In preparation!
The Arkive: Ark and Dove's Newsletter
All are welcome to worship at both the 9:30 am (choir led) and 11:00 am (band led) services! We are celebrating the last day of Pentecost, as we near our season of preparation!
Message from Pastor Jon
Dear Friends and Members of the Ark and Dove Community,

Before I became a pastor, I read Marilynne Robinson's extraordinary novel about Reverend John Ames, Gilead. The way Ames talks about baptism made me excited to play a part. I've always loved to baptize people, Ames says. Baptism doesn't enhance sacredness, but it acknowledges it, and there is power in that. I have felt it pass through me, so to speak. The sensation is of really knowing a creature, I mean really feeling its mysterious life and your own mysterious life at the same time.

I now know what Ames describes. In baptism, we recognize and affirm the sacredness of a human life. It is a sacredness not earned, but conferred. To look into the eyes of the baptized and affirm this has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. I am very pleased to baptize my daughter Emery Joy this Sunday during the 9:30 worship service. I look forward to seeing you then.

There are not many times and spaces in our society where we gather to celebrate the sacredness of human life. This is troubling for a society wherein the sacredness of human life is often denied. But at church, especially during baptism, we celebrate this while also remembering that God has called and claimed us each sacred. When we witness baptism, we should feel affirmed and dignified. If we feel this way, it is likely that we will affirm and dignify others. Baptism is a blessing on an individual life, but it can be a blessing for all who witness and all they encounter. I hope you find yourself blessed this Sunday, and every other day of the week.

Pastor Jon
jgnelson1985@gmail.com
Verse and Prayer
He looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury; he also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins.
-Luke 21:1-2

Gracious God: all we have is yours. We so often forget that. Help us to recognize where and when what we have can be better applied for your purposes. Let us not live with clenched fists, but open palms. Amen.
The seasons of Advent and Christmas soon will be here! If you are interested in participating in one of the many, fun projects we have going on at Ark&Dove for the holidays, please speak to me as soon as humanly possible! Or call! Or email! We have a host of amazing musical groups and events happening in the next 40 dyas or so, including: Adult Choir, Children's Choir, Revels (our recital/concert on Dec. 8th), the Ark&Dove Chamber Ensemble (High school ages and up), Sacred Strings (For instrumentalists in late elementary, middle and early high school) and the Inter-generational Pageant on Dec. 15th. there are so many ways to let your light shine!

Peace,

Margaret
Director of Music
margaret.mcgillivray@gmail.com
The season of peace is quickly approaching. This means that it is getting close to the time of our Christmas Revels concert. Please mark your calendars for December 8th at 6 pm. Revels will be held in the sanctuary. Come and enjoy some wonderful music by musicians from our congregation. It is a great way to bring the joy and the presence of God into the holiday season, and get December kicked off with some wonderful spirit!

God bless,

Pat
Director of Contemporary Music
psise11@gmail.com
Generosity
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Advent Devotional
Creating a Matthew 25 Advent season
During this holy season of Advent, we are invited to follow Jesus’s command epitomized by Matthew 25:31–46 to love one another and care for “the least of these.”

This year’s devotional is very special. The Rev. Sherry Blackman, a Presbyterian pastor, chaplain and award-winning writer and poet, challenges us to fill our days of Advent with simple, practical and loving deeds that help our neighbors — calling each act of kindness a piece of “straw” for the manager to make a soft bed for the Christ child when he arrives on Christmas. It is our hope that you invite family, church friends and those in your community to join you in adding straw this Advent season, so that together you prepare for Christ’s birth. An added bonus to this year’s devotional is the space provided each Sunday of Advent to jot down your reflections and prayers.

The Advent devotionals will be available in the lobby, beginning this Sunday. We are asking for a $2.00 donation.
Parents Night Out!
Youth Fundraiser!
Parent’s Night Out
Saturday, December 7, 5pm to 9pm
 
$20 for 1st child * $10 per sibling
Register and pay online .

This is a fundraiser for youth group summer mission trips! Includes childcare (ages 1-10), dinner and activities!
 
