january 2013 tower - second presbyterian church
TRANSCRIPT
THE CHURCH TOWER The Second Presbyterian Church of Baltimore
Connecting Christ & Community Newsletter of the Second Presbyterian Church of Baltimore · Volume 59 · Number 1 · January 2013
F or many of us, something began with a word.
A relationship between two lifelong friends—
one that has gone on now for decades—may have
begun in elementary school ... with a word.
“Wanna share my sandwich?” or “Are you new in
town; so am I!” “Would you like to dance?”
A word was spoken, and a friendship begun.
Maybe you remember meeting your spouse—
where you were, what you were wearing, what that
other person said.
“Excuse me, is this seat taken?”
It was a word, and that word marked a beginning.
Some people can recall the word that began a new
relationship with the faith.
“Friends, believe the good news of the gospel: in
Jesus Christ we are forgiven.”
More than once, someone has wandered into
church, as if by accident, and that word of
forgiveness, uttered as the happy ending of the
Confession of Sin, is the very word that has ushered
that person into the Christian life.
For many of us, something began with a word.
And, in the Gospel of John, in which John the
Evangelist’s theological memory stretches farther
back than his own life, all the way back to the
beginning of time, that word was the Word, “and the
Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
That Word was life, was light so bright that the
darkness did not overcome it.
That Word was in the world, and John the
Evangelist describes that Word as a person not
known by the world, not accepted even by his own
people.
“But,” John goes on, “to all who received him,
who believed in his name, he gave power to become
children of God, who were born, not of blood or of
the will of the flesh or of human will, but of God.”
Something began with that Word.
“And the Word became flesh and lived among us,
and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s
only son, full of grace and truth.”
Good News began with that Word. And at this
new start of a year unfolding before us, that Word is
here to save us and to begin—or begin again—a
relationship with us! Christ is the Word made flesh
and dwelling among us! He is the One, as Barbara
Brown Taylor has said, “who is made out of the same
stuff we are and who is made out of the same stuff
God is and who will not let either of us go.”
All praise today, and in this New Year before us—
all over the earth and in the heights of Heaven—for
the Word spoken into our lives, the Word that began,
and begins again, our journey of faith!
May the Word of God inform you, undergird you
and be with you and those you love each day of this
New Year.
With you, in Christ’s ministry, together….
2
THE CHURCH TOWER · A NEWSLETTER OF THE SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BALTIMORE
The Rev. Dr. Tom Blair Pastor
The Rev. Jenn DiFrancesco
Associate Pastor
Joyce Zimmerman Pastoral Assistant
Cecilia Amaral, MS Pastoral Counselor
Zhen Lu
Christian Life Director
Philip Olsen Director of Music
Liz Sesler-Beckman
Associate Director of Music
DeAnna Hall Administrative Assistant
Julie Evans
Communications Coordinator Christian Education Assistant
Mary Jo Gibson
Bookkeeper
Ivan Baylor Sexton
Second Presbyterian Church 4200 St. Paul Street Baltimore, MD 21218
Phone: 410.467.4210 Fax: 410.467.4287
E-mail: [email protected]
Some words about our new Sermon
schedule for 2013 You may or may not notice something different about the sermon
schedule for 2013 (who knows?) Our sermon texts will be drawn from a
new resource: the Narrative Lectionary. You may be familiar with the
traditional set of readings ( Years A, B, C).
The Narrative Lectionary is a recent cycle of readings for Christian
worship which move through the overarching biblical story in a ninth-
month period.
The narrative lectionary respects the traditional Christian church year,
with its principal festivals and seasons -- Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter,
and Pentecost. It also respects the rhythms of the school year or program
year, which influence the program lives of many congregations.
In the fall of each year, the narrative lectionary moves rapidly
through the Old Testament story -- beginning in Genesis around the
start of September and culminating with the promise of the Messiah
during December (Advent).
In the winter of each year, the narrative lectionary moves in order
through one Gospel -- tracing the story of Jesus in canonical order
from birth, through ministry, passion, and culminating with the story
of the resurrection at Easter.
In the spring of each year, the narrative lectionary engages part of the
story of the early church, as told in Acts and other New Testament writings.
Why try the narrative lectionary? The shortest answer is simply
this: Because knowledge of the biblical story is crucial to mature Christian
faith. Most preaching assumes that worshippers already know the basic
biblical story - ( not always the case) - and thus most Christian preaching
does not seek to equip people to know the biblical story.
