Christ in the County Preaching Series!
The Arkive: Ark and Dove's Newsletter
We will continue with the theme of Christ in the County focusing on gun violence reduction in the Epiphany preaching series! This Sunday celebrate the 6th Sunday of Epiphany with ordination and installation at the 9:30 am (choir led) worship service. All are welcome!

Upcoming:
February 23, Safe and Effective Schools
Message from Pastor Tim
Dear Members and Friends of Ark and Dove,

Happy Valentine's Day!   It is not often that Valentine's Day falls on an Arkive day so I can't remember ever wishing the congregation a happy Valentine's Day in the Arkive before. Now I have several friends in the church, and the community, who dismiss Valentine's Day as a Hallmark holiday, a cheap chance for the greeting card, candy and flower industries to cash in on a sappy excuse for the real thing. I don't dispute that things can get carried away, but I also know that in the hurried routines that many families and couples keep, demonstrative expressions of love can get lost and people can take each other for granted. Perhaps Valentine's Day with integrity and genuineness, in moderation, is exactly what we need.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus is recorded as commanding Christians to love one another John 13:34. "Just as I have loved you, you should also love one another." In First Corinthians 12 and 13, Paul describes love as the best spiritual gift of all. If we have not love..."I [we are] am nothing." I Cor 13:4 "Love is patient; love is kind, love in not envious or boastful or arrogant." I John 4:8 is as follows: " Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love." If God is love, I do hope we find ways to express it. This is where marriage, friendship, family and congregation find common purpose. We are called to bring love to our many relationships. We are called to carry love into the world.

We will be discussing love from a certain angle in an Adult Education opportunity this Sunday at 11:00 in the Marshall Room. We will be watching a short film entitled Transforming Through Love. It's not a sappy video; its is about participating in God's dream of wholeness. Discussion to follow. I hope to see you there.

I also am looking forward to the ordination and installation of Autumn Vernon and the installation of Ellen Maker as elders and the ordination and installation of Amy Hagemann as Deacon at our 9:30 am worship service this Sunday.

Peace of Christ,
Tim
timsstern@gmail.com
Verse and Prayer
The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded
   than the shouting of a ruler among fools.
Wisdom is better than weapons of war,
   but one bungler destroys much good.

- Ecclesiastes 9:17-18
O Lord, God of life,

as you care for all creation,
give us your peace!

May our security come not from weapons,
but from respect;

may our strength come not from violence,
but from love;

may our wealth come not from money,
but from sharing;

may our path be one not of ambition,
but of justice;

may our victory not be one of revenge,
but of forgiveness.

Unarmed and confident,

help us to defend the dignity of all creation,
sharing, today and always,

the bread of solidarity and peace.

Through Jesus Christ, your divine Son, our brother,
who, made victim from our violence,

from high on the cross,

offered forgiveness to all. Amen.

—Vida en la tierra, Latin American Alliance of Presbyterian and Reformed Churches
(AIPRAL) 2006


This week, we welcome Joey Morrison on viola for prelude music. Joey will be playing the third movement of Concerto No. 3 for viola and orchestra by Friederich Seitz, a German Romantic-era composer. Joey attends Arundel High School where he participates in speech and debate, in addition to his various musical activities. The choir will be singing American composer Taylor Davis' Be Not Afraid as our response to this week's focus on gun violence in our community. With text from Isaiah 43, the opening melody beings in unison but soon gives way to a rich, 4-part harmonies in this anthem of comfort and affirmation.

If you would like to get involved with the choir for Lent, Easter or our music Sunday in June, please let me know. It's a great time to try out the choir and we would love to have you! Also, the children's musical approaches! Please find me after church if you or someone you love would like to be involved.


Peace,

Margaret
Director of Music
margaret.mcgillivray@gmail.com
We are continuing with another ACT theme this week--gun violence prevention. I am looking forward to listening to our seminarian intern, Chris Wilson, who will be giving their first sermon at Ark and Dove. The anthem this week is a song by Jesus Culture, Let There Be Light. As a reminder, the anthem from last week will become the next congregational hymn added to our repertoire: Fortress by LIFE Worship.

God Bless!

