CLICK
"
View entire message"
at bottom of email
to see the FULL newsletter
|
|
“There is more beauty than our eyes can bear,
precious things have been put into our hands
and to do nothing to honor them is to do great harm.”
~ Marilynne Robinson
, Gilead
|
|
Sunday Preview
Sunday, April 21, 2019
Easter
Sacrament of the Lord's Supper
Worship services @ 8:15 & 10:45 AM
Education Hour (for all ages) at 9:15 AM
Sermon:
"It Seemed to Them an Idle Tale"
by Marcia Mount Shoop, Richard Coble & Samantha Gonzalez-Block
Scriptures:
Isaiah 65:17-25; Luke 24:1-12
|
|
Holy Week Schedule
(No "Art as Prayer" this week)
TONIGHT, April 18, 2019 | 6:00 PM
Maundy Thursday
A soup dinner prepared by Green Opportunities (a donation basket will be available to offset the cost of the meal),
program and Communion in the GCPC Fellowship Hall
(Family-friendly)
Friday, April 19, 2019 | 7:00 PM
Good Friday -
Tenebrae Service
(Childcare provided)
Sunday, April 21, 2019 | 8:15 & 10:45 AM
Easter
Two identical worship services in the Sanctuary
***NO Education Hour***
|
|
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
.
|
|
A called meeting of the congregation is scheduled for Sunday April 28 immediately following the 10:45am worship service
for the purpose of approving a $50,000 loan from the Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program (PILP) for a solar panel system.
|
|
Special Offerings in April
During April GCPC has several opportunities to support important work going on in our community and in our world.
|
|
Our ministry partner CIMA, has asked that we help replenish their Sanctuary Fund. This Fund assists families who have loved ones detained in last years ICE Raids. CIMA and other groups in the Latinx community are anticipating more raids in our area during April (last year’s raids were in April as well). With this fund they help families with loss of income from a detained family member as well as costs of legal assistance for families.
To contribute to this special offering,
please include the word
"CIMA" in the memo line
of your
check made out to GCPC
or on your cash envelope.
You can put it in the offering plate or bring in to the office. The
funds will be collected in our Finance Office and passed along at the end of April to the CIMA Sanctuary Fund.
You can also give directly to CIMA online
HERE - "
Donate to the Sanctuary Fund
."
Information about the Presbyterian Women's Birthday Offering can be found below in GCPC Community section.
|
|
REGISTER NOW: Sunday, April 28th
Rev. Jimmie Ray Hawkins, who serves as the Director of the Presbyterian Church (USA) Office of Public Witness in Washington DC, will be visiting with us at GCPC.
- 8:15 & 10:45 AM Worship Services: Rev. Jimmie Hawkins preaching
- 9:15 AM education class: "Presbyterians & Advocacy: From Abolition to the Poor People's Campaign"
- 5:30 PM - Simple Dinner & 6:15 PM - Workshop "Jesus' Call to be a Matthew 25 Church"
Matthew 25 announces a clear link between following Jesus and the work of justice, hospitality and advocacy. We will examine how Christian denominations and congregations are adopting Matthew 25 as an intimate element in their mission to proclaim the good news of the gospel.
RSVP required to Anna Louise,
almurchison@gcpcusa.org
, by Monday, April 22.
Cost: $5. Limited to 60 participants.
Click
HERE for Rev. Hawkins full bio.
|
|
Welcome Desk Volunteer Needed!
We are looking for a volunteer for Wednesday mornings from 9 am until 12 noon. This is a low-stress position that involves greeting visitors, signing for packages and answering the phone. Please email
Sherrie if interested.
|
|
1st QUARTER CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS AVAILABLE NOW
|
|
If you gave tax deductible gifts during the 1
st Quarter (January – March),
your contribution statement is available for pick up at the Welcome Desk until 4/28/19.
Help us save on postage by picking yours up on Sunday!
Please check the gift listing for accuracy and refer to the Fund Summary at the bottom for your pledge balance. Keep in mind, this statement only includes gifts made
1/1/19 – 3/31/19; any gifts made in April will be reflected on the 2
nd Quarter statement issued in July.
