GCPC Weekly News | December 2, 2021
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Click "View entire message"
at bottom of email to see the FULL newsletter
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Discussing Faith 4 Justice during PC(USA)'s Giving Tuesday!
(Tami Forte Logan, Marcia Mount Shoop, and David LaMotte)
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SCAM EMAIL ALERT!!!
Please remember that no matter what, Marcia will NEVER ask you to purchase gift cards or anything else for her.
Before replying to such an email, please call the church (828-254-3274) to answer any questions you may have.
If you see one of these emails, please forward it to Anna Louise (annalouise@gcpcusa.org) so we can alert the rest of the congregation.
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Advent Devotional - "Close to Home"
Sign up to receive a copy of the Advent devotional, "Close to Home," created by A Sanctified Art. You can choose to receive a printed copy mailed to your address or a digital PDF copy sent directly to your email.
A Sanctified Art is a team of artists in ministry who create multimedia resources for worshiping communities of all shapes and sizes. They work collaboratively to bring scripture and theological themes to life through visual art, poetry, liturgy, curriculum, worship installation art, coloring pages, graphic design, and more.
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This year, pledging through Realm is even easier! (Watch a tutorial video here.) Simply CLICK HERE to submit your pledge online, all in one form.
If you would also like to set up automatic eGiving from your bank account or credit card, be sure to checkmark Add a scheduled gift for this pledge after the pledge confirmation and follow the prompts.
You will receive an email confirmation of your pledge and a separate confirmation for eGiving, if applicable. Questions or concerns? Please contact Natalie Weaver, Stewardship & Financial Administrator, at nweaver@gcpcusa.org or leave a message at 828.254.3274.
WAYS TO PLEDGE:
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Online pledge card HERE
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Email Nweaver@gcpcusa.org
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Call 828.254.3274 and leave a message for Natalie Weaver
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Request a mailed pledge card from the office
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Worship Preview | Sunday, December 2, 2021
Second Sunday of Advent
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Sermon:
"The Early Shift"
by Richard Coble
Scripture:
Luke 1:68-79
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*For the full revised common lectionary, please click here. | |
| Thursday, December 2 | PW Circle 4 Mtg. | 7:00 pm on Zoom | | Sunday, December 5 | Kids Zoom Adventure | 10:15 am on Zoom | | Sunday, December 5 | Livestream Worship | 10:45 am on Youtube | | Sunday, December 5 | Confirmation | 3:30 pm @ GCPC | | Monday, December 6 | PW Circle 5 Mtg. | 11:00 am Zoom | | Tuesday, December 7 | Church Office Open | 10:00 am - 4:00 pm | | Tuesday, December 7 | VRQ Cook Team | 4:30 pm @ the VRQ | | Tuesday, December 7 | Guatemala Mtg. | 5:30 pm on Zoom | | Tuesday, December 7 | Worship Council Mtg. | 5:30 pm on Zoom | | Tuesday, December 7 | PW Circle 2 Mtg. | 7:30 pm on Zoom | | Wed., December 8 | Hybrid Bible Study | 10:00 am @ GCPC
(also on Zoom) | | Wed., December 8 | Choir Rehearsal Pod | 7:00 pm in Sanctuary | | |
GCPC Kids Zoom Adventure | Sundays | 10:15 AM | via Zoom | |
You will receive an email on Friday with the zoom information.
Email Cat Kessler (ckessler@gcpcsua.org) if you would like to be added to the list.
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
VRQ—BBQ Cook Team | Tuesday, December 7 | 4:30 or 5:30 PM
On the First Tuesday of each month, a team of folks gather at the Veterans Restoration Quarters, (1329 Tunnel Road) to grill hamburgers and prepare supper for more than 200 US Armed Forces Veterans living in transitional housing at the VRQ— an ABCCM Ministry.
The VRQ continues to have a good record of preventing COVID infection for staff, residents and volunteers. They are still using the infection control method of preparing the trays then the residents are allowed in, spaced apart, and seated one per table. They have also been responsible in cancelling or limiting our participation if there has been any significant exposure or community conditions change. Policy is that all employees are to wear masks. I have been assured by Danny Szemple, volunteer coordinator, that any volunteer may ask an employee to put on their mask to cover both mouth and nose.
