Second Look

General Fiction: Colton Gentry’s Third Act by Jeff ZentnerSay You’ll Remember Me by Abby JiminezThe Wedding People by Alison EspachThe Love Haters by Katherine CenterTilt by Emma PatteeHow to Age Disgracefully by Clare PooleyThe Second Ending by Michelle HoffmanThe Husbands by Holly GramazioHow to Read a Book by Monica WoodThe Favorites by Layne Fargo Historical Fiction:I Was Anastasia by Ariel LawhonThe Frozen River by Ariel LawhonSecret Life of Violet Grant by Beatriz WilliamsHusbands and Lovers by Beatriz Williams Classics:Emma by Jane AustenThe Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste MaquetThe Adventure of Huckleberry Finn by Mark TwainJames by Percival EverettAnne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery Rom Com:The Rom-Commers by Katherine CenterIs She Really Going Out with Him? By Sophie Cousens Quiet Literature:Fellowship Point by Alice Elliott DarkThe Hand that First Held Mine by Maggie O’FarrellThis Is Happiness by Niall WilliamsNotes on Your Sudden Disappearance by Alison EspachGood Material by Dolly AldertonInstructions for a Heatwave by Maggie O’Farrell Young Adult:Goodbye Days by Jeff ZentnerThe Serpent King by Jeff Zentner Light-Hearted Mystery:Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle CosimanoThe Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally CarterThe Blonde Identity by Ally CarterWe Solve Murders by Richard Osman Mystery:The God of the Woods by Liz MooreAll the Colors of the Dark by Chris WhitakerBroken Country by Clare Leslie Hall Non-Fiction/Memoir:Be Ready When the Luck Happens: A Memoir by Ina GartenWhat I Ate in One Year by Stanley TucciAll the Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me by Patrick BringleyUnreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect by Will GuidaraThe Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy TanThe Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year by Margaret RenklOrdinary Time: Lessons Learned While Staying Put by Annie B. JonesEverything Is Tuberculosis by John GreenTo Light Their Way: A Collection of Prayers and Liturgies for Parents by Kayla CraigParenting Without Panic in an LGBT-Affirming World by Rachel GilsonLiturgy of the Ordinary by Tish Harrison Warren Middle Grade:Bad Badger: A Love Story by Maryrose WoodThe Next Great Jane by K.L. GoingThe Elephant in the Room by Holly Goldberg SloanThe Book Scavenger Series by Jennifer Chambliss BertmanThe Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place Series by Maryrose Wood Check Out From Our Library:Books:Skymar Series by Pepper BashamThe Summer of Yes by Courtney WalshTimeless Series by Gabrielle MeyerThe Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa FergusonMeet Me in the Margins by Melissa FergusonMurphy Shepherd Series by Charles MartinThe Extraordinary Death of Mrs. Kip by Sara Brunsvold Authors:Courtney WalshPepper BashamGabrielle MeyerMelissa Ferguson New Books We Are Excited About:Steeped in Stories by Mitali PerkinsTim Keller on the Christian Life by Matt SmethurstTrembling Faith by Taylor TurkingtonJoyful Outsdiers by Patrick MillerFaithful Exiles by Ivan MesaWhat Do I Say When…? by Andrew Walker and Christian Walker

In this episode, we explore how Christians can respond to claims that Christianity is “anti-intellectual.” The trustworthiness of the Gospels and the “surprising genius” found in the teaching of Jesus in the Gospels show that any such claims are unwarranted. This episode is intended to equip you to have confidence in the scriptures and in how to respond to skepticisms and challenges that come your way. Listen in as Josh Preston, George Robertson, and special guest Dr. Peter Williams, Bible Researcher and CEO of Tyndale House Cambridge (the world’s foremost evangelical bible research institute) discuss ideas from two of Dr. Williams' most recent books: The Surprising Genius of Jesus and Can We Trust the Gospels?

