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The current Moderator of the Baltimore Presbytery, James Parks, will be our Special Guest Preacher this Sunday, August 21st. All are invited to the 9:30am Traditional and 11:00am Contemporary Worship Services!
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MESSAGE FROM PASTOR JON
Dear Friends and Members of Ark and Dove,
There is a willingness in the Ark and Dove community to have good discussions on difficult issues. In Summer Sunday School, the kids talked about Jacob wrestling with God. In Vacation Bible School, we discussed clean water problems all over the world. At The Center, the youth had many hard conversations about poverty. During the GenOn Youth Summit, high school youth and young adults conversed over the hard aspects of Christian discipleship.
This Sunday we are having a discussion in worship over the problem of race in America and the recent unrest in and around Baltimore. James Parks, the moderator of the Baltimore Presbytery, will share a brief sermon and then invite discussion. Parks has a rich history of actively addressing the issues of poverty, race and class. I have heard James speak at our Presbytery events. He is an engaging speaker, a sensitive listener, and a prophetic voice for our times. While race is a hard topic of discourse, I am blessed to be a part of a community who is willing to have this conversation. I look forward to being with you this Sunday.
Our dialoging continues this fall as we have many Adult Education opportunities awaiting you. We have several small groups focusing on a variety of topics. There is a brochure ready for you this Sunday! Get ready to talk over the Bible, chat about your spiritual journey, join a famous podcaster in her search for meaning, exchange ideas about the women of the Bible, and come to terms over the struggle with racism in our nation. We will surely learn and grow together this year!
Please remember that good conversation is a skill that is learned at a young age. In this heated political environment, it is clear that good dialog is hard to find. We want to teach our children and youth how to have fruitful discussions, especially about faith. I ask that you would consider getting involved in Sunday School, Godly Play, or LOGOS because this is where our children will learn to speak about God and faith with dignity and respect. What a needed thing in our culture!
Peace,
Jon
Pastor Jon
jgnelson1985@gmail.com
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VERSES AND PRAYERS
As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. --Galatians 3:27-28
God who knows no distinctions: Forgive us, we pray, for the many ways we separate and divide ourselves from others. We judge, we label, and we discriminate in seen and unseen ways. In the solitude of this moment, remind us that you have overcome any barrier between us and you. In this reminder, may we see how foolish our divisions are. May we look at everyone we see today as you look upon them, as children of God. We are one in you, so help us to live in unity and in truth. Amen.
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill," and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. --James 2:14-17
Gracious God: Your love is free and without limits. Your mercy is unending. By your Holy Spirit, fill our hearts again with faith in that great grace of yours. Trusting in your compassion, we are able to do the necessary works of care in this world. Confident in your charity, we are able to commit to do good for those in need. Generous God, give us again the gift of faith that we might bear it in all our works this day. Amen.
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N
TES FOR YOU
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You do NOT want to miss the men's choir sing this Sunday! They are so fantastic!! Their music is sure to put you in the "back-to-school" spirit. If you are interested in singing with this group of men or our Adult choir, rehearsals will begin on September 1st at 7:00. We'd love to have you join us in the sanctuary.
We have had a few instruments generously donated to the church. If your child will be playing in band or orchestra this school year, make sure you check in with me to see if we have an instrument that your child can use.
Orchestra rehearsal will begin on Wednesday, September 7th. If you are interested in joining us, please come at 5:30. Rehearsals will be on Wednesdays from 5:30-7:00. The full group will not rehearse every week. If you are worried about scheduling, but want to be a part of this group, please get in touch.
Dove Choir (ages 3-5) will begin on Thursday, September 1st and will meet on Thursdays from 5:30-6. Please come and join us! Joyful Noise, our youth choir (1st grade and up), will rehearse from 6:00-6:45 and will also begin on September 1st. High Schoolers interested in singing in the choir are encouraged to join the Adult Choir.
