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*For the full revised common lectionary, please click here.

This Sunday we will celebrate the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper.

Remember that our at home practice has been to use anything you have 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.

A congregational meeting has been called for Sunday, November 6 immediately following worship to approve the slate for the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee.

There will be ways to vote online and in person. 

Reception for Melva Lowry | Sunday, November 6 | Following worship | Atrium

Melva’s last Sunday is All Saints Sunday, November 6. Please take a moment to share gratitude with Melva at our reception after worship on November 6. You can contribute to a love offering for Melva as well. To contribute to this offering online, go to the GCPC giving website and select "Melva Lowry Love Offering" from the fund list. If you prefer to give by check, please make payable to GCPC and write "Melva Lowry" 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 "Melva Lowry" specified on the envelope. Thank you, Melva, for sharing your gifts so generously with the Grace Covenant community. 

Serve Volunteer Opportunity - Monday, November 7

You are invited to assist our Covenant Partner, Colaborativa La Milpa, with sorting, bagging and giving food from their monthly Manna Food Bank shipment at Emma United Methodist - parking lot - 55 Adams Hills Rd (off Bingham Rd. from Emma Rd.) AVL 28806.

Volunteer on Monday, November 7 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm. They need volunteers! Bring sunscreen, water, a hat! Knowing Spanish is appreciated yet not required. 

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

October 30, 2022

Property Council 

Stewardship Video

Dear Grace Covenant Community,

I have been the Property Manager and Property Council member for Grace Covenant for almost 4 years. During this time I have seen a church go from a very busy, bustling hub of activity every day, to a church that was closed down and eerily quiet due to Covid. I was the only staff member during the initial months that continued to work at the church and it was almost unnerving to be in the church and hear nothing in a building that once was alive with voices, laughter, and love. This was just a little taste of what is happening to some churches across America.

Fortunately, the doors were opened back up and we are quickly returning to the high activity level that was once a very exciting component of Grace Covenant. Ministry partners are returning to use our building for meetings and other functions, and per our building use policy there is no fee for this service. Various non-profits and community-enhancing groups are also coming back, and they are charged based on a sliding scale. It is rapidly approaching the point that on certain evenings it is difficult to find a parking space at the church during the week.

We also have The Children's Center at Gracelyn on site five days a week from morning to evenings providing licensed five star child care services in the first floor of the Education Building, as well as YTL (Youth Transformed for Life) providing after school care until 6:00 pm in the Atrium and Fellowship Hall during the school year. During the summer YTL provided summer camp from morning until evening. Between these two groups we have at times upwards of 140 children using Grace Covenant.

All of this is to say that this fantastic use of this church takes its toll on the building, grounds, and equipment. Just two weeks ago our 20+ year old ice machine took its last gasp, and had to be replaced. All of this upkeep and maintenance is accomplished because of your generous giving. Pledging is so very important because the Property Council plans out what repairs can be accomplished next year, and what has to be put off until future years based on pledges. The unfortunate part of repair work is that very rarely do buildings and systems repair themselves. In fact, when repairs have to be put off additional damage is done and it ends up costing much more.

Please prayerfully consider what you can give to this wonderful church we call Grace Covenant Presbyterian and turn in your pledges. This is vitally important for the continued success and support we provide our community and our God.

~ Clifford Schlegelmilch

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:

• Online pledge card HERE
• Email giving@gcpcusa.org
• Call 828.254.3274 and leave a message for Natalie Weaver
• Fill out a pew pledge card and put in the Sunday offering plate
• Request a mailed pledge card from the office

All Saints Sunday - November 6, 2022

All Saints Sunday is an opportunity for us to remember and honor the great cloud of witnesses of those who have come before us.

We are inviting you to add a photo along with the name(s) of those who have passed away in the last year (11/21-11/22) that you would like to lift up in prayer in the All Saint's worship service on Sunday, November 6th. We will also be doing the traditional necrology of GCPC members who have died in the past year. 

Submissions should be made by Friday NOON on November 4th. Please email Micah at micah@gcpcusa.org with the picture, the name(s) of your loved one(s), and their birth and death dates. Please write “Nov 6 slide show” in the subject line.

5 spots still available!

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 to Margaret Tierney ASAP at margarettierney6@gmail.com, where it will be curated into this year's GCPC Advent Devotional. 

• GCPC Devotionals



• Email prayer@gcpcusa.org 

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 (10/30-11/5): Pam Baker | email: pam.dunkin56@gmail.com

Next week (11/6-11/12): Martha Ensign Johnson | email: marthaensignjohnson@gmail.com

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)

Rebecca Longenecker-Singer (sister-in-law of Loidaly & Hans Rosario-Singer)

Maryann Jennings and Sasso Family

Eric Mount (Marcia Mount Shoop's father)

Family of Joe Frostick (Peggy and Heath Rada’s nephew)

Dorothy Zuck (Pat Durham's mom)

Bill Ross (Jonathan Ross' dad)

Erik Jacobs (Kathy Jacobs' son)

Hillary Frye (Steve Riedesel’s friend)

Bob Higgins

Susan Smialowicz

Doris Prak

Michelle Chromey and family

Earl Fowler

Robin Gaiser

Andrea Rosal

Sharon Sasse

Lisette de Groot

A Service of Witness to the Resurrection and Thanksgiving for the Life of Bob Schaefer will take place on Sunday, November 6 at 2:00 pm in the GCPC sanctuary.

GCPC Community member, Ernest Jack Griset III, passed away on Sept. 14, 2022. A graveside Service of Witness to the Resurrection will take place Saturday, November 5 at 1:00 pm at Lewis Memorial Park, officiated by Richard Coble.

Presbyterian Womenʼs Circles are Zoom meetings. ​​Please join us.

