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“These days, a sling of truth, still can make Goliath fall.”
~ Tom Althouse
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Sunday Preview
Sunday, August 18, 2019
Worship services @ 8:15 & 10:15 AM
Courtyard Fellowship @ 11:15 AM
Sermon:
"No Laughing Matter" by Samantha Gonzalez-Block
Scriptures:
Isaiah 5:1-7; Luke 12:49-56
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Note from Name tags
"We are looking forward to being back at GCPC soon. We are excited about our new home and look forward to helping you all identify each other again. See you soon!"
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Emma Maney ~ Young Adult Volunteer, Tuscan AZ
Please keep GCPC member, Emma Maney in your prayers as she prepares for a year of service as a Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) in Tuscan, Arizona. Emma will be working with The Inn Project, which is a short-term hospitality ministry for families seeking asylum in the United States. She will be living simply in community with five other YAVs, who we will be learning and growing in faith together.
Part of the YAV experience is raising money to support living expenses. If you would like to make a monetary gift to Emma, you can do so by writing a check to GCPC, with 'Emma Maney' in the memo line.
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SAVE THE DATES!
- Saturday, September 7 | GCPC Palooza/Cookout & Night at the Improv! | FH & Atrium | 6:00 - 8:30 PM
- Sunday, September 8 | GCPC Palooza/One worship service @ 10:15 am/ Lunch (provided)/Rally Day
- Sunday, September 15 | Education Kick-Off /First Day of Classes | 9:15 am
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SAVE THE DATE!
WISDOM IN THE WOODS | November 8-10 | Lake Logan, NC |
Leader: Carol Hovis
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The 2020 Stewardship Committee (AKA the Stew Crew) is already at work! Soon you'll be getting to know the "new crew" and hearing about the promising possibilities already emerging for GCPC in 2020.
The Stew Crew helps educate the congregation about the financial needs of the church for the coming year and how we can collectively use our resources to support the mission. Stewardship enables all of GCPC ministries to function and flourish, not just during the campaign season, but throughout the whole year.
Keep your eyes and ears open in the coming months for more Stew Crew news!
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Community Garden Potluck | Friday, August 23 | 6:00 PM | Fellowship Hall
An invitation to all the community gardeners and friends of the garden! Come enjoy a mid-Summer's garden celebration together. Please bring your favorite covered dish to share. Come early (at 5:30 pm) and help set up or stay late and help clean up. We have much to share and discuss, including solid numbers on the amount of vegetables planted, tended and harvested. It is a time to celebrate your garden work!
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Shelter office poster of migrants
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Susan Murty, a resident of Highland Farms, spent two weeks in May volunteering at one of the eleven shelters operated by Annunciation House in El Paso. The following is one of her journal entries:
"After nearly 50 immigrants arrived one morning, I recruited a few 'guests' to help make sandwiches for families ready to leave Annunciation House. I was impressed that these women who were so tired were willing to help. We made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and sealed them in baggies for travel. By late afternoon, a number of families had trips scheduled to the bus station or airport and tickets confirmed. Some left that afternoon with food, snacks and toys plus a form stating their destination, their contact person, and a note in English explaining that they do not speak English and would appreciate help in reaching their bus or plane. I was amazed by how well this process works."
~ Contributed by Tish Anderson
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LEARN AND DISCERN with Presbyterian Peace Fellowship | October 11-14 | Montreat, NC
At this three-day gathering, people who are interested in accompaniment with Presbyterian Peace Fellowship gather to train in non-violence and anti-racism, engage with accompaniment principles, learn about the contexts in which we have been invited to practice accompaniment, and spend time in discernment and reflection.
See more information
HERE
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Power and Race Team (PART)
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The Racial Justice Book Series will NOT be meeting in August.
Please check back in the fall for new titles.
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Climate Justice Rally | Friday, Sept. 20 | 5:30 - 7:30 PM | Pack Square
Show your support for God's Creation, the Earth! The WNC chapter of the Climate Reality Project is hosting this rally. Pack up the kids and come out and help us support the effort. Speakers, Music, etc. For more information, click
HERE
.
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America and Its Guns
by James E. Atwood
(Cascade Books, 2012)
James Atwood contends that the 30,000 gun deaths America suffers every year cannot be understood apart from our national myth that God has appointed America as “the trustee of the civilization of the world” and even “Christ’s light to the nations.” Because these purposes are noble, and we are supposedly a good and trustworthy people, violence is sometimes “required” and give license to individuals to carry open or concealed weapons, which “save lives” and can even be “redemptive.”
Atwood, an avid hunter, cautions that an absolute trust in guns and violence morphs easily into idolatry. Having spent thirty-six years as a Presbyterian pastor fighting against the easy access to firearms, one of which took the life of a friend, he uses his unique experience and his biblical and theological understanding to graphically portray the impact guns have on our society. He documents how Americans have been deceived into believing that the tools of violence, whether they take the form of advanced military technology or a handgun in the bedside stand, will provide security. He closes with a wake-up call to the faith community, which he says is America’s best hope to unmask the extremism of the Gun Empire.
