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Come celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Advent with a special treat at 11:00 Worship Sevcie with the Children's Christmas Pageant!
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MESSAGE FROM PASTOR TIM
Dear Friends and Members of Ark and Dove,
Advent is not complete until we have experienced the excitement and holy commotion of a Christmas Pageant. It's part of our journey to Bethlehem. Christmas Pageants are not just Joy Fodder for grandparents and neighbors; Pageants are when children embody the Good News of Great Joy there is in Christmas. They sing it, act it, share it and are even themselves surprised when they feel it: Christ coming into our world and our lives. I have to admit that there are usually several moments in every pageant when that Christmas News gets lumpy in my throat. Our children and youth will present their pageant as the sermon on this Sunday, the Fourth Sunday in Advent at 11:00 am Worship. They have been working on this for months. 9:30 worship will include carols and a sermon.
Looking Ahead to Christmas Eve, there will be carols, carols and carols at 4:00 pm, 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm. 4:00 pm is Children's worship with a Charlie Brown Christmas drama. 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm are essentially similar services, but the Band will lead the carols and offer the Anthems at 6:00, and the Choir will lead the Carols and offer the Anthems at 8:00.
On Christmas Day we will celebrate the birth with one single service at 11:00 am. We will receive the Christmas Joy Offering and "catch up giving" at all of these services of worship.
I know that it is not quite time for New Year's resolutions, but often people say to themselves, "Hey, next year I am going to read my Bible more." Yet for some people the Bible is intimidating, and its kind of thick. Where do I start? I am offering a .50 class on Thursdays in January and February. It's a true introduction to the Bible, entry level. Your Bible! The Study Begins is the title of the course. We will be using a curriculum from the Kerygma Organization. There are absolutely no prerequisites. There are two text books: An NRSV Study Bible and the book from Kerygma. Please sign up in the church lobby, so we can order you the Kerygma book. Cost is $14.00.
Peace of Christ,
Tim
Pastor Tim
timsstern@gmail.com
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PRAYERS
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, 'Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.' But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus.
--Luke 1:26-30
Household Prayer: Evening
Giver of light, in the light of your Christ I see myself clearly as your child. I rise in thankfulness for you are present when I sleep and when I am awake. I rise to come to you in the hours of joy and in sorrow. I rise to live this day in your wisdom, without fear, without acrimony, but with charity toward those I meet and toward myself when I find I am wanting. Lead me into your desire for me this day, O Lord. Let me know your love is deep and abiding; in Jesus' name. Amen.
Household Prayer: Evening
Giver of rest and silence, in you I take refuge when the shadows deepen and the time of sleep has come. I thank you for the ventures of this day, for friends who helped me and for those who sought my help, for the skills you planted in me to hone and use, for the strangers whose lives enlarged mine today and whose insights enrich my life. Keep me safe from harm as I sleep and bring me to a new dawn with strength to work and rejoice;in Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
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N
TES FOR YOU
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This Sunday at the 11:00 service, news of peace and joy are about to be shared with a young girl named Mary, with shepherds on a hill and with us at Ark and Dove. Please join us for The Very Important Christmas Pageant. You will laugh, sing Christmas carols, and beam with pride for these amazing children and youth in our congregation. We also have beautiful music planned for the 9:30 service, where we will sing The Shepherd's Song - a piece composed by our former Director of Music, Craig Sparks. And of course, we have our Christmas Eve services -- 4:00 Children's service, 6:00 service led by the band, and the 8:00 service led by the choir and orchestra. We hope to see you then!
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ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS SERVICES
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You're Invited to Celebrate Advent and Christmas at Ark and Dove!
Please join us as we ready our hearts and minds for the Prince of Peace!
