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And he that sat upon the throne said,
‘Behold, I make all things new.’
(Rev. 21:5)
Sunday Preview
Sunday, March 18, 2018
Fifth Sunday in Lent
New Member Sunday
Worship services @ 8:30 & 10:30 AM only
Education Hour (for all ages) @ 9:15 AM
Sermon:
"Glorified" by
Richard Coble
Scriptures:
Jeremiah 31:31-34; John 12:20-33
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GCPC Creativity Day! | Saturday, March 24 | 2-5 PM | Atrium
Come help us create liturgical art for the sanctuary to enrich our worship during the Sundays of Easter. Liturgical artist, Lisle Lynne Garrity, will be guiding us in this family-friendly and fun activity. No artistic experience or skills necessary - just come ready to create!
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Make A Joyful Noise!
Join Marcia and Samantha after worship next Sunday (3/18) in the sanctuary. We are continuing our musical preparation for a unique worship experience on April 15th. Hold on to your hats... Jeff will be preaching and Marcia and Samantha are leading the music! If you like to sing and you don't mind being improvisational, come and learn one of the songs we will sing on April 15th. Feel free to join even if you weren't there on 3/4. Our practices will last 30 minutes on
Sundays 3/18, 3/25 and possibly 4/8.
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- Lenten Centering Prayer | Wednesdays | 12 Noon | Sanctuary A 30-minute service of song, scripture, silence and prayer.
- Spiritual Practice & Christian Life Today class | Sundays (2/25-3/18) | 5 PM | Sanctuary Experience a variety of Christian spiritual practices that can strengthen your faith journey in our busy and conflicted world today.
- Moving Through Lent - with Yoga & Fellowship | Fridays | 12 - 1 PM | Sanctuary Want to try Yoga based movement? Here's your opportunity! Join Susan Meade and Laura Ross for this class. No experience necessary. Bring a yoga mat if you have one. (We have a few extra mats!)
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Adult Education Lenten Term | February 18 – March 25
* Click
HERE
to watch week 1 with Walter Ziffer.
* Click
HERE
to watch week 2 with Walter Ziffer.
* Click
HERE
to watch week 3 with Walter Ziffer.
Pressure Points:
From Darkness into Light: A Holocaust Survivor’s Musings about the History of Jewish-Christian Relations
w/ Walter Ziffer
| Choir Rm
"The title of the class is significant and hopefully educational as it points to a twenty centuries long adversarial relationship between Christianity and Judaism that led to catastrophe. Thanks to Pope John XXIII and the Second Vatican Council, the window to reconciliation was finally opened and light streamed in. My presence in this church, as a Jew, having been invited to give these talks, is a hopeful sign of acknowledgment that things have changed for the better and that reconciliation finally is in view."
Walter Ziffer is a professor emeritus of theology and the author of a number of books, including
Confronting the Silence: A Holocaust Survivor's Search for God
.
Facilitator: Walter Ziffer
Digging In: Women Leaders in the Bible | Jerusalem Room
Exploring six gospel texts of women's encounters with Jesus, this class will examine the central role of women in Jesus's ministry, placing each text in its social and cultural context and examining the ways the gospels worked to subvert many of the gender roles of their time.
Facilitator: Leah Madamba
The Improv:
Relearning How to Listen to Each Other
| A-Frame
Utilizing counseling techniques and engaged listening practices, this class will be study of how to listen. We will explore the many ways we fail to hear and acknowledge those we encounter every day and, conversely, the ways listening can improve and strengthen our relationships.Finally, the class will explore a theology of listening, how relationship come from God and how we grow closer to our creator when we deepen our relationships with others.
Facilitator: Richard Coble
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SAVE THE DATE!
Friday, June 8th | GCPC Goes to the Ballpark | Tourists' Game | 7PM
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Donation Details
Did you know that the way you give matters? While paying by credit card may allow more giving flexibility, it also incurs a
2.75% per transaction fee, for both one-time and recurring gifts. We have now enabled an online additional item called
"Help Offset Processing Fees" to help cover the extra cost GCPC incurs for each payment.
Here are some other ways to give the
most
and minimize fees:
- ACH online through your checking account
- Bill Pay initiated through your bank
- Cash or check in the plate or office
If you have any questions or need assistance making changes to your online payment account with the church, please contact Natalie Weaver,
Stewardship & Financial Administrator
, at
nweaver@gcpcusa.org
or
828.254.3274, ext 202
.
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Faith Forward Update:
194 pledges totaling
$769,818.40
We are 92% of our way to our pledging goal.
To make changes to your pledge, contact Natalie Weaver at
giving@gcpcusa.org
or 828-254-3274 x.202.
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More signs of progress:
- The privacy glass is fully installed in the new women's bathroom.
