Thursday, May. 1
7:45 PM Choir Rehearsal

Sunday, May 4
9:30 AM Christian Education: "The Parables of Jesus"
11:00 AM Worship/Communion, Rev. Don Stroud preaching

Thursday, May 8
6:00 PM Session Meeting
7:45 PM Choir Rehearsal

Sunday, May 11
9:00 AM Christian Education: "The Parables of Jesus"
11:00 AM Worship/Communion, Rev. Powers preaching

Thursday, May 15
7:45 PM Choir Rehearsal

Saturday, May 17
8:00 AM Flea Market & Silent Auction Fundraiser

Sunday, May 18
9:30 AM Christian Education: "The Parables of Jesus"
11:00 AM Earth Day Celebration, Rev. Powers preaching

Thursday, May 22
7:45PM Choir Rehearsal

Sunday, May 25
9:30 AM Christian Education: "The Parables of Jesus"
11:00 AM Worship, Rev. Powers preaching
S.O.B.E.R. Sunday

Thursday, May 29
7:45PM Choir Rehearsal

The Parables 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. Please come and join us for what has proven to be very interesting and informative discussions.

It's Coming!! Light Street's Annual Flea Market and Silent Auction!

All of us -- members, friends, neighbors, and supporters -- are encouraged to help make the Light Street Flea Market and Silent Auction a huge success on Saturday, May 17. Donate items for the flea market, silent auction, bake table, and lunch table. Also, donate your time, talents, and skills before and during the event. Sign up on the church bulletin board or contact Colleen Seremet, Julie Helms, or Jackie Nunn.

First Sunday Potluck Lunches to begin June 1

Given the enthusiastic response of the congregation to the potluck lunches we have had after worship on Dec. 30, Jan. 20, Mar. 2, and Mar. 30, the Session has decided to try having a monthly potluck lunch on the First Sunday of every month, which is also Communion Sunday. In addition to giving us a chance to break bread together and build community, these monthly meals will provide a forum for more in-depth conversation about our values, mission and culture as a congregation. So, please mark your calendars! Beginning June 1, First Sundays will be Potluck Sundays as well as Communion Sundays.

Mixed Metaphors
by Roger Scott Powers

In worship on Sunday, April 13, I offered a number of metaphors that have been used to describe the church. The church can be seen as:

-- the body of Christ, whose many members (like the ear and the eye, the hand and the foot) have different gifts to contribute to the whole, as the church continues Jesus' work in the world.
-- a monastery, a group of disciples living in community, devoted to a life of daily worship, prayer, and study.
-- an oasis, a source of life-giving water in a barren desert, offering a place of rest and hospitality to travelers on a journey.
-- a coastal life-saving station that sends lifeboats out from shore to rescue sailors whose ships have run aground in stormy seas.
-- a family: children of God, sisters and brothers in Christ, who do their best to get along with one another in the house of their Mother/Father God.

I then asked members of the congregation what metaphors they thought best describe Light Street Presbyterian Church. Here are some of them:
-- a life preserver, helping to keep my head above water and prevent me from drowning.
-- a rock, solid and constant, something I can count on in my life.
-- a general store, a place to go for the spiritual provisions that I need to get me through the week.
-- a garden, where we all can grow, both the gladiolas and the dandelions.
-- a good neighbor.

First Quarter Financial Update

Light Street's overall income is down by $1,569 for the first quarter. Consequently, we have kept expenses down by deferring some of them (notably mission giving) until later in the year, when we hope to receive additional income to cover these projected expenses.

Income - Budget to 3/31 - $23,025 -- Actual to 3/31 - $21,456
Expense - Budget to 3/31 - $25,486 -- Actual to 3/31 - $21,468
Balance - Budget to 3/31 - ($2,461) -- Actual to 3/13 - ($12)

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COMMUNITY EVENTS

Baybrook Coalition, Inc., Bull Roast Fundraiser

Saturday, May 10, 2008, 4-8 p.m. at the newly renovated Polish Home Hall, 4416 Fairhaven Ave., Curtis Bay, MD. Tickets ($40) may be purchased Mon-Fri, 9-5, at 320 E. Patapsco Ave., Brooklyn, MD. No tickets will be available at the door - All tickets must be purchased by May 1.

Violence and the Challenge of Healing in our Communities

The Johns Hopkins 58th Institute for Spirituality and Medicine, May 12-14, 2008

This conference will address the topic of violence as a public health problem through a theological and social ecology lens. The conference will give attendees information about violence and peacemaking as well as concrete, practical interventions and programs with proven success. Speakers will share conceptual frameworks and personal experiences of violence and healing in our communities.

The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 720 Rutland Ave., Baltimore, MD, 21287.
Registration: $290 before May 5 deadline. Register online at www.HopkinsCME.edu.

New Wave Singers Presents "On the Road Again" Concert & Silent Auction

Saturday, May 17, 2008, at 8:00 p.m. (doors open at 7:00 p.m. for the silent auction).
Govans Presbyterian Church, 5828 York Road, Baltimore
Tickets: $15 in advance, $20 at the door
Available from members, nwmail@newwavesingers.org, or call 410-558-4692.

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S.O.B.E.R. Sunday - May 29

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, all year 'round. They stock supplies in the small basement of Holy Cross Church at 110 E. West Street. Please help provide financial support, volunteer time, non-perishable food (soups, peanut butter, tuna, and one-dish meals). Flip-top cans are especially helpful for homeless persons who don't have access to kitchen facilities. Please bring your offering of non-perishable food and/or personal hygiene items to church on the last Sunday of the month to be contributed to S.O.B.E.R. (South Baltimore Emergency Relief). Checks made payable to Light Street Presbyterian Church should be clearly marked for SOBER.

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.

SERMONS
Copies of Roger's sermons are available on the downstairs hall table. Please feel free to pick one up if you missed a Sunday. Or, pass one on to a friend!

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