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This Sunday is the 3rd Sunday in Lent!
All are welcome as we prepare our hearts and spirits for Easter.
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MESSAGE FROM PASTOR JON
Dear Ark and Dove Community,
Since January of this year, Pastor Tim and I attended training to be Stephen Ministry leaders in our congregation. As for me, the training made me so appreciate the hard work of our Stephen Leader Kelly Burnett and our class of Stephen Ministers. Our Stephen Ministers will be commissioned April 10, 2016 and I am so excited for the level of care that will be provided for our congregation.
Our Stephen Ministers are in the middle of a thorough training in Christian caregiving. Broadly speaking, they are learning about the art of listening, boundaries of relationships, assertiveness, and empathy. But they are also learning about how to care for those going through divorce, hospitalization, grief, and aging, for instance. They have recently discussed how to help people find appropriate mental health resources and, just this last week, talked about suicide. They are doing good and hard work.
A Stephen Minister is a caring Christian friend who listens, understands, accepts, and prays for people going through a hard time or a transition in life. They work in partnership with the Deacons and Pastors intending to provide quality care for our friends in need. I am excited about our Stephen Ministry because I think it has the power to deepen our life together. The caregiving Stephen Ministry offers has the capacity to transform.
If you have questions about our Stephen Ministry, please talk to Kelly Burnett, Pastor Tim, or me. We'd love to share what we hope will be a vital ministry for the future of Ark and Dove.
Peace,
Pastor Jon
jgnelson1985@gmail.com
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VERSE AND PRAYER
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord.
--Isaiah 55:8
By your Spirit, O God, you call us to follow Jesus Christ. We seek to be your disciples in the places you set us, and to do those things you would have us do. Give us wisdom, strength, and courage to follow where you lead us. Transform our lives to be people of faith who serve you joyfully and trust you completely. Fill us with your Spirit to join with others in faith and become the people you intend us to be. Open our eyes to your love; and help us share this love with the world. In Christ's name. Amen. --John P. Burgess
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N
TES FOR YOU
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I am so excited to tell you that the LOGOS Ministry is going to be hosting a Taize service on Wednesday, March 2. We began working today on several elements of the service, and as expected, they are picking everything up like lightening, and the music sounds beautiful! I can't wait to see how it all turns out, and I hope that you will all come out to the mid-week service not only to support our youth, but also to find some stillness and a chance for reflection in the middle of the week!
See you Sunday!
Mark
mark.edwards.guitarist@hotmail.com
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EQUIPPING THE SAINTS Wednesday, March 2, 6:30-8:30 We've been focusing on the Six Marks of Discipleship this program year. So far we've discussed (1) Daily Prayer, Reflections, and Devotions, (2) Daily Bible Reading, and (3) Regular Worship Attendance. On Wednesday, March 2nd, we will be continuing with the fourth Mark of Discipleship, "Commitment to Spiritual Growth and Helping Others to Grow Spiritually."
Dinner will be served. There is talk of it being hors d'oeuvres and desserts. Please sign up in the lobby. Childcare will be provided upon request. samanthadewey@gmail.com.
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NEW MEMBERS INQUIRERS CLASS
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 NEW MEMBERS/INQUIRERS CLASS TOMORROW
, Saturday, February 27th, 8:30am thru 12:30pm. Please join us for a New Members/Inquirers Class where you can meet other people who have been visiting Ark and Dove and enjoy breakfast and fellowship. This "no obligation" class is just for you if you want to learn more about Ark and Dove and what it means to be a member. We'll provide breakfast and childcare. Hope to see you there! Still time to sign up by emailing Donna Anderson, Outreach and Connections Elder, donna.anderson30@aol.com.
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REFUGEE CRISIS: OPPORTUNITIES FOR HOPE Sunday, April 3, 5 pm - 8 pm, Woods Memorial Church. The Adult Education and Missions Ministry invite you to a thought provoking evening to discuss the refugee crises around the world and its implications for us as Christian neighbors. 5 pm View Salam Neighbor, a documentary filmed inside a refugee camp. 6:15 pm Engage in discussion, over a light dinner, about local refugee efforts. 7 pm - 8 pm Hear from Guest Panel, includes refugees living in AA Co, the Director of the local World Relief office, family sponsors, and the Refugee and Asylum Catalyst for PC(USA). Limited space. RSVP beginning March 6-27 on the Woods' website.
