E-Arkive The Electronic Newsletter for Ark and Dove


 
MESSAGE FROM PASTOR JON


Dear Friends and Members of Ark and Dove,   
I have a working theory that joy is not something we can muster up, it is something we find or discover. Let me tell you what I mean. I think we can put on a smile, we can get excited, or we can work at happiness. But joy is a gift that is given. We don't make it happen, joy happens to us. Joy is passed person to person.

I am thankful to be a part of a community of people that pass joy on. Because some weeks, it is hard to smile, get excited, or be happy. This week has been one of those weeks for me. No matter where you are on the political spectrum, this election season has been hard. It has divided our families, friends, communities, and our nation. There is grief, anger, relief, fear, anxiety, sadness, and hurt no matter where you stand.

But this week, I happened upon the joy of resilient children and youth, I found the joy of people dedicated to mission, I heard laughter that speaks of deep joy, and I caught the joy of a community that knows the givenness of God. Joy is a gift given, we can only respond by giving.

I hope you made time or are making time to consider your pledge to Ark and Dove. Please pray about giving and increasing your financial promise to this community. An increase of just 1% of your household income will take us a long way in advancing the good work of our community. New pledges will enable us to live into the dreams we have for this place. New sign ups for EFT or automatic giving will help us be faithful to our promises. Your contribution is essential to the thriving of this congregation. I have to remind myself often: I cannot be comfortable in the ways I give, I must give in all ways.

As I mentioned in my sermon last week, consider writing a letter to Ark and Dove dreaming of what we will be for having given more. I believe such an activity will keep us accountable to our promises.

This Sunday we will dedicate our pledges in worship. Please join us because when we see the joy of giving in one another, we will find it in ourselves. Catch the joy, friends. Pass it on. Our nation really needs the joy of giving.

 
Peace, 
Jon  
Pastor Jon 
jgnelson1985@gmail.com


 

PRAYER

 
Holy God: the witnesses tell or your boundless generosity, and their telling is compelling to us: You give your word to call the worlds into being; You give your sovereign rule to emancipate the slaves and the oppressed; You give your commanding fidelity to form your own people; You give your life for the life of the world...broken bread that feeds, poured out wine that binds and heals. You give...we receive...and we are thankful.

We begin this day in gratitude, thanks that is a match for your self-giving, gratitude in gifts offered, gratitude in tales told, gratitude in lives lived. Gratitude willed, but not so readily lived...Create innocent space for us this day for the gratitude we intend. In thankfulness, we will give, we will tell, we will live, your gift through us to gift the world. Amen.

--Walter Brueggemann 
 
 

 
 
TES FOR YOU

 
This Sunday, please join us to hear a beautiful string trio for the offertory, along with one of our talented youth, Molly Churchill, who will play a piano Prelude. You will want to arrive a few minutes before 9:30 to make sure you get to hear that!

We are under way with the Christmas pageant, and I am so happy to say that we have our director and help with costumes. Thank you to Wendy and Brittany Wellington for taking on the task of directing, and to the wonderful parents who will be helping pull costumes together! We can't wait to present it to you on December 18th, so mark your calendars! 
 
Love, 
Rebecca 
rebeccaebell@gmail.com   


Need some songs to help catch the joy after the work week?  Here are some great tunes for your weekend playlist!

    (I Like It When You) Smile - Harry Connick, Jr.
    (I've Had) The Time of My Life - Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes.
    (It) Feels So Good - Steven Tyler.
    A Beautiful Morning - The Rascals.
    Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now - McFadden & Whitehead.

God Bless,
Mark
www.MarkEdwardsguitar.com 
   
     

 
 
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Catch the Joy!

SHARE THE JOY!
Catch the Joy CATCH THE JOY! A HUGE thank you to the pastors, elders, and deacons (and even several members of the congregation!) who have already pledged, and for the step of faith that many of you took by increasing your pledge for 2017.  We are overjoyed by your generosity, and know that your gifts will be multiplied by the dedicated time and efforts of the many, many people who will be entrusted with putting your pledges to use to spread the message of the gospel in our church and beyond.  For those who have not yet pledged, we are asking that you please prayerfully consider your ability to financially support the work of this church, and return your pledge cards this Sunday so that we can begin planning for the many things that we hope to accomplish in the coming year.  With your support, we can become an even brighter beacon of hope and joy in our community and our world! Amy Carskadon, Discipleship Elder, amy.carskadon@gmail.com.   
Outreach and Connections

