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This Sunday, September 10, from 5 pm to 7 pm, we kick-off youth group!
We will begin our year by assembling hygiene kits for hurricane victims. All youth are invited to assemble the kits. Please pick up the items for the hygiene kits (as detailed in the above link) and bring them to worship services on Sunday (and prior to 5 pm). Please, contact Pastor Jon with any questions, jgnelson1985@gmail.com.
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MESSAGE FROM PASTOR JON
Dear Friends and Members of Ark and Dove,
Sunday School begins this week. In case that sounds insignificant, I want to let you know what this means.
This week, children and youth gather to form meaningful relationships. This week, they take another important step along their faith journeys. And this week, they begin again to develop values that make for a better world. This week, adult leaders commit to care and nurture children not their own. This week, they use their study and experience to teach a faith that matters. And this week, they follow Jesus' last command in making young disciples.
I am grateful for our children and youth. They have taught me much this summer at the Center, Summit, and Vacation Bible School. I am thankful for our preschool, Godly Play, and youth leaders. They continue to show me what loving leadership looks like.
I invite you to see why Sunday School is so significant. I encourage you to see why I am so thankful. There are many opportunities to get involved with Sunday School and also Logos, which begins on September 26. Please contact Christian Education Elder Kim Champagne (kim.champagne@gmail.com) or me with any questions.
Don't miss the Sunday School kick-off this week. Oh! And we also have a beloved musical guest.
Peace,
Pastor Jon
jgnelson1985@gmail.com
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VERSE AND PRAYER
People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it."
And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them. - Mark 10:13-16
God of every generation: May we be curious enough to grow in faith, imaginative enough to live with hope, and open enough to show love. Awaken us to the world around us, which shimmers with your glory. Free us from constraint so that we might see the possible in the impossible. Refresh our hearts and minds to receive you anew. Envelop us in your loving arms, O God. Amen.
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Many opportunities await you!
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N
TES FOR YOU
Mark your calendars!! On Sunday, September 24th at 2:00pm, we will have a concert by members of the Army Field Band, titled The Versatile Horn. You will not want to miss this!
Choir rehearsals have begun! Are you interested in joining our Adult Choir, children's choirs or orchestra? If so, please email me!
 As we are beginning the new school year, I wanted to extend an invitation to all who may be interested in joining the band. One of the best distinctions here is the idea that the band and choir is not a performance group, but rather an extension of the congregation. While it is easy to think of congregation and band as two separate groups, our view, rather, is that everyone is in God's choir, singing in gratitude, rather than entertaining one another. So really, you are part of the band already!! But if you are feeling called to the music program, we have our band rehearsals on Tuesday nights at 7:00 pm. Please come!
God bless,
Mark
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CEDEPCA SUNDAY September 17
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CEDEPCA VISITS ARK & DOVE! In May, Pastor Tim and Laura Willoughby Perry traveled to Guatemala where they learned about poverty, marginalization, and how the Church is trying to help. They joined with CEDEPCA, the Protestant Center for Pastoral Studies in Central America. CEDEPCA works to transform lives, empower women, teach seminary students, host intercultural encounters and run a disaster ministry. On September 16th and 17th representatives of CEDEPCA will come to visit Ark and Dove. At worship, they will provide a minute for mission and there will be a lunch following worship to learn from our new friends. We support CEDEPCA as a Presbytery and church. Don't miss this opportunity to learn about this intercultural ministry. Please contact Laura Willoughby Perry (laura@laurajanewilloughby.com
) with any questions.
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LOGOS is Coming! Our mid-week children and youth program returns on September 26th! This year, we will all meet from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. At LOGOS, children and youth have dinner, play games, worship, and grow in faith. We will have a parent interest meeting on September 19 at 5:30.
For questions, comments or suggestions, please contact Amy Tardiff, itsmemim@gmail.com or Laura Rockwell, laura.a.rockwell@gmail.com.
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 WINTER RELIEF 2017 Save the date!
With the hot summer we have had this year, it seems like the cooler months will never arrive. However, winter will be here before we know it and our friends at the Arundel House of Hope need our help! This year, Ark and Dove will be the first church to host 25 men experiencing homelessness for Winter Relief. Our week will be October 9 - October 16 and there are a multitude of ways you (and your families, friends, and neighbors) can participate. Questions can be directed to Christine Caufield-Noll, Mission Elder (ccnmission@outlook.com); Cheryl Schafer, Co-Coordinator (csscas@verizon.net); and Debbie Saylor, Co-Coordinators (debsaylor1@aol.com). Sign-ups will be ready by September 9th, so please prayerfully consider what your role will be in our church's largest mission experience
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SEPTEMBER'S FOOD OF THE MONTH
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CAP WEST COUNTY FOOD PANTRY Featured item for September is PEANUT BUTTER AND PRESERVES. Please drop off food items in the Mission Zone bin. Thank you for your donations!