In the fourth episode of our Equipping the Saints series, titled “Living within God’s Story,” we’ll hear from Pastor Josh Preston and special guest Dr. Chris Wright as they step back to look at the bigger story of Scripture and help us see how doing so can shape and transform what we believe about politics. Dr. Wright is the Global Ambassador for Langham Partnership and Honorary Curate at All Souls Church in London as well as the author of"Here Are Your Gods" and "The Mission of God’s People". Books: Here Are Your Gods, The Mission of God’s PeopleWebsite: langham.orgPodcast: On Mission with Chris Wright

On this episode of Second Look, our Growing Place Library staff member, Merrill Skipworth, along with 2PC members, Jennifer Wilson and Lacey Moody, sit down for the sixth annual book talk! The list below features books recommended and mentioned in this episode. Middle Grade:Clara Poole and the Long Way Round by Taylor Tyng21 Balloons by William Pene de BoisWish Tree by Katherine ApplegateKey Player by Kelly Yang (Series) Hummingbird by Natalie LloydThe Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt Young Adult Fiction:American Royals by Katharine McGee (Series)The Royal We by Heather CocksPride by Ibi ZoboiThe Do Over by Lynn PainterUnequal Affections by Lara S. Ormiston Rom-Com:Romantic Comedy by Curtis SittenfeldMeet Me in the Margins by Melissa FergusonMoorewood Family Rules by HelenKay DimonThe Good Part by Sophie Cousens Memoir:Finding Me by Viola DavisHow to Stay Married by Harrison Scott KeyAll My Knotted-Up Life by Beth MooreTaste by Stanley TucciYou’ll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey by Amber Ruffin Non-fiction:The Anthropocene Reviewed by John GreenGood Apple by Elizabeth Passarella Historical Fiction: The Women by Kristen HannahKindred by Octavia E. ButlerThe Dictionary of Lost Words by Philippa WilliamsThe Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’FarrellDemon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver Science Fiction:The Road to Roswell by Connie Willis General Fiction: Ella Minnow Pea by Mark DunnCassandra in Reverse by Holly SmaleHow Not to Drown in a Glass of Water by Angie CruzRemarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van PeltMrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame by Olivia FordKitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan StradalSummer Stage by Meg Mitchell MooreCharm City Rocks by Matthew NormanTalking at Night by Claire DaverleyThe Last Love Note by Emma Grey Thriller/Mystery:Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllisterThe Fury by Alex MichaelidesThe Twyford Code by Janice HallettEveryone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin StevensonGoing Zero by Anthony McCarten Spiritual Growth:Mostly What God Does by Savannah GuthrieReal by Catherine ParksMade to Belong by David KimMade for People by Justin Whittle Earley See Christian Book Recommendations from Staff

In the second episode of our Equipping the Saints series, titled “Faithfully Following Jesus in an Election Year,” we’ll hear from Pastor Josh Preston and Senior Pastor George Robertson where they will discuss what it looks like to have a biblical mindset going into election season. Listen in for a conversation about the difficulties and importance of seeking justice, mercy, and faithfulness in the political enterprise of our country.