Because changes may occur without notice IT IS IMPORTANT THAT I KNOW WHO IS COMING each month so that I can communicate any changes. The second concern is that the number of volunteers has been down. Some of our regulars are unable to come because of the pandemic. We need to have at least four and preferably six willing to be there to cook and three to help prepare the trays each month. If more want to come, we can always find things for them to do.
Thanks for responding if you can be there. We do this routine on the first Tuesday of each month. Hope to see you there.
~Bill Neeriemer, bill.nmer@gmail.com
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Lectionary Bible Study (Hybrid) | Wednesday, December 8 | 10:00 AM | @ GCPC and 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!
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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 (11/28-12/4): Martha Ensign Johnson |
email: marthaensignjohnson@gmail.com
Next week (12/5-12/11): Ellen Sizemore |email: ellen.sizemore@gmail.com
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Prayer requests will stay on the GCPC Prayer List for one month. Please let any staff 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)
Jeff (Tricia Hynes’ son)
Maria and Esteban Goicoechea (La Mariposa and her husband)
Winnie Martel (Prayers for Winnie and Susie Churchfield)
Jennifer Martin (Yvonne Smith’s daughter)
Gregg Young (Leslie Sharpe’s brother)
Henry Spradlin (Kelly Spradlin's brother)
Don Pressley (Amanda Pressley’s brother-in-law)
Jack Waskey (Anna Hamel’s father)
Family of Abigail Carter (family member of Alexandra Lusak)
Valerie Simon (Alexandra Lusak’s daughter-in-law)
Gabriel Alcalá (father of Marta Alcalá Williams)
Seminarians
Bob Higgins
Florence and Steve Riedesel
Susan Smialowicz
Laura Ross
Bill Williamson
Elizabeth Fisher
Doris Prak
The Seddon Family
Tyler Elstrom
Barry Sharpe
Sharon
Michelle Chromey and family
Marilyn Roderick
Phyllis Utley and family (grieving the death of Queen Mother Maggie Belle Gladden)
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20s/30s/& Beyond Gathering:
NC Arboretum “Winter Lights” & Dinner | Thursday, December 16
- 6:00 PM | Asheville Pizza and Brew
- 7:00 PM | GCPC Parking Lot
If you are in your twenties, thirties, or beyond, let's celebrate the Advent / Christmas season together on Dec. 16!
Dinner: For those who want to meet up for dinner, join us at AVL Pizza and Brew (645 Merrimon Ave) at 6:00. The restaurant does require proof of COVID vaccination. Please bring a picture of the front and back of your vaccination card along with a photo ID in order to enter the restaurant.
Lights: From there, we will head over at 7pm to the church parking lot (789 Merrimon Ave) to divide up into 4 cars (we had to purchase tickets in advance, so we have spots for 20 people!). From there, we will head to the Arboretum. Note: If you won’t be joining us for dinner, you can still join us at the church at 7p to head to the lights!!!
Friends are welcome!
Questions? Contact Richard Coble (rcoble@gcpcusa.org) or
Alex Hollifield (alexandralhollifield@gmail.com)
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SAVE THE DATE!
Sisters at the Sea 2022 | February 3 - 6, 2022 | Folly Beach, SC
Do you identify as a woman age 25ish-50ish who would like a weekend of connecting and rejuvenating in a beautiful natural setting? Mark your calendars for our 12th (we think!) annual SOS (“Save our Sanity”/“Sisters at Sea”) retreat!
REGISTRATION INFO COMING NEXT WEEK!
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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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Community Working Together | |
Congregational Need: A GCPC family is in need of housing during the winter of 2022. If anyone has a spare apartment or is in the need of a home-sitter during this time, please contact Richard Coble (rcoble@gcpcusa.org) for more information. | |
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What It Means to be Black in Asheville | Monday, December 13 | 6:00 - 8:00 PM | Online
Join Dr. Dwight Mullen for an update from The State of Black Asheville. Dr. Mullen will present data that describes policy outcomes in education, healthcare, housing, justice, and economic mobility. A critique of the significance of these findings will follow.
Dr. Mullen is committed to both his students and to being professionally active. Specifically, he's offered courses in public policy, American politics, and African and African-American politics. His scholarly activities include panels chaired and papers presented at meetings of the National Conference of Black Political Scientists, overseeing undergraduates' research projects covering the State of Black Asheville, and serving in local, state, national, and international capacities that aim to improve the delivery of public services to underserved populations. To register, go here.
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Buncombe County Remembrance Project Historical Markers' Installation Ceremony 2021 | |
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If you weren't able to attend the Historical Markers Ceremony or wanted to view it again, this video captures the opening ceremony and the unveiling of the markers at each of the three sites.