- Check out the new lighting in the Atrium and Fellowship Hall.
- The HVAC construction on the other side of the balcony will begin on Monday.
- Check out the easy-to-clean wall treatment in the new kitchen!
If you have more questions, please feel free to talk to
Marcia, John Legerton,
Exly or
Sherrie.
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Creating Sanctuary Team
Meeting
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This Sunday, March 18 | 11:45 AM | Middle School Room
(in the educational building)
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How many times have you tossed off the phrase "Hasta la vista" as you bid goodbye to a friend or family member? Did you know that this catchphrase could be interpreted by a Spanish speaker as rude or too familiar? Pop culture introduced it to society, but it does not exist in the Spanish lexicon; at times, it is even misspelled as "asta la vista." Thanks, Arnold.
"Adios" is the most accepted, neutral way to bid a Spanish speaker good-bye. "Hasta pronto," another proper salutation, should be reserved for times when you expect to see the recipient of your greeting again, soon.
These small spoken gestures of kindness and respect go a long way toward creating safety and sanctuary for our struggling immigrant neighbors.
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Earth Team Meeting | This Sunday, March 18 | 11:45 AM | Garden Room
Join the Earth Team this Sunday after church to discuss:
1. Earth Sunday 2. the status of solar panels on GCPC roofs and 3. whether the Earth Team might take up the issue of PCUSA's consideration of a moratorium on nuclear weapons at the General Assembly to educate our congregation. Any and all are welcome!
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Power and Race Team (PART)
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PART Meeting | Thursday, April 19 | 7:00 PM | Garden Room
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PART Movie Screening -
Healing Justice
| Sunday, March 25 | 4 - 6 PM | Fellowship Hall
Dr. Shakti Butler's newest film,
Healing Justice
, explores the causes and consequences of the current American Justice system and its effect on marginalized communities. This powerful documentary addresses the school-to-prison pipeline, the need for comprehensive criminal justice reform and the importance of healing and restorative practices. Designed for dialogue,
Healing Justice
is meant to prompt questions and open conversations, exploring trauma, justice and healing. Click
HERE
for trailer.
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Reflections from PART on recent community events:
In the wake of the public revelations about the harassment and assault of Mr. Johnnie Jermaine Rush by members of the Asheville Police Department, several PART members attended the Citizens Police Advisory Committee (CPAC) on March 7
th
. Attendees witnessed community outrage, and heard about the history of white supremacy in our community and the racist structures and systems that exist. Needless to say, people were angry and sad and wanted answers and changes.
On March 8th,
PART discussed the need for our team to show leadership and speak at the City Council Meeting on March 13
th
. PART drafted a letter and made it available on Sunday, March 11th, for any interested church members to sign. This letter was presented at the City Council meeting with about 75 signatures from our congregation.
This letter is a PART action
, inviting others in the GCPC community to join us.
At GCPC we continue to do our own work, as individuals and as an institution, on race and white supremacy. We all have work to do. The hope of the Power and Race Team (PART) is we can all do our part!
The Next PART meeting is April 19
th,
7pm. People are encouraged to join us; everyone is welcome!
Peace and Love in Christ,
Liz Huesemann, PART member
PART:
Amy Wiesner, Session and Chair of PART
Susie Wheelis
Nancy Gaskin
John Huie
Mary Berg
Hettie Lou Garland
Carol Hovis
Jean Wright Veilleux
Kelly Spradlin
Buzz Durham
George DeWalder
Click
HERE
for the Faith4Justice statement to City Council.
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This Sunday’s Education for All Ages | 9:15 AM
(See Adult Education classes at top of newsletter)
CHILDREN & YOUTH EDUCATION @ 9:15 AM
[Contact
Samantha
]
Preschool/Kindergarten (ages 3-5) |
anytime from 9:10–10:10 AM | Preschool Sunday School Room (downstairs, Children’s Center)
Elementary (grades 1-5)
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9:10–10:10 AM | Temple Room
(upstairs, PZ)
Middle School (grades 6-8)
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9:15-10:10 AM | Middle School Classroom, PZ
Senior Highs (grades 9-12)
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9:15-10:10 AM | Senior High Classroom, PZ
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Bible Study | Wednesdays | 11 AM | Garden Room
Everyone is welcome to join the pastoral staff to read and study our sermon texts for Sunday. No preparation needed, just come ready to open scripture and discuss.
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Choosing Equity: Promoting Equity Today | Thursday, March 22 | 6 - 8 PM |
Vance Elementary School (
98 Sulphur Springs Road
)
Promoting Equity Today is part three in "Choosing Equity," ACSF's four part community series on integration, inclusion, and equity in our schools. Food and childcare will be provided. Event is free. Click
here for more info and to register.
