Upcoming Events - September 2007 (Use your Browser's Back Button to return to previous page)

Sunday, September 2
11:00 AM Worship Rev. Powers preaching

Monday, September 3
11:00 AM Labor Day Prayer Breakfast

Thursday, September 6
7:45 PM Choir Rehearsal

Sunday, September 9
9:30 AM Study/Discussion - Intro to Teachings of Jesus
11:00 AM Worship/Communion, Rev. Powers preaching
12:15 PM Session Meeting
12:30 PM Fort McHenry Potluck Picnic

Thursday, September 13
7:45 PM Choir Rehearsal

Sunday, September 16
11:00 AM Worship, Rev. Don Stroud preaching

Monday, September 17
7:00 PM Care of Creation Task Force, Baltimore Presbytery

Thursday, September 20
7:45 PM Choir Rehearsal

Saturday, September 22
6:00 PM Potluck Supper & Talent Night

Sunday, September 23
11:00 AM Worship, Rev. Powers preaching
12:15 PM Membership Exploration Class

Thursday, September 7
7:45 PM Choir Rehearsal

Sunday, September 30
11:00 AM Worship, Rev. Alison Halsey preaching
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 will have an introductory discussion on September 9th, and then begin our weekly study on October 14th. On Sept. 9th we will introduce some study materials, and compare what we already know about the parables. Our weekly study will begin on Oct. 14th, giving us all time to review the parables in the meanwhile. Please come and join us for our discussions.

Camden Yards Living Wage Campaign Heats Up

The day laborers who clean Camden Yards after every game have been asking for a living wage for three years, and for three years their requests have been rebuffed. They've now set a September 1 deadline for the publicly owned statium to end subpoverty wages. On Monday, September 3, community members are invited to join Camden Yards workers and their allies for a Labor Day Prayer Breakfast at Light Street Presbyterian Church, beginning at 11:00 AM. Our church will also be serving as a base of operations for their Living Wages Hunger Strike beginning on Labor Day. On Saturday, September 8, a Concert for Human Rights is scheduled for 2:00 PM at Conway Park (Russell Street & MLK). Come join workers from Camden Yards in the fight for human rights and freedom from poverty.

Fort McHenry Potluck Picnic - Sunday Sept 9

Following worship on Sept.9, members and friends of Light Street Presbyterian Church are invited to a Potluck Picnic at historic Fort McHenry with The First & Franklin Street Presbyterian Church. Please bring your own beach chair or picnic blanket, as well as a salad, dessert, or other dish to share. Chicken, beverages, and paper goods will be provided. Bring the whole family! Play games, explore Fort McHenry, take a water taxi ride, or just watch the boats go by! [Light Street Session Members Please Note: We must have a Session meeting on this day. Sorry about the time conflict.]

Potluck Supper & Talent Night - Saturday, Sept. 22 - 6:30 PM

It's coming! The night you've all been waiting for! Light Street's Talent Night, when the musicians, singers, dancers, poets, and comics in our midst all share their talents with the congregation and the community. We'll begin at 6:00 PM with a Potluck Supper followed by what is sure to be a fun-filled evening. Please let Kelli Langley know what you plan to bring for the potluck. And, if you have a talent you'd like to share at the Talent Night (a poem, a song, a joke, etc.) please let Erick Figueroa know. This could be your big break into stardom!

Church Membership Exploration Class

Interested in becoming a member of Light Street Presbyterian Church? Roger will offer a Membership Exploration Class on Sunday, Sept. 23, from 12:15 to 2:00 PM. Lunch will be provided. The class will offer an 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 or 410-539-0125)

DISCIPLE Bible Study Group Forming

Here's a challenging opportunity to deepen your understanding of the Bible and build community with others. It might even transform your life! A new DISCIPLE Bible Study group is forming this fall at First & Franklin Presbyterian Church. "DISCIPLE: Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study" is a 34-week study of the whole Bible which will run from September to June. Participants commit to 30-40 minutes of independent study each day and attendance at a 2-1/2 hour study group meeting each week.

All participants will need a DISCIPLE Study Manual ($30) and a Study Bible. A day and time for the group's we3ekly meetings has not yet been determined. The meeting time will depend on what works best for those who express interest.

