February 12, 2026

Dear Fellow Followers,

Lent is the season that most clearly reflects our church’s mission: Finding Direction by Following Jesus. To follow Jesus is to walk with him through his ministry, toward the cross, and from the empty tomb out into the world he loves.

This year, our guide for that journey will be Simon—the disciple Jesus nicknamed Peter, “the Rock.” It is, at first glance, an unexpected choice. We might prefer a model of steady courage and unwavering faith. Instead, we are given Peter: bold and devoted, yet impulsive; capable of profound insight, yet also of painful missteps. He sometimes speaks beyond his understanding, promises more than he can fulfill, and loses his nerve at the very moment he most longs to be brave.

And yet, perhaps that is precisely why Peter is such a gift to us. In his mixture of faith and frailty, we may recognize something of ourselves—and something of the patient grace of Christ. Throughout Lent, we will linger over “Peter moments” in a sermon series titled On This Rock, trusting that in coming to know Peter better, we may better understand what it means for ordinary people like us to follow Jesus.

Lent begins this Wednesday, February 18. From 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., pastors will be in the church parking lot offering the imposition of ashes. You may drive through, lower your window, and receive ashes on your hand or forehead, along with a brief prayer and blessing.

That evening at 6:00 p.m., we will gather in Kirk Hall for a half-hour Ash Wednesday service of prayer, music, Scripture, reflection, and the imposition of ashes.

I look forward to walking this Lenten road—with Peter, and with you.

By his grace,

Geo. Anderson

THIS SUNDAY @ SECOND

Please Note: We encourage everyone to dress warmly for worship this Sunday, February 15. Earlier this week, ice and snow slid from the roof and damaged three of our HVAC units. As a result, only part of the sanctuary will be heated, and the space will likely be quite chilly. Thank you for your flexibility as we navigate this midwinter surprise. We may need our coats, but we’ll still gather with warm hearts for worship together. 🧥🧣🧤

February 15, 2026: SCOUT SUNDAY

8:45am Worship Service, Sanctuary
9:45am Sunday School
11:00am Worship Service, Sanctuary/Live Stream
12:15pm Trent Getaway/Church Retreat Meeting, Reading Room
5:00pm Kid's Fellowship, Fellowship Hall
5:00pm - 6:30pm Parenting Group, Hospitality Room
5:00pm Youth Group
5:30pm Welcome Families to the Alexa House

See the full calendar HERE.

VIEW THE WEEKLY BULLETIN

www.spres.org/worship/livestream/

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Congregational Meeting | Feb. 22

A brief congregational meeting will be held during the announcements period of the late worship service on Sunday, February 22 for the purpose of electing a new trustee. We thank Al McLean for his years of faithful service as a Trustee of Second Presbyterian Church. The Nominating Committee will present Stephen Lemon for consideration.

Drs. George Anderson and Bill Lee Featured Speakers @ Christ Episcopal Church

Sunday, February 22 | 3:00 p.m. | 1101 Franklin Rd SW

Christ Episcopal Church will hold their Sixth Annual Terry Steer Memorial Presentation featuring guest speakers the Rev. Dr. William Lee and the Rev. Dr. George Anderson. Their presentation, “Before DEI: Our Story,” will take place in Nemura Hall on Sunday, February 22 at 3:00 p.m., followed by a Q&A session and reception. All are warmly invited to attend.

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 Grace 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.

Faithful Families: The Anxious Generation (8-Week Study)

Sundays | 9:45 a.m. | Fellowship Hall

Join Ben Brannan and Elizabeth Link for an 8-week parenting class based on Jonathan Haidt’s acclaimed book The Anxious Generation, exploring how faith can guide us in raising resilient, grounded children in today’s digital world. Together we’ll share wisdom, encouragement, and practical tools for nurturing courage and connection in our families. The series began on January 18 during the Sunday School hour. Please purchase a copy of the book from your favorite bookseller.

"Build It Together" 2026 Habitat for Humanity Build

With great anticipation, we are set to begin our work on our 2026 Partnership Build for Habitat for Humanity with St. John's Episcopal in late-February. We are assigned the 1st/3rd Saturdays AND 2nd/4th Thursdays. Sign up to volunteer through our SignUpGenuis. More information and a family bio are included in the February Second Sheet.

Update: After being delayed due to weather, the footers were put in last week with the base of the foundation. We're grateful to see crews making progress!

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.

Lenten Worship Schedule:

Ash Wednesday | February 18

7:30–9:30 a.m. “Ashes and Prayer To-Go” in the parking lot
6:00 p.m. Ash Wednesday Worship, Kirk Hall

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

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

Susan Carter

Patsy Chaney

Ted Feinour

Hayden Hollingsworth

CW Houghton

Agnes Reid Jenny

Bill Neal

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.

A memorial service in celebration of the life and Christian witness of Frank A. Boxley, Sr. will be held on Thursday, April 23 at 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary.

Congratulations to Robyn and David Johnsen on the arrival of their granddaughter, Mary Tatum Johnsen, born on Sunday, February 8 to parents Parker and Kierstin Johnsen of Charlottesville, VA.

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 Monday, February 9, $1,591 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).

CONTACT US

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