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“We will walk with each other; we will walk hand in hand;
we will walk with each other; we will walk hand in hand,
and together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land:
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love;
yes they’ll know we are Christians by our love.”
~ “We are One in the Spirit,”
Hymn 300
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Sunday Preview
Sunday, May 19, 2019
Fifth Sunday of Easter
Confirmation Sunday
Worship services @ 8:15 & 10:45 AM
Sunday Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast at 9:15 AM
Sermon:
"Leap of Faith" by Samantha Gonzalez-Block
Scriptures:
Psalm 148; John 13:31-35
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GCPC Softball Team - "The Prez-Beez"
Everybody come out and have some fun supporting our WINNING church softball team!
Our amazing Prez Beez play TONIGHT, May 16 at 9:00 pm.
All games are only an hour long and are played at the ball field behind the Montford Recreation Center. For the full Prez-Beez schedule, click
HERE
.
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Sunday Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast | Sunday, May 19 | 9:15 AM | Fellowship Hall
We will be recognizing everyone who taught or volunteered regularly (Sunday School teachers, choir members, sound technicians, nursery volunteers, etc.) at Grace Covenant for the 2018-2019 program year. Everyone is invited, and we will be providing a light breakfast.
Please RSVP at
http://bit.ly/GCPCVolunteer
or call the church office (254-3274) so that we can have a good estimate for the food,
and come out to show your appreciation!
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Calling All Instrumentalists to Make A Joyful Noise!
We need your leadership for the annual outdoor service on June 9
th
. Our initial rehearsal will be THIS Sunday, May 19 immediately following the 10:45am worship service. All woodwinds, strings, and brass players welcome! Please bring your instruments. Contact Jeff at
jjones@gcpcusa.org
if you have any questions.
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Marketplace, AD - VBS: “Love Your Neighbor” | June 24-27 | First Presbyterian - AVL
Marketplace is for children ages 3 years old (by January 1, 2019 AND fully potty trained) through children who will be completing 5th grade.
All forms and payment are online this year at:
http://bit.ly/MarketplaceAD
.
Youth and adult volunteers are also needed. Email
Heather Ferguson
for more information.
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MARKETPLACE SHOP NEEDS:
- old sheets [These will be torn into strips and decorated by the children to be head wraps or prayer shawls]
- new or barely used pillow cases [The children will stamp patterns along the edge of the opening, and these will be given to Steadfast House]
- yarn [For belts and simple embroidery]
If you can contribute any of these items for the Marketplace Bible School, please email Heather Ferguson at
hferguson@gcpcusa.org.
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Summertime Stewardship
Are you traveling over the summer and don't want to get behind on giving? Don't worry, there are ways to give easily remotely, even automatically!
MAIL
gifts to the office at 789 Merrimon Ave, Asheville, NC 28804
BANK BILL PAY
mails checks remotely, one-time or on a recurring schedule – contact your bank to set this up
SMART PHONE
with the
Give+ Mobile App
or by texting
828-266-0126
the amount you’d like to contribute
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Creating Sanctuary Team (CST)
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There will NOT be a Creating Sanctuary Team meeting during the month of May. We look forward to reconvening in June.
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El Centro bus used for camp
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During their spring break from school, Latino children of Henderson County enjoyed a free Spring Break Camp sponsored by GCPC ministry partner El Centro, whose executive director is Sergio Fernandez, who is also a member of GCPC. Sergio says, “We focused on lessons in English and Spanish but also offered art, games, and visits to the Hendersonville Aquarium, Hands-On Museum, mineral and rock museum, train museum, and Conserving Carolina natural areas.” Similar camp activities will be available in the summer as well. To learn more about how you can support the work of El Centro, you may contact Sergio at
elcentro.lac@gmail.com.
~ Contributed by Tish Anderson
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Power and Race Team (PART)
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Digging Deeper - Native American History | Getting to know our Cherokee Indian neighbors
(These events are family-friendly)
REGISTRATION OPEN NOW!!
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Museum of the Cherokee Indian | Saturday, June 8 | | 12–7 PM | Cherokee, NC
An afternoon in the Cherokee Museum, picnic on the grounds and an evening of Cherokee storytelling around a bonfire. You can access the registration form at
http://bit.ly/CherokeeMuseum
or there are some hard copies available at the Welcome Desk.
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SAVE THESE DATES:
(Registration forms coming soon!)
Monday, July 8 | “Unto These Hills” Outdoor Drama | 4–10 PM
An afternoon picnic on the grounds before the play in Cherokee, NC.
Saturday, August 10 | Oconaluftee Indian Village | 12-7 PM
An afternoon in the Oconaluftee Village, picnic on the grounds and an evening of Cherokee storytelling around a bonfire.
