The Arkive: Ark and Dove's Newsletter
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All are invited to the 9:30 am (choir led) and 11:00 am (band led) worship services, as we celebrate the 5th Sunday of Easter!
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Dear Friends and Members of Ark and Dove,
If you need a cogent reminder of what counts for Christian character, read Romans 12. It is an unparalleled passage of what it means to live the Christian life. In the previous chapters, Paul describes the abundant grace of God. In chapter 12, he tells us what it means to live in response to God's grace: give of yourself, be humble, share what you have been given, live peaceably, love genuinely, and cling to goodness.
Aside from this practical wisdom, Paul reminds us that, as the Church, we are connected to each other and obliged to contribute to the whole. Contributions may vary according to skill, gift and resource, but each member donates to the body that it may function and flourish. For this, and other reasons, our session read this chapter on Wednesday night. In our prayerful reflections, we all agreed that it was a refreshing read.
Paul's words gave the session encouragement and hope at a needed time. On Wednesday night, we assessed our 2019-2020 pledges and our current measure of gifts. We were grateful to know that 34 families increased their pledges to the church and 16 families pledged for the first time. We also learned of other generous contributions. Truly, we have responded to grace with gratitude.
Yet, we needed the encouraging words of Paul that night because we also came to the realization that our current gifts and pledges will not sustain our baseline budget. We still need financial pledges and gifts to be the body of Christ we desire to be. We, as Paul says, rejoiced in hope, but also persevered in prayer.
I ask that you do the same. Rejoice in the hope that is found in Jesus Christ, the hope we proclaim in and through this place. Persevere in prayer, considering how you might contribute to the needs of the saints here in this body and the strangers we are called to serve.
I hope that we all come to a fuller realization of the immensity of God's grace and so increase in grateful generosity.
Peace,
Pastor Jon
jgnelson1985@gmail.com
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For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.
-Romans 12:4-13
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Gracious God: all goodness comes from you. Open us to everyday graces. May we give of ours and ourselves for your glory. Amen.
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This week, the choir is presenting the work of prolific hymn-writer, Bryan Jeffrey Leech's,
Spirit, Now Live in Me, arranged by Keith Christopher. Leech wrote both the the words and music for the song around 1976. This contrasts with the modern setting of the Finnish fold tune,
Nyland, for the prelude music, and also with the choral introit, which dates from the late renaissance.
Peace,
Margaret
Director of Music
margaret.mcgillivray@gmail.com
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Adult Choir: Brahms'
Ein Deutsches Requiem
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There's still time to join us for Brahms'
German Requiem
. We're having a men's sectional on
Sunday at 10:35
in the Marshall Room and the regular rehearsals will take place on
Thursdays at 8pm
. We're very excited about this musical presentation on June 16th!
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I am still looking for volunteers to help with running audio at the band led service. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any interest. June 9th will be a special music Sunday. The band will lead service with all music composed by Hillsong United. We are excited to play some of their best worship songs, both musically and theologically. We are also considering a trip to see Hillsong perform at The Anthem in Washington D.C. on June 29. All are welcome to join; please email me if you'd like to go!
God bless,
Pat
Director of Contemporary Music
psise11@gmail.com
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DONATE
ONLINE
! Per capita, pledged and un-pledged, one-time and recurring! Click
HERE
to donate online today!
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TEXTING YOUR DONATIONS to 410-983-3481. You can text one-time or recurring donations to this number. Text
Give to get started. Text
Commands for more options. Questions? Please contact Alta Paronto, church treasurer, alparonto@gmail.com; or Wendy Wellington, swt520@verizon.net
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- Have you been impacted by gun violence in any way?
- How does the high cost of housing in AA Co. impact you or your family?
This Sunday, we will hold listening sessions to hear your stories. ACT our interfaith organization of AA Co. is ready to act in a significant way on
June 13. First, we need to hear from you.
Please join us at 11 am in the Marshall Room and 12:15 in the Ark and Dove Room. Contact Cheryl Schafer (csscas@verizon.net) or Jon Nelson (jgnelson1985@gmail.com) with any questions.
