E-Arkive The Electronic Newsletter for Ark and Dove 


All are welcome! Celebrate the Second Sunday of Advent at both the 9:30 am and 11:00 am worship services!  
 
CHRISTMAS REVELS, ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS 

  
 
 
2nd Sunday of Advent--Spend Less!
Sunday, December 10, 9:30 am and 11:00 am
 
3rd Sunday of Advent--Give More!   
Sunday, December 17, 9:30 am and 11:00 am
and the Christmas Pageant, The Grumpy Shepherd, 9:30 am
 
 
  4th Sunday of Advent--Love All!  
Sunday, December 24, 10:30 am  
 
  Christmas Eve Children's Service 
Sunday, December 24, 4:00 pm
 
Christmas Eve Contemporary Service 
Sunday, December 24, 6:00 pm
 
Christmas Eve Traditional Service 
Sunday, December 24, 8:00 pm
 
 
Artwork : Spend Less re-imagined by Meghan Tardiff from Advent Conspiracy
 
  

 
MESSAGE FROM PASTOR JON 

Dear Friends, 
 
How are you feeling this time of year? Are you excited for all the holiday celebrations? Do you feel overwhelmed by the busyness of the Christmas season? How was 2017 for you? Full of opportunity, new beginnings and great experiences? Or was it trying, defeating and sorrowful? Was it some of it all? What have and will you learn from this year? What are your hopes for the year to come?

Advent is a time of reflection for the community of faith. It is a time when we ask all the above questions and a couple more: Where did I find God last year? What is God leading me toward now?

In these next few weeks of Advent, I invite you to a time of focused reflection. Join us for our worship services, where we are challenging ourselves to worship fully, spend less, give more and love all. Bring family and friends to our beautiful Christmas Eve services. You could also invite someone from the church to talk about their journey of faith one-on-one. Also, you can pick up one of the devotionals we have in the lobby or check out these:
http://d365.org/
http://ccca.biola.edu/advent/

Don't let this season rush by you. Grab hold of some still and sacred moments to reflect on the God who came to us before and will come again.

Peace,  
Jon  
jgnelson1985@gmail.com


 
VERSE AND PRAYER


See, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep. - Isaiah 40:10-11 
 
   
God my guide: You are my constant. I have sought to follow you. Though sometimes the road has been too hard. Sometimes I have chosen other paths. Even when I have tripped, fallen and lost my way, you are there. Your promise is that you will always gather me in, carry me at times and lead me. Let me know your steadfast hand is upon me now, so that I may walk confidently forward. Amen.




and more! Many opportunities await you!
            

N TES FOR YOU

 
 
The next few weeks are going to be so exciting!  This Sunday, we have a beautiful anthem titled  O Come to Us, Emmanuel, and we will be joined by a small chamber orchestra.  We are excited to have the very talented Lydia Doughty playing the French horn with us this week.  Next Sunday, December 17th, the kids will be presenting their Christmas pageant, The Grumpy Shepherd at the 9:30 service! You will not want to miss it!  We have a beautiful service planned on Christmas Eve at both the morning and evening services.  The 8:00 service will be the traditional service led by the choir and orchestra.  I look forward to spending the next few weeks with you.  
 
Love, 
Rebecca 
rebeccaebell@gmail.com 
 
A huge thank you to the many people who made this past Sunday possible. The Christmas Revels program is a big undertaking, and that is definitely a case of many hands making light(er) work!  There were so many great performances from a variety of different groups, and I am proud of the hard work that everyone put forth. Now we are properly in the Advent season!
 
 
God bless,
Mark
Mark.Edwards.guitarist@hotmail.com 
 
 

 
Christmas Eve Children's Service

THE CHRISTMAS STORY WITH EMOJIS
EMOJI CHRISTMAS This Christmas Eve at 4 pm we are telling the Christmas story with emojis! In a drama, written and directed by Christa Kronser and Ben Rollins, kids have to describe what happened the night Jesus was born using those texting characters we've come to rely on. Intermixed, many carols will be sung. If you are interested in joining this Christmas drama, please contact Pastor Jon (jgnelson1985@gmail.com).
 
