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#GCPCathome (and in the sanctuary!) | |
Worship Preview | Sunday, May 8, 2022
Fourth Sunday of Easter
Sanctuary and Youtube
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*For the full revised common lectionary, please click here. | |
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Reservations are no longer required for childcare on Sundays at Grace Covenant!
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.
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, May 7 | Garden Workday
(Team 2) | 9:00 am | GCPC Community Garden | | Sunday, May 8 | Hybrid Adult Education | 9:00 am in Fellowship Hall (also on Zoom) | | Sunday, May 8 | Kid's Zoom Adventure | 10:15 am on Zoom | | Sunday, May 8 | Hybrid Worship
(In-person and online) | 10:45 am @ GCPC
(also on Youtube) | | Sunday, May 8 | Roadtrip Retrospective (aka Sabbatical Report) | 6:00 pm @ GCPC
(also on Youtube) | | Monday, May 9 | PW Circle 1 Mtg. | 10:00 am | Fellowship Hall | | Tuesday, May 10 | Church Office Open! | 10:00 am - 4:00 pm | | Tuesday, May 10 | Hybrid Property Mtg. | 6:30 pm @ GCPC
(also on Zoom) | | Wednesday, May 11 | Garden Workday
(Team 3) | 9:00 am | GCPC Community Garden | | Wednesday, May 11 | Bible Study | 10:00 am @ GCPC
(also on Zoom) | | Wednesday, May 11 | Choir Rehearsal | 7:00 pm @ GCPC | | Thursday, May 12 | Men of GCPC Gathering | 8:30 am on Zoom | | |
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Adult Education | Presbyterianism 102: Going Deeper into Presbyterian Belief and Practice I Sundays | April 24 - May 22 I 9:00 - 10:00 AM | Fellowship Hall and Zoom
To be Presbyterian is to join a way of life informed by a particular rhythm: God calls us in grace and love; we respond in gratitude. This 5 week course will explore the many ways that Presbyterians can understand this rhythm in our lives today. No prior understanding of Presbyterianism is needed! Come and let's explore together! Facilitators: Richard Coble, Matt Wiedle, Janice Kominski
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84169676300
Meeting ID: 841 6967 6300 Passcode: 789
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Hybrid Lectionary Bible Study | Wednesday, May 11 | 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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As GCPC celebrates our 69 years of ministry this month, the Presbyterian Women Birthday Offering is celebrating 100 years of Giving in support of PW’s mission partners around the world and at home. Since 1922, the gifts of Presbyterian Women and PCUSA congregations have supported the building of schools, hospitals, shelters and housing for families in need. Additionally, the birthday offering has funded programs for leadership & teacher training, emergency relief, college & seminary education, community & diversity building. PW continues to transform the church and mission work, and women’s roles in both. Through times of great change, Presbyterian Women has remained constant in answering God’s call to care for all.
As we celebrate this centennial year of the Birthday Offering, please give in honor of the women who generously gave in years past. Give in hope for the proise of generous women who will ensure this transformative PW ministry for many years to come.
The PW Birthday Offering will be collected in worship on Sunday, May 15, but you may give through Realm at anytime by clicking on “Giving” and selecting "Other Gift" and designate PW Birthday/Thank Offering.
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Sunday Flowers for the Sanctuary!
The 2022 Flower Chart is now available! Please consider signing up to give flowers one Sunday. GCPC will place the order each week. Click on the button below to access the calendar and check which dates are available.
After signing up, email Anna Louise (annalouise@gcpcusa.org) your dedication for the bulletin or include it in the comment section in the sign-up.
Please mail your $75 check, payable to GCPC (with Flowers in the Memo line) to 789 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, NC 28804
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The Children’s Center at Gracelyn
The Children’s Center is a non-profit, non-sectarian childcare center located in the education wing of GCPC since the early 70s. We are thriving in spite of COVID while many centers have had to close doors due to finances.
At this time we are looking for a new Board member for an At-Large position representing the community (a non-church member and non-parent in our childcare program.) More information and an application can be found on our website www.childrenscenteratgracelyn.com under the link Board of Directors.
If you know of someone who might be interested, please direct them to the website or pass their name to Connie Jones, Board Chair (conjones@charter.net) or to Amy Kim (amykim@gcpcusa.org).
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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 (5/1-5/7): Debbie Welch | email: DeborahLynnWelch@aol.com
Next week (5/8-5/14): Pam Baker | email: pam.dunkin56@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)
Jeffrey and Jennifer Hedges (Parents of Landon, Joe and Janice Brumit's godson)
Seth Turnbow (Anne Raustol’s twin brother)
Vince and Michele (Gordon Gaiser’s niece and nephew-in-law)
Chip Lambert (GCPC Community member who is hiking the App. Trail)
Jordan Lemmond (Matt Wiedle and Lara Hollaway's son)
Diane Jones (Marta Alcala-Williams' friend)
Joseph Tierney (Paul Tierney’s father)
Don Weddell (Robin and Gordon Gaiser’s friend)
Donna Krueger (Robin and Gordon Gaiser’s friend)
Brittney Connoley (Amy Kim Kyremes-Parks' cousin)
Margarita del Carmen Leiva Nuñez (Marta Alcala-Williams' friend)
Rachel Morgan (Anna Louise Murchison's friend)
Pat O’Hara (Christa Hyatt’s sister)
Shabnam and Sana (Afghan Family partnering with GCPC’s Circle of Welcome)
Dakota Ferris (Mary Lou Nash’s grandson)
Hans and Loidaly awaiting the arrival of their first child
Bob Higgins
Susan Smialowicz
Doris Prak
Michelle Chromey and family
Bob Schaefer
Frances Johnson
| A Service of Witness to the Resurrection and Celebration for the Life of Irene Dillingham Richards will take place at GCPC on Monday, May 9 at 2pm in the sanctuary. You can also watch the service on our YouTube channel here. There will be a reception following the service. Click here to see her obituary. | |
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Racial Justice Book Series | May 26 | 7:30 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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Saturday's Team 4 had six volunteers that harvested (3 lbs. chard, 3 lbs. collards and 3 lbs. kale), planted flowers in one bed and weeded several others! | |
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Wednesday's Team 1 had 12 volunteers that pulled in a great harvest: over 36 lbs. of chard, almost 20 lbs. of collards, 16 lbs. of kale, 10 lbs. of spinach and 70 lbs. of lettuce that was donated to YTL and Loving Food Resources!!!