If you gave non-deductible gifts like an IRA required minimum distribution or through a donor advised fund, you can contact the Finance Office for a custom statement showing your non-deductible gifts and pledge balance.
|
|
A FEW TIPS FOR UNDERSTANDING YOUR FUND SUMMARY:
|
|
·
Total YTD= Total giving YTD (through 3/31/19)
·
Total Pledge= Annual pledge
·
Pledge Gifts This Period= Gifts 1/1/19 – 3/31/19
·
Pledge Gifts Prior Period= Gifts made before 1/1/19
·
Pledge Balance= Remaining balance on pledge, due by 12/31/19
If you have questions or concerns about your statement, please contact Natalie Weaver, Stewardship & Financial Administrator, at
nweaver@gcpcusa.org or 828-254-3274, ext. 202.
|
|
WEEKLY VS. MONTHLY ENVELOPES
We are working with our envelope provider to see about adding an option of monthly pre-printed envelopes, since many of you give once a month instead of weekly. Before making any changes, we want to hear from you! Please email
giving@gcpcusa.org
if you would be interested in monthly envelopes or fill out
this short survey online
.
|
|
Creating Sanctuary Team (CST)
|
|
The mission of the Latino Advocacy Coalition of Henderson County is “to
cultivate the dawn of a new day by enriching relationships, empowering people
and promoting a just community for all.” Through LAC’s grassroots organization and GCPC ministry partner, El Centro, the challenges facing the Latino communities of WNC are being addressed by the development of grassroots leaders who work to open access to community resources. Directed by Sergio Fernandez (who is also a member of GCPC), El Centro seeks to meet the basic needs of people in the Latinx community in order to help them begin to build the self-sufficiency required to improve their economic situation, realize educational
goals, and become civically active in the community. To learn more about El
~ Contributed by Tish Anderson
|
|
Be sure to check page 22 for a thanks to Grace Covenant soup teams!
|
|
|
Power and Race Team (PART)
|
|
The Racial Justice Book Series | Thursday, May 9 | 12:15 PM | Jerusalem Room
|
|
For May,
we are reading
We Were Eight Years in Power
by
Ta-Nehisi Coates.
“Biting cultural and political analysis from the award-winning journalist . . . [Coates] reflects on race, Barack Obama’s presidency and its jarring aftermath. . . He contextualizes each piece with candid personal revelations, making the volume a melding of memoir and critique. . . Emotionally charged, deftly crafted, and urgently relevant.” (Kirkus Reviews)
|
|
PART
Meeting - "The Cherokee Experience" | Thursday, May 9 | 7:00 PM | Fellowship Hall
Join us for a narrative and interactive conversation with Dr. Barbara Duncan, past Director of the Museum of Cherokee Indians and UNCA Adjunct Professor of Cherokee Language. She will go over Cherokee history, past and recent.
|
|
Part of what
PART
does is to inform Grace Covenant about
racial equity work going on in the larger community.
The following are some events that PART recommends.
|
|
Public Lecture by Bryan Stevenson, Founder and Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative | Thursday, April 25 | 7-9 PM |
UNC Asheville’s Kimmel Arena
Bryan Stevenson, the attorney, activist and best-selling author who
led the team that created the first national memorial to victims of lynching,
will speak at UNC Asheville’s Kimmel Arena. Doors will open at 6 p.m. Seating at this
free, unticketed event is first-come, first served.
Kimmel Arena’s “Clear Bag Policy” will be in effect; please do not bring backpacks.
Parking is limited at UNC Asheville; please consider using public transportation.
|
|
Building Bridges Anniversary - 25 Years in Pursuit of Social Justice | Saturday, May 4 | 8:30 AM |
Highsmith Student Union @ UNCA
For over 25 years, Building Bridges has profoundly impacted people and institutions throughout Western North Carolina. To date, more than 1500 participants have attended the program. Building Bridges of Asheville continues to dismantle racism by fostering relationships that respect diversity, seek understanding and encourage action.
Keynote speakers are: Dr. Jacqueline Battalora, author of
Birth of a White Nation: The Invention of White People and Its Relevance Today;
and Dwight Mullen, Founder of State of Black Asheville and Retired political science professor, UNCA.
Click HERE for more info and to buy tickets.
|
|
GCPC Hike to Looking Glass Rock | Tuesday, April 23 | Meet at GCPC @ 8:30 AM or at J&S Cafeteria (across from airport) @ 9:00 AM
As part of the GCPC Earth Team program, Les Stradley will be leading a hike to Looking Glass Rock.
