The Arkive: Ark and Dove's Newsletter |
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First Sunday in Lent
March 6th, 2022
In-Person Worship at 9:00 and 10:30 am, every Sunday!
*Sunday School for Pre-K-5th Grade during 10:30 am Worship, every Sunday!
You can connect on YouTube HERE.
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Dear Friends and Members of the Ark and Dove Community,
Now we step full into the season of Lent. 40 days. Our Ashes by now have been washed off, but we are well aware of the frailty of human life. We need only to consider Covid 19 or the war in Ukraine to remind us how easy it is to return to dust. Sevenish weeks of Lenten worship, that is our path. (Sundays are not counted, hence the “ish”)
Theoretically and theologically speaking the season of Lent was created and is intended to ready our hearts for understanding and “celebrating” the agony of the cross and more importantly the Joy of resurrection. Lent is a time of self examination and realignment. Do we truly understand how large a gift the incarnation was? Jesus became Emmanuel, God with us, only to be struck down and hung high on the cross.
Kate Bowler and Jessica Ritchie are the authors of our Lenten Devotional, Good Enough, 40ish Devotionals For a Life of Imperfection. We are offering five small groups for the Lenten season. The groups begin this week. You can still sign up. I am enjoying the reading so far and as the title implies, some movement toward God might just be Good Enough. I like this line on page ix: “We simply know we will not be joining a monastic order anytime soon and we will have to figure out a reasonable spiritual plan given how much Netflix we are watching.” The idea is to grow a little, and then maybe a little more, but not to add more stress to our lives. That being said, I don’t know anyone who couldn’t do just a little bit better on their spiritual plan.
I hope you will join a group or read along on your own. And remember this is meant to be just a few moments of reading each day, maybe ten minutes. If you speed read, or read whole sections in lumps, you kind of defeat the purpose, which is to rest a little each day in God’s arms. A little bit every day, and that will be Good Enough.
We are receiving offerings for Ukraine relief. Check the giving tab on the website. Checks work well too.
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Hey kids, don’t forget to feed your fish (your OGHS fish)!
Peace,
Tim
tstern@arkanddove.org
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Dear Friends and Members of Ark and Dove,
I have a devotional practice that is exclusive to Friday mornings. Some time between 10 and noon, I take a break to peruse two websites that list their notable music releases for the week. I read the blurbs and sample a song or two of artists I have never listened to before. Occasionally, I discover music that I really enjoy. More often, I listen to a sample only to turn it promptly off. The occasional find is worth all the sampling.
Turns out, it is really hard to listen to new music. Apparently, our brains keep record of auditory patterns. Our brains change upon hearing new patterns and release dopamine when sound matches existing patterns. That is why listening to familiar songs or styles is pleasurable. Nevertheless, Jeremy D. Larson (a music reviewer for Pitchfork) argues that we should try new music because it could be the thing that opens and redefines us.
The same, I think, is true for spiritual practices. At the beginning of Lent, many people commit to a familiar spiritual practice. Why not use Lent as an opportunity to explore different spiritual practices? Try something entirely new, see if you like it, and don't judge yourself if you don't. Our Lenten devotional by Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie, Good Enough, offers many new practices to try. I encourage you to grab the book, join a group (see the article below), and open yourself up to a new spiritual practice that may redefine you.
Now, I am going to see if this new Nilüfer Yanya album is something I can get into...
Peace,
Jon
jnelson@arkanddove.org
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Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished.
-Luke 4:1-2
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Excerpts from:
A Blessing for Letting Go of the Things That Shine
Blessed are we who cringe at the thought of betraying You, the lover of our souls.
Oh, how blessed are we who lay it all out before You, oh God, asking to be awakened to our lives as You see them. Asking for the inward renovation that will tear down anything false we worship, and for the outward turning that will make every aspect of our life point to You.
Blessed are we, looking for the transformation that has begun, one delight at a time.
-Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie, Good Enough
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I am so excited to have Diane's drumming group collaborating with us this week! They are having a workshop on African drumming styles this Sunday after service at noon. I strongly recommend checking this out! You can email Rebecca to sign up for the workshop. It's only $25 and the drums are provided. This week Rebecca and I will be doing 'Beautiful Things' by Gungor as the prelude for the 9 am service. For both services, for the communion hymn, we will be singing a favorite of mine, 'Come to the Table', by the Sidewalk Prophets. I am very excited for the direction the music at Ark and Dove has been going with more inclusive collaborations with choir members and special music that we are doing! It really has been a joy. Please continue to pray for a diplomatic resolution to come the the Ukraine invasion so those suffering can ease their pain, and can live a live of justice, equality, and liberty.
