Sunday, December 2
9:30 AM Christian Education: "The Parables of Jesus"
11:00 AM Worship/Communion, Rev. Powers preaching
12:15 PM Membership Exploration Class

Thursday, December 6
7:45 PM Choir Rehearsal

Friday, December 7
5 - 8 PM Holiday Wreath & Greens Sale

Saturday, December 8
9 AM - 1 PM Holiday Wreath & Greens Sale

Thursday, December 13
7:45 PM Choir Rehearsal

Sunday, December 16
9:30 AM Christian Education: "The Parables of Jesus"
11:00 AM Worship. Rev. Powers preaching
12:00 PM Congregational Meeting

Thursday, December 20
7:45 PM Choir Rehearsal

Sunday, December 23
9:30 AM Christian Education: "The Parables of Jesus"
11:00 AM Worship. Rev. Powers preaching

Monday, December 24
8:00 PM Christmas Eve Communion Service

Sunday, December 30
9:30 AM Christian Education: "The Parables of Jesus"
11:00 AM Potluck Brunch & Hymn Sing
S.O.B.E.R. Sunday

Teachings Of Jesus

Join us on Sunday mornings from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. to study and gain insight into some of the teachings of Jesus. We are using the book "The Parables of Jesus" by Simon J. Kistemaker. Copies are available through the church office for $12 each. Please let Roger know if you want a book, and he will arrange, through Bonnie, to have one ordered for you. Please come and join us for what has proven to be very interesting and informative discussions.

Light Street Presbyterian Christmas Giving Project

For several years, Light Street Presbyterian Church participated in the Angel Tree Program in Baltimore City, helping to provide Christmas gifts to children of incarcerated men and women.

This year, Light Street Presbyterian's Christmas giving project in Baltimore City will be through the Adopt-A-Family Program of the House of Ruth of Maryland. The House of Ruth is one of the nation's leading domestic violence centers, helping thousands of battered women and their children find the safety and security that so many of us take for granted.

We have decided that we will provide gifts for a family of four people. We will be matched with a family, and provided with a family profile that lists the age, gender, and sizes of each family member. The profile will also include a short wish list of items that cost between $10 and $50. The expense of the higher priced items can be shared by 2, 3, or more of our members. Certain gift certificates are also welcome.

Our family's wish list will be available on Sunday, December 2nd, for us to choose a gift to purchase. The wish list will be divided and displayed as ornaments on the tree in the back of the sanctuary. Persons wishing to participate will select an ornament from the tree, and register their name and the gift they have selected. The unwrapped gifts will be delivered on December 18th to the House of Ruth's administration center. We know that our participation in this program will make Christmas a little brighter for a family in need!

If you need further information, please contact Bonnie Cosner or Audrey Jewett. (Their contact number is available through the church office.)

Welcome New Member!

Congratulations and welcome to Hazel Mbambo, who was baptized and confirmed on Sunday, October 28! Hazel, who is in the 9th grade, attended confirmation class over the summer with her sister Gillian. Hazel and her family came to Light Street two years ago from the St. Columbia Church in Malawi, a congregation of The Church of Central Africa, Presbyterian. We are very happy to welcome Hazel as Light Street's newest active member!

Membership Exploration Class, Dec. 2

Interested in becoming a member of Light Street Presbyterian Church? Roger will offer a Membership Exploration Class on Sunday, Dec. 2, from 12:15 to 2:00 PM. Lunch will be provided. The class will offer the opportunity to have your questions answered, particularly: What does it mean to be a Presbyterian? Please let Roger know if you plan to attend: email Roger or call the church at 410-539-0125.

In November you received a letter in the mail asking you to make a pledge of support to the church's 2008 budget. Many thanks to everyone who responded. If you have not already done so, please return your pledge card to the church as soon as possible. If you can't find your card, please call the church office at 410-539-0125 so we can mail you another one. Your pledge is essential for the Session to develop realistic plans for the coming year.

Money Matters: End-of-Year Gifts Welcome!

As we near the end of the year, the Session is looking at a projected budget shortfall of $6,000. If you are behind in your pledge to the church's 2007 budget, please try to fulfill it by the end of the year. In addition, if you are able to give a special end-of-year contribution to Light Street Presbyterian Church to help us close this deficit, it will be greatly appreciated. All contributions are tax deductible. Thank you!

Holiday Wreath and Greens Sale, Dec 7-8

Tell your friends and neighbors! Holiday wreaths and greens will be available for sale and pick-up on Friday, Dec. 7 (5-8 pm), and Saturday, Dec. 8 (9 am - 1 pm). This is our church's major end of the year fundraiser. Additional volunteers are needed. For more information, contact Colleen Seremet (call the church office for contact number).

Congregational Meeting - Dec. 16

There will be a Congregational Meeting on Sunday, Dec. 16, immediately following worship, for the purposes of electing three elders to the Session in the class of 2010 and approving the pastor's terms of call for 2008.

Christmas Events At Light Street PResbyterian Church

Christmas Eve Service of Lessons and Carols
Monday, December 24 - 8:00 PM
The service will include Communion and a Candlelight Sharing of the Light of Christ.

