SUNDAY, AUGUST 27, 9:30 AM, ROOM 356

The Listening Project seeks to provide church leadership, the Pastor Nominating Committee, and prospective pastoral candidates with an accurate picture of our congregation and to identify near-term opportunities and longer-term strategic issues. 951 members completed a comprehensive survey. 168 members heard and discussed key survey findings at a Congregational Summit. This Summit generated sixty suggestions for near-term program/ministry improvements.

In August, pastors, program directors, Session members and Deacon leadership met to select suggestions for action planning and implementation. Come hear a progress report on Sunday, August 27.

Key findings from the Survey:

• Second’s traditional worship style and music program are key reasons respondents cited for attending, joining and remaining at Second Church. Overwhelmingly, respondents reported their satisfaction with the worship experience at Second. That said, there were clusters of respondents with differing preferences in worship style and music program.
   
• There was strong agreement on today’s congregational identity. People reported having a clear understanding of Second’s mission, vision, and core values/principles. They also are comfortable with Second’s identity in light of their personal theological, social, and political views. However, there were also clusters of respondents with differing opinions on the way forward.
   
• Respondents expressed high satisfaction with their personal faith development and a sense of support from the Second community of faith. Over 90% strongly, or somewhat, agreed with the statement: "being affiliated with Second has made a difference in my spiritual life."
   
• Membership growth challenges and retention risk are on respondents’ minds.
   
• Numerous opportunities were identified for near-term program/ministry improvements.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 27

Morning: Prayers of God's People
Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 19 — Dr. Lewis F. Galloway
8:15, 9:30, 11 a.m.

Second@Six: Voices of God's People
Revelation 7:9-12 — Rev. Joshua Stanley
6 p.m.

Click here to see what is happening this Sunday@Second.

• Upper Room: Parables of Jesus
  Sunday, 9:30 a.m., PW Room (Room 230)
  The Upper Room is studying the Parables of Jesus.
   
• Voices of God’s People: Exploring the Psalms
  Sunday, 9:30 a.m., Room 312
  The Voices of God’s People is studying the particular Psalms that are the biblical focus for morning worship. See class schedule here.

BEGINS SEPTEMBER 10
 

• Cultivate inner calm
• Keep things in perspective
• Bring awareness to our habits
• Create a sense of spaciousness in our lives
• Notice negative thoughts and their effects on stress
• Build up emotional and mental reserves for stressful times
• Live in the present moment (not lost in anxiety about the past or future)

• Gentle stretching and mindful movement
• Daily home assignments (45 minutes)
• Readings, hand-outs and other materials to support your practice
• Guided instruction on mindfulness meditation practices
• Group dialogue and mindful communication exercises to enhance awareness

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 6 PM DINNER; 7 PM PROGRAM
 

Register Now

At the fall BBQ Dinner you can hear one of the best speakers in our country, Brett Clemmer, president of Man in the Mirror, a nationally known men's ministry. Brett is a husband, father, disciple-maker, outdoor enthusiast, and avid Boston sports fan. He has also given inspiring talks to men's groups worldwide. Have a great meal and get inspired to be a part of a small group this fall.

The dinner will begin at 6:00 p.m. with the program following at 7:00 p.m. Admission is $5; optional dinner is $15.

More about our speaker: Brett Clemmer
President, Man in the Mirror

Brett Clemmer is a husband, father, disciple-maker, outdoor enthusiast, and avid Boston sports fan. Brett joined Man in the Mirror in 2000 and serves as president. His passion is to make the church relevant to younger men and men on the fringe. In his writing and speaking, Brett breaks through the resistance that many men feel toward spiritual topics with his use of personal stories and humor.

Brett is the co-author with Patrick Morley and David Delk of No Man Left Behind: How to Build and Sustain a Thriving Disciple-Making Ministry for Every Man in Your Church, and various articles and discipleship materials offered by the ministry.

Prior to Man in the Mirror, Brett worked in both the nonprofit and business sectors. Among other pursuits, he has run a juvenile detention shelter, a 700-bed homeless program, and the startup of a software company. Brett and his wife Kimberly live just outside of Orlando, Florida. They have been married since 1991, and have two amazing kids, Cassidy and Jackson. Brett loves to hang out with his wife, go on rock climbing trips, and spend time with his friends. His latest hobby is riding a mountain bike (sometimes into gator-infested rivers).

“Men are struggling,” shares Brett. “I’ve had the opportunity to speak to men literally around the world. You know what? Most men struggle with the same things. They want to do it all on their own. Like Habakkuk says, ‘We worship our own strength.’ Unfortunately, it often takes a crisis to help men realize they need the love, grace and power of Christ to become the men they somehow sense they were made to be.”

WEEKDAYS DURING SCHOOL

The bright students and motivated teachers at nearby Greenbriar Elementary School need some helping hands to read with children, help in the classroom, go on field trips and host PTO events, like book fairs and Grandparents Day. Sign up to help every week or once in a while.

Contact Jan Millholland for more information.

September and October 2017 
Third Graders and their families are invited to a special season of learning, celebration and service. 

Register Now for Worship and Communion Lunch and Learn

Register for the Welcome to the Table Celebration

Third grade is a special year. At school, students have learned to read. Now as third graders they are reading to learn. At church they have learned the stories of the Bible. Now as third graders they are ready to live them out with their community of faith.

