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All are invited to World Communion Sunday, this Sunday, October 2nd! There will be communion at both the 9:30 Traditional and 11:00 am Contemporary Services.
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MESSAGE FROM PASTOR TIM
Dear Friends and Members of Ark and Dove,
I am not sure I felt Joy (as in Catch the Joy), but I was moved on Sunday by both Minutes for Mission for
Winter Relief. At 9:30, Sam Dewey spoke eloquently about the deep love she had for her three boys, one of whom is a foster care child, and she looked us in the eyes and said, something like, "I hope that if any of my three son's temporarily lose their way and find themselves in need of help that there will be people and programs like Ark and Dove and Winter Relief to treat them with kindness and respect and to help them find their way back." She reminded us all that every man we serve at Winter Relief is someone's son.
Sue Hanburger spoke about how uncomfortable she was early in her volunteer work for Winter Relief, how she didn't know what to expect, how she feared the unknown. Something like, "I was very hesitant and apprehensive the first year I volunteered. I was nervous, but I learned a lot and the next year it was easier. As I met the men, I became more humble, and I realized they were pretty much like me. They have feelings just like I do. As the years progressed and the more I served at Winter Relief, the more joy I felt at keeping people out of the cold and touching their lives with genuine hospitality."
Come to think of it, I did catch some joy. Our Mission Ministries bring relief and joy to people in need. I invite all of you who are hesitant and apprehensive to volunteer at Winter Relief for just one or two hours. I am not saying you will be instantly comfortable, but you might be changed.
Winter Relief is Oct 10 to 17.
This Sunday October 2, we will host our fourth Anti-Racism and Social Equity Forum at 7:00 PM. Pastor Jon and I and our Anti Racism and Social Equity team will lead us in discussion. I think since these issues are in the media everyday, it is important for us, as thinking Christians, to develop dialogue, trust and common vocabulary, so we can help lead our community in finding a way forward. We are asking that you read this paper published by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church USA called
Facing Racism, a Vision of the Intercultural Community. It's a little long, so even if you read the first four pages, that's terrific. We will conclude our forum at about 8:30 PM.
Peace of Christ,
Tim
Pastor Tim
TimSStern@gmail.com
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VERSE AND PRAYER
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
-- Matthew 5:9
Creator God, your rain makes all things new. Make me anew this day that I may be molded to faithfully work for your vision. Redeeming God, change me that I might be more aware of your goodness in the world. Abiding God awaken my heart to greet you and open my lips to sing your praise. May I follow the way of Christ ever more fully this day. Amen.
The Grasp of Your Hand
Let me not pray to be sheltered from dangers,
but to be fearless in facing them.
Let me not beg for the stilling of my pain, but
for the heart to conquer it.
Let me not crave in anxious fear to be saved,
but hope for the patience to win my freedom.
Grant me that I may not be a coward, feeling
Your mercy in my success alone; but let me find
the grasp of Your hand in my failure.
-Rabindranath Tagore
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N
TES FOR YOU
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This week, we have some very special music planned for the 9:30 service. Please join us to hear the "Joyful Noise" choir sing the Introit. We have a chamber brass ensemble playing the offertory, accompanied by percussion and many of our hymns are world music pieces as well. This is our special way of celebrating World Communion Sunday. I hope that you will be there.
Love,
Rebecca
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STEWARDSHIP 2016 - CATCH THE JOY! When you come to Ark and Dove, what puts a smile on your face? Is it the uplifting and varied music at each service? The smiling faces and precious responses of our kids during the Children's Sermon? The thought provoking sermons each week? Or is it the fellowship of our like-minded and open-hearted congregation?
Whatever the reason, during our 2016 Stewardship campaign we are asking everyone to look at where the power of God breaks into our daily life and how we "Catch the Joy." Keep an eye out for our upcoming mailings, minutes for Stewardship, and other items as you ponder the value Ark and Dove brings to you and your family. Our campaign will build up to Dedication Sunday on November 13th, and we need everyone to pray and discern how each one of us can be a part of growing our ministries. Our goal is for each household to try and increase their giving by 1% of their gross income. With such generosity, we can fulfill all of our near-term needs and accelerate the church's growth. Questions? Amy Carskadon, Discipleship Elder, amy.carskadon@gmail.com.
