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#GCPCinthesanctuary #WorldCommunionSunday | |
Jeff and Eli's Going Away Lunch | |
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Farewell to Jeff Jones
Sunday, October 9 is Jeff Jones’ last Sunday at Grace Covenant. We want to give Jeff a celebratory goodbye filled with gratitude for all the ways he has shared his gifts at GCPC. He has nourished and nurtured our music ministries in some amazing ways and through some trying times. Come and celebrate with us Sunday, October 9 in worship and between worship and the formation hour. There will be a reception honoring Jeff from 10:30-11am.
You can also share your gratitude by contributing to the love offering for Jeff. To contribute to this offering online, go to the GCPC giving website and select "Jeff Jones Love Offering" from the fund list. If you prefer to give by check, please make payable to GCPC and write "Jeff Jones" in the memo line mail to the office at 789 Merrimon Ave, Asheville, NC 28804 or bring on Sunday. Cash can be dropped off in the office or on Sunday with "Jeff Jones" specified on the envelope.
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Worship Preview | Sunday, October 9, 2022
In-person Service and Youtube
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*For the full revised common lectionary, please click here. | |
| Thursday, October 6 | A Journey Through the "Revelation of John" | 6:30 pm | Fellowship Hall/Atrium | | Saturday, October 8 | Garden Workday
(Team 2) | 9:00 am | GCPC Community Garden | | Saturday, October 8 | Garden Potluck | 4:00 - 6:00 pm @ GCPC | | Sunday, October 9 | Hybrid Worship
(In-person and online) | *9:30 am @ GCPC
(also on Youtube)
*NOTE NEW TIME | | Sunday, October 9 | FellowshipTime | 10:45 am | Narthex | | Sunday, October 9 | Formation for All Ages | 11:00 am
*please see details below | | Sunday, October 9 | Middle School Youth Group | 4:30 pm | Youth Room | | Sunday, October 9 | Cancer Support Group Mtg. | 7:00 pm on Zoom | | Tuesday - Thursday | Church Office Open | 10 am - 4 pm | | Tuesday, October 11 | Property Council | 6:00 pm on Zoom | | Tuesday, October 11 | PW Circle 3 Mtg. | 7:00 pm | Offsite | | Wednesday, October 12 | Garden Workday
(Team 3) | 9:00 am | GCPC Community Garden | | Wednesday, October 12 | Bible Study | 12:00 pm | Jerusalem Room (also on Zoom) | | Wednesday, October 12 | Choir Rehearsal | 7:00 pm | Sanctuary | | Thursday, October 13 | Men of GCPC Gathering | 9:00 am on Zoom | | |
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Children's Formation (K-5th Grade) | Sundays | 11:00 AM | Sanctuary
The children will begin in the Sanctuary with prayer, music and storytelling. At 11:25 am they will travel to their "wondering rooms" (second floor of Education Wing) to finish their Godly Play lesson. Pick up is at noon and children are invited to take a snack home.
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Youth Formation (Middle/High School) | Sundays | 11:00 AM | Youth Room
After worship service starting at 11 a.m. Middle and High Schoolers will meet together in the new youth room. We will provide breakfast-like snacks and will be learning about Holy Troublemakers and Unconventional Saints.
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Adult Formation: Faith and Boundaries I Sundays | September 18 -November 20 | 11:00 AM I Fellowship Hall and Zoom
Does life feel like it's out of control? Perhaps you feel like you have to say yes to everyone's requests. Maybe you find yourself readily taking responsibility for others' feelings and problems. Or perhaps you focus so much on being loving and unselfish that you've forgotten your own limits and limitations. Or maybe it's all of the above. This fall, we will be exploring a faith based approach to boundaries, a vital tool for all communities and relationships searching for ways to create space for love, compassion, and and justice.
