january 2013 tower - second presbyterian church

12
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….

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Page 1: January 2013 Tower - Second Presbyterian Church

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….

Page 2: January 2013 Tower - Second Presbyterian Church

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

Page 3: January 2013 Tower - Second Presbyterian Church

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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].

Page 4: January 2013 Tower - Second Presbyterian Church

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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

Page 5: January 2013 Tower - Second Presbyterian Church

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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.

Page 6: January 2013 Tower - Second Presbyterian Church

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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

[email protected].

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

Page 7: January 2013 Tower - Second Presbyterian Church

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THE CHURCH TOWER · A NEWSLETTER OF THE SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BALTIMORE

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Page 8: January 2013 Tower - Second Presbyterian Church

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

[email protected].

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

[email protected].

(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

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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

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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

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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!

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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