At Second we mark this year in four important ways:

1. They learn more about Worship, as they share in this intergenerational centerpiece of our life together.
2. They learn about the Lord's Supper, in preparation for being "Welcomed to the Table" in worship on World Communion Sunday, October 1.
3. They receive a new Bible, a full New Revised Standard Version, just like the one we have in the pews at church. With their new Bible they can read the stories and wisdom of our faith in church and at home.
4. They lead worship by:

• serving with their families as element bearers. During the 11:00 worship service, third graders and their families participate in the processional by carrying in the cup and the bread for the Communion Table.
• singing in the Carol Choir at 11:15. Third graders learn songs to share with the congregation in worship. (Learn more about children's choirs.)
• presenting Bibles to babies at Baptisms. Third graders pass on the Word of God that has been shared with them.

At school, third graders are stepping into a season of owning their own learning. At church, we invite them to own their own faith as we walk with wonder beside them.

We hope you and your third grader will step whole-heartedly into this year of welcome to worship and sharing in Communion as they grow more fully into the shared life of our community of faith.

Please plan to join us for all the steps on this journey. Every piece is important. We hope you will make every effort to attend each one!

• Sunday School: During September third graders will participate in a special worship rotation.
• Worship: During September third graders will have special activities to do in worship and at home to share their learning with their families.
• Choir School: Children leave from worship to share in music making with peers.
• Worship and Communion Education Lunch and Learn: September 24, 12:15-1:45
• Welcome to the Table Celebration, Bible Presentation and Communion: October 1, 9:30-12:00

Please register separately for each event.

Worship & Communion Lunch & Learn: September 24
A time for learning together about worship and communion. 

Register Now for Worship and Communion Lunch and Learn

Welcome to the Table Celebration: October 1
Third graders and their special guests (parents, siblings, grandparents, special friends) enjoy brunch  and a time to share stories of communion. Third graders receive Bibles. 

Register for the Welcome to the Table Celebration

September 22-24, Brownstown, IN
 

Register Now

YoungAdults@Second will gather at Pyoca Camp and Conference Center in Brownstown, IN, from September 22-24, for a weekend of fellowship and renewal. Cost for the retreat is $75/person if you sign up before August 15th, and $90/person after. Registration includes food, lodging, and all activities. Partial financial assistance is available upon request.

Contact Lake Fellows Anna Owens or Joshua Stanley for more information. Registration for this event closes Monday, September 18.

At this critical time of division and violence in our nation, the Interfaith Clergy of Indianapolis led a Service of Prayer for Healing, Hope, Peace and Unity for our nation and world on Sunday, August 20^th at Second Presbyterian Church, 7700 N. Meridian St. Everyone was invited to attend this special opportunity for our community to come together in prayer.

If you were unable to attend, you are welcome to watch a recording of the service below or on our livestream channel.

Bulletin Info:

Prelude        John Allegar, organist 

Welcome        Lewis Galloway
        Second Presbyterian Church
Silence

Prayer for Confession of Guilt        Rob Fuquay
(Psalm 51:1, 2, 10)              St. Luke’s United Methodist Church

Have mercy on me, O God,
   according to your steadfast love; 
according to your abundant mercy
   blot out my transgressions. 
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
   and cleanse me from my sin…. 
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
   and put a new and right spirit within me. 

Silence

Prayer for Resisting Hate and Evil        Carol Johnston
(Romans 12:9, 14, 21)               Christian Theological Seminary

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good… Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them… Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. 

Silence

Goodness is Stronger    Sam Spade, song leader

Prayer for Those Who Hate        Steve Conger
 (Proverbs 8:1-9)                                    Meridian St. United Methodist Church

Here is wisdom calling us, deeper understanding raising its voice.  At the crossroads… it shouts, “My cry is to all humankind: learn to be perceptive, you who are simple; learn my instruction, for I speak noble things.  Wickedness is hateful to me, my words are justice, and righteousness for those who have knowledge of me.”

Silence 

Prayer for Racial Reconciliation (Psalm 133)    Brett Krichiver
                  Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation
How very good and pleasant it is
   when brothers and sisters live together in unity! 
 It is like the precious oil on the head,
   running down upon the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
   running down over the collar of his robes. 
 It is like the dew of Hermon,
   which falls on the mountains of Zion.
For there the LORD ordained his blessing,
   life for evermore.

Music 

Prayer for Religious Understanding and Harmony        Charles Harrison
(Romans 12:2, 16, 18)        Indianapolis Ten Point Coalition

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect… Live in harmony with one another… Do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all... So far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 

Silence
 
Prayer for Civility and Compassion        Mikal Saahir
(Qur’an)        Nur-Allah Islamic Center

O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise each other). Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things). (Chapter 49:13)

And hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves; and remember with gratitude Allah’s favor on you; for ye were enemies and He joined your hearts in love, so that by His Grace, ye became brethren; and ye were on the brink of the pit of Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus doth Allah make His Signs clear to you: That ye may be guided. (Chapter 3:103)

Silence
 

Prayer for Peace        Shelley Goldman
(Psalm 85:8-10)        Congregation Beth-El Zedeck

Let me hear what God the LORD will speak,
   God will speak peace to the people,
   to the faithful, to those who turn to God in their hearts. 
Surely God’s salvation is at hand for those who fear the Lord,
   that God’s glory may dwell in our land.
Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;
   righteousness and peace will kiss each other. 
 Faithfulness will spring up from the ground,
   and righteousness will look down from the sky.

Silence
 
Prayer for Healing         John Denson
(2 Chronicles 7:14)        St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Silence

Charge and Benediction               Dave Hampton
(Deuteronomy 30:15-19)        Light of the World Christian Church

“Behold I set before you this day life and blessing, death and curses… Choose life that you and your descendants shall live.”

Help plant and tend the community garden at Second. A garden guide is onsite Tuesday and Thursday 9 a.m. to 12 noon and Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Or you can stop by anytime and follow the notes left in the garden box.

Details Here