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Some may know this story very well, to
others this may be totally new, but the
message remains the same. During World
War I, on Christmas Day 1914, the first year
of the war, the sounds of rifles firing and
shells exploding ceased in numerous places
along the Western Front.
At the first light of dawn on Christmas
Day, some German soldiers emerged from
their trenches and approached the Allied lines
across no-man’s-land, calling out “Merry
Christmas” in their enemies’ native tongues.
At first the Allied soldiers feared it was a
trick, but seeing the Germans unarmed they
climbed out of their trenches and shook hands with the enemy soldiers. The men
exchanged presents and sang carols together.
There was even a documented case of
soldiers from opposing sides playing a good-
natured game of soccer. Some soldiers used this
short-lived ceasefire for a more somber task: the
retrieval of the bodies of fellow combatants who had
fallen within the no-man’s land between the lines.
Notably, on Christmas Eve, many German and
British troops sang the Christmas carol “Silent Night”
together, in a chorus of an all too temporary and holy
gift of peace.
The so-called Christmas Truce of 1914 came
only five months after the outbreak of war in Europe
and was one of the last examples of the outdated
notion of chivalry between enemies in warfare. It was
never repeated—future attempts at holiday ceasefires
were quashed by officers’ threats of disciplinary
action—but it served as heartening proof, however
brief, that beneath the brutality of war the soldiers’
essential humanity endured; even a world war could
not destroy the spirit of Christmas.
This is a story to be remembered this year at the
100th anniversary of the ending of the war that was
to end all wars as well as the 200th anniversary of the
writing of “Silent Night’, by Joseph Mohr, in
Oberndorf, Austria. Is there a ‘magic in the message’
of “Silent Night”? Perhaps. Is it possible that this
hymn may help to bring calm and bright to our own
corners of this world? Would that it could be so.
Throughout December we will be sharing our
hope of peace in our preparation of the arrival of the
Christ Child. “Calm & Bright, Join Us for a
Silent Night” is our theme. It is my fervent hope
that the peace God brings us in Jesus can reside with
us and be spread to all the world in ways more
lasting than just one night. But we first need to
receive the light to begin. Come and join us for
worship and more this December. And may the
peace God brings us in Christ be with you and yours.
With you, in Christ’s ministry, together…
“Silent Night” and the Christmas Truce
2
THE CHURCH TOWER · A NEWSLETTER OF THE SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BALTIMORE
Session Highlights November 22, 2018 Moderator Rev. Dr. Thomas Blair called the Stated Meeting of Session
of Second Presbyterian to order on November 22 with a reading from
Gospel of John, chapter 14. This reading is one of Jesus’s farewell
addresses. Rev. Blair shared a question that arose while he was
participating in a recent Islamic Society interfaith breakfast, “What does
peace look like to you?” What is it that makes for peace? Jesus doesn’t
tell us definitively. We have to look for it and be receptive to it. Rev.
Blair reminded elders of the upcoming Words & Music of Three Faiths
event that Second Presbyterian will be hosting on Thursday, February 28,
2019.
Julie Evans, our Communications Coordinator, continues to update
the church’s website to convey our new “Seek Share Serve” tagline. Elder
Heather Warnack, who has been doing an exemplary job of developing
our new tagline, explained that it will be important for our web page to
reflect “Seek Share Serve” when we initiate our advertising on-line
campaign for Christmas. Elders suggested that a short video, which will
include our music on our website and homepage, would be very effective.
Stay tuned.
Rev. Blair and Rev. Carlson shared concerns about those who are
looking for work, will be traveling over Christmas, and those who may be reminded of a loss this Christmas season. It will be important for us to
reach out to them, even at the December 12th Healing and Wholeness
service, to show that Second Presbyterian is a place where we care for
each other. Rev. Blair closed the meeting with the Lord’s Prayer.