Have a blessed week!
Pat
Director of Contemporary Music, Ark and Dove Presbyterian Church
psise11@gmail.com
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This week, we are excited to welcome the Bele Bele Rhythm Collective to our 10:30 worship service! They will be playing throughout the service, and offering a workshop at 12:00 just following the service. If you are interested in attending, please let me know by tonight (Friday), so that we can plan accordingly! There is a $25 fee, and you only need to bring an N95 mask! The instruments will be provided for you.
You will hear Bele Bele play a Prelude piece called "M'biri-Fanga". "M'biri" is a song gifted to the Bele Bele Rhythm Collective by the Bubu King, Janka Nabay, in 2016. The song is from the Susu tribe in Sierra Leone and translates to "Everyone come together and dance". "Fanga" is an African-American rhythm and song of welcome with origins in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and New York City. A call-and-response song is included, in the Vai and Yoruba languages: "Fanga, Alafia, Ashe Ashe", which translates to "Drum, Peace, Amen, Amen" . The Offertory will feature two pieces merged together. The first is called "Sorsornet", which is a rhythm from the Baga people of Maritime Guinea that is played when there is a problem in the community that cannot be solved on its own. The rhythm calls for a mask, worn by a chosen person from the community, which wards off evil and assists in clearing this unsolvable problem. "Wednesday Born" features a song, which is a prayer in the Yoruba language: "Ishe Olu Wa, Kole Baje O", which translates to "Nothing created by God can ever be destroyed". The words will be displayed on the screen for you to sing along!
We encourage the use of hearing protection during the percussion pieces. We will have ear plugs to distribute. If you have your own, please bring them with you.
With love,
Rebecca
Interim Director of Music
rechols@arkanddove.org
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DONATE ONLINE! One-time and recurring!
TEXT your donations! 410-983-3481
Text give to get started. Text commands for more options.
To donate for Ukraine help, text amount followed by Ukraine.
To donate to One Great Hour of Sharing, text amount followed by GreatHour.
Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7
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Bulletin - First Sunday in Lent
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Church Grounds Clean Up Day - this Saturday - March 5th |
Join us for a day of outdoor family fun and help clean up the leaves and fallen branches around the church on March 5, 2022 from 10am to 1pm. Join the Facilities Ministry for some fresh air and hands on work to get the grounds ready for spring! Pizza, snacks, and water will be provided. POC:Autumn Vernon, facilities@arkanddove.org
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Discipleship Retreat - March 18-19 |
Signup Deadline - March 9th
What does it mean to be a person of faith and what does it mean to be a “church” community member in this post trauma era? This will be the theme we explore on our Discipleship Retreat taking place on March 18 and 19 at the Claggett Center in Adamstown MD. We will share dinner at the center on Friday night and enjoy four sessions together (on Friday evening and Saturday, including breakfast and lunch) exploring the post crucifixion story in Luke 24 beginning at verse 13. This story is often referred to at The Walk to Emmaus or the The Road to Emmaus. The purpose of the retreat is to build faith and friendships and imagine community.
It’s not that we are done with COVID, it’s that we get a break here this spring and an opportunity to gather our wits and our hearts. The cost will be $140 per person, private rooms with queen beds and private bathrooms. We will be led on Saturday by the Rev. Jennifer Barchi, Associate for Church and Leadership at the Presbytery of Baltimore. Please contact Wendy Wellington at Admin@Arkanddove.org to reserve your spot. We have room for 30 people. |
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Refugee Resettlement Team Meeting |
Come join us in our first refugee resettlement meeting on Tuesday, March 15th at 7:00 via Zoom. We are having a guest speaker from The Lutheran Social Services (LSS), Eva Ng’ongolo, LSS Volunteer Coordinator, to guide us through the process of the LSS Family Mentoring Program. We are very excited about taking these next steps of becoming involved (again) with refugee families. Check out their website www.LSSNCA.org. For more information or to receive the link for the team meeting, contact Debbie Arey, debarey@hotmail.com.
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All are invited to attend the next meeting of the Earth Care Team. We will meet by Zoom on Wednesday, March 9th at 7:30. We’ll be discussing the following projects: Education and Advocacy materials, Renewable Energy for the church, Methane Leak Testing, Divestment of Fossil Fuel stocks information, and Recycling. For the Zoom link or more information, contact Bob Fuller @ rtfuller@mac.com.
