The Arkive: Ark and Dove's Newsletter | |
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1st Sunday of Advent
November 27th, 2022
In-Person Worship at 9:00 and 10:30 am, this Sunday!
Livestream Worship, 10:30 am, every Sunday!
**Mask required at 9:00 am Worship, Mask Optional at 10:30 am Worship
Child Care available for 9:00 and 10:30 am services!
*Sunday School for Pre-K - 8th Grade during 10:30 am Worship, every Sunday!
Get your bulletin here.
*Register for Sunday School here.
You can connect on YouTube HERE.
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Dear Friends and Members of the Ark and Dove Community,
This Sunday November 27th, just three days after the national celebration of Thanksgiving, marks the beginning of the Christian liturgical season of Advent. Advent is a period of preparation for the coming of Christmas. In the secular world, Advent is a time of shopping and celebration, getting ready for the big day. In the church universe, Advent is a time of prayer and reflection. Everyone knows that these two approaches to getting ready for Christmas are a bit disconnected. We laugh about it. We complain about it. We sigh and cheer. Often it seems like Advent is Mayhem. The world is out of order. Advent helps us to realign.
We are getting ready for two celebrations: our time with friends or family near the tree or around the table, gifts exchanged, and special meals shared; and our time with the worldwide church family, when we remind ourselves that Christ, in his great love for humanity, comes again and again. The second celebration, the worship celebration, can add great meaning to the parties, meals and gift giving. That’s what Advent Worship is all about: helping us to add deep meaning to the great season of Christmas. You are invited to Advent worship, to light the Advent wreath to sing the carols that are almost, but not quite Christmas. You are invited to find a quiet corner, each day of Advent, to remind yourself that all this hub bub is about God loving humanity so much that God came in the form of a baby to be with us, to enrich our lives, to show us the path of hope, peace, joy, love, faith, & light.
Part of my Advent preparations will be to read Rise Up Shepherd! Advent Reflections on the Spirituals, by Luke Powery. The church is offering four small groups on these Advent Devotionals at a variety of times and dates. I hope you will try one out. The leaders are terrific and ready to help you keep this whole Advent season in balance.
Peace of Christ,
Tim
tstern@arkanddove.org
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Message from Interim Associate Pastors | |
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Dear Members and Friends of Ark and Dove,
A lot is going on at Ark and Dove! We know you have full lives and will need to say, “no” to some things and put others on a back burner. This is a busy season for many of us. How are we to decide which things should we make an effort to do?
Here are a few suggestions:
- 1. Do at least one thing which will stretch you or help you grow. That might involve a financial, mental, or spiritual stretch, or just something which will require more patience or courage than you usually credit yourself with.
- Do at least one thing which will help sustain you spiritually – the advent devotional, a commitment to prayer, or schedule a cup of coffee with a friend or loved one.
- Do at least one thing which will help someone else, even someone you don’t know. This can involve a donation of time or money or a kind action.
- Finally, take some time, even if it is only a few moments now and then, to take a deep breath and be alone with God – perhaps listening, more than talking. Rest your soul in God’s deep love for you.
Some of the Activities and Events at Ark and Dove which fit into these categories are:
- 1. Help with the children’s programing and Christmas Pageant; help with the AV booth during worship (We’ll train you!); attend the discussion on Disability in the Church, Nov. 29.
- Take the Spiritual Gifts Inventory and come to the Nov.30 event. Participate in one of the Advent Devotional Discussion groups or get the book and read the devotion each day.
- Help with the Holiday Sharing Program (more information coming). Help or encourage someone else attend an event or worship experience by offering a ride or a meal afterward.
- Worship – the most important of all is our worship together! Take note of the times for Christmas Eve Services. Practice gratitude. Give yourself credit for all you are doing and be thankful.
We are so thankful for you! Happy Thanksgiving!
Pastors Caroline and Stephen
caroline.pricegibson@arkanddove.org
stephen.pricegibson@arkanddove.org
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2:3 Many peoples shall come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths." For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 2:4 He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. 2:5 O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD!
Isaiah 2: 3-5
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God of hope, make us truly the house of Jacob, filled with your light. Fill our congregation with your joy, peace and love, so that every person who enters our doors, with every identity of race, gender, giftedness, age and class, may know that your gifts are given freely to all who come, for we are all welcomed by Jesus, through whom we are created, forgiven, and forever loved. Amen.
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As I am preparing for Thanksgiving this week, I am reflecting on my time back to Ark and Dove. I am so thankful for you; for this community, for my colleagues, for the members of the band and the choir, for the beautiful music that we have made together, for the worship that we have helped lead, for worshipping together.