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Earth Team Meeting | Wednesday, May 5 | 5:30 PM | Jerusalem Rm
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GCPC Earth Team Hike to Douglas Falls | Tuesday, May 21 | 8:30 AM | Meet at GCPC to carpool
We will meet at GCPC at 8:30am and carpool to the trailhead. The hike will be to Douglas Falls, which is in the Big Ivy area near Barnardsville. It is a moderate hike and we will go about 5 or 6 miles. We will return to GCPC about 2:30 or 3:00. Please text Les Stradley at (828) 329-3332 to sign up!
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Education Hour (for all ages) will resume on September 15th!
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*Nursery care is available throughout Sunday morning beginning at 8:10 am.
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OTHER EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES...
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Summer Bible Study – The Gospel of Mark | Wednesdays in June and July | 11:00 – 11:45 AM | Garden Room
"How could such a painful story of fear, betrayal, sufferings and death also be the 'good news of Jesus Christ' (1:1)" asks one commentator of the Gospel of Mark. Come join us as we seek to answer this question through a deep reading of Mark, the oldest canonical Gospel in the New Testament. Together, we will examine what Mark believed about Jesus, how he understood this "Good News" for the world, and what this book means for our lives today. Come to every meeting or stop by when you can. Contact Richard,
rcoble@gcpcusa.org
, for more details.
*Our regular lectionary Bible Study will resume in the fall.
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Ministry Partner News and Events...
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Asheville Habitat for Humanity
Did you know that Asheville Habitat has a Home Repair Program for qualifying applicants?
This program enables local low-income residents to live more comfortably and more safely in their own homes. Services include heating/cooling system repair and replacement, roof repair/replacement, various interior and exterior repairs, modifications for accessibility, and more. If you have questions or need additional information about applying, please call 828-251-5702.
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Hood Huggers International Fundraiser! Click
here for full newsletter.
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Men @ GCPC | *Thursday, May 23 | 8:00 AM | HomeGrown (371 Merrimon Ave.)
Join us for fellowship and discussion of
Ta-Nehisi Coates's
Atlantic
article "Letter to My Son" found at this
LINK
.
Contact Richard,
rcoble@gcpcusa.org
with questions.
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GCPC 20s/30s "Tacos and Bibles" | Thursday, May 23 | 6:00-7:30 PM | White Duck Taco (
388 Riverside Dr.
)
Do you have a favorite passage? How about one that confuses you? Or one that challenges you? If you are in your twenties or thirties, bring a Bible passage to discuss and a belly ready to be filled with some delicious tacos on us!
RSVP HERE
!
*Childcare available upon request; contact Heather,
hferguson@gcpcusa.org
, by MONDAY, MAY 20th!
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Annual Blood Drive | Sunday, June 2 | 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Registration for the June 2 GCPC Blood Drive is underway in the Narthex. Questions? Please contact Marilyn Schmidt at
bigjewelry@bellsouth.net
or 694-0869.
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New Summer Worship Times!
Service times will be 8:15am and 10:15am.
The summer schedule will begin Sunday, June 2 and end on Labor Day weekend in September.
(No Education Hour during summer)
Summer Choir will also begin on June 2 at 9:15am!
Anyone who wants to give singing a try is encouraged to show up on Sunday mornings at 9:15am in the sanctuary. We will spend about 40 minutes learning music for that day and then lead worship at the 10:15am service. It's fun, low-pressure and minimal commitment. . . come try it once or sing all summer!
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GCPC Hosts the Presbytery Meeting!
GCPC will be hosting our bi-annual Presbytery of Western North Carolina meeting on October 26, 2019. We are expecting between 180-220 people in attendance. If you would be willing to help, please click the link below and tell us how you would like to be involved.
RSVP to Volunteer
Thanks!
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Mission Statement ReWrite
The Session would like to hear from you as we rewrite the Mission Statement. We will use your feedback to tickle Session's imagination. There will be a wall display in the narthex for the next few Sundays where you can chime in with your thoughts. Or if you prefer, share your thoughts on this
online form
.
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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 10:45 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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Final Sunday School ~ Teacher & Volunteer Breakfast Celebration! | THIS Sunday, May 19 | 9:15-10:15 AM | Fellowship Hall
Let's celebrate the end of the Sunday School and Youth Group year with a breakfast to honor the amazing GCPC teachers, youth group advisors and other volunteers. Come enjoy good food and great people!
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Confirmation Sunday! | THIS Sunday, May 19 | 10:45 worship and after church | Sanctuary & Courtyard
Three cheers for our incredible Confirmation Class 2019! Let's celebrate our Confirmands' hard work this semester during worship and enjoy some delicious treats in the courtyard afterwards. We would love your help serving treats and appreciate you supporting your peers on their faith journeys.