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Afternoon Tea with the Friendly Seniors Group |
At its' last meeting, Friendly Seniors decided to continue meeting on the 3rd Wednesday of each month via ZOOM. People are welcome to drop in any time from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. as their schedule permits. To receive the link if you are not on our list, please contact Joan Berry, joanb3rry@gmail.com, 410-672-5237. The next meeting will be March 16 at 3:00 p.m. I hope to see you then.
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Fellowship Hour is Back and Needs Your Help! |
With the lower positivity numbers and nicer weather (take that, Puxatawny Phil!), the fellowship able will be returning outside, with snacks and coffee. Are you an early bird? Bargain (healthy-ish) shopper? Like to hang out after 2nd service? We need your help! Folks are needed to set up before first service and especially to clean up after 2nd service. It doesn’t have to be every Sunday! For more information or to sign up to help, email Outreach and Connections Elder Katie Nilsen-Johnson: knilsenjohnson@arkanddove.org.
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Pastor Tim, Cathy Debus, and Linnie Girdner will be co-facilitating the next Healing through Grief group on Wednesday, March 9th at 7:30 pm, again as a Zoom meeting. The Healing through Grief small group is open to anyone attending Ark and Dove, as well as family members, friends and neighbors, who have experienced the death of a loved one, whether it is recent or a long time ago.
Please let Linnie know if you have the slightest inclination to attend on March 9th, so that they can send you the link to the Zoom meeting. If you change your mind later, no problem. Also, let Linnie know if you have not used Zoom before, so that they can provide you with some information in advance. Any questions, contact Pastor Tim Stern at tstern@arkanddove.org or 410-674-6400, or Linnie Girdner, at girdnerlinda@gmail.com or 410-999-7892.
Let's be there for one another in our healing through grief. If you need to talk with someone prior to that date, feel free to give me a call or contact your Deacon.
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Children's Choir is Under Way |
We’re excited to announce that Children’s Choir has started again for ages preschool through middle school. We meet every Sunday at 9:45 am in the Marshall room. We’ll dismiss the children in time to go to the 10:30 service with their families. This is just a starting place for us and we plan to have rehearsals on weekdays once LOGOS finishes. Email Abbey Boudreau at abbey24bee@gmail.com or Christina Nelson at christinajoy87@gmail.com for any questions. We look forward to seeing your children!
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Adult Christian Education |
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Lenten Small Groups Start this Week |
Join us this Lenten season, as we explore what it means to live imperfect lives of faith in a culture that extols perfection. In small groups throughout Lent, we will be reflecting on Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie's Good Enough: 40ish Devotionals for a Life of Imperfection. Kate Bowler is a scholar, mother who faced a Stage IV cancer diagnosis, and author of the bestseller Everything Happens for a Reason and Other Lies I've Loved. In these wise and practical devotions, Bowler and Richie encourage authentic faith "in a culture that rewards ruthless individualism and blind optimism." Please contact Pastor Jon (jnelson@arkandove.org) if you want a copy of the devotional from us. You can find the book at most book retailers. Small groups will deepen your Lenten journey.
Please contact the following group leaders offering sessions at these times:
Sunday March 6, 20, and April 3 at 1 pm: Achsah Callahan (achsahajoseph@gmail.com)
Tuesdays at 7:00 pm: Pastor Tim (tstern@arkanddove.org)
Wednesdays at 10 am: Pastor Jon (jnelson@arkanddove.org)
Thursdays at 8:05 pm: Pastor Jon (jnelson@arkanddove.org)
Friday March 11, 25 and April 8 at 7:30 pm: Kim Champagne (kim.champagne@gmail.com)
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Ark and Dove Book Club Selection for March |
Michelle Schoonmaker will lead the The Ark and Dove Book Club in a discussion of Lisa Wingate's "The Book of Lost Friends" on March 18 at 7:30pm on Zoom. Email Kim Champagne ( kim.champagne@gmail.com) for the Zoom invite or for more information about the club. |
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Nursery Coordinator Position |
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We are seeking a new Nursery Coordinator to provide a safe and nurturing environment to children three and under during worship services and other church events. The position is part-time requiring up to four hours each Sunday and additional hours as requested. The full job description can be found here . Applicants should be CPR and first aid certified and pass a background check. If you (or someone you know) enjoys caring for children and is interested in this position, please email hiring@arkanddove.org with your resume and contact information.
