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Dear Saints of Second Presbyterian,
This Sunday is All Saints’ Sunday, when we will remember in prayer those of our church family who have joined the Church Triumphant. This service grows more meaningful to me with each passing year. With every name we speak aloud, there is a story behind it—a friendship, a shared ministry, a grace remembered. Of the eighteen who will be named, I have known fourteen for as long as I’ve lived in Roanoke. Seeing their names brings to mind faces, conversations, moments of kindness. It is, more than anything, an experience of gratitude.
For those newer to our congregation, these names may not yet carry personal memories. And yet, they represent real lives—people whose faith and love helped shape the story of this church that is now your story, too. We have inherited the living faith of those who are now at rest, but alive in the presence of God.
And that same truth holds for all of us. The whole of our stories—with what we gladly share and what we would rather keep hidden—is fully known to God. The central truth of the gospel we proclaim at Second is the truth most clearly spoken on All Saints’ Sunday: that we are all claimed and redeemed by God’s love.
So let us gather for worship this Sunday knowing that when we speak the names of those we have lost, we are also proclaiming the grace that finds us. It is a grace that binds us all—the living and the dead, the saints remembered and the saints still on the journey. In speaking their names, we are reminded that our own names, too, are known and cherished by God.
Grace and peace,
Geo. Anderson
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November 2, 2025: All Saints' Sunday
- (2:00am Daylight Saving Time Ends)
- 8:45am Worship Service with Communion, Sanctuary
- 9:45am Chancel Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room
- 9:45am Sunday School with POP-UP in Chapel
- 11:00am Worship Service, Sanctuary/Live Stream
- 12:00pm Remembrance Service, Columbarium
- 5:00pm Kid's Fellowship, Fellowship Hall
- 5:00pm Youth Group
See the full calendar HERE.
Thank you, Two Cents Helpers! We would like to thank the following children for their help and participation in our worship services on Sunday, October 26 by holding the Two Cents-a-Meal bags for the congregation to fill:
- Early service: Ellie Underwood (parents, Chrissy and Nate) and Natalie Early (grandparents, Don and Julie Mugford)
- Late service: Quinn Miller (parents, Lisa and Dave)
If your family or child would like to help with Two Cents collection, please email Stacy Moore.
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Daylight Saving Time Ends Nov. 2
Daylight Saving Time ends at 2:00 a.m. THIS SUNDAY, November 2.
Don’t forget to “fall back” and set your clocks back an hour on the evening of November 1.
| | | November 2 | 9:45 a.m. | Chapel | | This Sunday, we’re excited to welcome Gina Dunnavant, Volunteer and Faith Relations Manager with Habitat for Humanity in the Roanoke Valley, to lead a Pop-Up Adult Sunday School class. As our church looks ahead to participating in another Habitat build in 2026, this is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about Habitat’s mission, how they partner with local congregations, and the real-life impact of affordable homeownership. | | | |
Come with your questions about:
- How families qualify for Habitat homes—and how they’re supported after moving in
- What homeownership can mean for a family and their neighborhood
- How Habitat is helping address Roanoke’s affordable housing challenges
- What volunteer opportunities might look like for our upcoming build
Second Presbyterian is committed to advancing affordable housing in the Roanoke Valley. We are grateful for the partnership with Habitat and the opportunity to support this important work.
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Tuesday, November 4 | 6:00–7:00 p.m. | A Few Old Goats
Men of the church, you are invited to grab your favorite brew (craft, root, non-alcoholic, or otherwise), pull up a chair, and join us for Theology on Tap—a space where faith meets real life over good conversation and better company. No homework, no pop quizzes, no seminary degree required. Just bring your questions, your stories, and your appetite for deep truth. We’ll wrestle with big ideas, laugh at ourselves, and share stories. Because sometimes the holiest thing you can do on a Tuesday night is sip, share, and let theology spill over into the way you live.
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“Revelation and Reggae”
Fri-Sat, November 7-8 | Eagle Eyrie Conference Center
REGISTER BY TOMORROW!
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Led once again by Rev. Chris Vogado, this year’s Men’s Retreat—November 7-8 at Eagle Eyrie in Lynchburg—will explore the Book of Revelation through the lens of Reggae music, as we look into the powerful imagery of Babylon as a symbol of injustice and spiritual resistance. We will trace how, through both prophetic visions and protest rhythms, scripture and song call us to live with integrity, courage, and honesty in the face of broken systems in hope for a better future. Expect honest conversations, soul-stirring music, and fresh insights into Revelation’s message.
Cost: $75. Register by Friday, October 31.
| | Gals' Gathering Day Retreat | |
“Love’s Ancient Song: The Beauty and Wisdom of Song of Songs”
Saturday, Nov. 15 | 9AM–4PM | Fellowship Hall
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Join us for Gals’ Gathering, a day-long women’s retreat of spiritual reflection, connection, and fellowship, right here at the church on Saturday, Nov. 15. Guided by Dr. Sarah Wiles, pastor of Blacksburg Presbyterian Church, we’ll explore the depth, poetry, and enduring power of love found in this unique book of the Bible.
Cost: $35 (includes lunch & craft). Register by Sunday, November 9.
Want to volunteer with Gals? Contact co-chairs: Chasity Fitzpatrick or Rhesa Bailey.
