September 10, 2026

Dear Friends,

I love the start to a church school year!

This Sunday, we will begin a new year of learning, growing, worshiping, and serving together. Our theme for the CE year is “This Is Our Story.”

For generations, Christians across denominations and in many different languages have sung the familiar chorus, “This is my story, this is my song.” But our stories are never ours alone. They are woven into the larger story of God’s people, a story that stretches across generations and continues to unfold among us.

Some 135 years ago, our own church’s story began with a Sunday school class. Since then, countless teachers have prepared lessons, volunteers have welcomed children, mentors have encouraged young people, and members of every generation have shared their gifts with one another. Each of us has added another page to the story God is writing among us.

This year, “This Is Our Story” invites us to remember that faith is something we share together. We gather around Scripture not simply to gain knowledge, but to be formed as disciples of Jesus Christ. In our sanctuary and classrooms, in Fellowship Hall and on mission projects, at choir rehearsals and meals around tables, we learn God’s story so that it becomes the story that shapes our lives.

I hope you will make a place in your own story for this new year of Christian education.

This Sunday, our regular schedule returns:

• 8:45 a.m. Worship in the Sanctuary
• 9:45 a.m. Sunday School for All Ages
• 11:00 a.m. Worship in the Sanctuary (with live stream)
• 5:00 p.m. Kids’ Fellowship Kick-Off Dinner in Fellowship Hall
• Youth Group Kick-Off Cookout at the Intersection

There is a place for you. Join us this Sunday. Come and add your own voice to our story!

Grace and peace,

Elizabeth Link

Adule Sunday School, Fall 2026

September 13, 2026:

• Pictorial Directory Photos Taken
• Program Year Begins
• 8:45am Worship Service, Sanctuary
• 9:45am Sunday School
• 11:00am Worship Service with child baptism of James Revercomb, Sanctuary & Live Stream
• 5:00pm Kids' Fellowship, Fellowship Hall
• 5:00pm Nurturing Faith & Spirit, Fellowship Hall with Dinner
• 5:00pm Youth Group Kickoff Cookout & Parenting Meeting, Intersection

See the full calendar HERE.

www.spres.org/worship/livestream/

"This Is Our Story" | Christian Education 2026–27

“We will tell the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord…”

– Psalm 78:4

Photo Days for the Church Directory

Sundays, September 13 & 20 | 9:45–10:45 a.m., 12:00 p.m.

Our congregation has been asking for an updated printed directory, and we hope to fulfill this ask before the end of 2026. On Sundays, September 13 and 20, photo stations will be set up in the passageway outside the sanctuary for those who wish to use a church image for their individual or family directory photo (you may also upload your own photo through your Realm profile or send in a photo for us to upload for you). This will be the last opportunity for pictures to be taken in the church before the directory is printed. 

If you have any questions about using your own photo or want to submit a recent family photo, please reach out to Meredith Koliba (meredith@spres.org, 540-343-3659). If you had a photo taken during a previous Photo Day or uploaded your own picture to Realm, we will use the photo we already have on file if you choose not to take a new one. Please sign in to Realm and verify your contact information is up to date.

Join us THIS SATURDAY for our Habitat Home Dedication

Our Habitat for Humanity home build is complete! Please join us for the Home Dedication on Saturday, September 12 at 10:00 a.m. It will be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the new homeowners, honor everyone who helped “Build It Together,” and give thanks for what we accomplished together.

ATTENTION SINGERS! Choir Begins

Join the Chancel Choir for rehearsals as we start a new year. Learn some anthems and build your singing skills. Rehearsals are Thursday evenings, 7:00–8:15, beginning August 27.

2PC Clubs for Congregational Life 2026–27

Looking for a small group where you can build friendships and enjoy your favorite hobbies? 2PC Clubs are the perfect place to connect! Check out the clubs available below and sign up by Sunday, September 13 at www.spres.org, via the QR code, or by calling the church office. You may sign up for more than one club. If you are already involved in a club, please sign up again so we have an accurate count of partici pants. Club coordinators will contact members by phone or email; the first meetings will be in October.

• BOOK CLUB – Church members select and read new books each month and gather to discuss.
• COFFEE CLUB – Church members meet monthly at local coffee shops. A different location is chosen each month.
• KNITTING GROUP – Church members meet in the church parlor on Thursday mornings to knit hats for Highland Park Elementary school children. Novice knit ters or anyone wishing to learn to knit is welcome.
• LUNCH BUNCH(ES) – Church members gather monthly at a local restaurant for lunch.
• MORNING WALKING CLUB – Church members meet once a week or every other week to walk on the greenway or other local sites.
• MOVIE CLUB – Church members meet monthly at a local movie theater.
• PICKLEBALL GROUP – Church members who wish to play will gather at a local court once every two weeks. Novices and newcomers welcome! Location(s): TBD.
• RESTAURANT CLUB(S) – Church members meet at local restaurants each month; each month would be a different venue.
• ROOTS AND WINGS – Church members of college age students gather once a month for a meal or event, rotating locations each month. 

Questions about Second's clubs? Contact Beth Vaught Jenkins.

A limited number of copies are available for purchase in Elizabeth’s office. We hope most participants will be able to purchase books online. Contact Meredith Koliba to register.

Realm Connect

For more information on Realm Connect, check out the Realm page of the church website. Contact Meredith Koliba with any questions.

Ed Lesko
BJ Millar

Campbell Tims

With the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on 9/11, we honor the lives lost, give thanks for those who served and saved, and seek justice and peace where it is within our ability. 

The Outreach Offering for the month of September will benefit Feeding Southwest Virginia (FSWVA). September is Hunger Action Month, a time for each of us to work together and serve our neighbors in Roanoke. Food insecurity is a situation that anyone can experience, and is often the result of a lost job, an unexpected medical expense, or the rising cost of everyday expenses like food and housing. More than 16,000 neighbors experience food insecurity in Roanoke City, leaving many families feeling stretched and uncertain as they work to ensure the people they care about have enough food to thrive and be healthy. FSWVA is grateful for our long-time support of their programs including the Community Solutions Center Neighborhood Pantry on Melrose Avenue, work with Agency Partner food pantries across Roanoke, work with Carilion Hospital on the Food Farmacy program, and children’s programs such as the Kid’s Farmer’s Market and Backpack programs for local schools. Almost one-quarter of children in Roanoke City experience food insecurity, but with our support during the past year, FSWVA distributed more than 42,600 meals to our neighbors in Roanoke. When neighbors care for neighbors by giving, volunteering, and speaking up on behalf of their community, we can move caring into action. As of Monday, September 8, $644 has been collected.

The Outreach Offering for August supported Highland Park Elementary and Morningside Elementary Schools. The final monthly total came to $5,766.

Monthly Food Collection for PCC: The food items for the month of September are canned chili and beef stew. Pull top cans preferred. A donation bin is in the coat closet (please check the expiration date before donating).

Second Presbyterian Church

214 Mountain Avenue SW

Roanoke, VA 24016

Office Hours:

Mon.–Thurs.: 8:30 AM–4:30 PM

Friday: 8:30 AM–1:00 PM

Saturday: Closed

Sunday: 8:30 AM–12:30 PM