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Easter Flower Order Form
Deadline Monday, April 7

If you would like to give memorial or celebration flowers for the April 20 Easter services, please complete the online order form. The deadline for receiving orders is Monday, April 7. Questions? Contact Meredith Koliba.

“What Are They Doing Here?”
March 5, 12, 18 & 25* | 12:00 p.m. | Fellowship Hall
Luncheon April 1

Some books in the Bible are about a specific person. What makes these stories so compelling is that they often center on individuals who live on the margins—people whose lives seem insignificant in the eyes of the powerful, yet matter deeply to God. These are the stories of God’s powerful work among the powerless.

During the noon hour on select weekdays in March, The Bible in Black & White class will explore four of these narratives, seeking to understand what God sees in these individuals—and in all of us. Drs. Bill Lee and George Anderson, along with ministers from other sponsoring churches, will guide the discussion.

• Wed., March 5: Ruth
  Two widowed Moabite women are a problem. It is the time of Judges and there are turf battles everywhere. With no one to protect or provide for them, Ruth and Naomi rely on and take care of each other. Why are they in the Bible?

• Wed., March 12: Esther
  She’s an immigrant married to Ahasuerus, the Persian king. He chose to marry her for her beauty. He did not know that she was of the same race as the people his most powerful advisor sought to expel from Persia. Why is she in the Bible?

• Tues., March 18: Daniel
  The Jews are in Exile. Daniel is one of many who have been deported to Babylon. Like many Jews in Exile, he finds a way to be useful to those in power. Sometimes, though, he gets abused because of the offense of his race and beliefs. Why is he in the Bible?

• Tues., March 25 @ St. John’s Episcopal Church: Philemon
  The book of Philemon in the New Testament is a letter from Paul. The letter is written to Philemon and concerns his slave, Onesimus. Paul wants Philemon to accept Onesimus back and see him as a brother in Christ. So what? Why is this letter in the Bible?

*Please Note: The noon class on Tuesday, March 25 will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church, located at 1 Mountain Ave SW, Roanoke, VA 24016.

Class participants are invited to join us on Tuesday, April 1 at noon in the Fellowship Hall of Second Presbyterian for a catered luncheon provided by a grant from the Presbytery of the Peaks.

Great Day of Service
Saturday, April 26 | 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

On Saturday, April 26th, the youth invite you to join them for an intergenerational mission day as we seek to serve the city! We’ve partnered with several local organizations to make a meaningful impact. The day will kick off with donuts and devotion at 8:00 a.m. before departing in our work groups. We will serve until 12:00 p.m., and participants will be dismissed directly from the agencies we are serving.

Please let us know your preferences by completing the registration form found HERE.

Trent Symposium Dinner & Program
Ft. David Zahl | Tuesday, April 29

Dinner 6:00 p.m. | Program 6:45 p.m.

Congregational Dinner | 6:00 p.m. | Fellowship Hall
Registration Required

On Tuesday, April 29 at 6:00 p.m., we will have our annual Trent Symposium Dinner. During this time, we will enjoy a meal together followed by a program offered by David Zahl titled, “The Urgency of Grace for a Worn-Out World.”

Details (Menu from Lib & Amy Catering):

• Mixed Garden Salad with Balsamic and Ranch Dressings, Pork Tenderloin with grapes, Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Mixed Vegetables, and Cornbread.
• Cost: $15 per person. $7 for children ages 5-12.
• Register HERE by Tuesday, April 15.

*If you cannot attend dinner but still want to attend the program, please join us at 6:45 p.m. in the sanctuary.*

Program: “The Urgency of Grace for a Worn-Out World” | 6:45 p.m. | Sanctuary

Join author David Zahl as he explores the beauty and depth of God’s grace afresh, outlining how it provides deep relief from the accelerating demands that characterize so much of modern life. To do so, he’ll draw on personal stories, cultural examples, and the witness of Scripture. Just don’t forget to bring your sense of humor!

David Zahl is the founder and director of Mockingbird Ministries, editor-in-chief of the Mockingbird blog site, and co-host of both The Mockingcast and The Brothers Zahl podcasts. He and his family live in Charlottesville, Virginia, where he also serves on the staff of Christ Episcopal Church. Zahl is the author of Seculosity: How Career, Parenting, Technology, Food, Politics, and Romance Became Our New Religion and What To Do About It and Low Anthropology: The Unlikely Key to a Gracious View of Others (and Yourself). His next book, The Big Relief: The Urgency of Grace for a Worn-Out World comes out in April 2025 from Brazos Press. His writing has been featured in The Washington Post, Christianity Today, and The Guardian, among other venues.

