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Table of Contents
- Pics of the week
- This Week @ GCPC - Calendar and description of events this week @ GCPC
- Stewardship & Sustainability
- Important Announcements
- Prayer List
- Upcoming @ GCPC
- Community Working Together - Includes info from Covenant & Ministry Partners
- GCPC Out & About - Info about events in the wider Asheville community
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FLOWERS for Easter Sunday Worship - April 5, 2026, 10:00 am
Bring flowers: houseplants, cut flowers in vases or jars, flowers for planting.
Make flowers: paper flowers, pipe cleaner flowers, tissue paper flowers, cut out, colored flowers
Place flowers on colorful tables around the sanctuary Easter morning
Take your own flowers with you after worship to share, to plant, to decorate, to return to their rightful places
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Maundy Thursday Potluck | Thursday, April 2 | 6:30 PM |
Fellowship Hall
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We gather to remember a central story in our faith heritage—the story we practice around the Communion table. It is the story that helps us pause and recall Jesus’s invitation to his friends and chosen family to face a difficult future with truth and encouragement. Bring a favorite dish to share! We will enjoy a meal and share Communion as well.
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Good Friday Tenebrae Service | Friday, April 3 | 7:00 PM | Sanctuary and online
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Tenebrae literally means darkness or shadows. Beginning in the Medieval period Tenebrae was the name given to the forms of prayers, songs, and grieving that characterized the last three days of Holy Week. These services were often observed at monasteries.
The name most probably came from the fact that these forms of prayer and song included the extinguishing of candles one by one in the church during the service. In the traditional services there were fifteen candles, fourteen dark and one white. Medieval services included fourteen readings from the Psalms.
Since the 1950s Tenebrae more commonly refers to a service held on Good Friday that includes the story of Jesus’ passion, mournful song, and the extinguishing of candles. The Tenebrae service has a somber tone set by growing darkness in the sanctuary, the accounts of Christ's suffering, music, and silence.
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Holy Saturday - Labyrinth Walk | Saturday, April 4 |
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Atrium
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Between the silence of Good Friday and the celebration of Easter morning, join GCPC friends and family for a contemplative pause. You are warmly invited to walk our church labyrinth on Easter Saturday, April 4th between 10am and 5 pm in the GCPC Atrium. All are welcome.
Walking the labyrinth is a prayerful, moving meditation - a chance to quiet your mind and center your spirit on the profound mystery of Holy Saturday. Whether you are looking for peace, reflection, or a new way to pray during Holy week, this path is open to you.
You might be saying, I have never done this before. Well, the labyrinth is a single path to the center and back. There is no right or wrong way to walk it. Members of the Worship Council will also be there to support and guide you, as well as pray as you enter and walk the labyrinth. Worship Council Members will also open each hour with a simple reading.
Come as you are to be in the stillness of the waiting day before we shout , "He is Risen".
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Easter | Sunday, April 5 | 10:00 AM | Sanctuary and online
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Deacon of the Week:
The Deacon of the Week is available to talk, provide support, and coordinate care if needed. You are not alone. You are loved. Please reach out to our deacon of the week if you have any needs or concerns.
This week (3/29-4/4) Patty Thompson | email: pattyellisthompson@gmail.com
Next week (4/5-4/11) Liz Harris-Lamkin | email: chaplainehl@gmail.com
Deacon of the Week Prayer
Today we celebrate a mystery beyond comprehension, the resurrection! We don’t understand how it happened, we don’t fully understand what it means but we believe what it offers us is hope! During this time in our lives, in this war torn world filled with injustice and pain, we crave hope! Lord, may we rejoice this day and in the days to come in hope! Hope that will brighten our days and cause us to believe that things can and will somehow be better for the many who are lost, confused, abused, hiding, hurting, crying out for justice, and don’t understand why. Celebrate the resurrection of hope! Amen and Hallelujah!