Pat
Director of Contemporary Music
psise11@gmail.com
One of the core principles of community organizing is that you have to reach across lines that would normally divide us. The ability for people to gather together and make lasting change in their communities is inherently divergent. It breaks the social norms that say that we must stay with people most like us. It breaks the social norms that say that we are better off just staying divisive, absolutist, and all-or-nothing in our worldviews. Yet, these social norms of divisive categorization feed the abusive powers that marginalize all of us. We may be different, but we are stronger together. We may disagree, but we are smarter by engaging one another in reasoned conversation rather than shunning one another. I can promise that this approach will be uncomfortable: Growth doesn't happen in our comfort zones, and our comfort zones are not necessarily holy places. Jesus says to take up our cross and follow him. Jesus set an example for us in his life and broke social norms by reaching across lines of power, privilege, and stigma. How can we all better follow that path together?

I look forward to seeing you all Sunday. As always, feel free to reach out for a one-on-one meeting by emailing or by texting me at 202-630-5404

Blessings,

Chris Wilson
Seminary Intern
Christina.L.Wilson84@gmail.com
Generosity!
God loves a cheerful giver!
DONATE ONLINE ! Per Capita , one-time and recurring!

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
A Message of Thanks!
You did a lot and much more!
  • You fed the hungry.
  • You provided shelter for the homeless.
  • You made the first day of school a happy one.
  • You put a smile on a child’s face on Christmas day.
  • You supported ACT in uniting people for positive change in Anne Arundel County.
  • You helped us take a good look at race and social justice issues.
  • You made a difference in the lives of two refugee families.
  • You made a positive connection with women in prison and their children, through your gifts of children’s books.
 
A sincere thank you for all that you have done to support the Mission Ministry at Ark and Dove.
- Cheryl Schafer, Mission Elder, csscas@verizon.net
ACT
Stand with Maryland IAF on Education
Some of you attended the Kirwan listening sessions where we learned about ways to improve Maryland's K-12 education system. These included providing increased support to those who need it most (special education, English learners, schools with high concentrations of poverty), hiring more teachers and increasing their pay, providing tutoring for struggling learners, expanding public Pre-K, and developing 21st century vocational programs, just to name a few. 
 
Now ACT is asking people to show up in support of this legislation and convince the Governor that our students are worth investing in. Please consider attending the Maryland joint IAF press conference, which is scheduled for this  Monday February 17th, President’s Day, 11am. It   is timed to show public support ahead of the bill going to committee at noon   and will include citizens from Baltimore, Montgomery, Howard, and Anne Arundel counties. Organizers are hoping to have 300 people attend. This is a school holiday: your children are welcome to come and participate in changing education history! RSVP with Cheryl Schafer  csscas@verizon.net  and let her know if you would like to carpool. We're also looking for volunteers to be on the floor team.
 
Press Conference Location: House Office Building Room 142
6 Bladen Street Annapolis, MD 
(Best parking is at the Whitmore Garage, 37 Clay St)
**Please plan to arrive at 10 am to clear security screening**
**Our friends at Strong Schools are gathering at 10:15 a.m. You are welcome to join them, but please join ACT for our 11am action and allow plenty of time to get to the action space inside the House Office Building, which involves going through security.** 
 
If you can't attend in person, please write or call your elected officials in support of House bill 1300/Senate Bill 1000 Education Blueprint for Maryland's Future.  You can find your delegate's contact info here .
Lenten Studies
Lent in Plain Sight
Is God only in the miraculous, mountaintop moments of life? Or is God in the mundane? Join us this season of Lent in small groups intent on finding God in the ordinary. Each group will be following the short and accessible devotional by Jill Duffield, Lent in Plain Sight. We encourage you to purchase a book from the church or from your favored bookseller. Then, please, sign up for one of the small groups that will meet during the following times, beginning February 28. You can do so in the lobby or by contacting the leader.

  • Fridays: 7:30 to 9 at the Champagne house: Kim Champagne, kim.champagne@gmail.com
  • Sundays: 11 am at church: Pastoral staff, jgnelson1985@gmail.com
  • Tuesdays: 7 pm at church: Pastor Tim, timsstern@gmail.com
  • Wednesday: 10 am at church: Pastor Jon, jgnelson1985@gmail.com

Please sign up in the lobby or contact Pastor Jon if you want to get involved. This is a wonderful opportunity to walk deeper in faith.
Christian Education
Parents' Night Out Youth Fundraiser
Parents’ Night Out, tomorrow night, Saturday, February 15, 5:00-9:00 pm. Childcare, dinner, and activities are included. This is a fundraiser for Youth Group Summer Mission trips. Please register and pay online at http://arkanddove.org/PNORegistration, Ages 1-10, $20 for the first child and $10 per sibling. Questions? Please contact, Jerri Webb, jerri.webb@icloud.com.
GenOn Youth Summit
It's not too late to sign up for the 2020 GenOn Youth Summit that will take place in Wheeling, WV from July 5-11! The Summit is a national gathering of high school youth (those completing grade 8 or above this year), college-aged young adults, and the adults who love them! Almost 20 of us from Ark & Dove signed up for the early registration, and we've saved room for YOU! If you'd like more information, please reach out to Kelly Burnett (kellyb327@aol.com)
Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday
As We Approach the Lenten Season
Shrove Tuesday, February 25, 6:30pm
Ash Wednesday, February 26, 7:00pm

