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Our amazing GCPC Childcare workers! | |
Worship Preview | Sunday, March 20, 2022
Third Sunday of Lent
Sacrament of the Lord's Supper
Sanctuary and Youtube
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Homily:
"Endurance"
by Marcia Mount Shoop
Scripture:
1 Corinthians 10: 1-13
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*For the full revised common lectionary, please click here. | |
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Every Sunday of Lent we will celebrate the Communion.
Remember that our COVID practice has been to use anything you have at home for your elements. Your bread can be a cracker, bagel or even a donut. Your cup can be a glass of water or anything else you have on hand.
The spirit of our Presbyterian practice of Communion is that the body of Christ is not found in the elements themselves, but in the community gathered together to share this meal of revolutionary love.
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Reserve a space for childcare this Sunday!
Please follow this LINK to reserve a space for your child 0-4 years of age for childcare on Sunday, March 20th @ 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
As long as it is dry outside we plan on spending the majority of the morning outdoors. Please dress your children with this in mind. We will have a table in the welcome center to check your child in and do a temperature check. Please do not hesitate to reach out to amykim@gcpcusa.org with any questions or if you have any issues with the reservations.
All families are encouraged to submit a family health & wellness form. This will help us know more about your children’s health needs as we move forward. Please contact Cat Kessler if you have any trouble submitting the form.
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| Saturday, March 19 - Sunday, March 20 | Confirmation Retreat | Tierney Cabin | | Sunday, March 20 | Hybrid Adult Education | 9:00 am in Fellowship Hall (also on Zoom) | | Sunday, March 20 | Kid's Zoom Adventure | 10:15 am on Zoom | | Sunday, March 20 | Hybrid Worship
(In-person and online) | 10:45 am @ GCPC
(also on Youtube) | | Sunday, March 20 | Long Range Visioning Team | 12:30 pm on Zoom | | Sunday, March 20 | Hybrid Deacons Mtg. | 12:30 pm @ GCPC
(also on Zoom) | | Sunday, March 20 | Middle School Youth Group | 5:30 pm @ GCPC | | Tuesday, March 22 | Church Office Open! | 10:00 am - 4:00 pm | | Tuesday, March 22 | Session | 6:00 pm on Zoom | | Wednesday, March 23 | Hybrid Bible Study | 10:00 am @ GCPC
(also on Zoom) | | Wednesday, March 23 | Choir Rehearsal Pod | 7:00 pm @ GCPC | | Thursday, March 24 | Men of GCPC | 8:30 am on Zoom | | |
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Adult Education: The Poetry of Lent I Sundays | March 6 - April 10 I 9:00 - 10:00 AM | Fellowship Hall or Zoom
This season we will gather around our favorite poems and lyrics about the Lenten journey to explore what this season means for our lives and faith. Retired English professor and clerk of session Kelley Griffith will be leading us. Throughout, we encourage all participants to bring poems that you love and/or have written yourself to share with the group. All sessions will be hybrid. Come and meet masked and distanced in-person in the fellowship hall or meet with us over zoom.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83005641333
Meeting ID: 830 0564 1333
Passcode: 789
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Middle School Youth Group | Sunday, March 20 | 5:30-7:00 PM | In-person @ GCPC
Let’s gather together to build on our relationships through conversation and fun.
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Hybrid Lectionary Bible Study | Wednesday, March 23 | 10:00 AM | Atrium (masked) or via Zoom
Join the pastoral staff to read and study our sermon texts for Sunday. No preparation needed; just come ready to open scripture and discuss!
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/93439349183
Meeting ID: 934 3934 9183 | Passcode: 789
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Winter Shelter Team Update @ Trinity
TRINITY SHELTER EXTENDED TO MARCH 31
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Trinity Methodist's CODE PURPLE SHELTER is an amazing effort and has lasted several months and will continue until the end of March.
They still have volunteer needs, especially:
- Dinner for 25 people any evening, 5-7pm
- Intake of shelter guests, 4:30-7:30pm (you will be trained for this)
- Guest Support just helping guests settle in for the evening, 7-11pm
- Overnight hosts, 11pm-9am (there are always 2-3 hosts, taking turns to be awake)
If you are able to volunteer, here is the sign-up sheet:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_8Mq4IDiEhbPuy3axSvjdsbDnjEKcErfyy_Ph-StTRw/htmlview#
or call Trinity United Methodist minister, Dustin Mailman at 772-214-4116.
Thanks to those who have already helped with this blessing of hospitality!
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CURRENT DONATION REQUESTS: | |
IN NEED. . . supplies were wiped out last weekend when shelter was over capacity and guests stayed there all day on Saturday due to frigid weather. | |
- coffee
- sugar
- snacks
- lemonade mix
- microwave goodies
- peanut butter
- bread
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- cups
- napkins
- spoons
- paper towels
- Blue tape
- Dollar store notebooks
- Dish soap
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Drop supplies at Grace Covenant (in black bin in the courtyard labeled Code Purple).
