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Worship Preview | Sunday, July 31, 2022
In-person Service and Youtube
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Sermon:
"All That You Can’t Leave Behind"
by Amy Kim Kyremes-Parks
Scripture:
Luke 12:13-21
Live Stream Worship Service
@ 10:45 AM Sunday
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*For the full revised common lectionary, please click here. | |
| Thursday, July 28 | Racial Justice Book Series | 6:30 pm | Fellowship Hall (also on Zoom) | | Saturday, July 30 | Garden Workday
(Team 2) | 9:00 am | GCPC Community Garden | | Saturday, July 30 | John Stoffer Memorial Service | 11:00 am | First Congregational UCC | | Sunday, July 31 | Summer Choir | 9:45 am | Choir Room | | Sunday, July 31 | Hybrid Worship
(In-person and online) | 10:45 am @ GCPC
(also on Youtube) | | Sunday, July 31 | Summer Courtyard Fellowship | 11:45 am | GCPC Courtyard | | Sunday, July 31- Saturday, August 6 | Senior High Montreat Youth Conference | ALL DAY, EVERY DAY! | | Monday, August 1 | Volunteering with
La Milpa | 1:00 pm @ Emma United Methodist | | Tuesday - Thursday | Church Office Open | 10 am - 4 pm | | Tuesday, August 2 | VRQ Cook Team | 4:30 pm @ Veterans Restoration Quarters | | Tuesday, August 2 | Guatemala Comm. Mtg. | 5:30 pm on Zoom | | Tuesday, August 2 | Worship Council Mtg. | 5:30 pm on Zoom | | Tuesday, August 2 | PW Circle 2 Mtg. | 7:30 pm on Zoom | | Wednesday, August 3 | Garden Workday
(Team 3) | 9:00 am | GCPC Community Garden | | Wednesday, August 3 | Summer Bible Study | 10:00 am on Zoom | | Wednesday, August 3 | Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) Group | 11:00 am | Sanctuary
(also on Zoom) | | Thursday, August 4 | Men of GCPC Gathering | 9:00 am on Zoom | | Thursday, August 4 | PW Circle 4 Mtg. | 7:00 pm on Zoom | | |
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Serve Volunteer Opportunity - Monday, August 1st
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.
Join Serve Committee member Lynne Meacham this Monday, August 1 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm. They need volunteers! Bring sunscreen, water, a hat! Knowing Spanish is appreciated yet not required.
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
VRQ—BBQ Cook Team | Tuesday, August 2 | 4:30 PM to cook or 5:30 PM to work the serving line | Veterans Restoration Quarters
On the first Tuesday of each month a team from GCPC gathers at VRQ, 1329 Tunnel Road, to grill hamburgers, prepare and serve supper for the veterans housed there. The VRQ is continuing to require masks.
If you can help please contact Bill Neeriemer, bill.nmer@gmail.com.
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New Bible Study Opportunity!
Metaphors that Hurt, Metaphors that Heal: Misogyny and the Prophets | Mondays Aug. 15, 22, and 29 I 6:30 - 8:00 PM I Hybrid (Zoom and GCPC Fellowship Hall)
Join us for a series of three classes that use creative writing, body movement, and art to process and challenge misogynistic metaphors in Hosea, Ezekiel, and Jeremiah. The weeks will cover the following:
- Week 1: Metaphors in the Ancient World and Now; Hosea 2:1-13; narrative therapy exercise
- Week 2: Metaphors that Perpetuate Violence; Ezekiel 16:35-40; body practices for processing trauma
- Week 3: Re-visioning Metaphors for Thriving; Jeremiah 13:15-27; restorative artwork exercise
Content warning: The passages in this study include imagery of physical and sexual abuse. The class will employ bodily practices to process this material, and pastoral care will also be available throughout the classes. These metaphors are a part of our Scripture and therefore our culture in and outside the church. Together, we will examine, critique, and rewrite these passages from the liberative lens of faith. Facilitator: Janice Kominski
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Sunday Flowers for the Sanctuary!
There are still some dates on the 2022 Flower Chart! 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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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 (7/24-7/30): Jeff Curtis | email: jandscurtis@msn.com
Next week (7/31-8/6): Justin Kyremes-Parks | email: justinmkp@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)
Vince and Michele (Gordon Gaiser’s niece and nephew-in-law)
Chip Lambert (GCPC Community member who is hiking the App. Trail)
Shabnam and Sana (Afghan Family partnering with GCPC’s Circle of Welcome)
Deanna Fleenor (Mike Fleenor's sister)
Trey and Alisha Thompson and 3 kids - Gabi 7, Arlo 5, and Eldon 3 (Patty and Brent Thompson's son and daughter-in-law and children)
Will Pressley
Ann Burnette (Amanda Pressley's friend)
Amy (Jan and John Brigham's granddaughter)
Bob Higgins
Susan Smialowicz
Doris Prak
Michelle Chromey and family
Bob Schaefer
Frances Johnson
Gloria Moe
Janet Hovis
Earl Fowler
Karen Rohls
Robin Gaiser
A Memorial Service for John Stoffer will be held at First Congregational UCC Asheville (20 Oak St) this Saturday, July 30 at 11:00 am with Richard Coble co-officiating.