The narrative lectionary seeks to be one part of an approach that seeks to
equip people to know more of God's story -- to find ourselves in God's story
and to find in that story the love of the God in Christ so we can share it all
with others. ~Tom Blair
JANUARY 6
Epiphany
Luke 3:1-22
“The Voice”
John baptizes, bear fruit worthy of
repentance, share what you have
JANUARY 13
Luke 4:14-30
“Scripture Opened”
Sermon at Nazareth (Isaiah ful-
filled, Elijah and widow, Elisha and
Naaman)
JANUARY 20
Luke 5:1-11
“Into the Deep”
Great catch of fish, Peter will fish
for people (option: 5:12-16, Healing
a leper)
JANUARY 27
Luke 6:1-16
“Playing by the Rules”
Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath
(plucking grain, healing a man) and
call of disciples
JANUARY SERMONS
3
THE CHURCH TOWER · A NEWSLETTER OF THE SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BALTIMORE
Welcome to Second’s Newest Members
We welcome the following new members to our congregation this month and last.
Mrs. Elizabeth Agyingi feels at home in Second partly because its worship service is so much like the ones
she knew at her home Presbyterian church in Cameroon, West Africa. She and her husband and two of their
adult children moved to Baltimore about 2000. Elizabeth has worked in the medical field and is studying for
her RN.
Tim Schaap and his wife, Katherine Schaap Williams- Tim, who grew up in Chicago, graduated from
Purdue University as an electrical engineer. He is a project engineer for the federal government and focuses on
IT work now. Kat, from Michigan, is currently a doctoral student in English at Rutgers University and also
teaches there part time. Tim and Kat live in Bolton Hill and have been married four years.
Ms. Tracy Thompson is an instructional designer for Johns Hopkins University helping faculty learn teaching
techniques. She also teaches one class at Goucher in the education department. She grew up in Paoli, PA, and
was active in her Presbyterian church there. She has already joined the Mission Council and is teaching
Sunday school at Second.
Steve Walsh and Jane Huth met in Boston where both were newspaper reporters and have been married 20
years. They have lived in Connecticut and worked in NYC and in Chicago before moving to Baltimore about 2
years ago. Steve now works in DC . They have 3 children- Noah (16) and Sarah (14) who attend Friends
School and Ben (8) at Roland Park Elem. and Middle School- who have enjoyed our church school and
activities.
Help our 2nd through 5th graders to fill the soup pots for
those who are hungry and hurting with canned goods and monetary donations on Super
Bowl Sunday.
Sunday, February 3
2012 Annual Congregational
Meeting Sunday, February 3
10 a.m. in the Chapel
Items on the agenda include electing new
officers, Elders, Deacons, and Trustees, the
approval of the Terms of Call of our Pastors, a
presentation of the 2013 budget, and a report
from the Trustees as part of our Annual
Meeting as a Corporation. Please make every
effort to attend this important event, to
participate fully in our common life together
as we enter 2013.
Committee, Council or Board Reports are
due on Monday, January 21. Please e-mail
to Julie Evans at [email protected].
4
THE CHURCH TOWER · A NEWSLETTER OF THE SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BALTIMORE
Jodi and Paul are busy professionals who are
principals in their respective businesses, devoted
parents, active in the community, and very supportive
of the programs and
progress of Second
Presbyterian Church.
They met at local
architectural firm, GWWO,
formerly Grieves, Worrall,
Wright & O'Hantic, which
is known for its work with
many cultural and
educational clients
including several local
museums and the National
Park Service.
Paul is a native of
Galashiels, Scotland—a
small town south of
Edinburgh— and was
raised in New Jersey. He
started at GWWO fresh out
of Syracuse University
after graduating with a B.S.
degree in architecture. He
was originally drawn to
Baltimore because his
parents had moved from
New Jersey to Sykesville,
and then found that he
really enjoyed Maryland. Paul was hired as a temp to
help design the visitor center for the Florida
Everglades in Homestead, Florida. That position
gradually expanded and today he is both a principal
and a partner in the firm whose initial partners have
retired.
