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God in Jesus the Christ offers the bread and the cup and bids us come. (Presbyterian understanding of the sacrament of communion)
All are invited to take part in the holy sacrament of communion this Sunday at both the 9:30 Traditional and 11:00 Contemporary Services!
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MESSAGE FROM PASTOR JON
Dear Friends and Members of Ark and Dove,
Summertime is a season to loosen up, relax, and slow down. I don't know if that has been true for you or me, but it is often the case that we find downtime and vacation in the summer months--even if you're not a teacher, student, or parent.
When it comes to mid-August, I begin to think of the fall schedule. How will I spend my time? What is the best use of my time? But it is often the case that our schedules fill up before we are able to make decisions about them. Before this happens, I encourage you to spend time thinking and praying about your schedule.
It is easy to get stressed out about our schedules. We worry about how everything will get done. In the
Sermon on the Mount, Jesus counseled his anxious and worried listeners. He told them, before anything else seek and strive after the way of God and then trust (
Matt.6:33). When thinking about your time and how you'll manage it, seek first how you will invest in God's love, justice, and peace. Everything else follows.
As you think about how to best use your time, as you think about your schedule, consider first how you will live the love of God, do justice, and seek the peace of Christ in your day to day. When we do this, we will live fully and not just full lives.
Peace,
Pastor Jon
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VERSE AND PRAYER
So teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart. -Psalm 90:12
God of our days: In my mornings, may grace usher me in. In the busy hours, may your steadfast love guide and sustain me. In the evening, may your mercy give me peace. In the night, may your hope give me rest. Teach me everyday to live more fully into your divine life. Amen.
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Many opportunities await you!
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N
 TES FOR YOU
Is your child interested in being a part of our Joyful Noise youth choir (1st grade through middle school) or Dove Choir (ages 4-6)? Rehearsals will resume on September 7th, and I have some really great music planned! I hope to see you all there!
Love,
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Silver Anniversary Celebration
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PLANNING MEETING FOR SILVER CELEBRATION
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SAVE THE DATE! October 22, 2017
Be sure to be in town and at Ark and Dove that day, as we celebrate our 25th anniversary with special worship services and a family-oriented event. Come celebrate and remember our history, meet new members and old friends and reconnect as we commemorate this special day. If you would like to help organize and support the celebration, please contact, Donna Anderson, Outreach and Connection Elder, donna.anderson30@aol.com We are looking forward to a memorable day! THIS, Sunday, August 13, after the 11 am worship service, we are hosting a brief planning meeting. Please stop by if you'd like to learn more about our historical Silver Anniversary celebration!
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Antiracism and Social Equity
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BLACK MASCULINITY, RACE AND JAMES BALDWIN
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BLACK MASCULINITY: HOW DID WE GET HERE? This Sunday, August 13th you are invited to an important discussion!
In a society where black men have been stereotyped as criminals, thugs, absent fathers and more, how do they and how can they grow into expressing their true cultural natures? Is patriarchy an innate male trait or a mimicry of white patriarchy? How do and how should black men define themselves--as individuals, in relation to the families they have, and in a society in which they are too often demonized and feared? Join us for this important discussion with Baltimore Racial Justice Action (BRJA) at the American Brewery, 1701 N. Gay St., Baltimore, 2PM-4PM. Carpool can be arranged. Please contact Paula Sparks, trebleclef48@gmail.com.
I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO Save the date: On October 1st the Ark and Dove Social Equity Team will host our next forum featuring the movie, "I Am Not Your Negro," based on the writings of James Baldwin who is acclaimed for his insights on race, spirituality and humanity.
Paula Sparks, Co-Team Leader, Anti-Racism and Social Equity Team
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THE FIESTA DE MAÍZ
You are invited to come celebrate with Comunidad Presbiteriana La Trinidad, the Hispanic worshiping community begun by the Bay Area Disciples last year, during a special festival at the site of CPT's Garden Project near Annapolis .The Fiesta de Maíz (Corn Fiesta, or, literally, party) is a traditional El Salvadorian festival to celebrate a successful planting season. Comunidad Presbiteriana La Trinidad established a grant project this spring to enable Hispanic families to grow their own fresh, organic produce, helping to create a new community while enabling self-sustenance. Members of the Comunidad Presbiteriana La Trinidad community along with members of the six supporting churches are invited to gather for an evening of food, drink and celebration on Sunday, August 20 from 4 to 8 pm at the Grow Annapolis Hollywood Community Garden site at 1922 Weems Farm Road, Annapolis MD (near St. Margaret's Road). We are also looking for a few volunteers to help run programs and activities for the children in attendance.To RSVP or sign up to help, please contact Marty Clayton at mclayton@atlanticbb.net.
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SUMMER BOOK CLUB Our final book for the summer is Lisa Sharon Harper's The Very Good Gospel: How Everything Wrong Can Be Made Right. Harper works at Sojourners, a Washington DC organization that works to engage Christian faith and social action. The Very Good Gospel is a highly praised, personal reflection on shalom, meaning wholeness. Please pick up a copy wherever you get good books and join us Thursday, August 31 at 7 pm for discussion. Contact Pastor Jon with any questions (jgnelson1985@gmail.com).
