2nd Sunday of Christmas
The Arkive: Ark and Dove's Newsletter
Epiphany! Baptisms! Special Congregational Meeting!
Message from Pastor Tim
Dear Members and Friends of Ark and Dove,

The New Year is upon us! At least the secular year. The Church calendar always begins with the first Sunday of Advent. In either case, even though a New Year's Day is in many ways arbitrary, the turning of the calendar will often lead to contemplation about our place in the world. Birthdays can do that as well. Perhaps we can use the new year as an excuse to evaluate our discipleship.

We all admit there are no perfect disciples in the world. We all have rough edges that need smoothing and areas which we can improve. I guess the first step in growing as disciples is to acknowledge an aspect that needs attention. Pope Francis made me ponder this New Year's Day when in a sermon he said that "love makes us patient.....so many times we lose our patience. Me too, and I apologize for yesterday's bad example." The Pope apologized for slapping the hand of a women in a crowd who grabbed him and forcefully pulled him toward her. Even though he greets crowds almost everyday he was caught by surprise and maybe lost his balance as she pulled him. She was wrong to yank an 83 year old man and leader like that and he was wrong to slap her hand; but here's the thing: he didn't issue a denial or a press release that spun the situation. He apologized.

In a family and in the church, (and at work too), things happen, people get tired and grumpy or they are dealing with stress. We all fall short of perfection. And when we do, an earnest apology goes a long way. It helps to repair the breach.

When Francis said love makes us patient, perhaps he was thinking of this verse from Jesus in the Gospel of John 13:34: I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.

Wisdom for a new year.

Peace,
Tim
timsstern@gmail.com
Verse and Prayer
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men [Greek says "Magi"] from the East came to Jerusalem,   asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.”
-Matthew 2:1-2

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us ammend what we are, and direct what we shall be, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways to the glory of your holy name. Amen
-From the Book of Common Worship
Happy New Year! This Sunday we celebrate the Epiphany with Mark Hayes arrangement of the spiritual Behold That Star for Prelude Music. The choir will offer Dan Forrest's The Work of Christmas with a text by Howard Thurman, reminding that even as the lights and busy-ness of Christmas dim, the story continues.

Look for exciting new opportunities to sing and play in the new year! Sign ups will be going out soon for the children's musical, Youth Sunday approaches in February, Lent and Easter rehearsals sneak up surprisingly fast, our choirs will resume meeting this week and stay tuned for the return of our various instrumental ensembles.

Peace,

Margaret
Director of Music
margaret.mcgillivray@gmail.com
Happy New Year! I hope you had a nice New Year so far. I also hope that your resolutions are going strong so far. Keep leaning on your will power and faith to believe that you can achieve anything you put your mind to. Just as a reminder, the most recent songs that have been added to our hymn catalog are Move by Jesus Culture and God You Reign by Lincoln Brewster.

God Bless!

Pat
Director of Contemporary Music
psise11@gmail.com
Special Congregational Meeting
&
Annual Congregational Meeting
Special Congregational Meeting & Annual Congregational Meeting
Sunday, January 5, 2020, 10:45 am
Special Congregational Meeting for the purpose of hearing a report from the nominating team to nominate Julia Kirby and Brian Boudreau.

Saturday, January 25, 2020, 5pm
28th Annual Congregational Meeting!
Generosity!
God loves a cheerful giver!
DONATE ONLINE ! Christmas Joy offering , one-time and recurring!

TEXT your donations! 410-983-3481
Text give to get started. Text commands for more options. Text amount followed by joy to donate to the Christmas Joy offering.


  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
Stewardship
Stewardship Pledge Reminders

E-mail reminders of your 2020 Mission and Ministry pledges were sent out on January 1st. If you did not receive one, have questions about the email or need to make changes to your pledge (up or down), please contact Steve Debus ( Steven.debus89@gmail.com. Also if you have not pledged for 2020, it is never too late. Pledges are the best way for Session to accurately plan the Ministries at Ark and Dove. Pledge cards can be found in the seat backs of the chairs in the sanctuary, and in the lobby near the bulletin boards.

LOGOS
Ark and Dove LOGOS
Join other Ark and Dove families for fellowship and dinner during LOGOS! Come on Tuesday, January 7th from 5:30-7:30pm for a weekly program that engages children and youth in the life of the church, providing opportunities to learn about God, to have fun and to create lasting relationships with others. There will be no LOGOS on December 24th or December 31st. For questions about the program please contact Julie Devers at jbdevers@gmail.com
Save the Date for TRIVIA NIGHT!  

Saturday, January 25th at 6:00 pm (immediately following the annual congregational meeting). This youth group fundraiser, for summer trips, was a big hit last year. Hope you will come show off your smarts! For more information, contact Nicole Howe, nicolehowe123@gmail.com.

