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ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS
4th Sunday of Advent--Love All!
Sunday, December 24, 10:30 am
Christmas Eve Children's Service
Sunday, December 24, 4:00 pm
Christmas Eve Service with the band
Sunday, December 24, 6:00 pm
Christmas Eve Service with the choir
Sunday, December 24, 8:00 pm
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The Grumpy Shepherd
If you missed the pageant,
The Grumpy Shepherd, this past Sunday
, here is another opportunity to hear its special message--brought to life by some very special messengers! A sincere thanks for everyone's hard work, and thank you Brian Boudreau for the videos!
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MESSAGE FROM THE STAFF AT ARK AND DOVE
 Dear Friends and Members of Ark and Dove,
We have walked these weeks of Advent together. We have been challenged to worship more fully, spend less, give more of ourselves and love all people. Now, the light of Christ shines ahead of us. Christmas morn is near!
We thank you for the many sacred, beautiful and joyful moments shared this Advent season. We look forward to sharing holy time with you this Christmas Eve. Let the joy of Christ fill our hearts.
Merry Christmas!
Peace,
Rebecca, Mark, Mondee, Jon and Tim
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VERSE AND PRAYER
But the angel said to the shepherds, "Do not be afraid; for see-I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people:
to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.
This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger."
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"
- from Luke 2:10-14
God of star and stable, we wonder at your creation, the vastness of the universe, our small place in history and time, and yet your concern for every creature and every corner. As we look up and see the heavenly host and hear their chorus of good news of great joy for all people, we join with the angels singing praises at the birth of the Messiah. Make us as eager as the shepherds to leave our familiar fields to go and see the One who has come to save the world. May we not only bow down and worship, but get up and go tell. Emmanuel, God with us, transform us into a royal priesthood, ready to show others that God is with and for them, too. We rejoice, give thanks and marvel at the gift of Jesus Christ, the One who has come to redeem the world. We ponder in our hearts all that he is and who we are in light of his incarnation. We prepare to follow where he leads, from star to stable, cross to grave, empty tomb to Galilee and the ends of the earth. Amen.
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and more! Many opportunities await you!
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TES FOR YOU
We are so proud of the children and youth who helped present the pageant this past Sunday! They really put their best feet forward to share a fun and meaningful presentation of the Christmas Story. They worked hard during rehearsals, but still had fun. Many thanks to the parents who helped with costumes and snacks for Saturday rehearsals: Amy Tardiff, Christy Yeager, Sam Dewey. Thank you to the parents for supporting your children with learning their lines--you really made a difference. It was fun working with your children.
Peace and joy to all this Christmas,
Rebecca & Wendy
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Christmas Eve Children's Service
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THE CHRISTMAS STORY WITH EMOJIS
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EMOJI CHRISTMAS This Christmas Eve at 4 pm we are telling the Christmas story with emojis! In a drama, written and directed by Christa Kronser and Ben Rollins, kids have to describe what happened the night Jesus was born using those texting characters we've come to rely on. Intermixed, many carols will be sung.
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RESOLUTION WALK On
Saturday, December 30, our LOGOS intergenerational program is sponsoring a
Resolution Walk. This is a great opportunity for you to spend some quality time with your family and community. We are meeting near the playground at 9:30 to enjoy some fun outdoor activities, while enjoying coffee, cocoa and donuts. We will then go on a
Resolution Walk together to start off the New Year. Bring your gently used books with you because we will also be hosting a book swap and a book drive to benefit Sarah's House. If you have family in town, why not bring them along? It's sure to be a great time! Contact: Christy Yeager, christyyeager171@gmail.com.
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FRESH PRACTICES FOR THE NEW YEAR
The annual Church retreat will take place on
Friday January 19, 2018 and Saturday January 20.
Some years we do planning.
Some years we do leadership development.
This year our focus will be on
spiritual development: prayer practices, devotional readings, bible studies, silent time, spiritual friendships, and some journaling and worship.
Fresh practices for a new year.
Sign up in the church lobby or email the church office
admin@arkanddove.org.
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 THE CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING
benefits not only PCUSA programs for current and retired PCUSA church workers and Presbyterian-related racial ethnic schools and colleges, but also two local programs as well. This year, Comunidad Presbiteriana la Trinidad (CPT) and our Refugee Mentoring ministry will be the recipients of the funds you contribute. You may use the special envelopes that can be found throughout the sanctuary; designate "Christmas Joy" on your check; or donate securely through our website. We will be accepting contributions through the end of Advent.
Our goal is $4500 and as of this writing we've received just over $930. We can meet our goal with your help!