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Edmunds Lecture Series 2025
“The Church in a Secular Age” ft. Andrew Root
November 10 & 11 | 7:00 p.m. | Sanctuary
| | Holding Grief & Joy: A Holiday Workshop | |
November 17 | 5:30-7:00 p.m. | Session Room
Led by Frances Gaeta, LCSW, from the Center for Grief and Healing
| The holiday season can stir up tender memories and emotions, especially after the loss of a loved one. Join us for a supportive workshop that offers space to honor those we remember, while also exploring ways to discover light and joy during the holidays. This workshop is led by Frances Gaeta, LCSW, from the Center for Grief and Healing. Together we’ll honor loved ones, share reflections, and learn coping strategies for navigating grief and joy. Register by Friday, November 14. | |
Advent Workshop & Potluck Dinner
November 23 | 4:45-6:30 p.m. | Fellowship Hall
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Join us for an evening of fellowship and preparation as we gather for a potluck dinner followed by a hands-on Advent workshop! Households of all shapes and sizes are invited to create a set of five beautiful Advent candles—hand-rolled from colored beeswax sheets (simple and fun for all ages). Traditional, pre-made candles will also be available.
Please bring a dish to share. Dinner begins at 4:45pm, and we’ll wrap up by 6:30pm.*
We hope you’ll join us as we begin the Advent season together! Register by Monday, November 17.
*Kids’ Fellowship participants will be rehearsing from 6-6:30.
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Hunger Busters Collection
Donations due by November 16
Middle school youth are collecting all canned goods through Sunday, November 16 for the Presbyterian Community Center’s Hunger Buster Initiative as they stock their shelves to share with neighbors in Southeast Roanoke and beyond. You may pick up your donation bag (take as many as you can fill) from the sanctuary on Sundays or from the front desk on weekdays. Return your filled bag(s) to the stage in Fellowship Hall by Sunday, Nov. 16. Thank you for helping to feed those in need in Roanoke!
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Suggested Holiday Meal Items:
Cereal (Boxes or Bags), Canned Fruits or Vegetables, Peanut Butter, Jelly Crackers, Pasta, Pasta Sauce, Pancake Mix and Syrup, Powdered Milk Thicker Stews and Soups, Dessert Mixes, Canned Meats (Chicken, Tuna, Spam)
| | | Volunteers Needed for Our Family Promise Hosting Week | Thank you to all who have volunteered for our upcoming Family Promise host week! All slots are full. | | | |
Second Presbyterian's next host week is December 21st through 24th. We will be providing hospitality without the help of another church this week. The holidays will be here before you know it and what a wonderful time to support our community. The Confirmation Class would like to cover dinner and the evening slot on Sunday the 21st. All other slots are available at this time.
We will need overnight Sunday-Tuesday (Dec. 21–23, 9PM–7AM), dinner Monday and Tuesday (Dec. 22 & 23, 5:30-7PM), and evening Monday and Tuesday (Dec. 22 & 23, 7-9PM). Please email Lucinda Hancock at luhhancock@gmail.com to sign up.
| | | | Commitment cards have been mailed and are available in the sanctuary and at the front office. You can communicate your financial commitment via mail, by phone or email to Church Administrator Nathan Anderson (540-343-3659), or online via your Realm account (Log in --> Giving --> + Pledge --> 2026 General Fund). | | | | |
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Susan Carter
Hayden Hollingsworth
John Nelson
Jo Rider
Bill Stevens
Sympathy is extended to Helen Burnett on the recent death of her grand-nephew, Andrew Rath of Northern VA.
Our sympathies extend to Laura McKaskel and family on the death of her brother, Jerry "Butch" McKaskel of Boomer, NC, on Wednesday, October 29.
Congratulations to Marti and Morris Turner on the birth of their grandson, Wells Matthew Turner, on Tuesday, October 21 to parents Taylor and Matt Turner of Charlotte, NC. Proud big brother is Lawson.
A memorial service in celebration of the life and Christian witness of Audrey Doll Bates will be held on Monday, November 3 at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary. A reception will follow in Fellowship Hall.
(January 2026) A memorial service in celebration of the life and Christian witness of Virginia Wells Blain will be held on Friday, January 9 at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Second Presbyterian Church, the William R. Klein Fund.
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The Outreach Offering for October will support The Lion’s Share. The Lion’s Share is a community food pantry and clothes closet located at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church. They serve over 130 households each week, representing over 300 individuals. Our neighbors in need come from all walks of life—families with children, senior citizens, unhoused individuals, those who work full-time—and they come from all over the Roanoke Valley, including our Old Southwest neighborhood. The Lion’s Share has seen a 30% increase in the number of households seeking assistance in the last year and expects this trend to continue into the foreseeable future as food costs continue to rise and planned cuts to government food assistance begin to take effect. They are a volunteer-run organization with a budget of $40,000, consisting entirely of food purchases. All funds raised as part of Second Presbyterian’s Outreach Offering will be used to purchase food for those in need. To find out more about The Lion’s Share, including volunteer opportunities, visit their website. As of Thursday, October 30, $5,284 has been collected.
Monthly Food Collection for PCC: The food items for the month of October are holiday foods (stuffing, instant mashed potatoes, gravy, yams, cranberry sauce). A donation bin is in the coat closet (please check the expiration date before donating).
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FROM OUR MISSION PARTNERS | |
Help PCC Move to Their New Facility
The Presbyterian Community Center is now in the process of moving to their newly constructed facility! Volunteers and groups are needed to help them move to their new building the week of October 27-31, and the week of November 3-7. Fifteen volunteers per day are needed and deeply appreciated.
If you or your group are available to help sort, carry boxes, pull a hand cart, or organize, please reach out to Volunteer Coordinator April Lewis at alewis@pccse.org or 540.982.2911.
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Second Presbyterian Church
214 Mountain Avenue SW
Roanoke, VA 24016
Office Hours:
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Mon.–Thurs.: 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Friday: 8:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
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Saturday: Closed
Sunday: 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
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