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You're invited to celebrate the Baptism of the Lord this Sunday at both the 9:30 Traditional and 11:00 am Contemporary Worship Services!
Also this Sunday, our guest preacher will be James Sunday Director of World Relief, Anne Arundel. James Sunday will discuss World Relief's Refugee Resettlement ministry and how congregations can serve.
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MESSAGE FROM PASTOR JON
Dear Friends and Members of Ark and Dove,
The book of Acts is an account of the beginning of the Church. Acts tells us that when people heard the gospel they were moved to care for those in need (2:45) and that entire households were baptized (2:41; 16:15). Friends, we have just heard the good news of Christmas and this Sunday we are responding as the early church: by seeking to care for the needy and by baptizing a household.
This Sunday our guest speaker is the director of World Relief Anne Arundel, James Sunday. He will talk to us about some of the most vulnerable people in our world: refugees from places like Burma, Iraq, Vietnam, and Syria. James has worked with several churches in our county to assist refugee families, including churches in our Presbytery. There are many ways that local congregations can care for refugees and James will share with us how we might extend our goodwill toward families fleeing violence, oppression, and poverty. I had the privilege of hearing James speak at a recent Mission Ministry meeting led by Christine Caufield-Noll. James is a knowledgeable, sensitive, passionate, and capable communicator. I was thoroughly impressed by his wisdom and love for those whom Jesus calls us to love. You are in for something good.
Also on this Sunday, we get to witness something very special: the baptism of the Talbert household. Yes, we are baptizing Laura, her daughters Emma and Lillian, and her baby boy Logan Alexander! It is a rare blessing that we get to baptize an entire family, so I am especially excited. I hope you will come to bear witness to the tremendous love God has for Laura, Emma, Lillian and Logan!
Happy New Year!
Peace always,
Jon
Pastor Jon
jgnelson1985@gmail.com
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VERSES AND PRAYERS
All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. -Acts 2:44-47
God in Christ: You came to us by way of a vulnerable family fleeing violence. And you have made it your cause to care for those in need. As you are born in our hearts each day, we also are moved to care for those who struggle and suffer. Give us the vision to see those we can serve. Give us the courage to help. And give us glad and generous hearts to keep on giving. After all, you have given yourself to us. Let us return what we have received with joy. Amen.
...she and her household were baptized... -Acts 16:15
God of grace: Recall to us our baptisms this day. For when we set our minds on this sign and seal, we remember your everlasting love for us. Your love is eternal and universal. It goes before and after us; it surrounds all of us. Let us live in the knowledge of your claim upon us. We are your beloved children. Amen.
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REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT Learn more about the worldwide refugee crisis with James Sunday, director of World Relief Anne Arundel County, and how churches can help. James will be speaking at both services this Sunday, January 8 and will be available to answer questions you may have. This event is part of the Mission Ministry's exploration and discernment of what role we as a church community can do to welcome refugees that are placed in our community. Christine Caufield-Noll, Mission Elder, ccnmission@outlook.com.
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HABITAT CHESAPEAKE Ark and Dove is invited to a dedication of 55 Clay Street, a Habitat house in Annapolis that Ark and Dove volunteers have worked on. This dedication marks move-in day for Mrs. Shirley Gordon. We will offer prayer and song, plus cake, with Ms. Gordon, her family, and other Clay Street neighbors. Celebration starts at 12 noon on Saturday Jan 14 in the parking area behind 55 Clay Street. Rev John Crestwell from Unitarian Universalist Church of America will be offering the Benediction, and a few of the UUCA Spirit Singers will be performing, among other songs, "May Nothing Evil Cross This Door," very appropriate! This house was renovated by members of the Anne Arundel Habitat interfaith network: St. Anne's Episcopal Church; St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church; UUCA Annapolis; Woods Memorial PCUSA, St. Andrews by the Bay; Harundale PCUSA, Christ our Anchor PCUSA, St. Phillips Lutheran, among others. We are honored to be able to see the fruit of our volunteer hours, as a family takes ownership of the house we helped renovate.
