Weekly News & Updates
February 24, 2026
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Wandering & Wondering with Pastor Carrie
I wanted to share a part of what I shared at the Lenten Lunch this past Thursday. I share not because I think it was the best words I have shared, but because many who were in attendance have reached out saying how much my words meant them, resonated with them, etc. So here you are.
I’ve been thinking a lot about Lent this year.
For much of my life, Lent meant giving something up—chocolate, meat, a favorite comfort. Over time, I began taking something on instead: a practice, a rhythm, a way of paying closer attention to God. Structure can be grounding. It gives the season shape.
But the last few years have felt different. Between the challenges of church life and the tender places in my own story, I’ve often felt like I was already living in the wilderness Lent points toward. When life already feels stripped down and raw, Lent can feel less like a season we enter and more like a place we’ve never quite left.
So this year, I’m holding Lent through the lens of permission.
Permission to rest.
Permission to tell the truth about where we are.
Permission to stop pretending the wilderness is over.
Permission to trust that Lent is not a competition—there is no prize for the most disciplined or the most dramatic sacrifice.
As a community, perhaps this is our invitation: not to perform Lent, but to practice it together. To make room for honesty. To carry one another’s stories with gentleness. To remember that even in the wilderness, we do not walk alone.
Lent is not about proving our faithfulness. It is about opening ourselves—together—to the quiet, steady faithfulness of God.
May this season give you permission to be exactly where you are.
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A Community Called Atonement
Jesus’ crucifixion stands at the center of our faith, yet it can be hard to understand. Did he have to die so violently? We often think in terms of bloodshed and debts paid, but do those images fully reflect our relationship with God?
Join Stephanie Nash and Carrie Veal on March 4 and 11 for a conversation around Scot McKnight’s A Community Called Atonement.
A limited number of books are available for purchase for $15 each.
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VLT Update
Well, let’s all be thankful this massive gas outage occurred in a period of unseasonably warm weather! Hopefully everyone has made small adjustments to be comfortable. Our building, and therefore our gas system is almost 25 years old and just worn out. Due to the wear and tear, nothing is covered by our insurance.
In short, we have found and repaired all the leaks (30+). Atmos Gas recertified our building and now we move to the actual repair which means pulling a new gas line from our building to the city source and connecting everything. Estimates are that we are about 3 weeks away from complete and a rough estimate of $50,000 total cost. Many thanks to Mike Spann for his attention to all the contractors and to Morgan Mackenzie for providing his building and construction expertise to our team. With the temporary heating system in place, hopefully we will all be comfortable until we complete all repairs.
Carrie wants to create an initiative with three new teams that will address Strategic Planning, Community Outreach and Stewardship. Carrie wants a broad-based of persons to work on these teams, representing a broad cross-section of Sunday School classes and demographics.
Also, we want to provide a report on our finances for the year ending 12-31-25 (net operating loss for year of -$40,703) and where are with the end pf business 1-31-2026 reporting a loss of -$45,45,788.for the first month of the year. Certainly not the start we were hoping for in 2026, but we have the rest of the year to work together in addressing the shortfall.
Peace of Christ to you all,
Mark Flenniken, Chair the 2026 VLT
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Second Baptist to Become an
Onsite Food Distribution Location
Thank you for your tremendous support and encouragement of this new ministry. We are grateful to partner with the South Plains Food Bank as they expand access to food across our community. A few things to know:
1.) We will serve as a food distribution site on Tuesdays from 8:30a–12:00p. Food will arrive no later than 9:00a for packing, and families and households will begin arriving soon after for pick up.
a.) Click here for the sign up so you can get on the list to serve. And remember this every week, so if you miss the start, there will be plenty more opportunities.
2.) Next Thursday, February 26 there is a mandatory training for any and all volunteers. It will be from 1:30p–3:30p in the conference center.
a.) If you cannot make it to this training, please let Carrie Veal know and she will get you on a list for a follow up time.
b.) This training is required by the Food Bank.
3.) We will host our first distribution day on March 3.
a.) We need folks to have participated in the training to serve on this day.
b.) Representatives from the Food Bank will be onsite for the first few weeks to help us get rolling and in the routine.
This is an exciting step for our church. We look forward to serving our neighbors in tangible ways as we continue to live out our calling in Lubbock.
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Lent Is Underway at Second B
Lent is here, and as a church we are stepping into this season together.
Our Lenten theme, Tell Me Something Good, invites us to ground ourselves in the good news. In a world that often feels loud and heavy, Lent gives us space to slow down, remember who we are, and open ourselves again to God’s grace.
Lenten devotionals are available to support you in the weeks ahead. You can find them online or pick one up in the church office.
Wherever this season finds you, you are invited to walk it with us.
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Lenten Lunch Series
Thursdays | 12:00p | Grand Hall
Join us for our Lenten Lunch Series, a weekly time to gather for a simple meal and thoughtful reflection during the season of Lent.
Lunches will include soup and sandwiches, and everyone is welcome.
Schedule
Feb 26: Stacy Conner, FBC Muleshoe
Mar 5: Toby Davis, First Cumberland Presbyterian Church
Mar 12: Paige McKay, St Stephen's Episcopal Church
Mar 19: Dana Mayfield, Grace Presbyterian Church
Mar 26: Rachel Petty, St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church
Sandwich and soup sign up sheets will be available in your Sunday School classes.
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Join Us for EGGSTRAVAGANZA!
