Thursday, November 1
7:45 PM Choir Rehearsal

Sunday, November 4
9:30 AM Christian Education: "The Parables of Jesus"
11:00 AM Worship/Communion, Rev. Powers preaching
(Peacemaking Offering received)

Thursday, November 8
5:30 p.m. Special Meeting of the Session
7:00 p.m. Special Congregational Meeting
8:30 PM Choir Rehearsal

Sunday, November 11
9:30 AM Christian Education: "The Parables of Jesus"
11:00 AM Worship. Rev. Alison Halsey preaching
12:15 PM Session Meeting

Thursday, November 15
7:45 PM Choir Rehearsal

Sunday, November 18
9:30 AM Christian Education: "The Parables of Jesus"
11:00 AM Worship. Rev. Powers preaching

Sunday, November 25
11:00 AM Worship, Susan Quass preaching
S.O.B.E.R. Sunday

Wednesday, November 28
7:45 PM Choir Rehearsal

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.

November Delegation to Cuba

Our pastor, Roger Scott Powers, and three Light Street elders, Bonnie Cosner, Carol Eshelman, and JoAnn Ruther, will travel to Cuba from November 23 to 30. They will be part of a 15-person delegation going to help celeb rate the 100th anniversary of the Presbyterian Church in Cabaiguan, the congregation with which Light Street and Ashland Presbyterian Churches have a sister relationship. They will also help nurture the continuing mission partnership between Baltimore Presbytery and El Centro Presbytery.

B'More Green

By: Nicole Killion, RN

It really bothers me when I see my neighbors' trash full of paper, plastic bottles, glass jars, and aluminum cans, because these are not trash; they are recycling items. While I acknowledge that Baltimore City does not make it easy to recycle, we all need to make the extra effort to do it. All household trash in Baltimore City is incinerated. Have you ever noticed that huge white smoke stack which is located on Russell Streett where 295 ends in Baltimore? You can also see it from 95. This is the RESCO municipal incinerator and it's in our neighborhood. Everything that you throw in the trash at home is delivered to RESCO and incinerated. While this may be a quick solution to getting rid of trash, it creates big problems for the environment and our health. South Baltimore has one of the worst air qualities in the country and our kids suffer from asthma and other respiratory ailments at higher rates than other counties. Could it be because incinerated trash releases dangerous mercury, lead, dioxin, and other hazardous chemicals into the air? The ashes of incinerated trash are sold to fertilizer companies who in turn sell their product to farmers who in turn grow the food that we eat -- gross! (non-organic food only). RESCO does make attempts to filter the air released into the environment, but it's not complete. Other counties put their trash in landfills and room is running out.

We need to minimize what we throw out by using the three R's of Recycling: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. To reduce means to make smart purchasing choices. Choose products with little or no packaging. For example, buy loose apples instead of apples that come wrapped in cellophane. Purchase fewer items. Do you really need a new cell phone every year? To reuse means to keep using an item until it is no longer usable. Repair items instead of throwing them out. Donate used books, clothing, and household items. Use that cell phone or TV until it breaks. To recycle means to divert the item from the waste stream and convert it into another usable item. Recycling conserves raw materials by using old used ones. Recycling saves energy and reduces the emission of greenhouse gases. Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a TV for three hours. Recycling one glass bottle saves enough energy to power a 100 watt light bulb for four hours.

Paper recycling in the church's neighborhood is every 2nd and 4th Friday. You can include cardboard, newspaper, magazines, envelopes, phone books, etc. Plastic bottles #1 and 2, cans, and glass are collected every 2nd and 4th Monday. You can call 311 and get a free calendar with the recycling schedule. We are in Zone 4. If you want to recycle your paper before the next scheduled pick up, you can take all paper, except cardboard, to the Abitibi Paper Retriever box at the Science Center on the Light Street side. Don't forget that electronics need to be recycled as well because they contain heavy metals. Go to earth911.org to find nearby places that recycle items not collected by the City. I have compiled an extensive list of recycling resources, which I am happy to email to you, if you contact me. Recycling is an easy way to do something good for the environment and our health. Start doing your part today!

FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE

For the third year in a row, LYRA, the Russian Vocal Ensemble from St. Petersburg, came to Light Street Presbyterian Church on Thursday, October 4, as part of its Fall 2007 U.S. Concert Tour. Several church members enjoyed meeting and breaking bread with the Russian singers at an potluck supper early that evening. Then the group gave an awe-inspiring concert of Russian sacred music and folk songs. Added to the program this year were solo perfomances showcasing the gifted voices of each of the singers. Special thanks to John Ginovsky, Alma Hayes, Carole Norris-Shortle, and David Shortle for opening their homes to our international guests, providing the singers with bed and breakfast during their two-night stay in Baltimore.

More information about this talented group can be found at LYRA's website.

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 Volnuteers 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 - November 25

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).

Music Under The Spire
Friday, November 9, 8:00 p.m.
Celebrate the arrival of First & Franklin's own brass quintet-in-residence in their inaugural performance. This ensemble of Peabody Conservatory musicians, joined by organist Jason Kissel, are certain to make this one of the exciting events of this concert season.

Sunday Brunch & Theatre Matinee
November 18th
On Sunday, November 18, following worship, join members and friends of First & Franklin for Sunday brunch in Backus House followed by a 2:00 p.m. matinee at the Audrey Herman Spotlighters Theatre, 817 St. Paul St. (just off Madison St.). We will see "The Lion in Winter," written by James Goldman and directed by Sherrionne Brown. The pay is a medieval chess game with every intricate move superbly thought out. Henry II of England and his wife, Eleanor of Aquitane, and their three sons, who all vie for the throne, match wits with scathing verbay pyrotechnics! The cost for brunch and the play will be $20. To reserve your place(s) now, please send your check earmarked "Brunch & Theatre" to: The First & Franklin Street Presbyterian Church, 210 West Madison Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, Attn: Roger Powers.

National Symphony Orchestra Pops Holiday Concert - Reserve Now!
Join First & Franklin members and friends for the National Symphony Orchestra Pops Holiday Concert, with Marvin Hamlish conducting at the Kennedy Center on Saturday, December 15, at 8:00 p.m. 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 the church at 6:00 p.m. and return around midnight. The cost for the concert (including transportation) will be $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.

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 DECEMBER NEWSLETTER: November 15
Send all newsletter material to John Ginovsky at jginovsk@aba.com