This Sunday’s Gospel • Matthew 22:1-14 Once more Jesus spoke to the people in parables, saying: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come...[continue reading]. Lectionary scriptures are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible. Virtual worship continues this Sunday, October 11.

Weekly Services Online GHTC is continuing with our online worship services. You can help us by subscribing to our YouTube channel the next time you watch a service. Questions? Contact your church staff. You can also follow and like GHTC on Facebook.

Upcoming Events 10/11 - Music Exploration Series: Taizé, Celtic, & Native American @ 10.00 a.m. | Join here. 10/12 - Spirited Sisters @ 5:30 p.m. | Join here. 10/15 - Generosity Gathering at the Williams' Home @ 6:00 p.m. 10/18 - Generosity Gathering at the Lord-Pawson/Pawson's Home @ 6:00 p.m. 10/22 - Generosity Gathering at the Pully's Home @ 6:00 p.m. 10/24 - Vocal Concert @ 3:00 p.m. 10/25 - Final Session - Music Exploration Series: Renewal Music @ 10:00 a.m. | Join here.

Fellowship and Music Exploration this Sunday, October 11 We hope to see you this Sunday, October 11 at 10:00 a.m. for our continuation of the music exploration series. The first 15 minutes are for fellowship, then 45 minutes of discussion. Click this Zoom link for access. Access this week's handout online so you can listen to the examples in advance and be prepared or the discussion. Topic - Taizé, Celtic, & Native American: different styles from around the world which share elements of simplicity and repetition.

Spirited Sisters Join us on Monday, October 12 at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom for our monthly virtual get-together.

One Spot Left for tonight’s first Generosity Gathering There is one space available for tonight’s gathering at the Mortons. Three other in-person gatherings are available:   Thursday, 10/15, 6-8 p.m. at Suzanne & Harold Williams’ home (rain date Thursday, 10/22, 6-8 p.m.)  Sunday, 10/18, 4-6 p.m. at Shelli Lord-Pawson & Todd Pawson’s home (rain date Wednesday, 10/21, 6-8 p.m.)  Thursday, 10/22, 6-8 p.m. at Jodie & Thomas Pully’s home (rain date Thursday, 10/29, 6-8 p.m.)  To join by Zoom, please register online: Wednesday, 10/28, 6-8 p.m.  Sunday, 11/1, 5-7 p.m.    In person gatherings will be held outside with social distancing, 6 feet apart with face masks worn for optimal safety. Food and beverages will be safely served at the in person events. Attendance will be limited to 10 guests at each gathering on a first come, first served basis so sign up soon!   During October, we are celebrating each other and all the many ways we give of our time, talent, and treasure at GHTC. Please join us! Your gifts are important to help us stay connected even when we are apart.

Check out this month’s Children, Youth, and Family Ministries Update Our monthly update for Children, Youth, and Family Ministries went out to parish families last week and is now live for anyone to give a look. If you do not receive these updates in your inbox each month but would like to please get in touch with Aaron Davis so he can add you to the email list.

Vocal Concert - Saturday, October 24 at 3:00 p.m. James Taylor, a parishioner and member of our Adult Choir, will present a vocal concert accompanied by Charles Staples, pianist on Saturday, October 24 at 3:00 p.m. The concert will feature music by Vaughan Williams, Schubert, Strauss, and other operatic favorites. More information on the live stream to come. Please mark this date on your calendars. Thanks to James and Charles for sharing their musical gifts with us!

VCU's Food Bank Needs YOU The Food Bank at VCU, which we helped to start, is currently in need of food. If you would like to donate food to Feed Rams please see the flyer. You can drop off items at the pantry, drop off items at the church, or drop off items at Mo Kim’s home.

Roundup for Red Door With the weather changing, our Red Door ministry will continue to serve guests every Friday. If you can provide any of the following items, please contact Mother Kim: -size 10 work boots—someone has a new job and needs a pair; can you donate ones you no longer use? -hygiene supplies in travel sizes (unopened soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion) -back packs/duffle bags/suitcases -books—we have given away hundreds of donated books and Bibles. Porch pick-up is available. -snack tray tables—to provide indoor socially-distanced meals we would like to set up 20 individual tables. Can you donate a set of 4-5 of these TV tray tables or lend them to the Red Door this fall and winter?

Reflections from Sacred Ground - Betty Grinnan  "'This Is Sacred Ground' was for me a new pair of glasses into the painful racial history which I did not learn enough about in school. It gave me understanding and empathy for the hurt and hate many people of color have experienced. I was unaware of how I as a white person benefit daily because of the color of my skin and the system of racial injustice." - Betty Grinnan There are currently 4 members of the congregation interested in this group which will be starting in early November. We need a few more voices for this course to run- between 6 and 12 is optimal. There will be other opportunities if you are not available this Fall.

Advent - Revolutionary Love  This Advent season we're reflecting on contemporary Revolutionary Love. Mo. Kim is putting together book/meditation love packages for ECM at VCU and would love to share the wealth with our GHTC congregation! The packages include bi-weekly “gifts” that will be opened over the course of Advent and Christmas. The gifts will correspond with Valarie Kaur’s book, See No Stranger: A Memoir and Manifesto of Revolutionary Love. If you would like to receive a love package please contact Mo. Kim directly. Books/packages will be distributed on November 18th.

Regathering Plan Approved - Ushers Needed! Ushers will play an important role in our regathering plan in keeping you keep safe and helping you follow our new procedures. Please let Bill Perkins know soon if you are willing to help, as we are about to schedule our training session. We still need to wait until the health markers for the Richmond area meet the safety criteria before we can execute our plan. Staff continue to work remotely and we will keep you updated through the church website.