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Worship Preview | Sunday, April 3, 2022
Fifth Sunday of Lent
Sacrament of the Lord's Supper
Sanctuary and Youtube
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Homily:
"Reciprocity"
by Richard Coble
Scripture:
Philippians 3:4b-14
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*For the full revised common lectionary, please click here. | |
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Every Sunday of Lent we will celebrate 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, April 3rd @ 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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| Sunday, April 3 | Hybrid Adult Education | 9:00 am in Fellowship Hall (also on Zoom) | | Sunday, April 3 | Kid's Zoom Adventure | 10:15 am on Zoom | | Sunday, April 3 | Hybrid Worship
(In-person and online) | 10:45 am @ GCPC
(also on Youtube) | | Sunday, April 3 | Confirmation | 3:30 pm @ GCPC | | Monday, April 4 | PW Circle 5 Mtg. | 11:00 am on Zoom | | Tuesday, April 5 | Church Office Open! | 10:00 am - 4:00 pm | | Tuesday, April 5 | VRQ BBQ Cook Team | 4:30 or 5:30 pm @ The VRQ | | Tuesday, April 5 | Guatemala Mtg. | 5:30 pm on Zoom | | Tuesday, April 5 | Worship Council | 5:30 pm on Zoom | | Tuesday, April 5 | PW Circle 2 Mtg. | 7:30 pm on Zoom | | Wednesday, April 6 | Hybrid Bible Study | 10:00 am @ GCPC
(also on Zoom) | | Wednesday, April 6 | MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment) Group | 11:00 am on Zoom | | Wednesday, April 6 | Choir Rehearsal Pod | 7:00 pm @ GCPC | | Thursday, April 7 | PW Circle 4 Mtg. | 7:00 pm 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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Confirmation Class | Sunday, April 3 | 3:30-5:00 PM | In-person @ GCPC
We look forward to seeing you at Confirmation class this Sunday! Please bring your Confirmation binder, journal, a water bottle and a mask.
Please also bring your notebook from the Confirmation Retreat, if you attended. This week we will continue to work on our Statements of Faith.
Contact Melva at melva@gcpcusa.org or 678.451.3994 with any questions or if you will not be able to join us.
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
VRQ—BBQ Cook Team | Tuesday, April 5 | 4:30 PM to cook or 5:30 PM to work the serving line | Veterans Restoration Quarters
On the first Tuesday of each month a team from GCPC gathers at VRQ, 1329 Tunnel Road to grill hamburgers, prepare and serve supper for the veterans housed there. The VRQ is continuing to require masks.
If you can help please contact Bill Neeriemer, bill.nmer@gmail.com.
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Hybrid Lectionary Bible Study | Wednesday, April 6 | 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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Deacon Helpers Needed!
Our deacon helpers are an informal list of GCPC community members who get updates when there is a congregational need. These needs include meals, rides to doctor appointments, and other concerns that come up in the church family. We are so thankful for everyone already on the list for all they do for our congregation! There also is room for it to grow as our congregation grows! Please contact Richard for more info or to be placed on the list.
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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 (3/27-4/2): Ellen Sizemore | email: ellen.sizemore@gmail.com
Next week (4/3-4/9): Kimo Hyatt | email: KimoHyatt@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)
James F. Smith (Bryant Smith’s father)
Gaden Maney (Emma Maney’s father)
Jeffrey and Jennifer Hedges (Parents of Landon, Joe and Janice Brumit's godson, who passed away on March 14)
Seth Turnbow (Anne Raustol’s twin brother)
Loyda Kyremes (Amy Kim Kyremes-Park's mother)
Vince and Michele (Gordon Gaiser’s niece and nephew-in-law)
Connie, Jeff and Kevin (Robin and Gordon Gaiser’s friends)
Bobby (Robin and Gordon Gaiser’s friend)
Gayla Fedele (friend of Karen Rohls)
Jeanine Buelens (relative of Bill McNeff)
Bill Ross (Jonathan Ross’ dad)
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
Susie Wheelis
Sherrie McCleary-Small
The Everett Family on the death of Angi’s brother, Al Johnson
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Asheville Area Piano Forum | Sunday, April 24 | 3:00 PM |
Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church
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Hybrid Spring Memoir Series | Monday, 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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May 2 | Poet Warrior by Joy Harjo | Facilitator: Alexandra Lusak
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Racial Justice Book Series | May - August | 6:30 PM | 4th Thursday of the Month
The Racial Justice Book Series returns this summer with four books about the systems, consequences, and remedies of the deep entrenchment of white supremacy culture in our country and church.
All meetings will be in hybrid format. Come in person or tune in via zoom! The church library has copies of all the books. Contact Richard or Anna Louise to reserve a copy.
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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 here again!
The Saturday volunteers harvested 21.5 lbs. of spinach that was delivered to Western Carolina Rescue Ministries!
They also spread compost in Bed 1.
Our Tuesday volunteers added fish emulsion to several beds and planted collards in Bed 1.
Many thanks to our garden crew!!
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Seeking families interested in growing alongside GCPC's Community Garden 🌱🌻
GCPC's Community Garden is a great place to connect with each other, with the earth and with veggies! We are exploring ways to make gardening more accessible for families and for those who might not be able to come out during the regular Wednesday / Saturday morning sessions.
