Christianity has never been and will never be easy to put into practice. Like a professional musician or an athlete, a practicing Christian needs dedication in times when no glory or return on investment seems possible. As Rev. Tom describes, Jesus' followers were in those trying times right at the start of Holy Week - not just on Good Friday. We often depict Palm Sunday as a fun time with lots of singing and waving, and a donkey showing up as a church-event novelty. But for the two disciples tasked with the work, going and bringing a donkey was drudgery - just a task that wasn't particularly life-fulfilling, but did support an essential message of Christian faith. Like many enterprises in life, the project of building the Christian faith requires so many people working behind the scenes - those who are in the small print in the end credits of a movie. But there is deep purpose in these small acts. As Rev. Tom highlights, the woman with the alabaster jar of pure nard gave an important gift to Jesus - his burial anointment. The twelve disciples couldn't understand this "waste" of money, so the woman received criticism for her sacrifice instead of praise. But Jesus accepted her gift as an act of faith. Any act of faith - no matter how small and uncelebrated - is an expression of love that is eternally precious in God's eyes.

(Bible reading - Mark 11:1-11, 14:3-9 NRSV)

Maundy Thursday - Thursday, April 9, 7 PM via Zoom.

Link: https://zoom.us/j/650908852

Dial-In: 1-646-558-8656

Meeting ID#: 650 908 852

Our Maundy Thursday service will be virtual Upper Room as together we gather around the table for Zoom Dinner Worship. You are invited to prepare a meal so that it will be ready at 7 PM and set up your device to join for worship via Zoom. Additionally, we will celebrate the Sacrament of communion so please have common elements available to participate in the sharing of the bread and wine. This will be a new experience for all of us, but just as Jesus gathered with his disciples over a shared meal, so too we will gather in the presence of Christ and join together in worship over table fellowship. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out to Pastor Amy at [email protected]!

Good Friday - Friday, April 10, 7 PM via Zoom

Link: https://zoom.us/j/352452639

Dial-In: 1-646-558-8656

Meeting ID#: 352 452 639

A Service of Solemn Remembrance “A Lonely Death, but Not Alone”. Rev. Dr. Tom Blair will be preaching with Chancel Choir and special guests providing music.

Easter Sunday - Sunday, April 12, 10 AM via Zoom

Link: https://zoom.us/j/322082872

Dial-in: Call 1-646-558-8656

Meeting ID#: 322 082 872

A Joyful Easter at Home “While it was Still Dark”. Rev. Dr. Tom Blair will be preaching with special music from Easters past and present.

Easter Carillon Concert - Sunday, April 12, 2 PM at the church

Beau Lochte will be playing his handbells along with the church carillon on Stratford Road. We look forward to sharing some Easter joy with our neighbors. In accordance with the Governor’s orders, you may drive to the church and park. You must remain in your car, with no more than 10 people in the car.

Nobody has every said, "A crisis? Yippee!" But the children of God are called to "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." Yes, even in times of unprecedented fear such as this. As Rev. Tom describes, like a trapeze artist jumping from one swinging bar to another, we will have times when our lives are up in the air, with no security to ground us. In these times, we are not called to find shelter too quickly, to pray for stability to soothe our worries right away. No, Jesus did not claim that his time with us would end all suffering, but foresaw that even the most splendorous of humanity's works are temporary and could crumble to ruin, leaving not one stone upon a stone. Such is what happened to the Temple in Jerusalem, and also to countless other buildings and institutions glorifying God throughout history, and also to many livelihoods and lives in peril right now. But as Rev. Tom teaches, no such structures can limit God. God's love is found not only in peaceful times and serenity, but most strongly in times of suffering. Here and now is where God's love is found, reaching out to others, in compassion and healing. Do not despair; God is here. (Bible reading - Mark 13:1-8, 24-27, NRSV)

Adult Seminar: "Learning to Walk in the Dark: Because Sometimes God Shows Up at Night by Barbara Brown Taylor" - Beginning next Sunday, April 5, 11 AM following worship. For technical reasons, you will have to leave the worship meeting and log on separately to attend the Adult Seminar at this link: https://zoom.us/u/abjRcspWR. (Dial-In: 1-646-558-8656; Meeting ID# 308 659 340.) We will be reading and discussing "Learning to Walk in the Dark," which is available on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Walk-Dark-Because-Sometimes/dp/B00IA69FG6/. The Kindle version is free with Kindle Unlimited.

One Great Hour of Sharing - Restoring Hope, Feeding the Hungry, Empowering the Oppressed. During this time of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, we are reminded that the most vulnerable in our midst suffer first, most, and longest. For over 70 years during Lent, OGHS has supported these vulnerable people among us. Please give generously. Text “SeekShareServe” to 73256, and select the OneGreatHourSharing2020 fund.

