TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2026

A Litany for the Blessing of Animals

-Lindy Vogado, Associate Pastor

Second Presbyterian Church

Little Rock, Arkansas

O God, we thank you for the birds of the air and the beasts of the field, for creatures of the sea and creeping crawlers of the earth. We praise you, O God, for the gift of everything wild.

Response: The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it!

O God, we thank you for pets, for the animals in our homes, for dogs and cats, for hamsters and turtles. We praise you, O God, for the gift of creature companions.

O God, we thank you for helpers, for the animals who aid us, for service and therapy animals, for search-and-rescue dogs and police K-9 units. We praise you, O God, for the faithful care of our fellow beings.

[For full prayer, click here.]

Annual Blessing of the Pets

The Worship and Music committee invites pets and families to join us on Sunday, October 11 at 6 p.m. in the Land Building yard for a Blessing of the Pets. Please bring your pets appropriately leashed or contained, or a photo of pets who cannot travel with you, as well as a chair for their humans. There will be a brief service and individual blessing for each pet with light refreshments for humans and animals to follow. Please consider a donation of pet food items or gently-used pet supplies (leashes, bowls, carriers, etc) to support pets that are still searching for their “fur-ever” homes. A pet carrier will be placed at the Chapel entry for those who may choose to donate in advance. If bad weather prohibits us from holding the event, we will send a churchwide email.

Welcome Back, Harry!

Last week we welcomed back the Rev. Dr. Harry Barrow who is serving as our guest pastor through October 18 while Chris Currie leads a pilgrimage of church members to cathedrals and communities of faith in England and Scotland, October 5-13. Harry served for 31 years at Newman Presbyterian Church in Georgia, and you may remember that he served as our interim pastor in the summer of 2021. Harry will preach for us on the next two Sundays, October 11 and 18. Thank you, Harry, and welcome back!

Dreams & Visions Advent Art Collage Workshop

Join Harriet Riley and Caitlin Wallace-Rowland for this creative and spiritual art collage workshop to create art centered on our upcoming Advent theme of “Visions, Dreams, Prophecies, & Exultations.” The workshop will take place Saturday, October 24 at 2 p.m. in the Land Building Riverside Room. We will reflect on scripture, learn collage basics, and spend time in peaceful art-making and fellowship together. Finished pieces will be highlighted in this year’s Advent Devotional Books. All supplies will be provided and no prior experience is necessary. All ages are welcome. (Children must have a supervising adult to help them make their work.) Sign up on our Advent webpage. Questions? Email caitlin@scapc.org.

Advent Devotion Writers Sought

Interested in writing? We are looking for writers to compose devotions of about 300 words for our 2026 Advent Devotional. Kids of all ages are encouraged to sign up as well! The 2026 Adent theme is Visions, Dreams, Prophecies, and Exaltations. Sign up on our Advent webpage. Contact Katie Brendler at katie@scapc.org with any questions.

Phifer Library "Critics Corner" & Book Share Cart

On Monday, October 12, our volunteer librarian Ruth Hickox will lead our first monthly "Critics Corner" at the Phifer Library from 9-10 a.m. If you would enjoy some book discussion and exchange of ideas for your favorite (or least favorite) reads, please join us! In addition, throughout the week, all are welcome to visit our new book share cart stationed at the Library. It is there for anyone wishing to borrow a book or leave one for others to enjoy.

New Member Brunch

On Sunday, October 18, all those who joined the church in the last year will be recognized during morning worship. A new member brunch will be held following the 10:30 service in the Land Building Riverside Room. If you plan to attend the brunch, please email Kay Randels at kayrandels@gmail.com.

College Cuba Mission Trip

January 6-13

This trip is open to students 18–25 years old who are interested in growing in mutual relationship with our brothers and sisters in Christ abroad through our partnerships in Cuba. We will fly round-trip to Havana and travel to several churches supported by SCAPC, meeting Cuban congregation members, assisting in restoration and maintenance projects, participating in local worship, and having free time to get to know the culture, people, and island. SCAPC hosts several trips to Cuba each year, has maintained close relationships with key partners, and monitors the safety of the trip. For more information and cost, contact Michele Murphy at michele@scapc.org or visit scapc.org/college-cuba or the SCAPC app.

Men's Retreat

Registration is now open for the 2026 Men’s Retreat taking place Friday-Saturday, November 13-14 in Pass Christian, Mississippi. Our theme is “Wholesome (Less Toxic) Masculinity” led by the Rev. Dr. Benjamin Kane from Second Presbyterian Church of Little Rock. For details and registration, go to our men's retreat page. The registration deadline is October 30.

Sunday School Adult Classes

Exploring the Spirits of Religion | September 13 - October 18 | Land Building Riverside | led by Richard Ashmore

We explore how, across time and space, human communities have identified “spirits” that are linked or not linked to “religion." See Sunday School page for more details and class recordings.

The Whiteboard Bible | September 13 - November 22 | 2nd-floor conference room 

The Whiteboard Bible is created by Pastor G. Allen Jackson. It utilizes live-action whiteboard drawing video lessons to help everyone gain a fundamental understanding of the narrative of the Bible. Volume 1: Creation to Kings

Justice, Joy, & Gen Z

Caitlin Wallace-Rowland (left) and Michele Murphy (right) posed last week with keynote speaker Rev. Dr. Gini Norris-Lane at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary's conference on "Justice, Joy and Gen Z." The event was led by the South Central Region of the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators.

WNO Children's Drawing Class

Last week for our Arts Children's Programming after Wednesday Night Out dinner, the kids were led in a drawing class by Caitlin Wallace-Rowland. They talked about the quote by Annie Dillard: "Bind my attention to both the vigor and the detail of the actual world," as they drew apples and leaves (leftover from our Sanctuary bouquets), observing the details of the objects in front of them and how seeing and noticing something is the first step to being able to draw and create art. Pictured here from left are Amy Jeyadharshan, Elizabeth Perry, Stephanie Carter, Sylvie DiSalvo, and Frances Rault.

More Fun Shots from Steven's 40th!

Thank you to Kate Elkins and Caitlin Wallace-Rowland for sending us more fun pics from Steven Blackmon's 40th celebration!