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As swimmers dare
to lie face to the sky
and water bears them,
as hawks rest upon air
and air sustains them,
so would I learn to attain
freefall, and float
into Creator Spirit’s deep embrace,
knowing no effort earns
that all-surrounding grace.
~ Denise Levertov
Sunday Preview
Sunday, August 13, 2017
Worship services @ 8:30 & 10:30 AM
Courtyard Fellowship
@ 11:30 AM
Sermon:
"Sinking, Swimming, Floating" by Marcia Mount Shoop
Scriptures: Psalm 85:8-13; Matthew 14:22-33
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Click HERE to see the August Event Calendar at GCPC.
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GCPC Palooza! | September 16-17 | GCPC
Remember to sign up for this fun twist on a church retreat! Registration forms are available at the Info Station or on the church website!
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Honoring Heather Gast | Sunday, August 20th | 11:30 AM | GCPC Courtyard
Please join us in the courtyard immediately following worship as we celebrate Heather Gast’s ministry here at Grace Covenant.
Please click HERE if you would like to help with the reception.
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Upcoming events this week:
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Next Tuesday!
Summer Women's Memoir Series | Tuesday, August 15 | 7 PM | Jerusalem Room
Join us for the final book talk of the summer! Hosted by Heather Gast and Samantha Gonzalez-Block and open to all women of the church. One copy of each book can be found in the newly revamped library annex upstairs in the Memorial Garden Overlook. Please pre-read the books to ensure lively discussion.
August 15 | Girl Meets God | Lauren F. Winner
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Next Thursday!
GCPC Outdoor Movie Night | Thursday, August 17
| 8 PM | Church Courtyard
It's time for an epic outdoor movie night for all ages! We will be popping popcorn and screening Dreamworks' "Prince of Egypt" (see trailer here). Feel free to bring a blanket, lawn chair or snacks to share.Don't miss out on the fun!
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Next Thursday!
Presbyterianism 101 - Brown bag lunches | Thursday | August 17 |
12:15 -1:30 PM | Jerusalem Room
What are Presbyterians? What do we believe? How are we different from other denominations like Baptists or Methodists? Where do we come from and what does it mean to be a Presbyterian in 2017? Though there are many lifelong Presbyterians in our midst, there are also many others (your new associate pastor included) who grew up outside of Presbyterian churches and are still learning about our denomination. And even those who have always been here may still be asking questions or need a refresher about our tradition and denomination.
Please come with your questions as we delve into our rich, complex, and sometimes contentious tradition. Email Richard at
rcoble@gcpcusa.org
for questions.
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"Culture of Sanctuary" Creators
LEND AN EAR
Have you traveled to a place where no one spoke English? How did it feel when you tried to order a meal, find a grocery store, a pharmacy, a bathroom? Did you panic? I know many of our immigrant population experience this lostness and resultant isolation on a day to day basis.
I have always wanted to speak another language and becoming part of our Culture of Sanctuary Creators group at GCPC has motivated me to take a conversational Spanish class with other seekers. Now, learning Spanish is not about another personal pursuit for myself, but about my sacred desire to be truly present for our disenfranchised neighbors, right in our own backyard.
Hasta pronto. Yo quiero estudiar en espanol.
- Robin Gaiser
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The 2nd quarter contribution statements are available for pick up in the Information Center. They will remain in this location until August 13th. Please help us save postage by picking them up! If you have any questions or concerns about your statement, please contact Natalie Weaver, Stewardship & Financial Administrator, at nweaver@gcpcusa.org or 828-254-3274 x. 202.
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Godly Play Training | August 18 & 19 | St. James Episcopal Church | Black Mountain
Godly Play is a Montessori based approach that understands that children have an innate sense of the presence of God. It helps them to explore their faith through story, to gain religious language and to enhance their spiritual experience through wonder and play. This summer, we will be hearing proclamation through a Godly Play story at the
8:30
service on
August 27
. Come and see what it is about! If you would like to be more involved in the program at GCPC, we will be offering a training on
August 18-19
. Interested in attending? Email Heather Gast.
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PART Opportunity: Hood Huggers Driving Tour | Saturday, August 26 | 10:00 AM or 1:00 PM
Join members of the Power and Race Team to learn about systems of inequality throughout Asheville's history with local activist and artist DeWayne Barton. Each tour is 90 minutes. The cost is $20. Please contact Amy Wiesner at 828-335-0543 or email her at amywiesner@charter.net, to reserve your seat on the van.
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PART Book Discussion - March | Sunday, August 27 | 9:15 AM
PART (Power and Race Team) will host a book discussion on
Sunday, August 27 at 9:15 am
on the graphic novel "
March
." The book was written by Congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis and coauthors Andrew Aydin and Nate Powell. It is a memoir of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's. Rep. Lewis hopes to inspire a new generation to take up this work. Many groups and schools in Asheville are reading the book this year as part of a city-wide program. We'll combine discussion of the book with raising money to buy copies of the book for teachers to use in Asheville middle schools. The discussion is open to adults and youth.
Please note the book is a trilogy, and we'll be discussing only Part 1. If you have questions, please email Jean Veilleux at
jeanwrightveilleux@gmail.com
.
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Wednesday Sanctuary Open for Prayer
Each Wednesday from 11:45 AM - 1 PM*, the sanctuary will be open for silent prayer. Some evenings will close with a brief time of centering prayer. *Please note time change.
*Education Hour and Wednesday Bible Study will return in the fall.*
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Time for PRITCHARD PARK | Sunday, August 20
Sign-ups for the next Pritchard Park are in the Narthex this Sunday, August 13. Food donations and volunteers are needed. Questions? Please contact David Bailey at 777-3990 or email him at david.bailey@unitedwayabc.org.