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Raising Race Conscious Kids Workshop
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This Sunday, May 19th, 2:00-4:00 PM!
Are you comfortable having conversations about race with your children? Grandchildren? Join us as facilitator
Skye Bailey engages with our kids and explores these issues in an age appropriate way while providing time for parents to ask questions too. Sign up
HERE
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Antiracism and Social Equity
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Don't Miss This! Tuesday, May 21, 6-9 pm!
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Dr. David Campt, a national racial dialogue leader, will conduct a friendly interactive workshop in our church, teaching participants practical skills to “dismantle racism one conversation at a time,” in lively presentations deploying persuasive, non-alienating methods that can be used with people in your circle of influence who tend to deny/minimize racism. Past participants rave about how much they learned and how much fun they had! See videos
here and
here. The training is co-sponsored by the Annapolis and the Anne Arundel Chapter of Showing Up for Racial Justice and Maryland Coming to the Table Groups. Register
here and enter promotional code ARKANDDOVEMEMBER for reduced fee. Any questions, please contact Linnie Girdner at 410-999-7892 or
girdnerlinda@gmail.com.
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Please check your email for your giving statement through the end of April. If you did not receive one or have questions, please contact Stan Houck (Shouck@aol.com) or Steve Debus (steven.debus89@gmail.com). If you would prefer your statement by mail, please let us know as well.
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Special Congregational Meeting
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Please plan on attending a special congregational meeting on Sunday,
May 26th between services at 10:40. The purpose of the meeting is to receive a report from the Nominating Team as well as to approve the following change to the church by-laws. Bylaw 13:
The Session shall be comprised of seven elders
divided into two equal classes of 3, and one class of 2
(to be changed to
to be divided into two equal classes of 2 , and one class of 3
) whom shall be elected each year at the annual meeting for a term of three years....
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Financial Update for May 2019
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As requested during our fall stewardship consensus building activity, we learned that the congregation desired to received regular financial updates. This update covers income received for April 2019.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be. - Matthew 6:21
- We are still needing each member to pay their one time annual per capita payment of $37. We are celebrating that 88 households/members have made a payment! Remember this payment is PER member not household. We still have a way to go so please help us by paying your allocated portion, $5,645 of our allocated $10,000.
- From a budget perspective for April, we received $36,759.35 in pledged, unpledged and loose plate giving. Please continue or increase your giving to help us support our current mission and ministry budget (operating fund). Thank you!
If you have any questions either about our current financial position or per capita, please reach out to Steve Debus (steven.debus89@gmail.com) or Julia Kirby (maybe_soon98@yahoo.com).
We are working on getting the letters out to everyone who has pledged. Stewardship is a year-round activity so we will be happy to receive your pledge if you have not yet done so!
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Needed! Summer Sunday School Teachers!
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Teachers and assistants needed for the summer Sunday School program. No experience necessary! Contact Laura Rockwell for more information.
laura.a.rockwell@gmail.com
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Save the date! Vacation Bible School, July 8 to July 12!
Please sign up in the lobby or contact Christina Nelson, christinajoy87@gmail.com.
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It's not too late to sign up for this year's GenOn Youth Summit! The Summit is a national gathering of high school youth (those completing grade 8 or above this year), college-aged young adults, and the adults who love them. Over TWENTY of us from Ark & Dove will be headed to Wheeling, WV from
July 14-20, and we've saved room for YOU! If you'd like more information, please reach out to Kelly Burnett (kellyb327@aol.com)
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Our very own Hollis (Stambaugh) Butterworth, who is on The Gun Research Action Team of ACT recently co-authored an article:
An overview of critical preparedness issues and key lessons. Hollis has led major strategic and analytic studies, enhanced emergency preparedness capabilities, produced practical and strategic solutions for a wide range of emergency preparedness, port security, data analysis and business development requirements and conducted dozens of post disaster analyses and guided multi-agency partnerships for over 30 years.