~Scott Silverwood for the Session
Christmas Memorial Flowers Donations for Christmas memorial flowers
are being accepted until Sunday,
December 16. The donors’ names, along
with the names of the person(s) remembered
or honored, will be included in the Christmas worship bulletins. The pointsettias will be
distributed to our shut-ins by the Deacons
after Christmas, To participate, contact Joyce
Zimmerman at 410.467.4210, e-mail at
[email protected], or simply
send a note. Contributions may be made to Second Presbyterian Church,
notated for “Chancel Guild”, and directed to Joyce at the church.
3
THE CHURCH TOWER · A NEWSLETTER OF THE SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BALTIMORE
A Service of Healing & Wholeness
Wednesday, December 12 7 pm in the Chapel
One of the great gifts of our community is knowing that whatever life brings, we do not journey alone, for we are surrounded by a light found in the presence of Love. As the world prepares to welcome the light of Christ on Christmas Day, there are those among us who are walking a path of lament and grief. In our
service of healing and wholeness we will pause to hold one another in prayer.
Please come if you are entering into this season in a place of brokenness, or if you are one who wants to extend love and prayers to another. Come, if you are carrying a burden that is heavy, or if you want to be the one who helps another to carry their burdens. Come if you are seeking a place of Sanctuary, or if you want to be a Sanctuary for another. However you come, come knowing that the light of Christ dwells within you and together we can share the light of Christ in
the darkness.
5 PM Family Service (Children’s preludes at 4:45 PM)
8 pm Candlelight Service
11 pm Service of Christmas, Candlelight & Communion
4
THE CHURCH TOWER · A NEWSLETTER OF THE SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BALTIMORE
Standing in the pews at the end of a Christmas Eve
service, faces aglow in the darkened church from only
the light of slender wax candles, and singing the quiet,
simple, yet sublime Silent Night, is the moment, I suspect
for many, when the birth of the Savior becomes real and
with it all the hope and joy which that event represents.
Somehow, Christmas would not be Christmas without
Silent Night.
This Christmas Eve marks the 200th anniversary
since "Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht" was first performed by
its creators at the Christmas Eve mass in 1818 at the St.
Nicolas parish church in Oberndorf, Austria, a village
near Salzburg. Joseph Mohr, the assistant parish priest,
sang tenor and played the guitar while Franz Gruber,
church organist and teacher, sang bass. The choir
repeated the last two lines of each of the six verses in
four-part harmony.
The facts behind the inspiration for Silent Night are
not entirely known. One story is that a roving band of
actors performing re-enactments of the birth of Christ in
towns throughout the Austrian Alps arrived in
Oberndorf on December 23rd. They intended to
perform in the church, but the organ was in need of
repair from a hungry mouse nibbling holes in the bellows
or rust. Instead, the performance went on in a private
home. Pondering the Christmas play he had just seen
while walking home through the peaceful, snow-covered
village, the new parish assistant Joseph Mohr
remembered a poem that he had written two years
before. He decided that those words might make for a
good carol for his congregation to sing the following
evening at their Christmas Eve service.
The true story may be a bit less idyllic. The
historical era in which Silent Night was created was one
of conflict and economic uncertainty. The Napoleonic
wars (1792-1815) had recently ended in that part of
Europe, and new political borders were drawn. Oberdorf
had been a suburb of the Bavarian town of Laufern, The
Salzach River that separates the two became the new
border effectively cutting off Oberndorf from its town
center and economic connections. Additionally, the
transport of salt along the river that had provided the
basis for the local economy for centuries, declined during
the Napoleonic wars. The salt trade was never to fully
recover.
In 1816 when Mohr wrote the poem that became
Silent Night, he a young priest living in the town of
Mariapfarr in central Austria. The town had suffered
greatly when Bavarian occupation troops withdrew in
1816 and 1817. The text of Silent Night takes on special
meaning as an expression of longing for peace in a time
of war. Truth be told, Mohr’s inspiration for writing the
poem is not known. It does seem fitting that German and
British soldiers chose this carol to sing during the
Christmas Eve truce in World War I.
Certain facts of the story of Silent Night are clear.