There's a saying: "A cook is only as good as the ingredients." If the essentials for a good recipe aren't there from the beginning, then the cook cannot make what's needed. As Rev. Amy describes today, whether it's cooking without sugar, building a house without a foundation, or trying to follow the law of God without knowing the love of God, we cannot succeed without the basics. When Jesus disputed with the scribes of the Temple, he didn't argue about burnt offerings or how to meticulously perform sacrifices. He spoke of love - love for God and love for neighbour - a transformational love that brings us all closer to the kingdom of God. Rev. Amy shows how in this time of crisis, isolation and fear, this focus on our basic need for love is needed more than ever. When our lives seem ready to crumble like a cookie, love is the one special ingredient that can bind us together. (Bible reading Mark 12:28-37)

With in-person worship cancelled due to the pandemic, consider making an offering online or through the mail if you are financially able. Your continued support for is important to maintain Second’s ministries to our congregation and to the many mission organizations that serve those in need in Baltimore and beyond. Thank you. You may text your offering to 73256, entering “SeekShareServe” in the message box. (Please don't set up another account if you already have a Realm account as it creates accounting confusion.) You can also make a one-time gift through the church website: https://secondpresby.org/give-now/

Pastors' Zoom Office Hours - On Mondays through Fridays we will hold pastor "Zoom office hours" between 10 am and 12 noon. Anytime during this time, you can click the office hours link and meet a pastor on Zoom to talk, laugh, pray, cry, etc. Link: https://zoom.us/j/358828399. Meeting ID: 358 828 399. Phone: 1-646-558-8656.

Easter Memorial Flowers - The Chancel Guild plans to decorate church for Easter inside and out, and to share that with the neighborhood and online. Donations for Easter memorial flowers will be received until Palm Sunday, April 5. The donor’s name, along with the names of the persons remembered or honored, will be printed in the bulletin. The lilies and other flowers will be delivered after the Easter services to our shut-ins by the Deacons. Email names to Joyce Zimmerman, [email protected]. Checks may be made payable to Second Presbyterian Church with a notation at the bottom “for Easter flowers” and mailed to the church at 4200 Saint Paul Street, Baltimore MD 21218.

Bible reading - Mark 7: 1-23

Today, Rev. Tom describes how Jesus deals with hypocrisy, and how we can deal with it too - not with hypocrites (though those are always present), but the hypocrisy within ourselves. As he illustrates in two stories, humans have a hard time being true to themselves - our desires simply make us blind to our own true motivations. Jesus needed to rebuke the Pharisees not because they didn't respect the law or didn't think it mattered, but because they were following rules that they thought were better than God's. Like a driver being inundated with constant barrage of traffic signs and lights, we can't keep every traffic law, and soon stop following them, but drive for our own desires. But Jesus finds the Spirit behind God's law, and shows how following that can cleanse us of all law-breaking - by working on and changing our hearts, where all desires for law-breaking resides.

Birmingham, Alabama School Concert Choir to Sing at Second, Sunday, February 23, 11 AM - The 110-member concert choir from the Indian Springs School of Birmingham, Alabama, will perform the anthems during our 11 AM worship service next Sunday as part of their Washington DC area tour. Indian Springs is a private boarding and day school for students in grades 8-12. The choir has garnered critical praise for their sensitivity and "exciting, vibrant" singing. Please join us next Sunday for this special addition to our worship service.

Lent 2020: "MARKed by Christ" - Mark’s brief Gospel shares numerous encounters as Jesus meets people in all kinds of life situations. In Mark’s Gospel, everyone matters. They may be very ill, very self-centered, very possessive, or very set in their ways (not unlike us.) Mark’s brevity demands our attention. And Jesus joins in their life’s journeys. He understands people all too well, undercutting self-defenses and delivering invitations (albeit challenging ones) to all who will hear. Can we allow ourselves to be touched by Jesus this season and take some new steps along with him in our journey of faithfulness?

Ash Wednesday Worship Service, Wednesday, February 26 - Light Meal, 6 PM, Smith Hall. Worship 7 PM, Sanctuary

"MARKed by Christ" Lenten Bible Study - Mondays, March 2 to April 6, 7:30 PM via Zoom. Thursdays, March 5 to April 9, 9 AM, Westcott Room. (Zoom Tutorial - February 23 & March 1, 10 AM in the Cafe.) This Lenten Season, as a part of our series MARKed by Christ, we will continue the Lenten tradition of offering a Bible Study. Together in community we will read and reflect on the Gospel of Mark. This year, we are trying something new by offering this Bible Study via Zoom, an online video chat. Zoom is very user friendly and will enable us to gather from the comfort of our homes without interrupting busy family schedules, worrying about driving at night or in inclement weather, and even allowing our members who live out of state to participate as well! Our zoom study will take place Mondays at 7:30 PM. For those who prefer to meet in person, we will also be offering a Bible Study at 9 AM on Thursday mornings. If you have never used Zoom and would like some help with it, we will be meeting at 10 AM in the Cafe on Feb 23rd and March 1st to offer a brief tutorial. Through the study of scripture we will open our hearts to recognize how we have been MARKED by Christ and called to be disciples.