Jodi, a native of Fairmont, West Virginia —near
Morgantown— came to Baltimore to attend Loyola
College (now University) and received her B.S.
degree in psychology. Soon after graduation she too,
landed a position with GWWO, where she and Paul
met. Jodi was employed there for 15 years and served
in various capacities including marketing director and
chief operating officer. In 2004 Jodi began to branch
out into another area of interest. She attended Johns
Hopkins for a Certificate in Skilled Facilitation and
then was trained and certified by the Coaches
Training Institute (CTI). She is now CEO of The
Business Life, a coaching and facilitation practice
geared towards helping busy leaders stay focused on
their highest and best use.
Paul was initially raised in the Church of Scotland,
which is very similar to our Presbyterian Church.
His parents now live in Pikesville and his sister,
Clare, and her family live
right up the pike in
Hanover, PA. He was first
introduced to Second
Presbyterian in a
professional capacity, as it
was his firm, GWWO
Architects, that was hired
to develop the master plan
for the church that led to our
recent renovations. In order
to develop the bid and truly
understand what we at
Second needed for our
renovation, he and Jodi
started to attend services
here. They felt immediately
at home. Paul was very
familiar with the
Presbyterian service
structure and was drawn to
the worship program
Second offered. Jodi, who
was raised in the Methodist
Church, was excited to find
that they already had several
friends among our
congregation whom they knew from their children's
preschool, Brown Memorial Week Day School. She
was drawn by the warmth and welcome they
received.
After looking for several years, Jodi and Paul
knew they had found the church home they had been
seeking...the place where they wished to raise their
two small children, Kaja, now six, and Turner, 10.
They became members of Second in 2008.
Jodi, whose parents now live in Martinsburg, West
Virginia, and whose sister, Britney and her family
now reside in the former family home in Fairmont,
enjoys living a short drive away in a home she and
(Continued on page 5)
Paul and Jodi Hume
5
THE CHURCH TOWER · A NEWSLETTER OF THE SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BALTIMORE
Paul purchased in the Ruxton area of Baltimore
County. Although Kaja (Danish for Kathleen) and
Turner are now enrolled in local elementary schools,
Jodi continues to serve as the Chair of the Board of
the Brown Memorial Church Week Day School. She
previously enjoyed singing for a Blues Band, so now
occasionally volunteers to sing for the Second at Nine
band on Sunday mornings. Jodi also volunteers to
help Betsy Bond's group, Helping Hands, one
Thursday morning a month at the church to prepare
casseroles and delicious chocolate chip oatmeal
cookies for Our Daily Bread. Paul, who originally
worked with Second's Master Plan, now serves as a
Trustee.
This active, young couple are certainly an asset to
our church family. Jodi sums it up well when she
says, “We always wanted to involve our children in
church life and at Second we feel so connected. The
people here keep wrapping you in...you never feel too
busy to become involved. We never feel pressured,
or have a 'gotta do' attitude. There are so many small
ways to stay connected, so we will not drift off
untethered from our church association. We
thoroughly enjoy the many opportunities Second
offers, which allow us to find the time to digest them
in increments that work for our family.”
Wise words spoken for today's hectic lifestyle by a
professional time management coach!
By Anne Perry
(Paul & Jodi Hume—Continued from page 4)
An Evening of
Scottish Country Dancing Open to All—Young and Old
Sunday, February 10, 6:30—8:30 p.m.
A special winter treat is coming to Second next month. We
encourage one and all to join us in fellowship for a fun evening
of music and dancing. Our own Barbara Matheson will guide us
in the dance to music by the Celtic duo, Peat & Barley.
About Peat & Barley
Like a fine Scotch whisky, Peat & Barley's music is complex, inviting and
always goes down smooth. Bill is a self-taught player and is particularly
noted for his strong accompaniment skills that incorporate the full range of
his hammered dulcimer from the shimmering sparkle of the highest treble
notes to the depth and power of the lowest bass notes. Becky plays regularly
for Scottish country dancing and is known for the rich tone of her playing
and her sensitive emotional connection to the music, whether that is a
sorrowful Scottish lament, a majestic march or a driving reel. Widely-
regarded for their stylish arrangements of traditional Celtic tunes, the duo
have performed at various Celtic and Scottish festivals, and community
concerts.
6
THE CHURCH TOWER · A NEWSLETTER OF THE SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BALTIMORE
Church Family News
We welcomed this new member on December 23, 2012.