Christine Caufield-Noll, Mission Elder, ccnmission@outlook.com
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A NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS PARTY The Refugee Assistance Team held their Christmas party with Koko, Rose and Htet Htoo on Sunday at Debbie and Bruce Arey's home. There was much celebrating, food and great conversations as our family's English improves almost daily. Adrienne, Zach and Jonah Murray joined us so our family could get to know some young folks. Rose has enrolled in courses at University of Maryland towards her certification for cosmetology. Htet Htoo has warmed up to us and is a delightful boy. Koko shared some music through a video of him playing guitar and singing. He is quite talented. Please welcome them as they attend our Children's service on Christmas Eve!
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EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FUND FOR THE SOLANOS
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SOLANO FAMILY UPDATE Thank you to all the members of Ark and Dove who have willingly stepped up to provide an emergency assistance fund for the Solano family. We have raised $1,000 so far, and have pledges of gift cards for groceries at the beginning of the month for the next few months. This is helping bridge the monthly financial gap the family faces each month, and is easing some of the financial stress and bare cupboards they have been facing. Griselda and Bernabe say thank you from the bottom of their hearts. We will be able to assist them with their first delivery of fuel oil, to help them get a jump start on heating costs this winter.
You can still make a donation to the Solano Family Assistance Fund to help us reach our $2,000 goal. Just make a check out to the church, or include cash in an envelope, and write "Solano Family Assistance Fund" on the check or envelope. It will show up on your year-end tax deduction statement.
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DECEMBER'S FOOD OF THE MONTH
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C
AP WEST COUNTY FOOD PANTRY Featured item for December is BAKING MIXES (bran muffins, Bob's red Mill pancake mix, cornbread, etc.). Please drop off food items in the Mission Zone bin. Thank you for your donations!
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Antiracism and Social Equity
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LEARNING HOW TO INTERRUPT RACISM
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INTERRUPTING RACISM Many of us are uncomfortable talking about race, but, "Learning about how to interrupt racism is part of learning how to be a disciple of Christ. We need to get comfortable with being uncomfortable." So say the Reverends Denise Anderson and Jan Edmiston, co-moderators of the 222 General Assembly of the PCUSA. Ark & Dove is creating a safe space to talk about racism. Paula Sparks, trebleclef48@gmail.com, and Pastor Tim, timsstern@gmail.com, will lead a study about interrupting racism for beginners: people who are anxious about the whole national dialogue. Ever ask a simple question simply to get your head bitten off? No head biting will be allowed.
Together we will read and discuss the book Waking Up White by Debby Irving. We will watch some clips and videos, explore basic vocabulary and then deep dive into some of the complicated issues. We will covenant with each other to treat each other like children of God, and we will be partially guided by a study guide written by Rev's Anderson and Edmiston. By the way Rev. Anderson is black and Rev Edmiston is white. We will meet for six weeks on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 PM beginning on January 9. Sign up in the lobby and start reading. Books are available in paperback or Kindle editions. We can order you a book if you would like.
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PRAYER CONCERNS
Please keep the following people in your prayers this week:
PRAYERS OF HEALING AND SUPPORT
for Linnie Girdner and Jan Hof;
Ann Hirschy; Charles Lawrence; Daryle Echols; Marcia Bussey;
Sarita Barrow and her brother Rashad; Mary Beckwith; Kathy Miller; Marie Shorter; Karen Dodson; Debbie Saylor's aunt, Gail, and cousins, Ed and Jen; Donna Anderson's brother-in-law, Tom; Nicole Howe's aunt, Linda; Bob Johns; Frances Keyes; 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; Amy Stavely's aunt; Steve and Brandi Downs; Janet Dabbs's sister, Diane Maloy; Mary Stum's sister-in-law, Sandy; Sue Hanburger's sister-in-law, Evelyn Hanburger; Kelly and Tim Stern's nephew, Hunter Field; Julia Kirby's mother, Margaret Floyd; Amy Carskadon's nephew; Ken and Jacqueline Sievers; Logan and Luke Sievers; Jason Ziegler;
Brenda Figueroa;
Jon Nelson's aunt, Linda and uncle, Gene; Archer and Honor Bauman's grandmother, Jackie; Charlotte Davie's sister, Ann; Zachary Rosenthal; Erika Sealing's son, "Trip" Sealing, and grandmother, Margaret Schade; Tawes Dewyngaert; Linday; Carla; and Dick and Carol Baily.
PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING
for the engagement of Colleen Ziegler and Rob Odom.
PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING AND CONTINUED GUIDANCE for the continued sobriety of a young man recovering from addiction.
THE LOVE AND PRAYERS OF THE CONGREGATION go out to Anne-Marie Rosenthal, Thom Long and the Long family on the death of Anne-Marie's friend and mentor, Anne Long.
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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