3rd Sunday in Lent
The Arkive: Ark and Dove's Newsletter
All are invited to take part in prayer and reflection this 3rd Sunday in Lent at both the 9:30 am (choir led) and 11:00 am (band led) worship services!
Message from Pastor Jon
Dear Friends and Members of Ark and Dove,

We come upon the third Sunday in Lent. The Lenten journey is long and for those of us who have picked up a discipline or put down a bad habit, this is about the time when our zeal may lag and resolve weaken. Maybe you have tried a regimen of silent prayer and you are beginning to question the point. Maybe you have been reading Martin Laird's "Into the Silent Land" and you are wondering what he is on about. Or maybe you are like one of the middle schoolers I know who committed to no cookies and suddenly found himself biting into one at LOGOS. Lent is a time to focus on our walk with Christ, and now is the time that we grow weary.

In an effort to encourage you, I want to offer some suggestions for this part of the hike:

  • Keep moving forward, keep showing up, even when wondering, "what is the point?"
  • Reach out to a spiritual friend. Talk about your growth and growing edges.
  • Join a small group. It is never too late.
  • Carefully read the articles in the newest edition of The Olive Branch--coming to you by mail. You will be encouraged by the thoughtful pieces written by Ark and Dove friends and members.
  • Attend a Taize service: March 27 and April 10 at 7 pm. Consider singing or doing a reading. Contact me if you are interested in leading.
  • Join the ACT Door-Knocking Campaign on March 30, where you will get to know our neighbors and see the face of Christ residing around us.

If ever you need prayer, support, or encouragement on your Lenten journey, do not hesitate to reach out to Pastor Tim or me, a Deacon, Stephen Minister or Elder. We are here for one another.

Peace,
Pastor Jon
jgnelson1985@gmail.com
Verse and Prayer
...pray without ceasing... -1 Thessalonians 5:17
Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me. [Repeat.]
Stewardship
Stewardship Task Force Outreach
Thank you to all who have already met with our team and shared your thoughts on gratitude! We love hearing about what makes you thankful for Ark & Dove and are planning to share some of your comments anonymously--so watch for something cool coming from our team. For those of you who have not yet had the chance, we still want to connect with you!  Linking Gratitude and Abundance is our way to focus purposefully on how we give back to the church and how we as a church are prepared to carry the message of God's dream into our community and world.
 
I completely understand that the word stewardship may cause some of you to wrinkle your brow or think "ugh", perhaps not your favorite topic of conversation. I'm here to hopefully eliminate those reactions. We want you to expand your definition and see stewardship as the actions we take as God's people--ALL the actions. Gratitude drives the attitude... that may sound cheesy, but it's true. There are many many advocates out there today who say that starting and ending your day with gratitude is the way to a happier life--focusing on the positive. This is not to ignore or negate when you have a bad day--ups and downs are part of life--but it is the opportunity to reset your spirit and perhaps ease away from some of the pain. We believe that gratitude and abundance are linked ! As Tim mentioned in his sermon recently though, we are NOT saying that giving will bring you individual riches. What I am saying is that if we all give graciously and generously, as each is capable, together we can impact our community and world in a big way.
 
As part of our Lenten journey, we as a church are reading (or at least hearing in the sermons) about contemplative prayer from Martin Laird's Into the Silent Land: A Guide to the Christian Practice of Contemplation . My question for this week is how do you see/experience/feel the link between prayer, gratitude and abundance? The answer for each of us is likely different, but I would guess we would find many similarities. Jon encouraged us to be still so that we can hear God, and also so that God can hear us. Perhaps we could all use a little quiet time to consider our personal reaction to stewardship and prayerfully consider the information our team has to share regarding the finances of the church.
 
My ask is simple and direct--please share your thoughts on gratitude with us, connect with us, get to know another member of the congregation through this process. These meetings are painless--we don't even leave you with a pledge card at this point! We just want to connect and hear from you and share information because no one wants to be uninformed or left in the dark. We will be mailing the brochures to all the members and the mailing will contain a pledge card. Pledging shows a commitment to our future and allows us to budget to address the vision you all have set forth through our discussions. We also welcome any and all feedback on the process for this year, as we have tried something new based on feedback we received from you all. April 7th is Celebration of Gratitude Commitment Sunday. Use some of your Lenten contemplative time considering your gifts to the church, both financial and non-financial.  May grace and peace be yours in abundance! (1 Peter 1:2b)
 
If you have any questions, please contact me, Julia Kirby at maybe_soon98@yahoo.com, or Steve Debus at steven.debus89@gmail.com.
This week's music ranges from Marie Barnett's modern-day praise song, Breathe, to Robert Jackson's early 20th century hymn, Breathe on Me, Breath of God and the great Welsh hymn tune, St. Denio, heard during worship with the text "Immortal, Invisible." Nestled in the middle is Dr. F Melius Christiansen's Lamb of God. Christiansen was a Norwegian-American composer who would have immigrated to America around the same time as one of my great-grandfathers. Lamb of God was composed for the St. Olaf Lutheran Choir, which he also directed.

