2ndpresbyterian.org

Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

Second Presbyterian Church will host its annual "Martin Luther King Jr." worship service on Sunday, January 15 at 11:00 a.m. A service of lively music is planned, with special music provided by the Ghanian Congregation Choir and the Second Church Quartet, under the direction of Michael Shawgo.  The Children's Choir will sing "We Shall Overcome".  The service will conclude with the traditional singing of "Lift Every Voice and Sing".  All are welcome.

La Boheme Opera Performance by the American Chamber Opera Company

The American Chamber Opera Company will be performing La Boheme at the 2nd Presbyterian Church in Chicago on January 6th, 2012. THE PERFORMANCE TIME IS 7:30PM.

You can purchase tickets here:
http://americanchamberopera.org/2nd-presbyterian-jan-6/

Read more about the American Chamber Opera Company on their site:

A Remarkable Day

 

A Remarkable Day In The Life Of A Remarkable Congregation

 

After a beautiful Christmas Eve service, many doubted anyone would show up for Christmas Day worship. Many people were en route to family gatherings. Many were home unwrapping their presents or preparing for Christmas dinner. Our secretary printed a smaller number of bulletins, thinking there would be extras for the Deacons to take on their delivery of poinsettias to the homebound. But more and more people filled the sanctuary , as old friends and new guests found their way to our service on Sunday morning.

 

They were treated to an inspirational hour of worship. Michael Shawgo's bold organ accompaniment on the hymns combined with the quartets' artistic interpretation of music and my preaching on “the Word Made Flesh--- to make Christ the heart of our Christmas day celebrations. The most moving moment was the baptism of six-week-old Samuel Beukenkamp. As his parents, grandparents (and aunt) stood and professed their vows, as the congregation promised to become his Christian family by saying “We Will”to their vows, God covenanted to pour out God's sweet Holy Spirit upon Samuel and fill his life with the overflowing grace of Jesus Christ. Even when I splashed the waters of the Trinity upon Samuel's forehead, he remained asleep. We concluded the sacrament by singing:

 

Baptized in water, sealed by the Spirit, marked with the sign

of Christ our King; Born of the Spirit, we are God's children,

Joyfully now God's praises we sing.

 

It was an incredible moment on an incredible morning for all God's children . . .

 

Remember that Christmas is a 12-day celebration! On Sunday, New Year's Day, we will read the story of the Three Magi (Matthew 2: 1-12) and inquire into the meaning of the gifts they brought to the Christ-child.

 

Merry Christmas! And a happy, healthy New Year!

 

David M. Neff

Pastor

 

 

Easter is a Special Time - Know what time!

Easter is a special time.  Make sure you know when all the events are occurring.  Here is a list of events for 2ndPresbyterian:

Please Join us Thursday, April 1, 2010 at 6:00pm for our Maundy Thursday Service. Communion will be served at this service.

 

Please Join us on Good Friday, April 2, 2010 at 12:00 noon for the annual presentation of Theodore Dubois’ “The Seven Last Words of Christ.” For more information on this sacred event, please see the Pastor, Rev. Coleman Gilchrist, or Carol Ritter, the Organist.

 

Easter Sunday, April 4, 2010, worship service will begin at 10:45am with special music. Please join us to celebrate this holy day.

 

Join us for Second Church's Volunteer Day

Join us for Second Church's Volunteer Day

At

Greater Chicago Food Depository

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED

·         To repack bulk products

·         To assemble boxes

·         To check expiration dates

·         Etc…

WE HAVE CHOSEN TWO POSSIBLE DATES AND TIMES:

Saturday morning, April 24, 2010

Wednesday afternoon, May 19, 2010

(the exact time will depend on the needs of the Depository)

If this is a project which interests you please email the 50+ group at: 50+@2ndpresbyterian.org

With the following information:

Name:

Phone:

Email:

I can participate on:

__ Saturday

__ Wednesday

Calling for Benefactors

Second Presbyterian is currently seeking a benefactor(s) to place a stone sign and announcement board outside.  This is your opportunity to put in stone a landmark on a landmark.  Second church is a James Renwick design completed in 1874.  Our sign will become part of this landmark and announce the church's proceedings to the community as well as share the name.  The church is seeking a single donation of $15,000 for placement and construction of the sign at the front of the church.  This could be from an individual, group, community, or organization.  Any such donation will be permanently and forever preserved by notating the donor's name in stone for all to find.  Your donation will be tax deductible.  If you are interested in our designs or donations please contact webmaster@2ndpresbyterian.org for more information.  Thank you and God bless.

New Docent Training to begin in April

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Tours of the stunning art and architecture of Second Presbyterian Church are vital to the mission of Friends of Historic Second Church, which is to educate a worldwide audience about the building's historical and cultural significance. The backbone of the tour program is the well-informed corps of docents who graciously share their time and knowledge with thousands of tour guests.

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We have scheduled a new round of docent training for late spring 2010. A partial list of topics which will be covered during training includes:
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-The Arts and Crafts movement
-Stained glass windows, both American and English
-Gothic Revival architecture
-Architects James Renwick and Howard Van Doren Shaw
-Artists Frederic Clay Bartlett and Louis Comfort Tiffany
-Preservation philosophy and techniques
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Trainees will also learn about and observe the preservation progress already underway at the church.
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Schedule:
Four 1-1/2 hour sessions beginning at 6:30pm will be held on the following Wednesday evenings: April 28, May 5, May 12, and May 19.
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Enrollment:
Friends invites your participation in the docent training and requests that trainees commit to attend all four training sessions, as make-up sessions will not be offered. Those interested in learning about the art and architecture but who do not wish to become docents are also invited to enroll. There is a $10 materials fee payable on the first night of training. If you wish to sign up, please send an email to historic2ndchurch@yahoo.com and an enrollment form will be emailed back to you. For further questions, please email or call 800-657-0687.