The countdown is on for Sunday School and LOGOS!
The Arkive: Ark and Dove's Newsletter
All are invited to celebrate the 11th Sunday after Pentecost at both the 9:30 am (choir led) and 11:00 am (band led) worship services!
Message from Pastor Tim
Dear Friends of Members of Ark and Dove,

Often you will hear Pastor Jon or I say that Presbyterians are in the Reformed family of churches, or the Reformed tradition, and we experience Reformed worship. What does that mean? Well of course books have been written on the subject, but how about a simple two paragraph answer for people who don't feel like reading.

The name Reformed comes from the protestant rebellion against, or reformation of, the practices of the Catholic Church of the 15th and 16th century. People who wanted to change the church were called reformers.  One of the most skilled theologians of the time was John Calvin. Although, from our modern point of view, he was very rigid, he was also brilliant in his systematic approach to defining the Christian religion, which still shapes our thinking today. The Reformed family:

  • relies on God's grace as shown and given in Christ Jesus.
  • is led by scripture, but adapts to a world constantly infused by new knowledge.
  • worships God with heart and mind.
  • values lay leadership as much as clergy leadership.
  • recognizes the gifts and leadership of women.
  • respects local custom and practice.
  • is fully engaged with the world, speaking the truth to power, taking sin seriously, working in mission to bring God's love and justice to fruition.

The characteristics of Reformed worship and life are:

  • a focus on community.
  • the involvement of the people.
  • a certain level of simplicity.
  • understanding that we are fed by word and sacrament.
  • the importance of the Psalms.
  • adaptability: the Church Reformed Always Reforming.

Okay maybe the first paragraph was a little long, but if you think about Ark and Dove, you can see that we embrace these values.

In Christ,

Pastor Tim
timsstern@gmail.com
Verse and Prayer
Six days shall work be done; but the seventh day is a sabbath of complete rest, a holy convocation; you shall do no work: it is a sabbath to the Lord throughout your settlements.
-Leviticus 23:3
Yours--we gladly attest--is the kingdom, the power and the glory.
Yours--we gladly attest--are the heavens and the earth.

It is you who has made all that is,
sun, moon, stars,
rivers, forests, minerals,
birds, beasts, fish--
and us.
We say, "in your image."

Yours the kingdom and the power and the glory--and then us.

You do not will us to be powerless either,
so you endow us with power to work
to rule
to govern.

We reflect you in our working
in our ruling
in our governing.

Ours is the chance for justice and/or injustice
for mercy and/or rigor
for peace and/or war.

We grow accustomed to our power,
sometimes absolutizing,
and then are interrupted by the
doxology on which we have bet everything:

Yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory. And we are glad.
- Walter Brueggemann
We're looking forward this week to our first rehearsal of the fall on Thursday at 7:30pm. We'll be having a Choir Kick-Off celebration and rehearsal on September 12th at 7pm, with nibbles, games, and yes, singing, too! We hope that if you've been on the fence about trying choir, that one of these dates will work for you to come and give it a try. If you have any questions, please come find me after service or send me an email. We'd love to have you join us! Yes, you!

Peace,

Margaret
Director of Music
margaret.mcgillivray@gmail.com
The class that I wanted to offer to teach about the audio board is going to be rescheduled. I will find a time to offer it in September. The band will begin Tuesday evening rehearsals starting on September 10th at 7 pm. We welcome all who are interested in singing or playing with the band, no experience necessary.

God bless,

Pat
Director of Contemporary Music
psise11@gmail.com
Generosity

DONATE ONLINE ! Per capita, pledged and un-pledged, one-time and recurring! Click HERE to donate online today!
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
June Financial Update
Year to date budget on pledging: 

Year to date actual pledged giving:   

Shortfall as of July 31, 2019:
    
