com / (615) 260-7784.

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GO Team Report – October 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: November 6th.

Volunteer activities in October: October 15 – Five volunteers served at Love Kitchen. Over 500 meals were portioned for later delivery. 200 meals were portioned and served onsite.

October 15 – Six volunteers prepared a home cooked evening meal for 40 students. This meal was in support of UKirk’s Wednesday evening food and fellowship followed by a casual worship service.

October 29 – The GO Team sponsored a booth/table at the Preschool Fall Festival.

ng pcomi u r o f ch – Wat 5 2 A RM , 0 2 K , n C i g M , S e r v in t View ie s a t V s t d i e n n a W u , t g hen ppor G O in ers e K it c t eer o v o n L u l , wslett o n e v o n i t y i l l ek C oa ing we assion m p o c m Disbursements: p o C r s in u e h t o Presbytery of East Tennessee - $1,150. This will be the monthly and

disbursement for the year for a total of $13,800.

Centro Hipano-$2,000. This donation included $670 retained for local use from the Pentecost Special Offering.

World Central Kitchen-$2,000 for providing fresh meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises.

Interfaith Health Center-$1,000 for providing comprehensive, affordable care to working uninsured or underserved individuals in the greater Knoxville area.

Volunteer Ministry Center- $1,250 donation for sponsorship of 8 at the annual Carry the Torch Luncheon on December 10th.

Montgomery Village Ministry- $2,000. This ministry is located in the Montgomery Village apartment community of South Knoxville and hosts children’s programs and assists residents with their needs and concerns.

West View Supplies Collection Box – This box located in the atrium has a current list of supplies needed.

Please check the current needs listed at the collection box as they will be updated from time to time. .

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October 2025 Session Highlights Received an update from the Vision Task Force regarding their work Received a Vision Task Force update.

Approved spending up to $10,000 from the West View Fund for approximately 33 fifth-grade West View students to attend a three-day trip to the Great Smoky Mountain Institute at Tremont.

TIME, TALENTS & TREASURE: Our Stewardship Season begins next Sunday. Look for a mailing this week that will explain more.

Dedication Sunday is November 23rd.

SEPTEMBER BUDGET REPORT

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SEPT

YTD 2025

BUDGET 2025

TOTAL GIFTS

$89,272.44

$857,798.16

$918,901.00

TOTAL EXPENSES

$64,061.92

$608,928.61

$920,375.00

EXCESS (SHORTAGE)

$25,210.52

$248,869.55

($1,474.00)

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 Tuesday Reynolds Interim 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.

follow us on social media 2ndpres.org

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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

SecondPresbyterianChurchKnoxville/

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