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PEACEMAKING OFFERING This Sunday we will receive the Peace and Global Witness Offering. This offering occurs on World Communion Sunday.
This Sunday we celebrate the connection between the local congregation and the global Christian community. As we acknowledge the violence and division in our local, regional, national, and world communities, we come together at the table and join in communion with all of our brothers and sisters in Christ. We also bring our gifts to strengthen Christ's work for peace through our church. Twenty-five percent (25%) of the Peace and Global Witness Offering will be used for anti-racism efforts in our local community; another 25% will be used at our mid council level (Mid-Atlantic Synod); the remaining 50% will be used at the national level. What we share today will deepen connections to peacemakers. It will provide opportunities to learn more about global conflict to church conflict, and it will provide resources to train people like us to be part of proclaiming Christ's peace to all of God's children. Please give generously. Questions? Christine Caufield-Noll, Mission Elder, ccnmission@outlook.com.
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RADICAL HOSPITALITY AND WINTER RELIEF
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RADICAL HOSPITALITY SUNDAY IS COMING! Remember Pastor Tim's recent sermon on radical hospitality based on Luke 14:7-24? Jesus basically says to the Pharisee that at the next party, invite the neglected, intentionally include the marginalized, go above and beyond normal welcoming to radical hospitality. We have got the chance to do that on
Sunday, October 16. That Sabbath day is the only day that our Winter Relief guests are welcomed to remain in our church home for the entire day. The only day that they can stay out of possible inclement weather. The only day that they can lounge around and watch tv. Don't you appreciate days like that? We may not indulge in them often ourselves, but can you imagine how very precious it is for our guests who have been living out on the street all summer? Will you join others in providing radical hospitality?
Volunteers are needed for various shifts going from 7am - 11pm on Sunday. The sign-up sheet is in the lobby. Any questions or if you want to volunteer by text or email, contact Linnie at 410-999-7892 or Lkgirdner@comcast.net.
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CAP WEST COUNTY'S FOOD PANTRY Featured item for October is CANNED VEGETABLES (sweet potatoes, pumpkin, tomatoes, etc.). Please drop off food items in the Mission Zone bin. Thank you for your donations!
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CAMPFIRE WORSHIP AND CHURCH PICNIC
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S'MORES FELLOWSHIP AND CHURCH PICNIC! We will hold our annual picnic in conjunction with Campfire Worship this year (followed by S'more's) on
Saturday, October 8 at 5:00 p.m. As an added bonus in between the two events, the Band will play some of their favorite selections from the Irish Christian band Rend Collective.
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EQUIPPING THE SAINTS Your talent is God's gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God. --Leo Buscaglia
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EQUIPPING THE SAINTS The Stewardship team will be launching a campaign asking everyone to fill out Time and Talent surveys. These surveys can be difficult to fill out, especially if you are not aware of your own gifts and talents.
What are my talents?
What are my spiritual gifts?
What can I offer my church community?
I know what my spiritual gifts were ten years ago- what if they've changed?
Please join us at Equipping the Saints this
Wednesday, October 5th, from 6:30-8:30, in the Marshall Room to answer these questions. We will be discussing the topic of spiritual gifts, and we will be embarking on a journey of discovery as we identify our own spiritual gifts and talents.
To prepare for the meeting, please fill out the
Spiritual Gifts Inventory (found in the lobby), and bring it with you to the meeting. Come early if spiritual assistance is needed in filling out the survey. Pastors will be on hand beginning at 5:30.
Chipotle will be provided for dinner. Please sign up in the lobby. Childcare will be provided upon request. Contact Samantha Dewey with any questions: samanthadewey@gmail.com
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THE GODLY PLAY EXPERIENCE
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GODLY PLAY This Monday, October 3rd, 6:30 pm in the Prentiss Whitman Room. Come Godly Play with us! We would like to invite Ark and Dove adults to experience a Godly Play story. You may reserve a spot by contacting Amy Tardiff at itsmemim@gmail.com, 667-207-1774, or by signing up in the lobby. Hope to see you there!