Circle 1: Second Monday of each month, 10:00 a.m.

• Cathy Froehlich - 775-1016, oremont2@gmail.com

Circle 2: First Tuesday of each month, 7:30 p.m.

• Ann Brown - (828) 279-4917, hbcove@aol.com 
• Heather Hudson - 501-442-6223, hehudson@charter.net

Circle 3: Second Tuesday of each month (some Zoom and some in-person), 7:00 p.m.

• Andrea Rosal - (828) 545-8466, ameach@gmail.com
• Lynn Saul - (704) 451-5268, lynniesaul@gmail.com

Circle 4: Second Tuesdays of each month, 10:30 a.m.

• Marcy Onieal – (828) 775-9433, marcy.onieal@gmail.com
• Connie Jones – 231-2680, Conjones@charter.net

Circle 5: First Monday of each month, 11:00 a.m.

• Lynne Noble – (828) 582-9346, lynnesnoble@gmail.com 

Need to set up a church zoom meeting?

Contact Anna Louise and she can get you all set up!

On Wednesday, October 26, Team 1 had 9 volunteers that harvested 2.8 lbs. of cabbage, 4.5 lbs. of collards, 5.9 lbs. of tomatoes, and 11.4 lbs. of turnips. This bounty was shared with the YWCA.

On Saturday, October 29, Team 4 had 10 volunteers that harvested 9 lbs. of cabbage, 5 lbs. of collards, 6.5 lbs. of bell peppers, and 23 lbs. of turnips. This harvest was shared with Loving Food Resources.

On Wednesday, November 2, Team 1 had 8 volunteers that harvested 7.7 lbs. of cabbage, 3.4 lbs. of collards, and 20 lbs. of turnips which was shared with the YWCA.

Hood Huggers International, Peace Gardens & Market and Blue Note Junction present....

Land of the Sky UCC and Circle of Mercy welcome

Witness for Peace Southeast and Maria Violet Medina Quiscue | Sunday, November 6 | Dinner at 6:15; Presentation at 6:45pm | 

Land of Sky UCC, Fellowship Hall

Maria is the general coordinator for the Mesa de Pueblos Indigenas Victimas del Conflicto Armado en Bogotá (Committee of Indigenous Peoples Victims of the Armed Conflict in Bogota), a grassroots organization representing 16 Indigenous groups currently living in conditions of forced displacement in the city of Bogota, Colombia. Click here to read more about her work.

We will gather for pupusas made by Marta from Beloved for dinner at 6:15pm, and the presentation and Q&A will begin 6:45-7 and run for one hour. Suggested donation for dinner $5 per person or $15 per family.

Pisgah Legal presents.... Housing Lunch and Learn | Wednesday, November 9 | 12:00 - 1:30 PM | Roy Johnson Room @ First United Methodist Church

Learn how local advocates are working together to prevent homelessness and create affordable housing opportunities in Henderson County. Thanks to our generous sponsor, Rich Cooke with Allen Tate/Beverly-Hanks, REALTORS, lunch will be complimentary, but registration is required. Sign up online here.

Sacred Conversations: Eco Grief and Gratification | Monday, November 14 | 12 - 1 PM | on Zoom

Join Partners in Health and Wholeness staff and guest speaker Ren Martin (Program Coordinator, Eco-Justice Connection) for a conversation on how we can come to grips with the world we live in, and the part we have to play in fixing our common home.

Working Wheels

Do you have an extra car that needs to find a new home? Imagine how difficult your life would be without a car! Working Wheels repairs and recycles donated vehicles, transforming them into working wheels for working families. The process is simple, the donation is tax-deductible, and the impact is real. To donate, volunteer, or learn more, please visit www.workingwheelswnc.org or call 828-633-6888.

NEW DATES!!

Fraught & Flummoxed: Courage and Creativity for the Elevation of the Gospel | January 30–February 2, 2023 | Montreat

In a time when the gospel of Jesus is threatened by the ascendance of Christian nationalism and white supremacy, what is the apprehensive, overstretched church leader to do? How does a leader tend one’s soul for the elevation of the gospel? How do followers of Jesus meet this moment with courage and imagination?

Building on the content of past conferences such as CoInspire, DisGrace, and MLK’s Unfinished Agenda, we will engage in three days of peer learning group work in partnership with Crossroads to examine the current challenges of leadership in this time and place. Furthermore, we will critically reflect on the obstacles of leadership as well as explore tangible and embodied practices involving creativity, movement, and contemplative exercises with the goal of building capacity and endurance for this important work. All levels of interest and experience are welcome as we will host three customized tracks of learning, nurture, and growth.

Benefit Concert for PEG Partners in Guatemala (David LaMotte, Chris Rosser, Nikki Morgan) | Sunday, November 6 | 4:00 PM |

White Horse, Black Mountain

PEG Partners has been working in Guatemala since 2004, supporting local community leaders in efforts to nurture kids through education, arts, scholarships and mentoring. Though the organization has worked in over a dozen communities for various short-term projects, we have focused on three primary projects in recent years: a primary school in the Mayan village of Tzanchaj, near Santiago, Atitlán, and to projects in the town of El Tejar, near Chimaltenango: a music school founded in 2007 and cooperatively supported by LEAF International and PEG, and a mentoring and scholarship program, Brillaguate, which began as a program to support young women from economically disadvantaged homes, and has expanded in recent years to include a young men’s program, as well. The organization grew out of experiences David and Deanna LaMotte had on their honeymoon in Guatemala, eighteen years ago.

100% of this evening’s proceeds will go to PEG projects, with nothing removed for administrative expenses. 

 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.

• Click for the Online Calendar
• Click to Make a Secure Donation or Give a Gift  

Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church

789 Merrimon Ave. Asheville, NC 28804

828.254.3274 

www.gcpcusa.org