Hike Description:
Trailhead is on Davidson River Road, 5.55 miles north of junction US 276, US 64, and NC 280. We will climb 3.1 miles, elevation gain of 1700 feet, to the summit. We will have lunch at the edge of a cliff with breathtaking views of the Pink Beds, Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Pisgah Ledge. Round trip hiking is 6.2 miles and rated moderate/strenuous.
Tips:
Wear sturdy boots or hiking shoes, bring 2 bottles of water, a good lunch, sunscreen, hat. Dogs must be on a leash.
Sign up
: Text or call Les Stradley at (828) 329-3332. Let me know where you plan to meet.
*Hike will be limited to first 12 to sign up.
|
|
"Connecting Your Community to the Circular Economy"
- An Evening with Crystal Dreisbach | Friday, April 26 | 7 - 8PM | GCPC Fellowship Hall
Join the Earth Team and Asheville Greenworks for a special evening with Crystal Dreisbach, innovator and revolutionary founder of Don't Waste Durham and Green To Go, as part of GreenWorks' kickoff to our Mind Your Plastic May plastic reduction campaign
.
Click HERE to buy tickets.
Crystal will also be our keynote speaker for GreenWorks' very special fundraising event
Awards & Trashion Show
the following evening (April 27 @ 6-9PM).
Crystal will discuss how headlines about an ill-fated global recycling industry, our dwindling landfill space, and oceans full of microplastics are finally jolting us into awareness: our society is stone-cold addicted to disposable plastics. Discussing and taking action toward a circular reuse economy has never been more timely or relevant. See more about Crystal's
story here
!
|
|
God Gave Us Love
by Lisa Tawn Bergeron
(Ages four to eight)
When Little Cub and Grandpa’s fishing trip is interrupted by mischievous otters, the young polar bear asks why we must love others, even the seemingly unlovable. Grandpa Bear gives tender explanations about the different kinds of love that is shared between families, friends, and mamas and papas. “Any time we love, Little Cub, we’re sharing a bit of his love.” The gentle explanations in this sweet story provide a valuable opportunity to encourage children to share a “God-sized love.”
|
|
Please take a moment to fill out the
|
|
*NO Education Hour this Sunday.
|
|
Adult Education Speaker Series
| April 28, May 5 & 12 | 9:15 AM | FH
April 28:
"Presbyterians & Advocacy: From Abolition to the Poor People's Campaign" with Rev. Jimmie Hawkins
May 5:
Panel on Housing and Homelessness in Asheville with representatives from BeLoved House, AHOPE, and Habitat for Humanity.
May 12:
Discussion about Reproductive Justice with Dr. Rebecca Todd Peters, professor of ethics at Elon University and author of
Trust Women: A Progressive Christian Account for Reproductive Justice
|
|
CHILDREN & YOUTH EDUCATION | 9:15 AM
Toddlers (ages 2-3) | "God Loves Me" |
Toddler Sunday School Room (downstairs, Children's Center)
Preschool/Kindergarten (ages 4-5) | Godly Play |
Preschool Sunday School Room (downstairs, Children's Center)
Elementary (grades 1-3) | Godly Play |
Temple Room (upstairs, Education Wing)
Elementary (grades 4-5) | "CONNECT" |
Indie Room (upstairs, Education Wing)
Middle School (grades 6-8) | "Collaborate" Curriculum |
Middle School Room (upstairs, Education Wing)
Senior Highs (grades 9-12) | "Wired Word" Curriculum |
A-Frame (upstairs)
Confirmation Class |
Senior High Room (upstairs, Education Wing)
*Nursery care is available throughout Sunday morning beginning at 8:10 am.
|
|
OTHER EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES...
|
|
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.
|
|
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!
|
|
Ministry Partner News and Events...
|
|
Community Response to Opioid Use Disorder and Overdose | Tuesday, April 23 | 11 AM - 1:30 PM | Trinity United Methodist Church (
587 Haywood Rd.
)
Buncombe County Health and Human Services CARE Team presents an interfaith seminar on this rising concern in our community, in partnership with Trinity United Methodist Church. Two of our Ministry Partners, Steady Collective and BeLoved, helped in organizing this event. Click
HERE
to register.
|
|
Immigration Lunch and Learn | Thursday, April 25 | 12:00-1:15 PM |GCPC Fellowship Hall
Join us for an Immigration Lunch and Learn sponsored by Pisgah Legal. These events are free, but please register so we can have an accurate headcount.