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Adult Ed Small Group Kick-off
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Stay tuned for more small group offerings, but here's a taste of what's coming.
- Wednesday Morning Bible Study
- Thursday Night Your Bible! The Study Begins
- 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
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BEING CHRISTIAN What does it mean to call yourself a Christian? Christianity is a widely diverse religion. So, what are the essentials? In a four week course, we are discussing the basics: Bible, baptism, communion, and prayer. Following Rowan Williams' short book
Being Christian, we will discuss some of the essentials of Christianity. This is a class for those of us wondering what Christian faith is about and for those who want to get back to the basics. The course will be led by Betsy Baer at 11 am on Sunday mornings starting February 5. Please see Pastor Betsy (bbaer1216@aol.com) or Pastor Jon (jgnelson19852gmail.com). Books will be available soon for $6.
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NEW SMALL GROUP STUDY ON ANTIRACISM
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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 examine PCUSA's Antiracism policy, explore the biblical foundations for anti-racism work, learn practices that help us squarely face the legacy of racism, and discern how we move toward a "new creation" for our children and future generations. Join facilitator Linnie Girdner for
six Tuesday evenings, beginning 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.
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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,
beginning, Thursday, January 12th, 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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TWELVE WOMEN OF THE BIBLE
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THE SPIRITED SISTERS SMALL GROUP is continuing the
Women of the Bible DVD series. Each session of this study stands on its own, so please come even if you haven't come before. Kim Champagne will lead our discussions of Mary of Bethany, Martha, and The Syrophoenician Woman on
January 14 and 28, and February 11. We meet from 9-10:30 am in the Marshall Room. We always begin by connecting in sistership.
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Anti-racism and Social Equity
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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.
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 SENIORS PLAY AND PLAN Saturday, January 21, at 11am, the Senior Group will have a "brown bag luncheon" to select a name and plan future events. Please bring your ideas and any contact information for future events to the luncheon. We hope to have the memoir "publishers' panel" in February. See you then. Questions? Please contact Joan Berry, 410-672-5237, berry962@verizon.net, or Frances Keyes, 410-874-7253 frkeyes1005@gmail.com.
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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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CAP WEST COUNTY'S FOOD PANTRY Featured item for January is PASTA AND PASTA SAUCES (semolina pasta, brown rice pasta, whole wheat, etc. / Bertolli jarred sauce, Classico jarred sauce, 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 Ann Hirschy; Marie Shorter; Rob Yeager's mother; 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; David Chidlow's mother, Betty Jayne Chidlow; Mary Benson; Dot Forloines; Henry Duncan;; Helene Marchand-Stancil's parents, Paul and Mimi Marchand; Judy Cooper's sister, Barb Eardley; Mary Stum's sister, Barbara; Ron Stanton's aunt, Ruth; Ron Stanton's mother; Ellen Makar's father, Don Erickson; Janet Dabbs' sister, Diane Maloy; Charlotte and Mike Davie's friends, John and Carol Scholl; Alden Carlson; Missy Conway; Paul Doughty's mother, Ruth; Frieda Chavez; the Walker family, friends of Mary Stum; the Brown family, friends of Sue and Hank Hanburger; Scott Howe's father, Ron; and Dick and Carol Baily.
THE LOVE AND PRAYERS OF THE CONGREGATION go out to the Fenstemacher, Talbert and Saliby families on the death Annetta Fenstermacher's father.
THE LOVE AND PRAYERS OF THE CONGREGATION go out to the Cooper and Eardley families on the death of Judy Cooper's brother-in-law, Bill Eardley.
THE LOVE AND PRAYERS OF THE CONGREGATION go out to the Stanton and Finzel families on the death of Gary Finzel.
PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING AND SUPPORT for Laurie Barrow, who will be attending Stephen Ministry Leadership Training from Sunday through Saturday next week.
PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING for Paula Spark's friend Fran who has received encouraging news.
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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