Facilitators: Margaret Tierney, Paul Rogers, Libby Kyles, Marta Alcalá, Patty Thompson, and Dean Presson
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86748147293
Meeting ID: 867 4814 7293 Passcode: 789
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GCPC Cancer Survivors and Thrivers | Sunday, October 9 | 7:00- 8:00 PM | Zoom
The GCPC Cancer Ministry invites anyone who has had cancer and newly diagnosed cancer initiates for an open meeting for discussion and support. Small groups of people with the same specific cancer will be formed, to afford all a supportive meeting for open discussion. Please consider joining and supporting us, as we are important to each other, church members, family and friends in this body in Christ. We will also reveal the speaker for our upcoming November 6 meeting. “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am I, in the midst of them.”
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86144844296
Meeting ID: 861 4484 4296 Passcode: 789
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Bible Study | Wednesdays | 12:00 PM | Jerusalem Room & 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/82947867192
Meeting ID: 829 4786 7192 Passcode: 789
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A Letter from Keaton Hill... | |
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Dear Grace Covenant Community,
As someone who has been a part of the Grace Covenant community for just over nine years, who currently serves on Session and as co-chair of the Finance Council, I have experienced firsthand the way our faith community changes lives. GCPC is a space where we can practice relating to each other and to our resources in transformative ways.
The life of faith offers us an economy of grace. In an economy of grace, wealth grows through sharing, not by earning. A widow’s penny is worth more than wads of cash (Mark 12). In this economy, disciples inflamed by Spirit grow community through generously combining resources (Acts 2), and each family has just what they need (Exodus 16).
This economy of grace offers us a way to be in the world that is distinct from what American culture teaches us. The larger culture conditions us to valorize wealth and criminalize poverty. People are reduced to consumers and commodities whose purpose is to maximize profits. We are told that our salary is a direct reflection of our worth, and that there is never enough for everyone to have what they need. Too often in American culture you get what you pay for and money dictates what is possible.
As followers of Christ, we abide by a different logic.
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READY TO SUBMIT YOUR 2023 PLEDGE?
Submitting your pledge is quick and easy! (Watch a tutorial video here.) Simply CLICK HERE or scan the Qr code to the right 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. These are two separate steps and forms - setting up a pledge does not renew eGiving automatically and eGiving without a pledge doesn't count towards our Stewardship and budget goals.
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 giving@gcpcusa.org or leave a message at 828.254.3274.
Keep in mind, anyone can pledge any amount - every single penny helps support the ministry and mission at GCPC!
WAYS TO PLEDGE:
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Online pledge card HERE
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Email giving@gcpcusa.org
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Call 828.254.3274 and leave a message for Natalie Weaver
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Fill out a pew pledge card and put in the Sunday offering plate
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Request a mailed pledge card from the office
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GCPC Advent Devotional Calendar
Would you consider participating in Grace Covenant’s 2022 Advent devotional? You are invited to create an advent devotional for a specific day’s assigned scripture based on the lectionary. We are encouraging creativity - your devotional could be a poem, painting, song or reflections on how the scripture moves you. Your devotional can be inspired by the Biblical texts from your day.
Entries should be submitted by October 31 to Margaret Tierney at margarettierney6@gmail.com, where it will be curated into this year's GCPC Advent Devotional.
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Volunteer with the Bereavement Team!
The Bereavement Team is looking for new volunteers. There are two ways to help serve:
- Join a monthly team for providing a receptions in the event of Memorial Services (1 month per year).
- Join a cookie prep team that would bake or buy 2 dozen cookies for the reception.
This is a wonderful way to serve the families of the church and get to know people better!
Please contact Cathy Froehlich, oremont2@gmail.com, or Susan Curtis, jandscurtis@msn.com, if you are interested.
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Sound Assistance Needed!
If you would like to volunteer to help with the sound for Sunday morning services, contact Micah:
micah@gcpcusa.org
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The Memorial Garden committee has two requests for input from the congregation.
