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The greatness of a community is most accurately measured
by the compassionate actions of its members.
~ Coretta Scott King
Sunday Preview
Sunday, September 30, 2018
Worship services @ 8:15 & 10:45 AM
Education Hour (for all ages) at 9:15 AM
Sermon:
"Trust Fall" by Samantha Gonzalez-Block
Scriptures:
Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29; James 5:13-20
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Sung Evening Prayer | This Sunday, September 30 | 6:00 PM | Sanctuary
Please join us as our Cherub and Treble Choirs
lead us in this brief contemplative service of scripture, prayer, and traditional evening hymns.
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Announcing:
2nd Wednesday Dinners!
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Fellowship Dinner | Wednesday, October 10 | 6:00 PM | GCPC Fellowship Hall
Many of you have been asking for more opportunities for fellowship. We are excited to announce 2
nd
Wednesday (of the month) Dinners! Take a break from cooking and make some space for connecting with your church community.
The meal will be catered and these events are intergenerational. (No childcare). RSVP to
Sherrie
by 12:00 pm on the Monday before so we can have a rough estimate. But, if you forget to RSVP we hope you'll still come
!
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FAITH FORWARD 2018 PLEDGES UPDATE
and GCPC's 2019 CHALLENGE
As we move into the 2019 pledge drive this weekend, there is good news and a challenge to share with the GCPC community.
- YTD 2018 pledges: 202
- YTD total 2018 pledged dollars: $832,843.40
- YTD pledge income update: As of the end of July 2018, our pledge income was under budget by $51,329. At that time, we had 199 pledges for a total of $768,813.40 pledged dollars which left us under our goal by $71,186.60. During the August Session meeting, Marcia challenged Session to take a leadership role in raising our pledges for 2018. A sub-committee was formed and it challenged the Session to very quickly lead the charge with 100% participation from Session members for a total of $64,030 in new dollars pledged. Session's leadership in meeting the financial needs of this vital and growing congregation takes us into the 2019 Stewardship Pledge Campaign with a clear challenge--we all must stretch and prayerfully consider increasing our pledges to be what and who God is calling this church to be. Session is leading the way. In addition to their additional 2018 pledges, they have pledged to increase their 2019 pledges as well.
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Creating Sanctuary Team (CST)
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Enjoy an extraordinary day on Wednesday, October 17th! Experience the blessing of giving generously and hear the moving stories shared by Pisgah Legal Services staffers as you join the Souper Wednesday Team. We need volunteers to sign on for the Bread-and-Treats Crew plus a host to assist with serving and clean-up.
*We are also looking for “blessings” (aka volunteers) for the next Souper Wednesday on November 14th.
Through this ministry of serving a simple lunch of soup and side items, GCPC is supporting those who support others in need. To volunteer and to learn more, contact Nancy Gaskin at
nancy.gaskin@gmail.com or Glenda Burgin at
glendasb2@gmail.com.
Thanks to all who blessed the monthly Souper Wednesday last week. Again, the staff was appreciative. “We always look forward to the third Wednesday,” a staffer said. “We are so grateful for this break from routine. Thank you for being here.”
~ Contributed by Tish Anderson
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Earth Team Meeting | Wednesday, Oct. 3 | 5:30 PM | Jerusalem Rm
Earth Team is looking for you! If you care about the earth and conservation and critters and such, we welcome you to join our small cadre of proud and true tree huggers! We meet the first Wednesday of every month at 5:30 PM in the Jerusalem room. For October, that is this coming Wednesday. Hope to see you there!
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Toddlers (ages 2-3) | “God Loves Me”
| 9:15 – 10:15 AM | Toddler Room (downstairs, Children’s Center)
Preschool/Kindergarten (ages 4-5) | Godly Play
| 9:15 –10:15 AM | Preschool Sunday School Room (downstairs, Children’s Center)
Elementary (grades 1-3) | Godly Play
| 9:15–10:15 AM | Temple Room (Education wing, upstairs)
Elementary (grades 4-5) | “CONNECT”
| 9:15–10:15 AM | Indie Room (Education wing, upstairs)
Middle School (grades 6-8)
| 9:15-10:15 AM | Middle School Classroom, (Education wing, upstairs)
Senior Highs (grades 9-12)
| 9:15-10:15 AM | Fellowship Hall, (downstairs)
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OTHER GROW OPPORTUNITIES...