Sundays, December 18
9:30 and 11:00 am
Advent Worship Services
Sunday, December 18, 11:00 am
Ark and Dove's Children present the annual Christmas pageant
Saturday, December 24, Christmas Eve Services
4:00 pm Children's Service and Carols
6:00 pm Lessons and Carols with the Band
8:00 pm Lessons and Carols with the Choir
Sunday, December 25, Christmas Day
11:00 am Single Service The Nativity of Jesus Christ
Sunday, January 1st, New Year's Day
11:00 am Single Service
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CHRISTMAS EVE CHILDREN'S SERVICE
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A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS EVE At the 4 pm Christmas Eve service, we are putting on a drama based around Charlie Brown's Christmas story. We will have practice on December 17 at 1 pm. At the same time, we will work on scenery. All are invited to participate in the drama or the artwork. We need all the help we can get to pull this off. I know it will be very fun. Please contact Pastor Jon (jgnelson1985@gmail.com).
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GODLY PLAY Tuesday, January 3 at 6:30 in the Witherspoon Room. Come experience a Godly Play class and learn more about this very different way of doing Children's Ministry. To reserve your spot please contact Amy Tardiff at itsmemim@gmail.com
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CHRISTMAS YOUTH ACTIVITIES
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YOUTH CHRISTMAS PARTIES Julia Kirby is hosting a middle school party her house on
Sunday, December 18 from 5 pm to 7 pm. At the same time, Kelly Burnett is hosting a Christmas party for senior high youth at her house. Please bring a $5 gift for sharing. Please contact Pastor Jon for any questions (jgnelson1985@gmail.com).
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WHAT IS THE PLACE OF THE BIBLE IN OUR LIVES?
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BIBLE STUDY GROUP Your Bible! The Study Begins ($14 per book) offers an introduction to the library of books, which are the foundation of our faith. In seven sessions, between Thursday January 5th and February 23rd, participants will explore basic issues. What Is the Bible? How Did the Bible Come to Be? How Shall We Study the Bible? What Is the Place of the Bible in Our Lives? Please sign-up on the board. Questions? Tim Stern, timsstern@gmail.com.
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ADVENT DEVOTIONAL BOOKLETS FROM THE PCUSA PEACEMAKING PROGRAM are now available in the church lobby. Proclaiming the Good News of God's Peace features scripture, prayer, and reflections on mass incarceration and immigration detention. There is a devotion for each day from November 27th through Christmas Day.
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 CATCH THE JOY! The Stewardship team is pleased to announce that our Catch The Joy! ministry plans for 2017 continue to go well. To date we have received 77 pledges including 13 new pledges, 26 increased pledges and 6 new households committing to EFT. If you have not yet pledged, please bring your pledge card to worship on Sunday. And no worries if you have misplaced your card, we have extras at church.
-- Amy Carskadon, Discipleship Elder, amy.carskadon@gmail.com.
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Pledged Income
November:
Received $25,697
Received YTD $265,135
Pledged YTD $284,903
Shortfall -$19,768
Thank you for bringing your pledges up-to-date!
~ The Finance Team
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THE BLUES BROTHERS CONCERT FUNDRAISER
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THE BLUES BROTHERS SOUNDTRACK Ark and Dove is excited to announce a new fundraising event in support of our youth mission and ministry summer programming. On Saturday, February 4 at 7:30 pm, Ark and Dove will be the site for a great concert:
The Adam Levowitz Orchestra
Live in Concert
The Blues Brothers Soundtrack
A Live Music Rhythm and Blues Review
All the hit songs
from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Tickets are $20/person and profits from ticket sales will support our youth as they participate in mission trips and the Gen On Summit this summer. Come out and enjoy great music in support of a great cause-our youth!
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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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Anti-racism and Social Equity
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RACE: THE POWER OF AN ILLUSION
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ANTIRACISM AND SOCIAL EQUITY
Facing Racism: A Vision of the Intercultural Community is the title of PCUSA's
Churchwide Antiracism Policy and the theme of our next small group study. We will explore the biblical foundations for antiracism work, understand the legacy of racism in the church and in the country, and grapple with how we move toward a "new creation" for our children and future generations. Using articles and videos that are free and easily accessible, preparation for the six weekly meetings can fit into any schedule. Join facilitator Linnie Girdner, beginning on
Tuesday, January 10th at 7pm in the Ark and Dove Room. For more information, contact Linnie at 410-999-7892 or Lkgirdner@comcast.net. Look for the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board.