~ Patty Thompson
| | Stewardship & Sustainability | | |
How to Make Your 2026 Pledge
| | | Thursday, April 2 | Maundy Thursday Potluck Dinner | 6:30 pm | Fellowship Hall | | Friday, April 3 | Good Friday
Tenebrae Service | 7:00 pm | Sanctuary and online | | Saturday, April 4 | Holy Saturday
Labyrinth Walk | 10:00 am - 5:00 pm | Atrium | | Sunday, April 5 | Childcare (Ages 0-Pre-K) | begins at 9:00 am | | Sunday, April 5 | EASTER
Worship Service
(In-person and online) | 10:00 am on Youtube | | Sunday, April 5 | Courtyard Fellowship | following worship | | Monday, April 6 | Easter Monday | OFFICE CLOSED | | Tuesday, April 7 | Prayer Group | 10:00 am | Youth Room | | Tuesday, April 7 | Worship Council Mtg. | 5:00 pm | Stephy Citron's house | | Tuesday, April 7 | Formation Council Mtg. | 7:00 pm on Zoom | | Wednesday, April 8 | GCPC Choir | 6:45 pm | Choir Room | | Thursday, April 9 | Grace Abounds
Food Pantry | 11:00 am - 1:00 pm | Sanctuary | | Thursday, April 9 | Campfire Collective | 5:00 pm | Garden Room | | Thursday, April 9 | GCPC Ringers
(Bell Choir) | 6:30 pm | Balcony | | |
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GCPC Choir | Wednesdays | 6:45 PM | Choir Room
The choir is open to all youth and adults who have a love and curiosity for creating music together! No previous experience or training is necessary. You will be welcomed with open arms and supported as you discover or rediscover your singing voice. Childcare is provided for those who have little ones. I hope you will consider adding your wonderful presence and voice to our choir! ~ Ray
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Grace Abounds Food Pantry | Thursday, April 9 | 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Sanctuary
We believe the pantry embodies the church’s commitment to service and compassion. We try to keep our shelves stocked with canned goods, rice, beans, crackers, granola bars, cereal and other items. We also provide diapers, baby wipes and feminine products. Our pantry is stocked completely with donations. This is where we need your support to keep our pantry open.
Needs for this week:
- boxed cereal
- pasta/pasta sauce
- peanut butter
- fruit cups
- individually wrapped crackers
Everyone please bring one (or more) this Sunday!
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GCPC Campfire Collective | Thursday, April 9 | 5:00 PM | Garden Room
We all have stories to tell. Come share your real experiences and stories in the company of other folks of good will. Warm up, cultivate joy, go light or go deep. Imagine sitting around the campfire together – remembering, sharing, laughing, connecting, opening our hearts and minds, learning, and supporting.
Each gathering will open with a moment of centering and reflecting on a theme or a question. Then each person will be offered time to share an anecdote or a brief story that carries personal meaning to which the group may respond.
Come as often as you like. Everyone is welcome. Sharing our stories in a semi-structured framework, we will deepen friendships and build community. (And bring a whittling stick if you have one!)
John Huie and others will facilitate.
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GCPC Ringers (Bell Choir) | Thursdays | 6:30 PM | Balcony
Would you like to be part of a Hand Bell Choir? Rehearsals will take place on Thursday evenings in the balcony from 6:30 - 7:45 pm. All high school youth and adults are welcome! All that is needed is curiosity and joy for making music in community. You will be gently supported on your music journey. Please contact Ray at ray@gcpcusa.org if you are interested!
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We welcome Denise Ochoa as the new Stewardship and Financial Administrator at GCPC!
Denise Ochoa was born in California and raised in North Carolina. She brings a strong background in accounting, business operations, and community service. In addition to her role at GCPC, she works with Topaz Business Solutions and teaches financial education classes to the Latino community through Mountain BizWorks. She is excited to support the church’s mission with integrity, excellence, and a heart for service.
Denise can be contacted at denise@gcpcusa.org.