Morning VBS “Fish Tales”
July 21-24 | 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Members and friends (Pre-K – 5th grade) are invited to join us for Morning Vacation Bible School July 21 24, as we explore stories from scripture. We’ll learn about Jonah’s story, and how God used a giant fish to turn him around. We’ll hear about the call of the disciples by the lakeshore, how Jesus fed a multitude, and a special breakfast on the beach. This creative and engaging week will have children and volunteers singing, dancing, creating, and learning together.

Youth and adult volunteers are a great part of what makes VBS so special. Please consider volunteering and joining the fun! Contact Maria Blackshaw or Meredith Koliba with questions.

Register Morning VBS participants AND volunteers HERE!

Morning VBS After Care Camps
July 21-24 | 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

We have coordinated with area children’s sports and arts organizations to provide afternoon “mini camps” here at the church for families interested in afternoon care. We hope this will allow more children to participate in the free Morning VBS, while providing engaging and educational opportunities for the VBS afternoons. Spaces are limited, and there is an associated fee for this afternoon care. Learn more and sign up soon if interested HERE!

Note: Pre-K is not included in After Care Camps. We hope preschool families will take advantage of the church preschool summer day camps for their afternoon care.

Trent Getaway @ Eagle Eyrie | “Our Sacred Home”
August 8-10, 2025 | Register by June 23

The Trent Getaway Church Retreat at Eagle Eyrie in Lynchburg, VA is set for August 8-10, 2025! Everyone is invited to this intergenerational weekend where there will be programs for all ages. Plan to be part of a fun-filled and meaningful church event!

Participants will gather on Friday afternoon (registration is from 4:00-6:00 p.m.) for a weekend program of study, worship, and recreation! Adults will be led by our guest speaker Rev. Dr. Robert (Rob) McClellan in a vibrant study related to our retreat theme, “Our Sacred Home.”

Middle and high school youth will take part in fun team building exercises and enjoy special programming with Pastor Ben. Special activities for children are also planned, and there will be childcare available for those too young to participate in the lessons and programs.

Saturday afternoon will allow you to enjoy recreational activities of your choosing. The retreat will end following Sunday morning worship, and participants can expect to be back in Roanoke by lunchtime!

Registration and a $100 deposit are due by Monday, June 23. Register HERE!

Guest Speaker: Rev. Dr. Robert McClellan, Westminster Presbyterian Church in Tiburon, CA

The Rev. Dr. Robert (Rob) McClellan has served as Pastor and Head of Staff at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Tiburon, CA since 2013. He is passionate about helping people rediscover a vibrant,
relevant faith and offering a refreshing expression of Christ to those who have had negative or unfulfilling experiences with religion. Rob has a deep interest in Celtic Christianity and finds God in nature. He has previously served as a solo pastor and associate pastor, working with youth and young adults in a variety of settings. Rob holds advanced degrees, including a DMin from San Francisco Theological Seminary, where his dissertation explored pilgrimage as a spiritual practice and portal to religious experience. Outside of ministry, he enjoys the outdoors, music, reading, and spending time with his family.

Retreat Theme: “Our Sacred Home”

Reconnect with the world around you in a new way. Together we’ll explore how everything—creation, nature, and our own lives—holds deep meaning and divine blessing. Through stories from the Bible and the wisdom of inspiring thinkers, we’ll uncover how God’s heartbeat vibrates through the very fabric of life. We’ll talk about the goodness of creation, how Jesus shows us the way to truly see the world, and how we can heal our alienation and find balance. Come be inspired and transformed!

“Deep & Wide”
Christian Education 2024-2025

“Dig deep wells, and the cattle never wander.” This old proverb speaks to the wisdom of providing water, nourishment for lean times. On the surface, it offers a wise word to farmers and herdsmen, but perhaps another meaning is about the spiritual life. A faith that has depth will nourish in times of trouble and drought. Moreover, a deep spiritual life will sustain a person through a lifetime.

At Second Presbyterian Church of Roanoke, VA, we take our call to nurture faith seriously. For this reason, we provide opportunities for education at every stage of development. To assume that Christian education is only for children is to make faith sound like a childish endeavor. Indeed, we crave deep, living water our whole lives long.

What may look like play in a children’s classroom is the introduction of a God who finds joy in each and every child in our care. The sound of feet about to break through the ceiling is the expression of love in young people’s music and voices at children’s choir. What looks like a tasty meal for teens is a holy reminder of meals shared by Jesus and his friends in the Gospels. And what seems like adults in discussion is actually friendship being forged and spiritual nourishment given for the week ahead.

With Christian education, we are digging deep wells, we are inviting you to dive into this wide, expansive living water. Jump in. Join us. Drink from this well. See the Christian Education Booklet to learn about the ways you may grow in faith through education, fellowship, and discipleship throughout the 2024-25 church school year.