Parent Group

PARENT GROUP
ARK AND DOVE PARENT GROUP! Join us tonight! Friday, December 8 at 6:30 pm, a potluck for all parents! We are gathering a group where parents can get to know each other and find support and encouragement for the parenting journey. Please let Pastor Jon know if you are interested in attending. Childcare provided. (jgnelson1985@gmail.com)
 
RESOLUTION WALK
RESOLUTION WALK On Saturday, December 30, our LOGOS intergenerational program is sponsoring a Resolution Walk. This is a great opportunity for you to spend some quality time with your family and community. We are meeting near the playground at 9:30 to enjoy some fun outdoor activities, while enjoying coffee, cocoa and donuts. We will then go on a Resolution Walk together to start off the New Year. Bring your gently used books with you because we will also be hosting a book swap and a book drive to benefit Sarah's House. If you have family in town, why not bring them along? It's sure to be a great time! Contact: Christy Yeager, christyyeager171@gmail.com. 
 
Discipleship

BROAD-BASED LEADERSHIP
SIX MARKS OF DISCIPLESHIP You know that old saying that 80% of the work, in volunteer organizations, is done by 20% of the people? Not true at Ark & Dove!  We have broad-based leadership. Why? The Six Marks of Discipleship. This Tuesday evening, December 12 at 7:00 PM, Pastor Tim will teach an 89 minute course on the Six Marks of Discipleship.  Please sign up in the lobby or contact the church office at admin@arkanddove.org to sign up.  Childcare will be provided if you give notice of the need, by Sunday. - Pastor Tim, timsstern@gmail.com
 
ALL YOUR WORTH
FAMILY FINANCE 101 AND BEYOND  Are your family finances a wreck?   Do you need a family finance tune-up?  Does money make you anxious?  Do you disagree with your partner on money issues?  Or do you just want to add some structure and discipline to the way you handle money?   Pastor Tim and, new member, Rachael Tisdale will be leading a five week discussion about family finance.  Rachael has worked in the past as a financial planner.  Tim will provide some theological reflections on family stewardship.  Together we will read and discuss All Your Worth, the Ultimate Lifetime Money Plan by Amelia Warren Tyagi and Elizabeth Warren.  The group will meet on Thursday evenings from 7:00 to about 8:30 beginning on January 18, 2018.  Sign up in the lobby and buy the book and start reading.  We can order you a copy of the book.
WOMEN'S RETREAT
 
SPRING WOMEN'S RETREAT
 
Do you feel like you are always taking care of the disciples instead of being a disciple yourself? Then come to the Women's Retreat and just be. No need to plan: we'll have a professional facilitator to guide us. No need to cook: meals are provided. Can you only spare a day? That's okay. The retreat program will be held on Saturday, April 21, at the Claggett Center, south of Frederick, Maryland. Need more time? Then spend Friday night (April 20th) through Sunday (April 22nd) in contemplation or fellowship. Relax, recharge, renew.
 
Saturday Pass (Retreat, lunch, dinner) costs $115. Friday-Sunday (two nights stay, Retreat, 5 meals) costs $ 260/person for double occupancy rooms and $290/person for single occupancy rooms. Register at HERE. For more information, contact Shelley Franklin (shelleyfranklin@vwrld.net) or Cheryl Walcutt (walcutt_family@hotmail.com).
 
 
GIFT CERTIFICATES FOR WOMEN'S RETREAT!
 
We'll be selling gift certificates for the 2018 Women's Retreat between the 9:30 and 11:00 services on December 10th and 17th. Want to keep it a secret? Contact Shelley Franklin ( shelleyfranklin@vwrld.net).
 
Mission Ministry

LONGEST NIGHT
 
FIFTH ANNUAL 
"LONGEST NIGHT" 
for Annapolis and Anne Arundel County 
Thursday, December 21, 2017, 4:30pm 
in front of the State House 
Lawyer's Mall, Annapolis 
Sponsored by 
Arundel House of Hope 
Sarah's House - Catholic Charities 
Light House Annapolis

CHRISTMAS SHARING
CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY SHARING Ark & Dove is participating again in the Christmas Holiday Sharing Program organized by the Anne Arundel County Department of Social Services. Now that we have signed up for all 80 children, we turn our attention to: 1) contacting the families; 2) purchasing gifts; 3) wrapping and tagging the gifts; and, 4) delivering the gifts. We will need a lot of help delivering to the 36 families in Odenton and Severn after the 11:00 service on December 17 . For more information about any of these steps, contact Greg Makar (GLMakar@juno.com).
 
CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING
PLEASE SUPPORT THE CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING DURING ADVENT Are you looking for a meaningful way to participate in Advent, the time in the church calendar leading up to Christmas? Are you weary of the commercialism that dominates this season in our culture? The remedy could be supporting the Christmas Joy special offering, now until December 24.
 
What is the Christmas Joy offering? The Presbyterian Church, USA has 4 special offerings that are collected throughout the year that benefit different programs and causes, within the PCUSA,  as well as our local congregation. The Christmas Joy offering will support the following endeavors:
  •  50% to local mission activities at Ark and Dove (this year the proceeds will be shared equally by Communidad Presbiteriana la Trinidad and our Refugee Mentoring ministry);
  • 25% to support current and retired PCUSA church workers in their time of need;
  • 25% to developing future leaders at Presbyterian-related racial ethnic schools and colleges.
Christine Caufield-Noll
Mission Elder, ccnmission@outlook.com
   
DECEMBER'S FOOD OF THE MONTH
C AP WEST COUNTY FOOD PANTRY Featured item for December is BAKING MIXES (bran muffins, Bob's red Mill pancake mix, cornbread, etc.). Please drop off food items in the Mission Zone bin. Thank you for your donations!           
 
CAP HOLIDAY MEALS
CHRISTIAN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM HOLIDAY MEALS The CAP Food Pantry is gearing up for its Holiday Sharing program where we provide 200 households with food for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.   All events will take place at the Church at Severn Run, 8187 Telegraph Rd. in Severn.  For more information please contact CAP representative Greg Makar ( GLMakar@juno.com , 301-483-8255)
  • Christmas
    • Monday, Dec 18
      • 8:30-11 am:   5-7 strong people to meet at the church at Severn Run and travel together to Walmart and Aldi's to pick up the food and bring it back to the church
      • 11 am-12:30 pm: volunteers to help unload trucks and then pack the food into 200 bags
    • Tuesday, Dec 19
      • 3-4 pm, 4-6 people to help bag turkeys
      • 4-7 pm, volunteers to assist with the food give-away
Antiracism, Social Equity and Refugee Resettlement

SYRIA: PLEASE DON'T FORGET US
PLEASE DON'T FORGET US The US Holocaust Memorial Museum opened Syria: Please Don't Forget Us about the conflict in Syria, which has displaced over 11,000,000 people, killed over 500,000, and detained, tortured, and murdered 100,000 in secret detention centers over the past seven years. Included in the exhibit is evidence of some of those arrested and tortured by the Assad regime. The exhibit is open December 5, 2017 to late Spring 2018 in USHMM's Wexner Learning Center and no passes are needed. If anyone has questions or is interested in going with a group to visit, they can please contact Katie Johnson, knilsenjohnson@gmail.com 
 
LEARNING HOW TO INTERRUPT RACISM
INTERRUPTING RACISM Many of us are uncomfortable talking about race, but, "Learning about how to interrupt racism is part of learning how to be a disciple of Christ.  We need to get comfortable with being uncomfortable." So say the Reverends Denise Anderson and Jan Edmiston, co-moderators of the 222 General Assembly of the  PCUSA.  Ark & Dove is creating a safe space to talk about racism.  Paula Sparks, trebleclef48@gmail.com, and Pastor Tim, timsstern@gmail.com, will lead a study about interrupting racism for beginners: people who are anxious about the whole national dialogue.  Ever ask a simple question simply to get your head bitten off?   No head biting will be allowed.
 
Together we will read and discuss the book Waking Up White  by Debby Irving. We will watch some clips and videos, explore basic vocabulary and then deep dive into some of the complicated issues.  We will covenant with each other to treat each other like children of God, and we will be partially guided by a study guide written by Rev's Anderson and Edmiston.  By the way Rev. Anderson is black and Rev Edmiston is white.  We will meet for six weeks on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 PM beginning on January 9.  Sign up in the lobby and start reading.  Books are available in paperback or Kindle editions.  We can order you a book if you would like.
   