- The original fountain needs direction. We cannot use for the water feature because of leaking issues. The sculpture needs a plan to keep it an intricate part of our garden. The shelves are too small for potted plants, and we would like to have something that does not require a lot of watering. This fountain was supported, created, and placed by congregational members, who wanted this symbolism to add to the garden. I have included a picture.
- We need members to assist with maintaining the garden; it is not hard work but requires at least once a week to check for weeds, etc. We would like to have 3-4 people and anyone with knowledge of outdoor plantings etc. would be helpful.
Contact: Roger Meade, rjmsfm@gmail.com or Anna Louise, annalouise@gcpcusa.org, in the office.
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WNC WORKERS’ CENTER COLLECTION
DEADLINE: OCTOBER 30
COLLECTION BOX:
IN NARTHEX
IDEAS: Coloring and activity books, crayons, puzzles, games, books, art supplies, infant and toddler-safe toys, anything to occupy children and youth ages 1 month to 17 years. Books in English are fine, especially books for teenagers.
Any questions, please call or email Chris Callaway at 404-633-7451 or christinecallaway4@gmail.com.
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Let’s support Covenant Partner Western North Carolina Workers’ Center as they conduct their annual “Women Fighting for Justice” Conference virtually. The focus of the 2-day conference is on training women leaders to work with employers on workplace aggression and violence issues.
Thirty-five women leaders will be attending online, and with our support of toys, activity books, puzzle games, art supplies and other books, their children and youth will be engaged while they participate. We’re excited to support 72 children and youth ranging in age from 1 month to 17 years!
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Let’s do what we can to support these amazing women!
~ Submitted by Serve Council members Lynne Meacham, Eleanor Lane, and Chris Callaway
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Our 13 Covenant Partners everyday serve Black and Brown communities with their time, energy and resources. We want them to feel loved, appreciated and supported in their important work. The Serve Council will be collecting items to present in beautiful gift bags in November.
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GIFTS OF APPRECIATION: Gift cards; self-care and stress relieving products such as scented candles, lotions, mists, facial, eye and foot masks, diaries/journals, positivity cards/postcards, chocolate, tea, goodies that will stay preserved - anything that will support our Partners relax and feel loved!
COLLECTION BOX: IN NARTHEX
DEADLINE TO COLLECT: NOVEMBER 13!
If you have any questions, please contact Eleanor Lane at elane@northstarlane.com. THANK YOU!!
~ Submitted by Serve Council members Eleanor Lane and Chris Callaway
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Deacon of the Week:
The deacons of Grace Covenant are 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 (10/2-10/8): Skip Stansell | email: skipstansell1@gmail.com
Next week (10/9-10/15): Cathy Froehlich | email: oremont2@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
Maria and Esteban Goicoechea (La Mariposa and her husband)
Seth Turnbow (Anne Raustol’s twin brother)
Trey and Alisha Thompson and 3 kids - Gabi, Arlo, and Eldon (Patty and Brent Thompson's son and daughter-in-law and grandchildren)
Sarah Ralston (Susie Bleckley’s mom)
Sarah, Haley, and Keaton Talley after the death of Jason (husband/father) (family friend of the Wiesner Family)
Joe Frostick (Peggy and Heath Rada’s nephew)
Rebecca Longenecker-Singer (sister-in-law of Loidaly & Hans Rosario-Singer)
Maryann Jennings and Sasso Family
Carolyn McEchern
Eric Mount (Marcia Mount Shoop's father)
Bob Higgins
Susan Smialowicz
Doris Prak
Michelle Chromey and family
Earl Fowler
Robin Gaiser
Andrea Rosal
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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: Second Tuesday of each month (some Zoom and some in-person), 7:00 p.m.
