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You're invited to celebrate the Second Sunday after Epiphany at both the 9:30 Traditional and 11:00 am Contemporary Worship Services, this Sunday!
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MESSAGE FROM PASTOR JON
Dear Friends and Members of Ark and Dove,
Last weekend was very encouraging to me. I participated in the leadership retreat along with 22 other church leaders. We prayerfully discussed who we are as a church community and considered how God is leading us into the future. There was much affirmation and some constructive criticism. I am grateful for the work of the Long Range Team, who has given us better awareness of ourselves, and for the many church leaders who are committed to this congregation. I look forward to further conversation at our Annual Congregation Meeting, Sunday, January 29th.
I was also very encouraged by James Sunday, the director of World Relief Anne Arundel, and the conversation he inspired among us. James clearly articulated the refugee crisis of our world. He led us to read our Bibles from the viewpoint of refugees--seeing Ruth and Jesus as persons seeking refuge. I also believe James spoke a pastoral word to us about our concerns for national security. And I was encouraged by his testimony to the ways Presbyterians have and are caring for those fleeing their homelands. This Sunday inspired me to do what I can to help.
Since last weekend, I have been thinking a lot about what the Church is and what the Church is called to be. To that end, Pastor Tim and I will be spending 6 weeks on what Presbyterians call the "Six Great Ends of the Church:"
1) proclamation of the gospel
2) the shelter, nurture, and spiritual fellowship of the children of God
3) the maintenance of divine worship
4) the preservation of the truth
5) the promotion of social righteousness
6) the exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the world
These six items were established as part of our constitution in 1910. They are meant to be defining principles to guide the Church and keep it accountable. For the next six weeks, Tim and I will be examining each of these great ends. I think this is important because there is a growing ambiguity about the nature and role of the Church in our nation. Sometimes it is really necessary to remember our objectives. I look forward to worshiping with you.
Peace,
Pastor Jon
jgnelson1985@gmail.com
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ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
Sunday, January 29, 5:45 pm
To be preceded by a potluck dinner at 5:00 pm
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VERSES AND PRAYERS
God has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? -Micah 6:8
God of righteousness: on this day, keep us mindful of your grace and mercy. Because we often are too concerned with justifying ourselves before you and others. In doing so, we miss doing justice for others. While we are tempted by competition with others, teach us to love kindness. And as we commit to acts of mission, mercy, and justice, keep us humble--knowing you alone can restore righteousness in full. Amen.
If you remove the yoke from among you, the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil, if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday. The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail. -Isaiah 58:9b-11
Holy One: We offer to you our intentions and our small, but necessary, actions to take care of the hungry and afflicted in our world. The need is great and our care and compassion seems but a drop in the bucket. So we ask that you guide us--as you promise--and strengthen us. We ask that you fill our hearts with purpose. You are the One who can make our drops become springs of water to satisfy thirst. Amen.
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Please note! Pastor Tim's email address is TimSStern@gmail.com. Another gentleman named Tim Stern is receiving confidential information from church members and guests. Please remember to add the extra "S" when corresponding with Pastor Tim. Thank you!
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N  TES FOR YOU
As many of you likely know, some members of our choir will be going to NYC to sing Mozart's Requiem at Carnegie Hall this summer, and the full choir will sing this work on June 11th at Ark and Dove before we leave. If you are interested in singing this incredible work with us, we will be rehearsing it weekly beginning the first week of February, and will rehearse from 8:00-8:30 until we get closer to June, when we will extend the rehearsals. Please let me know if you'd like to be a part of it. We will also perform this with full orchestra, so let me know if you are interested in being part of the orchestra as well.
rebeccaebell@gmail.com
We are just a couple of weeks away from one of the most exciting Youth fundraisers of the year - the Blues Brothers Songbook! The same group just played the Tarantino Songbook at the Howard Theater in Washington DC to a rowdy crowd, and critics are calling the group transfixing from beginning to end.
SO!
Don't delay in getting
your tickets or in getting the word out about the show! The more tickets we sell - the more funds get raised for the youth mission trips this summer!