According to the “Authentic Account of the Origin of
the Christmas Carol, “Silent Night, Holy Night!” written
in 1854 decades after its 1818 debut, by Franz Xaver
Gruber, Joseph Mohr handed over a poem to him on the
morning of Christmas Eve requesting him to write “a
fitting melody for two solo voices together with choir
and for accompaniment by guitar.” Gruber composed the
tune the same day and the two performed the new carol
at the Christmas Mass that evening where it was met
with “general approval by all” in attendance (mostly
shipping laborers, boat builders and their families).
Silent Night’s spread was gradual. Karl Mauracher, a
master organ builder and repairman who traveled to
work on the organ in Oberdorf several times in
subsequent years, obtained a copy of the composition
and shared it as a “Tyrolean Folk Song.”
It was two families of traveling folksingers (19th
century versions of the Sound of Music’s von Trapp
family) that took the song to the courts of Europe and
the United States. According to the German newspaper
Leipziger Tageblatt, the Strasser sisters sang the song in a
concert in Leipzig in 1832. On another occasion the
Rainer Family sang it before an audience which included
Austro-Hungarian Emperor Franz I and Russian Tsar
Alexander I. In 1839, they performed “Stille Nacht” for
the first time in the United States at the Alexander
Hamilton Monument outside Trinity Church in New
York City. It was during this era that several notes were
changed, and the tune evolved to the one we are familiar
(Continued on page 11)
Silent Night: The 200th Anniversary of a Beloved Christmas Carol By Julie Evans
Oldest known copy of Silent Night from lyrics writer
Joseph Mohr. Original music from Franz Gruber has
been lost, but subsequent copies that he made still exist.
5
THE CHURCH TOWER · A NEWSLETTER OF THE SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BALTIMORE
2006: “The Light of Christmas” by Richard Paul Evans High in the mountains lies the
town of Noel, surrounded by
beautiful white walls and a great
silver gate. Every year Alexander
and his mother walk the long
distance to Noel to watch the
lighting of the village Christmas
tree. This year Alexander learns
that the Keeper of the Flame will
choose the person who has given
the truest gift of Christmas to light
the Flame. (Amazon)
2007: “The Legend of the Candy Cane” by Lori Walburg and Rick Osborne One dark November night a
stranger rides into a small prairie
town. Who is he? Why has he
come? The townspeople wish he
were a doctor, a dressmaker, or a
trader. But the children have the
greatest wish of all, a deep, quiet
wish. Then a young girl named
Lucy befriends the newcomer. When he reveals his
identity and shares with her the legend of the candy cane,
she discovers the fulfillment of her wishes and the answer
to the town's dreams. Now will she share what she has
learned? Recommended for ages 4 to 8.
(ChristianBook.com)
2008: “Twas the Night Before” by Rachel Olson A Christmas picture book for
children, using a rhyming style
similar to Clement Moore's
famous poem to tell the Nativity
story. Mary and Joseph, angels,
shepherds and the wise men are
all included. The richly colored
illustrations convey the story to non-readers. (Amazon)
2009: Humphrey’s First Christmas by Carol Heyer Grumpy Humphrey is hungry, tired,
and cold because his favorite
blanket is missing. These men are
supposed to be wise; so why are
they traveling so far to bring gifts to
a baby they don't know? Engaging
text and lush, whimsical artwork
present the nativity story from a
camel's perspective! Ages 4 to 8.
(ChristianBook.com)
2010: The Little Shepherd Girl: A Christmas Story by Julian Henry Young Sarah wants to be a
shepherd, even though usually only
boys are allowed to tend the sheep.
But with a family full of girls, what's
a father to do? Sarah goes to the
fields with the flock and her
cousins, and on her first night is
astounded by the sight of angels
announcing the birth of a Savior.
Although her cousins—all boys—
disappear, Sarah is mindful of her
responsibility, and she and all the sheep make their way
back to Bethlehem where she encounters a baby in a
manger. (Amazon)
2011: Listen to the Silent Night by Dandi Daley Mackall It was not such a silent night when
Baby Jesus was born. From the baa,
baa, baa of sheep to the flut-flut-
flutter of angel wings, it was actually
quite noisy! Here, from CBA
bestseller Dandi Daley Mackall, is
the story of the first Christmas,
using the sounds of that miraculous night to really bring
the story to life. (Amazon)
(Continued on page 6)
Christmas Eve Stories at Second Presbyterian Each year as part of the Christmas Eve family service at 5 pm, the pastor shares the message of the Christmas story to
our children through a carefully-selected illustrated children’s book. Any of these books from the past 12 years would
make a lovely gift for a child in your life. Some are currently out of print, but can still be found online.