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For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them. - Matthew 18:20
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It takes many hands to keep our facilities and property in adequate condition to host the many group events each week. Do you enjoy working outdoors? We need a grounds team leader to coordinate the mowing schedule, and work with volunteers to do regular maintenance for our flower beds and rain garden. Do you have an interest in security? The newly formed Safety and Security Team needs a leader to help coordinate an analysis of the property and create a structure for the team. Do you want to help, but aren't sure where? All of the facilities teams could use more members. If any of these opportunities interest you, or you would simply like more information, please contact Rob Yeager, Facilities Elder, facilities@arkanddove.org.
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The Mission Team Needs Your Help!
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On June 2nd we will be hosting an overnight mission team from New Jersey. They are on their way to do disaster relief work in Puerto Rico. They will overnight at Ark and Dove before they leave for their early morning flight from BWI the next morning. We are in need of 14 air mattresses and 14 sleeping bags to accommodate our guests. If you are able to help please drop off your air mattresses and sleeping bags in the Calvin room. We could also use some help setting up after the 11:00 service, and again Monday morning to reset the sanctuary at 10:00 am. Sign-up sheet is posted in the lobby. Thanks for your help. I know it will be greatly appreciated! Cheryl Schafer Mission Elder, csscas@verizon.net
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Featured item for May--DRIED FRUIT (prunes, raisins, craisins, unsweetened pineapple rings, etc.). Please drop off food items in the Mission Zone bin. Thank you for your donations!
Thank you for your donations!
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CAP Food Pantry Needs Our Help!
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The CAP food pantry urgently needs volunteers to help carry food from the pantry to the clients’ cars on the second and third Thursdays of the month (3-5pm). CAP is the Christian Assistance Program, Inc., a group of about 13 churches, including Ark & Dove, that provides food and clothing to families in West Anne Arundel County. Ark & Dove helps sustain CAP through regular food donations, clothing donations, the annual Souper Bowl of Caring, and volunteers for CAP activities. This is the most physically demanding of the volunteer positions and requires repeatedly carrying bags/boxes weighing approximately 25-35 pounds up eight steps. For more information, or to volunteer, please contact Greg Makar (GLMakar@juno.com, 301-483-8255). Or contact Amy Gantt, CAP’s volunteer coordinator (aggantt2@aol.com, 410-733-6022).
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We all have different sets of personality traits, such as our communication habits, our patterns of action and our characteristic attitudes, values and talents. All of these add up to form our temperament and help shape how we interact with others. Knowing your traits, and understanding your own strengths and challenges, can greatly improve how you interact with teams, co-workers and family. On
Wednesday, June 5
, we will explore the
Keirsey Temperaments Sorter
and help you discover if you are a Guardian, a Healer, a Rational or an Artisan, as well as what each of these types mean. Cathy Debus will be leading the discussions. Dinner and fellowship start at 6:30 with discussions from 7:00 to 8:30. Childcare and special meals can be provided. See Steve Debus (steven.debus89@gmail.com) for more information.
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Friendly Seniors Get Together!
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It's been a while since we've gotten together! How about this
Sunday, May 19, 1:30 p.m. at M&M,
the new restaurant in The Village? That way we can see what we want to do in the summer. Remember the Areys are willing to take us sailing in batches of 4! Do we want to picnic somewhere? Visit a brewery? See another play or concert? Bring your suggestions for summer into fall, please. Hope to see you then! Please let Joan Berry (410-672-5237, berry962@verizon.net ) know by Thursday, May 16 so she can make reservations.
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Save the date for Parents' Group! Our Parents' fellowship group is open to all families with school aged children and will begin to meet regularly on LAST Fridays each month (Friday the 31st for May), from 6 to 8 pm in the Marshall room. Childcare provided for a small contribution. Come whenever you're available, and let's chat about parenting and get to know each other! Nicole Howe, Outreach and Connections Elder, nicolehowe123@gmail.com.