God Bless,
Mark
www.MarkEdwardsguitar.com
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2017 PER CAPITA SPECIAL OFFERING
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PER CAPITA SPECIAL OFFERING Ark and Dove pays per capita to the Presbytery of Baltimore every year to support the programs of Presbytery and the General Assembly. For 2017 the fee is $35.00 per adult member. Each member is encouraged to assist with this fee.
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 NO MORE HAIR ON FIRE! Ark and Dove leaders spent time last weekend at Bon Secours Retreat Center discussing the problem we have been having since 1998 of getting the sanctuary set up in time for the 11:00 service. Whenever we have a baptism, or receive new members, or share communion, or ordain and install elders and deacons, the 9:30 service runs about 75 minutes, leaving little time to break down choir and set up contemporary band.
This leaves many of the worship leaders feeling like they are "running around with their hair on fire" during fellowship time between services. This is not how any of us want to spend the fellowship hour or approach our special time with God.
The retreat group discussed several options of how to solve this problem. Some of these suggestions may get rolled out in the coming months, so get ready! Choir may start to leave their risers and seating on the platform. We may buy special cables and other technology to make band set up quicker. We may hire Sunday morning custodial help. We are considering changing worship start times (this is the big one). We may shorten the length of some songs and our "pass the peace" time in worship.
Some of these changes may be permanent or temporary, depending on how they work. Whatever changes are made, all leaders agree that we do not want to take anything away from our spirit-filled worship services with rich opportunities for lay leadership; and we want EVERYONE to experience worshipfulness.
If you notice something different, let an elder or deacon know how you feel about it! Yours in prayer, Ellen Makar, eemakar@aol.com.
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NEW MEMBERS' AND INQUIRERS' CLASS
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NEW MEMBERS' AND INQUIRERS' CLASS Saturday, January 28, 8:30am thru 12:30pm. Please join us for a New Members' and Inquirers' Class where you can meet other people who have been visiting Ark and Dove and enjoy breakfast and fellowship. This "no obligation" class is just for you if you want to learn more about Ark and Dove and what it means to be a member. We'll provide breakfast and childcare. Hope to see you there! Sign-up sheet in the lobby, or email Donna Anderson, Outreach and Connection Elder, donna.anderson30@aol.com.
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THE LIGHT HOUSE IN ANNAPOLIS
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YOUTH BAGGED LUNCHES The High School Youth Group is working with
The Light House in Annapolis to provide lunches for the residents of their shelter and housing program, as well as hungry persons of the community. On January 22, the youth are making 50 bagged lunches. We need the following items to fill the bags:
- White or whole wheat bread
- Sandwich meat: Bologna, Chicken, Ham and Roast Beef
- Peanut butter and jelly
- Healthy snacks: applesauce cups, nut/raisin/trail mix, carrots/celery sticks
- Water bottles
- Fruit cups
Please contact Pastor Jon if you're are interested in donating an item or two (jgnelson1985@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. BUY NOW! Profits from ticket sales will support our youth as they participate in mission trips and the GenOn Summit this summer. Come out and enjoy great music in support of a great cause -- our youth!
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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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HABITAT CHESAPEAKE Ark and Dove is invited to the 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, for Ms. Gordon, her family, and other Clay Street neighbors. Celebration starts at 12 noon this Saturday, January 14 in the parking are behind 55 Clay Street. Ellen Makar, EEMakar@aol.com.
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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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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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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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 PRAYERS OF HEALING AND SUPPORT for
Laurie Barrow's father; Scott Howe's father, Ron; Zach Murray recovering from surgery; Ann Hirschy; Rob Yeager's mother; Dot Bruno; Christy Yeager's mother, Linda Jordan; Barbara Reynolds mother, Ruth Campbell; Chip Burnett; Joe and Ann Devers; Laura Talbert; 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 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 Brown family, friends of Sue and Hank Hanburger; Ben Bradley; Laura Willoughby's father, Norman; and Dick and Carol Baily.
THE LOVE AND PRAYERS OF THE CONGREGATION go out to the Stanton and Gindlesperger family on the death of Ron's aunt, Ruth Gindlesperger.
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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