The Arkive: Ark and Dove's Newsletter
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Palm Sunday!
Join us for
live stream ONLY
, worship service, 10:00 am (the stream will go live at 9:45).
Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!
- Matthew 21:9
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Dear Members and Friends of Ark and Dove,
We now enter the final week of Lent, also called Holy Week. Holy Week is a unique week in the life of the church for many reasons, and one of those reasons is that it is an eight day week. Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday and ends with Easter. Easter Sunday is referred to by many as the Eighth Day of Creation because, on Easter, Jesus conquered sin and death and ushered in new life. So Easter is both the eighth day of Holy Week, and the eighth day of God's creative life-giving work. The gift of creation, as told in Genesis, is completed in the accounts of the resurrection in the Gospels.
How did Holy Week go in the life of Jesus in the first century?
Here is an outline of events, to which most scholars adhere:
Palm Sunday: Palm procession, coats line his path, Jesus weeps for Jerusalem, Jesus returns to Bethany for the night.
Monday: Jesus enters the temple and disturbs the traders who have made a mockery and marketplace of "my Father's house."
Tuesday: Jesus teaches in the temple courtyard and debates with the pharisees and scribes.
Wednesday: The authorities plot to arrest Jesus. Judas becomes their ally.
Mary pours oil on the feet of Jesus at a supper in Bethany.
Thursday: Passover preparation; the Last Supper; Judas is outed; prayers in Gethsemane; Jesus is arrested; Jesus is tried by the religious authorities; Peter denies Jesus; and the cock crows.
Friday: Jesus is tried by Pilate; Jesus is sent to Herod Antipas for trial; Jesus is sent back to Pilate; Pilate gives the death sentence; Pilate washes his hands of the whole mess; Jesus is flogged; Jesus receives a crown of thorns; Jesus carries the cross; Jesus is crucified; Jesus dies; Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus lay Jesus' body in the tomb.
Saturday: The Sabbath Day, Jesus in the tomb
Sunday: The Day of Resurrection
Because of COVID-19, this Holy Week will not be one we can share in each other's physical presence, and that is a true loss: a surreal interruption. We can however retrace the steps of Jesus by reading the Holy Week accounts in the Gospels; there is no better year to do this. And you are invited to pray through the week using the outline above. We can also share Holy Week together online using the worship opportunities that Pastor Jon outlines below. Whether by
Zoom
or
live-stream, we can join our sisters and brothers in faith, as we achingly remember Christ's passion and celebrate his amazing Resurrection.
I am praying that even in the midst of pandemic, you have blessed Holy Week.
Peace of Christ,
Tim
timsstern@gmail.com
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Dear Members and Friends of Ark and Dove,
With this coming Sunday, we enter Holy Week. We proceed into Jerusalem with Jesus, waving palm branches and laying down our coats. Inside the city, we witness Jesus weep over it, flip tables in anger, and field the damning questions of his accusers.
Horrific things occur in this week: betrayal, abandonment, denial, violence, mockery, persecutions, grave injustice, and execution. Entering this week, we can expect to confront suffering, then and now. God in Jesus Christ experienced the terrors of this world.
Beautiful things happen in this week. People shout with praise and joy. A widow shows great generosity. Friends wash friends' feet as a sign of great love. A solemn meal is shared among those who have been through much together. Stunning declarations of forgiveness are heard and remembered. And at the end, or the beginning, a burst of life from death.
We invite you into this week and the ancient events that shape it. In this unsettling time, we remember the time when Jesus suffered and died. We do not want to add weight to what you suffer now, but we do want to remember that when Jesus suffered and died, it did not go unnoticed or unaddressed. Enter this week with whatever weight you carry and know that God removes great weights--even the stone that buried Jesus.
On Sunday, we celebrate the way in which Jesus entered Jerusalem on top of cloaks and through waving palms. Even though you may not have palm leaves at home, we encourage children and youth to either bring in a branch to wave during the children's sermon (you're welcome, parents) or create something like this:
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This Sunday we will also move into the passion narrative and consider the humiliation, suffering, and death Jesus Christ endured so that death would no longer be the final word.
We will continue our
midweek prayer services, Tuesday at 8 pm and Wednesday at noon. On Thursday, we celebrate the love expressed on
Maundy Thursday with a Zoom worship service at 7 pm. During that service, we invite you to share communion with us. To do so, please have ready bread and grape juice or wine. We have plenty of grape juice and want to save you a trip to the store. Pastor Tim is keeping office hours Tuesday-Thursday 11-3pm, so you can ring the bell to pick up your grape juice then.
Links for these services are below.
