E-Arkive The Electronic Newsletter for Ark and Dove




 Christmas is before us! The time is here to open our hearts and minds to the Prince of Peace!    

 
MESSAGE FROM PASTOR JON

 
Dear Friends and Members of Ark and Dove,  

We have talked a lot about catching the joy of Christ since September. Personally, I needed to hear it over and over again, so I could pay attention for moments to rejoice. I think I really caught hold of it this week. The pageant was wonderful--and hilarious! The Charlie Brown Christmas drama is full of fun. We have been laughing hard at practices. My spirit has been uplifted by the beautiful Christmas music that has been echoing throughout our building in preparation for Christmas Eve. My friends, I hope you have found Christmas joy. I pray you will. And I look forward to spreading the joy in worshiping together tomorrow evening and Sunday morning at 11.

On behalf of Pastor Tim, Mondee, Rebecca, and Mark, I wish you a Merry Christmas!

Let us rejoice.
   
Peace, 
Jon 
Pastor Jon
jgnelson1985@gmail.com



 
 
VERSE AND PRAYER


O sing new songs unto the Lord, 
With shouts God's name adore; 
Proclaim salvation day by day, 
God's glory evermore! 
Our God to whom all voices rise 
Is worthy of our praise; 
Who formed the earth beneath our feet, 
The sun to light our days. --from Psalm 96

Eternal God: And so we come once more to peer into the manger and to behold the Child whose name is Emmanuel, God with us. The Gospel of Christ fills our grateful hearts: that you, O God, come to us as God in the person of Jesus Christ...So that now we must take seriously our own lives, and every life, as precious to you. And we must understand now that we are characters known, named, loved in a drama in which you yourself are with us, for us, and among us. Amen. --John B. Rogers Jr.


 
 
DONATE Online!
 Christmas Joy Offering and General Donation. Many opportunities await you!
            

Christmas

CHRISTMAS SERVICES

You're Invited to Celebrate Christmas at Ark and Dove!

Please join us as we ready our hearts and minds for the Prince of Peace! 

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 
 
CHRISTMAS EVE CHILDREN'S SERVICE


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. All are invited, and I know it will be very fun. Joy of Christmas! Pastor Jon (jgnelson1985@gmail.com).    



   
CHRISTMAS PAGEANT
   


CHRISTMAS PAGEANT
If you missed the Christmas Pageant, here's another chance to catch the Christmas Joy! Watch here, compliments of Brian Boudreau. 







Mission

CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING
CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING: THE GIFT OF EDUCATION A quarter of the gifts from the Christmas Joy Offering are being used to provide education and enable students to attend Presbyterian-related racial ethnic schools and colleges to develop leadership skills.  One of the schools, Presbyterian Pan American School, in Kingsville, Texas, has a diverse international student body.  A hundred percent of their graduates are accepted into colleges and universities around the world.  Monika Ruiz came to Pan American from a community in Mexico where drug cartels hold tremendous sway, where some days she was unable even to attend school due to drug trafficking and violence.  At Pan American, she not only found a safe and caring environment, but also hit her stride academically and learned lessons beyond the classroom.  "Pan American gave me an opportunity that I would not have had in my country," Monika says. "I not only learned English and how to excel in academics, but my experience prepared me for college and for life."  Now Monika is studying nursing and plans to enroll in seminary after completing her BSN.  Your gift to the Christmas Joy Offering will help students like Monika.  Your gift will also help church workers in need and support the local new ministry, Communida Presbiteriana La Trinidad.  Please give generously. Thank you! The Discipleship Team 
        
CAP FOOD PANTRY

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!
             
Adult Ed Small Group Kick-off
Stay tuned for more small group offerings, but here is a taste of what is coming. Please join us: 
  • Wednesday Morning Bible Study
  • Theology on Tap: Casual conversation at a local "watering hole"
  • A Primer on Presbyterianism: What's a Presbyterian? Why in the world would you want to be one?
  • Being Christian: A 4-week Discussion on the Essentials of Christianity
WHAT IS THE PLACE OF THE BIBLE IN OUR LIVES?

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.
  
    
FACING RACISM
ANTI-RACISM AND SOCIAL EQUITY Facing Racism: A Vision of the Intercultural Community is the theme of the next small group study on anti-racism and social equity. We will explore PCUSA's Anti-racism policy, examining the biblical foundations for anti-racism 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. 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. Sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board. Teens, adults, and your friends, are invited.  
      
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.       
Discipleship

PLEDGES
  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
Anti-racism and Social Equity

CHAOS OR COMMUNITY?
NOW WHAT? In 1967, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. asked, "Where Do We Go from here: Chaos or Community?" Then, Dr. King challenged us to determine whether the nation would choose love or hate? Today we ask: "Now What?" Join us for a special event on MLK Day featuring PCUSA Stated Clerk, the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson II. We will launch a new chapter in our work toward racial justice and reconciliation within our church and our communities. This is a free event, including lunch, however, registration is required. Monday, January 16th, 11am to 2pm.

 
SHOWING UP FOR RACIAL JUSTICE
ANTI-RACISM AND SOCIAL EQUITY Winter Holiday Guide True peace, Shalom, cannot exist without justice. If you want some help in how you might explore issues of social justice and race with family members this holiday, look to the SURJ Families Winter Holiday Guide. Peace on earth and good will toward everyone! If you would like to join the Anti-racism and Social Equity Team in 2017, please contact Linnie Girdner at 410-999-7892 or Lkgirdner@comcast.net or Paula Sparks at 443-623-1169 or trebleclef48@gmail.com. 
      
Children and Youth 

GODLY PLAY
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

 
SPREADING CHRISTMAS KINDNESS
SECOND FAMILY, INC. is a a non-profit housing and care center for children and adults living with severe disabilities. On Saturday, December 3, a group of us went around to 10 different Second Family group homes throughout Bowie to decorate the locations for Christmas. It was a long and slightly grueling morning. We set up Christmas trees, wreaths, outdoor lights, paper trees, and we hung lights in many residents' rooms. We saw many faces light up with smiles upon seeing the trees and lights. We are so thankful for the help of everyone involved, so we're sending out a big thank you to: Ashtyn Rosenthal; Hiley Green; Veronica Musican; Tori Saylor; Lydia Doughty; Paul Tomassoni; Laurie Tomassoni; and Jon Nelson. Thank you so much! Samantha and Tim Dewey  
   
Outreach and Connections

THE BLUES BROTHERS CONCERT FUNDRAISER
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!

 
ARK AND DOVE RUNNING
JOIN THE RACE We are in need of volunteers for Saturday's rescheduled race! Please let us know if you can help! Our group of National Honor Society Students are not all available, and we have over 220 Runners! Let's help make this race a great way to kick off Christmas Eve!! Ark and Dove has a team of 19 people in this race. If you are not a runner, but can help with the race, please contact Rob Yeager asap at rubarb72@verizon.net. Thank you!   
        
Prayer Concerns

PRAYER CONCERNS 
PRAYERS OF HEALING AND SUPPORT for Marie Shorter; 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, Sam Jackson; 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; Laura Doughty's cousin, Ann Marie Farley; and Dick and Carol Baily.   
    
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.    
 
The church office will be closed December 26th and 27th for Christmas. May love and peace bless your home!

8424 Piney Orchard Parkway  
Odenton, MD  21113
Phone: (410) 674-6400 
Fax: (410) 674-6481 
admin@arkanddove.org 
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