Mrs. Elizabeth Agyingi
We celebrated the birth of:
Andrew Joseph Paulk on December 23, 2012. Andrew
is the son of Rev. Jennifer DiFrancesco and J.T. Paulk and
the brother of Ellie and Maggie Paulk.
We celebrated the wedding of:
Elizabeth Pool and Tyler Smith on December 15,
2012. Rev. Jennifer DiFrancesco officiated.
Second Church Small Groups
Tuesdays at Ten In January, by visiting several venues in both Italy and
Israel via our video Bible study, “Luke: Gospel of
Assurance,” we’ll be doing a little of the kind of thing
Luke did—researching what had gone on before—in order
to understand in a fresh way the key elements of Luke’s
Gospel. As a result, we will share Luke’s amazement at
what he learned about Jesus and His story. Please join us
as we continue our fascinating journey through the lands of
the New Testament by examining Luke’s writings. You
will enjoy participating in dialogues based on video
content and personal home study and the Christian
fellowship ever present when we gather. All of our
sessions are held at the church in Meeting Room E.
(Please use glass door entrance by the Chapel on Stratford
Rd.) For more information, please contact Gene Haupt at
410.366.7599 or [email protected].
Helping Hands First Thursdays, February 7, 9 a.m.
Many hands make light work and more fun! Our Daily
Bread needs the casseroles of hunter’s stew for 200 that we
make in the church kitchen each month. Please join us
about 9:00 until 11:00 a.m. on the first Thursday (February
7) as we chop, sauté, and mix while getting to know each
other a little better. Come occasionally or regularly.
Contact Betsy Bond at 410.296.5554 or
Tapas, Talk & Theology Friday, January 18, 7 p.m.
Tapas, Talk and Theology will resume conversations on
Friday, January 18. We will spend the first few meetings
(Continued on page 8)
2nd
Matt Blair Anne Holmes
3rd Jenn DiFrancesco
Chris Dudek Ben Payne
Don Scott 4th
Sally Birmingham Riley Dardis
Juanita Sowell Pamela Suan
6th James Lewis
7th
Polly Behrens 8th
Meg Craft
10th Ellie Paulk
12th Daniel Ambrose
Melissa Banister Jerry Barkdoll
13th Nathaniel Jones III
Tolliver Wyskiel 14th
Susan Emrich Philip Grill
Sophia Verbic 16th
Chuck Harlan Katherine Murphy
17th
Cressy Spence 19th
Ben Hoskins 20th
Laurel Payne Shirley Reid
21st Carmen Roy
Stacy Coggeshall Sandy Navaleza
22nd Caroline Hoesch
Cary Phelps
23rd Chase Brown
Cindy Leahy 25th
Jen Pitz Clark Pool
26th Janet Thompson
27th
Hannah Allen John Horrigan Irene Turner
28th
James Mullins Will Murphy Katie Roy
29th
Eliza Bowman Patrice Burd
30th Michael Johnston
Kate Strand Luke Strand
January Birthdays
7
THE CHURCH TOWER · A NEWSLETTER OF THE SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BALTIMORE
Jan
uary 2
01
3
Su
nd
ay
M
on
da
y
Tu
esd
ay
W
edn
esd
ay
T
hu
rsd
ay
F
rid
ay
S
atu
rda
y
1
New
Yea
r’s D
ay
Chu
rch
Offi
ce C
lose
d
2
Sta
ff M
eetin
g 9
a.m
. C
ounc
il N
ight
7 p
.m.
3
Hel
ping
Han
ds 9
a.m
. C
hoir
Reh
ears
al 8
p.m
.
4
5
6
2nd@
9 W
orsh
ip—
Cha
pel
Sun
day
Sch
ool –
9:45
a.m
. A
dult
Edu
catio
n 1
0 a.
m.
11 a
.m. W
orsh
ip—
San
ctua
ry
7
AA
8 p
.m.
8
Tues
days
at T
en B
ible
S
tudy
10
a.m
. Tr
uste
es 7
p.m
.
9
10
N
omin
atin
g C
om. 6
p.m
. C
hoir
Reh
ears
al 8
p.m
.
11
12
13
2n
d@9
Wor
ship
—C
hape
l S
unda
y S
choo
l –9:
45 a
.m.
Adu
lt E
duca
tion
10
a.m
. 11
a.m
. Wor
ship
—S
anct
uary
W
orsh
ip C
omm
ittee
12
p.m
.
