Wednesday, April 1
7:00 AM Lenten Meditation
6:45 PM Overeaters Anonymous
8:00 PM Debtors Anonymous
Thursday, April 2
7:45 PM Choir Rehearsal
Sunday, April 5
9:30 AM Bible Study - "Jesus 101 - Extreme Forgiver"
10:15 AM "Joyful Noise" A Gathering of Young Children, Their Parents and Friends
11:00 AM Worship/Communion Sunday, Rev. Powers preaching
12:15 PM First Sunday Potluck Lunch & Conversation
Wednesday, April 8
7:00 AM Lenten Meditation
6:45 PM Overeaters Anonymous
8:00 PM Debtors Anonymous
Thursday, April 9
7:30 PM Maundy Thursday Communion Service
Sunday, April 12
9:30 AM EASTER SUNDAY Pancake Breakfast
11:00 AM Worship/Communion Sunday, Rev. Powers preaching
Wednesday, April 15
6:45 PM Overeaters Anonymous
8:00 PM Debtors Anonymous
Thursday, April 16
7:45 PM Choir Rehearsal
Sunday, April 19
9:30 AM Bible Study - "Jesus 101 - Extreme Forgiver"
10:15 AM "Joyful Noise" A Gathering of Young Children, Their Parents and Friends
11:00 AM Worship, Rev. Don Stroud preaching
12:15 PM Book Discussion: "Christianity for the Rest of Us"
Monday, April 20
6:30 PM Session Meeting
Wednesday, April 22
6:45 PM Overeaters Anonymous
7:00 PM EARTH DAY Film & Discussion
8:00 PM Debtors Anonymous
Thursday, April 23
7:45 PM Choir Rehearsal
Sunday, April 26
9:30 AM Bible Study - "Jesus 101 - Extreme Forgiver"
11:00 AM Worship, Rev. Powers preaching
S.O.B.E.R. Sunday
Wednesday, April 29
6:45 PM Overeaters Anonymous
8:00 PM Debtors Anonymous
Thursday, April 30
7:45 PM Choir Rehearsal
First Sunday Potluck Lunch and Conversation
Please bring your favorite dish to share for our First Sunday Potluck Lunch on April 5, immediately following worship. After we eat together, we will enter into a conversation about our congregation's culture. This month we will look at how we make decisions at Light Street Church. Our conversation will be facilitated by Carol Eshelman.
"Joyful Noise" - A Gathering of Young Children, Their Parents and Friends
Light Street Presbyterian Church will continue its new Sunday program for babies, toddlers, and young children through age 4 on April 5 and April 19 from 10:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Children, their parents, and friends will learn simple Sign Language and enjoy guitar music together. All are welcome!
Light Street Observes Earth Day
Wednesday, April 22, is Earth Day, and Light Street will observe the day by showing the documentary film "FLOW (For Love Of Water)" at 7:00 p.m. The documentary chronicles the international movement to challenge corporate control of water (either in the form of bottled water or as utility providers). The film will be followed by discussion.
Session Book Study Begins: "Christianity for the Rest of Us"
On Sunday, March 15, we discussed five of the ten "Signposts of Renewal" -- spiritual practices that Diana Butler Bass found to be prevalent in the thriving progressive mainline Protestant churches she visited. They were hospitality, discernment, healing, contemplation, and testimony. We were pleased to note that each of these practices can be seen in our own congregational life to one extent or another. On Sunday, April 19, following worship, we'll discuss the other five Signposts for Renewal she identifies in the book (Part II, Chapters 10-14). Please join us!
Overeaters Anonymous & Debtors Anonymous begin meeting at Light Street
Two 12-step programs have begun meeting at Light Street on Wednesday nights: Overeaters Anonymous (6:45-7:45 p.m.) and Debtors Anonymous (8:00-9:00 p.m.). The Light Street Session approved the request at its meeting on March 15, seeing it as a good use of the church's building and resources in service to the surrounding community.
"Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." -- Matthew 6:21
If you were searching for God's treasure, you'd find it in people. Every person, in every nation on earth, is treasured by God! Yet for many people, life can be searingly tough.
One Great Hour of Sharing joins our hearts with God's by providing decisive aid when disaster strikes and by helping refugees rebuild their lives. Your gift strengthens struggling communities with basics like education, health care, tools, seeds, and wells.
When we care for God's treasured children, we ourselves are transformed. We see more clearly what matters most in life and are inspired to live courageously. Our hope rises as we realize new life is possible.
I Timothy 6:18-19a exhorts us "to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up ... the treasure of a good foundation for the future." Our treasure lies in honoring God, doing God's will, and loving God's treasured people. May you find your treasure, and your heart, through sharing resources and changing lives with a generous gift to One Great Hour of Sharing.
At Light Street, we will receive this special offering along with churches around the world on Palm Sunday, April 5, and Easter Sunday, April 12.