This Sunday begins the first week of Advent- my favorite season of the year. This also happens to be a Communion Sunday, and so the choir will sing an offertory called Christmas Communion. We will be accompanied by Paula Sparks on the piano and Laura Doughty on the flute. The piece opens with solo flute, playing the melody of Silent Night. The piece rises like a prayer to call the church to God's table. The final verse soars to a crescendo, challenging us to take this gift to the world and then finally ending in the peaceful calm, as it began.
Happy Thanksgiving, friends, and a peaceful Advent season ahead. I am looking forward to sharing it with you.
With love and gratitude,
Rebecca
Director of Music
rechols@arkanddove.org
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Good morning,
I hope this e-mail finds you safe and well. First, let me say thank you for the beautiful turn-out for last Sunday’s first youth and children’s music rehearsal. I enjoyed meeting our young people and we had a productive introductory rehearsal. This week, we will continue to learn the upcoming Christmas Pageant music. I am aware that some families were unable to join our music ministry google classroom(s). We have worked as a team to find a solution and I am pleased to share that everyone should be able to join the classroom now 😊. Thank you so much for your patience and understanding. I will include the class codes on this e-mail communication as well. If you have any questions and/or concerns, please feel free to reach out. I pray the remainder of your weekend is blessed and I am looking forward to seeing everyone.
Important Information:
Children’s Choir Rehearsal Schedule: 10 AM – 10:30 AM
Children’s Classroom Google Classroom Code: bg6kfdv
https://classroom.google.com/c/NTA0NjE3MTc5MzE4?cjc=bg6kfdv
Youth Ensemble Rehearsal Schedule: 9 AM – 9:45 AM
Youth Classroom Google Classroom Code: mxknztc
https://classroom.google.com/c/NTA0NjE3MzU3OTY5?cjc=mxknztc
In peace,
Rae'tta
Director of Music for Children and Youth
raetta.bond@arkanddove.org
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Message from Interim Director of
Youth Ministry
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Dear Friends and Members of the Ark and Dove Community,
I am incredibly thankful to work with our youth; they are thoughtful, well-informed, and passionate about justice. Given this, I know many of them understand and are concerned about the ethical conflicts that arise from celebrating Thanksgiving. There are many resources out there about Decolonizing Thanksgiving, and I encourage us all to avail ourselves of them and to be thoughtful in how we discuss the matter with the children and youth in our church. I am hopeful that we can find a balance between celebrating being thankful, if celebrating is what we choose to do, while also not forgetting the historical injustices wrapped up in our traditions.
In other news, we are expanding Youth School Sunday School to include 5th through 8th grade. Please make sure your 5th graders know they will be in the Marshall Room instead of with Godly Play. Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.
We will be having Youth Group on the Sundays before and after the week of Thanksgiving. Youth Group will be at its normal time (5-6pm) on November 20th. On November 27th, we will be hosting a youth movie night (with snacks!) from 5-7pm. We are excited to enjoy some time to fellowship and relax after the holiday!
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Grace & Peace,
Whitney
Interim Director of Youth Ministry
Whitney.Grimm@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.
ESTABLISH AN EFT
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 - 1st Sunday in Advent | |
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Equipping the Saints:
Spiritual Gift Inventory
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God has gifted everyone with unique talents and dispositions for doing the work of mission and ministry. Please set aside some time this week to take our Spiritual Gifts Inventory and then join us for a Spiritual Gifts class in person in the Ark and Dove Room or via Zoom November 30th at 6:30pm. Dinner and childcare will be provided at the church. RSVP below. Questions should be sent to discipleship@arkanddove.org.
RSVP NOW
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Dec. 4th
2nd Sunday of Advent
Dec. 11th
3rd Sunday of Advent:
Children's Christmas Pageant
Dec. 18th
4th Sunday of Advent
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Christmas Poinsettias
ADVENT BEGINS ON NOVEMBER 27
The Flower Team and Worship Ministry is accepting donations for flowers, greens, and a Christmas tree for the Advent season and Christmas Eve/Day service. We will be displaying poinsettias for the Christmas Eve Service. The suggested donation is $15 dollars. Forms are available in the church bulletin or online.
If you have any questions, please contact Paula Griggs at 443-510-6687 or paulagriggs32@gmail.com.
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From the Tech Booth: Volunteers Needed
If you attended the 10:30 service this Sunday, you heard Pastor Tim speak out for the need for volunteers to help staff the tech booth as Joe Gray had one arm on each computer trying to keep things running smoothly. This isn’t the first time in the recent past where we’ve had to adapt at the last minute due to the small size of our team... In a perfect world, we would have sufficient volunteers to have a “once per month” rotation. Each week, we would like to have seven people participating on the tech team, so to have everyone volunteer once a month, 28 people would be needed. Over the last few months, that load has been carried by 7 people, with two people recently starting to run the sound board solo. This means we’re looking for 17 additional people!