REGISTER HERE
. We are proud to present this event in partnership with the YWCA's
Stand Against Racism
.
*Lunch will be provided. Donations accepted.
|
|
Passages: A Journey Through Place and Space | May 10 - July 8 | Red House Studios and Gallery (301 W. State St., Black Mountain)
Swannanoa Valley Fine Arts League in Black Mountain in partnership with Homeward Bound is sponsoring the "Passages" exhibit . Twenty percent of sales will go to help end chronic homelessness through Homeward Bound.
Opening Reception | Friday, May 10 | 5-7 PM | Red House Studios & Gallery
|
|
Creation Care Alliance and First Baptist Church present a
4-part series to examine climate change.
|
|
Practicing Shalom in Our Time of Climate Change | Wednesdays, April 24 - May 15 | 6-7 PM | Crouch Chapel, First Baptist Church
- April 24 - "Living in this time of Climate Change" Deke Arndt, Chief, Monitoring Branch, National Center for Environmental Information, NOAA
- May 1 - "Practicing Shalom in Climate Change" Rev. Nancy Sehested, Co-pastor, Circle of Mercy Congregation
- May 8 - "Asheville Responds" A panel of local leaders: Sophie Mullinax, Blue Horizons Project, Coordinator; Dawn Chavez, Asheville Greenworks, Director; Scott Hardin-Nieri, Mountain True, Director of Creation Care Alliance
- May 15 - "First Baptist Responds" Dr. Mack Dennis, Pastor
Click
HERE for full flyer.
|
|
Men @ GCPC | Thursday, April 25 | 8 AM | HomeGrown (371 Merrimon Ave.)
Join us for fellowship and discussion of the
introduction
to Bryan Stevenson's New York Times bestseller,
Just Mercy,
in preparation for Stevenson's talk at UNCA the evening of April 25. Contact Richard,
rcoble@gcpcusa.org,
with questions.
|
|
Young Fathers Group | Tuesday, April 30 | 7 PM | East Village Grill (
1177 Tunnel Rd.
)
Fathers with babies and young children will be meeting for informal conversation, exploration, and support. If you find yourself in this particular stage of life, please come for food and fellowship! Contact Richard,
rcoble@gcpcusa.org
, with any questions.
|
|
Presbyterian Women Sunday | April 28
God is Faithful – 2019 Presbyterian Women Birthday Offering
Loving us still,
God makes us heirs with Christ of the Covenant.
Like a mother who will not forsake her nursing child,
Like a father who runs to welcome the prodigal home,
God is faithful still.
-
A Brief Statement of Faith
|
|
Originally begun in 1922, the Presbyterian Women’s Birthday Offering is an annual tradition that has celebrated our denomination’s commitment to mission through the funding of more than 200 projects that touch the lives of women and children, both in the US and abroad. We ask that you give as you have been blessed, generously and as led by the Holy Spirit.
We will collect the 2019 Birthday offering on Presbyterian Women Sunday, April 28. Special envelopes for this offering will be in the pew racks.
|
|
Mild Cognitive Impairment Support Group (MCI Group) | Wed., May 1 | 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 meet the 1
st
and 3
rd
Wednesdays of every month.
*New participants welcome at any time.
Contact Richard,
rcoble@gcpcusa.org
, with questions.
|
|
GCPC Church-Wide Work Day | Saturday, May 4 | 9 AM - 12 PM
Projects available for all, young and old. Bring your favorite mop or dust cloth, your favorite hammer and saw, your favorite paint brush and roller, or your favorite shovel and rake. Come and enjoy some food, a whole lot of fun and fellowship, and we might even get some work done! Mark it on your calendar and look forward to seeing you at the church on May 4th. Questions? Contact
Cliff
.
|
|
|
|
Church Anniversary Potluck | Sunday, May 5 | after 10:45 worship | Atrium
GCPC turns 66! We will have the traditional church potluck to celebrate our 66 years of ministry in Asheville. We'll provide the drinks. You provide something tasty to share according to the first letter of your last name:
A – G:
Main Dish (proteins);
H - M:
Salads (pasta, fruit, green, etc.);
N – S:
Sides (veggies, beans, casseroles, etc.);
T – Z:
Desserts.