Circle 4: First Tuesdays of each month, 10:30 a.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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On Wednesday, September 28 Team 3 had 9 volunteers that harvested 5.4 lbs. of beans, 2 lbs. of eggplant, 36 lbs. of bell peppers, 1.5 lb.s of snacking peppers, 60 lbs. of tomatoes and almost 3 lbs. of poblano peppers. This harvest was shared with the YWCA. | |
On Wednesday, October 5, Team 1 had 7 volunteers that harvested 23 lbs. of collards, .6 lbs. of kale, 7 lbs. of bell peppers, 4.8 lbs. of snacking peppers, 12.5 lbs. of hot peppers, and 33 lbs. of tomatoes. This harvest was shared with YTL families. | |
Community Working Together | |
Outlook Webinar with Jimmie Hawkins | Tuesday, October 11 | 7 PM | |
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Join Teri McDowell Ott for a 60-minute conversation and Q&A with PC(USA) Advocacy Director for the Office of Public Witness & Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations Jimmie Hawkins on October 11, 2022, at 7 p.m. EST.
They will be discussing Hawkins' new book Unbroken and Unbowed: A History of Black Protest in America — the only account of its kind that covers the whole history of Black protest through recent 21st-century events. Learn more.
Can't make the webinar? A recording will be made available to all registrants.
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PODER Emma Work Days
Help our team put a roof on a trailer in one of the cooperatively-owned trailer parks in our network. Support affordable housing and collective power!
Dates: Friday, Sat, Sun, Mon | October 14-17th
Number of Volunteers Needed: 3
Time: 9 am - 5 pm
Location: Sourwood Mobile Home Park, Eaglebear Drive
Lunch provided.
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Description of Project:
Constructing a wood frame and installing metal shed roof over existing metal (flat) mobile home roof in Sourwood Mobile Home Park. Work will include some lifting, ladder work, and general support. No construction experience required.
Please wear/bring: Closed-toe shoes, sunscreen, hat, water bottle
We will provide safety gear such as ear and eye protection.
If you have, please bring:
Hand tools, drills, 1⁄4 driver, tin snips, square, hammer, tape measure, pencil, tool belt, etc.
Questions: Chispas@qcrecoop.com or 828-332-1021
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The “Jubilee Alternative Micro Shelter” needs volunteers. Volunteer at Jubilee! on Patton Ave. for the 5:15-8:30pm “intake” shift or come for the 8pm-9:30am “overnight” shift.
New volunteers will be oriented and will follow a veteran volunteer. To learn more and to help out, call: Pat Cheffins at (585) 766-1782.
This shelter will be open until November.
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GCPC's Covenant Partner, Bountiful Cities
Help support FEAST!
Their FEAST program reaches over 1,150 students a year in Asheville, Buncombe County, and Madison County with hands-on cooking and gardening classes in schools and afterschool programs. Help us fully fund this important program this fall!
Bountiful Cities FEAST teachers work within Asheville City and Buncombe County schools, Hot Springs Elementary and Francine Delany New School to give students hands on experience. We are not funded by the school systems, and yet we integrate with the grade level curriculum to provide history, science, reading, math, and art education in addition to gardening and cooking. Our goal is to give students tools that will last a lifetime. If they have seeds they will know how to have food.
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Interfaith Initiative -
Social Justice Opportunities
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Buncombe Community Remembrance Project |
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The Rev. Jimmie Hawkins (Photo by Rich Copley) | |
The Rev. Jimmie Hawkins of the PC(USA) joins a panel examining the trouble with Christian nationalism -
Wednesday’s ecumenical discussion touches on what can be done to protect religious freedom for all
~ by Darla Carter
Although there has been much talk in recent years about Christian nationalism, especially surrounding the Jan. 6, 2021 attack at the U.S. Capitol Building, it’s far from a new concept, the Rev. Jimmie Hawkins noted during an online conversation on Wednesday.
“It’s been around for a very long time but has evolved and twisted into new configurations and shapes,” said Hawkins, associate director of advocacy for the Compassion, Peace & Justice ministries of the Presbyterian Mission Agency. “But there have always been those who have attempted to shift Christianity into a servant of the state and the state into a Christian nation.”