The bin will be emptied by 4pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.
Contact Robin Gaiser, robingaiser@gmail.com, with questions about donations.
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You can also donate money directly by check to Trinity United Methodist Church with "Winter Shelter" in the memo line. Mail to: 587 Haywood Ave. AVL, NC 28806 | |
GCPC's Circle of Welcome continues to support our Afghan friends as they acclimate to living in Asheville. Gratitude goes out to all for your prayers and efforts! Contact Lara Hollaway at lhollaway@gmail.com or Bonnie Parker at bparker17@gmail.com to help with these needs or if you would like to help in other ways. | |
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Deacon of the Week:
In this time of physical distancing, the deacons of Grace Covenant continue to be available to talk and pray with you by phone or online and to coordinate care. If you have difficulty reaching your assigned deacon or if you do not know who your assigned deacon is, please feel free to reach out to our deacon of the week.
This week (3/13-3/19): Jeane Smith | email: jeane.smith22@gmail.com
Next week (3/20-3/26): Martha Ensign Johnson |
email: marthaensignjohnson@gmail.com
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Prayer requests will stay on the GCPC Prayer List for one month. Please let any staff member know if you (or your loved one) would like to remain on the list for longer.
Iglesia Jerusalem congregation
Debi Miller (friend of Marcia Mount Shoop)
Maria and Esteban Goicoechea (La Mariposa and her husband)
Winnie Martel (Prayers for Winnie and Susie Churchfield)
Jennifer Martin (Yvonne Smith’s daughter)
Phil Noland (Kelly Spradlin's friend)
Family of Daniel Lane (Bob Lane's uncle)
JoAnn Combs (friend of Bill McNeff)
James F. Smith (Bryant Smith’s father)
Gudrun DeLaubenfels (Marion’s mother)
Gaden Maney (Emma Maney’s father)
Jeffrey and Jennifer Hedges (Joe Brumit’s godson)
Bob Higgins
Susan Smialowicz
Doris Prak
Sharon
Michelle Chromey and family
Martha Kisiah
Baby Miriam, Jade and the whole Baker family
Bill Williamson
Mary Ida Spradlin
A Memorial Service for former GCPC member, Shannan Carlisle, will be held on Saturday, March 26th at 2pm in the GCPC sanctuary.
A note from Marty Dean:
Dear Grace Covenant friends,
Your prayers, cards, calls and visits during my lengthy hospitalization and recuperation were just the encouragement I needed to keep going these last few months. I am so grateful for your support. I feel blessed to be back home and part of such a loving and generous community. Hope to see you all in the sanctuary again soon. Marty Dean
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Winter/Spring Memoir Series | Mondays | March 28, & May 2 | 6:00 PM | Fellowship Hall and Zoom
Join us for a series of book talks focusing on memoirs written by people of faith. Please pre-read the book to ensure lively discussion. The church now has copies of the books. Please contact Richard or Anna Louise if you would like to come by and borrow one of the copies.
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March 28 | Tastes Like War by Grace M. Cho | Facilitator: Susie Wheelis
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May 2 | Poet Warrior by Joy Harjo | Facilitator: Alexandra Lusak
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Asheville Area Piano Forum | Sunday, April 24 | 3:00 PM |
Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church
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Presbyterian Womenʼs Circles are Zoom meetings. Please join us.
Circle 1: Second Monday of each month, 10:00 a.m.
Circle 2: First Tuesday of each month, 7:30 p.m.
Circle 3: Varies (Click here to see schedule for 2021-2022), 7:00 p.m.
Circle 4: First Thursday of each month, 7:00 p.m.
Circle 5: First Monday of each month, 11:00 a.m.
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Need to set up a church zoom meeting?
Contact Anna Louise and she can get you all set up!
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Garden Days are almost here again! | |
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Garden Volunteers
The garden is gearing up for the growing season. We will have Wednesday and Saturday morning workdays for the garden volunteers beginning in April.
If you would like to join a team, please email Betsy Wilson at betsywilson1111@gmail.com.
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Planning on giving regularly to GCPC? Let us know by submitting a pledge, which helps us maintain sustainable financials and more accurately budget. Anyone can pledge any amount- every single gift helps support the ministry and mission at GCPC!
WAYS TO PLEDGE:
Questions, concerns, or need help setting up eGiving? Contact Natalie Weaver, Stewardship & Financial Administrator at 828.254.3274, natalie@gcpcusa.org, or stop by the office Tuesdays 10am - 4pm.