Palm Sunday and Easter are fast approaching. If you would like to join the choir for these two special Sundays of music, please get in touch. After Easter, we will begin preparations for our June Music Sunday, which will culminate in selections from the Brahms' Requiem. If you feel like this is an opportunity that you can't pass up, let me know!

Peace,

Margaret
Director of Music
margaret.mcgillivray@gmail.com
Youth Sunday is approaching quickly. March 31st is the date to mark on your calendars. Our youth will be involved with leading both the choir led and band led services. We will need parent support, so our youth will be able to attend when they are needed. Middle school LOGOS kids will be involved with the band led service; please plan accordingly. Thank you for help with growing our youth program and their leadership and worship arts skills.

God bless,

Pat
Director of Contemporary Music
psise11@gmail.com
Generosity Opportunities

DONATE ONLINE ! One Great Hour of Sharing , Peace and Global Witness Offering for ACT: Anne Arundel Connecting Together , Pledged Giving , and more! Many opportunities await you!
Establish or increase EFT here!
Wanting to increase or establish an EFT with Ark and Dove? It's easy to do. The forms can be found on the web site and here are the links: EFT Authorization Form and EFT Change Form.
Lent
Taize Contemplative Worship
Come join us for a silence-filled worship service! We are holding Taize every other Wednesday this Lent, join us on March 27 and April 10 at 7:00pm for a half hour of worship designed to help us find the silence within us. Questions? Contact Ryan Stavely (ryan@stavely.org, 410-980-2307).
Pub Theology
Does praying do anything? A conversation over beer and beverages. Join us location TBD on April 3, 7:00-8:30 pm. Contact Pastor Jon ( jgnelson1985@gmail.com).
Youth Sunday
Mark your calendars!
Youth Sunday is on March 31st. At the 9:30 and 11 am services, the children and youth of Ark and Dove will be leading us in worship. If you have questions about your child's involvement, please contact Pastor Jon ( jgnelson1985@gmail.com).
Palms and Flowers
Preparing and Welcoming
The Flower Team is accepting donations for palms and flowers for Palm Sunday (April 14) and Easter (April 21) services. Suggested donation amount is $7-$10 dollars. Forms are available in the church bulletin and in the lobby. If you have any questions, please contact Paula Griggs at 443-510-6687 or paulagriggs32@gmail.com.  
Mission
One Great Hour of Sharing
You shall be called the repairer of the breach - Isaiah 58:12
 
We have heard how about One Great Hour of Sharing is about Disaster Relief and helping those who lives are adversely affected by crisis and catastrophic events. It is about alleviating hunger, and addressing the root causes of poverty so all may be fed. It is also about the Self -Development of People, helping people better themselves and help loosen the bonds of injustice. The Presbyterian Committee on the Self Development of People continues to work with low-income communities across the United States to overcome oppression and injustice. Projects are focused on advocacy, youth-led initiatives, skills development, farming, worker rights and immigration/refugee issues. Through your gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing, over 5,000 projects in economically poor communities in the United States and around the world have had an opportunity to develop solutions to their own challenges. Please give generously to One Great Hour of Sharing Cheryl Schafer, Mission Elder csscas@verizon.net
Tomorrow, March 23, 12-1 pm
Join Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake and our community partners as we welcome FIVE new families home! The celebration will be held at 1718 Presbury St. where family, friends, neighbors, partners, and Habitat staff will gather for a Welcome Home Celebration Habitat Chesapeake style! 
Featured item for March-- RICE (wild rice, short grain brown rice, basmati, etc.). Please drop off food items in the Mission Zone bin. Thank you for your donations!   
Anne Arundel Connecting Together
Door Knocking Training
SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 11AM-3PM

AFFORDABLE HOUSING 
COUNTY-WIDE DOOR KNOCKING CAMPAIGN

Help us hear directly from people what issues they are most concerned with addressing!