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SAVE THE DATES!
A Journey Through “The Revelation of John”
Thursdays (Sept. 15 - Nov. 17) | 6:30 - 8:30 PM | Fellowship Hall
Rev. Dr. Marcia Mount Shoop, Instructor
This course is a deep dive into “The Revelation of John” that will involve a ten week commitment. Each week there will be an optional opportunity to prepare your spirit and mind with centering prayer in the sanctuary at 6:00pm prior to the beginning of class at 6:30pm.
Class participants will carefully read “The Revelation of John” in small amounts for each class and be asked to journal in response to prompts each week as well. We will explore the prophetic edges of this book as well as the liberative message that many miss when the book is mistaken for a prophesy of the future. Childcare will be available.
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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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On Saturday, July 16, Team 2 had 12 volunteers who harvested 4 lbs. of basil, 17 lbs. of beans, 7 lbs. of chard, 28 lbs. of collards, .5 lb of okra, 2.5 lbs. of parsley, 22 lbs. of bell peppers, 25 lbs. of summer squash, and 6 lbs. of tomatoes that were shared with Western Carolina Rescue Ministries.
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On Wednesday, July 20, Team 3 had 12 volunteers and harvested 9 lbs. of basil, 22 lbs. of beans, 6 lbs. of chard, .6 lb. of eggplant, 20 lbs. of kale, 8 lbs. of parsley, 21 lbs. of bell peppers, 7 lbs. of hot peppers, 72 lbs. of summer squash, and 13 lbs. of tomatoes that was shared with the YWCA. | |
On Saturday, July 23, Team 4 had 13 volunteers who harvested 2 lbs. of basil, 7 lbs. of beans, .5 lb of okra, 2 lbs. of parsley, 4 lbs. of bell peppers, 41 lbs. of summer squash, 4 lbs. of tomatoes, and 1.2 lbs. of poblano and banana peppers that were shared with Loving Food Resources. | |
On Wednesday, July 27, Team 1 had 9 volunteers and harvested 7 lbs. of basil, 15 lbs. of beans, 13 lbs. of collards, 1 lb. of eggplant, 7 lbs. of bell peppers, .5 lb. of snacking peppers, .5 lb. of hot peppers, 34 lbs. of summer squash, and 4 lbs. of tomatoes that was shared with YTL families. | |
Also on Wednesday, July 27, eighteen YTL volunteers harvested 18 lbs. of summer squash and 73 lbs. of tomatoes to be shared with YTL families. | |
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2nd Quarter Giving & Pledge Statements | Emailed 7/18
If you gave April 1 - June 30 and/or have a 2022 Pledge, you should have received an email on 7/18 with a link to a statement. These are delivered through our software from notifications@onrealm.org with a blue link towards the bottom, which will open your contribution statement in a PDF. You do not have to log into Realm or have an account to view this statement. Please review the details of your gifts and pledge for accuracy and let us know if you have any questions.
As a reminder, you can access your giving history and YTD gifts in real time by logging in at onrealm.org/gcpcusa and clicking the Giving tab. You can adjust the filter to show specific dates or funds.
Questions or concerns? Contact Natalie Weaver in the Finance Office at nweaver@gcpcusa.org or 828.254.3274.
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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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Urban Garden Tour & Tasting With Bountiful Cities
Saturday, July 30 | 2:00 - 6:00 PM
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“La Cocina de Mama”
“Mama’s Kitchen”
Food truck
BeLoved Asheville is pleased to introduce "La Cocina de Mama/Mama's Kitchen" Food Truck!!
They are excited to announce a new innovative solution rolling into food deserts and cooking up healthy meals to end food insecurity. In a community labeled, "Foodtopia," hunger stalks the streets and neighborhoods. In a community known for its amazing restaurants and farms, we are still on of the most food insecure places in the country! We are working to change all that with this exciting new project!
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NC-TJRC Interest Meeting | Thursday, August 4 | 6 - 8:30 PM | Arthur R. Edington Education and Career Center (133 Livingston St) | |
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Fraught & Flummoxed: Courage and Creativity for the Elevation of the Gospel | October 10-13, 2022 | Montreat Conference Center
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.
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More Light Presbyterians Expanding their Board of Directors!
If you or someone you know is interested in applying for consideration, please complete the application by August 15, 2022. We hope to make invitations in early September. While a connection with a current MLP ministry or individual membership is encouraged, it is not required.