6
THE CHURCH TOWER · A NEWSLETTER OF THE SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BALTIMORE
2012: The Last Straw by Fredrick H. Thury The story of Hoshmakaka, a proud
old camel who has to carry the wise
men's gift's to the new baby king in
Bethlehem. On his way he meets
many people with gifts for the king
which are added to his load.
Hoshmakaka fears his burden will
become too great, but when he
reaches Bethlehem he finally learns
the meaning behind his task.
(Amazon)
2013: They Followed a Bright Star by Ulises Wensell This adaption of a German nativity
story offers readers a brightly
illustrated picture book about the
shepherds and kings who were
summoned to a Bethlehem stable to
prepare for and witness the birth of
Jesus Christ. (Amazon)
2014: The Little Shepherd’s Christmas by Carol Heyer A young shepherd tending sheep for
the first time in the fields outside of
Bethlehem is blessed to witness the
birth of Jesus. (Amazon)
2015 - Room for A Little One: A Christmas Tale by Martin Waddell and Jason Cockcroft In the stable next to an inn, Kind Ox
is just settling in for the night when
Old Dog comes into the stable. Kind
Ox makes room for Old Dog, who in
turn makes room for Stray Cat, who
then makes room for Small Mouse--
and each time, the larger animal says
to the small, "There's always room for
a little one here." Finally, Tired
Donkey comes by, carrying Joseph and Mary, who asks
"Where will my child be born?" Kind Ox replies, "There is
always room for a little one here." And so, Jesus is born in
the stable with the animals all around Him. Recommended
for ages 3 to 7. (ChristianBook.com)
2016- Song of the Stars by Sally Lloyd-Jones This book explores the joy and
excitement and celebration in all of
creation at the coming of Jesus.
They've been waiting with eager
longing for the coming of God's long
promised son, and when at last he
arrives, the whole earth holds its
breath: their Creator, Jesus, Emmanuel has come to the
world that he made. Mountains, trees, seas, skies, stars,
animals---the rumor spreads that at last the time has
come. It's time! He's here! Recommended for ages 4 to 8
years. (ChristianBook.com)
2017 - Mortimer’s Christmas Manger by Karma Wilson Mortimer the mouse lives in a hole
under the stairs. Everyday he creeps
about looking for good things to eat.
One time, he sees something new--a
house that's just his size! But there are
statues in this house, so he lugs them
out. Each day, he finds that the statues
have been put back in his new house, and each time he
pulls them all out again. One evening he overhears the
humans read a story, and realizes the significance of the
little statues--especially the little baby! Recommended for
ages 2 to 6. (ChristianBook.com)
Handel Choir of Baltimore
Handel Messiah
Saturday, December 15 7:30 pm
Grace United Methodist Church, 5407 N. Charles Street, Baltimore 21212
Sunday, December 16 3:00 pm
Saint Mark Catholic Church, 30 Melvin Avenue, Catonsville 21228
The baroque master’s beloved oratorio – our 84th
year! Handel Choir and Handel Period Instrument
Orchestra
$47/$37/$10 student with ID Reduced ticket price available with a season
subscription. Tickets available at www.handelchoir.org
7
THE CHURCH TOWER · A NEWSLETTER OF THE SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BALTIMORE
On January 21st, the community of churches along
N. Charles St. are coming together to serve our
community. This is a great way for us learn about local
mission programs, meet new people, and be the presence
of Christ in someone else's life.
Please note that some details may change and
additional activities added. Please check the sign up page
in January for complete information:
www.secondpresby.org/signups.