We look forward to celebrating together!
|
|
The 2019 Flower Chart is on the bulletin board next to the elevator.
There are just a few Sundays left!
Please consider signing up to give flowers one week. The cost is $45, payable to GCPC. Please send your dedication to
Anna Louise
.
|
|
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.
|
|
No Youth Group, Youth Sunday School or Confirmation on April 21.
|
|
Youth Adventure Day! | *Saturday, April 27th | 10:30 AM -7:00 PM | Camp Grier (Old Fort) | GCPC discounted cost $10
Register HERE
by TOMORROW, April 19
and let the adventure begin! The Presbytery of Western North Carolina & Camp Grier are inviting youth from across our presbytery to a Middle School & High School adventure day that includes: canoeing, climbing wall, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, dinner and more. Bring a bagged lunch and we are looking for help carpooling. Full/partial scholarships available.
This will be our youth group event for the weekend.
|
|
SENIOR HIGHS, APPLY FOR THE PRESBYTERY YOUTH COUNCIL!
Our presbytery is seeking rising 10th -12th graders to serve on the Presbytery Youth Council for 2019-2020. The council leads youth events (including the Middle School Retreat & Youth Adventure Day). This is a valuable way to grow in faith and as leaders alongside other Presbyterian youth. For more info: contact
Beth Gunn
or
click here
.
THE APPLICATION IS
HERE
.
It is due by May 28th, but you must
notify Samantha that you are applying by May 12th
, so that session and pastors can write recommendations in time.
|
|
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)
Glenn Russell (Robin Gaiser's brother)
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.
Dave Rummel (friend of the Kavalhunas)
Family of Tara Williamson (friend of Caroline Wyrosdick-Webb and family)
Jennifer Moore (Amanda Pressley's daughter)
Hettie Lou Garland
Dot Holladay
Betty Smith
Margaret Rada
Bob Higgins
Olga Malinoski
James Harwell
Joyce Summerlin
Cory Hartbarger
Mary Ellen Horne
Our sympathy and support are extended to Alan Gragg’s family, following his death; Mike and Betsy Fleenor on the death of his dad, Bob; Lesli and David Hollowell on the death of her father. Please keep these families in your prayers.
|
|
Grace Covenant Community Out and About...
|
|
Enneagram Retreat | Saturday, April 27, 10 AM -3:30 PM
Experiencing the Arrows of our Type
Each ennea-type has 2 resource points called Arrows. We will sit in circle according to our type and have opportunity to move to our Arrows in the circle, exploring how these resources show up for us. This retreat is open to everyone; those brand new to the enneagram system and those who already know their type. Contact Carol Hovis for more information:
cmhovis@gmail.com
.
|
|
Earth Day Vigil: Walking the Path | Sunday, April 28 | 5:30 - 7:30 PM | Sacred Garden/Labyrinth, First Baptist Church (
5 Oak St.
)
Please join people of various faith communities from across WNC as we:
- Celebrate the beauty of creation
- Share our gratitude and appreciation for the earth
- Enjoy music, poetry, and prayer
- Grieve for the damage we are causing to creation and our neighbors
- Reflect on our responsibility to our children and future generations
- Resolve to bring our hope and faith into action
- Enjoy food and drink and connect with great people
|
|
Faith and Conscience Convocation: A Call for Accountability for Torture | Sunday, April 28 | 2 - 5 PM | UNCA's High Smith Student Union - The Blue Ridge Room South (Room 203)
The NC Council of Churches, Carolina Jews for Justice, and the ACLU of North Carolina will convene people of faith and conscience in Asheville to explore the findings of the North Carolina Commission of Inquiry on Torture's September 2018 report and to address the responsibilities of public officials and the citizens of NC to repair the damage done to those who were rendered to CIA torture sites on flights based out of NC public airports.
Please see the attached flyer for details.
|
|
At the River: Profiles in Quiet Courage
| Thursday, May 2 | 7 PM | Fine Arts Theater
At the River is a feature length documentary about white Southern Presbyterians during the Civil Rights era. Four profiles will be shown at this screening and
Aaron Price, the musical director, will be playing hymns throughout the night.
|
|
Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church | 828.254.3274
789 Merrimon Ave. Asheville, NC 28804
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