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TAIZE WORSHIP At the mid-week meditation service on March 2, the LOGOS Ministry will lead. Come and explore worship and discipleship by singing and praying together, Wednesday at 7:00. Debbie Saylor, Worship Elder, Debsaylor1@aol.com
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ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING
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ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING Helping Marylanders One Great Hour of Sharing is a special offering taken during Lent in Presbyterian congregations. A third of this offering goes to Self-Development of People (SDOP) and is SDOP's primary source of income. SDOP partners with people and communities with tools for development and education to alleviate poverty, oppression, and injustice. SDOP grants have helped groups in Maryland to help their members work their way out of poverty. One grant recipient is the Baltimore Urban Farmstead, managed by the Walks of Life, a training and education program for ex-offenders and recovering addicts. This grass-roots initiative trains participants to plant and tend crops growing in Baltimore's urban gardens. Participants receive a stipend for their work and learn how to hold a job while helping provide fresh produce for their communities. Please give to One Great Hour of Sharing to support SDOP and its self-help projects globally, in the United States, and here in Maryland.
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Dear Parents,
Our Heifer project goals were met by our children and animals will be purchased to help families in need around the world. Please offer a prayer of thanksgiving in your home and thank your children for meeting the goals. We even received donation for the goat.
We are now focusing our attention upon One Great Hour of Sharing. We distributed the One Great Hour fish banks in worship last Sunday. We are asking that you keep these fish banks on your kitchen table, dining room table or wherever you share meals. Since the Presbyterian Hunger Program is one of the recipients of our generosity, offering prayers for hungry people as a part of your family grace prayer is a wonderful way of teaching Christian compassion to our children. Children who receive allowances should be encouraged to sacrifice a percentage of their receipts for people in need. Some children share a portion of the their birthday cash.
We have plenty more fish banks at church. Feel free to take one for each meal table.
Peace of Christ,
Tim
Pastor Tim
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 REMINDER ABOUT
GENON YOUTH SUMMIT EAST 2016 In order to qualify for the Early Bird rate for this year's Summit, please be sure to give Kelly Burnett your registration packet and deposit by the end of the day on
Sunday, February 28th! It won't be too late after that, but the rate will go up $50! If you have any questions, please contact Kelly via email (kellyb327@aol.com), cell/text (410-320-7845), or home (410-544-5779).
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SUNDAY SCHOOL ENROLLMENT Attention Ark and Dove Parents! Does your child attend Sunday School? Did you fill out an enrollment form last September? If you didn't, the Christian Education Ministry needs you to take a couple of minutes to download this
FORM and complete it. We need your child's name so we can keep accurate records, and more importantly, so we can keep your child safe by knowing whom to contact in case anything ever happens in Sunday school. You may email kim.champagne@gmail.com the completed
FORM or you can print it and give it to either Kim Champagne or Pastor Jon, jgnelson1985@gmail.com at church.
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PARENTS NIGHT OUT! YOUTH FUNDRAISER Parents, the next Parents Night Out event is this coming Saturday, March 12. It's only $20 per child ($10 per additional child) for 4hrs of childcare!!! The PNO will be from 5pm-9pm and includes dinner, movies, activities. Bring a snack to share. If you'd like to sign up, check out the sign-up sheets on the board in the lobby. All proceeds from these Parents Night Out will go to send our youth to the GenOn Conference and the Youth Mission Trips. Questions? Please contact Debbie Saylor, debsaylor1@aol.com.
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YOUTH FELLOWSHIP Let's Bowl: Middle and High School Youth are invited to go bowling
February 28th at 6 pm. Let's meet at the church at 6:00 pm and head out for an evening of bowling. Any questions? Contact Pastor Jon (
jgnelson1985@gmail.com).
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CELEBRATE ARK AND DOVE FAITHFUL FRIDAY, a flashback in pictures! Have a picture you'd like to share? Send it our way admin@arkanddove.org.