Manna House 435 East 25th Street, Baltimore, MD 21218
8 AM-10:30AM
Manna House, a ministry located in Charles Village,
provides breakfast to impoverished and homeless men,
women and children 365 days a year. Volunteers will
have the opportunity to serve breakfast and to help
organize the clothing closet located on the premises.
WoodBerry Crossing Family Friendly 925 Stablersville Road, Parkton, MD 21120
9 AM - 1 PM
www.woodberrycrossing.org
Contact: Bob Horner, 410-788-8152
Come enjoy the morning in the country while you work
on some building projects indoors. If you have tools bring
them, but supplies and tools will be provided. Lunch will
be served and there will be plenty of time to get out and
see the animals. All projects will help enhance the
grounds for the summer camp and make the winter more
enjoyable for the animals.
Project PLASE 1814 Maryland Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21201
www.projectplase.org
Time: TBA
Mission Book Group Almost Everything: Notes on Hope
by Anne Lamont Wednesday, January16, 7 pm,
Westcott Room
The Mission book group is not meeting
in December. Our January selection is
Almost Everything by Anne Lamont.
“In this profound and funny book,
Lamott calls for each of us to rediscover
the nuggets of hope and wisdom that
are buried within us that can make life
sweeter than we ever imagined. Divided
into short chapters that explore life's
essential truths, Almost Everything
pinpoints these moments of insight as it shines an
encouraging light forward.” Amazon
ANGEL TREE: Christmas Gifts for Glenwood Life Bring Gifts to Church by December 13
The Mission Council is collecting
gifts this year for Glenwood Life
Counseling Center. The clients
will be able to “purchase” the
gifts for their family and friends
using the tokens they earn for
attending wellness and counseling
groups. In the middle of
November, the clients of
Glenwood Life were surveyed
about gifts and items they would
like to “purchase” for their loved
ones. Please select an angel from the Christmas Tree in
the Rotunda or off the bulletin board by the Mission
corner, purchase the gift, and bring the unwrapped
present to the church by Thursday, December 13th.
Called as Partners in Christ’s Service: December/January Mission Outreach
MLK Day of Service 2019
8
THE CHURCH TOWER · A NEWSLETTER OF THE SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BALTIMORE
Contact: James Woods, [email protected], 443-717
-4226
Project Plase provides housing and supportive services to
Baltimore's homeless population. More details to come
on the specific project for this organization.
Abbottston Elementary/Middle 1300 Gorsuch Ave, Baltimore, MD 21218
Time: 10 AM—11 AM
Contact: Cathleen Miles, Principal, 443-984-2685
Reading is important at Abbottston. The school works
hard at making sure kids have access to books on their
level. Help is needed to organize the books by level.
Your help is greatly appreciated by the kids and teachers
who utilize these resources.
Gallons of Love Bags Family Friendly
First English Lutheran Church
3807 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21218
11:30 AM-1:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall (lunch provided)
First English Lutheran will be hosting the making of
Gallons of Love bags to pass out to people in our
neighborhoods out on the streets asking for help. These
bags will contain hand warmers, water, food, band-aids,
shampoo and other necessities that can provide a
compassionate gesture to those in very difficult situations
this winter.
We will also be running other projects that are kid
and adult friendly, including baking cookies for the
Seafarers Ministry in our kitchen, preparing bagged
lunches for Manna House and quilting for Lutheran World
Relief.
Baltimore Station and Project PLASE
Cooking Family Friendly Second Presbyterian Church
4200 St. Paul St., Baltimore, MD 21218
1PM-4PM in the Church Kitchen (enter through Charles St
entrance)
Contact: Jenn DiFrancesco,
Come help prepare a warming and nourishing meal for
those in need! Bring yourself and join other members and
volunteers from the Churches of Charles to prepare a
hearty meal for Baltimore Station and for Project PLASE.
A meal for 40 will be brought to feed the hungry at
Baltimore Station, where additional volunteers will serve
our brothers and sisters. Children, youth and adults are
welcome.
Bingo at Stadium Place Family Friendly
1030 E 33rd St, Baltimore, MD 21218
2 PM-3 PM
Contact: Georgia Smith, [email protected]
Come enjoy some competitive play with older adults!