On this episode of Second Look, our Growing Place Library staff members, Jennifer Wilson and Merrill Skipworth, along with 2PC member and avid reader, Lacey Moody, sit down for the fifth annual book talk! The list below features books recommended and mentioned in this episode as well as links to the Instagram accounts for the Library and Lacey Moody. Fiction Authentically Izzy- Pepper Basham Carrie Soto is Back- Taylor Jenkins Reid Cartographers- Peng Shepherd Daisy Jones and the Six- Taylor Jenkins Reid (audiobook is excellent) Flight- Lynn Steger Strong Hello Beautiful- Ann Napolitano Lessons in Chemistry- Bonnie Garmus Lord Peter Mysteries- Dorothy Sayers Nora Goes Off Script- Annabel Monaghan Remarkably Bright Creatures- Shelby Van Pelt Signal Fires- Dani Shapiro The Exiles- Christina Baker Cline The Golden Spoon- Jessa Maxwell The Record Keeper-Charles Martin (Book 3 of Murphy Shepherd Trilogy) The Red Notebook- Antoine Laurain The River- Peter Heller The White Lady- Jacqueline Winspear Thursday Murder Club Series- Richard Osman Tobacco Wives- Adele Myers Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow- Gabrielle Zevin Non-fiction A Meal With Jesus- Tim Chester Becoming Duchess Goldblatt- Anonymous Confronting Christianity- Rebecca McLaughlin Find Your People- Jennie Allen Good Apple- Elizabeth Passarella Gospelbound- Collin Hansen and Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra Habits of the Household- Justin Whitmel Earley It Was an Ugly Couch Anyway- Elizabeth Passarella Joyful- Ingrid Fetell Lee Left on Tenth- Delia Ephron Made to Belong- David Kim One More Croissant for the Road- Felicity Cloake Redemption Accomplished and Applied- John Murray Secular Creed- Rebecca McLaughlin Surprised by Oxford- Carolyn Weber Taste- Stanley Tucci The Anthropocene Reviewed- John Green This is Where You Belong- Melody Warnick When Thoughts and Prayers Aren't Enough- Taylor Schumann Middle Grade Serpent Slayer and the Scroll of Riddles- Champ Thornton The Dragon and The Stone- Kathryn Butler The Secret Lake- Karen Inglis The Shoe Books (Ballet Shoes, Theatre Shoes…)- Noel Streatfeild The Westing Game- Ellen Raskin Tuesdays at the Castle, series- Jessica Day George Wolves of Willoughby Chase- Joan Aiken Other Books and Authors Mentioned… Chanel Cleeton- Perez Family Series Drowning- T. J. Newman Falling- T.J. Newman Habits of Grace- David Mathis Happy Place- Emily Henry Jesus Through the Eyes of Women- Rebecca McLaughlin Mhairi McFarlane, author My Life in France- Julia Child Paris by the Book- Liam Callanan

Today we’ll hear a roundtable discussion from Pastor Josh Preston, Director of Shepherding resources Laurin Maddux, and Senior Pastor George Robertson where they discuss the tension of seeking the peace and prosperity of a city that is sometimes dangerous. Listen in for an honest conversation about loving our neighbors in turbulent times.

In July of 2022, our church enjoyed a special Sunday School series called, “Everyone Within My Reach: From Strangers to Neighbors to Friends.” Tune in as we share each Sunday’s audio on the podcast. On today’s episode, Todd Erickson teaches on prioritizing time to live missionally in our neighborhoods, and Lizy Wegener and Susan and Mark Warner discuss how they’ve sought to make time for their neighbor. The series title is adapted from Rosaria Butterfield’s book, The Gospel Comes With a House Key.

In July of 2022, our church enjoyed a special Sunday School series called, “Everyone Within My Reach: From Strangers to Neighbors to Friends.” Tune in as we share each Sunday’s audio on the podcast. On today’s episode, Todd Erickson teaches on building a gospel-centered community amidst differences, and Kathe Russell and Gaye Carter discuss how they’ve sought to hear their neighbor. The series title is adapted from Rosaria Butterfield’s book, The Gospel Comes With a House Key.

In July of 2022, our church enjoyed a Sunday School series called, “Everyone Within My Reach: From Strangers to Neighbors to Family.” On this episode, Barton Kimbro teaches on cultivating relationships and connecting with the people God puts in our path, and Rong and Sheng Zou discuss how to be intentional in our connections with others.

In July of 2022, our church enjoyed a special Sunday School series called, “Everyone Within My Reach: From Strangers to Neighbors to Family.” Tune in the next few weeks as we share each Sunday’s audio on the podcast. On today’s episode, Barton Kimbro teaches on overcoming our habits and fears to reach those around us, and Julia and Seth Harkins discuss how they’ve followed Christ by seeking to know their neighbor. The series title is adapted from Rosaria Butterfield’s book, The Gospel Comes With a House Key.

