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All are invited to celebrate the Reign of Christ at both the 9:30 Traditional and 11:00 Contemporary Worship Services.
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MESSAGE FROM PASTOR TIM
Dear Friends and Members of Ark and Dove,
I want to thank you all for an excellent start to our Catch the Joy! ministry plans. As of Friday the church has received 59 pledges. Of those 59 pledges 10 were new pledges, 22 were increased pledges and 3 additional people signed up for electronic giving. Your commitment to Ark and Dove is greatly appreciated. To the other 80 or so families deeply involved in our ministry, we ask that you continue to pray about your giving to our joint ministries and that you bring your pledge cards with you to worship this Sunday. Just a reminder we are combining our two funds this year into one and asking that you combine your pledges. If you have misplaced your pledge card, we have extras at church.
The election season these past few months has taken a toll on many people in our congregation. There is exhaustion and in many cases fear. I have heard some say they are fasting from Fox News, some have said they are taking a CNN break and some are declaring a sabbatical from facebook. This last Sunday, in my sermon, I remembered aloud our one rule at our Logos Youth Ministry program. "Everyone treats everyone else like a child of God and no one has the right to treat anyone else like they don't exist." As we interact with our neighbors, our family and our fellow church members perhaps we should all try to be the civility we all hope to receive from others. As sisters and brothers in Christ, we are we are called to work for kindness, justice, peace and faith. May our church be a place where people see all of those things.
I am looking forward to our 3:00 showing of part III of the movie The House We Live In. Part III goes for an hour, and then we will have an hour of discussion. This is part of our ongoing forums - Anti-racism and Social Equity. In each forum to date I have learned something, and I have experienced important sharing by members of our church. We have done a little extra work in inviting the community in for this discussion. We have placed our Dismantle Racism banner on the road. We could well have some visitors. Let us be welcoming, and as we hear various views expressed, let us be respectful. I am grateful for you - this community called Ark and Dove.
Peace of Christ,
Tim
Pastor Tim
timsstern@gmail.com
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VERSE AND PRAYERS
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers--all things have been created through him and for him. -Colossians 1:15-16
Household Prayer: Morning
God of comfort, we give thanks for the dawning of a new day. Even though we have turned from you, you have reached for us. Even though we have been afraid you have been our strength and our might. May we draw life-giving water with joy this day, giving thanks for the multitude of gifts and challenges we face, singing praises to the Lord throughout all the earth. Amen.
Household Prayer: Evening
God of salvation, we are reminded of the myriad of ways you have strengthened and supported us today.In the midst of challenge and promise you reach for us. You create a new heaven and a new earth and call us to participate in the renewing of hearts and minds. Be with us and those we love this night. Be with your beloved whose fear prevails over your comfort, and bring us through this night to the dawning of a new day. Amen.
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N
TES FOR YOU
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Please join us this Sunday to hear the Dove Choir singing our opening music at the 9:30 service. For the offertory, we will have a women's group singing, and it is beautiful. We are working hard on our beautiful Advent and Christmas music. I hope that you will mark your calendar for December 4th (Christmas Revels), December 18th (Christmas pageant), and December 24th and 25th (Christmas Eve and Christmas Day). Happy Thanksgiving, friends.
Love,
Rebecca
rebeccaebell@gmail.com
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Anti-racism and Social Equity
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RACE - THE POWER OF AN ILLUSION
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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 and Social Equity Ministry of the Ark and Dove Presbyterian Church invites you to a showing and discussion of the film
The House We Live In, Part 3 of Race: The Power of an Illusion,
this 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 at
http://evite.me/5t6cRWcBUg or in the lobby. Childcare provided if you sign up and let us know soon. Questions, contact Paula Sparks, trebleclef48@gmail.com, 443-623-1169, or Linnie Girdner, Lkgirdner@comcast.net, 410-999-7892.
Joining this conversation is more important than ever.
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PLANNING FOR JOYFUL MINISTRY
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ADVENT SERIES The Gospel of Matthew begins with Jesus' genealogy. We usually skip over this long list. However, there are many persons mentioned who are models of faith. This Advent season Pastors Tim and Jon will be preaching on four models of faith from this genealogy.
Advent 1: Abraham- The Father of Faith
Advent 2: Rahab- The Faithful Ally
Advent 3: Mary- The Mother Expectant
Advent 4: David- The Fumbling, Faithful King
We believe that in looking at these characters, we can learn more about faithful living. Pastor Jon will lead a class on these characters on
Thursday nights at 7 pm, starting on December 1.
We look forward to celebrating this season with you. Questions? Pastor Jon, jgnelson1985@gmail.com.
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CHURCH GROUNDS WINTERIZATION Saturday, December 3rd, 8:00 am-12:00 pm is Ark and Dove's church grounds winterization. We will be raking, weeding, repairing pot holes, trimming bushes along the parking lot and driveway, and placing snowplow stakes around the parking lot. Lots of opportunities to feel good in getting a job done right! We ask that you please bring tools, gloves and anything else you feel will help prepare our church home and hearts for welcoming the Advent Season and Christmas. Excited to join the team? Please contact Ryan Stavely, ryan@stavely.org or Tony Hoxie, anthony.hoxie@gmail.com.
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GRIEF AND THE HOLIDAYS David Kessler, an expert on grief, hits upon some truths for many grieving people during this time of the year. "'Holidays are time spent with loved ones' was imprinted on our psyche from a young age. Holidays mark the passage of time in our lives. They are part of the milestones we share with each other and they generally represent time spent with family. They bring meaning to certain days and we bring much meaning back to them. But since holidays are for being with those we love the most, how on earth can anyone be expected to cope with them when a loved one has died? For many people, this is the hardest part of grieving, when we miss our loved ones even more than usual. How can you celebrate togetherness when there is none? When you have lost someone special, your world loses its celebratory qualities. Holidays only magnify the loss. The sadness feels sadder and the loneliness goes deeper. The need for support may be the greatest during the holidays." Your church wants to be especially supportive of you during this time. Pastor Tim Stern and Linnie Girdner will be facilitating our annual Grief and the Holidays session on Tuesday, November 29th at 7pm in the Calvin 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.
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Church Leadership Retreat
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PLANNING FOR JOYFUL MINISTRY
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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.
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THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS MEALS
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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).
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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!
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PRAYERS OF HEALING AND SUPPORT for Dot Bruno; Dick Baily; Christy Yeager's mother, Linda Jordan; Claire Henderson's father; 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; Ellen Makar's father, Don Erickson; Bruce and Karen Sanders' granddaughter, Hannah Algoet; Sue Hanburger's friend, Kim; and Janet Dabbs' sister, Diane Maloy.
PRAYERS OF STRENGTH AND GUIDANCE for a mother battling addiction.
THE LOVE AND PRAYERS OF THE CONGREGATION go out to Amanda Crose and the Crose family on the death of Amanda's grandmother.
PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE from Bruce and Karen Sanders for their granddaughter, Hannah Algoet's successful surgery.
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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The church office will be closed, Thursday November 24th and Friday, November 25th for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. - 2 Corinthians 4:15
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