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Antiracism and Social Equity
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FAITH BASED COMMUNITY ORGANIZING
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EXPERIENCE THE POWER OF IAF FAITH-BASED COMMUNITY ORGANIZING Thursday, September 28, 7:05 pm - 8:30 pm at Asbury Methodist Church, Annapolis. Participate in a non-partisan, multi-faith, multiracial coalition for AA Co. Sixteen faith communities are building power together to ensure opportunities for ALL our neighbors to live and thrive. Please RSVP, Pastor Tim, timsstern@gmail.com or Pastor Jon, jgnelson1985@gmail.com
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I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO: FILM AND DISCUSSION
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I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO
Sign up in the lobby! On October 1st, 2:30-4:30, the Ark and Dove Social Equity Team will host our next forum featuring the movie, I Am Not Your Negro, based on the writings of James Baldwin, who is acclaimed for his insights on race, spirituality and humanity. Paula Sparks, Co-Team Leader, Anti-Racism and Social Equity Team
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When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 19:33-34
TALKING TO CHILDREN ABOUT RACE Wednesday September 13, 2017 6:30-8:30 p.m.
American Brewery 1701 N Gay St, Baltimore, MD. "Parents, caretakers, teachers: What kinds of conversations are you having with children? What kinds of conversations are they being exposed to? Are you prepared to engage constructively? Join Baltimore Racial Justice Action (BRJA) as we gather scholars and parents to help us find our way. Speakers include Lawrence Rogers and Natasha Pratt Harris." https://www.facebook.com/events/261449657680232.
The training
HAVING DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS ABOUT RACE will be held at the Crofton Community Library, 1681 Riedel Rd., minimum donation of
$10 (cash only) is being requested. Space is limited to first 30 respondents. You can
register here.
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PARENTS GROUP
You've heard it said, "It takes a village to raise a child." But when do we gather as a village anymore? Join Ark and Dove's parents group for an opportunity to support one another on the always joyous, often difficult journey of parenting. Interested? Contact Pastor Jon for more information, jgnelson1985@gmail.com.
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FRIENDLY SENIORS RESUMES!
Calling all Friendly Seniors and those who want to join! Just a reminder that we are an open group: no dues, no auditions. We don't even ask your age! Just email or call Joan Berry (410-672-5237, berry962@verizon.net), to be added to the mailing list. Our next meeting will be this
Sunday, September 10, 1:00 p.m.
We will be planning our events for the next year and seeking a new co-leader. See you soon!
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SPIRITED SISTERS The Spirited Sisters Saturday Morning Women's Group will begin meeting in the fall starting September 23rd at 9:00 am in the Marshall Room. This fall's Bible study is "Who is Jesus? What a Difference a Lens Makes," published by the Presbyterian Women. The group meets twice a month, and we determine rest of our schedule at the first meeting. See Kim Champagne (kim.champagne@gmail.com) or Linda Girdner (lkgirdner@comcast.net) for more details. A signup sheet will be posted in the lobby with more details about the book ($7).
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HEALING THROUGH GRIEF
The next meeting of the Healing through Grief small group will be on Wednesday,
September 26, 7 - 8:15 pm
in the Ark and Dove Room. Anyone who has experienced the loss of a beloved family member or dear friend, no matter how recent or long ago, is invited to attend. No sign up needed, though it is appreciated. Drinks will be provided. The group is facilitated by Pastor Tim and Linnie Girdner. For more information, please contact Linnie Girdner at 410-999-7892 or girdnerlinda@gmail.com.
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PRAYER CONCERNS
Please keep the following people in your prayers this week:
PRAYERS OF HEALING AND SUPPORT
for Curtis Briggs; Marie Shorter; Lydia Doughty; Vaughn Brown; Frances Keyes; Joan Berry's son, Bryan Flom; Donna Anderson's mother, Martha; Chip Burnett; Dot Forloines and her brother Jack; Henry Duncan; Helene Marchand-Stancil and Helene's mother, Mimi; Judy Cooper's sister, Barb Eardley; Ellen Makar's father, Don Erickson; Laura Willoughby's father, Norman; Amy Stavely's aunt; the Hoxie family; Steve and Brandi Downs; Henry Gaines; Janet Dabbs's sister, Diane Maloy, and niece Melissa Bender; Claire Henderson's father, Walt; Mary Stum's sister-in-law, Sandy; Stan Houck and Ann Hirschy; Carol and Henry Saylor;
Sarita Barrow's brother, Rashad; Sue Hanburger's sister-in-law, Evelyn Hanburger; Kelly and Tim Stern's nephew, Hunter Field; the Stanton's niece, Lena; Julie Kirby's mother, Margaret Floyd;
Brian Boudreau's father, Paul; Jason Mendez; Dan and Chanda Griffis; Lee Armstrong;
and Dick and Carol Baily.
THE LOVE AND PRAYERS OF THE CONGREGATION
go out to
the Walcutt family on the death of Cheryl's cousin, Henry Cremer.
THE LOVE AND PRAYERS OF THE CONGREGATION
go out to
Candy Dabbs and the Dabbs family on the passing of Candy's father Charles Dabbs.
PRAYERS OF GUIDANCE, STRENGTH AND UNDERSTANDING
for family members who are living with alcoholism; for family members who are living with mental illness; for a father struggling; and for a mother in physical rehabilitation and battling addiction.
THE LOVE AND PRAYERS OF THE CONGREGATION
go out to
a family suffering a sudden loss.
PRAYERS OF PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING
for Ray Bussey's successful surgery. Please continue to pray for his healing.
PRAYERS OF STRENGTH, SAFETY AND SUPPORT
for all of the hurricane victims.
If you have prayer concerns or blessings that you would like to share, please contact Deacon Sue Hanburger at avongypsygal@gmail.com, and she will add your concern to the prayer partners email chain.
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