Ark and Dove Presbyterian Church
8424 Piney Orchard Pkwy, Odenton
Training, Breakfast, Lunch and Childcare Provided
(RSVP for childcare at Walcutt_family@hotmail.com)
Interfaith Vigil, Conversation and Teach-in
At the invitation of our sisters and brothers of the Muslim faith

Sponsored by the Anne Arundel County Muslim Council
Sunday, March 24, 2019, 3pm
A 30-minute vigil followed by 
— an invitation to hold relationship-building conversations with people of another faith around provided snacks; and 
— attend a “teach-in” about what a mosque is and how it works

Antiracism and Social Equity
Parenting Forum on Raising Race Conscious Children
Save the date! Sunday May 19th 2-4pm. Learn to talk to your kids about race and racism. We are currently arranging a speaker for parents and are considering inviting a Child & Family Therapist to do an interactive and play based discussion with children ages 3-14 years old on understanding race and racism. Please contact Jen Roman at jroman8414@gmail.com if you’re interested so we can determine the number of parents and the ages of children who might be attending.
Good Trouble and more!
Good and Holy Troublemakers! Please join Debbie Arey and me at the Annual PCUSA Compassion, Peace, and Justice Training Day on Friday, April 5th at New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in D.C. Be prepared to be informed and inspired by learning, connecting, praying, and singing together with Presbyterians from across the country.
Want to do more? Sign up for the Ecumenical Advocacy Days from April 5-8 , learn from amazing prophets of our time and go out and speak truth to power on lobbying day.

Work on Fridays or don't have childcare? No problem. There is a wonderful event at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Annapolis at 7 pm on April 5th . They are showing Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North . In this documentary Katrina Browne traces her New England ancestors and finds they were the largest slave-trading family in U.S. history. She and her cousins explore the Triangle Trade and reveal the central role enslavement played in the growth of the nation. The film will be followed by a discussion. Donation of $ 5 is encouraged. Childcare is available. Linnie Girdner, girdnerlinda@gmail.com
Community Forum: Opioid Crisis Awareness
Opioid Crisis Awareness Event
Ferndale UMC and Refuge Church Ministries II are co-hosting an Opioid Crisis Awareness Event on Saturday, April 13 at Ferndale UMC (117 Ferndale Rd in Glen Burnie). The event will be held between 9-2 and includes a free lunch. Speakers include Maryland State Police, Anne Arundel County Fire & Rescue, Arundel Crisis Response, Northern Lights Against Substance Abuse Coalition, as well as someone who is successfully in recovery. Narcan training will also be offered. Deb Saylor, saylordeb@yahoo.com
Prayer Requests
Please keep the following people in your prayers this week:

PRAYERS OF HEALING AND SUPPORT for Greg Makar’s mother, LeeAnn; Christy Yeager’s mother and father, Linda and Leon Jordan; Sam Lawson; Agnes Stavely; Steven Kirby; Corinne Baker; Lori Kronser and her father Cliff Corn; Amy Benson’s friend, Brian Shriner; Tameka Oberman’s grandmother; Nikol Sahai's mother, Marie Krizanova; Kim Schroen; 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 sister, Judy Walsh; Amanda Wehage’s family; Jon Nelson’s aunt, Linda, and grandmother, Peggy; Chip Burnett; Laura Doughty's aunt, Marie; Lydia Doughty’s friend, Carley; Ylonda Fauntleroy's aunt, Bernice Taylor; Diane Johnson's aunt; Brooks Emrick and her sister, Susan; Vaughn Brown and his sister, Kathie; Ann Hirschy; Frances Keyes; Dot Forloines; Helene Marchand-Stancil; Laura Willoughby's father, Norman; Julia Kirby's mother, Margaret Floyd; Amy Carskadon's nephew; Erika Sealing's son, Trip, and grandmother, Margaret Schade; Sue Hanburger and Sue's grandson, Enzo; Edie and Richard Budd; Dotty Kaufmann's grandson, Nathan; Amy Benson's family; Lisa Mezaache’s friend, Pearl McNamara; David Michels; Jerri Webb’s friend, Mary Van Orten; Evelyn Ziegler; Thomas and Judy Kochis; Sage Worrell; Wayne Sweet; Yadong Wei; Mark Constable; Laura Talbert’s friend, Kristin Goin; and Doug Mattingly’s mother.  
 
PRAYERS OF SUPPORT go out to the guests and churches involved with Winter Relief: Magothy UMC, St. Martins in-the-Field and First Baptist Annapolis.
 
PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING  from the Distad and Burnett families on the birth of Rebecca and Brian’s son, and Kelly and Chip Burnett’s grandson, Bennett Frank Distad, who was born on March 19, 2019.

PRAYERS OF SAFETY, SUPPORT HEALING AND LOVE for our sisters and brothers in Mozambique, Milawi and Zimbabwe, Iowa and Missouri.

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.
Ark and Dove Presbyterian Church | 410-674-6400 | admin@arkanddove.org | www.arkanddove.org | 8424 Piney Orchard Pkwy. Odenton, MD 21113