The application can be found here: https://forms.gle/xqWoJ9S2n6uLCQy26
Questions? Please contact Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow, bruce@mlp.org
Chair, MLP Nominating Committee
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What do we do about guns and violence in America? -
One approach is to learn from those whose family members are taken from them through violence
~ by Mike Ferguson
Malcolm Graham, who represents District 2 on the Charlotte City Council, is as qualified as anyone to speak on a panel discussing gun violence, as Union Presbyterian Seminary’s Center for Social Justice and Reconciliation offered Tuesday. Listen to “What Do We Do About Guns and Violence in America?” an hour-long discussion hosted and moderated by Dr. Rodney S. Sadler, Jr., Associate Professor of Bible and the center’s director, by going here.
Graham’s sister, Cynthia Graham Hurd, was one of nine people killed on June 17, 2015, during a Bible study at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, by Dylan Roof.
“When the Bible study was done and heads were bowed and the benediction was being recited, [Roof] shot 77 times, killing everyone there, including my sister, who was shot 11 times,” Graham told Sadler and the other panelist, Dr. Biko Mandela Gray, Assistant Professor of Religion, African American Studies and Women’s and Gender Studies at Syracuse University. “She was killed simply because she was there and she was Black … Their biographies, their backgrounds and their pursuit of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness were altered by this gunman.”
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Photo by Gayatri Malhotra via Unsplash | |
‘Prisoners are not slaves’ -
A Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist turned pastor works at educating the incarcerated, ensuring them a shot upon their release
~ by Paul Seebeck
What keeps you hopeful? That’s a question Presbyterian News Service posed to the Rev. Dr. Chris Hedges, Minister of Social Witness and Prison Ministry at Second Presbyterian Church in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Hedges has been teaching courses in a college degree program offered by Rutgers University in the New Jersey prison system since 2013.
As a reporter for nearly two decades, most of them with them with The New York Times, Hedges has spent much of his adult life in distressed environments, covering wars and terrorism in Central America, the Middle East and the former Yugoslavia.
“What keeps me hopeful is building real relationships with the oppressed, with people who suffer,” he said. “True spiritually, which the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote about, comes with resistance to radical evil, and that keep us alive morally and intellectually.”
Hedges tells the story of one of the imprisoned students he taught. Lawrence Bell was 14 when he was arrested for a crime he didn’t commit. Both of his parents were dead, and he was living on the streets of Camden, New Jersey. Barely literate and without legal representation, he was coerced into signing a confession. Sentenced as an adult, he’s not eligible to go before a parole board until he’s 70 years old.
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Job Opportunity in Montreat!
William Black Lodge in Montreat is seeking to hire a new Guest Services Manager/Bookkeeper. This is a salaried part-time (25+ hrs./week) position with benefits including Board of Pensions health care. The position description is attached.
The position will begin in September. This is a great position for someone who perhaps is a parent of school aged children as the time schedule is generally between 9-2 Monday-Friday. It would also work well for someone who is specifically interested in a part-time flexible position with solid benefits.
Any person who is interested is welcome to contact:
Rev. Tommy Brown – Director of William Black Lodge – tbrown@williamblacklodge.org – 828-719-8741
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Montreat Conference Center - Women’s Connection 2022
Claimed for More: Wholehearted Living When We Are All Out of Sorts | August 12–14, 2022 | Montreat, NC
These days, we feel all out of sorts in all sorts of ways: physically, emotionally, spiritually, relationally. And yet, God claims us for wholehearted living with wholehearted faith. Come join us as we explore together what it means to be Claimed for More: more joy, more beauty, more community, more peace.
Women’s Connection 2022 will be a time for women to connect with old and new friends, a time to care for yourself; a time for space and Sabbath. As in years past, we will do this together through powerful and authentic worship led by women, space for honest and faithful conversation, and allowing time for discernment and renewing rest. Our hope is you will experience spiritual nourishment, inspiration, and discernment.
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STAFF & OFFICE SCHEDULE
Wondering who's where, doing what, and when?! Here's an overview of where you can find our full-time staff this summer and who to contact for what:
Amy Kim, Director of Formation for Children, Youth & Their Families
In Office: Tuesday & Thursday, Sunday service, Remote: Monday & Wednesday
amykim@gcpcusa.org
Anna Louise, Engagement & Communications Coordinator
In Office: Tuesday - Thursday, Remote: Monday & Friday
annalouise@gcpcusa.org
Cliff, Property Manager
In Office: Monday- Thursday, Sunday service
cliff@gcpcusa.org
Jeff, Director of Music Ministries
In Office: Tuesday - Thursday, Sunday service, Remote: Friday
jeff@gcpcusa.org
Micah, Director of Technology & Media Ministries
In Office: Weekday schedule varies, Sunday service
micah@gcpcusa.org
Natalie, Stewardship & Financial Administrator
In Office: Tuesday & Thursday, Remote: Monday & Wednesday
natalie@gcpcusa.org
Richard, Associate Pastor
In Office: Tuesday - Thursday, Sunday service, Remote: Friday
richard@gcpcusa.org
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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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