Next PNO is tentatively scheduled for February 15!
Equipping the Saints
The Rooms of Ark and Dove
When we come to a meeting at church we go to the Calvin, Marshall, Prentiss-Whitman or Whitherspoon rooms, but who were these people, and why were they important enough for the church to remember them with rooms? If this interests you, please join us for the next Equipping the Saints, Wednesday, December 4. Dinner and Fellowship start at 6:30 with discussions from 7:00-8:30. Childcare and special meals available upon request. Sign up in the lobby and see Steve Debus (steven.debus89@gmail.com) or Bruce Sanders (brusanders1@gmail.com) if you have questions.
Adult Christian Education
World Religions Study Group
Sundays through November 24, at 12:30! Are you curious about other world religions, but intimidated by foreign words and concepts? Stephen Price-Gibson will introduce six of the world's religions through the use of popular film clips and stimulating discussion. We will focus on one concept, for each religion, that will help give insight into that belief system. We will delve into Taoism, then Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism and Islam. Bring a bagged lunch! Questions? Please contact Stephen Price-Gibson at spricegibson@hotmail.com.
Pub Theology
Pub Theology is an informal gathering over beer and other beverages that engages difficult questions of faith in a lighthearted manner. We meet 7 pm, at Frisco Tap House, Crofton .

  • Thursday, December 5 Virgin Mary? And other questions to address at Christmas dinner.
 
Questions? Pastor Jon, jgnelson1985@gmail.com
Mid-week Bible Study
This is a “come as you are” discussion group that meets most Wednesdays, 10 am . To learn more, please contact Pastor Jon, jgnelson1985@gmail.com.
Exploring the Way
For those beginning the spiritual journey. Tuesdays, 7 pm , January 14 through February 25 . Calvin room. Please contact Pastor Tim, timsstern@gmail.com, for more information. This group will have an interesting twist—we are looking for people who will commit to leading a 5 to 8 week small group in the next two years: so a small group to help us grow personally and in skills needed to lead a small group.
Antiracism
November 17, 2:30-4:30pm, in the sanctuary at Ark and Dove. 
Facilitators: Paula Sparks and Lori Kronser
When They See Us
The Ark and Dove Antiracism and Social Justice team will host the last forum, this Sunday, to view and discuss the Netflix series When They See Us .

Sign up for last screening at 

Intended for mature viewers. Disturbing subject matter is depicted.
Mission
CAP Featured Food Item for November
Featured item for November—CANNED VEGETABLES (sweet potatoes, pumpkin, tomatoes, etc). Please drop off food items in the Mission Zone bin. Thank you for your donations!
Woods Memorial Epic Bazaar
Handmade Gifts, Treats & More!
Woods Memorial Church Annual Bazaar! Saturday, November 23 rd, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

·         Free pictures with Santa (Bring your phone or camera)
·         Children’s Boutique (Face painting & kids’ shop)
·         Crafts & Gifts by local and non-profit vendors
·         Baked Goods & Lunch
·         Live Greens for Sale
·         Silent Auction (Quilt, Childs car & Polar Bears)
Prayer Requests
Please keep the following people in your prayers this week:

PRAYERS OF HEALING AND SUPPORT for Bob Johns; Ellen Makar; Fred Barrow’s aunt, Lee; Kathy Miller’s sister, Beth; Griselda Solano's sister, Irma; Hollis Butterworth’s brother-in-law, Brian Smith; Cindy Knott’s mother, Madeline Knott; Debbie Saylor’s uncle, Wayne and her grand-nephew, Jordan Ace Jabri; Laura Willoughby's father, Norman; Frank Dakai; Jose Lopez’s mother, Queta; Bill Ruble’s mother, Mary Jane Weathers; Stan Houck and Ann Hirschy; Edie and Richard Budd; 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; Greg and Diane Makar's cousin, Michael Makar; Diane Maker; Declan Steward’s father, Daryl; Lewis and James Shorter; Janet Dabbs’ sister, Diane Maloy; Archer and Honor Bauman’s grandfather, Larry; Lori Kronser’s father Cliff Corn; Pat Sise’s grandfather, Ed; Amy Tardiff’s father-in-law, Richard Tardiff; Brian Boudreau’s cousin, Valery Householder; James Franklin’s father, Homer; Kameron and Kamarii Miller; Cheryl Walcutt’s mother, nephew, and sister, Judy Walsh; 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; Erika Sealing's son, Trip, and grandmother, Margaret Schade; Amy Benson's family and Amy’s friend, Brian Shriner; Thomas and Judy Kochis; Margaret McGillivary’s friends, Kim Nolet and Pastor Virginia Studer of Faith Presbyterian Church; and Doug Mattingly’s mother.

PRAYERS OF LOVE AND SUPPORT for the guests and churches involved with Winter Relief this week: St. Bernadette Parish, Christ King Catholic Church, and Mt. Zion in Eastport.

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