New Outlook. Second Baptist Church. Open and progressive since Opportunities for Growing Together

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1 New Outlook January 2019 Second Baptist Church Open and progressive since 1833 Opportunities for Growing Together Church school: Both adult classes recently completed Jim Wallis s DVD series Justice for the Poor. The Living Faith Class, led by Steve Mechem, will continue its focus on biblical justice by studying Wallis s book A Call to Conversion. The Gurley Bible Study Class, led by Jerry Keeney, will explore the theme of justice as it appears in the book of Acts. The Gurley class meets on the west side of the community room and the Living Faith Class on the east side. Koinonia: A group to support each other and study resources and practices designed to help further our spiritual lives. Normally meets the second and fourth Wednesdays in the pastor s study at 6:30 p.m. Check with Linda Marks, as occasionally the schedule changes. We d love to have you! We will celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. s birthday at a Community Service at Third Baptist Church (620 North Grand, St. Louis) on Sunday, January 20, at 3 p.m. Following the service there will be a refreshment time in their fellowship hall. A thought for the new year: Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery that it is. In the boredom and pain of it no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace. Frederick Buechner in Listening to Your Life

2 A Play, Music, and Santa December 2, 2018 In the play The Symbols of Christmas, adapted and directed by Linda Marks, a mother teaches her children what the symbols of Christmas mean. The kids learn that the evergreen tree symbolizes our everlasting life with Jesus Christ and the ornaments represent our blessings. Candy canes remind us of the shepherd s crook when held upright and they make a J for Jesus when held upside down. The three small stripes running around many candy canes represent the Trinity. The star on top of the tree represents the star that led the wise men to Jesus, and the angel helps us remember the messengers that told the shepherds that Jesus was born. The youth entertained us with Christmas music.

3 Caroling with Neighbors and Friends December 16, 2018 About 55 people from Second, friends, neighbors, and members of the Community Gospel Choir of St. Louis gathered on the Second Baptist parking lot to sing Christmas carols. Thanks to Mike and Bev Apple for the wonderful cookies and hot chocolate we enjoyed afterward. And to Judy Comfort for initiating this event.

4 Songs and Sonnets Upper left photo: Dave Menninger and Monica Eppinger lighting the advent candle Choir back row: Rick Rardin, Rick Hoyt, Jeff Hoyt, Charles Muse, Darryl Briscoe, Jerry Keeney, Dave Menninger Front row: Linda Marks, Monica Eppinger, Judi Mechem, Cindy Collins, Lori Watrous, Nancy Keeney Brad Short, Director; Marilyn Short, pianist; Tennessee San, violinist The Poets Melissa Gurley Bancks Jerry Keeney Brooke Justis Hari Clarksmith The Scripture Readers Eh Too Htoo Shari Nelson- Faulkner Richard Daily Constance Sting Carey San Henry San

5 Christmas Eve The choir, with Lori Watrous playing the flute The children put the baby Jesus in the manger. Pastor Steve reading the Christmas story Rev. Kara Windler giving the sermon The candles went all the way around the sanctuary.

6 Thank You! Thank You! We so much want to thank you for your incredibly generous gift. It is an honor to serve you as your Church Staff. Pastor Steve, Marilyn, Brad, Linda, Henry, Carey, Mirian, and Feng Mei Many thanks to Brad, Marilyn, and the church choir for all of your hard work preparing the wonderful music for the Advent and Christmas services. Want to relive Hari and Alex performing There s a Hole in the Bucket? And hear Peter, Paul, and Mary again? See Linda Marks for DVDs of the 2018 talent show. The cost is $10. The money will go to the youth for their mission trip. Plan to attend the congregational meeting on Sunday, January 13, after church to vote on the 2018 budget. Please sign up at church if you can come, and bring your favorite soup or salad to share. Mark your calendar for February 3 at 5:00 for a Super Bowl party at the Apples home. Please bring an appetizer, side dish, or dessert to share. Meat and drinks will be provided. WEEKLY ACTIVITIES Sun 8:45 a.m. Choir practice 9:15 a.m. Church school 9:15 a.m. Karen worship 10:30 a.m. Worship service 11:30 a.m. Coffee Fellowship 11:40 a.m. 2nd Sunday Choir rehearsal Wed 9 - noon Friendship International Thurs 7:00 p.m. Choir practice COMING UP Jan 8 1:00 p.m. Book Group Jan 9 6:30 p.m. Koinonia Jan 12 10:00 a.m. Youth Second Saturday Gathering Jan 13 11:30 a.m.. Luncheon and congregation meeting Jan 19 7:30 a.m. Men s breakfast at Second Jan 20 3:00 p.m. Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King s life held at Third Baptist Jan 21 6:30 p.m. Council Feb 3 5:00 p.m. Super Bowl Party at the Apples Discussing Books with Friends On Tuesday, January 8, at 1:00 in the Community Room, Lori Watrous will lead a discussion of Educated, by Tara Westover. All are welcome. The New Outlook is a monthly publication of Second Baptist Church of Greater St. Louis. Please send articles and photos by January 20 for the next issue.

7 From our pastor... Hey Friends, January is here! The excitement of the Advent season passes and the anticipation of the Lenten season begins. January is a great month. There are so many wonderful things about this time of year. This is a short list of things I dig about January. January is a contemplative month. It is a time we reflect on what has been and begin to focus on what will be. There is ample time to think, to ponder, and to let our minds wander. January is a month designed for clean up. The pace has slowed down a bit and there is time to organize, re-organize, and purge. January is the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This year Second Baptist Church will participate in a community celebration of Dr. King s life on Sunday, January 20, at 3 p.m., at Third Baptist Church. January is the month when I begin to chip away at my new year s reading list. This year s list contains about 20 books that I am excited to read including: The Stanley Hauerwas Reader, The Defense of Lost Causes, by Slavoj Žižek, We Make the Road by Walking, by Brian McLaren, The Substance of Faith by Clarence Jordan, And John Lewis autobiography, Walking with the Wind. January is also Judi Mechem s birthday, so it is a time to celebrate. January is bald eagle watching season along the Mississippi River. Judi and I will make our annual trek along the river road in Illinois hoping to see these majestic birds. One year we only saw seven; another year we saw 150. In January, as in every other month, God is God. God loves us and cares for us during this wonderful month. God s grace envelops us and God s mercy overshadows us during January. Of course, God is God in every month, and it is good to be reminded of the reality of God s love. Happy January! Let s take care of each other, Steve

8 Second Baptist Church of Greater St. Louis An American Baptist Church 9030 Clayton Road at McKnight St. Louis, Missouri SUNDAY SCHEDULE Church school for all ages 9:15 p.m. Worship service 10:30 a.m. A nursery is provided. Coffee Fellowship follows the service. Telephone & fax (314) office@2ndbc.org Website: Rev. Stephen Mechem, Pastor Randy Sumner, Moderator Karen New Year s Service December 30, 2018 Karen (and friends) Choir Ech A Lo sings Henry and Esther sing Zipporra makes a presentation Pastor Steve preaches Pastor Carey prays