Please consider this opportunity to read and study the Bible with a small, commited group and be challenged in your Christian discipleship. If you are interested in being a part of this year's DISCIPLE Bible Study group, or if you have questions, please contact Roger Powers by September 9 at 410-728-5545 (or via email).

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 - September 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.

EVENTS COMING IN OCTOBER

FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE
"LYRA" - The Russian Vocal Ensemble from St. Petersburg, will be back by popular demand to perform an all a capella concert of Russian sacred music and folk songs, on Thursday, October 4, 8:00 PM, at Light Street Presbyterian Church, 809 Light Street (in Historic Federal Hill, in Baltimore). Admission is free (a free-will offering will be received). For more information, please contact our church office at 410-539-0125, or email Rev. Powers.

Information can also be found at LYRA's website.

WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY & PEACEMAKING OFFERING
Join us on Oct. 7, as we celebrate World Communion Sunday and receive the Peacemaking Offering. On this day we join with Christians around the world to celebrate the unity that we find at the Table of the Lord. We also receive the Peacemaking Offering to support the efforts of our congregation and our denomination to spread the peace of Christ. Remember that 25 percent of the Offering will be used in the congregation for our peacemaking activities. The other 75 percent will help our partners in the Presbytery, Synod, and General Assembly in their efforts to make this a more peaceful world.

MARYLAND INTERFAITH PEACE WITNESS
Sunday, October 7
4:00 PM - Interfaith Peace Service at First & Franklin Presbyterian Church (Park & Madison)
5:00 PM - Candelight Procession to the Washington Monument (Mt. Vernon)
5:15 PM - Dusk - Peace Vigil at the Washington Momument
Monday, October 8
Dawn to Dusk Interfaith Fast for Peace at the Washington Monument (Mt. Vernon)

UNDER THE TENT OF ABRAHAM 2007:
AN INTERFAITH GATHERING FOR PEACE

Jewish, Christian, Muslim Panel Discussion & Prayer Service
Sunday, October 14, 2007, 3:30 - 7:00 P.M.
Stony Run Friends Meeting House, 5116 N. Charles Street

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance for Peru Earthquake Victims

A massive earthquake meauring 7.9 on the Richter Scale struck Peru Wednesday, August 15, 2007, about 90 miles south of Lima. National and local authorities indicate that ther are 16,669 families affected (mostly by loss of homes), 510 deaths and close to 1000 injured.

The most affected locations include the regions of Ica (with the cities and provinces of Pisco, Ica, and Chincha), Lima (provinces of Cañete and Yauyos) and Huancavelica (provinces of Huaytará and Castrovirreyna).

It is winter in the areas, and adobe houses are common. The National Institute for Civil Defence (INDECI) reported that damage to transportation and communication infrastructures has made evaluation difficult in many areas. Hospitals are overwhelmed and the government has declared a state of emergency in the region of Ica and the province of Cañete. In the hardest hit city of Pisco, INDECI has sent staff and formed an emergency committee. Additional medical staff members were also sent to the region.

The most urgent needs are: drinkable water, shelter, medicines, clothes, and non-perishable food. Water is being brought from Lima to Pisco and Chincha by tanker trucks, and food distribution is being organized with the support of the government's national food program. The governments of Bolivia, Panama, Colombia, Chile, and Mexico have already sent in-kind support directly to the airport in Pisco.

Action --
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance partners - members of the Action by Churches Together (ACT) Emergency Alliance - have already met and have assessment teams in the affected regions. They will focus on the more remote and less accessible rural areas where there is a particularly high level of vulnerability. Rapid Response funds are being made immediately available from Geneva as ACT puts together a formal proposal. One Great Hour of Sharing funds will be used to immediately support the appeal.

The Presbyterian Church in Peru has initiated an immediate campaign within their churches; the churches are collecting food, clothing, and blankets locally to meet immediate needs. The ACT members in Central America have indicated their ability to send specialized teams to support the response if needed and are on standby.

For the past two years PDA has been working with CEDEPAS, an ecumenical center that provides Biblical training and development training in the highland region. We have worked collaboratively with them to develop a very strong team that can provide psychosocial support in times of disaster. They have responded this year to the flooding in San Ramon and will be ready to support this response as well. [Donations to assist the victims of the earthquake in Peru can be made to "Light Street Presbyterian Church," clearly earmarked Peru Earthquake. We will send them on to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.]

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