If you’re interested in being one of the 17, please stop me on a Sunday morning or email me at ryan.stavely@arkanddove.org. Once a handful of people have been identified, we’ll hold a brief orientation session and then begin your training. No prior experience is needed, and you don’t need to be a “computer person” to be a good fit. If Sunday morning doesn’t work for you, one of the weekly needs is the prior preparation of the graphics/words for the service. This can be done from home any time during the second half of the week.
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Join guest host, Ellen Makar, as she interviews a Stewardship Team member, Joe Gray, as they discuss Dedication Sunday.
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6 November
Join guest host Lilly as she interviews our new Interim Director of Youth Ministry: Whitney Grimm to discuss her plans for the newly re-instated Ark and Dove Youth Group!
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16 October
Lobby Host Christa Kronser discusses the Anne Arundel Connecting Together (ACT) Candidates Accountability Action with Countywide Candidates event held on 14th of October at Ark and Dove Presbyterian Church.
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Christmas Joy
This Sunday begins our five Sunday Christmas Joy Special Offering. The Christmas Joy offering supports the following endeavors:
- 25% to refugee assistance
- 25% to the Light House Homeless Prevention Center
- 25% to support current and retired PCUSA church workers in their time of need
- 25% to developing future leaders at Presbyterian-related racial ethnic schools and colleges
Go to Ark and Dove Giving page or TEXT your donations to 410-983-3481. Text GIVE to get started. Text COMMANDS for more options.
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CAP Food Pantry
The Christian Assistance Program (CAP) food pantry in Odenton is grateful for our ongoing support. The items most needed right now at the pantry are shelf milk (like Parmalat®), jelly/jam, ramen, and macaroni & cheese.
We have bins marked for CAP food in the cabinet across from the lobby coat rack. Food can also be taken directly to the pantry at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Odenton, on Tuesdays 10:30am-1:30pm and Thursdays 1:30-5:30pm. Or contact Greg Makar (GLMakar@juno.com) to make other arrangements.
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Christmas Holiday Sharing
As part of our mission ministry, Ark & Dove is participating again in the Christmas Holiday Sharing Program organized by the Anne Arundel County Department of Social Services. Through this partnership we share some of our blessings and provide Christmas gifts to children in our community. As in previous years, Ark & Dove participants will sign up to purchase gifts for each child, and everyone is invited to help with deliveries.
The team is getting ready and will provide the online signup information by about November 27. For more information please contact Greg Makar (GLMakar@juno.com).
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Donations Needed
As the Abawi family settle into their new home, we can then concentrate on the many other ways we can support this family.
Clothing Donation
In need of donations of men’s casual clothing size large. Please contact Debbie Arey at debarey@hotmail.com.
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Car Donation
As they find employment in the near future along with the many health appointments they have, both the Annapolis Presbyterian Church and Ark and Dove are asking if you, or anyone you may know, have any vehicle that can be donated to the Abawi family. Please reach out to Debbie Arey at debarey@hotmail.com.
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Let's Talk - December 6th
Last winter a group who studied Robin DiAngelo's book, Nice Racism, followed her suggestion to form a White Affinity Group to continue learning and hold each other accountable. It's an informal space where we share how we are continuing our anti-racist journey, ask questions, share concerns, and make suggestions for further learning. We'd like to start the group again and invite all to join, regardless of where you are on your journey. Meetings will be monthly on zoom, Tuesdays from 7pm - 8pm and begin on December 6th. Contact Paula Sparks, trebleclef48@gmail.com to sign up for the group and receive the monthly zoom link.
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Ark & Dove Grounds-Work: Thank you! | |
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Thank you to all the folks who turned out for the church cleanup on Saturday! We greatly appreciate everyone who pitched in, and we accomplished a lot! It was work, but it paid off at the end. The church grounds look fantastic!
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Disability Justice in the Church
Join us for the next discussion on intersectional identities that frame one’s experience with the church. Katie Nilsen-Johnson and Michelle Schoonmaker will lead a conversation on the relationship between disability and the church on November 29th at 7:30pm. “Disability” is an inclusive term encompassing a broad range of visible and invisible disabilities including physical impairments, health conditions, and neurodivergence.
Email outreach@arkanddove.org for the zoom link.
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Ministry & Membership
Interest Meeting
Interested in ways to get involved at Ark and Dove? Considering becoming a member? We will be having a ministry and membership interest session on December 3rd from 9am until roughly 11:30am. Breakfast will be provided and childcare will be provided if needed. Please RSVP below. We look forward to seeing you!
