February 26, 2026

Dear Christ Followers,

A few years ago, Maria Blackshaw decided that her job description needed to be expanded to take over the bulletin board outside the kitchen. It had long been our “Catch-All” board, but Maria wanted to raise its game by bringing creativity and focus to it. She chooses the themes herself, and they reflect her deep affection for all things Second Presbyterian.

I was so struck by the board she decorated this past week that I decided to write about it here. This one celebrates the generosity of our congregation. You see the impact of the Outreach Offering—what we once called “Loose Plate/Change”—now directed toward specific projects. It also highlights other expressions of generosity: food bags assembled, gift cards shared, volunteer hours given. And all of this stands alongside the ministries supported through our budgeted benevolences and designated funds.

The board is a quiet but powerful testimony: generosity is part of our culture.

You will learn at our Annual Meeting on March 15 that to approve a balanced budget this year, we were not able to include projected increases in budgeted benevolences. That decision was disappointing given the greater impact we hoped to have locally and internationally. And yet, standing in front of that bulletin board, I was reminded that our commitment to mission has never depended on a single column in a spreadsheet. It shows up in hands that serve, in hearts that give, and in a congregation that continues to look outward.

I am deeply grateful to serve a church where generosity is not occasional but habitual — not reactive but joyful.

In gladness,

Geo. Anderson

THIS SUNDAY @ SECOND

March 1, 2026:

8:45am Worship Service with Communion, Sanctuary
9:45am POP-UP, Chapel
9:45am Sunday School
11:00am Worship Service with Ordination/Installation of Elders Class of 2028, Sanctuary/Live Stream
5:00pm Kid's Fellowship, Fellowship Hall
5:00pm Youth Group

See the full calendar HERE.

VIEW THE WEEKLY BULLETIN

www.spres.org/worship/livestream/

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Pop-Up Sunday School

Sunday, March 1 | 9:45 a.m. | Chapel

Join us on March 1 for Pop-Up Sunday School in the Chapel, featuring guest speaker Isabel Thornton, Founder and Executive Director of Restoration Housing. Isabel will share an update on Trinity Commons, the exciting transformation of Trinity United Methodist Church (just across the street from Second Pres.!) into affordable senior housing and a community gathering space. In 2023, Trinity UMC entrusted Restoration Housing with stewardship of their historic property, and in early 2024 the organization acquired the site. Plans include the adaptive reuse of the 1922 Church Annex into 15 affordable rental units, while the 1903 Sanctuary will remain a space for community life. Construction began in 2025. Come learn how this project is meeting a vital community need and continuing Trinity’s legacy of service.

On This Rock | Lenten Sermon Series

Sundays, Feb. 22–Apr. 5

“On this rock I will build my church,” Jesus says to Peter. On the authority of that promise, the Roman Church has named its popes. But what did Jesus really mean? That Peter’s faith was so solid, so unshakable, that it could bear the weight of the church? If so, it is striking that the Gospels tell us just as much about Peter’s failures as they do about his faith—his impulsiveness, his misunderstandings, even his denial of Jesus. So what is this “rock” on which the church is built? In our Lenten sermon series, On This Rock, we will get to know Peter more deeply, in both his courage and his fragility. And in doing so, we may come to understand not only what Jesus was saying about Peter, but also what he is saying about us: that God builds the church not on perfection, but on grace-filled, imperfect faith.

Kairos Worship Schedule:

Midweek Reflections | Wednesdays in Lent

Feb. 25–April 1: “The Other Disciples,” Weekly Kairos Reflections via YouTube and Facebook

Maundy Thursday | April 2

6:00 p.m. Maundy Thursday Worship, Kirk Hall

"The Other Disciples: Andrew"

Kairos Reflection by the Rev. Ben Brannan

Theology on Tap

Tuesday, March 3 | 6:00 p.m. | Big Lick Brewing

Men of the church are invited to join us for another great night of Theology on Tap—a space where faith meets real life over good conversation and better company. Join us this Tuesday, March 3 at Big Lick Brewing from 6:00–7:00 p.m.

Join the Family!

Second Family, that is—the volunteer church members who serve as a "second family" to fellow members who have lost a loved one. If you would be willing to provide various finger foods (such as deviled eggs, sandwiches, cookies) for the receptions following each memorial service, please join Second Family by emailing Meredith Koliba. You will be notified each time there is a memorial reception, but you only need to respond when it is convenient for you to contribute food for the reception.

Women's Bible Study | 6-Week Session Resumes March 5

Thursdays | 10:30 a.m. | Session Room

Join us for a six-week women’s study exploring Jesus’ most profound and memorable teachings in Matthew 5–7. What did the Sermon on the Mount mean to Jesus’ first listeners, and how does it continue to speak to us today? Together, we’ll consider the historical and theological context of these teachings and reflect on how Jesus’ words offer a roadmap for faithful living.

