The Arkive: Ark and Dove's Newsletter
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All are invited, this Communion Sunday, March 29, to the Fifth Sunday in Lent worship service with
live stream ONLY
, 10:00 am (the stream will go live at 9:45).
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Dear Members and Friends of Ark and Dove,
You are invited to our fourth
live stream worship service this Sunday March 29 at 10:00 am, and you are warmly encouraged to celebrate Communion with your siblings at Ark and Dove
online. Online communion? Can we do that? Yes with some guidelines of love.
The Office of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church USA issued an advisory opinion this week on virtual communion. See
this article at PCUSA.org. There is a
link in the article to the actual advisory opinion. In times of pandemic and emergency, we are allowed and our Session has voted to celebrate communion
online, and you can break bread and drink of the vine (wine or grape juice) at home, while watching
live stream worship.
The Lord's Supper, Communion or Eucharist has multiple names, but the same love is the sacramental feast of the church, where we celebrate Christ's liberation from death and our liberation from sin. The Lord's Supper is a sacrament offered by Jesus to strengthen the church in its ministry, especially for times such as these.
Do this in remembrance of me. God offers us nurture and strength at the table and binds us together as believers. The Last Supper of Jesus and his disciples was the first Lord's Supper and was celebrated at the Passover feast in Jerusalem on the night of Jesus' arrest. At this last and first Lord's Supper, Jesus drank from the fruit of the wine, and the Church has ever since followed him, drinking 100% grape juice or wine. They have done that to remember that first supper and to recall Jesus' words,
I am the true vine (John 15). By this act Jesus binds us to our Jewish roots and instructs us to celebrate with the fruit of the vine and the Passover bread, which reminds us of liberation from slavery.
After the sermon this Sunday, Pastor Jon and I will lead you in a brief Communion liturgy, and then we will take communion together in small groups or alone at home. We will make it clear when to share the bread and the fruit of the vine.
"Grape juice, wine? I don't have any at home." Yup, we thought some people might be in that spot and maybe not want to go to the store out of a desire to keep social separation. We have two options for you. You can pick up grape juice in 10 oz factory sealed bottles at church today from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm or tomorrow from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, or you may e-mail me at timsstern@gmail.com and the Session will arrange to have grape juice delivered to your home tonight or Saturday. Jesus told the disciples, as recorded in Luke 24, that he was eager to share the Last Supper with his disciples. We (the Session of Ark and Dove) are eager to share the Lord's Supper with you virtually on Sunday at 10:00 AM.
In this time of COVID-19, I am very grateful for the many leaders and members of the Ark and Dove Community who are going the extra mile and miles to maintain fellowship, community and the bonds of Christian love. Each day, I become more aware of the multitude of ways you are demonstrating care and goodwill in your circles of family, friends and fellowship. I pray that God will continue to empower and sustain you and undergird your works of faith.
In Christ's peace,
Tim
timsstern@gmail.com
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For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
- I Corinthians 11:23-26
When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.
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Luke 22:14-20
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Ever present God, we give thanks for your loving care and the presence of the Holy Spirit in times of joy and in times of hardship. We give you thanks for your son Jesus, who taught us how to live in community in all times:
Love your neighbor as yourself
….
I give you a new commandment, that you love one another…. Just as I have loved you, you should love one another.... Just as you have done this unto one of the least of these...you have done it unto me.
We thank you for the community of the church, which lives out the dream of Jesus. We thank you, that although we are living out the faithful discipline of physical social separation, we can find unity and community in phone conversations, in social media, in live stream worship, in virtual communion and in online and Zoom virtual prayer services. We thank you for our siblings in Christ both at Ark and Dove and in the church worldwide. Amen.
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It's been a joy to plan the worship service so closely with Pat these past two weeks. I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful colleague as a collaborator and fellow musician. For the choral offering this Sunday, we'll be singing Craig Courtney's
The Whisper, a quiet invitation to communion in which we can hear the call of our own names.
Peace,
Margaret
Director of Music
margaret.mcgillivray@gmail.com
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This week has been a challenge for many of us, but it has also been full of wonderful examples of community. I have seen so many folks on Zoom meetings this week: despite all the concerns and challenges everyone is enduring right now, I see so much hope and community. I want to thank everyone who has stepped up and helped out with streaming services, and I want to thank everyone who has found ways to still help from home, as many of us needed to make that choice for the safety of ourselves and our families. This church truly is embracing the ways we can continue to be community even in the presence of physical distancing. I miss seeing all of you in person, but am so glad to see you online or in zoom sessions.
I'm still running the Queer Cafe on Facebook [
https://www.facebook.com/queercafeMD/] and will be hosting various Zoom meetings announced through that page. Feel free to like the page and follow for updates and virtual events.
Blessings,
Chris
Seminary Intern
Christina.L.Wilson84@gmail.com
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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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Please join us for services of prayer. These services provide opportunity to reflect on Scripture, give thanks to God for the day, and offer prayer concerns. The evening prayers are a great way to close the day, and the noon prayer brings meaning in the middle of the day. Please follow the respective links below:
Tuesday, 8 pm:
Thursday, 8 pm:
Also, an opportunity for afternoon prayer on Wednesday, 12 pm:
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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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Ark and Dove parents, join us tonight 7-8 pm via
Zoom for a
virtual parents group. We want to hear how you are doing during this pandemic and lock down. We also want to provide opportunity to encourage one another. I hope to see you tomorrow evening, j
ust click on the link below.
Peace,
Pastor Jon
jgnelson1985@gmail.com
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New Members and Inquirers' Class
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If you are new to Ark and Dove, please join the New Members/Inquirers' class (part 1) on
Saturday, April 4, from 10:00 am to 11:30 am
on ZOOM
. This “no obligation” class is just for you if want to learn more about Ark and Dove and what it means to be a member. Hope to see you on Zoom! Nicole Howe, nicolehowe123@gmail.com
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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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Feed Anne Arundel County along with Department of Family and Children have launched an exciting program. Feed Anne Arundel County has partnered with 25 restaurants throughout the county to provide a hot meal. The restaurants are providing this meal at a very reduced rate. This partnership helps to provide a healthy meal, in addition to providing employment for the restaurant workers.
In addition, the AA Co Volunteer Action Network is building a network of dedicated people who, while practicing social distancing, will move food and essential supplies from central points to doorsteps throughout Anne Arundel County. ACT is NOT coordinating this network but the network is recruiting willing volunteers, who will work in conjunction with agencies throughout the county as is helpful, safe, and necessary.
The county’s Partnership for Children, Youth, and Families is making extensive use of this network and recently called up at least 13 volunteers to assist with food distribution in the Robinwood neighborhood in Annapolis. The AA County Office of Emergency Management has identified a need for volunteers to move food from a county-run warehouse to food banks throughout the county.
As of this afternoon, they have 38 volunteers in the network. If the county’s emergency management office begins to rely on this network, they are going to need many more volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering, you can sign up
here
.
Take care and stay well, Cheryl Schafer, Mission Elder csscas@verizon.net
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Ple
ase keep the following people in your prayers this week:
PRAYERS OF HEALING AND SUPPORT
for Daryl Sensenig; Joan and Merlin Berry; David Sparks; Richard and Edie Budd; 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; Amy Stavely’s grandmother, Ruth Countryman; 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; 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; 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; Steve Debus’ coworker, Kip Krebs; Greg Makar’s coworker, Matt; Rob Yeager’s co-worker; Brittany Wellington’s professor; and Doug Mattingly’s mother.
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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