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We hope you enjoy receiving
our weekly email
designed to keep
you informed on current and upcoming events scheduled here at Roland Park Presbyterian Church.
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The Narrative Flow
A Reflection by Pastor Mark Hanna
The Law of the Land
One of the common criticisms of the Bible is that it is boring. I think our adventure of following God's Story through the Narrative Lectionary
over the past 4 weeks has provided evidence to the contrary. There has been a whole lot of action, adventure, mystery and drama so far in the story. From Adam and Eve, to Abraham and Sarah, Jacob wrestling with God and Moses having a show down with Pharaoh, the plot has been moving very, very quickly to this point.
But we can't keep up this pace forever! In fact, this coming Sunday it will begin to slow somewhat. Not that the adventure and intrigue is over. Not by a long shot! However, the Israelites are beginning to establish themselves as people and so it is time to attend to more routine matters for a while. The book of Numbers and Leviticus, which we are mercifully skipping over, are particularly droll, with their census data and detailed priestly code of rules and regulations.
There is an upside to this change of pace. It is a reminder that God is not just with us in the peaks and valleys of our lives, but is present in the day to day muck as well.
This Sunday we will hear the second telling of the Ten Commandments. The first telling came right after the Hebrews were liberated from Egypt and Moses received the Law on Mt. Sinai. In our passage for Sunday, Deuteronomy 5: 1-21; 6: 4-9, we revisit Moses at the end of his life and on the verge of the promised land, even though he will not cross over with the people. Having the Law reiterated (Deuteronomy means "second law") at this time gives us keen insight into its purpose and meaning. Most of us were taught the Ten Commandments as a list of rules to avoid God's judgement, but when we read them in the context of God's larger narrative, we see them as a gift for new life and freedom. They are the law of the new, promised land!
We all live by standards, rules and guides. How does our faith inform those? Do the rules that we live by stifle us or lead us into new life and promises? I think these are questions well worth our time and reflection. Come join us on Sunday as we shift gears and dive deeper into God's story.
I look forward to seeing you in church!
In faith, hope and love,
Mark
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Nelson White
Memorial Service
Friday, October 9th
11am
We will celebrate the life of long-time and much loved RPPC member, Nelson White with a memorial service in the sanctuary this Friday at 11am.
For your convenience, the obituary listing visitation details can be found
here.
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Music for All
This Sunday at 3:30pm
at Second Presbyterian
Duet: Phillip Collister and Barbara Dever
Catch our very own director of music performing the duet program, "Music for a While" with acclaimed mezzo-soprano, Barbara Dever. This free concert at Second Presbyterian Church at 4200 St. Paul St. in Guilford is open to everyone this Sunday afternoon at 3:30pm. Visit
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Capital Improvements Underway at RPPC!
Our building and grounds committee has been very busy! They would like to keep you up to date on all of the current renovations being addressed at church which we are able to do at this time due to some very generous donations from our congregants. These improvements include:
1. Removal, documentation and re-creation of decorative gables and trusses.
2. Repair and repainting of exterior woodwork and red doors.
3. Repointing of tower.
4. Repair of tower stairs.
5. Repair to stucco masonry on north and alley side of church and repainting.
If you have any questions about these projects, please talk with Howard Rutherford or Laura Cochran. Thanks!
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Informational Meeting for the Congregation
Please join us in the sanctuary following the service on
Sunday, October 18th for an Informational Meeting for the Congregation. Leaders from Session will discuss ways that the congregation can be involved and give input on plans for additional potential improvements to our church facility, so that it may better serve our current and future congregations. The meeting should be brief, but there will be time for Q & A.
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| Pastor Mark's Out of Office Hour Thursdays, 8am-9am Beginning Tomorrow 
Join Pastor Mark for a cup of coffee and conversation at Evergreen on Coldspring Lane. Beginning October 8th, he will hold a regular out of office hour from 8am-9am on Thursday mornings. Please stop by if you'd like to chat. His cell phone number is 410-914-7772 if you'd like to call or text ahead.
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Kay Papa Nou/Unity House Chricha School Report 
Please
click here to read the latest news from the school children at Kay Papa Nou/ Unity House in Haiti. They are working hard and so thankful for our mission support!
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 Please Help... We Always Need Liturgists and Greeters! 
Many Slots Available!
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| Worship This Sunday October 11, 2015 10am
Scripture: Deuteronomy 5: 1-21; 6: 4-9 Message: The Most Important Thing by Pastor Mark Hanna |
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Collection
for College Care Packages
We will be putting together care packages for the college students of our congregation after worship on Sunday, October 18th. We invite everyone in the congregation to bring in the following items to place in our packages: cough drops, pencils and pens, post-it notes and page flags, individually wrapped granola/energy bars, chap sticks, nail clippers, colorful paper clips and binder clips. If you can supply any of these items in the coming weeks, it would be much appreciated! Thank you!
Most importantly,
if you have a college student, graduate student or PHD candidate in your family, we'd like
to include them as a recipient. Please give us their physical mailing addresses so we can send them a box of goodies. You can see Heather Russell this Sunday after worship or email her at
[email protected]
. Thank you!
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Faith and Fiction Book Club New Selection! Next Meeting 10/13 @7:30pm 
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All Saints Day 2015
Memorial Flowers
If a loved one has passed away since November 1st, 2014, we would like to lift up his/her life before God in worship on this special Sunday. His/her name will be printed in the bulletin. As the name of your loved one is read, a bell will be rung in recognition. A child from our congregation will place a flower on the Communion Table in honor. If you wish to memorialize your loved one in this way, please do one of the following:
Fill out this sheet, and place it in the offering plate during Sunday Worship.
Call 410/889-2001 or email [email protected] no later than 10/26/15,
and give us the following information: name of deceased, date of death, your name, your phone number and email address. Thank you!
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Tangible Offering for Communion Sundays
November 1st
Tangible Offering returns in October as a way for our young people to explore themes of stewardship and mission. We are asking the whole congregation to participate so that our youth can have a real and tangible view of the giving and commitment to mission we display as a church family. Special collections will take place the first Sunday of each month, in conjunction with our celebration of Communion.
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Next month we will be collecting canned goods and non-perishable food items for the CARES food pantry.
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Did You Know?
Mobile-Friendly,
Online Giving Available
RPPC now offers convenient ways to give using your mobile device. Just scan the QR code above and it will allow you to make a secure, one-time gift to RPPC.
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| Roland Park Presbyterian Church |
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Baltimore, MD 21210
Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 9:00am -- 2:30pm
410/889-2001
410/889-2990- Pastor's direct line
410/889-2000-fax
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