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CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING What does the Christmas Joy Offering do? It buys a dog. Rosie, a lovable Australian labradoodle, provides more than companionship to Rev. Wendy McAninch: She also alerts her to important sounds that Wendy is unable to hear due to a chronic illness. Christmas Joy Offering receipts helped pay for Rosie's training, an expensive endeavor that Rev. Wendy couldn't afford on her own. A quarter of your gifts to the Christmas Joy Offering go to the Presbyterian Board of Pensions to benefit people like Wendy. Across the years, it's helped hundreds of current and retired church workers and their families in financial need. Another quarter of the Christmas Joy Offering receipts benefits Presbyterian-related racial ethnic schools that educate emerging leaders from underrepresented groups. The remaining half of the Offering stays here to help with the Comunidad Presbiteriana La Trinidad. Your gifts to the Christmas Joy Offering will help support our past, present, and future church leaders. Thank you from the Mission Ministry Team!
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CAP WEST COUNTY'S FOOD PANTRY Featured item for December is BAKING MIXES (bran muffins, Bob's Red Mill pancake mix, etc.) Please drop off food items in the Mission Zone bin. Thank you for your donations!
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CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY SHARING
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CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY SHARING Sign-ups for
Christmas Holiday Sharing Program gift-giving and delivery will continue December 11 in the lobby. There are several more children we are committed to assist by purchasing a clothing item and another gift. Through this partnership with Social Services, we provide Christmas gifts to families in our community by sharing some of our blessings. For those already signed up, please follow all instructions on the sheet provided. We are planning to deliver to the 37 families following the 11:00 service on December 18. Alternative delivery times are fine, but we want the gifts for all children in the family delivered at the same time, and we need to track delivery arrangements for each family. Questions? Please contact Greg Makar (301-483-8255, GLMakar@juno.com) or Nicole Howe (410-868-6266, nicolehowe123@gmail.com).
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PREPARING OUR CHURCH HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
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CHRISTMAS FLOWERS The Flower Team is accepting donations for flowers and greens for the Christmas Eve service. Suggested donation amount is $5-$10 dollars. Forms are available in the church bulletin and in the lobby. If you have any questions, please contact Paula Griggs at 443-510-6687 or paulagriggs32@gmail.com.
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 PRAYERS OF HEALING AND SUPPORT for Dot Bruno; Dorothy Kaufman; Christy Yeager's mother, Linda Jordan; Barbara Reynolds mother, Ruth Campbell; Chip Burnett; Joe and Ann Devers; Laura Talbert; Laurie Barrow and her father and mother; Fred Barrow's nephew; Nora Chidlow; Ann Hirschy; Mary Benson; Dot Forloines; Henry Duncan; friends of the Stantons, Pat Smith and Gary Finzel; Helene Marchand-Stancil's parents, Paul and Mimi Marchand; Judy Cooper's sister, Barb Eardley and brother-in-law Bill Eardley; Mary Stum's sister, Barbara Kendig; Pat Stanton's uncles, Bob Berg and Hallie Hawn; Ron Stanton's aunt, Ruth; Ellen Makar's father, Don Erickson; Janet Dabbs' sister, Diane Maloy; Kevin Hood; Debbie Saylor's friend, Drew Beeler; Paula Sparks' friend, Fran; and Dick and Carol Baily.
PRAYERS OF GUIDANCE AND STRENGTH for a young man battling addiction and homelessness.
PRAYERS OF GUIDANCE AND STRENGTH for a daughter with personal struggles.
PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING from Kim and Tom Stroka and big sister Gabriella on the birth of Adelaide Marie Stroka.
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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