ePulse Second Presbyterian Church

The Pastor’s Page
Dr. Charles B. Hardwick
Pastor/Head of Staff

The Marks of Blessed to Be a Blessing

Over the past several months, the session has been wrestling with an important topic: What are the quantifiable marks of a church that is faithfully living out the concept of blessed to be a blessing?

John Calvin (the father of the reformed theology that is the basis for Presbyterianism) said that the two marks of a faithful church are the right preaching of the Gospel, and the right administration of the sacraments (communion and baptism.)

The session is taking this concept, the marks of a church, and applying it to Second Pres and blessed to be a blessing (B2BAB.) Since faithfully living out this theme is the goal for Second Pres, the session has been figuring out how to tell if this is really happening. In other words, what are the marks that will show we have faithfully honored this concept now, and in the future? Have we continued to improve in this goal? After all, if we do not make specific changes in the church’s life together, then business as usual will continue and B2BAB will be nothing more than an empty slogan.

This conversation has stretched over multiple months, and we are now moving closer to deciding on specific marks that will show if we are making progress toward this goal. The session has compiled a long list of specific marks, has heard from the pastoral staff about its perception of 2PC’s current status (i.e., why building on the church’s strong foundation is important), and has developed some filters to help narrow the field of potential marks down to a workable list of goals that will be designated to specific ministry teams in the months to come.

It is very exciting to think about how these conversations help to shape the future toward which God is leading us. I am impressed with the faithfulness, passion, and intellectual firepower of the session and am so grateful for the chance to serve Christ together.

Please join me in praying for the session and for this process, and I speak for the session in gladly receiving any questions or feedback from you about this process.

Dr. Charles B. Hardwick

2PC Welcomes Seminarian Intern Eric Peltz!
Seminarian Eric Peltz will begin his summer ministry at 2PC on June 1. Hailing from Joliet, Eric has just completed his first year at Princeton Theological Seminary after graduating in 2008 from Wheaton College. Eric’s ministry here will be broad, but his major project will be designing a “first-glance” introduction system for 2PC for visitors. He will also help to lead worship, preach multiple times at the 8:15 service, teaching adult Sunday School, administer pastoral care and meet weekly with session members. He will be reachable at eric.peltz@secondpres.info, and he will be serving here until the beginning of August. Please make him feel at home!

Preschool Sunday School: Making a Joyful Noise to the Lord
For ages 2, 3 and 4. We will meet for music and fellowship during the 10am hour this summer on the first floor of Martin Hall (M102.) This will culminate with a musical offering for parents and the congregation on August 2nd.

Elementary Sunday School: The Bible and Art
During the 10 am hour, resident artists Roane Deckert and Karen Johnston will lead students in illustrating the parables of the Kingdom through art. The summer will culminate with an art show on August 2nd in the South entry, and students’ art will be used in worship during the Kingdom Tales sermon series in August. PreK-5th graders meet on the first floor of Martin Hall (M105).

•Touring Youth Choir Presents Musical at 2PC (6/4)
Stand and Shout, a musical glorifying the many reasons we have to praise God, is coming to Second Pres on June 4 at 7pm. This musical will be performed by the Celebration Choir, the 7-12th grade choir from Knox Presbyterian Church in Overland Park, Kansas. Much like our Chancel Choir, the Celebration Choir prepares a musical and goes on a mission tour during May and June. Knox Presbyterian housed and hosted our Chancel  Choir during their tour several years ago.

 2PC PACK Performance (5/31)
All are invited to see 2PC’s Puppets Announcing Christ’s Kingdom. The performance will be at 10am in Grace Hall on May 31. Families are encouraged to attend together.

•Community Outreach Dinner (6/7)
Formerly Sunday Dinner, Community Outreach Dinner (COD) is a new monthly tradition at 2PC. COD is designed to bring the entire 2PC family together, and as a fun opportunity to invite new people to see what 2PC is all about. Dinner is served from 11am-1:15pm in F100A. Tickets are $6 (at the front desk and Welcome Center) and $2 of the cost is used to fund tickets for 2PC’s community partners. There is a $22 maximum cost for families.

•Mission to Bloomington-Normal (6/12-13)
On June 12-13, 2PC is sponsoring a mission trip to Bloomington-Normal. It is open to adults, youth, and children who have completed Kindergarten. The group will gather at 2PC each morning at 8:30am for a short time of worship, and then head to work at the Western Avenue Community Center, the Compassion Center and homes selected through Faith in Action. Work will be completed by 4pm each day.

The trip is $20 per person with a $50 family maximum. Contact Andrea if you are interested in attending or helping to coordinate this event at 828.6297 or andrea.kladder@secondpres.info.

*Serving on Saturdays (SOS) will not meet in June. All those who normally participate in SOS are encouraged to attend the mission to Bloomington-Normal.