SOBER Sunday - April 26
South Baltimore Emergency Relief is in need of:
* Volunteers on Tuesdays, 10 a.m. - noon @ 110 E. West St.
* Mens' gloves, socks, pop-top canned meals, tuna packs, etc. (for the homeless in our community)
* Food supplies to make up kits of 3-days worth of meals (for walk-in clients)
* Canned meats (tuna, spam, corned beef, etc.), soups, fruit, veggies, spaghetti sauce (up to 26 oz.), peanut butter (up to 48 oz.), crackers
* Financial contributions (always welcome). All checks should be made payable to LSPC with "SOBER" on the reference line.
Christian Peace Witness for Iraq -- Worship Service
On Wednesday evening, April 29, Christians of many faith traditions will gather in Washington D.C. to pray for peace. The ecumenical worship service will be held at the Convention Center at 7:00 p.m. Featured preachers and speakers will include:
Tony Campolo -- Author, pastor, social activist, sociologist, and passionate follower of Jesus
Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr. -- Minister, community activist, president of the Hip Hop Caucus, and U.S. Air Force Reserve Veteran
Sr. Dianna Ortiz -- U.S. born survivor of torture in Guatemala, Founder of Torture Abolition and Survivor's Support Coalition International
Elizabeth McAlister -- Peace activist and co-founder of Jonah House
Daniel Berrigan -- Catholic priest, poet, peace activist
Worship will continue with candlelight procession to the White House.
For more information, and to register, visit the Christian Peace Witness web site.
The LSPC Green Corner
This month's LSPC Green Corner features reflections by Curt Brown:
Light Street Church continually inspires its members' environmental journeys and dreams. Mine is one such story.
I grew up in New England, camping and hiking during the summers (and sometimes winters) in the White Mountains (NH) and Bar Harbor (ME). One of my favorite memories is of cross country skiing under a full moon on the beach in Bar Harbor. As a teenager I listened often to music by Paul Winter Consort, which is composed around the songs of whales, eagles, and wolves. Through this I became fascinated with the lives and songs of the majestic humpback whale. Church retreats with Presbyterian and Congregational churches helped to frame my relationship with the natural world.
Today, sustainable development and sustainable economies are on fire in the world. Environmentalism of the 60s, which opposed capitalism and business, has been transformed. New green heroes bring exciting new approaches to the world: cradle to cradle design (William McDonough), natural capitalism (Armory Lovins, Rocky Mountain Institute), ecojustice (Van Jones - Green for All, Marjora Carter - Sustainable South Bronx, Barefoot College in India), and Architecture for Humanity. These current approaches combine ancient wisdom with current scientific understanding and cutting edge technologies to produce accessible sustainability for the world which is good for business as well as for nurturing and sustaining God's world. The good news from these people's work inspires me daily.
Currently, my biggest green adventure is living, working, and biking through all seasons in the city -- no gas, insurance, or car payments; no pollution; great exercise; decreased stress; and great interaction with people and the city. At home I use mostly compact fluorescents, try to keep the heat/ac down or off, and try to hang up my clothes to dry. At work I joined the recently formed Green Team which is instituting recycling, energy conservation, carpooling, and bicycle programs. At play my yoga classes bring me closer to natural rhythms of mind, body, spirit, and the world. At church I soak up the spirituality at LSPC and transform it into sustainability at church and in my life.
I am always on the edge of new environmental adventures. I want to learn to use my new iPhone to decrease waste/energy and increase creativity/sustainability. I want to lear to set up my kitchen toward more sustainable healthy eating (more vegetarian). I want to go through my house one system at a time and see what can be transformed. Soon we will all have the opportunity to catch the huge wave of sustainability which is coming into the shore with the Obama administration. I look forward to my part in this.
TAMFS: Baltimore Art Auction - May 2
That All May Freely Serve: Baltimore will hold an Art Auction of patron donated art on Saturday, May 2, 2009, in Sharp Hall of Govans Presbyterian Church, 5828 York Rd. Baltimore. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. to view art. Auction begins at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $5 in advance (contact Carol Graves via email or at 410-366-4662) or $7 at the door. Terms of art sales: credit, check, cash. Dessert, wine, and cheese will be served. Babysitting will be provided. If you have art objects that you would like to donate for sale at the Auction, please contact Don Stroud by email or by phone at 410-464-0293.
Sunday Morning Bible Study
On Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m., a small group of church members and friends gather for coffee and Bible study. The group is using the curriculum "Jesus 101" and the current course of study is "Jesus - Extreme Forgiver". The group is open; newcomers are always welcome. For more information, contact Bonnie Cosner or Debbie Szostak.
Language and Learning
The Mambo Family is from Malawi and would like to teach us some of their native greetings and salutations in an effort to expand the diverse knowledge base of our members and promote information sharing and exchange. The Mambo's native language is Chichewa. Chichewa is the national language of the Republic of Malawi. The Mambo family would like to share the following with Light Street members and friends:
English = We are very proud to be part of Light Street Church. May God bless our church.