Sunday, March 29 | 3:00p
Get ready for an afternoon of family fun as Second Baptist Church hosts our annual EGGSTRAVAGANZA on Sunday, March 29 at 3:00 PM. Donations of Easter eggs and candy can be dropped off in the box outside the church office. Bring your little ones for an exciting Easter egg hunt, games, fellowship, and plenty of fun on the East Lawn at Second Baptist Church. Mark your calendar, invite your friends, and get ready for a fun-filled afternoon.
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Wednesday Nights
5:15p Dinner | 6:00p Classes
Wednesday nights are underway at Second Baptist, and you are invited. Join us for Fellowship Dinner at 5:15p, followed by classes and programming at 6:00p. We gather again on February 25 with Carrie leading our last Enneagram session as we continue exploring the voices and questions shaping our lives and faith. We would love to see you this Wednesday.
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Stephen Ministry Interest Meeting
Sunday, April 12 | 3:00p
Second Baptist’s Stephen Ministry will host an information meeting on Sunday, April 12, at 3:00p for adults who would like to learn more about becoming a Stephen Minister.
Stephen Ministers are trained to provide one-on-one, confidential care to people walking through difficult seasons such as illness, grief, divorce, or other major life changes. Sometimes what someone needs most is a steady, caring presence who will listen well and walk alongside them.
We are exploring the possibility of offering a new training group and need strong interest, around 10 to 12 participants, for the training to move forward. This meeting will help us gauge that interest and answer questions about what the commitment involves.
If you feel called to serve in this way, or simply want to learn more, we invite you to join the conversation. For questions, please reach out to Dellinda Ebeling at 806.777.0435 or La Nelle Ethridge at 806.786.8207.
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Three New Teams for Second Baptist
One of the guiding principles I brought with me to Second Baptist was a commitment to begin with listening. The first months of my ministry here have been focused on learning names, stories, rhythms, and hopes—paying attention to what is already strong and where there may be room to grow. Vision, for me, is never something developed alone; it emerges in community.
As I reflect on these months of listening and conversation, I believe the time is right to form three new teams to help us discern where God may be leading us next.
These teams will serve through the end of 2026. At that time, alongside the VLT, we will evaluate whether they should become ongoing Implementation Teams, extend their work for another year or two, or conclude having met their goals. This work is not about change for change’s sake, but about faithful discernment, shared leadership, and ensuring that many voices help shape our future.
Because of that, representation matters. Each team will be intentionally formed to reflect the full life of the church—members from across Sunday School classes, a mix of long-time members and newer voices, and diversity in age, stage of life, profession, and involvement. Team members will be people who are actively invested in worship, giving, small groups, and service, and who understand the commitment they are making before saying yes.
Strategic Planning Team
This team will focus on the church’s long-term direction by listening to the congregation, assessing current ministries, and helping articulate priorities for the years ahead. Their work will include a church-wide assessment, the development of a three-year strategic plan, and identifying new ministry opportunities grounded in our mission and community needs.
Community Outreach Team
This team will help tell the story of who Second Baptist is—within the congregation and beyond our walls. Their focus will include strengthening how we communicate our identity, sharing stories of ministry and transformation, and engaging the wider Lubbock community through service, partnerships, and presence.
Stewardship Team
This team will nurture a culture of generosity and faithful care for the resources God has entrusted to us, with attention to stewardship education, volunteer engagement, transparency, and helping people connect their gifts with meaningful ministry.
I am grateful to serve in a church that values shared leadership and thoughtful discernment. The VLT has given their blessing on this and we are now beginning to gather names to serve. Please hold this process—and those who will say yes—in your prayers as we continue listening for where God is leading Second Baptist.
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Weekly Church Activities
Week of February 25 – March 3, 2026
Wednesday, February 25
10:00a: Beginners Bridge – Room 130
2:00p: Senior Adult Fellowship – Rm 130
4:00p: Prayer Shawl Ministry
5:15p: Fellowship Dinner
6:00p: All Age Activities
6:30p: Orchestra Rehearsal
7:00p: Second Voices Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, February 26
6:45a: Jesus and Grits at Chicken Run Cafe
12:00p: Lenten Luncheon – Stacy Conner, Speaker
Friday, February 27
No Activities
Saturday, February 28
No Activities
Sunday, March
9:30a: Worship
10:45a: Sunday Small Groups for All Ages
3:00p: Stephen Ministry Interest Meeting
3:30p: Lubbock Community Team Meeting
4:00p: Bells Gloria Rehearsal
5:00p: Youth Choir
6:00p: Second Chance Al-Anon – Rm 134
Monday, March 2
No Activities
Tuesday, March 3
8:30a: SPFB Food Distribution
11:00a: B & B Book Club Meeting – Hope Classroom
6:00p: Learn to Play Mahjong – Rm 130
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Upcoming Events
Mar 8: Spring Forward
Mar 9: VLT Meeting @ 6PM
Mar 11: Blood Drive @ 2b
Mar 17: 2b Youth at the South Plains Food Bank
Mar 16-20: Spring Break
Mar 18: No Wednesday Night Activities
Mar 25: Church Conference @ 5:15PM
Mar 29: Palm Sunday
Mar 29: Eggstravaganza @ 3PM
Apr 2: Maundy Thursday Service @ 6PM
Apr 3: Good Friday Service at Noon
Apr 5: Easter Sunday
Apr 12: Stephen Ministry Interest Meeting
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Church Chatter
You can find the full list of birthdays and anniversaries in our Church Chatter Sunday Newsletter. Visit secondb.org/chatter or click the button below to stay up to date.
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Got News? Tell 2b!
Have an event, announcement, or update that needs to go in the newsletter, worship slides, or social media? Submit a Communications Request by scanning the QR code or pressing the button below.
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