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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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Presbyterianism 101 - Brown bag lunch discussions | Sundays | August 18 & 25 | 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM | Choir Room
Who are Presbyterians? What do we believe? How are we different from other denominations? Come with your questions as we delve into our rich, complex, and sometimes contentious tradition. Bring a brown bag lunch if you would like. Email Richard at
rcoble@gcpcusa.org
with questions.
Facilitators
:
Richard Coble, Samantha Gonzalez-Block, Marcia Mount Shoop, and Heather Ferguson
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2019 Summer Women’s Book Series | Last Monday of the month | 6 PM | Garden Room
Join us for a series of book talks. Open to all women of the church. One copy of each book can be found in the church library. Please pre-read the books to ensure lively discussion.
- August 26 | If the Oceans Were Ink: An Unlikely Friendship and a Journey to the Heart of the Quran | Carla Power
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Summer Bible Study has finished.
Please join us for our regular Wednesday lectionary Bible Study, which will resume on September 18.
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Habitat for Humanity Shifts
The 2019 Presby/UMC house is underway. As of last week, all the first floor exterior walls were up. Anyone wishing to volunteer for the construction of the house should contact Bill Ryan (
bill73ryan@gmail.com
). Minimum age to volunteer at a site is 16.
We have scheduled slots on:
- Wednesday, August 21
- Thursday, August 22
- Thursday, August 29
- Monday, September 9
We hope to schedule some September days for our Youth, GCPC Mamas and the 20s/30s group soon. If you cannot come out and build, pray for the endeavor and our partner family (yet to be named) and donate to and shop at the ReStore. Thank you for your continued support of Habitat!
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Ministry Partner News and Events...
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“A Welcoming Table” Workshop | August 21-22 | Haywood Street Congregation
Registration is open for “A Welcoming Table,” August 21-22. This is a 2-day workshop that includes an intro to the Haywood Street ministries and covers topics ranging from volunteer management and fundraising to best practices for transformational, relationship-based MINISTRY WITH (not TO or FOR) friends and communities living on the margins.
Register today!
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Kathy Izard: Reading & Signing "The Hundred Story Home" w/ AHOPE | Thursday, August 29 | 6 - 7:30 PM | Pack Memorial Library (67 Haywood St.)
Join Homeward Bound for a
reading and book signing event with Kathy Izard, author of
The Hundred Story Home. Kathy Izard was a graphic designer, wife, mother of four daughters and volunteer at Charlotte’s Urban Ministry Center when an unlikely meeting with formerly homeless author, Denver Moore, changed the course of her life. Kathy quit her job to take on what seemed like an unimaginable task in her second half of life—to build housing for Charlotte’s homeless population.
The reading will be followed by a Q&A with guests from AHOPE Day Center- Homeward Bound of WNC.
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Jackie Kiger Appointed as Pisgah Legal's First Chief Operations Officer
Pisgah Legal is pleased to announce that former Managing Attorney Jackie Kiger has been named Chief Operations Officer. This newly created position will support the structure of the organization, be a resource for staff and lead the organization in innovative ways to continue to meet the demand for its services.
"There are approximately 100,000 people in our area who qualify for our services," says PLS Executive Director, Jim Barrett. "We want to provide services to as many people as possible while maintaining the integrity of the organization. The Chief Operations Officer is a key part of our strategic growth and will help us accomplish our goals."
Jackie first came to PLS as a volunteer in 2010 - and was soon hired as a staff attorney. In 2014 she was promoted to managing attorney to oversee PLS' health justice and immigration work.
"I'm really excited to take on this role and serve as Pisgah Legal's first Chief Operations Officer," says Jackie. "I love Pisgah Legal and its incredible staff. I’m grateful to continue to work alongside each and every staff member and volunteer that helps make Pisgah Legal what it is."
Congratulations Jackie (a new GCPC member)!!
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J.O.Y. (Just Older Youth) Gathering | Saturday, August 17 | 7 – 10 PM | Shindig on the Green | Pack Square Park
J.O.Y. is inviting GCPC older adults to enjoy fellowship together at Shindig on the Green. GCPC members Josie Moe and Leonard Hollifield will be performing. Parking on street or Charlotte Street garage, across from the Justice Center. Contact Richard (
rcoble@gcpcusa.org
) for questions.
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Presbyterian Women Fall Kick-Off! | Saturday, August 24 | 10 AM – 1 PM | Atrium & Fellowship Hall
All women of Grace Covenant are invited to the Presbyterian Women’s Fall Kick Off brunch. Come discover our 2019-2020 Horizon’s Bible Study,
Love Carved in Stone: A Fresh Look at the Ten Commandments
, and we will assemble
Birthday Bags
.
Bags will be given to some of our ministry partners who work with children.
