Upcoming Events
Jesus’ Birth Certificate
Advent Sermon Series | Sundays in December
“We are pleased to announce a beautiful new addition to our family, …” So, begins a typical birth announcement that leads to a date, a name, and maybe even the place where the child was born. In sending the announcement, the parent uses special stationary or a uniquely designed email template because the parent is pleased, proud and anxious to let friends and family know the good news.
What would a birth announcement for Jesus sound like? Well, John’s Gospel provides us with one: “And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son.”
What would a birth certificate for Jesus look like, if birth certificates were a thing in his day? What information would be printed on it? Would it look like this?
This Advent the preaching pastors will be offering an Advent Sermon Series called “Jesus’ Birth Certificate” where they will offer commentary on this imagined certificate. What they will be exploring is significance and meaning of one who was born among us but lived as “God-With-Us.” Come the Sundays of December and let’s consider the good news announcement of Jesus’ birth.
Holiday Worship Schedul 2023
Christmas Eve, December 24, 2023:
- 11:00 a.m. Worship Service, Sanctuary/Live Stream
- 5:00 p.m. Family Worship Service, Sanctuary
- 10:00 p.m. Candlelight Worship Service, Sanctuary
New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2023:
- 11:00 a.m. Worship Service, Sanctuary/Live Stream
Christmas Dinner & Pageant
Dec. 10 @ 5:00 p.m. | Fellowship Hall | RSVP by Nov. 26
Mark your calendar for our church family Christmas Dinner & Pageant on the evening of Sunday, December 10! Dinner by Lib & Amy Catering begins at 5:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. After dinner, we recess to the Sanctuary for the traditional Christmas Pageant with music by the children and youth. Come join the festivities!
The menu includes Baked Chicken, Macaroni & Cheese, Mixed Vegetables, Mixed Garden Salad (Balsamic and Ranch Dressings), Hot Buttered Rolls, Dessert Variety.
You may reserve your place at the table by paying for your dinner now. Cost is:
- $15 for adults (ages 13+)
- $5 for children ages 5-12
- Free for children ages 0-4
Reservations are not complete until payment has been received. The deadline for receiving reservations and payment is Sunday, November 26. Questions? Contact Meredith Koliba.
The Longest Night
Thursday, December 21 | 6:00 p.m. | Sanctuary
For those who have experienced loss, the holidays can be a particularly painful time, stirring up grief in acute ways. As a result, churches around the world have adopted the practice of having a “Blue Christmas” or a “Longest Night” service during the Advent season. In the Northern hemisphere, this service is often observed on December 21st, the Winter Solstice, which is the longest night of the year.
A Longest Night service is designed to provide space for prayer, reflection, and remembrance amidst the holiday hustle and bustle. We hope this offering may provide a space of calm, quiet, and healing for many.
Join the Rev. Elizabeth Link at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 21 in the sanctuary for this meaningful time of worship.
GALS’ GATHERING
Saturday, Jan. 20 | 9AM – 4PM | Fellowship Hall | Register by Jan. 15
“Build IT Together”
Christian Education 2023-2024
We are called to the life of discipleship in community. No one can be a Christian on their own. Worshiping, praying, learning, and serving together, we are the Body of Christ. This year, we want to focus on building up Christ’s Body. There are many opportunities to learn and grow, build new relationships, serve our neighbors near and far—and, to literally, BUILD. As we consider what it means to build up the Body of Christ and what it means to build a home, we are asking what is your “IT” this year? What is the thing you hope to build in faith?
Christian education is a gift, and it is our prayer that this year may be the opportunity you’ve been searching for to grow deeper in faith and build connection within the Body of Christ. See the Christian Education Booklet to learn about the ways you may grow in faith through education, fellowship, and discipleship throughout the 2023-2024 church school year.
Second Presbyterian is a vital congregation for people of all ages and circumstances seeking to know, love, and follow Christ.
Second Presbyterian Welcomes You
Are you looking for ways to foster and nurture your family in an ever-changing world? Are you thinking about finding a church home? At Second Presbyterian Church, our friendly staff and congregation strives to care for your family both spiritually and emotionally. This website is designed to ease the transition into the life of our church. Whether you decide to visit or join, we welcome you!
Meet our Pastors
Dr. George C. Anderson
Dr. George C. Anderson is the seventh Senior Pastor in the history of Second Presbyterian Church (Roanoke, VA). He began preaching at Second on February 22, 1998. Previously, he had been the Senior Minister at Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Jackson, MS, and an Associate Minister at First Presbyterian Church in Kingsport, TN. He is a graduate of St. Andrews Presbyterian College in Laurinburg, NC, and Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, VA. Dr. Anderson is involved in every aspect of church life with an emphasis on preaching, teaching, visiting, and staff oversight.
George and his wife, Millie, have three daughters: Paige, Rachel, and Virginia. Virginia became a new mother to daughter Emory on November 1, 2017.
The Reverend Elizabeth N.H. Link
The Rev. Elizabeth N.H. Link joined the staff of Second Presbyterian in August 2011. She attended Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC, where she majored in history and religion: Christian education. Following graduation, she served First Presbyterian Church of Delray Beach, FL, as Director of Christian education, and subsequently recognized the call to ordained ministry. In 2009, Elizabeth earned a Master of Divinity degree from Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, VA. Afterwards, she served as a Lake Fellow in Parish Ministry, at Second Presbyterian Church, Indianapolis, IN.
Elizabeth is married to Chris Link, and the two welcomed their first child, Eleanor, in the spring of 2018.
The Reverend Benjamin S. Brannan
The Rev. Ben Brannan joined the staff of Second Presbyterian as the Associate Pastor for Youth & Young Adults in March 2021 following a two-year pastoral residency at Myers Park Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Ben has a long tenure in youth development, spending six years as Assistant Camp Director at YMCA Camp Cherokee, coaching high school and club soccer for nine years, even spending three years as a part-time substitute teacher. Following a career change, he felt God’s call to pursue theological education and earned a Master of Divinity degree from Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, Virginia. While in school, Ben served as Youth Minister and Pastoral Intern at Second Presbyterian in Richmond. He brings joy, creativity, and deep faith to all he does.
Ben is married to Valerie Brannan, and they welcomed their first son, Camden, in March 2022.