Games like Bingo help stimulate the brain and provide
fellowship for those who often find themselves alone in
their apartments on cold afternoons. Meet a few new
faces at Stadium Place while enjoying refreshments and a
few rounds of Bingo. This is a great first mission
experience for elementary aged children.
Baltimore Station Serving Dinner Family Friendly
1611 Baker St., Baltimore, MD 21217
http://www.baltimorestation.org/
5 PM-7 PM
Contact: Tom Harrington, [email protected]
We will be serving what the afternoon cooking group
made for Baltimore Station. Children, youth, and adults
are welcome to come share in the serving and sharing
over a homemade meal with men transitioning to self-
sufficiency. Please note, we are serving dinner at their
West Baltimore City location.
Greeting Card Making for GEDCO's CARES Second Presbyterian Church
4200 St. Paul St., Baltimore, MD 21218
7 PM-9 PM in the Westcott Room
Contact: Jenn DiFrancesco, [email protected]
You don't need to be an expert or even all that artsy to
help this worthy cause. A volunteer will be present with
all the supplies needed, giving directions, suggestions, and
help when needed. We will be meeting in the Westcott
Room at Second Presbyterian Church (enter through the
white door on Charles St.) to make greeting cards to
benefit the CARES food pantry.
Have questions? Want more details? Please contact Rev.
Jenn DiFrancesco at 410-467-4210 or
DONATIONS NEEDED:
All donations are being collected at the five churches
located along N. Charles Street in North Central
Baltimore City: Sts. Philip and James Catholic Church,
University Baptist, The Episcopal Cathedral of the
Incarnation, First English Lutheran Church and Second
Presbyterian Church. Items are being collected until
Sunday, January 14th unless otherwise noted.
Bingo prizes for seniors
Scrapbooking supplies: paper & embellishments
Gallons of Love Supplies Needed
• travel sized shampoo/conditioner
• travel sized deodorant
• 8 oz bottles of water
• food: granola bars/individually packaged snacks
(peanut butter crackers, etc.)
• wet wipes
• bandaids
9
THE CHURCH TOWER · A NEWSLETTER OF THE SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BALTIMORE
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
9 Sunday School—9 AM Adult Seminar— 9 AM 10 AM Worship– Sanctuary Confirmation 4 pm
10 Stephen Ministry Training 11 am AA 8 PM
11 Tuesdays at 10 Bible Study Trustees 7 PM
12 Staff Meeting 9:30 AM Service of Healing & Wholeness 7 PM Bells@Second Rehearsal 7 PM
13 Bible Guys 7 AM Choir Rehearsal 7:30 PM
14 TAPAS, TALK & THEOLOGY 7 PM
15
16 Sunday School—9 AM 10 AM Worship– Sanctuary– Special Music Sunday Youth Group Christmas Party—Afternoon (Details soon)
17 Stephen Ministry Training 11 am AA 8 PM
18 Tuesdays at 10 Bible Study Session 7 PM
19 Bells@Second Rehearsal 7 PM
20 Choir Rehearsal 7:30 PM
21
22
23 10 AM Worship– Sanctuary
24 CHRISTMAS EVE
CANDLELIGHT SERVICES 5 PM Family Service 8 PM Service 11 PM Service
25 CHRISTMAS DAY
Church Office Closed
26 Church Office Closed
27
28
29
30 10 AM Worship– Smith Hall
31 NEW YEAR’S EVE
AA 8 PM
January 1 NEW YEAR’S DAY
Church Office Closed
2 Bells@Second Rehearsal 7 PM
3 Choir Rehearsal 7:30 PM
4
5
6 10 AM Worship– Sanctuary 12th Day of Christmas Lunch—11 AM JUNIOR YOUTH GROUP 4 PM SENIOR YOUTH GROUP 5 PM
7 Stephen Ministry Training 11 am AA 8 PM
8 Tuesdays at 10 Bible Study Trustees 7 PM
9 Staff Meeting 9:30 AM Bells@Second Rehearsal 7 PM
10 Choir Rehearsal 7:30 PM
11
12
13 9 AM Worship—Chapel Sunday School 10 AM Adult Seminar 10 AM 11 AM Worship—Sanctuary Confirmation 4 PM
14 15
Tuesdays at 10 Bible Study Session 7 PM
16 Mission Book Group 7 PM Personnel Committee 7 PM Bells@Second Rehearsal 7 PM
17 Choir Rehearsal 7:30 PM
18 19
10
THE CHURCH TOWER · A NEWSLETTER OF THE SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BALTIMORE
Church Family News
We welcomed these new members:
Mrs. Donna Coates- on November 11, 2018
Scott Anderson and Diane Mella-Anderson- on November 18, 2018
We celebrated the birth of:
Robert Anthony Mayer who was born November 11,
2018. Robert is the son of Jeff and Rachel Mayer and
grandson of Jim and Susan Mayer.