On Good Friday, we will live-stream a service from the sanctuary remembering the seven last words of Jesus Christ. Special music will be shared and an extended time of prayer will serve us well. Here is our
YouTube page. (
http://arkanddove.org/livestream).
Friends, we look forward to sharing this Holy Week with you. Even while we are apart, Jesus Christ joins us together in discipleship.
Peace,
Jon
jgnelson1985@gmail.com
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As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying,
"Blessed is the king
who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven,
and glory in the highest heaven!"
Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.”
-Luke 19:37-40
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On this day, O God, we focus ahead on your Son Jesus Christ, who walks the path into Jerusalem. We praise you for all you teach us through him, for the peace granted in his name, for the comfort he offers, and for the burdens eased by him. We know that even if joyful praise does not escape our lips, worship will still fill the air. Let us hear it, experience it, and join in the song. Jesus Christ is King, king of another kind, the One we really need. Amen.
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Our music this week is full of comfort and joy, and we hope it helps with your preparations for the week to come. The prelude is a meditative setting by Craig Curry of the familiar hymn
O Love, That Wilt Not Let Me Go. Later in the service, we welcome Jennifer Piazza-Pick, soprano and Brittany Wellington, 'cello as the present our anthem, Dan Forrest's
Arise, My Soul, Arise in a prerecorded format. The choir was to have sung this on Palm Sunday, and we're glad that the congregation will still get to experience this music, albeit in a much different way.
Peace,
Margaret
Director of Music
margaret.mcgillivray@gmail.com
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Things are very surreal these days and tough on a lot of us. Even through this all, I am happy we are able to continue providing streamed services through YouTube and Zoom. This Sunday is Palm and Passion Sunday. Next week is Holy Week, and we will still be providing safe worship opportunities for everyone. Maundy Thursday will be held through Zoom, Good Friday will be on YouTube, and Easter will be streamed with pre-recorded band and choir pieces. We chose this method, so we can fill out the band and choir during separate recording sessions and still meet the directives that our governor has very rightly ordered. Please everyone, follow these directives to save lives and slow the spread of COVID-19.
The night is always darkest before the dawn. We will get through this together under the loving arms of our God and with the support of one another. Peace be with you.
God bless,
Pat
Director of Contemporary Music
psise11@gmail.com
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This past week I hosted a Zoom session
Death Cafe
, promoted through the
Queer Cafe
, and my personal Facebook page. Despite its seemingly morbid title, a
Death Cafe
is a place to openly share thoughts, concerns, worries, or personal beliefs about death and dying in a judgement-free environment. This past week's discussion included topics like eco-friendly burial practices, beliefs around the afterlife, how to manage grief, our own experiences with loss, and how the world has changed from previous eras to now with how we cope with loss and death. Each discussion is different because each discussion is based on whatever you feel most comfortable or interested in talking about. If you'd like to join we are doing this every Friday from 6-8 pm. Join us at
https://zoom.us/j/656116009
Blessings to you all in these often trying times,
Chris
Seminary Intern
Christina.L.Wilson84@gmail.com
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ACT: Feed Anne Arundel County
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Keep People Working -- Keep People Fed -- Keep Small Business Open
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One of the programs that ACT has been leading during this time of pandemic is
#FeedAnneArundel
. In collaboration with 30 local restaurants; the Partnership for Children, Youth, and Families; and the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation,
ACT #FeedAnneArundel
has successfully delivered over 3,000 delicious, nutritious, and morale-raising meals across our county, including Dunkirk, Odenton, Brooklyn Park, and Annapolis. We can expand further with more funding.
1) Keep People Employed
2) Keep People Fed
3) Keep Small Businesses Open
We have funded this campaign so far entirely with private funding, raising nearly $60,000 in two weeks. This has enabled dozens of people to hold onto their jobs and our small businesses to remain open in addition to those 3,000 meals. You can read more about it on our Facebook page,
www.facebook.com/FeedAnneArundel
.
We are holding a “
Virtual Benefit Concert
” to help us raise additional funds on Friday, Aprril 3, from 5-9 pm,
via Facebook Live, in partnership with
Eastport a Rockin’
and sixteen local musicians. During this concert, we will present testimonies from people who are receiving meals, people who are keeping their jobs, small business owners, and some ACT leaders as well.
We see this as a hope-raising moment for our community.
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Please give electronically!
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TEXT your donations! 410-983-3481
Text
give to get started. Text
commands for more options.
Text an amount followed by
PerCapita
to contribute your portion of
per capita
.
