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All are invited to the 9:30am Traditional and 11:00am Contemporary Worship Services this Sunday!
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MESSAGE FROM PASTOR TIM
Dear Friends,
As the summer progresses, I would like to give you an update on three things about the larger church.
1. The PCUSA Presbyterian Church in the United States has officially adopted
The Belhar Confession and added it to our book of Confessions, which is part II of our Constitution.
The Belhar Confession was adopted by the Dutch reformed Mission Church in South Africa in 1986 and comes out of the deep pain of Apartheid. Dutch Reformed Churches are in the Presbyterian or Reformed family and are considered similar and sister churches to our PC(USA). I commend it you for your reading.
2. Jon Nelson has accepted the leadership position of
Convener of the Bay Area Disciples Ministry Group of the Presbytery of Baltimore. So for the next year, he will herd the squirrels known as the Anne Arundel PCUSA churches. Ark and Dove, Christ Our Anchor on the Broadneck Peninsula, First Presbyterian of Annapolis, Glen Burnie Korean, Harundale in Glen Burnie, Prince of Peace in Crofton and Woods Memorial in Severna Park. In all seriousness, I think it is an honor that Jon was asked, and we have very good relations with our sister churches.
3. One project, which I have been working on with our six Arundel sister churches is the launch of an Hispanic Ministry Initiative.
This effort is part of Ark and Dove's Anti-racism Social Equity focus. We are still crossing the t's and dotting the i's, but we anticipate calling the Rev. Migde Lucas to lead our effort beginning Oct 1, 2016. Migde will be our Organizing Pastor/Community Organizer. The final piece of funding, which comes from our National Church, was approved today. I am also pleased to announce that member Laura Willoughby (who speaks Spanish) has joined me on the Team and jumped right in.
Hymn No. 435
1 There's a wideness in God's mercy, like the wideness of the sea.
There's a kindness in God's justice, which is more than liberty.
There is no place where earth's sorrows are more felt than up in heaven.
There is no place where earth's failings have such kindly judgment given.
2 For the love of God is broader than the measures of the mind.
And the heart of the Eternal is most wonderfully kind.
If our love were but more faithful, we would gladly trust God's Word,
and our lives reflect thanksgiving for the goodness of our Lord.
Peace of Christ,
Tim
Pastor Tim
TimSStern@gmail.com
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VERSE AND PRAYERS
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul .He leads me in right paths for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff-they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long. --Psalm 23
Lord of Life, we greet this new day sustained by the great cloud of witnesses who praise your name. Help us to lay aside any burden or distraction that might prevent us from fully serving you this day. Give us perseverance and joy, so that we may come to the end of the day confident in your presence and aware of your blessings. Amen.
Evening Prayer
God of hope, confirm for us at the close of this day the fulfillment of your promise of provision. Release our concerns for things done and left undone that we may sleep. As we shut our eyes help us to trust in you. Grant us your peace, so that we rise refreshed to serve you with energy, kindness and love.
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N
TES FOR YOU
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Did you once play an instrument, but haven't touched it in years? Have you been looking for an excuse to get your instrument back out? Well, starting on Wednesday, September 7th, we will be having our orchestra rehearsing regularly, and playing more regularly during worship. We will meet from 5:30-7:00. Please come and join us! If you have any questions, please email me or talk to me after services.
Mark your calendars for August 21st! The men of the Adult Choir will be singing a beautiful piece called How Long Has it Been? Our first rehearsal on it just reminded me how fortunate we are to have incredibly talented singers. I'm so happy to finally be featuring our incredible men's section!
We always invite anyone who is in high school or older to join the adult choir on Thursday evenings from 7:00-8:30. We will resume on Thursday, September 1st, and we meet in the sanctuary.
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ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY BACK TO SCHOOL PROGRAM We're now in the shopping and delivery phase for the Back to School elementary and middle school supplies. Meade Heights Elementary is accepting backpacks now, and they need them all by first thing Thursday morning, August 18. Thank you to all who have delivered already!
If you need help with delivery, please make sure the backpacks are at Ark & Dove by this Sunday, August 14. Meade Middle School supplies can be dropped off at church or directly at the school. For information, please contact Greg Makar (GLMakar@juno.com, 301-483-8255).
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FAITH DAY AT THE BAYSOX GAME Join us
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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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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SUNDAY SCHOOL Our Summer Sunday School program needs teachers on
August 21st and 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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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 on 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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CAP WEST COUNTY'S FOOD PANTRY Featured item for August is CANNED BEANS (red beans, black beans, re-fried beans, etc.). Please drop off food items in the Mission Zone bin. Thank you for your donations!
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 PRAYERS OF HEALING AND SUPPORT for Lester Dabbs; Chris Wilkens; Amy Tardiff's father, Shawn Burke; Janet Dabbs; Laurie Barrow and her father and mother; 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; Bill Champagne's mother, Patricia; Jane Biondolillo's sister, Betsy; Ashley Ricciuti; Preston Ritchie; Paul and Mimi Marchand; Helene Marchand-Stancil; 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; and two of Denise Grassel's co-workers.
THE LOVE AND PRAYERS OF THE CONGREGATION go out to the Schulz and Brown families on the unexpected death of Bill Schulz, Vaughn's close cousin.
PRAYERS OF GUIDANCE AND HEALING for a family in crisis.
PRAYERS OF GUIDANCE AND INSIGHT for a son of a member struggling on the decision to attend rehabilitation.
PRAYERS for all of our college students headed off to school.
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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