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GCPC Blood Drive | Saturday, May 16 | 9 AM - 2 PM | Fellowship Hall
Every year the Deacons host a Red Cross Blood Drive at GCPC. This year's Blood Drive will be on May 16.
Remember that the Power Red slots are to donate two units of red blood cells during one donation. Please view eligibility requirements for this slot before you sign up.
A Deacon will be at a table after worship for the next several weeks to get you signed up to help save lives! Or you can sign yourself up at the link below!
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GCPC Community Garden
NEEDS VOLUNTEERS!
The 2026 garden season is just around the corner and we need more volunteers for the garden team. This is a wonderful way to commune in nature with GCPC members and neighbors alike, all while growing food to share with various communities around Asheville. All ages are welcome... come grow with us!
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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. Email prayer@gcpcusa.org to add someone to the prayer list.
Iglesia Jerusalem congregation
The Reparations Process in Asheville/Buncombe County (From PART)
Kathy McNeff Gerace (Bill McNeff’s sister)
Richard Charles Goater (JoAnn Schafer’s brother)
Ruth Fenk (Cathy Froehlich’s mom)
Mark Tierney (Paul’s son, CA National Guard, deployed to the Middle East)
Lisa Bishop (friend of Marta Alcalá)
Susie Churchfield
Michelle Chromey and family
Alexandra Lusak
Jude Kaye (Linda Van Sciver’s wife)
Mesheala Sundblade
MC Ellis
Liz Huesemann
| | | | On Tuesday, March 24, nineteen garden volunteers planted lettuce, collards, cabbage, kale, chard, beets, and broccoli. | | |
GCPC Child Protection Training | Wednesday, April 15 | 6:30-7:30 PM on Zoom
Please join us online on April 15th for the GCPC Child Protection Training.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89935940885
Meeting ID: 899 3594 0885
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GCPC Writing Collective | Thursday, April 16 | 5:00 PM | Indie Room
If you love to write and welcome a chance to be creative and supportive around writing in community, come to the GCPC Writing Collective on the third Thursday of the month in the Indie Room (Education Wing) at 5 pm. Come as you are and when you can. Bring a journal and something to write with or your laptop and any food you wish to have.
This will be a supportive, generative gathering that centers the way writing makes space for creativity, expression, connection, and healing. The group will be convened by Marcia Mount Shoop, Margaret Belk and others. Feel free to reach out with questions.
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Pride Collective Gathering: Hike at the Arboretum | Saturday, April 18 | 9:45 AM (Meet @ Discount Shoes)
Our next Pride Collective gathering will be on Saturday, April 18, when we return to the Arboretum to take in the sights and sounds during a spring hike. We will plan to repeat the same hike we did in the fall, with a chance for everyone to go at a comfortable pace or to relax inside the visitor center or outside while waiting for the hikers to return. We will also have lunch together afterwards.
Let’s plan to meet at 9:45 in the Discount Shoe Store parking lot at 1263 Brevard Road. We will carpool to the Arboretum with drivers who have passes. The cafe at the Arboretum has expanded, but we haven’t eaten there so we can’t report on it. Please share your ideas for where to eat lunch and let us know who has passes. Liz has one and we will be getting one by then.
We are looking forward to the beauty and companionship!
Therese & Leon
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CoThinkk Annual Mixer
Saturday, April 18
6:00 – 8:00 PM
Downtown Asheville
RSVP now to save your spot
This isn’t just an event—it’s a space to experience the heart of CoThinkk. You’ll hear from members, learn about the impact we’re building together, and explore how you might plug in—through your time, your talents, and your vision.
We’ll also take time to celebrate the powerful strides made over the past year—and look ahead to what we can create together next.
| | Spring Fling 2026 is coming! | | |
What: Spring Fling 2026 , a joyful community celebration featuring a plant sale, live music, artisan vendors, food trucks, and more. Asheville Creative Arts will offer a family-friendly puppet show and GreenWorks will gifts us trees.