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. - 2 Corinthians 7
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* Live Stream and Friendship Registers
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As a part of our virtual friendship registers, each Sunday we ask for everyone to comment in the chat box on Ark & Dove's Live-Streaming YouTube video. To comment and let us know that you are joining us for worship you must be logged in to YouTube. If you are unsure how to make a YouTube account
this video can help you through the process [
https://youtu.be/qfN8EcNh. If you already have a Gmail account, you can sign into YouTube through your Gmail account. We love to know you are with us and want you to be able to share your comments, prayer requests, and announcements with our community in this time. We look forward to hearing from you in the chat on Sunday!
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Worship Services for This Week
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Join us for Midweek services of prayer:
Tuesday at 8 pm:
Wednesday at noon:
Maundy Thursday Service at 7 pm:
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New Members and Inquirers' Class Tomorrow
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Are you interested in Ark and Dove and what we are all about? Do you want to get involved? We invite you to a new members and inquirers class tomorrow, 10-11:30 am on Zoom. There, we will get to know one another and answer questions you have. Please email Pastor Jon, jgnelson1985@gmail.com for the link.
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A Message of Thanks From Stewardship
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Almost one month ago Session held an emergency meeting and realized there was no more waiting for live streaming church service, the time had come. Covid-19 presented Ark and Dove with an immediate crisis, if we can’t meet in person on Sunday mornings, what can we do? Knowing that live streaming the church service was an option, the technology team at Ark and Dove set to work gathering the required pieces of technology, figuring out the software, and configuring the sound. Each week we have been able to make improvements and this past Sunday we used our brand-new camera to live stream the service. The software with this camera allows us to add the slides to the video you see on YouTube and create a better live stream experience,which we hope will continue to be a blessing for those who cannot join us in person even as we move past this current crisis.
I have been amazed at the response to the live stream. I know, like many of you, I sat there the first Sunday and felt a hole in my heart where all the ritual of getting ready for church, traveling to Ark and Dove, and sitting among my fellow congregants had once been. To my surprise however, the live stream brought to life the very thing I actually need from Sunday service, Worship. The act of bowing my head to pray with others, hearing the beautiful music, and receiving the word of God, all made worship feel just as it should be. I enjoyed seeing familiar and unfamiliar names post ‘good morning’ and feelings of gratitude expressed in chat. I felt contentment seeing prayer requests pour out, and an overall feeling of connection to each person watching.
Ark and Dove is a community marked by our abundant faith and gratitude. As we walk through this difficult and unprecedented time of uncertainty together, I am confident that we will continue to respond with love, care, and generosity. In that regard, due to the sudden and unexpected need to purchase nearly $2,000 worth of necessary equipment to make live-stream services successful, the Technology Team is asking our members and friends to please consider making a donation to help cover the costs of this new endeavor. I hope the streaming service has brought you peace and connection to God. We may not be together physically, but we are together in prayer.
I appreciate everyone who has dedicated their time, talents, and gifts to making the live stream a success!
Autumn Vernon
Ark and Dove Facility’s Elder
autumn.vernon03@gmail.com
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Kindergarten Through Fifth Grade
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Last Wednesday, we successfully piloted Godly Play for grades 3-5 using Zoom. The next Godly Play session for all elementary aged children--kindergarten through 5th grade--will be held on
Wednesday, April 8, 5 pm. We hope you can join us! Please keep an eye out for a Zoom invitation from Julie Devers. If you have any questions please contact Julie at jbdevers@gmail.com.
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Virtual Devotions for Children
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Many of you know that we have a program called LOGOS, for preK through 8th grade. At LOGOS, we learn to love God and neighbor through Bible study, worship, fellowship, and recreation. While we cannot meet, we are producing videos called "
Virtual LOGOS," which can be viewed by any children as devotions, whether they participate in LOGOS or not. They can be found at our
YouTube page.
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Accepting Text and Online Donations
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The Flower Team is accepting donations for flowers for the Easter service. Suggested donation amount is $7-$10 dollars.
You may make donations by sending a check to Ark and Dove (flowers on the memo line), by texting an amount to
410-983-3481
followed by
FLOWERS
or online under
Easter Flowers
.
Please email your honorarium submissions to Paula Griggs at
paulagriggs32@gmail.com
, or you may call me at 443-510-6687.
Thank you and wishing you peace and joy!
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One Great Hour of Sharing
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Special Offerings: Disaster Assistance, Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People
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The three programs supported by
One Great Hour of Sharing
—Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program and Self-Development of People—all work in different ways to serve individuals and people in need. From initial response to ongoing community development, their work fits together to provide people with safety, substance, and hope.
