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This Sunday's sermon will focus on the great reconciliation between Jacob and Esau. All are invited!
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MESSAGE FROM PASTOR TIM
Dear Friends and Members of Ark and Dove,
A man was coming out of a Baptist church one day, and the minister was standing at the door, as he always was, to shake hands with the worshipers. He grabbed an infrequent attender by the hand and pulled him aside. The preacher said to him, "Son, you need to join the army of the Lord."
The man replied to him , "I'm already in the army of the Lord, Preacher."
So the Minister inquired, "Then how come I don't see you except at Christmas and Easter?'
The man whispered back, "Because I'm in the secret service."
Now some people who claim to be in the secret service are just joshing, but at Ark and Dove we do have a secret service that works quietly in the background caring for people. We call them the
Stephen Ministers, and they are among the best trained leaders in the church. They support people in one-on-one relationships. Their work of walking alongside people in certain seasons of their faith journey is confidential, but it's an important part of our congregation's life.
Our goal, as a church, is to increase the number of
Stephen Ministers we have because we know there are more needs in the congregation. Our
Stephen Ministry leaders are planning an information meeting for
Monday evening August 7 and 7PM. I hope you will consider joining this secret service. Their ministry is very valuable. For more information see the article in this edition of the
e-Arkive.
Peace of Christ,
Pastor Tim
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VERSE AND PRAYERS
Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, "Let me go, for the day is breaking." But Jacob said, "I will not let you go, unless you bless me."-Genesis 32:24-26
God, you have given us a dream of your world made whole, a heavenly realm that is near in heart and close at hand, and it is ours to choose each day. May our smallest acts of courtesy, when transformed by your love, grow abundantly into a realm of flourishing for all. Amen.
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Many opportunities await you!
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N
 TES FOR YOU
Mark your calendars for September 7th! Our Adult and youth choirs start back that evening. 6:00-6:40 is our Joyful Noise youth choir, and our adult Choir is from 7:00-8:30. Anyone in high school or above is welcome to join he Adult Choir. We are still working on the timing for the Dove Choir (ages 3-5). Please email me if you are interested in having your child join this group.
Love,
rebeccaebell@gmail.com
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PHOTO DIRECTORY ROUND TWO
! Get your family photos now!!! We have added dates for those of you who were unable to make the initial round of photo opportunities. Our goal is to have a new photo church directory as well as a members only password protected online directory.
The best part of the deal is that you get the digital images of your family photos and all we ask in return is at least a $10 donation to help defray the cost of the printed directory (you get that, too!).
Email invitations have been sent to sign up for a time slot during the month of August. If you did not receive an email, please reach out to Ryan Stavely (ryan@stavely.org) or Julia Kirby (maybe_soon98@yahoo.com).
We want to include everyone! Also if you are currently serving as a deacon or elder or a member of our staff, please schedule an individual photo as well. Get your smile on and sign up soon!
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STEPHEN MINISTRY TRAINING INFORMATION MEETING This Monday, August 7th @7pm Our first group of Stephen Ministers at Ark & Dove have been actively engaged in caring relationships, but we know that there are more needs for which we'd like to be available. Therefore, we are planning to begin our second series of Stephen Ministry training on Monday, September 18th so that we can better support our Congregation, our Pastors, and our Deacons. Please join us on
Monday, August 7th @ 7pm for a Stephen Ministry Training Information Meeting, where we'll share info about the process (and BENEFITS!) of being trained and commissioned as a Stephen Minister. We invite you to visit
www.stephenministries.org to give you a general overview of the ministry, and then we'll share specific details at our meeting on August 7th.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Ark & Dove's Stephen Leaders {Kelly Burnett (kellyb327@aol.com) & Laurie Barrow (barrowfl@aol.com)} at anytime. We hope to see you there!
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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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THE SOLANO FAMILY
Raúl Bernabe Solano Martinez, the son of Ark and Dove's Refugee Assistance family, was born on July 25 weighing 7 pounds 8 ounces, and measuring 19 inches. Bernabe and Griselda Solano are home, happy and enjoying a family of five now! Thanks go out to the Ark and Dove congregation who supported the family with baby items and prayers, and to Wendy Wellington who spent the summer and day-of birth taking care of the couple's two daughters. Laura Jane Willoughby, laura@laurajanewilloughby.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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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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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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Take Time to Slow Down and Reflect
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EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT FUNDRAISING
As part of my Eagle Scout Project, I am working on part of the spiritual meander on the church grounds. The section I am working on will include a reflection circle containing a gazing ball at the end of an approximately 40' path. I will be collecting donations on
August 27
. Money and resources are welcome. For details, please contact me at dillon.i.benson@gmail.com. I will also be available to answer questions after service that day. Have a blessed day, Dillon Benson
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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, friend, Joe Layman, 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 and Archer's and Honor's grandmother, Jacqueline Brink;
and Dick and Carol Baily.
THE LOVE AND PRAYERS OF THE CONGREGATION
go out to Amy Carskadon and the Carskadon family on the death of Amy's uncle, Ed Carskadon.
PRAYERS OF PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING
from the DeVono family on the healthy birth of Danika Diane, who was born on July 26th.
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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