We celebrated the wedding of :
Meghan Smith and Joseph Lawson on November 10,
2018. Meghan is the daughter of Bob and Terri Smith.
We extend our Christian love and sympathy to:
Eloise Bensberg whose former husband, Randy
Woodfield, died November 5, 2018.
2nd Jim Risser Jesse Tischler 3rd Allison West 4th Amy Carlson 5th Rebecca Dineen 7th Peggy Widman 9th Grace Follmer 12th Mark Felder 13th Jean Coates Katie Duncan Tom Gilliss 14th Lynne Agress Debby Graf Jim Mayer Anne Riley Christy Wyskiel 15th John Miller 16th Charles Herndon 17th Charlie Barton Eloise Bensberg Terri Smith
18th Karen Ruppert 20th Clay Furtaw Bernie Levy 21st Eric Suan Susan Walkup 23rd Gretchen Martin Andrew Paulk Anne Perry 24th Mary Dell Harlan 25th Carol Fitzpatrick 28th Meb Turner Steve Boesel 29th Roy Agyingi Grace Serafini 30th Nicole Risser Sheri Slezak Cameron Troxel 31st Eric Strain Teddy Martin Liz Milbourn Eric Strain Auditions for Churches of Charles
Production of “Joseph” Monday, January 21, 3 PM
First English Lutheran Church
The intergenerational show is open
to all youth, 3rd grade and above,
and adults who have a passion for
the stage. The show will take place
on April 13 & 14. We know that
schedules get busy - please do not
let that prevent you from
auditioning! we will do all that we
can to make our rehearsals available
to all! Contact Rev. Amy Carlson with your questions.
Children & Youth News
Children’s Christmas Eve Preludes Celebrating God’s Gift to Us and Offering Our Gifts
to the Christ Child
Children who play an instrument or sing are invited to
contribute their musical gifts during the 5 PM family Christmas
Eve Service. Children are encouraged to select music that
celebrates the birth of our Savior. Please register online at
www.secondpresby.org/worship/preludes by Sunday,
December 16th.
The children should arrive in the sanctuary at 4 PM. The
preludes will begin at 4:45 PM. Questions? Contact Amy
Carlson at [email protected].
Annual Youth Ski Trip to Massanetta Springs Friday, February 15 - Sunday, February 17 The traditional Presidents’ Day
weekend youth ski trip returns this
year. Friends are welcome. (Details
on cost and times will be shared
soon. )
Please RSVP as soon as
possible to Amy, but absolutely by January 15th.
11
THE CHURCH TOWER · A NEWSLETTER OF THE SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BALTIMORE
with today. By the 1840s the carol was
well known in much of modern day
Germany. It became the favorite
Christmas carol of King Frederick
William IV of Prussia who had it
performed for him every year at
Christmas.
Joseph Mohr and Franz Gruber
were forgotten over time. Silent Night
was sometimes attributed to Haydn,
Mozart or Beethoven. Born into poverty,
Father Mohr died penniless in the tiny
Alpine village of Wagrain where he had
been assigned as pastor. He had donated
all his earnings to be used for eldercare
and the education of the children in the
area. Franz Gruber produced a number
of orchestral arrangements of his original
composition. His original guitar
arrangement is missing, but five other
Gruber manuscripts of the carol exist.