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Community Working Together | |
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Ukrainian Relief Efforts
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RAZOM (focuses on medical supply purchases)
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Habitat for Humanity News!
GCPC will be participating along with a dozen or more faith families in this years' Habitat for Humanity House of Faith. There will be several ways to help, but for now we are looking for construction volunteers, with no experience required.
The house construction begins on Tuesday, April 26 and we work Tuesday through Saturday until July 1st, with the weeks of June 7-18 off. All days are 8:15 -3:15 except Friday which is 815-noon. There will be no more than 8 volunteers on the site and we will be closely supervised by a patient and pleasant professional. Anyone age16 and up can help.
More details will become available in the newsletter, but for now, if you are interested, please contact Bill Ryan at bill73ryan@gmail.com.
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Bicentennial Plaza (1 East Edenton Street, Raleigh)
The Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival is bringing a Moral Monday March on Raleigh to the steps of the state legislature on Jones Street. In North Carolina we know the power of bringing together a fusion coalition of people around a common set of demands. The Moral Monday March on Raleigh is part of a 10-stop mobilization tour toward the Mass Poor People's and Low Wage Workers' Assembly and Moral March on Washington and to the Polls on June 18, 2022. We will lift up the voices of impacted people from across NC, joined by faith leaders, moral allies, and artists to demand that NC and this whole nation do more to live up its possibilities.
If you are interested in attending the Moral March on March 28th and live in Asheville, there will be a bus transporting individuals to and from Raleigh on March 28th. You can register for a spot on the bus here for $75 per spot.
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American history: Rooted in Black protest -
The Rev. Jimmie Hawkins discusses his book ‘Unbroken and Unbowed’ ~ by McKenna Britton
The Rev. Jimmie Hawkins recently sat down with Sonia Prescott with the Presbyterian Historical Society on an installment of PHS LIVE, an ongoing webinar series, to discuss his newly published book, “Unbroken and Unbowed: A History of Black Protest in America.” It was published by Westminster John Knox Press and released on Feb. 22.
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Catherine Coleman Flowers speaks with the Co-Moderators of the 224th General Assembly during "Good Medicine" on March 9, 2022. | |
Decolonizing environmental health -
‘People don’t always realize the influence they can have’
~ by Pam Wineman
“If we don’t change the way we do things, we’re making sure the generations to come are going to have no life or a very hard life. They will not be refugees from war; they will be refugees from the planet,” Catherine Coleman Flowers said during the March broadcast of “Good Medicine,” hosted by the Rev. Gregory Bentley and Ruling Elder Elona Street-Stewart, Co-Moderators of the 224th General Assembly (2020).
Flowers is an environmental health advocate and the founding director of the Center for Rural Enterprise and Environmental Justice. She is also the rural development manager for the Equal Justice Initiative, a member of the board of directors of the Climate Reality Project and the Natural Resources Defense Council, and a senior fellow for the Center for Earth Ethics at Union Theological Seminary.
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People fleeing Ukraine enter Poland at the Medyka border crossing. (Photo by UNHCR/ Chris Melzer) | |
Refugees ‘just want to go home’ -
PDA’s Susan Krehbiel discusses partnerships the PC(USA) is employing during the early days of the Ukraine crisis
~ by Mike Ferguson
Asked during Monday’s Between Two Pulpits broadcast to discuss the need that’s on the hearts and minds of people around the world — the care and safety of millions of Ukrainian refugees and displaced people — Susan Krehbiel said what we often forget is that those who have fled the fighting “just want to go home. In these early days of war, people want to stay as close to home as possible. Once you are separated, it can be really hard to be reunited.”
Krehbiel, associate for Refugees and Asylum with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, was the guest Monday of Special Offerings’ Dr. Bill McConnell and Lauren Rogers. Listen to their 24-minute conversation here. An update on the work being done alongside partners of the PC(USA), as well as a bulletin insert, can be found here.
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HOW TO CONTACT STAFF:
The church office is open weekly for walk-ins on Tuesdays, 10am - 4pm. Our staff can also be reached by email or voicemail Monday - Friday. To leave a voicemail for a staff member to return your call, follow these steps:
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Call the main office at 828-254-3274.
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Listen through the office closure notice, which will then take you to a staff directory.
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Enter the first 3 letters of either the staff member's first or last name on your phone keypad (i.e. to reach Natalie Weaver, you'd enter 628 for NAT or 932 for WEA).
- You'll be directed to the staff member's individual voicemail, where you can leave a message to be returned as soon as possible.
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If you just want to leave a message for the general voicemail box, press 0.
You can also reach our staff by email- please see our website for each staff member's individual email address.
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Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church
789 Merrimon Ave. Asheville, NC 28804
828.254.3274
www.gcpcusa.org
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