Please give generously
to One Great Hour of Sharing. You can give online, text an amount to
410-983-3481 followed by
GreatHour,
or envelopes are available in the seat pockets. Thank you Cheryl Schafer, Mission Elder, csscas@verizon.net
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As we practice social distancing it is even more important that we look for alternate ways to stay in touch as a congregation. This can include emails, phone calls, ZOOM, etc. Another aid can be our first Church Photo Directory (in nearly eight years). No formal photos required. Just send us your favorite selfies. Be sure to include pictures for everyone in your family – either a group photo or multiple photos. Feel free to be creative and make this fun. If you sat for a photo for our last, uncompleted directory we can use that as well, just let us know. Photos can be sent to
selfie@arkanddove.org
. If you have questions, email Steve Debus (
Steven.Debus89@gmail.com
)
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Mission: Volunteer Opportunities
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Donations Needed for Lighthouse
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Lighthouse is a homlessness prevention support center. As such, they serve some of the most vulnerable members of our community. Just like the rest of our community they have been deeply impacted by COVID-19 and the measures needed to contain the spread. They are in urgent need of donations in support of their mission.
Financial donations are currently the most helpful.
If you want to give physical items and are able to do so safely, please drop items off by Tuesday 3/31 no later than 3pm. Donations can be left under the overhang by the front door of the church. We do not have the ability to transport refrigerated items at this time so please donate only shelf stable food or non-food items.
Even though we are physically apart, we can still act together as a community of faith.
Christina Cosio-Futch
Team Lead for Lighthouse Shelter Project
c.cosiofutch@gmail.com
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Ple
ase keep the following people in your prayers this week:
PRAYERS OF HEALING AND SUPPORT
for Diane Johnson’s neighbor, Ronnie; Richard and Edie Budd; Daryl Sensenig; Joan and Merlin Berry; Adell Gaurin; David Sparks; John Rolewicz; Bill and Adell Gaurin; Shelley Franklin’s nephew, Chris; Laurie and Fred Barrow’s niece, Hope Simeone, nephew, Samuel, and Fred’s aunt, Lee; Bernabe Solano; Griselda Solano's sister, Irma; Kathy Miller’s sisters, Patty and Beth; Dotty Kauffman; Ellen Makar’s uncle, Carl Erickson; Barbara Reynold’s sister-in-law, Kay Campbell; Laura Doughty’s brother-in-law, Carl Hahn; Bob Johns; Hollis Butterworth’s brother-in-law, Brian Smith; Cindy Knott’s mother, Madeline; Debbie Saylor’s two friends and her uncle, Wayne; Laura Willoughby's father, Norman and Laura’s friend; Jose Lopez’s mother, Queta; Bill Ruble’s mother, Mary Jane Weathers; Stan Houck and Ann Hirschy; the Ralston's family members and friends who are healthcare workers
;
Christina Nelson’s grandmother, Pat Dole; Jon Nelson’s grandmother, Peggy; Chip Burnett; Kelly Burnett’s nephew, Justin; Debbie and Bruce Arey’s daughter, Allison; Debbie Arey’s aunt, Linda Rose; Dot Forloines; Dorene Chen’s family; Lewis and James Shorter and Lewis Shorter’s sister, Shirley Shorter; Archer and Honor Bauman’s grandfather, Larry; the Tardiff family; Brian Boudreau’s cousin, Valery Householder; Kameron and Kamarii Miller; Cheryl Walcutt’s mother, nephew, and sisters, Judy Walsh and Lori; Amanda Wehage’s father, Dave; Ylonda Fauntleroy's aunt, Bernice Taylor; Brooks Emrick and her sister, Susan; Vaughn Brown; Frances Keyes; Julia Kirby's mother, Margaret Floyd, cousin, Judy and friend Barb Cleland; Erika Sealing's son, Trip, and grandmother, Margaret Schade; Amy Benson's family and Amy’s friend, Brian Shriner; Thomas and Judy Kochis; Margaret’s friend, Kim Nolet; Michelle Schoonmaker's friend Amaris Wallace; Linnie Girdner and Jan Hof’s friends, Grace and Skip; Brittany Wellington’s professor; and Doug Mattingly’s mother.
THE LOVE AND PRAYERS OF THE CONGREGATION
go out to the Stavely family on the death of Amy’s grandmother, Ruby Countryman.
PRAYERS OF LOVE, SUPPORT AND PROTECTION
for all hospital staff, patients, clinics, grocers, and hourly workers around the world, who are working bravely and arduously to protect our loved ones and our communities.
PRAYERS OF LOVE AND SUPPORT
for Caitlyn Bussey; Kristen Barrett and Jenna Comer; Bill and Sandy Ruble’s son, Jim Ruble, and daughter-in-law April Ruble Hall; Michelle Schoonmaker and Jesse Pennabaker.
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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