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The Spirituality of Parenting | Sundays | 5:00 – 6:00 PM | October 14 - November 4 | Fellowship Hall
Can the every day mundane practices of parenting actually be spiritual practices? Do our lives with children bring us opportunities to practice our faith in new ways? In this class we will explore how parenting (across generations and within communities) helps us learn about ourselves, our humanity, and our Creator. We will also investigate ways to infuse our lives with new practices that enhance our capacity to notice and honor the sacred trust of caring for and living with children. We invite all congregants, of all seasons of life, to come and share your experiences.
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Bible Study | Wednesdays | 11:00 AM | Garden Rm
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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VRQ—BBQ Cook Team | Next cook date: October 2nd | 4:45 or 5:45 PM | VRQ (
1329 Tunnel Rd
)
On the First Tuesday of each month, a team of folks gather at the Veterans Restoration Quarters to grill hamburgers and prepare supper for more than 200 US Armed Forces Veterans living in transitional housing at the VRQ— an ABCCM Ministry. Team volunteers begin to gather at 4:45 to prepare the meal and fire up the grills; to help serve the meal come at 5:45. The evening meal is served at 6 and the team joins with the veterans at their table for supper. Commitments can be for one Tuesday or more.
Harry Summerlin serves as the meal shopper earlier in the day. When the volunteers arrive they begin grilling, chopping onions, cooking beans, preparing cole slaw, and assembling hamburgers or working on the serving line. Those who arrive early can self-select their favorite work. Our GCPC team is joined by Black Mountain First Baptist Church folks each month. Questions? Contact Bill Neeriemer at
bill.nmer@gmail.com
.
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Room In The Inn (RITI) | October 28 – November 4 | GCPC
RITI returns to Grace Covenant at the end of October! There are only 4 Sundays to sign-up before their arrival. The sooner we fill the slots, the better prepared we are to host the women. There are so many ways to help with this important ministry. Please sign up in the narthex or online
HERE
.
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Click
HERE
for a link to the 2017-2018 GCPC Ministry Partners brochure.
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GCPC 20s/30s Gathering: "Well Played Board Game Café" | Monday, October 8 | 7:00 PM |
58 Wall St.
Let the games begin! If you are in your twenties or thirties, you are invited to come connect with great people! Meet downtown at Well Played Café. GCPC will cover the $5 game fee and there is food for purchase. *
Childcare available at GCPC upon request (contact Heather
hferguson@gcpcusa.org
by Oct. 1).
Questions? Contact
Samantha
.
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Support Group for Cognitive Impairment | Wednesday, October 3 | 12:00 PM | Garden Room
This support group introduces techniques for daily living with such issues, led by Paul Rogers, a retired physician in our congregation.
We welcome new participants at any time.
Contact
Richard
with questions.
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PW October Circle Meetings
#1 |
Tuesday, October 2 | 10:00 AM | Lisette de Groot | GCPC Fellowship Hall | Study Leader: Peggy Rada
#2 |
Tuesday, October 2 | 7:30 PM | Barbara McLean | 2 Woodbury Rd. | Study Leader: Rebecca Harrison
#3
| Thursday, October 11 | 7:00 PM | TBA
#4 |
Thursday, October 4 | 7:00 PM | Susie Bleckley | 140 Skyview Circle | Study Leader: Mary Lou Nash
#5
| Monday, October 1 | 10:00 AM | Margaret Kennedy & Lynne Noble | Baptist Home | Study Leader: Susie Churchfield
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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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Youth group THIS WEEKEND (RSVP TODAY!):
Presbytery Youth Rally in Montreat! | THIS Sunday, September 30th | *2:00 - 6:30PM | (Meet/pick up at GCPC parking lot or meet there)
This is a highlight each year! We will gather with youth from across our presbytery and engage in fun activities together (co-led by GCPC's own PYC youth). There is no cost or meal, so we encourage youth to eat lunch beforehand.
If you meet us at Montreat, arrive to Upper Anderson at 2:45pm & pick up there at 6pm.
***
RSVP HERE
TODAY so we can assess carpool needs. Parents, we are looking for drivers.
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Deadline extended for next week's youth group event!
Last day to RSVP:
AYM/Creation Care Mission Earth Day | Sunday, October 7th | 12:00 - 6:30 PM | Meet/pick up at GCPC parking lot
Asheville Youth Mission & Creation Care Alliance are hosting a youth service day focused on faith and the environment. We will do meaningful service outside and meet youth from across the area. GCPC will cover the majority of the cost for its participants. Please bring $5 (check to GCPC or cash) to offset the cost of lunch and programming.
REGISTER HERE
TODAY!