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Final Youth Group Hike! | Sunday, May 19 | 2- 5 PM | Meet/pick up in GCPC courtyard
There's no better way to end a year of "being the change" than enjoying the great outdoors together. Please eat lunch beforehand and bring a small backpack with a snack and water. On the hike, we will celebrate our 8th & 12th grade graduates and celebrate an unforgettable year together.
For carpooling purposes, RSVP HERE ASAP
.
We will also need a few more parent drivers/chaperones.
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GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL IN JUNE?
SENIOR HIGH GRADUATION SUNDAY!!!!
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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.]
Iglesia Jerusalem congregation
Sherry Harcke (Les Stradley's friend)
Pat Cocke (Les Stradley’s friend)
Deborah Strong (Robin Gaiser's cousin)
Nancy and Richard Schaadt (Donna Robertson's sister and brother-in-law)
Louise Seitz (Janet Schifflin's friend)
Jeffrey Ferris (Mary Lou Nash's son)
June Collins (Carolyn Tingle’s mother)
Robin Smith (Beth Robrecht's sister)
James Martin (Stacy Shelley's dad)
Rebecca Wells' brother, Jamey
Natalie C.
Sandra Rummel & Family (friends of the Kavalhunas)
Jennifer Moore (Amanda Pressley's daughter)
Dorothy Zuck (Pat Durham's mother)
Richard Stump (Marcia Mount Shoop's friend)
West Asheville Presbyterian Church
Hettie Lou Garland
Dot Holladay
Betty Smith
Margaret Rada
Bob Higgins
James Harwell
Joyce Summerlin
Cory Hartbarger
Mary Ellen Horne
Marty Dean
Sherrie McCleary-Small
Our sympathy and support are extended to Debby Vance and family following the death of her father, Tom Hughes, on May 14 and to Jim Veilleux and family following the death of his father, Lucien Veilleux on May 5. Please keep these families in your prayers.
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Grace Covenant Community Out and About...
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May Enneagram Gatherings
Join us for May weekday enneagram gatherings,
Mondays, 6-8pm, and Fridays, 10am-12noon.
Upcoming gatherings are tomorrow, Friday, May 17th, 10am and Monday, May 20th, 6pm.
We will utilize enneagram wisdom on how to move from the reactivity of our personality structure to the receptivity of our essential self on four topics: guilt, power, broken relationship and letting go.
You can come once or to all.
See attached
flyer
for details.
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American Friends of Combatants for Peace present:
Programming from the Heart of Israeli & Palestinian Peacemakers
Disturbing the Peace
(film and discussion)
| Wednesday, May 22 | 7-9:30 pm
Congregation Beth Israel, 229 Murdock Ave., Asheville
Co-sponsored by Congregations Beth Israel and Beth HaTephila
Two Sided Story
(film and discussion)
| Thursday, May 30 | 7-9:30 pm
Congregation Beth HaTephila, 43 N. Liberty St., Asheville
Co-sponsored by Congregations Beth HaTephila and Beth Israel
These films and events document heroic Israeli and Palestinian activists who cross political and personal boundaries in order to transform violence and hatred into peace, justice, and equality. Free and open to the public.
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The Liberating Theologies conference, presented by The Freedom Center for Social Justice, is a one-day experience exploring varying theologies with an emphasis on liberation and inclusion for the oppressed and marginalized. This year honoring Rev. Dr. Katie G. Cannon. SPEAKERS: Rev. Dr. Keri Day on
The Future of Theology, Rev. Dr. Pamela Lightsey on
Womanist Queer Theology and Dr. John Boopalan on
Dismantling Oppressive Theologies.
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"Milestones and Living Stones - An Evening with Archbishop Emeritus Elias Chacour" | Wednesday, May 29 | 7:00 PM | Upper Anderson, Montreat
An invitation from former PCUSA Moderator Heath Rada and the Pilgrims of Ibillin.
A three-time Nobel Peace Prize Nominee, Chacour was born to a Palestinian Christian family in the village of Biram in Upper Galilee, and, along with his whole village, experienced the tragedy of eviction by Israeli authorities in 1948. He was ordained and appointed as priest of St. George Melkite Catholic Church in Ibillin, and fulfilled his vision of bringing children, youth and adults of different faith traditions to live and work together in peace.
He is the author of
Blood Brothers
and
We Belong to the Land
, both making the bestseller lists around the world. Learn more about Elias Chacour
HERE
.
In order to be assured of seating, you are asked to make a reservation. You may sign up online by following the prompts at this link:
https://bit.ly/2Jbi35p
(you will receive an e-ticket upon making your reservation) or contact Lynn Jostes at 202.445.9975. The event is free and open to the public, so please invite a friend!
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Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church | 828.254.3274
789 Merrimon Ave. Asheville, NC 28804
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