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Wash yourselves - Isaiah 1:16
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We are in need of volunteers to clean up the Sunday Fellowship snack table after the 11:00 service (once a month, or more). Contact Nicole Howe (nicolehowe123@gmail.com) if you are able to help.
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The next meeting of the Healing through Grief small group will be on
Tuesday, June 11, 7 - 8:15 pm in the Ark and Dove Room. Anyone who has experienced the loss of a beloved family member or dear friend, no matter how recent or long ago, is invited to attend. No sign up needed, though it is appreciated. Drinks will be provided. The group is facilitated by Pastor Tim and Linnie Girdner. For more information, please contact Linnie Girdner at 410-999-7892 or girdnerlinda@gmail.com.
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Youth & Young Adult Mission
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Salem County Habitat for Humanity
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The older youth (16 and above) and young adult mission trip is scheduled for
August 4-9. This year we are traveling to Salem County Habitat for Humanity in southern New Jersey. Please register with Pastor Tim Timsstern@gmail.com or Don Zielger donaldkziegler@gmail.com.
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Adult Christian Education
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The Bible is a library. It is hard to know what to read and how to read it. Join us for Bible study. For five weeks this spring, we will focus on the book of Revelation in an effort to learn skills and practices for Bible reading. We will meet Tuesdays at 7-8:30 pm, through May 28. Need childcare? Let us know. Pastor Jon (jgnelson1985@gmail.com) and Kim Champagne (kim.champagne@gmail.com) are organizing. Please RSVP.
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Please keep the following people in your prayers this week:
PRAYERS OF HEALING AND SUPPORT for Edie and Richard Budd; Dot Forloines; Debbie Saylor’s mother, Carol Saylor, and father, Henry Saylor; Kim Young's sister-in-law, Ruth Young; Wendy Wellington’s mother, Janet Morgan; Walt Kelly; Christy Yeager and her parents, Linda and Leon Jordan; the Forgrave family and Norma Forgrave’s son-in-law, Mike Fox; Bruce and Karen Sanders’ granddaughter, Hannah Algoet; Corinne Baker; Lori Kronser’s father Cliff Corn; Amy Benson’s friend, Brian Shriner; Tameka Oberman’s grandmother; Nikol Sahai's mother, Marie Krizanova; Chris Wilkens; Pat Sise’s grandfather, Ed Sise and brother, Justin; Amy Tardiff’s father-in-law, Richard Tardiff; Margaret McGillivary’s friend, Kim Nolet; Declan Steward’s father, Daryl; James Franklin’s father, Homer; Kameron and Kamarii Miller; Cheryl Walcutt’s mother and sister, Judy Walsh; Amanda Wehage’s family; Jon Nelson’s aunt, Linda, and grandmother, Peggy; Laura Doughty's aunt, Marie; Ylonda Fauntleroy's aunt, Bernice Taylor; Brooks Emrick and her sister, Susan; Vaughn Brown and his sister, Kathie; Ann Hirschy; Frances Keyes; Helene Marchand-Stancil; Laura Willoughby's father, Norman; Julia Kirby's mother, Margaret Floyd; Steven Kirby; Greg and Diane Makar's cousin, Michael Makar; Amy Carskadon's nephew; Erika Sealing's son, Trip, and grandmother, Margaret Schade; Sue Hanburger and Sue's grandson, Enzo; Dotty Kaufmann's grandson, Nathan; Amy Benson's family and Amy’s friend, Brian Shriner; Lisa Mezaache’s friend, Pearl McNamara; Denise Grassel’s friends; the Winter family; David Michels; Thomas and Judy Kochis; Janet Saunders; the Greenwald family; and Doug Mattingly’s mother.
If you have prayer concerns or blessings that you would like to share, please contact Deacon Patriceo Green at patriceobgreen@gmail.com and he will add your concern to the prayer partners email chain.
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Ark and Dove Presbyterian Church | 410-674-6400 | admin@arkanddove.org |
www.arkanddove.org
| 8424 Piney Orchard Pkwy. Odenton, MD 21113
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