Pancakes for all! Come to our Shrove Tuesday Pancake dinner on February 25 , beginning at 6:30pm. Just bring a pancake topping, fruit, side dish, or drink to share. There will be another Pancake Flipping contest this year! Come enjoy fellowship with a feast before the introspective journey through Lent to Easter! Nicole Howe, nicolehowe123@gmail.com
Ash Wednesday Worship Service
After the banquet of Shrove Tuesday, we begin the necessary self-reflection of Lent in preparation for Easter. Please join us for our Ash Wednesday worship service on February 26, at 7:00 p.m.
Equipping the Saints
224th General Assembly
Equipping the Saints: General Assembly. The Presbytery of Baltimore will host the 224th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in June of this year. Are you curious about what General Assembly is and how it works and what governing bodies in the PC(USA) do? Join us March 4 at 6:30 pm in the Ark and Dove room for an informative look at this biennial gathering of delegates from all 170 PC(USA) presbyteries around the world. Dinner and childcare provided. Questions? Please contact, Bruce Sanders, brusanders1@gmail.com.
Mission
Refugee Support Fund
A Special Offering is being taken to assist the Solano family. We have supported the Solano family through the refugee welcoming team. Bernabe fell and required a spinal fusion. He has been out of work since December 2nd, with no clear start date to go back to work. You can help by donating to the refugee support fund. You may write a check to Ark and Dove, donate online or by text. Text the amount and then refugee to 410-983-3481. The Solanos are very grateful for all your support. Thank you! Cheryl Schafer, Mission Elder csscas@verizon.net
Asylum Seekers Sponsorship Project(ASSP)
ASSP a is national program dedicated to finding sponsors for asylum seekers so that they can be released from detention and reunited with their families. We’re looking for more volunteers to help interview potential sponsors over the phone, if you’d like to get involved there’s an upcoming online training on February 20, 9pm. Contact Jen Roman for more details: colored_grey@hotmail.com
Prayer Requests
Ple ase keep the following people in your prayers this week:

PRAYERS OF HEALING AND SUPPORT for Richard and Edie Budd; John Rolewicz; Bill Guarin and his grandmother; Frank Dakai; 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; Karen Dodson and her brother, Ron; Amy Stavely’s grandmother, Ruth Countryman; Kathy Miller’s sisters, Patty and Beth; Dick and Alta Paronto’s friends, Claire and Doug Sherman; Dotty Kauffman; Greg and Diane Makar's mother LeeAnn, Aunt Adeline, and cousin Michael; 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 uncle, Wayne; Laura Willoughby's father, Norman; 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; Doren Chen’s family; Declan Steward’s father, Daryl; Lewis and James Shorter; Janet Dabbs’ sister, Diane Maloy; Archer and Honor Bauman’s grandfather, Larry; Kennon and Tameka Bauman; Rhianna Bauman; Lori Kronser’s father Cliff Corn; the Tardiff family and Amy Tardiff’s father-in-law, Richard Tardiff; Brian Boudreau’s cousin, Valery Householder; 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, 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 friends, Kim Nolet and Pastor Virginia Studer; and Doug Mattingly’s mother.
 
PRAYERS OF LOVE AND SUPPORT for the guests and congregations involved with Winter Relief this week: Harundale Presbyterian Church, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, St. Margaret’s Episcopal church.

PRAYERS OF LOVE AND SUPPORT go out to those affected by the coronavirus.

THE LOVE AND PRAYERS OF THE CONGREGATION go out to the Dodson family on the death of Karen’s aunt, Doris.

THE LOVE AND PRAYERS OF THE CONGREGATION go out to the Sise, Obleas and Prado families on the death of Oscar Miguel Obleas-Prado.

THE LOVE AND PRAYERS OF THE CONGREGATION go out to the Carillo family on the death of Duke Carillo, who was a midshipman at the Naval Academy.

PRAYERS OF LOVE AND SUPPORT go out to the families of the two Anne Arundel County police officers who were shot and injured.

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