They also did some planting which included zucchini & cucumber transplants and yellow squash seed, bush bean and okra seeds, and cilantro and parsley.
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WE NEED ROCKS!!!
Donate a rock for our new flower beds!
Have an extra rock or two laying around that you don't need? We are looking for rocks about the size of a cantaloupe or a football, or maybe a spaghetti squash, to help line our new perennial flower beds at the Community Garden. Please drop off your rocks by May 22nd in the black bin labeled "GARDEN ROCKS" in the GCPC courtyard or down by the compost bins at the Community Garden near McDonald's parking lot.
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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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GCPC's Circle of Welcome
Our Afghan friends, Shabnam and Sana, continue to adjust and integrate into life in Asheville. They are making great strides in learning English, making friends, working or attending school. It's beautiful to see their growth. Please prayerfully consider the following urgent need for housing.
They will need to find a new home soon and ideally, this will be affordable and on a bus line. Maybe you know of someone with a garage apartment or a short-term rental that can be longer-term. We need help with this urgently so please reach out soon!
Contact Bonnie Parker at bparker@lscarolinas.net.
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GCPC Ministry Partner, 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 cars, 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.
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Habitat for Humanity News!
GCPC is participating along with a dozen or more faith families in this years' Habitat for Humanity House of Faith. June volunteer dates are still available on the calendar! If you are interested, please contact Bill Ryan at bill73ryan@gmail.com. More information is also available at the Welcome Desk in the narthex.
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The future homeowners for the House of Faith are Jesse and Kayla Coffey and their three children! Click here to read their bio.
Another way to support the Habitat house is to send a donation directly to: Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity, 33 Meadow Road, Asheville, NC 28803.
Or call 828-251-4702 for a way to give electronically. Please mention that the money is toward this year's House of Faith and is connected with GCPC.
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AVL GreenWorks Hard 2 Recycle Event | Saturday, May 14 | 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM | North Buncombe High School (890 Clarks Chapel Rd., Weaverville, NC 28787 - Student Parking Lot)
Drop off your broken appliances, old computers, white styrofoam, and cardboard and show the people you love that you were listening the first time they asked you to clean out the garage. See what's recyclable here.
Also, bring your old jeans to H2R and the Nesbitt Habitat Collaborative will turn them into insulation for a Habitat for Humanity home. By recycling your old jeans, you keep easy-to-recycle denim out of the landfill and give it a new life.
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Green Money: Nature Makes Good Business Sense | June 2-3, 2022
Click here to see the pdf flyer version with active registration links.
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Buncombe County Remembrance Project
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Interfaith Initiative -
Social Justice Opportunities
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The Rev. Dr. Wil Gafney (Photo courtesy of Brite Divinity School) | |
Firing up our sanctified imagination -
‘Who translates God words?’ is the question the Rev. Dr. Wil Gafney seeks to answer during the 111th Sprunt Lectures at Union Presbyterian Seminary
~ by Mike Ferguson
Who translates God words and how?
That’s the question the Rev. Dr. Wil Gafney seeks to answer this week during three lectures she’s delivering this week at Union Presbyterian Seminary, the heart of the 111th Sprunt Lecture series. Watch the first lecture here.
News flash: God words don’t come from heaven. They’re delivered to human beings via a committee. “Is there any love for committees under the heavens?” Gafney, the Right Rev. Sam B. Hulsey Professor of Hebrew Bible at Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth, Texas, told her largely Presbyterian audience gathered at Watts Chapel Monday. “Can we who have become minoritized trust those who translate for us?”
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Dr. Susan E. Hylen teaches New Testament at the Emory Candler School of Theology. (Contributed photo) | |
Could a culture of public forgiveness break our modern outrage cycle? -
Theologians weigh in on the idea that our culture’s pervasive anger is tied to a lack of forgiveness
~ by Paul Seebeck
An article published last month by Vox entitled “Everyone wants forgiveness, but no one is being forgiven” captured our attention. “Modern outrage is a cycle,” the subhead reads. “Could a culture of public forgiveness ever break it?”
The article suggests that in this “era of polarized politics, ‘cancel culture’ and the tendency of social media users to conduct informal modern tribunals without a lot of due process, seeking and granting public forgiveness is increasingly complicated.”
Presbyterian News Service sent this article to several theologians inviting them into a conversation about forgiveness, which seems to be, according to article, “perpetually beyond our reach.” Due to scheduling and personal preferences, we spoke with each of them individually by phone and email. Here are excerpts of our conversation.
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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 video.
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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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