The whole church can help by donating items like cake mix, candles, party favors, and balloons.
Sign up for the kick-off in the Church Narthex today!
Bring donations to the reception desk at church by August 23.
Any questions, please contact Cathy Froehlich at (828) 775-1016 or at
oremont2@gmail.com
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Men @ GCPC | Thursday, August 29 | 8 AM | HomeGrown (371 Merrimon Ave.)
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Centering Prayer | Wednesday Nights | 6:30 - 7:00 PM | Sanctuary
Christianity has a rich and ancient tradition of intentional and prayerful silence as a spiritual practice. Sacred silence teaches us to listen devoutly, humbly, and with trust. It is beautifully simple and a spiritual skill whose gifts goes deeper and gets more powerful the more one practices it. This practice is open to all and is come as you are able. Questions? Contact Marcia at
mmshoop@gcpcusa.org
.
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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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Thank you to the Rogers and Ungert families for hosting the Senior High & Middle School Welcome Pool Parties!!!!
Thanks to parents, advisors and youth for your attendance.
Youth Group, Youth Choir & Sunday School will kick-off on Sunday, September 15th.
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Youth Committee Meeting | TONIGHT, Thursday, August 15 | 6 - 7 PM | Garden Room
All Youth, Adults and Parents are invited to join the Youth Committee, where we will work together to plan the theme and events for this year, as well as encourage youth leadership and faith formation. Come lend your voice to this evening's meeting, or feel free to jump in another month. See you then!
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GCPC is excited to announce this year's Youth Group Advisors:
Christi Mobley, Colt Burgin, Marty Johnson, Leah and Ryan Madamba, & Dean Presson. Thank you for walking alongside our young people.
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Congratulations to Frances Barnett, Frank Callison, Annie Cole, Lindsay Hamel, Mary Elizabeth Shoop and Anna-Olivia Ungert for being accepted to the Presbyterian Youth Council.
This year, they will be serve as leaders in the Presbytery of Western North Carolina, planning meaningful events and retreats for our youth.
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Congratulations to
Dawson Mims
for completing his year of Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) service in Los Angeles, California. Prayers for
Emma Maney
as she begins her YAV year in Tuscan, Arizona.
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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
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)
Robin Smith (Beth Robrecht's sister)
Rebecca Wells' brother, Jamey
Natalie C.
Jeff Combs (Bill McNeff's friend)
Jennifer Vaughn (Mary Berg's friend)
Louise Hill (Geneva Neeriemer's mother)
West Asheville Presbyterian Church
Nicholas Kmecza (Carolyn Haag’s husband)
Terry Arthur (Anna Jarvis' friend)
Evan Maxwell (Anna Jarvis' friend)
Sarah Ralston (Susie Bleckley’s mother)
Hettie Lou Garland
Betty Smith
Margaret Rada
Bob Higgins
James Harwell
Joyce Summerlin
Cory Hartbarger
Mary Ellen Horne
Penny & Ray Ponder
Jack Smith
Steve and Florence Riedesel
Walt Justice
Nell Payne
Donna Robertson
Ray Dean
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Grace Covenant Community Out and About...
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August Enneagram Gatherings
(at GCPC with Carol Hovis)
conclude Friday, August 16th | 10 AM | A-Frame
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Enneagram Retreat:
Day of Triads: Consolidating Insights
Saturday, August 31st |10 AM-4 PM | GCPC
_________________________________________________________
Save the Date:
Enneagram Retreat on Relationships
Saturday, September 21st | 10 AM - 4 PM | GCPC
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Are You Doing It Wrong? | Friday, September 20 | 9 AM - 12 PM
or
3 PM - 6 PM | YWCA (185 S. French Broad Ave.)
This training is for licensed mental health professionals willing to own that they don't know everything about working with populations of color, even though they already went to the one diversity training their agency required. Presented by Elizabeth McCorvey, MSW, LCSW and Catie Beaulieu, LPC, MBA. Cost is $125. Click
HERE
for more information and to register.
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CoInspire - Liberating Imagination, Eviscerating Racism | October 7-10, 2019 | Montreat Conference Center
Montreat Conference Center will host CoInspire, the second in a series of conferences addressing systemic racism in the church. Their first conference, DisGrace, lived in lament for the ways in which the sins of racism thwart individual people and institutions, infecting congregations and denominations with death-dealing dehumanization.
In response to the racism and violence in our world, this event seeks to bring together people of faith in order to disarm prejudices that divide us and equip each other for practicing resurrection as new creations in Christ. We will delve into the questions around the toxicities we are currently breathing into our bodies and exhaling into the shared air. CoInspire will examine ways that we, as members of Christ’s body, might co-inspire one another to liberate imagination for new ways of being, and examine ways we can conspire to eviscerate the racism within our church. We will seek to identify those things we want to breathe in to precipitate a pathway to eviscerating the racism in our country and our world.
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Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church | 828.254.3274
789 Merrimon Ave. Asheville, NC 28804
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