Historical examples have included the Doctrine of Discovery, Manifest Destiny and American exceptionalism, Hawkins said. “They were all based upon a theological premise that God ordained white supremacy for the establishment of a Christian nation and to utilize the resources of this land, that the bodies and talents of people of color were all for the benefit of white Christian Americans.”
His remarks came during “Justice Talks: The Rise of Christian Nationalism,” an ecumenical webinar by the General Board of Church and Society, which is affiliated with the United Methodist Church.
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Dr. William Yoo, a seminary professor and author, helps the PMA Board take an honest look at Presbyterian complicity in slavery and anti-Black racism -
A discussion of Yoo’s new book, ‘What Kind of Christianity,’ dominates the second day of the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board’s meeting at Stony Point Center
~ by Mike Ferguson
In the first paragraph of his new book “What Kind of Christianity: A History of Slavery and Anti-Black Racism in the Presbyterian Church,” Dr. William Yoo includes this question first raised by the Rev. Dr. Katie Geneva Cannon: “Where was the Church and the Christian believers when Black women and Black men, Black boys and Black girls, were being raped, sexually abused, lynched, assassinated, castrated and physically oppressed? What kind of Christianity allowed white Christians to deny basic human rights and simple dignity to Blacks, these same rights which have been given to others without question?”
It was that second question especially that grabbed the attention of members of the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board on Thursday during the board’s meeting at Stony Point Center in New York’s Hudson River Valley. Yoo, Associate Professor of American Religious and Cultural History and Director of the MDiv program at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia, led three sessions discussing his book, published last month by Westminster John Knox Press.
Some people have called Yoo’s work, in which he discusses the complicity of the majority of Presbyterians in promoting, supporting, or willfully ignoring the enslavement of other human beings during the early part of the 19th century, a “fearless book,” Yoo told the board. “I didn’t set out to write a fearless book,” he said, “but that’s where the research led.”
Read the first chapter of Yoo’s book here.
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Princeton Theological Seminary to host series on the future of American democracy ~ by Princeton Theological Seminary
In a moment defined by cascading crises, many people across the nation are wondering about the future of American democracy. In the months ahead, Princeton Theological Seminary will confront this uncertainty head-on, convening a series of conversations with leaders poised to shape the future.
The kickoff conversation — on the challenge of hyper-polarization and how this phenomenon affects Christian communities, our ability to sustain government of and by the people, and the course of everyday life — takes place from 4:30 p.m. through 6 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, Oct. 13, on the Atrium of the Wright Library, 64 Mercer Street in Princeton, New Jersey.
The free event will also be livestreamed. Registration is required; go here to register.
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An Evening with John Philip Newell | Monday, October 24 | 7 - 9 PM | Anderson Auditorium, Montreat
The Three Graces: An introduction to the vision of John Philip Newell’s new book Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul.
John Philip Newell will be introducing the main themes of his award-winning book, Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul, focusing especially on the three graces of Celtic wisdom for today:
- The Grace of Nature
- The Grace of the Human Soul
- The Grace of Awakening
Following the presentation (including Q&A) there will be a reception and book signing.
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The church office is open Tuesday - Thursday, 10am - 4pm.
We recommend calling ahead or emailing to set up an appointment if you are wanting to meet with a specific staff member. Please note, many staff are off or work remotely on Monday and the office is not open on Friday.
Coming to visit? We have a new video doorbell to assist with security. To access the building or office, please enter through the far left glass doors off the courtyard (labeled Enter). Ring the doorbell to have the door unlocked. The GCPC office is down the hall to the right, just past the Sanctuary.
You can also reach our office by phone at 828.254.3274. Follow the prompts for the staff directory to dial by name or press 0 for the main office.
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Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church
789 Merrimon Ave. Asheville, NC 28804
828.254.3274
www.gcpcusa.org
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