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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 Stradley's friend)
Pat Cocke (Les Stradley’s friend)
Glenn Russell (Robin Gaiser's brother)
Francis Miller (Nancy Miller's son)
Steve and Joanna Bowman (Mike Fleenor's brother-in-law and sister)
Nancy and Richard Schaadt (Donna Robertson's sister and brother-in-law)
Dagmar Peguero-Olinger (Mary Craig's friend)
Shaketia Simpson and children (Habitat Partner family)
Jon Breen (Daniel Breen's uncle)
Pam Morrell (Penny Ponder's daughter)
Buster Fipps (Amber White's stepfather)
Hettie Lou Garland
Dot Holladay
Teresa Stern
Betty Smith
Madge Francis
Margaret Rada
Steve Dykes
Amanda Pressley
Our sympathy and support are extended to Frank Ungert and family following the death of his father. Please keep them in your prayers.
A memorial service for Sara Dixon will be held on Saturday, September 29th at 2:00 pm in the Pulliam Chapel of Givens Estates, 2360 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville, NC. Please continue to remember this family in your prayers.
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Grace Covenant Community Out and About...
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Enneagram learning opportunities with
Carol Hovis!
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- Saturday, September 29th, 10am-4:00pm: A workshop to address relationship issues as pertaining to all 9 ennea-types. Relevant relationships include partners, spouses, children, parents, siblings & co-workers. We will use the panel method to learn from each other. See attached flyer.
There's still room for Saturday, Sept. 29th!
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- Regular weekly enneagram gatherings on each of the 9 types, will occur Monday evenings and Friday mornings in the A-Frame Room (beginning Monday, October 1st from 6-8 PM), facilitated by Carol Hovis. For more information, including cost and content, email Carol, cmhovis@gmail.com. All are welcome.
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Salsa Dancing & Lesson (to support Hurricane Florence disaster relief) | Monday, October 1 | 7:00 - 8:30 PM | Habitat Tavern and Commons (
174 Broadway
)
Come dance for a good cause! Come enjoy an evening of beginner Salsa lessons, led by Samantha Gonzalez-Block and open dancing for all ages and levels. Any donations collected this month will go towards Hurricane Florence disaster relief. All are welcome to come socialize and enjoy. See you there!
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An Evening with Kate Bowler | Saturday, November 3 | 7 PM | First Presbyterian Church
Kate Bowler, author of
Everything Happens for a Reason (and other lies I’ve loved)
will speak at First Presbyterian Church, Asheville.
Diagnosed with stage IV cancer at the age of 35, Kate writes powerfully about the transformation she has experienced in the face of tragedy. As a young mother living with cancer and a historian of American religion, Bowler frankly address the uniquely American concept that tragedy is a test of character, and looks at the different ways that people try to rationalize suffering and catastrophe, for better or worse.
Dr. Bowler will speak in the Sanctuary from 7-8 pm and allow time for questions. Signed copies of her memoir will be available for purchase. Tickets are $10 in advance and selling fast!
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"Exploring Our Privilege" Book Club | October 11, October 25, November 15, November 29 | 5:45 - 7:30 PM
Join us for a book study of
White Kids - Growing Up with Privilege in a Racially Divided America
led by Dr. Megan Underhill, UNC Asheville Assistant Professor of Sociology. These workshops are for parents and adult family members of students in the Asheville City Schools.
We will:
- discuss ways in which white families unknowingly perpetuate racial inequities.
- learn how to develop skills to talk with other parents about issues of race/privilege.
- develop ideas for how white parents could show up differently.
Dinner and childcare are included. Copies of the book are loaned to participants.
Registration is required and space is limited. Please
CLICK HERE
to register.
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Better Angels Conference | October 8-11 | Montreat, NC
This conference will examine the biblical, theological, and sociological understandings of power and the church’s relationship to it. When do we build power for the gospel, and when do we resist the powers that oppose it? How is power necessary for congregational leadership, and when does it divide? How do we wield power in the church in unifying ways without diminishing Jesus’ radical call to discipleship? Click
HERE
for more info and to register.
*Mention that you are from GCPC and you will get a $25 discount.
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AwakeningSoul Presents "Justice is the Body of Love ~ Love is the Soul of Justice" | November 8-11 | Lutheridge Conference Center
AwakeningSoul is an uplifting, four-day event held annually. Come for sanctuary, sustenance and inspiration. This year's presenters include: Ed Bacon, Heidi Kim, Larry Maze, Catherine Meeks and Brian Prior. Click
HERE
for full information including registration and cost.
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Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church | 828.254.3274
789 Merrimon Ave. Asheville, NC 28804
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