14
D
eadl
ine
for C
ontr
ibut
ions
for
Febr
uary
Tow
er N
ewsl
ette
r C
alen
darin
g M
eetin
g 7
p.m
. S
teph
en M
inis
ters
7 p
.m.
AA
8 p
.m.
15
Tues
days
at T
en B
ible
S
tudy
10
a.m
. S
essi
on 7
p.m
.
16
Sta
ff M
eetin
g 9
a.m
.
17
C
hoir
Reh
ears
al 8
p.m
.
18
Tapa
s, T
alk
& T
heol
ogy
7
p.m
.
19
20
2nd@
9 W
orsh
ip—
Cha
pel
Sun
day
Sch
ool –
9:45
a.m
. A
dult
Edu
catio
n 1
0 a.
m.
11 a
.m. W
orsh
ip—
San
ctua
ry
Com
mun
ity C
once
rts@
Sec
ond
3:30
p.m
.
21
M
artin
Lut
her K
ing
Day
C
hurc
h O
ffice
Clo
sed
Can
dlel
ight
ers
7 p.
m.
AA
8 p
.m.
22
Tues
days
at T
en B
ible
S
tudy
10
a.m
. D
eaco
ns 7
p.m
.
23
Per
sonn
el C
omm
ittee
7
p.m
. P
raye
r Sha
wl M
inis
try
@
Mar
i Qui
nt’s
7:3
0 p.
m.
24
Cho
ir R
ehea
rsal
8 p
.m.
25
26
C
hu
rch
Off
icer
Tra
inin
g
8:30
a.m
. at
Bro
wn
M
emo
rial
27
2nd@
9 W
orsh
ip—
Cha
pel
Sun
day
Sch
ool –
9:45
a.m
. A
dult
Edu
catio
n 1
0 a.
m.
11 a
.m. W
orsh
ip—
San
ctua
ry
Wor
ship
Com
mitt
ee 1
2 p.
m.
Com
mun
ity C
once
rts@
Sec
ond
7:
30 p
.m.
28
AA
8 p
.m.
29
Tues
days
at T
en B
ible
S
tudy
10
a.m
.
30
Sta
ff M
eetin
g 9
a.m
.
31
Cho
ir R
ehea
rsal
8 p
.m.
8
THE CHURCH TOWER · A NEWSLETTER OF THE SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BALTIMORE
of the new year discussing a MPT special on One
God; Three Faiths, a look at Judaism, Christianity
and Islam. The plan for the spring is a new Bible-
based study - details to be announced. The January
meeting location will be determined shortly.
Candlelighters
Monday, January 21, 7 p.m. The Candlelighters group is focusing on the theme
of "Feminine Power" this year, spending time
looking at women and power in the Bible, thinking
and reflecting on our own femininity and our own
relationship to power, and learning about women
theologians who have studied and written about
God, women and power. Please join us as you are
able! We meet the 4th Monday of every month at
7 p.m. in the manse library. January's gathering
will be on January 21st at 7 p.m. Questions?
Contact Kate Foster Connors at
Prayer Shawl Ministry Wednesday, January 23, 7:30 p.m.
Calling knitters and crocheters (or those who ever
wanted to learn) to join Second Presbyterian’s
prayer shawl ministry group. The patterns are
simple. Completed shawls are blessed at a church
service and given to fellow members in need of
care or comfort. The January meeting will take
place at the home of Mari Quint, 4100 N. Charles
Street, Apt. 701, Baltimore, MD 21218. Let Mari
know if you will attend at 410.235.2632 or
(Continued from page 6) SESSION HIGHLIGHTS
Stated Session Meeting—December 18, 2012
Moderator Rev. Dr. Thomas W. Blair opened the
Stated Session meeting and read Isaiah 7:10-16, a
passage in which the birth of Jesus is prefigured.
Elders spoke how this story demonstrates our
openness to God demands our own acceptance that
we cannot prepare boundaries of our own lives. The
Elders continued their discussion and referred to the
tragedy that took place at the Sandy Hook
Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.
Realizing that is too early to determine how
churches, collectively, are going to deal with this
tragedy, Rev. Blair reminded Elders that Second
Presbyterian can and should pray for those who were
affected and that we can be a listening ear to all.
In response to increasing interest to renovating the
church kitchen in the foreseeable future as a separate
project that was originally part of phase 2 of the
Facilities Master Plan, Elders endorsed the formation
of an exploratory task force to investigate the
practicality of such a project.