On this episode of Second Look, our Growing Place Library Coordinator Jennifer Wilson sits down for her annual book chat with 2PC member and avid reader, Lacey Moody. This year, they’re joined by fellow bookworm Merrill Skipworth, who works part-time in the Growing Place Library and, after many years as a member of 2PC, now belongs to one of our church plants, the Avenue Community Church. The list below features books recommended and mentioned in this episode, as well as other book- and media-related resources that Jennifer, Lacey, and Merrill suggest: Non-Fiction: Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life by Tish Harrison Warren Ten Words to Live By: Delighting in and Doing What God Commands by Jen Wilkin Saints and Scoundrels in the Story of Jesus by Nancy Guthrie Bomb Shelter: Love, Time, and Other Explosives by Mary Laura Philpott Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers by Dane Ortlund A Gentle Answer: Our ‘Secret Weapon’ in an Age of Us Against Them by Scott Saults Befriend: Create Belonging in an Age of Judgment, Isolation, and Fear by Scott Sauls Saturate: Being Disciples of Jesus in the Everyday Stuff of Life by Jeff Vanderstelt Gospel Fluency: Speaking the Truths of Jesus into the Everyday Stuff of Life by Jeff Vanderstelt Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope by Easu McCaulley The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World by John Mark Comer Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus Through the Spiritual Disciplines by David Mathis The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland by Jim DeFede Good Apple: Tales of a Southern Evangelical in New York by Elizabeth Passarella The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name by Sally Lloyd-Jones Cover to Cover: The Story of the Eternal King from Genesis to Revelation by Jen Devine Fiction: The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline The Rose Code by Kate Quinn The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn Recitatif by Toni Morrison The Finley Donovan Series by Elle Cosimano The Maid by Nita Prose So Many Beginnings: A Little Women Remix by Bethany C. Morrow Meet Me in the Margins by Melissa Ferguson Chasing Shadows by Lynn Austin The Chronicles of the King Collection by Lynn Austin The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jennfer The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman The Mrs. Pollifax Series by Dorothy Gilman 84 Charring Cross Road by Helen Hanff This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger Peace Like a River by Leif Enger Virgil Wander by Leif Enger Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry The Ragged Edge of Night by Olivia Hawker The Midnight Library by Matt Haig How to Stop Time by Matt Haig Beach Read by Emily Henry What You Wish For by Katherine Center How to Walk Away by Katherine Center The Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center The Lost Husband by Katherine Center Sensible Shoes: A Story about the Spiritual Journey by Sharon Garlough Brown Kid’s and Family Fiction: The Chronicles of Narnia Series by C.S. Lewis The Marvellers by Dhonielle Clayton The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place Series by Maryrose Wood The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson The Green Ember Series by S.D. Smith The Wilderking Trilogy by Jonathon Rogers A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus The Penderwicks Series by Jeanne Birdsall The Great Brain Series by John D. Fitzgerald All-of-a-Kind Family Series by Sydney Taylor Voyage of the Sparrowhawk by Natasha Farrant Other Resources Mentioned: Follow The Growing Place Library on Instagram: @2pclibrary Follow Lacey’s “bookstagram” account: @laceymoodyreads Listening platforms: Scribd (“like Netflix for books”), Audible, Libby, Libro FM Modern Mrs. Darcy (provides an annual summer reading guide) Karen Swallow Prior: website & Instagram Common Sense Media From the Front Porch podcast “Why Suffering Adults Need Children’s Books,” a Gospel Coaliation article by Quina Aragon Corrie Ten Boom: A Faith Undefeated, a documentary on Amazon Prime Cover to Cover: The Story of the Eternal King from Genesis to Revelation, a whole-Bible family devotional written by 2PC member Jen Devine

In this episode, Josh Preston interviews senior pastor George Robertson about the series, "This is My Father's World: Ethics for Daily Living from the Minor Prophets." Although these twelve small books of the Bible contain only 67...

In this episode, World Missions pastor Dan Burns sits down with Thomas and Jennifer McIntyre, longtime missionaries to Taiwan, to hear about the challenges and joys of sharing Christ in a culture steeped in both idol and ancestral worship. Although...