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 HELP A YOUNG NEIGHBOR GET BACK TO SCHOOL The Mission Ministry is teaming up again this summer with the Anne Arundel County Public Schools and the Department of Social Services to provide school supplies for local elementary and middle school students. Social Services matched Ark & Dove with 35 students at Meade Heights Elementary School on Reece Road. The staff is preparing for the new school year and is grateful to Ark & Dove for supporting them. After worship services July 30 through August 13, we will have sign-ups and provide detailed instructions and the Meade Heights supplies lists. Ark & Dove donors will select a student to sponsor, purchase the backpack and supplies, deliver them to the school before August 25th, or bring them to church by August 20th for delivery. We will also be teaming up again with Meade Middle School to collect supplies they need to support their students. For questions, or if you want to sign up but can't do so at church, contact Greg Makar (301-483-8255, GLMakar@juno.com).
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SEEKING REFUGE SMALL BOOK GROUP This fall we will resume our book study Seeking Refuge from last spring. This will take place on Tuesdays, 9/19, 10/3 and 10/17. Those who did not attend the group in the spring can still join the group. You can order the book online.Questions? Please contact, Debbie Arey, debarey@hotmail.com
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REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT INFORMATION MEETING
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INSPIRING HOPE. PROVIDING GUIDANCE. All are invited to attend the orientation, Good Neighbor: Refugee Resettlement Information Meeting, Tuesday, August 15, 2017 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Hyattsville, MD. The orientation is presented by Lutheran Social Services/National Capital Area (LSSNCA.org). As the new team leader for refugee resettlement, I am excited for us to begin this important work together! Since World Relief had to close their office in May, we learned we would have to look for alternative support. I have been in contact with Lutheran Social Services through their Community Resource Coordinator. They offer many ways that we can become involved in this work. I have previously worked with them in Massachusetts, and they can offer the support we need. You can find a description of LSS/NCA along with information on the orientation meeting on their website (LSSNCA.org). My hope is to have some of you join me for the information meeting. I can provide transportation for 3 others. Please RSVP Debbie Arey, debarey@hotmail.com. Looking forward to getting started!
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AUGUST'S FOOD OF THE MONTH
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CAP WEST COUNTY FOOD PANTRY Featured item for August is CANNED BEANS (red beans, black beans, refried beans, etc.) Please drop off food items in the Mission Zone bin. Thank you for your donations!
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 PRESENTATION ON RESILIENCE AND MENTAL HEALTH: Monday 8/28 at 6:30 PM Christ Our Anchor's Mission Committee, in focusing attention on mental health issues, is proud to host a community presentation on resilience (www.mindresilience.org). This presentation will be conducted by two experienced staff of Anne Arundel County Mental Health Agency and focuses on how every one of us can build towards better mental health and stability, regardless of diagnosis. There is a positive and hopeful focus, and it particularly offers insight about resilience in our children and young people. Anyone is welcome---please feel free to bring family, friends or neighbors. RSVP is needed due to space constraints. Please respond if you can attend to pastorcoapc@gmail.com by no later than Thursday 8/24. Christ Our Anchor Presbyterian Church, 1281 Green Holly Dr., Annapolis, MD 21409 (on the Broadneck Peninsula)
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PRAYER CONCERNS
Please keep the following people in your prayers this week:
PRAYERS OF HEALING AND SUPPORT
for Marie Shorter; Bob Johns; Merlin Berry; Charles Lawrence; Bill Champagne; Lydia Doughty; Vaughn Brown; Josh Ederheimer's father, Stanley; Frances Keyes; Joan Berry's son, Bryan Flom; Doug Walcutt's aunt, Vicky Goodnough; Donna Anderson's mother, Martha; Chip Burnett; Dot Forloines and her brother Jack; Henry Duncan; Helene Marchand-Stancil and Helene's mother, Mimi; Judy Cooper's sister, Barb Eardley; Ellen Makar's father, Don Erickson; Laura Willoughby's father, Norman; the Stantons' niece, Susan and
Pat Stanton's Aunt Evelyn; Amy Stavely's aunt; the Hoxie family;
Steve and Brandi Downs; Janet Dabbs's sister, Diane Maloy, and niece Melissa Bender;
Claire Henderson's
father, Walt; Denise Nooe's husband, Kevin Hood;
Connie Kinnick's
brother, Rick; Mary Stum's sister-in-law, Sandy; Stephen Bates and Steven Janssen; Stan Houck and Ann Hirschy; Carol and Henry Saylor;
Charlotte Davie's niece, Paige; the Bauman family; John Boswell; Jeff Zehe;
and Dick and Carol Baily.
PRAYERS OF GRATITUDE AND PRAISE on the healthy birth of Abigail Mae Stern, daughter of Jim and Jordan, and granddaughter of Tim and Kelly, born on August 8, 2017 and weighing, 5 lbs 11 oz at 19 inches.
THE LOVE AND PRAYERS OF THE CONGREGATION
go out to the Soderquist family on the death of their mother, Rachel.
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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