Love,
Rebecca
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FAITH DAY AT THE BAYSOX GAME Join us this
Sunday, August 21 at Faith Day at the Baysox. Game starts at 2:05 pm and is just $12 when you use promo code WGTS. Following the game there is a concert by contemporary Christian artist
Josh Wilson. Please let us know if you plan to come. When buying tickets, try to get them in Section 109 or 111. Questions? Amy Stavely, amy@stavely.org.
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SUNDAY SCHOOL Our Summer Sunday School program needs teachers on
September 4th at both 9:30 and 11:00. Please sign up in the lobby. The lesson and materials for the 8-21 session are already available in Kim's mailbox.
Regular Sunday School begins on Sunday, September 11th. Teachers and doorkeepers (assistants) are needed in our Preschool, Godly Play, Middle School and High School programs.
Excited to get involved? Please email kim.champagne@gmail.com.
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LOGOS: CHILDREN AND YOUTH PROGRAM
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LOGOS PARENTS MEETING Interested in our revamped children and youth program? Come to a parent info meeting on
September 6 at 6:00 pm. Food and childcare provided. Contact Amy Tardiff with questions (itsmemim @gmail.com).
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Anti-racism and Social Equity
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ANTI-RACISM AND SOCIAL EQUITY
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ANTI-RACISM AND SOCIAL EQUITY Have you seen our new webpage on Anti-racism? You will find it under the Ministry tab on the Ark and Dove website. There you can download the PC(USA) Churchwide Anti-racism Policy as well as learn of upcoming events in our church and in the surrounding community. Up next: The current Moderator of the Baltimore Presbytery, James Park, will be our Special Guest Preacher this Sunday, August 21st. Stay tuned for small groups, workshops, and movie nights in the fall. If you would like to join our newly renamed Anti-racism and Social Equity Team, please contact Paula Sparks (trebleclef48@gmail.com) or Linnie Girdner (Lkgirdner@comcast.net).
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 COMING IN SEPTEMBER SENIORS GROUP Seniors (self-defined), if you're interested, come September look for a survey--on line and hard copy--to express your preferences for forming a group to socialize, learn, and mentor. The first meeting's where and when will be determined by your answers. Also, put on your thinking caps and ponder what kind of activities you'd like to have and a potential name for the group (these are questions on the survey). So look for the link on E-Arkive after Labor Day or pick up a survey to fill out in the narthex at that time. Have questions? Ask Joan Berry (berry972@verizon.net)/410-672-5237 or Frances Keyes (FRKeyes1005@gmail.com /410-874-7253.
Let us consider how we can stir up one another to love. Let us help one another to do good works. Hebrews 10:24
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SMALL GROUP OPPORTUNITY - EXPLORING THE WAY
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 AN INTRODUCTION TO THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY All are invited to take part Tuesday nights at 7:00 pm, September 20, 27, October 4, 18, 25, and November 1, 8. Pastor Tim will be co-leading, with Steve and Cathy Debus, an exploration of An Introduction to the Spiritual Journey from Upper Room Ministries. In the gathering, the notion of Spiritual Formation will be introduced in week one and, then for next seven weeks, the group will explore and try on several different spiritual/prayer practices, while sharing individual successes, joys and failures. More than a few people, who have participated in this experience, have said that it started them again in a fresh way on their faith journey. Sign up in the lobby or contact Pastor Tim, TimSStern@gmail.com.
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 THE OPEN VIEW GROUP All are invited as we gather to explore Becoming Wise: An Inquiry into the Mystery and Art of Living by Krista Tippett. Ms. Tippet is the host of On Being, the acclaimed weekly interview program on NPR. One reviewer referred to this, Tippet's latest NY Times Bestseller, as: "A book in which I underlined more passages than any other book I've read." Another called it: "A mind-expanding exploration of what it means to be human." Open View will meet in the Marshall Room on Sundays at 11:00 AM, September 11 through November 20. Sign-up in the lobby. Questions? Please contact Betsy Baer (bbaer1216@aol.com) or Pastor Jon Nelson (jgnelson1985@gmail.com)
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ANTI-RACISM AND SOCIAL EQUITY
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The FAITH AND ANTI-RACISM group will study America's Original Sin by Jim Wallis, who is a NYT bestselling Christian author, a social activist and the founder of Sojourners. Probing, yet positive, biblically rooted yet highly practical, this book is an antidote to the helplessness and overwhelm that many feel today. In America's Original Sin, Wallis unpacks the historical and structural realities of racism and leads us on a path toward becoming the Beloved Community we want our children to inherit.