Rev. DiFrancesco encouraged Elders to lead the
Prayers of the People during worship services while
she is taking maternity leave. Elders will be reading
the book Spiritual Leadership for Church Officers by
Joan S. Gray throughout 2013 and will be using it as
a resource for leading Prayers of the People.
Rev. Blair announced his intention to take his
Sabbatical (included in the Terms of Call), Sunday,
June 23 through Sunday. Aug. 25, 2013. With a
rough draft of his proposal submitted, the Session
endorsed and approved the plan.
Elders enthusiastically thanked Eloise Bensberg
for her diligent work on the Nominating Committee
that identified members to fill all vacant positions for
the Session, Deacons, and Trustees.
Rev. Blair closed with individual prayers of
thanks and intercession by those present and with the
Lord’s Prayer.
~Submitted by Scott Silverwood
Sunday, January 20, 3:30 p.m.
Ieva Jokubaviciute Known for her deep musical and emotional commitment
to a wide range of repertoire, Jokubaviciute’s program
“New Century: New Paths” includes works by Debussy,
Schoenberg, Scriabin, Janácek, Berg, and Debussy.
Sunday, January 27, 7:30 p.m. Trio for clarinet, cello and piano in A minor, J. Brahms
Fantasie for violin and harp, op. 124, C. Saint-Saëns
Sextet for piano and winds in b-flat major, op. 6, L.
Thuille
9
THE CHURCH TOWER · A NEWSLETTER OF THE SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BALTIMORE
Good News Column
Taking a cue from the NBC Nightly News segment “Making
a Difference,” the Caring and Fellowship Council is hoping
to highlight the “Good News” within our congregation.
Making a Difference Members of the Prayer Shawl Ministry group and a few
others got together to create a special baby shower gift for
Rev. Jenn DiFrancesco. Each member knitted a unique
square for a lovely soft yellow cotton baby blanket which
Tracy Russell then assembled. The Prayer Shawl group
gathers monthly to knit shawls and baby blankets which
are blessed and then given to members of the congregation
in times of need. Nearly 75 shawls have been given to date.
Bright Spot “Best Christmas present ever!” Andrew Joseph Paulk, son of our
Associate Pastor, Jenn DiFrancesco and JT Paulk timed his 11:14 p.m.
December 23rd entrance into the world so perfectly that he could be
welcomed home from the hospital by eager big sisters, Ellie (left) and
Maggie on Christmas day. He weighed 8lbs 4oz at birth and was 21 inches
long. Mother and baby are doing well.
Prayer Shawl Knitters:
Nancy Blois, Ann Hesselbacher, Tracy Russell, Kate Euler, Mari Quint,
Dayna Dixon, Ursula McLean, Gail Miller, Frauke Davidsen, Janet Short,
Harriette McPherson, Cindy Levering, Ann Peebles, Sarah Thober,
Cecilia Amaral, Pat Burd, Nancy Flower, Elaine Logan, Becky Ferrell,
Thomas Bowman
The Prayer Shawl group presented their gift to Rev. Jenn
during their November 28th meeting.
Standing l to r: Becky Ferrell, Ann Hesselbacher, Cindy
Levering, Nancy Blois. Sitting: Elaine Logan, Rev. Jenn,
Tracy Russell, Ursula McLean (not all contributors pictured.)
Thank You from the Mission Council December’s Alternative Gift Market generated $5,464 for some of our
mission-supported organizations. $4,371 was in sales of items from
Women for Afghan Women and CARES, and $1,093 was in donations,
primarily to Heifer International.
On Sunday, December 9, our youth Sunday School classes assembled
302 health kits which were delivered to New Windsor, MD to be on
standby for disaster relief.
Thank you to all who contributed, living and serving as we are called as
Christians, to these mission activities.
Assembling health kits for disaster relief
10
THE CHURCH TOWER · A NEWSLETTER OF THE SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BALTIMORE
A dult Sunday School now takes place in
the beautifully renovated Westcott
Room! Come at 9:45 for coffee, bagels, and a
chance to catch up with friends. Then at 10:00
settle in for discussions, led primarily by
members of the congregation. It’s a format
that is in its third year, and draws on the gifts not only of lay leaders but of listeners who contribute to the
discussion. We all are learners.