RESETTLING OUR FAMILY
REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT In early November our Refugee Resettlement Team began work with our Burmese family--Koko, Rose and Htet Htoo.  It's been exciting and heartwarming getting to know our family, who are eager to learn more English, become acquainted with the community and gain skills.  This work is fun and so appreciated.  We're looking for a few more team members.  Our contract with the IRC is for 6 months with 2+ hours per week from at least one member from our team.  Please join us in this very rewarding and much needed program.  Contact: Debbie Arey at Debarey@hotmail.com or 508-579-7748.
 
Outreach and Connection

FRIENDLY SENIORS Christmas Celebration
CHRISTMAS WITH FRIENDLY SENIORS Friendly Seniors will be getting together for their Christmas celebration this Sunday, December 10, 2:00 pm, at Christopher's in Crofton.  For a celebration like this, friends and family are welcome to join us. Please let Joan know  (410-672-5237 or berry962@verizon.net) how many are coming no later than Wednesday, December 6, to make your reservation(s).  We look forward to seeing you there! 
 
Christmas Honorarium

FLOWER HONORARIUM FOR CHRISTMAS
CHRISTMAS FLOWERS The Flower Team is accepting donations for flowers and greens for the Christmas Eve service.  Suggested donation amount is $7-$10 dollars.  Forms are available in the church bulletin and in the lobby.  If you have any questions, please contact Paula Griggs, paulagriggs32@gmail.com or 443-510-6687. Thank you!
   
Grief and the Holidays

ONLINE TALK AND Q & A
Free Grief and Holidays Online Talk and Q & A 
December 12th at 1 pm PT/ 4 pm ET  
 
Reserve your spot now by clicking this link: 
Prayer Concerns

PRAYER CONCERNS 
PRAYER CONCERNS Please keep the following people in your prayers this week: 
 
PRAYERS OF HEALING AND SUPPORT for Linnie Girdner; Paul Ferrell; Charles Lawrence; Daryle Echols; Marcia Bussey; Ylonda Fauntleroy's sister; Jane Stevens; Sarita Barrow; Mary Beckwith; Jan Hof; Kathy Miller; Marie Shorter; Karen Dodson; Debbie Saylor's aunt, Gail, and cousins, Ed and Jen; Donna Anderson's brother-in-law, Tom; Nicole Howe's aunt, Linda; Bob Johns; Frances Keyes; Chip Burnett; Dot Forloines and her brother Jack; Henry Duncan; Helene Marchand-Stancil and Helene's mother, Mimi; Judy Cooper's sister, Barb Eardley; Ellen Makar's father, Don Erickson; Laura Willoughby's father, Norman; Amy Stavely's aunt; Steve and Brandi Downs; Janet Dabbs's sister, Diane Maloy; Mary Stum's sister-in-law, Sandy; Sarita Barrow's brother, Rashad; Sue Hanburger's sister-in-law, Evelyn Hanburger; Kelly and Tim Stern's nephew, Hunter Field; Julie Kirby's mother, Margaret Floyd; Amy Carskadon's nephew; Zach Rosenthal; Ken and Jacqueline Sievers; Logan and Luke Sievers; Jason Ziegler; Brenda Figueroa; Jon Nelson's aunt, Linda and uncle, Gene; Lindsey Hoxie's neighbor; Archer and Honor Bauman's grandmother, Jackie: and Dick and Carol Baily.
 
THE LOVE AND PRAYERS OF THE CONGREGATION go out to Ylonda Fauntleroy and the Fauntleroy and Stevens families on the death of Ylonda's sister, Jane Stevens.
 
PRAYERS OF RESOLUTION AND FORGIVENESS for a family going through a divorce.
 
PRAYERS FOR UNDERSTANDING AND CLARITY in a professional challenge.
   
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.   


8424 Piney Orchard Parkway  
Odenton, MD  21113
Phone: (410) 674-6400 
Fax: (410) 674-6481 
admin@arkanddove.org
office hours: Monday through Friday 9:30 am - 2:30 pm 
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