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#GCPCinthesanctuary

#IntergenerationalAdventFormation

Worship Preview | Sunday, December 21, 2025
Fourth Sunday of Advent

In-person and online service

Deacon of the Week:

We as Deacons know holidays may be difficult for some of our congregants. 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 (12/14-12/20) Liz Huesemann | email: lizhuesemann@gmail.com 

Next week (12/21-12/27) Liz Harris-Lamkin | email: chaplainehl@gmail.com 



Deacon of the Week Prayer:

Dear God,

We know we are so very close to Bethlehem, and are yearning to peek in. But God, help us to continue to go slow, savoring the spiritual journey rather than running as fast as we can. May we feel the gestation of newness in us, and give us the courage to follow the humble path of the wise men, moving from human calculation to mystery. Amen.

~ Liz Huesemann

Click here to read the "Envision the Possibilities" Stewardship Letter

How to Make Your 2026 Pledge

• Scan the QR code for a link to the online Pledge Card
• Click here: https://onrealm.org/gcpcusa/-/form/pledge/envision 
• Email your pledge and giving frequency to giving@gcpcusa.org
• Visit Brett in the Finance Office at GCPC Tuesday-Thursday 10am-2pm. 

GCPC Writing Collective | Thursday, December 18 | *5:00 PM (note new time) | 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 6 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.

GCPC Ringers (Bell Choir) | Thursdays | 6:30 PM | Choir Room

Would you like to be part of a Hand Bell Choir? Rehearsals will take place on Thursday evenings in the Choir Room 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!

Parents' Night Out | Friday, December 19 | 5:30 - 8:30 PM | Fellowship Hall & Atrium

As the year draws to an end we will share in one final Parents' Night Out! This will be a holiday themed celebration for the children. We will decorate cookies, enjoy a hot chocolate bar, and create a craft to share with families.

Kids are asked to bring their own dinner; snacks and dessert will be provided. Parent's Night Out will be held in the Fellowship Hall and Atrium. Registration is open until Thursday, Dec. 18.

Intergenerational Advent Lunch and Formation | Sundays (Dec. 7, 14, 21) | following worship | Fellowship Hall

Every Sunday immediately following worship during Advent (November 30-December 21) we will gather in the Fellowship Hall for a simple lunch and a creative activity for all ages. GCPC member, Jen Edwards, will be guiding us in a collaborative art project, “Weaving Together of Heaven and Earth”, that we build on each week and that will finally adorn the sanctuary for Christmas Eve. 

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE GCPC ADVENT ART 2025 PHOTO ALBUM!

Youth Choir | Sundays, December 21 | 1:00 - 1:45 PM | Sanctuary

Our children and youth will be sharing a song at the 4:00 pm Christmas Eve service! We will have two rehearsals. Both will take place immediately following the Advent lunch and intergenerational art project.

• Sunday, December 21, 1:00 - 1:45 pm

Worship Preview | Sunday, December 28, 2025
First Sunday of Christmas

In-person and online service

Would you like to help usher on Sunday mornings?

We are looking for a few more folks to help with ushering on Sundays. It is a great way to get to know folks at GCPC! If you are able to assist, please email Anna Louise at annalouise@gcpcusa.org.

REALM Contact Information Updates!!

Please take a moment to add/update your contact information (including mailing address) in Realm. This helps us stay connected as a community.

Click HERE to login to Realm.

GCPC Nametags

If you are in need of a new nametag,

please email Anna Louise at annalouise@gcpcusa.org.

The Stew Crew has set 5 gathering dates and time for “Congregational Conversation: Finance Fish Bowl.”

This is an opportunity for GCPC community members to come together and learn more about our budget, reflect on giving as a spiritual practice, and have an opportunity to ask questions of the Stew Crew, Finance Council, and Session about GCPC’s 2026 budget.

Please stay tuned for registration information in the coming weeks! We hope all community members will register for one of these gatherings.

• Sunday, Jan 11 | 12:30-2:00pm | In person only
• Wednesday, Jan 14 | 6:00-7:30pm | In person only
• Saturday, Jan 17 | 11:00-12:30pm | In person only
• Wednesday, Jan 21 | 6:00-7:30pm | In person only
• Sunday, Jan 25 | 7:00-8:30 | Zoom

Cancer Support Ministry Gathering | Thursday, February 12 | 7:00 PM | Fellowship Hall

Join us for coffee, tea sweet treats and a speaker! We hope anyone that has had cancer, is a survivor, newly diagnosed, or in treatment, will attend. Families and caregivers are also welcome. It is a great opportunity to share our experiences and create some joy in a difficult time.

What is the Point-in-Time Count?

The Point-in-Time (PIT) Count is an annual census of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness that provides the community with a "snapshot" of data for the last Tuesday in January. While it is imperfect, it does provide comparable year-over -year data. 

Volunteer registration is now open!

The Point-in-Time Count is a community effort that requires participation from many volunteers! In 2025, the CoC sent 135 volunteers to geographies across Buncombe County to administer surveys. Interested volunteers have two options to participate in canvassing:

• Tuesday, January 27, 2026 | 3:30 - 7:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, January 28, 2026 | 9:30 a.m - 1:00 p.m.

Use the buttons below to choose a canvassing location or team for Tuesday night, Wednesday morning, or both! Once registered, you will receive follow up communications from Lead Agency staff with more information about training and day-of details. Please reach out to homelessstrategy@ashevillenc.gov with any questions.

Safe Shelter Update!

Winter Safe Shelter has been open for over a full month now, and both our Men’s and Women’s locations have been incredibly busy.

Winter Safe Shelter is unique in the fact that it’s open every night — offering consistent, immediate shelter through the winter months — and that it’s high-access, meaning that guests are not required to have IDs or to be sober to access temporary shelter.



If you are able to continue helping Safe Shelter during our winter expansion, here is our updated needs list. Drop off donations anytime Monday - Friday between 12pm-6pm or Saturday-Sunday between 8am-12pm at West Asheville Hub, 27 Balm Grove Avenue, Asheville, NC 28806"