Chichewa = Ndife osangalala kukhala banja la tchalichi cha Light Street. Ambuye adalitse tchalichi chathu.
Some Basic Conversational Words and Phrases:
Good to see you = Takondwera Kukonani
Thanks = Zikomo
Bye = Pitani Bwino
To expand your learning, the following website has additional materials: Chichewa Learning Materials.
Annual Flea Market Information
The Theology of a Flea Market
* To simplify our material lives by donating unneeded possessions.
* To celebrate our friendships as we work together as a community of faith.
* To generate support for our missions and ministries
* To demonstrate goodwill among our neighbors.
* To offer individuals a respectful opportunity to obtain quality items that they need at fair and reasonable prices.
VINTAGE SKETCHES OF FEDERAL HILL AVAILABLE FOR SALE
One-of-a-kind originals, never before exhibited
John Sauers, a MICA graduate, worked as a graphic designer for BGE for 35 years (from 1955 to 1990) His office was located in downtown Baltimore at Lexington and Liberty, close enough to explore the city's unique neighborhoods during his lunch hour. With his sketchbook and charcoals in hand, he would arrive at his destination - the harbor, Pier 6, Otterbein, Federal Hill, even Fells Point - and quickly sketch the urban scene. many of the sites that he rendered no loner exist or have been significantly altered.
The result of Mr. Sauers' whirlwind lunchtime ventures is a historical collection of drawings that document Baltimore City as it looked prior to its renaissance and re-development. His subjects include houses and churches on Montgomery, Hanover, Hamburg, Hughes, Peach Streets and Welcome Alley; Federal Hill; Tall Ships; the Port Welcome; the Nobska; boats in the harbor; etc. He also sketched "street people," the homeless, alcoholics, and community characters. His forays into South Baltimore ended just south of the Cross Street Market.
Today Mr. Sauers lives in Harford County; he is 76 years old. After leaving BGE, he was employed by The Sun as an artist.
Mr. Sauers collection will be on display and offered for sale on Saturday, May 16, exclusively at Light Street Presbyterian Church, during the church's annual Flea Market and Silent Auction.
LSPC ANNUAL
FLEA MARKET/SILENT AUCTION
"The Economy Buster"
May 16, 2009
Whether you're searching for unbelievable bargains or seeking a simple, uncluttered lifestyle, the LSPC Annual Flea Market/Silent Auction is the place to go and the way to go!
Merchandise in every imaginable category will be available at the Flea Market at irresistibly low prices. Our "departments" will include home furnishings, linens, kitchenware, lamps, appliances, electronics, jewelry, frames, sports equipment, toys and games, office supplies, tools, books, CDs, DVDs, videos, etc.
In the Silent Auction, gift certificates to fine restaurants, retail shops, events, and museums will be featured, as well as vintage items and antiques, collectibles, art, and other interesting and lovely objects.
If your goal this spring is to streamline your surroundings (home, office, garage, attic, basement), bring your unwanted excess to the church as a donation to either the Flea Market or Silent Auction. Everything (except clothing) that is in clean, usable condition is being accepted. Good for the church! Good for you!
Besides Sunday mornings, drop-off times are Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. But call ahead just to make sure: 410-539-0125. Additional opportunities to deliver your donations will be announced in May.
Lunch, delicious home made baked goods, and flowers will also be sold.
So ... start scouring those cluttered cabinets and disorderly drawers for trash that could become someone's treasure.
And ... if you enjoy creating order out of chaos. there will be ample opportunity to sort and organize all the Flea Market and Silent Auction donations. The church will be open to volunteers for this important activity prior to May 16. Specific dates and times will be posted. Or, ask Julie Helms to schedule a time that suits your convenience.
Join Us at the Big Tent! June 11-13, 2009, in Atlanta Georgia
Discover a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) that is more exciting, more diverse, and more faithful than you ever imagined. The Big Tent has been called "a denominational happening" and "a big Presbyterian family reunion." Big Tent will inspire you and make you proud to be Presbyterian. The event will be celebratory, diverse and participatory, with intergenerational activities. There will be common worship services and shared meals, an exhibit hall and several workshop sessions open to all.
Big Tent is a first-of-its-kind event combining ten national Presbyterian conferences under one roof and one theme: "And the Word became flesh" (John 1:14). It takes place June 11-13, 2009, at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Atlanta. Go to www.pcusa.org/bigtent for online registration or to download a form.
Come Sing With Us!
Choir rehearsals are well underway for 2009. We are practicing some beautiful and exciting pieces for Easter. We have fun singing together on Thursday nights from 7:45 to 9:00 p.m. On Sunday mornings we rehearse again before worship from 10:15 to 10:45 a.m. Please join us! All voices are welcome! For more info., contact our Organist/Choir Director Nick Werner.
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 MAY NEWSLETTER: April 15
Send all newsletter material to John Ginovsky at jginovsk@aba.com