26th Sunday after Pentecost

Dear Friends and Members of the Ark and Dove Community,

Thanksgiving is primarily a national holiday in the United States and yet if we poke around in scripture, we see that its pages are overflowing with thanksgiving. Six Bible passages are below. (one you need to look up) You might use them at the table this week or just read them for your devotions. The idea of giving thanks after a harvest of crops is a religious practice celebrated in most countries and cultures and it almost always includes a feast.  When we feast, we celebrate God's generosity and God's bounty. Almost every one of us has experienced the healing and restorative power of food and the great joy there is in sharing a meal with others. There are certain dishes that bring back memories of love, family and community. The Lord's Supper or Communion is a feast.  We celebrate the Lord's Supper in the now to remind us that God promises us a feast in the eternal future. And we should remember that the first Lord's Supper was celebrated at the Passover Feast which commemorated freedom from slavery. On top of all this, food is beautiful, particularly the fruit on the vine or the produce aisle in the grocery store. The summer crops are now gone from the garden, but we have a saying in our house - "now that's a tomato!"

Thanksgiving can be a rush of coming and going. Thanksgiving can be a whole lot of work for those who cook. Sometimes things can get in the way of actually feeling gratitude. There will be moments. So, find time this weekend to take a pause and a breath to give thanks for the people in your life.  Food is beautiful. The people in our lives are beautiful, even when they drive us nuts. Look at each face, or look at a picture and give thanks for family and friends.

Peace of Christ,

Tim

Deuteronomy 26:1-11, especially verses 10 and 11

Psalm 28:7 The Holy One is my strength and my shield; in God my heart trusts; so I am helped, and my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to God.

Matthew 15:36-37a he took the seven loaves and the fish; and after giving thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples and the disciples gave them to the crowds, and all of them ate and were filled.

Luke 22:19 Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Remember, I will never ask you by email to buy a gift card. It's a scam.

Message from Pastor Jenn

Hi friends!

Thanksgiving is nearly upon us, and I anticipate that many of us will sit at tables where someone will exclaim, “Hey sibling/bruh/auntie/dearest child, you go to church. Will you say a prayer?” Some of us will take it in stride and confidently go about the business of prayer. Others of us will freeze and panic and demur, ultimately paving the way for a less cool and inclusive prayer than we would have given, had we felt more prepared for the moment. So in that vein, I offer two suggestions of prayers that are easy to lead, inclusive of people of all ages, can be modified to “do no harm” to non-religious folks, and can even be led by children. Use one or both or neither, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

1. If you’d like a simple prayer that can be said or sung:

Thank you for the world so sweet

Thank you for the food we eat

Thank you for the birds that sing

Thank you God* for everything.

*If you have anyone at your table who is sensitive to language of God, you can change “God” to another word that includes everyone like “love,” “world”.

2. If you’d like a simple prayer with a visual aid, try this five finger prayer.:

As we name each finger, each participant can squeeze their left finger using their right hand. 

-As we squeeze our thumb, the finger closest to our heart when we pray, we pray* for those we love. 

-As we squeeze our pointer finger, we pray for those who stand up. For first responders and helpers, for teachers and healers. 

-Next, we squeeze the tallest finger, the middle finger. This finger represents the leaders–we pray for the leaders in the world, and in our lives. 

-Now we squeeze the ring finger. This is our weakest finger. As we squeeze it, we pray for those who are weak. For people who are sick or hungry or suffering. For the poor and the lonely. 

-Last, we squeeze our pinky finger, which represents ourselves. We pray for the things we struggle with and the things we need. 

Amen.

*Likewise, if “prayer” is not in the language of all of your guests, you can use the words “hold in the light,” “hold with love” etc. 

With all my gratitude,

Pastor Jenn

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.’

II Corinthians 9:6-10

God, your kin-dom looks like my grandmother’s house – a house where there is always room around the kitchen table for another neighbor, another stranger, another guest, as God expands our vision for who are our kin, for who belongs in the household, for who can be served a bowl of arroz con pollo. … To be together as a church is the gift of salvation. To fellowship together is a glimpse of the kin-dom of God. 

Amen.

Prayer adapted from Isaac Villegas “The Kin-dom of mi abuelita”

Dear Friends,

This week, we are excited to welcome Dorene Chen and her daughter, Astrid, as they play the Prelude music- an arrangement of Simple Gifts. Dorene will also be subbing for me this week, as we head to Great Wolf Lodge. Thank you, Dorene!!

Our hymns are traditional this week- The Church of Christ in Every Age, Now Thank We All Our God, and Let All Things Now Living. Our Offertory Anthem this week is a contemporary song called Gratitude and it will be sung as a trio by Adell Gaurin, Kim Champagne and Stephen Herman.  

As I think about this Thanksgiving season, I want to express my gratitude for each musician who makes every Sunday so meaningful, and to each one of you at Ark and Dove. Thank you for being present. Thank you for sharing your gifts. Thank you for extending love and kindness. May this season of thanksgiving be a time of reflection, appreciation, and a renewed commitment to love and support one another in our journey of faith.

In gratitude,

Rebecca 

Director of Music

rechols@arkanddove.org

Christmas Pageant

Greetings!  We would like to extend an invitation to all young people to be a part of the Christmas Pageant Choir. There is a place for you in the Music Ministry! We need your beautiful voices, unique personalities, gifts, and talents to make this year's Christmas Pageant a success! If you would like to be a part of the Christmas Pageant music team, please attend rehearsals. If you need further information, please contact our Director of Music for Children & Youth at raetta.bond@arkanddove.org. We look forward to seeing you on Sunday!  