Bring in the Joy!
Every generous act of giving,
with every perfect gift, is from above...
- James 1:17
The Presbyterian Church (USA) reflects God’s gift through the Christmas Joy Offering . We can never match God’s perfect gift in Jesus, but through the Christmas Joy Offering we can testify to who we know God to be. Our perfect gift comes from above. One half of this offering goes directly to local missions at Ark and Dove. Please support the Christmas Joy Offering during Advent. Envelopes can be found in the chair pockets, offering box, text amount followed by joy to 410-983-3481, or you may give online . Thank you for the gift of Christmas. Cheryl Schafer, Mission Elder, csscas@verizon.net

ACT: 2019 Non-Profit Partner of the Year
ACT awarded $5000 check for Non-Profit Partner of the Year!
ACT  was named the “2019 Non-Profit Partner of the Year” by the Anne Arundel County Affordable Housing Coalition!
Together with ACT leaders, Pastors Tim and Jon receiving check awarded to Non-Profit Partner of the Year!
Adult Christian Education
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.
Book Study: How to Be an Antiracist
Begins January 5! Please join Lori Kronser and Linnie Girdner in studying the book How to Be An Antiracist by award-winning author Ibram X. Kendi. On several best sellers lists, this book combines personal memoir with history and cultural analysis in an effective way. The New York Times described it as "the most courageous book to date on the problem of race in the Western mind." We will meet in the Ark and Dove Room from 12:30 - 2:00, Sundays, 1/5, 1/19, 2/2, and 2/16, which is every other Sunday. Buy yourself a copy of the book wherever you like to purchase books. You are welcome to bring a brown bag lunch. Feel free to invite friends and neighbors.
Understanding Difficult Books of the Bible: Romans
Join us as we wrestle with some of the more difficult passages of Paul's letter. We will talk about what it means to be justified , who gets saved , who is the Holy Spirit, and more Tuesday nights 7:30-9 pm , January 14, 21, 28 .
Pub Theology
Creation or Big Bang? Made or Evolved? Science or Religion? Join us January 16, 7 pm , at Frisco Taphouse for a lighthearted discussion on the thornier issues that animate some science and theology debates.
BAD Cyber Safety Event
Responsible Use of Technology & Prevent Digital Abuse!
Public & Permanent: Motivate Responsible Use of Technology & Prevent Digital Abuse!
When: Saturday, February 8, 2020
Time: 6:00-7:30 pm
Speaker: Richard Guerry

At this event the youth will gain the following information
• Preventing Cyber Cruelty
• Safe Communication in Gaming
• PC & Mobile Security
• Public Databases & Digital Transparency
• Preventing Abuse of Current & Future Apps
• Poor Social Media & Oversharing Behaviors
• Many Other Current & Future Cyber Issues

Richard Guerry is the author of multiple cyber safety books and has been a featured speaker at numerous national & international conferences. He has also appeared as an expert on Radio Disney, CNN, FOX, CBS, MTV’s Thin Line Campaign, as well as in Parade
Magazine and many local, regional, and international publications.

The Bay Area Disciples (BAD) is hosting this very important Cyber Safety Event for Middle and High School youth, parents are encouraged to attend. If you have any questions about the event please contact: Deborah Saylor, BAD Ministry Group Convener at saylordeb@yahoo.com.
Mission
CAP Featured Food Item for December
Featured item for December—BAKING MIXES (bran muffins, Bob's Red Mill pancake mix, etc). Please drop off food items in the Mission Zone bin. Thank you for your donations!
Prayer Requests
Please keep the following people in your prayers this week:

PRAYERS OF HEALING AND SUPPORT for Jon Rolewicz; Laurie and Fred Barrow’s niece, Hope Simeone nephew, Samuel, and Fred’s aunt, Lee; Bernabe Solano and Griselda Solano's sister, Irma; Karen Dodson’s brother, Ron; Kathy Miller’s sister, Beth; Lisa Mezaache’s father, Bo Blanks; Dotty Kauffman; Greg and Diane Makar's mother LeeAnn, Aunt Adeline, and cousin Michael; Mike Davie’s stepmother, Kathleen; Charlotte Davie’s sister, Janet; Nikol Sahai’s mother, Marie Krizanova; Laura Doughty’s brother-in-law, Carl Hahn; Bob Johns; Hollis Butterworth’s brother-in-law, Brian Smith; Cindy Knott’s mother, Madeline Knott; Debbie Saylor’s uncle, Wayne; 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; 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; 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, 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 of Faith Presbyterian Church; Jim Hines; and Doug Mattingly’s mother.
 
THE LOVE AND PRAYERS OF THE CONGREGATION go out to the Jackson and Barrow families on the death of Fred and Laurie’s brother-in-law, Melvin Jackson.
 
THE LOVE AND PRAYERS OF THE CONGREGATION go out to the Davie family on the death of Mike Davie’s stepmother, Pastor Kathleen Mary Owen Davie.
 
PRAYERS OF LOVE AND SUPPORT for the guests and congregations involved with Winter Relief this week: Our Lady of the Fields, St. Andrew by the Bay and Asbury Arnold UMC.

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