Good project managers don't plan a project without know they have the proper resources of people, materials and time. But as Rev. Tom describes today, Jesus also knows what his followers need to NOT have. The baggage that we all carry around with us can weight us down, keeping us from our true calling in Christ. Jesus helps us with holding on to the unshakable faith that truly sustains us, and also removes those parts of our lives that burden us with pain and anxiety. Like Auguste Rodin, who created sculptures like The Thinker and Danaid by removing the parts of the stone that don't belong, Jesus removes the unnecessary parts of us, until only the necessary remains - love and true faith that God will work goodness in this world, whatever we might have to set aside. As Christians, we are called to follow our Lord, who gave up everything - humbling himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

(Bible reading - Mark 6:1-13, RSVCE)

Lenten Devotional Contributors Wanted - Second's Christian Nurture Council, in charge of coordinating education and fellowship, has organized Advent and Lenten devotionals for several years. We're hoping to attract a wider variety of contributors this Lenten season so we're issuing an open invitation. Anyone in the congregation who feels moved is encouraged to contribute. You will be provided with instructions, Bible verses, and a due date. We are open to personal and heartfelt expressions of your faith during Lent - a prayer, a reflection, a picture, etc. What a wonderful way to contribute your talents to our faith community during this holiest of seasons! Please sign up with Shay Herman at [email protected] or 410-591-4594.

Sisters Circle College Care Package Project - Second is collecting items for Sisters Circle College Care Packages till February 24th. Sisters Circle is a long-term mentoring program beginning in elementary school and continuing to offer support to young women as they pursue college education or post-high school vocational training. We would like to provide each of their 25 young women with care packages as they prepare for spring semester finals. The suggested NEW items we would like to include in the package are:

• Post-It Notes

• Pens/Pencils/highlighters

• Erasers

• Fun Socks

• Chapstick/lip balm

• Herbal Tea and Hot chocolate packets

• Granola bars, microwave popcorn and other small non-perishable snacks

• Individually wrapped hard candies and chocolate

• Travel Size toiletries

• Stress Ball

• Playing Cards/Uno Cards

Please drop off items in the mission corner in the basket labelled “College Care Packages”.

We are experts at insisting on our own way, but the Love of God is not so intransigent. On this Super Bowl Sunday, people may cheer for a football player who is goal oriented, but Jesus has never followed the crowd. In today's sermon, Rev. Tom describes how Jesus doesn't keep a rigid schedule, but turns from his way to receive a gentle touch from someone in need. In a famous story of Jesus' healing, he heals two people in impossible circumstances - a poor, outcast woman suffering for years, and the daughter of a well-to-do household suddenly and grievously stricken. Jesus does not show favor to what the crowd or his disciples were expecting, but he goes where he is needed, wherever a voice may cry out to him. As Rev. Tom describes, both the unnamed woman and Jairus, the girl's father, had to go outside of their expected paths and society's expectations for them to reach for Jesus, and Jesus is never too busy to interrupt his schedule to reach back in love.

(Bible reading - Mark 5:21-43)

Peace & Justice Committee - Tuesday, February 4, 6:30 PM, Westcott Room

Calling all members with a passion and concern for Environmental Justice. The Peace and Justice Committee is looking for 3 to 5 members to form an Environmental Justice subcommittee. Join with your fellow members at the Faithful Green Leaders Training taking place in Baltimore on Monday, February 17 from 10 AM to 4:30 PM. We need at least 3 members to register. Visit www.InterfaithChesapeake.org/GreenTeams for more information. Please contact Juli Callahan at [email protected] if you are interested.

Guilford Elementary School HEART Market - Tuesdays, February 18 & March 17

HEART Markets are the Maryland Food Bank’s pilot program to combat child hunger. It is a festive event that creates an inviting environment for children to obtain healthy food and learn about food nutrition. Volunteers are needed: 1 to 3 PM (or any time in between) – Set up; 3 to 4:30 PM (or any time in between) — Break Down/Clean up. Contact Andrew McCormick at [email protected] or (443) 670-2155. Guilford EMS needs your help! 

On this Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend, we take a special look at someone who also embodied the promotion of justice and deep spirituality - Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Rev. Tom describes how the fame-loving young Íñigo had his life undone and reformed by what has become known as a "cannonball moment." Severely injured in battle, Ignatius turned from his military career to a long period of rigorous asceticism, praying for hours in a cave and begging on the streets in Catalonia. It was this time that spiritually prepared Ignatius to be a great worker for Christ and founder of the Jesuits. As Rev. Tom explains, this was like the time when a sower sows his seeds onto the path, rocky ground, thorns, and good soil. He does not know what is happening deep under the ground to decide which plants grow into abundance, which mustard seeds will burst forth as the greatest of shrubs. He must trust that God is working through the good works, to bring forth life from unexpected beginnings. Likewise, we must trust God to use the dark times of our lives to build, within the deep secret areas of our lives, a spiritual practice that brings abundant life - to ourselves and to others. (Bible reading - Mark 4:1-12, 21-25, 30-34)