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Join Us in the Conversation
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ANTI-RACISM FORUM Join the Conversation! Sunday, October 2, at 7 p.m. "In our conviction that God desires justice, we will learn from others to broaden our understanding of equality...we will listen openly to diverse voices regarding how racism functions in our society." This quote is taken from the vison statement on facing racism of the Presbyterian Church (USA). It is what you are invited to join in doing this Sunday, October 2, at 7 p.m. We will learn definitions of words used by those in the anti-racism movement. We will voice our views and listen to others in small group discussions. Before the forum, you can prepare by reading the vision statement in Facing Racism: A Vision of the Intercultural Community Churchwide Antiracism Policy. Please join us in this conversation. For more information contact Paula Sparks (trebleclef48@gmail.com)
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FIRST AID/CPR TRAINING Boy Scout Troop 119 has scheduled a First Aid and CPR certification class and invited church members to participate. Come out and learn a skill that may save a life some day! The class will be held on
October 8 from 1-3 PM in the Marshall Room. Cost is $15, please RSVP to Kathy DellaRocco (jkzdellarocco@gmail.com).
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A&D C25K: We are ready to begin! Our first run together will be on
Saturday, October 8th at 9 am. We will go over to the trail across the street from the church. Rob Yeager has put together a training program for us. You can get it here and in the lobby or check out this link
C25k Calendar. Please see Pastor Jon or Rob Yeager (rubarb72@verizon.net) with any questions.
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EVENING GRIEF GROUP The next meeting of the Healing through Grief small group will be on
Thursday, October 6 from 7 - 8:15 pm in the Ark and Dove Room. Anyone who has experienced the loss of a beloved family member or dear friend, no matter how recent or long ago, is invited to attend. No sign-up needed, though it is appreciated. Drinks will be provided. 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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 PRAYERS OF HEALING AND SUPPORT for Kelly Burnett; Chip Burnett; Abbey Boudreau; Lester Dabbs, who is in hospice care; Amy Hagemann's mother, Sandy Krezanosky; Joe and Ann Devers; Janet Dabbs; Logan Talbert; Laura Talbert; Laurie Barrow and her father and mother; Dot Bruno; Nora Chidlow; Florence Myers; Ann Hirschy; Mary Benson; Mary Benson's mother and sister; Dot Forloines; Henry Duncan; friends of the Stantons, Pat Smith and Gary Finzel; Helene Marchand-Stancil; Helene Marchand-Stancil's parents, Paul and Mimi Marchand; Ray Mosella; Paula Griggs' friend, Tammy and her son Brandon; Judy Cooper's brother-in-law Bill Eardly; and Amy Gist's daughter, Maggie.
PRAYERS OF SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE for a family moving to Kuwait for two years.
THE LOVE AND PRAYERS OF THE CONGREGATION go out to Dot Forloines and the Hunt family on the death of Dot's sister-in-law, Mary Hunt.
THE LOVE AND PRAYERS OF THE CONGREGATION go out to Tracy Churchill's family upon the death of her aunt, Edith Baldwin.
THE LOVE AND PRAYERS OF THE CONGREGATION go out to Denise Nooe, Nancy Stanley and the Stanley family on the death of Denise's cousin, Archie Stanley.
PRAYERS OF SUPPORT AND GOD'S KEEPING go out to John and Gwenda Fletcher. Please hold the people in the Democratic Republic of Congo, our partners and mission co-workers in prayer during this difficult time.
THE LOVE AND PRAYERS OF THE CONGREGATION go out to Rebecca Burnett and Brian Distad, who will be getting married tomorrow, Saturday, October 1.
PRAYERS OF PRAISES AND THANKSGIVING for Barbara Reynold's mother who celebrated her 104th birthday.
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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