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Children and Youth Programs |
Youth group will meet this Sunday evening at church. LOGOS will continue meeting this Tuesday at the church, 6-7 pm. Please dress warmly for some outside activity and please wear a mask. If you are not comfortable gathering with the mask your child has, we have M95 masks, children’s sized, available. To receive Logos communications, contact Amy Goldberg at amygoldberg.2010@gmail.com.
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Please keep the following people in your prayers this week:
PRAYERS OF HEALING AND SUPPORT for Debbie Bell; the people of Ukraine; Lou Kareha's relatives Aubriella and Michael Steele, and B. Wicker; Henry Hoffman; Jackie Lucus; Michell Schoonmaker; Cindi Schafer; Mike and Denise Bartgis' son-in-law; Kelly Burnett; Jon Nelson's mother, Joanne Nelson; a mother struggling with a diagnosis; Louise Sharrocks; Kathy Miller's brother-in-law, Jeff Miller, and sister, Beth Krauth; Lourdes Cordero's sister, Diane Cordero, brother Jose, granddaughter, and friends, Fred and Arelene Jones; Lou Kareha's sister-in-law's brother, James Karanasky, cousin, Thomas Kochis, and friend, Nando Smacci; Deb Saylor's niece, Courtney Jaberi, and sister Christine; Alvin Dennis; Laura Willoughby's father, Norman; Diane Johnson's friend, Tom; Kelly Burnett's nephew, Justin; Christy Hipchen’s nephew and grandmother, Ann Chubon; the Sealing Family; Karen Arnold's brother, Tim; Josh Arnold; the family of Mike Esparza; a sister struggling with mental illness; Debbie Arey; Steve Debus' father, Bill Debus; Paul Doughty's mother, Ruth Doughty; James Franklin's sister-in-law, Kelli Franklin; Amy Tardiff’s Aunt Fran; Richard and Carol Jasper; the Finnegan family; Laura Batten-Carbaugh; Nicole Chidlow's son, Jai; Michelle Schoonmaker's friend's children, Kai and Ezra; Frank Stillwell; Mary Caolo; David Johns; Carrie Dodson's friend Pam; Angela Goska; Belinda Edwards; Karen Stokes; Sarah and Bojan; Betty Small; a friend of Bob Fuller; the Unger family; Debbie and Bruce Arey's niece, Sarah, and daughter, Allison, and Debbie’s sister, Denise; Calvin Latham; Brianna Lapp; Ann Hirschy's relative Isaiah, aunt Cindy, and brother; Diane Makar; Charlotte Davie; Adell Gaurin; Dotty Kaufman and her daughter-in-law, Carol, granddaughter, Sarah, and grandson Nathan; Carol Saylor; Ray Bussey's mother, Doris; Liz Olson; Margaret Floyd; Vaughn Brown; Patty and Steve Plander; Arlyce Lohr; Krista Klohr; Dick Paronto; Cheryl Walcutt’s sister Judy and mother; Amy Hagemann’s sister, Susan Pratt; Mary Benson’s sister; Amy Carskadon Lifsey’s father-in-law, Bill Lifsey Sr.; Karen Dodson’s cousin, Miles, and Miles’ family; Helen Wilkens' mother, Jane Reinert; Christina Nelson’s grandmother, Patricia Dole; Judy Cooper’s daughter, Jessica Quigley; Debbie a member of the Tardiff family; Lewis Shorter and Lewis Shorter’s niece, Jennifer Schwandt-Gayle; Dot Forloine’s granddaughter Melisa Tucker Saatthoff, and her great-grandson Luke; Linda Taylor’s mother, Izola; Amy Goldberg’s grandmother, Ruth Cooper; Christy Yeager’s mother, Linda Jordan; Linda Jordan’s niece, Bonnie; Diane Johnson's Uncle Ed, Aunt Janet, and cousin Richard; Shelley Franklin's father; Laurie Barrow’s nephew, Gunther Kurtz; Sabonna Keeney’s mother; Bernabe and Griselda Solano, and Griselda's sister, Irma; Laura Doughty’s brother-in-law, Carl Hahn; Cheryl and Doug Walcutt’s grandchild, Gray Adacutt; Erika Sealing's grandmother, Margaret Schade; and Rob Yeager’s friends, Greta Daughtrey and Peter Brown.
THE LOVE AND PRAYERS OF THE CONGREGATION go out to the Slater and Barrows families upon the death of Laurie Barrows' uncle, James Slater.
PRAYERS OF HEALING AND STRENGTH for our families dealing with COVID.
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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