Potluck Brunch & Hymn Sing

Sunday, December 30 - 11:00 AM
It's a Light Street tradition! Bring something for the potluck brunch table. Eat with friends and family. Sing Christmas carols. Thank God for blessings in 2007. Pray for peace in 2008.

What Does it Mean to Celebrate the Prince of Peace during a Time of War?
by Charles Wiley

I wish I had an answer that actually addressed the depth of the issue. How do we worship the Prince of Peace when we are locked in violent conflict on the other side of the globe? How did we ever call Jesus "Lord" and "Prince of Peace," and then pursue our wars and our violent responses to violence?

I wish I had thought about it more. I wish that it had shaped my prayer life. I wish that my approach to Sunday school teaching and my worship were changed by the dichotomy.

It is not that I do not know what is going on. I read the paper, listen to National Public Radio and AM news radio, and watch the news regularly. In my head I know there is a war going on, but I do not live with the experience. I can vividly remember the daily reports of casualties when I was growing up in the days of Vietnam. I had relatives who died in the war in Vietnam. The war dominated public debate and dinner conversations.

But I have had precious little connection to this war. My nephew served in Iraq for a time, but he is the only person close to me who has served there. I find myself strangely removed from this war.

What does it mean to celebrate the Prince of Peace during a time of War?

I can only suggest what I hope to begin to do myself:
--Pray daily for those in harm's way. Pray in particular for U.S. troops, Iraqi troops, Iraqi police, Iraqi public officials, and Iraqi citizens caught in the conflict.
--Pray for Christians and Muslims to find the courage to make common cause for peace.
--Pray for the leaders of our country, and leaders around the world to make wise and compassionate decisions.
--Reflect on what personal sacrifices need to be made to be faithful to Jesus Christ in a conflict so easy to ignore.
I wish I had a better answer.

Charles Wiley is associate for theology in the Office of Theology and Worship of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A). This article is reprinted with permission from Ideas! For Church Leaders, Winter 2007-2008, published by Congregational Ministries Publishing, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Help Lead Worship

Volunteers are needed to help lead worship each Sunday. This usually involves leading the congregation in the "Call to Worship" and "Prayer for Illumination" and reading the scripture lesson(s) for that Sunday. There is a sign-up sheet on the downstairs bulletin board.

Fellowship Hour Volunteers Needed

It's wonderful each Sunday morning following worship to be able to gather downstairs for a time of fellowship and refreshment. But it means someone needs to take responsibility each week for making coffee, providing refreshments, and cleaning up afterwards. If everyone in the congregation signed up to do this just a few Sundays a year, we would have it covered. Many hands make light work! Please sign up on the downstairs bulletin board.

S.O.B.E.R. Sunday - December 30

S.O.B.E.R. stands for South Baltimore Emergency Relief. Two dedicated people, John and Elizabeth, staff the operation, caring for the homeless and others in need of special help. They stock supplies in the small basement of Holy Cross Church at 110 E. West Street. On the last Sunday of every month, we collect non-perishable food items (soups, peanut butter, tuna, and one-dish meals) for their food pantry. Flip-top cans are especially helpful for homeless persons who don't have access to kitchen facilities. Financial contributions are also welcome. Checks made payable to Light Street Presbyterian Church should be clearly marked for SOBER.

Opportunities at First & Franklin Street Presbyterian Church

Members and friends of Light Street Presbyterian Church are welcome and encouraged to participate in activities of our sister church located at 210 W. Madison St. in Baltimore. Here are some of the events going on there in the coming weeks. If you would like more information about any of these events, ask Roger (our pastor, their associate pastor).

National Symphony Orchestra Pops Holiday Concert - Dec 15
Join First & Franklin members and friends for the National Symphony Orchestra Pops Holiday Concert, with Marvin Hamlisch conducting, at The Kennedy Center on Saturday, December 15, at 8:00 PM. The Congregational Life Committee has reserved 28 tickets for the concert and will be providing bus transportation from First & Franklin to The Kennedy Center and back. We will depart from First & Franklin at 6:00 PM and return around midnight. The cost for the concert (including transportation) is $45. Mark your calendar and plan to join us. Bring the whole family!

To reserve your place(s) now, please send your check earmarked "NSO Pops Concert" to: The First & Franklin Street Presbyterian Church, 210 West Madison Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, Attn: Roger Powers.

Candlelight Advent Service - Sunday, Dec. 16, 4:00 PM
The First & Franklin Street Sanctuary Choir, soloists, and professional instrumentalists will perform a variety of seasonal works. A reception will follow in Backus House.

ROGER'S SCHEDULE
Roger is at Light Street Presbyterian Church (410-539-0125) on Wednesdays and Thursdays and at the First and Franklin Street Presbyterian Church (410-728-5545, ext. 12), where he is associate pastor, on Mondays and Tuesdays. Roger also can be reached by email at lightstreetchurch@cavtel.net.

SERMONS
Copies of Roger's sermons are available on the downstairs hall table. A few selected sermons are posted on this website. If you are visiting our church, please feel free to pick up a copy if you missed a Sunday. Or, pass one on to a friend!

DEADLINE FOR JANUARY NEWSLETTER: December 15
Send all newsletter material to John Ginovsky at jginovsk@aba.com