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MISSION MINISTRY On February 23, a group gathered to begin the discernment process of our next large-scale mission ministry project. The group generated a number of ideas, which I will describe briefly here:
- Supporting the Bay Area Disciples Hispanic Ministry (this would be a mostly financial commitment, as we are seeking to plant a new Presbyterian worshipping community with a social outreach component for this group)
- Race and Reconciliation Joint Christian Ed/Mission Ministry (a collaborative effort between CE and mission, led by Linnie Girdner and Paula Sparks, that will seek to "equip members to deepen their relationship with God and other people by examining racial injustice and white privilege from a religious and historical perspective that can lead to transformation and action"; activities may include day-long workshops; movie nights; small groups; field trips; a deeper understanding of race in the context of current and/or new mission opportunities)
- STAIR (a two-day-a-week tutoring program for local 2nd graders from a nearby elementary school)
- Partnering with another local congregation, such as Cherry Hill in South Baltimore, on mission projects or other activitites
- A financial coaching/education program in collaboration with MD CASH to train trainers in the congregation who will then work with community members (and other congregation members, if desired) to strengthen their financial literacy and to help them achieve financial goals
- Refugee resettlement (learning more about refugee resettlement, particularly Syrian refugees, and potentially support resettled individuals with local partner organizations like World Relief in Baltimore)
- Backpack Buddies (sending a child who relies on free or reduced cost school meals home with a backpack full of food another supplies on a Friday so that they have food to eat over the weekend)
The discernment process will take place during Lent, and I encourage you to pray about these ideas and how best to proceed in our mission ministry. If you have questions, please send me an email at ccnmission@outlook.com, call or text me at 410-960-2479, or chat with me in person.
Christine Caufield-Noll
Mission Elder
ccnmission@outlook.com
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GRIEF GROUP The next meeting of the Healing through Grief small group will be on
Wednesday, March 16th from 11:45 am - 12:45pm in the Ark and Dove Room. Anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one, no matter how recent or long ago, is invited to attend. No sign up needed. Drinks will be provided and you can bring a bag lunch. The group is facilitated by Pastor Tim and Linnie Girdner. For more information contact Linnie Girdner at 410-999-7892 or
Lkgirdner@comcast.net.
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HOLY WEEK FLOWERS The Flower Team is accepting donations for Holy Week flowers and palms. The suggested donation is 5-10 dollars. Forms are available in the church bulletin and in the lobby. If you have any questions, please contact Paula Griggs at paulagriggs32@gmail.com or 443-510-6687.
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SHARE YOUR TIME AND TALENTS AT ARK AND DOVE Are you looking to get involved at our church? Would you like to serve somewhere but not sure where best to use your gifts? All members and visitors are invited to complete a time and talents survey. Click on this
LINK and you can complete the survey online. Questions? Please contact, Donna Anderson, donna.anderson30@aol.com.
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PRAYERS OF HEALING AND SUPPORT
for Mary Benson; Pete Robinson; Matthew Hagemann; Barbara Reynolds; Norma Forgrave, Pat Sise's sister, Kaitlyn; Vaughn Brown; Minnie Bradley; Dot Forloines; Dot Bruno; Aimee Schafer; Sarah Stern; Kelly Burnett's sister, Colleen, and brother; Amy Stavely's grandmother, Ruby Countryman; Nora Chidlow; Florence Myers; Lester Dabbs; Briah Ryan; Melissa Beaudry's mother, Donata Zartman; Nancy Gatdula; Henry Duncan; Ann Hirschy; Stan Houck; Jason DeVono; Karen Dodson and her brothers, Dennis and Ron; Christian Noll's father, Craig Noll; Les and Garry Dabbs' aunt, Dot Bobak; Pat Stanton's brother-in-law, Ken Hare; Effie Hubbard's brother, James McCarron; Gloria Shuler Krump; Matthew Hagemann; Jim Lewis; Sharon Stormer; Tammy Wright; and Joan Berry's son Erik.
If you have prayer concerns or blessings that you would like to share, please contact Deacon Sue Hanburger at avongypsygal@gmail.com, and she will add your concern to the prayer partners email chain.
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