Later in life he moved to Hallein, Austria
where the Franz Xaver Gruber Museum
now exists.
Silent Night wasn’t translated into
English until 1863. The verses so familiar
to us are not exact translations of the
original German. Usually only three or
four of the original six verses are sung in
English and the verse order is slightly
different from the German. Silent Night
didn’t become popular until after World
War I when Austrian-American Singer
Ernestine Schumann-Heink began singing
it on the radio at Christmas time for a
number of years. In 1941, Franklin D.
Roosevelt and Winston Churchhill sang
Silent Night together in the White House
garden. Versions sung by Bing Crosby
and Gene Autry were hugely popular.
In 2011, UNESCO (United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization) recognized Silent Night as
part of Austria’s “intangible cultural
heritage.” The official designation noted
the song’s universality: “For many, ’Silent
Night’ is the mother of all Christmas
carols.” The Christmas carol written 200
years ago by a humble parish priest and a
musician unknown outside of a few
surrounding villages, has now been
published in more than 300 languages
around the world.
(Silent Night: Continued from page 4)
2018 Pledging (As December 1, 2018)
Number of Pledges - 110
Total Pledged - $506,974
Total Pledged Amount Received - $437,638.68
Total Non-Pledged Gifts Received - $58,125.27
Total Gifts Received - $495,754.23
Annual Church Budget - $738,706 (gifts received YTD = 60.34% of our budget). As always, we appreciate the generosity of all of our contributing
members. ~ Chuck Harlan, Stewardship Chair
Stewardship Update
A Spirituality of Sharing—Part Two By Mark Felder, Stewardship Council One of the most famous passages about generosity in the Gospel is also one that can be rather unsettling. It is the story of the rich young man (in
Matthew 19) who asks Jesus what deed he must do to have eternal life. Jesus tells the young man to “go, sell what you possess, and give to the poor, and
you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” What does the rich young man do? He walks away “sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”
Who hasn’t read this story and thought, “Oh no-- I have to get rid of all my possessions to get into heaven!”
But when considered in the context of all our Lord’s teaching about possessions and giving, it becomes clear that Jesus is not telling us to get rid of
all our stuff. God does not want us to be poor and miserable. Rather, Jesus is teaching us about priorities and Christian living.
John Piper has written about a Reader’s Digest article some years ago about how to retire early. In it, a couple retires in their 50’s. They move to
Florida, boat, play golf, and collect shells. While the article is a kind of “how-to” piece about retirement, Piper calls it a tragedy. He imagines the couple
standing before Christ on Judgment Day saying, “Look, Lord. See my shells!” What’s clearly missing in this recipe for happiness is sharing. After we meet our needs, the Bible teaches that we should be good stewards and share
what we do not need. This is not altruism, and it is not philanthropy—it is Christ-inspired spiritual sharing.
Philanthropy has a somewhat different motivation. Noted consumer psychologist Kit Yarrow recently wrote the following about how people
decide about their philanthropic activities. She wrote, “It’s what you feel like you can afford, how much a particular cause or charity means to you, how
deeply affected you are by something and how much you want to help, and what you feel your responsibility to a community is. It’s just a very personal
equation that everybody works out for themselves.” So we might say that while philanthropy is something you very personally
work out for yourself, spiritual sharing is something we work out between ourselves and the Holy Spirit. And the joy that such sharing brings far eclipses
any feelings of responsibility or personal equations.
“Brand New” Electronic Means of Giving! After much time in evaluating a number of providers, we will be “rolling out” very shortly a number of electronic giving options. We are in the process of putting together a communications campaign on our new electronic giving
platform – more to come very shortly! The following is the second of a two part reflection by Stewardship
Council member, Mark Felder, entitled “A Spirituality of Sharing”.
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THE CHURCH TOWER · A NEWSLETTER OF THE SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BALTIMORE
NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE
PAID PERMIT NO. 2571 BALTIMORE, MD
Sunday, January 6
11 AM in Smith Hall (following 10 AM single service)
More details to come.