If you are interested in working in the garden, but mornings aren't best for you, would a Monday afternoon (4PM) slot work for your family? If not, what time would work? Please email allison@gcpcusa.org.
Garden work includes weeding, planting / seeding when needed, harvesting vegetables, preparing beds for new crops, and perhaps some compost application to beds. Children are welcome to accompany their parents to help grow the garden. A typical volunteer session is 1.5-2 hours.
Regular sessions begin some time in April and go through September or October, but the schedule for this group can be flexible if summer hours only work. We will also be looking for a team leader if this new group is formed, and deliveries to a partner organization will need to be made when harvesting occurs. Families are welcome to take produce home for their tables as well!
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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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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 to help with these needs or if you would like to help in other ways. | |
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Afghan Evacuation Experiences: Humanitarian Perspective by Justin Peele | Sunday, April 3 | Central United Methodist Church (27 Church St.) | 7:00 - 8:30 PM
Afghanistan withdrawal will be the topic shared by Diplomatic Agent Justin Peele based on personal experience with never before published photographs from Kabul airport. Public invited.
Peele works with the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), which is the law enforcement arm of the U.S. Department of State. Acting like the Secret Service, DSS is charged with protecting embassies and people overseas and the U.S. Secretary of State as well as foreign non-heads of state.
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Habitat for Humanity News!
Volunteer dates are still available on the calendar! If you are interested, please contact Bill Ryan at bill73ryan@gmail.com.
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 8:15-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 age 16 and up can help.
Information is also available at the Welcome Desk in the narthex.
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Blue Ridge Pride
Click here to read the
March 2022 Newsletter
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The Rev. Dr. Neddy Astudillo | |
‘Why are we destroying God’s Creation?’ - PC(USA) climate justice webinar lifts voices of women
~ by Darla Carter
The way the Rev. Dr. Neddy Astudillo sees it, the United States has a debt to pay when it comes to climate change.
As a major generator of carbon emissions, “we need to be courageous and take drastic measures,” said Astudillo, an eco-theologian and Presbyterian pastor who is advocating for a cultural shift.
Watch the webinar by clicking here.
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The crisis in Ukraine is front and center, but others also deserve our attention and compassion - ‘OGHS Around the World’ webinar on April 5 will show what the PC(USA) and its global partners are up to ~ by Mike Ferguson
The Presbyterian Hunger Program’s Valéry Nodem, a former human rights lawyer in his native Cameroon, is sounding the alarm over possible outbreaks of famine in places like northern Nigeria and elsewhere.
“Intense droughts are affecting people all over the world right now,” Nodem said Monday during Special Offerings’ Between Two Pulpits broadcast (watch here). “They have a hard time producing the food they need, and that fuels a lot of displacement, hunger and poverty. Wherever you look,” he told host Dr. Bill McConnell, interim director of Special Offerings, and René Myers, mission engagement advisor for the West Region, “the needs are really, really huge.”
Register for the April 5 webinar, titled “OGHS Around the World,” by clicking here.
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Lucy Craft Laney and the Haines Institute -
Remembering a school-building educator during Women’s History Month
~ by McKenna Britton
The bells of Washington Avenue Presbyterian Church in Macon, Georgia, where Lucy Craft Laney’s father served as pastor, rang at the end of the Civil War in 1865. About four years later, at the age of 15, Laney enrolled as a student at the newly founded Atlanta University, where she would be part of the first graduating class in 1873.
Could she have known, on the day of her graduation, all that laid ahead of her? That a decade from then she would be the founder and principal of a school all her own?
Laney began teaching in the Georgia public school system, with appointments in Macon, Milledgeville and Savannah before settling in Augusta. There, she met the Christ Presbyterian Church community, which saw how she interacted with the local children and convinced her to start a school in their building. The lecture room, typically empty of visitors, was located on the basement floor of the church. It was there that Laney began teaching a group of six children in 1883. Slowly but surely, that number continued to grow. At the end of her second year of teaching in the basement room, Laney had a class of over 200 pupils.
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Photo by Samantha Sophia via Unsplash | |
‘Let me stop there. I’m getting ready to start preaching’ -
Two deans and a seminary president explore womanist ‘herstory and hope’
~ by Mike Ferguson
Anytime two deans and a seminary president are gathered for conversation around “Womanist Herstory, Womanist Hope,” those privileged to listen in can count on a thoughtful and thought-provoking hour. Listen to their conversation, recorded last week, by clicking here.
The conversation was the most recent installment in Union Presbyterian Seminary’s Just Talk/Talk Just series, this one hosted by the Rev. Melanie C. Jones, an instructor in ethics, theology and culture at UPS and the director of the Katie Geneva Cannon Center for Womanist Leadership.
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GCPC Staff member, Micah Hayes, also serves as Communications Coordinator for the UNC Asheville Prison Education Program.
Click here to see his latest newsletter and /or subscribe.
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Haywood St. Congregation
PBS stations throughout the country will be broadcasting the documentary on the Haywood Fresco in April and May. Locally, the film will be broadcast on SCETV in Asheville on April 11 at 10pm, WTVI in Charlotte on April 16 at 11pm, and on the WORLD Channel on Easter at 12:30pm (EST). For more air date times and locations, please check your local PBS listings. The film is available to stream until May 1, 2022 at PBS.org.
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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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