In this episode, World Missions pastor Dan Burns sits down with longtime missionary Roger Lowther to discuss how God is using creativity, culture, and the arts to reveal Himself to the Japanese people. From non-believing musicians coming to know the...

In this episode, World Missions pastor Dan Burns sits down with longtime missionary RogerLowther to discuss how God is using creativity, culture, and the arts to reveal Himself to theJapanese people. From non-believing musicians coming to know the...

The list below features books and resources mentioned on the podcast as well as others Jennifer and Lacey suggest: The Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks Color of Compromise by Jemar Tisby & Lecrae Moore Gentle and Lowly by Dane C...

In this episode, you'll hear a segment from a recent lecture given to our church staff by our local partner and friend, Pastor Marron Thomas. Marron is the pastor of Innovation Church and the Executive Director of the Leadership Empowerment Center...

In this episode, Taylor Tollison, Domestic Outreach Coordinator, takes a look back with our pastors at what we learned during CityServe in September. Taylor also mentions a few ways we can serve our neighbors this holiday season, as we seek to bring...

In this episode, which was recorded a week before the 2020 presidential election, Pastor George talks with 2PC member and Chair Pro Tempore of the Shelby County Commission, Brandon Morrison, and Rufus Smith, Senior Pastor at Hope Church and Executive...

In this episode, Senior Pastor George Robertson asks Jon Tinniswood of the Christian Psychological Center for some practical things everyone can do during the pandemic—an age of disconnection for many—to not only cope but to thrive. The discussion...

In this episode, our very own Pastoral Resident Josh Preston interviews Senior Pastor George Robertson about George's new book about the Psalms titled “Soul Anatomy: Finding Peace, Hope, and Joy in the Psalms. Learn more about the book here.

In this episode, Pastor George is joined by his long-time friend, Judge David Watkins of Augusta, Georgia. Judge Watkins is a Christ-follower, an officer of the court sworn to uphold justice, and an African American who observed racial abuse of...

In this episode, Senior Pastor George Robertson talks with Dr. Brent Stenberg, director of the Christian Psychological Center, about what these many months of uncertainty and stress due to the pandemic and unrest in our country might be doing to our...

Books:Be the Bridge by Latasha MorrisonCode Name Hélène by Ariel LawhonThe Color of Compromise by Jemar TisbyThe Dearly Beloved by Cara WallEleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail HoneymanEnough About Me by Jen OshmanA Gentle Answer by Scott...

In this episode of Second Look, guest speakers Quina and Jon Aragón share about living out their identity as Christ's workmanship in their family, as creatives, and in their local church. Quina is an author and spoken word artist and Jon is a creative...

In today's Second Look episode Jennifer Wilson, who oversees the 2PC Growing Place library, and Lacey Moody, who runs the beloved “Lacey Moody Reads” Instagram account, discuss what books they're currently reading, paper books versus reading on a...

Thanks for joining us today at Second Look. In this episode, we will hear from Mary Willson and Todd Erickson about the men's and women's Bible studies this fall that will focus on the book of Genesis. Mary and Todd will discuss the themes and the...

In the final installment of our series on worship, we will hear a panel of our church leaders discuss a number of elements related to Sunday worship — from why we have both morning and evening services, to the principles that shape how we design...

Barton Kimbro examines the five main principles of worship at Second and how those are expressed practically in our Sunday morning and evening services. Ultimately, the liturgy at Second is centered around re-telling the Gospel story in participatory...

In this segment, Pastor George discusses the Biblical foundations for worship in the church. He explores how worship is imperative to re-center our hearts on God and fulfills our primary purpose as humans. Worship fulfills our greatest calling as...

In our inaugural Second Look Podcast, Pastor George Robertson discusses the launch of two new sermon series. “Exodus” retells how God rescues His people from their bondage, and “Westminster Shorter Catechism” is a deep well to draw from, that provides...