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Click
HERE
for a link to the 2018-2018 GCPC Ministry Partners brochure.
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Women's Book Series | Monday, March 19 | 6 – 7 PM | Jerusalem Rm
We will be discussing this month's PART book,
The Underground Railroad
by Colson Whitehead. Women of all ages are welcome to participate!
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Book Clubs!
Starting with our March book,
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead,
Malaprops Bookstore in downtown Asheville will start selling our monthly Racial Justice/Women's Book Group book with a 10% discount in their Book Club section. Click
HERE
for the 2018 book list.
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During this Lenten season, let's explore how our faith impacts conversations about racism and whiteness. We will be discussing a portion of Carolyn B. Helsel's book, "Anxious to Talk About It: Helping White Christians Talk Faithfully about Racism."
Click
here
for article.
Beverages and snacks will be available for purchase.
RSVP HERE.
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Deacon of the Week
Each Sunday morning there will be a deacon available for everything from praying with you to giving you a tour of the building. This deacon will be wearing a purple sash and stationed in the narthex before 10:30 worship and in the front of the sanctuary after worship. He or she is also available during the week if you or someone you love needs assistance from our board of deacons.
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Prayer List
[We are happy to pray for anyone who is in need. Concerns will stay on this list for a month unless we hear otherwise. Please keep us updated.]
Jerusalem Church congregation
Sherry Harcke (Les and Susan Stradley's friend)
Nikita Norris, Regina Hunter & family (Habitat for Humanity partner family)
Chris Barkley (Kathy Theoharis' sister)
Pat Cocke (Les and Susan Stradley’s friend)
Roy and Maxine Hicks (Melissa Hicks' parents)
Mary Ann Dykes (Sister in Law of Steve and Sandra Dykes)
Kathy Giddens (Steve Dykes' sister)
Bob Keever (Cynthia Keever's father)
Shannon Yantis (Kelly Spradlin's daughter)
Glenn Russell (Robin Gaiser's brother)
Betsy Needle (Robin Gaiser's friend)
Family of Ken Thurston (Bryant Smith's cousins)
Virginia Bradley
Hettie Lou Garland
Dot Holladay
Teresa Stern
Cindy Egerer
Jana Watts
John Brigham
Susan Stradley
Sally Richardson
Betty Smith
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The presbytery cancelled the Senior High Presbytery Mission Retreat (Fri. March 16 - Sat. March 17th),
therefore we are making this Sunday's youth group event for ALL youth.
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Youth Group "Service & Serving the Homeless" | This Sunday, March 18 | 11:45 AM - 3:30 PM | Church of the Advocate (Meet/pick up GCPC)
Let's help feed and be fed! All youth are invited to meet at GCPC after church and head to MOD for lunch (please bring $). We will then drive to Church of the Advocate downtown (60 Church Street) to participate in a powerful ministry with people experiencing homelessness in our city. We will worship, serve a meal, and spend quality time together. Please bring any travel toiletries to donate and games to teach/share.
For carpooling purposes, RSVP here.
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*Senior High Montreat Youth Conference (Week 6: June 29-Aug. 4):
This is for youth who have completed 9th, 10th, 11th & 12th grade by this summer. The discounted cost is $415 (full/partial scholarships available)
if you register HERE by March 18th.
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*Middle School Massanetta Youth Conference (Week 3: July 5-8):
This is for youth who will have completed 6th, 7th, or 8th grade by this summer. The discounted cost is $235 (full/partial scholarships available)
if you register HERE by March 18th.
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Grace Covenant Community Out and About...
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March for Our Lives | Saturday, March 24 | 11 AM - 1 PM |
Beginning at Pack Square, Vance Monument
We can all agree that school shootings should not be an accepted part of life, and this March is a powerful step to ending gun violence. Join us, be heard, and make a difference.
Click
HERE
for more information.
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If you are interested in attending the March for Our Lives rally in Washington, DC on March 24th, please click
here
for more details.
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The League of Women Voters of Asheville-Buncombe County, Pisgah Legal Services, and Children First/Communities in Schools have joined together to present a four-week program. It will focus on providing an opportunity to learn about the roles and decisions making processes of our local governments and how citizens can advocate and get their voice heard.
Tuesday, March 20, 2018- Justice Resource Center and Family Justice Center
- Tiffany Iheanacho, Justice Resource Center Coordinator
- Julie Klipp-Nicholson, Family Justice Center Coordinator
- Honorable Susan M. Dotson-Smith, District Court Judge
Tuesday, March 27, 2018 – Advocacy Training- Staff of Pisgah Legal Services
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Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church | 828.254.3274
789 Merrimon Ave. Asheville, NC 28804
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