Using Sermon on the Mount: A Beginner’s Guide to the Kingdom of Heaven by Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, we’ll explore how Jesus’ message grows out of his Jewish tradition and continues to challenge, inspire, and shape hearts and minds across the centuries. Registration is available on Realm.

Dates: March 5, 12, 19, 26 (No meeting April 2–Maundy Thursday), April 9, 16

*A limited number of books are available for purchase in Elizabeth Link’s office, or you make pick up a copy from your favorite book seller.

3rd–5th Grade Communicants Class

Sunday, March 22 | Noon–1:30 p.m. | Hospitality Suite

Parents & Children Invited to Attend Together (Lunch provided)

Children and parents are invited to explore the meaning of the sacrament of communion together. As a part of Christ’s Church, children are always welcome at the Lord’s Table. This learning opportunity is offered to help children understand more fully what happens when we celebrate communion and why.

We will meet on Sunday March 22 in the Session and Hospitality Rooms, following the late worship service. This is ahead of the Maundy Thursday (6PM) and Easter Sunday worship services (8:45 and 11AM) when communion will be served. It’s a wonderful opportunity to learn about and then partake in this sacrament together. Please register by March 16 so we may have an accurate count for lunch, and indicate whether you will need childcare for any younger children. If you have any questions, please contact Meredith Koliba.

Whist Game Night
for Young Adults/Young Families

Sunday, March 22 | 5:00–7:00 p.m. | Fellowship Hall

Whist is a classic four-player, trick-taking card game, typically played in two partnerships, using a standard deck. And the excitement only rises when you have competing teams. Teams of 4 compete to win the most hands, as 2 players from each team travel to other tables to play. Is this night just about playing cards? No! This style of Whist provides the opportunity to meet everyone in the room, share in some friendly competition, and join in fellowship with others. And perhaps even find out you have a new favorite card game… or playing partner. Capacity is 40, so register now if you plan to come!

"Build It Together" 2026 Habitat for Humanity Build

Get ready! We’re about to kick off our 2026 Partnership Build with Habitat for Humanity alongside St. John’s Episcopal—and we need YOU! We’ll be serving on the 1st/3rd Saturdays, as well as the 2nd/4th Thursdays. Volunteers of all skill levels are welcome; no experience necessary. Whether you’re a seasoned builder or brand new to construction, there’s a place for you on this team.

Our start date is March 26. Learn more and sign up today via SignUpGenuis.

Realm Connect

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

PRAYER CONCERNS

Patsy Chaney

Hayden Hollingsworth

CW Houghton

Agnes Reid Jenny

Campbell Tims

We hold in prayer the Tims family as daughter Campbell receives care in Atlanta, GA. The church is collecting donations that will be used to cover food expenses for the family. Donations may be made online to the Fund "Special Offering: Tims", or by cash or check (note in the memo line "Tims Family"). Gift card purchases and letters may be left directly in Ben Brannan's box.

Congratulations to Susan and Tom Blaylock on the arrival of their grandson, Henry Joseph Pink, born on Saturday, February 21 to parents Grace Blaylock and Adam Pink. Proud uncle and aunt are Ben and Tabby Blaylock; big cousin is Shep Blaylock.

OUTREACH OFFERING

The Outreach Offering recipient for the month of February is Family Service of the Roanoke Valley (FSRV), an organization that serves more than 2,000 individuals annually through programs that support youth from early childhood through adolescence. Through its Positive Youth Development (PYD) program, offered in partnership with Roanoke City Public Schools and centered on the nationally recognized Teen Outreach Program® (TOP®), FSRV equips teens—particularly high school seniors—with life skills, healthy decision-making tools, and supportive peer and mentor relationships that foster confidence, hope, and community engagement. In addition, FSRV is widely known for its Child-Centered Play Therapy program for children ages 2–10, which uses play as a child’s natural language to help them safely process emotions and experiences, often related to trauma, in a warm and nonjudgmental therapeutic environment. Through these youth-focused services, FSRV nurtures healing, resilience, and positive growth at every stage of development. Funds from our Outreach Offering will be used to purchase new games, toys, and art supplies to support youth during therapy sessions, as well as snacks for younger clients to take home, a simple kindness that brings visible joy to their faces. As of Thursday, February 26, $4,584 has been collected.

Monthly Food Collection for PCC: The food items for the month of February are tuna, chicken, spam, & canned meat. Pull top cans preferred. A donation bin is in the coat closet (please check the expiration date before donating).