25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION TEAM Ark and Dove's 25th anniversary will be celebrated throughout 2017.  We are seeking to assemble a team of members and friends to plan fun and creative events and activities to celebrate our church's 25 years of ministry and mission.   Whether you are a long-time member or just joined (or are a visitor who wants to get involved) you are invited to be part of the 25th anniversary team.  We are hosting a brainstorming meeting this Sunday, November 13 after the 11:00 service (around 12:30 pm).  Pizza lunch will be provided.  Please sign up in the lobby or email Donna if you would like to participate:  donna.anderson30@aol.com.  
Anti-racism and Social Equity 

RACE - THE POWER OF AN ILLUSION
THE HOUSE WE LIVE IN How did the White Race ever come to define itself as such and how did that racialize America? The Anti-Racism/Social Equity team invites you to a showing and discussion of the film The House We Live In, Part 3 of Race: The Power of an Illusion, on Sunday, November 20th from 3-5 PM in our sanctuary. The one hour film shows how institutions and policies have historically advantaged some groups at the expense of others and explores the racialized nature of our laws, courts, customs and housing. Middle and Senior High students also are encouraged to come. Sign up in the lobby and note whether you need childcare. Any questions, contact Paula Sparks, trebleclef48@gmail.com. Joining this conversation is more important than ever.
   
Outreach and Connections

GRIEF AND THE HOLIDAYS
GRIEF AND THE HOLIDAYS Pastor Tim Stern and Linnie Girdner will be facilitating our annual Grief and the Holidays session on Tuesday, November 29th at 7pm in the Ark and Dove Room. That is after Thanksgiving, but still before Christmas. Whether you are new to grief or grieving anew during the holidays this year, this is an opportunity to process and prepare, while being comforted by your church family and faith. You can sign up in the lobby or just show up. Any questions, contact Linnie Girdner at Lkgirdner@comcast.net or 410-999-7892. 
Church Leadership Retreat

PLANNING FOR JOYFUL MINISTRY
CHURCH LEADERSHIP RETREAT Planning for Joyful Ministry in 2017 and beyond! Friday, January 6, 6:00 pm to Saturday, January 7, 2:00 pm at Bon Secours, Marriottsville, MD. Overnight rate is $160 for single occupancy and $214 for double occupancy. Includes dinner, breakfast, lunch and snacks. Check-in time is 3:00 pm, dinner starts at 6:00 pm, and the program will begin at 7:15 pm. Reserve your space by filling out a registration form today (lobby bulletin board). Questions? Pastor Tim, timsstern@gmail.com.                
Mission 

THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS MEALS
HOLIDAY MEAL GIVING The Christian Assistance Program (CAP) Food Pantry is preparing for our annual holiday meal program where we provide 200 households with food for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.  As a member of CAP, Ark & Dove provides volunteers for CAP's regular operations and special events. For these holiday meals, help is needed with food pickup, packing, and distribution.  These events will take place Thursday/Friday, November 17/18 for Thanksgiving, and Monday/Tuesday, December 19/20 for Christmas.   All events will take place at the Church at Severn Run, 8187 Telegraph Road in Severn.  For more information, please contact Greg Makar (301-483-8255, GLMakar@juno.com).  

FOOD OF THE MONTH
CAP WEST COUNTY'S FOOD PANTRY Featured item for November is CANNED VEGETABLES (mushrooms, unsweetened peas, beets, etc.). Please drop off food items in the Mission Zone bin. Thank you for your donations!        
Prayer Concerns

PRAYER CONCERNS
PRAYERS OF HEALING AND SUPPORT for Dot Bruno; Christy Yeager's mother, Linda Jordan; Claire Henderson's father; Tim Stern's sister, Jean Stern Wollenberg; Barbara Reynolds mother, Ruth Campbell; Chip Burnett; Abbey Boudreau; Joe and Ann Devers; Laura Talbert; Laurie Barrow and her father and mother; Nora Chidlow; Ann Hirschy; Mary Benson; Dot Forloines; Dot Forloines friend; Henry Duncan; friends of the Stantons, Pat Smith and Gary Finzel; Helene Marchand-Stancil's parents, Paul and Mimi Marchand; Ray Mosella; Judy Cooper's sister, Barb Eardley and brother-in-law Bill Eardley; Linnie Girdner's friend, Rose Dorrell; Scott Howe's friend, Eric Diana; Mary Stum's sister, Barbara Kendig; Breinny Mosella's friend, Emma; Joel Davie's father-in-law, Richard Mensi; Pat Stanton's uncles, Bob Berg and Hallie Hawn; Ron Stanton's aunt, Ruth; Judy Cooper's sister, Barb; and Ellen Makar's father, Don Erickson.

PRAYERS OF STRENGTH AND GUIDANCE for a mother battling addiction. 
     
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 
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