RSVP HERE
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Parent Group will resume in 2023
Due to scheduling conflicts during the holiday season, parent group will not meet again until January 2023. If you have any questions, please contact Nicole Howe at nicolehowe123@gmail.com.
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Rise Up, Shepherd! Advent Reflections on the Spirituals
During this Advent season we will be reading the above title written by Luke A. Powery. There are a variety of dates and times to choose from. Please indicate your interest in joining a group by filling out this form. Books will be purchased for anyone who indicates interest in joining by November 13th.
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Ark and Dove Library
We have recently purchased a subscription to the Christian Century, a magazine that for decades has provided a voice for progressive, mainline Christianity. A glance at this month’s edition attests to this fact with articles on land acknowledgments, Christian dominionism and nationalism, peacemaking on the West Bank and so much more. Book lovers will enjoy the Fall Books Review. As we do with our Sojourners subscription, we have digital access to the current magazine as well as their archives. Please email me at Librarian@arkanddove.org for access.
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Ready to check out a book? See our Online Catalog.
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Christian Education for Children | |
Sunday Mornings for Children and Youth | |
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9:00 AM
Childcare
Middle School Chimes and Percussion Ensembles (9:00 to 9:45)
After the Children’s Sermon: Godly Play Sunday School Pre-K through grade 5
10:00 AM
Children’s Choir
10:30 AM
Childcare
After the Children’s Sermon: Godly Play Sunday School Pre-K through grade 4
Middle School Sunday School grade 5 through 8
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Leaders and Helpers Needed
To ensure that we can continue to offer the above Christian Educational opportunities we NEED leaders! Currently we do NOT have enough to fully staff any of these programs. Please consider offering your gifts and talents to help these programs thrive. You will need to complete a background check and training. Curriculum and materials are provided. Please contact CE Elder, Sara Fox at christianed@arkanddove.org if interested.
Thank you to those of you who’ve already made a commitment to help out this year!!!
Nursery Helpers: If you are already a CE leader or a high school student please consider signing up HERE to help in the nursery. You will be assisting Cara Moody as needed.
As always, any questions or concerns please reach out to me at christianed@arkanddove.org.
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Please keep the following people in your prayers this week:
PRAYERS OF HEALING AND SUPPORT for the Marsh Family waiting for their adopted boys to come in January, prayers for safety and peace; a wonderful teen facing the challenges of an eating disorder; a teen in need of a family; Carolyn Patrinicola, the mother of Beth Stewart; The Rowell, Postell, and Miller families on the sudden passing of Chelsea Joy Rowell; The mother of Sara Yotter; Martha Huthmaker, Cherese's mother-in-law; Arlyce Lohr; Dotty Kaufmann; Harrison James Odom; Kathy Miller's daughter, Audrey Miller, recuperating from surgery; Mary Elizabeth Nay, diagnosed with Colon Cancer; Bri awaiting preliminary results & tests; a teen struggling with peer concerns at school; the family of Lana, a friend of the Makars, who died; Ron Miller, dealing with health issues; Holly Folk, friend of Laura Willoughby, recovering from back surgery; Carol & Henry Saylor; Rose having health issues; a young mother fighting cancer; Deb Saylor's grand-nephew, Jordan; Christy Hipchen's Great Uncle, Steven Stanko; a friend's mother in hospital battling an illness; Chantel Seetram; Debbie and Bruce Arey's Daughter, Allison; a husband awaiting test results; families impacted by gun violence; Dr. Jesse Nicholson, Connie Batts' brother-in-law; Laura Talbert; Danni Johnson, fighting cancer; Denise Bartgis chemo treatments; little girl diagnosed with leukemia and her family; the family of Gavin Hurley; Amanda Welford; Bruce Arey's sister; Helen Jarkiewicz; Dee going through breast cancer; Doug Dehaven with cardiac problems; Karen Judeich; Marie, Nikol Sahai’s Mom; Irina Lee, Jan and Al Jank's daughter-in-law; Fran; Dot Forloines; Vaughn Brown; Dick Paronto; Julie Devers' friend Zenia Dacio-Messina; Hope Sutphin; Emily Wehage; Jeff Miller, Kathy Miller’s brother-in-law; Freyja Hartzell; Amy Goldberg's father, Michael Cooper; Rebecca Echols friend, Lauren Douglas; Andy, friend of Karen Dodson; Ghazal Abawi; Mike Bartgis's cousin; Marjorie Tanner, Laura Doughty’s mother; Ellen; Cara Moody’s father-in-law, Gary Moody Sr.; Carly & Chris Taylor, Friends of Michelle Schoonmaker; Debbie Saylor's Friends: Carlene Printy and Helen Rossum;
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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