When: Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 11 AM to 5 PM
Where: Peace Gardens & Market
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The next local, in-person Racial Equity Institute (REI) Phase I Workshop is taking place for two full days, Friday, May 8, and Saturday, May 9.
From the REI website: "REI’s two-day workshop is designed to develop the capacity of participants to better understand racism in its institutional and structural forms. Moving away from a focus on personal bigotry and bias, this workshop presents a historical, cultural, and structural analysis of racism. With shared language and a clearer understanding of how institutions and systems are producing unjust and inequitable outcomes, participants should leave the training better equipped to begin to work for change."
We hope you will be able to attend this training. Please register here to reserve your spot. Contact information for organizers to whom you can direct your questions is also available on the registration page.
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Supporting Ourselves and Each Other
After the No Kings 3 rallies this past Saturday, some are asking what is next. There continue to be opportunities to take action and resist the backward and destructive actions of this federal administration and some of the courts along with the complicit leadership of Congress. This e-newsletter is one of the resources which will continue to highlight those opportunities for action.
At the same time, there are steps we can take to deal with some of the anxiety, stress and fear that we may feel. There are some noteworthy peace activists who have expressed words that can provide guidance, encouragement, and reassurance. Here are some quotes or thoughts from some of these reformers or activists that have worked in a variety of fields.
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Mohandas (often referred to as Mahatma) Gandhi, who employed non-violent resistance, offered the Seven Social Sins; they seem especially appropriate today.
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Jane Goodall revolutionized the scientific understanding of chimpanzees and the relationship between humans and animals. Find some of Goodall’s words here.
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Thich Nhat Hanh, known as the father of mindfulness, is a Buddhist monk and prolific author. Here are some of the many quotes attributed to him.
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US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg provides inspiration with these quotes.
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Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.is often quoted, and here are some of his well-known words along with some lesser known quotes.
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Some esteemed women from diverse professions have provided us with these quotes.
If there are people or quotes that inspire you that are not on one of these lists, feel free to share them with me. Inspiration and hope can be contagious!
Thanks for all you continue to do to maintain our democracy, support social justice, and make positive change! If there are people wishing to subscribe to this e-newsletter, they only need to complete this form and click the subscribe button.
Ron Katz
Editor
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12 Baskets Café & Asheville Poverty Initiative
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The MLK Association of Asheville & Buncombe County M.A.R.C.H. newsletter
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Asheville Middle School is currently seeking a Part-Time Academic Tutor to support students through small-group instruction and targeted academic support. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys working with middle school students and wants to make a meaningful impact in our learning community while earning $35 per hour. If you or someone you know may be interested, please consider applying or sharing this opportunity with others.
AppApply Online Todayne Today!
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The church office is open Tuesday - Thursday, 10am - 3pm.
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 video doorbell to assist with security. To access the building or office, please enter through the far left glass doors off the courtyard (the one labeled Enter). Ring the doorbell to have the door unlocked. The GCPC office is to the right, down the hall, past the Sanctuary.
You can also reach our staff by email or phone at 828.254.3274
Marcia Mount Shoop - marcia@gcpcusa.org, x. 203
Ray Landis - ray@gcpcusa.org, x. 207
Anna Louise Murchison - annalouise@gcpcusa.org, x. 201
Sue Kersbergen (FINANCE OFFICE) - sue@gcpcusa.org
Denise Ochoa - denise@gcpcusa.org
Olivia Goldstein - olivia@gcpcusa.org
Jonathan Barros - jonathan@gcpcusa.org
Dani Hernandez - dani@gcpcusa.org
Marcella Martinez - marcella@gcpcusa.org
April Andrews - april@gcpcusa.org
Jasmine Moore - jasmine@gcpcusa.org
Chelsea West - chelsea@gcpcusa.org
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Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church
789 Merrimon Ave. Asheville, NC 28804
828.254.3274
www.gcpcusa.org
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