$269,827.00

$254,642.00

$15,185.00
Christian Education
LOGOS Parents' Night!
Tuesday, September 17, 6 pm! All parents, grandparents and guardians are invited to learn about our midweek children and youth program. Please plan to attend this LOGOS information session. Questions? Julie Devers, jbdevers@gmail.com
Sunday School 2019-2020
We are getting excited for Sunday School, for pre-K through high school students! September 8 start date! There are opportunities for members of the congregation to get involved at all age levels. Please contact Julie Devers at jbdevers@gmail.com to take part weekly, once a month, or as a substitute.
Adult Christian Education
Book Club
We will have a face-to-face discussion of Toni Morrison's book, Beloved , on September 15 at 12:30 in the Ark and Dove Room. Please bring a bagged lunch and suggestions for future book selections. See Kim Champagne (kim.champagne@gmail.com) or Linnie Girdner (girdnerlinda@gmail.com)
Beginner's Bible
Tuesdays, 7pm, beginning September 17 through November 12 ( except for October 15 because of Winter Relief ). Ark and Dove room .  Sign-up in the lobby! Please contact Pastor Tim, timsstern@gmail.com, for more information.
Understanding Difficult Books of the Bible: Leviticus
Join us for a 4-week course that seeks to understand one of the most misused and misunderstood books of the Bible, Leviticus. Kim Champagne and Pastor Jon will co-teach a course that draws on literature, history, art, and current events . October 1, 8, 22, 29, 7:30 to 9 pm . Contact Kim Champagne (kim.champagne@gmail.com) and Pastor Jon (jgnelson1985@gmail.com) for more information.
Mid-week Bible Study
Ark and Dove’s weekly Bible study begins back up on October 2, 10 am . This is a “come as you are” discussion group that meets most Wednesdays at 10:0 am. To learn more, please contact Pastor Jon, jgnelson1985@gmail.com.
Pub Theology
Pub Theology is an informal gathering over beer and other beverages that engages difficult questions of faith in a light-hearted manner. We meet 7 pm, at Frisco Tap House, Crofton .
 
  • October 2 Is it possible to be an atheist?
  • November 6 What happens to my body in death? And other questions biology can’t answer.
  • December 5 Virgin Mary? And other questions to address at Christmas dinner.
 
Questions? 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.
Discipleship
Equipping the Saints
Wednesday, October 30 . Dinner and fellowship start at 6:30 with discussions from 7:00 to 8:30. Childcare and special meals can be provided. Please see Bruce Sanders (brusanders@aol.com) or Steve Debus (steven.debus89@gmail.com) for more information.
Mission
Resources for Our Neighbors
We have been collecting, organizing and posting resources on our website, under the Emergency Resources tab, which can be accessed from the home page.

We're excited about this page because now, for example, when someone calls about resources for mortgage payments, we can refer them to some truly excellent resources. We've even had organizations contact us about their programs to see if we are interested in posting a link on our page. All of these resources are available to AA County residents.

This page has not by any means been perfected (so we're always looking for someone who's interested in better organizing the listings available!), but it has culminated into a pretty useful tool. Please take a look, because we'd love to get your feedback (admin@arkanddove.org)!
CANNED BEANS (garbanzo beans, black beans, refried beans, etc.). Please drop off food items in the Mission Zone bin.  Thank you for your donations!
Winter Relief 2019
October 14-21 Ark and Dove will be hosting 25 men that are currently experiencing homelessness. We have a sign-up sheet for bedding, towels, etc. in the lobby. These items are for the men’s bedding bags. Please consider donating a few of these items. We will have other opportunities to sign up soon. We are also looking for a couple of team leads to help with Winter Relief. If you feel called to help in these areas: Building Team lead, Morning Transportation Team lead, Laundry Team lead, Shower Team lead please contact Deb Saylor saylordeb@yahoo.com or Ylonda Fauntleroy yfauntleroy@gmail.com.
Immigrant Family Assistance Needed
The Mexican Refugee Family that Ark and Dove assisted two years ago is currently providing care for two minor, US-born citizens whose parents have been deported back to their home countries. I am looking for help in assisting them with the process of gaining US passports for the youths so they can return to their parents’ home country.

I could use some help researching or making calls to determine what the next steps might be to certify a document currently in Spanish, determine the needed documentation and places to go for them to apply for the youths’ passports, so anyone with some legal expertise (even if the legal expertise is not in immigration) or state department knowledge would be helpful.