Christmas Pageant Choir Rehearsal Schedule

Sunday’s @ 9 AM – 10:15 AM

Sunday Rehearsal End Date: Sunday, December 3, 2023

Christmas Pageant: Sunday, December 10, 2023

YTD Expected Unpledged Income $18,333

Actual Unpledged Income $16,286

Behind $2,047

YTD Expected Pledged & Electronic Giving $433,289

YTD Actual Pledged & Electronic Giving $408,176

Behind $25,113

An Update On

Back To The Future

As of Wednesday November 22nd, 47 pledges have been received totaling over $306,000.00. Thank you to the 47 households who have turned in their pledges to date. Your pledges are deeply appreciated.  If you have not pledged yet, please pray about your stewardship and return your pledge to the church as soon as possible.

With Thanksgiving,

The Stewardship Team

Doug Walcutt, Tricia and Joe Gray, Tim Stern, Shirley and Bob Fuller, Michelle Schoonmaker

We have witnessed the millions of people caught in the middle of the devastating conflict between the government of Israel and Hamas. This is a dire humanitarian crisis and the loss of human life is unimaginable. Through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA), the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is providing assistance to those most vulnerable, and         supporting partners in Palestine and Israel who are responding to the needs of their neighbors. Our Biggest concern is the safety and care for those caught in the middle of this conflict and in need of humanitarian aid, no matter their       religious beliefs, politics or nationality. Years of recovery lie ahead. Will you stand in the “GAP” for all affected by this conflict? - Give. Act . Pray.

GIVE

You can write a check to Ark and Dove and mark it Israel/Palestine, click here to give or go to www.ArkandDove.org and click on the giving tab and scroll down to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. 

ACT

Urge the U.S. government to advocate for an immediate cease-fire and the end of the blockade on Gaza to ensure urgent access to humanitarian aid, and call for engaging a diplomatic solution to the conflict. 

PRAY

Dear God, We come before you with heavy hearts, burdened by the ongoing conflict in the land of Israel and Palestine. As we listen to the stories, and see the news of what is unfolding, we pray for all the people affected by this strife, for the innocent civilians, the children, and the families who endure the pain of violence and unrest. In times of darkness, help us remember that we are all your children, and that love and compassion can transcend the divisions and hate that lead to war. Grant us the strength to work tirelessly for a world where conflicts are resolved through dialogue, justice and respect for one another. 

Children’s and Youth

Music Ministry

The Children’s and Youth Music Ministry is happy to share that our very own Astrid and her mom, Dorene, will offer the prelude this upcoming Sunday! 

Astrid joined the Children’s Choir in September 2023 and has been an asset to the Music Ministry since. She is kind, respectful, helpful, a great leader, and always shows up to rehearsal ready to learn. Dorene is one of our dedicated parent supporters and is always willing to help out. We hope that you can join us on Sunday!  

Save the Dates:

Christmas pageant coming up!

The pageant will be on December 10th at the 10:30am service. Kids of all ages and abilities are invited to participate! The rehearsals are: 11/28 in the evening, 12/3 following worship, 12/5 in the evening, and 12/9 in the morning.

The children’s choir will be providing the music for the pageant, so if your child would like to be included, please have them attend rehearsals on Sunday mornings at 9am.

Questions? Email Sara christianed@arkanddove.org for general questions or Rae’tta raetta.bond@arkanddove.org for information on the children’s music ministry.

Nursery Leaders and

Helpers Needed

To ensure that we can continue to offer children and youth programming we need 2 adult/teenage leaders, from different nuclear families to help provide leadership. Please consider volunteering!

Please sign up here: Nursery Volunteers

You will be assisting Cara Moody as needed and be

another set of eyes/hands in the nursery.

Misson Ministry

Holiday Potluck

You are invited to a Mission Ministry Potluck on December 3rd in the Marshall Room from 11:45am- 1:15pm! Join us to share a meal, hear about ideas for Mission in the next year, and consider joining our teams. We'd love to see you there. Everyone is welcome!

Click on this link to sign up to bring a dish to share.

Contact Lori Kronser for questions. lkronser16@gmail.com

Ark and Dove Book Club's

December Selection

Please join the Ark and Dove Book Club's discussion of "Mad Honey" by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan.

We will meet on Zoom on Friday, December 8th at 7:30pm. Email kim.champagne@arkanddove.org for more information and the zoom link.

The Empty Chair

at The Holiday Table

Save the date for Grief and the Holidays on 12/13/2023 at 7pm. We can share how Thanksgiving went and what may be coming up for you with Christmas.

Prior to both holidays, you may want to consider these tips by Dr. Marie Hartwell-Walker at Psychcentral.com:

♥ Allow yourself the right to grieve.

♥ Take care of yourself.

♥ Plan ahead.

♥ Rethink hosting the party.

♥ Give people permission to share stories.

♥ Do things a little differently.

You can also reach out to your Deacon or contact Linnie Girdner at 410-999-7892 or girdnerlinda@gmail.com.

Workday Thanks

Thank you to all the volunteers who came out for the church workday on November 18th.

We cleaned leaves from the roof and grounds, fixed the noisy fans in the rest rooms, built shelves for the band room, replaced some ceiling tiles, and had good food and fellowship.

Ark and Dove Presbyterian Church | 410-674-6400 | admin@arkanddove.org www.arkanddove.org | 8424 Piney Orchard Pkwy. Odenton, MD 21113