This 70 minute presentation includes the speeches from three key staff from the Equal Justice Initiative as well as the top three winners for the Buncombe County Essay Contest reading their essays.
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Young Adult Volunteer Program & Hands and Feet of Asheville Recruitment Season
The Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) program is an ecumenical, faith-based year of service for young people (ages 19–30) in sites across the United States and around the world.
YAVs accompany local agencies working to address root causes of poverty and reconciliation.
Alongside this work, volunteers explore the meaning of their faith and accountability to their neighbors in the community with peers and mentors.
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El Refugio continues to support Detainees at Stewart Detention Center
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‘Ready, set, shift!’
Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church in Asheville, North Carolina, hosts opening worship for #GivingTuesday
~ by Mike Ferguson
"#GivingTuesday, a day Presbyterians share their faith, love and finances with a world desperately in need of those and more, opened at noon Eastern Time on Nov. 30 with worship at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church in Asheville, North Carolina, which also offered up a fun film that employs a church catchphrase: “Ready, Set, Shift!”
The theme for the PC(USA)’s #GivingTuesday is “We are the Church together,” and that was readily apparent, with live broadcasts from western North Carolina; Minneapolis; the Presbyterian Center in Louisville, Kentucky; Austin, Texas; and Los Angeles.
A national audience watching on the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Facebook page through 8 p.m. Eastern Time Tuesday were blessed by a brief opening worship service, which included a reading of Psalm 100 and words by Grace Covenant’s Amy Kim Kyremes-Parks, who poured out water to remind the scattered community “of our belovedness.
The film featured the church’s pastor and head of staff, the Rev. Marcia Mount Shoop, and other church staff, including the Rev. Richard Coble, the church’s associate pastor, and Kyremes-Parks, Director of Formation for Children, Youth, and Their Families.
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The Rev. Tami Forte Logan | |
‘Faith 4 Justice shines on Giving Tuesday’ -
Interfaith group helps to dismantle white supremacy in western North Carolina
~ by Darla Carter
"Viewers of this week’s Giving Tuesday broadcast received an introduction to the work of Faith 4 Justice Asheville, an interfaith group that is helping to dismantle white supremacy in western North Carolina.
The group, which includes both clergy and lay persons, mobilizes faith communities to work together to advocate for racial equity and justice, and tries to heal racial trauma individually and collectively and in Black and brown communities, according to its website. It also strives to reduce racial inequity in the operation, ministry and mission of participating Faith 4 Justice communities.
“There’s a witness that churches who are involved in Faith 4 Justice are proclaiming in Asheville,” said the Rev. Tami Forte Logan, who serves as Equity Missioner. People know there’s “clergy who are really wrestling with this issue of white supremacy and committed to really embodying Christ and the love of Christ.”
As part of the PC(USA) fundraising event, during a sit-down interview with the Rev. Marcia Mount Shoop, the pastor and head of staff at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church in Asheville, Forte Logan described how Faith 4 Justice got its start."
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Pledges & Prepay
Now that 2022 pledges have started to come in, you may wonder if you can prepay that before the end of the year. The answer is "yes," but please be sure to differentiate between the current year (2021 General Fund) and next year (2022 General Fund).
If you are prepaying a 2022 pledge for next year, please be sure to notate that on your gift- simply write "2022 pledge" in the memo line of your check or select 2022 General Fund online.
If you have questions about your 2021 pledge balance or need assistance in submitting a 2022 pledge, please reach out to Natalie Weaver in the Finance Office at nweaver@gcpcusa.org or leave a message at 828.254.3274.
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STOCK DONATION CHANGES
The DTC and account number for our stock brokerage receiving account has changed since the BB&T and Truist merger in 3/2021. Please contact Natalie Weaver at nweaver@gcpcusa.org or 828.254.3274 for the updated account information before initiating any transfers- if you try to send them to the old account, it will not go through.
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A Christmas Celebration with Montreat College Choir & Orchestra | Saturday, December 4, 2021 | 7:00 PM | Anderson Auditorium | Lookout Road, Montreat, NC
Montreat College will host its annual Christmas Concert in Anderson Auditorium on Saturday, December 4, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. This event is free of charge as a gift to the community. The concert will feature the Montreat College choir and a live orchestra made up of Montreat students and community members.
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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 - Wednesday. 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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