Anyone who feels called to provide grocery gift cards, please leave them in the box in the office marked for this purpose (Shopper’s Food, Giant and general gift cards are best).

For details and more information, please reach out to me directly: Laura Willoughby Perry, 410-507-7129, ljwilloughby@gmail.com.
Outreach and Connection
Parents Group!
Parents Group will meet TONIGHT, August 30, 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Bring a dish to share for dinner. Childcare is provided for a small contribution.
Bike to Church Day is September 29!
Join Ark and Dove bikers by riding your bike to church, parking it on the front lawn, then biking back home after service. Avoid some greenhouse gas emissions! Burn some calories! Get some fresh air! Wear your sweaty biking clothes to service! Questions? Ask Ellen Makar, eemakar@aol.com or 443 812 4610
If anyone would like to help staff a booth for our church at Odenton Day on Saturday, October 5, (any time slot between 9 am to 2 pm), please contact Nicole Howe, nicolehowe123@gmail.com. We'll have the opportunity to share information about our church and youth programs with the community!
Coming Up!
Save the date! New members/inquirers class will be Saturday, October 26, 8:30 am to 12:00 pm . Sign-up on the bulletin board or contact Nicole Howe, nicolehowe123@gmail.com
Healing Through Grief
The next meeting of the Healing through Grief small group will be on Wednesday, September 11, 7 - 8:15 pm in the Ark and Dove Room. Anyone who has experienced the loss of a family member or friend, no matter how recent or long ago, is invited to attend. Refreshments will be provided. One can sign up or just show up. The group is facilitated by Pastor Tim and Linnie Girdner. For more information, please contact Tim Stern at 410-674-6400 or timsstern@gmail.com or Linnie Girdner at 410-999-7892 or girdnerlinda@gmail.com.
Prayer Requests
Please keep the following people in your prayers this week:

PRAYERS OF HEALING AND SUPPORT for Hollis Butterworth; Stan Houck and Ann Hirschy; Linnie Girdner; Edie and Richard Budd; Christina Nelson’s grandmother, Pat Dole; Mike and Charlotte Davie’s son-in-law, Jim Peters; Chip Burnett; Debbie and Bruce Arey’s daughter, Allison; Dot Forloines; Wendy Wellington’s mother, Janet Morgan; Greg and Diane Makar's cousin, Michael Makar; Declan Steward’s father, Daryl; Lewis and James Shorter; Judy Cooper’s sister, Barb Eardley; Janet Dabbs’ sister, Diane Maloy; Archer and Honor Bauman’s grandfather, Larry; Lori Kronser’s father Cliff Corn; Pat Sise’s grandfather, Ed Sise; Amy Tardiff’s father-in-law, Richard Tardiff; Margaret McGillivary’s friend, Kim Nolet; James Franklin’s father, Homer; Kameron and Kamarii Miller; Cheryl Walcutt’s mother, nephew, and sister, Judy Walsh; Amanda Wehage’s father, Dave; Jon Nelson’s aunt, Linda, and grandmother, Peggy; Ylonda Fauntleroy's aunt, Bernice Taylor and friend Jawahn Clark; Brooks Emrick and her sister, Susan; Vaughn Brown; Frances Keyes; Laura Willoughby's father, Norman; Julia Kirby's mother, Margaret Floyd; Erika Sealing's son, Trip, and grandmother, Margaret Schade; Sue Hanburger and Sue's grandson, Enzo; Amy Benson's family and Amy’s friend, Brian Shriner; Lisa Mezaache’s friend, Pearl McNamara; Thomas and Judy Kochis; Clarence Duffy; Wess Marr; and Doug Mattingly’s mother.
 
THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE from the Nelson family for the birth of Christina and Jon’s daughter, and Elias’ sister, Emery Joy, who was born on August 27!
 
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 will be closed Monday, September 2, for the Labor Day holiday. Wishing you a meaningful and safe holiday.
Ark and Dove Presbyterian Church | 410-674-6400 | admin@arkanddove.org | www.arkanddove.org | 8424 Piney Orchard Pkwy. Odenton, MD 21113