In January and February sessions will focus on the first nine chapters in the Gospel of Luke:
Luke is a Jewish Gospel with many connections to the Old Testament. Consistently, God's promises
are being fulfilled, and are bigger than anyone has expected: promises God made to Abraham,
Hannah, David, Elijah, Joel in the Hebrew Testament, and to Mary, John the Baptist, Jesus and Peter.
Jerusalem is a character in the Gospel of Luke (starting in Luke 9:51). Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem
for 10 chapters in this gospel. The shadow of the cross is in the background of all the healing and
eating stories along the way to Jerusalem.
It's the same God. Theologically, this continuity is important. But there's also a sense of breadth and
surprise. Finally, salvation is coming for the whole world. (Gentiles, outsiders are welcomed to this
message.)
The same God is active in our midst and in our church.
Surprise: There's great joy in this gospel. A theme of eating, celebration with Jesus.
SUNDAY ADULT EDUCATION
New Series: The Gospel of Luke
January—February 2012
Christian Education
Winter Series
Stories of Women in the Bible
January 6 Sarah
January 13 Miriam
January 20 Deborah
January 27 Delilah
February 3 Naomi & Ruth
February 10 Single Service at 10 a.m.
No Sunday School
February 17 Hannah
February 24 Esther
March 3 Esther Purim celebration
Winter/Spring
Children’s Choir Schedule
All practices will be held in the Chapel
from 9:50– 10:15 a.m.
Jan. 6
Jan. 13
Jan. 20
Jan. 27
Feb. 3
Feb. 10 Single service at 10 a.m. Children’s
Choir Sings
Feb. 17
Feb. 24
Mar. 3
Mar. 10 No choir practice
Mar. 17
Mar. 24 Children’s Choir sings for 11 a.m. Palm
Sunday service; meet at 10:30 a.m. to
warm up
Mar. 31 Easter—no choir practice
Apr. 7
Apr. 14
Apr. 21
Apr. 28
May 5 Children’s choir sings during 9 a.m. service
11
THE CHURCH TOWER · A NEWSLETTER OF THE SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BALTIMORE
Spiritual Partnering Across Generations What Will Your Legacy Be?
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve
others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
~I Peter 4:10
S ince 1803, the Second Presbyterian Church of Baltimore has served its community and enriched the
spiritual life of members and friends. Thousands of people have worshipped here, been baptized here, and
married here. We have celebrated with friends, and received support and care from fellow members at times
of mourning.
Last spring, we re-launched the Legacy Society, which was originally created in 2003 shortly after the
Church’s bi-centennial celebration. Under the sponsorship of the Stewardship Council, the purpose of the
Legacy Society is to strengthen our endowment and investment funds to fulfill our obligation to insure the
future of our Church for later generations. Many of today’s programs, activities, and services would not be
available, were it not for the generosity of past members who made special provisions in their wills for Second
Presbyterian Church. Important church work continues today because of bequests such as the:
Latshaw Fund to assist handicapped and disabled children of members
Gragg Fund to establish a Christian Counseling Center
Wonderlic Fund for music
Shuey Fund for landscaping
Legacy gifts take many forms and go beyond bequests in a will. They can be useful tools for tax, retirement,
estate or financial planning for individuals in many different situations, including:
donating appreciated securities,
setting up arrangements that pay income such as charitable gift annuities, and
providing gifts for later such as beneficiary designations in an IRA or life insurance.
Brochures are available in the Narthex and on the table outside the Chapel. If you have any questions or need
additional information, please contact Cindy Levering at 410-825-6357.
Get Ready for the Annual Youth Ski Trip to Massanutten!
When: Friday, February 15 to Sunday February 17, 2013
Who: YOU and any friends you want to invite!
Why: Because it will be an awesome chance to fellowship with each other and to
Ski/Snowboard!
Cost: $200 per person to include transportation, food, and ski lift/rentals
Contact Zhen at [email protected]
or 713.240.5507 for more information,
questions, or to confirm your
attendance!
12
THE CHURCH TOWER · A NEWSLETTER OF THE SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BALTIMORE
Second Presbyterian Church of Baltimore 4200 St. Paul Street Baltimore, MD 21218 return service requested
NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE
PAID PERMIT NO. 2571 BALTIMORE, MD
2012 Christmas Pageant— “Once Upon a Night”
& Decorating for the holidays