We invite you to come and mix history, theology, videos and stories, beginning on Sunday, September 18th at 12:30pm and continuing weekly through November 13. We welcome you to our home in Millersville, where we will begin each meeting with fellowship and a light lunch for those who come straight from church. Paula and David Sparks, trebleclef48@gmail.com.
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TWELVE WOMEN OF THE BIBLE
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SPIRITED SISTERS will study 10 of the Twelve Women of the Bible by Lysa TerKeurst and Elisa Morgan. Each session of this study will focus on one woman of the Bible, such as Eve, Rebekah, Abigail, Mary Magdalene, Martha, and Jesus' mother Mary. We will look at the spiritual lessons of each woman and the implications of her story to our lives today. We will consider how our trials and successes can bring us closer to God. This study uses DVDs as well as a study guide. Whether you are brand new to Ark and Dove or a long time Spirited Sister, I invite you to join together on Saturdays from 9-10:30am, beginning on September 17 and continuing biweekly for ten sessions. Kim Champagne, kim.champagne@gmail.com.
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 THE BIBLE AND THE NEWS (beginning September 8) What does ancient Scripture say to everyday events in the news? Surprisingly a lot! You are invited Thursday nights at 7 pm as we pair headline news with Holy Scripture. Each week we will discern what the Bible says to the news of the week in order to see the world through the lens of faith. Contact Pastor Jon, jgnelson1985@gmail.com, for more information.
WEEKLY BIBLE STUDY Starting back up, September 7th! Are you interested in delving a bit deeper into the Bible? Are you looking for some companions on your journey of faith? Come as you are, there are no prerequisites. We discern and discuss new Bible passages every Wednesday, 10:00 am. Questions? Contact Pastor Jon, jgnelson1985@gmail.com.
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PRAYERS OF HEALING AND SUPPORT for Lester Dabbs; Janet Dabbs; Debbie Arey; Chris Wilkens; Amy Tardiff's father, Shawn Burke; Laurie Barrow and her father and mother; Fred Barrow's sister, Mary Jackson; Dot Bruno; Nora Chidlow; Florence Myers; Ann Hirschy; Ann Hirschy's Uncle Jake; Laura Talbert; Chip Burnett; Mary Benson; Norma Forgrave; Minnie Bradley; Dot Forloines; Henry Duncan; Jason DeVono; Pat Stanton's brother-in-law, Ken Hare; friends of the Stantons, Pat Smith and Gary Finzel; the Stantons' niece, Karen Nations; Marlene DeHaven; Shelly Franklin's father, Arlo; Ashley Ricciuti; Preston Ritchie; Helene Marchand-Stancil's parents, Paul and Mimi Marchand; Josh Zumbrook; Christy Yeager's father; Leon Jordan; Ed Barrett's aunt, Pat Blake; Steve Debus' cousin, Linda Donhauser; Ray Mosella; Mary Power; Linnie Girdner's friend, Rose Dorrell; Merlin Berry; Kenji Nishikawa's mother, Juanita Frizzell; and a member's husband who is awaiting test results.
PRAYERS OF GUIDANCE AND INSIGHT for a son of a member struggling on the decision to attend rehabilitation.
PRAYERS for all of our children headed off to school this week.
PRAYERS OF LOVE AND SUPPORT for all the people in Louisiana, who have been effected by the flooding, and all of the people in California, who have been effected by fires.
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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