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Room In The Inn | A Special Call for HELP! | August 27 - September 3 | Sign up in the narthex on Sundays
Due to ongoing construction, we are will be hosting the Inn at our wonderful, gracious neighbors, Grace Episcopal Church. We STILL needs lots of help! Remember that the ladies in this program are attempting to find a safe haven for their dinner and overnight sleeping needs. Please stop by the sign up table in the narthex on Sundays to add your name, or sign up online HERE. For more information, you may email Lynne Noble, Geneva Neeriemer, or Beth Philipsen.
Volunteer Opportunity with one of our Mission Partners!
T.H.E. Center for Disordered Eating is planning their second annual fundraising breakfast and is in need of some volunteer help the evening before and morning of the event. The two volunteer opportunities are:
* September 18th | 5:30 - 5:30 PM | To help decorate
* September 19th | 6:30 - 7:15 AM |
To prep the tables/food
If you have an interest in contributing some time to this effort, please email
info@thecenternc.org.
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Habitat for Humanity | Sign up in narthex
In early September, construction begins on Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity's 26th Presbyterian-Methodist house. Grace Covenant will be among the (at least) ten congregations participating. Time slots are available for volunteers in September, October, and November to work alongside folks from other churches, and there are other ways to get involved as well. The professional builders, site supervisors, that lead the work crews are highly skilled, great teachers, and very patient people. Contact Bill Ryan, new member at Grace Covenant and one of GCPC's new Habitat champions, for more information at bill73ryan@gmail.com. This will be a lot of fun and a chance to help alleviate Asheville's affordable housing crisis! Look for the bulletin insert this week and the sign up table in the narthex.
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Two New Opportunities for Support at GCPC
Paul Rogers, a retired acute care physician in our congregation, along with Marcia and Richard, will be forming two support programs in response to our dementia series in May.
- A Support Group for Caregivers and Friends of People with Cognitive Impairment. This group is for those who are in relationship with people in any stage of cognitive impairment, ranging from age related dementia to more severe conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. This group is open to all who give care, from a direct caregiving role to periodic contact from near or far. In this information session, we will learn about the needs and questions of caregivers in our congregation and discuss what type of format the group will take.
Information Session | THIS Sunday, August 13 | 11:30 AM | Marcia’s office Please send questions to Richard at rcoble@gcpcusa.org.
- A Support Group for People with Cognitive Impairment: This is a group for people in the early stages of cognitive impairment, whether this means a diagnosis from your physician or just a personal concern that you are having trouble keeping track of things and would like a place to talk about your experiences and concerns. In this information session, we will learn about the needs and questions of people in our congregation who have or suspect they may soon be experiencing some impairment, and discuss what type of format the group will take.
Information Session | Sunday, August 27 | 11:30 AM | Marcia's office Please send questions to Richard at rcoble@gcpcusa.org.
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J.O.Y. Gathering | Saturday, August 26 | Shindig on the Green | 6:30 PM
Our next J.O.Y. (Just Older Youth) gathering will be Shindig on the Green. We will gather at the grassy area beside Pack Tavern around 6:30. Remember to bring a chair and food if you want to picnic. Please let us know if you plan to attend so we can be looking for you (Geneva Neeriemer or Janeth Brigham). We look forward to an enjoyable evening of local music and fellowship.
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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 a
nd 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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GCPC Youth Welcome Pool Parties!
Come celebrate a new youth group/Sunday School year with some fun under the sun! Youth, parents, teachers and youth group advisors are all encouraged to attend and get to know one another. Bring your bathing suit and a dish to share (see below).
* Middle School Welcome Pool Party | Sunday, August 20 | 5:30 - 8 PM | Rogers' Family Home
Questions? Contact Lizzie Rogers. Sign up to bring a dish HERE!
* Senior High Welcome Pool Party | Wednesday, August 23 | 5:30 - 8 PM | Ungert Family Home
Questions? Contact
Sophia Ungert
. Sign up to bring a dish here!
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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
Linda Parker (Anna Jarvis' sister-in-law)
JoAnne Hewett and family (Allison McLamb's co-worker)
The Dey Family (Esther Colton's friends)
Bob Wilson (Martha & Ray Kisiah’s brother-in-law)
Joe and Beth Poe (Beth Kissling’s brother & sister-in-law)
Betsy Needle (Robin Gaiser’s friend)
Sherry Harcke (Les and Susan Stradley's friend)
David Bartlett (Anna Louise Murchison's friend)
Frank Killian (Fran Killian's son)
Piers Marchant (Donna Robertson's nephew)
JoDell Hawthorne (Donna Robertson's cousin)
Virginia Bradley
Hettie Lou Garland
Dot Holladay
Jerry Bleckley
Teresa Stern
Linda Stirk
Mary Berg
Cindy Egerer
Florence Riedesel
Bill de Groot
Liz Rupp
Gerry Simons
Cory Hartbarger
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Grace Covenant Community Out and About...
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Lunch and Learn Series "African American History in Buncombe County" | August 23, September 27 | 12:00 - 1:30 PM | Stephens Lee Recreation Center (30 George Washington Carver Ave.)
Come learn more about the history of the African American community in
Buncombe County — the challenges, the triumphs and the future of our
community. Hosted by the Buncombe County Community Engagement Team. The lecture series will be held from Noon till 1:30 p.m. on each of the dates listed below. These events are free of charge and open to everyone. To sign up, click HERE.
- August 23 | County Commissioner Al Whitesides on the wage gap and historical wealth disparities in the African American Community.
- September 27 | Dr. Sharon West on access and availability of health care for African Americans in Buncombe County.
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Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church | 828.254.3274
789 Merrimon Ave. Asheville, NC 28804
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