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"Goodbye" Staff Lunch for Natalie and Richard! | |
Worship Preview | Sunday, July 2, 2023
In-person and Online Service
Outdoor Worship & Brunch
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*For the full revised common lectionary, please click here. | |
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Weather permitting, this Sunday will be an outdoor service and brunch. Please bring a dish to share and a reusable water bottle if you have one.
The live stream will begin at 10:15am giving people time to get their meals and be seated.
There will be NO childcare this Sunday.
We encourage families to worship together.
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Session has called a congregational meeting on Sunday, July 9 immediately following worship for the purpose of voting on Richard Coble's request to Presbytery that his pastoral relationship with Grace Covenant be dissolved as of July 15, 2023. Richard will be accepting a call to Westminster Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, TN as their Pastor/Head of Staff. | |
| Wednesday, June 28 - Friday, June 30 | Compassion Camp | 5:30 - 8:00 pm each night | GCPC | | Saturday, July 1 | Garden Workday
(Team 4) | 9:00 - 11:00 am | Community Garden | | Saturday, July 1 | Earth Team Project with AVL GreenWorks | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm | Meet at Weaver Park | | Sunday, July 2 | Summer Choir | 9:00 am | Sanctuary | | Sunday, July 2 | Outdoor Hybrid Worship & Brunch
(In-person and online) | 10:00 am on Youtube | | Monday, July 3 | PW Circle 5 Mtg. | 10:00 am on Zoom | | Monday - Tuesday | Church Office CLOSED | Independence Day | | Wednesday - Thursday | Church Office OPEN
| 10:00 am - 4:00 pm | | Tuesday, July 4 | Volunteer Opportunity with VRQ Cook Team | 4:30 or 5:30 pm| Veterans Restoration Quarters | | Tuesday, July 4 | PW Circle 2 Mtg. | 7:30 pm on Zoom | | Wednesday, July 5 | Garden Workday
(Team 1) | 9:00 - 11:00 am | Community Garden | | Wednesday, July 5 | Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) Group | 11:00 am | Jerusalem Room (also on Zoom) | | Wednesday, July 5 | Centering Prayer | 6:00 pm | Sanctuary | | |
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
VRQ—BBQ Cook Team | Tuesday, July 4 | 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. Volunteers are still masking while they are there.
If you can help please contact Bill Neeriemer, [email protected].
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MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment) Group | Wednesday, July 5 | 11:00 AM | Jerusalem Room (also on Zoom - password: 789)
This support group introduces techniques for daily living with such issues, led by Paul Rogers, a retired physician in our congregation. We meet the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of every month.
New participants welcome at any time.
Contact Anna Louise, [email protected], with questions.
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Centering Prayer | Wednesdays | 6:00 - 6:30 PM | Sanctuary
Join us on Wednesdays to sit in sacred silence and feel God closely. If you are not able to join us in person, we invite you to light a candle and hold silence wherever you are.
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Important Announcements... | |
Love Offerings for our departing staff | |
Please join us in wishing Richard and Natalie well and in giving them a warm and grateful GCPC send off. | |
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You can contribute to his love offering online at https://onrealm.org/gcpcusa/give/now by selecting “Richard Coble Love Offering” in the fund list or by cash/check in the office or Sunday plate. If cash/check, please be sure to include a note in the memo line or on the cash envelope.
Click here for Richard's full letter to the congregation.
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You can contribute to her love offering online at https://onrealm.org/gcpcusa/give/now by selecting “Natalie Weaver Love Offering” in the fund list or by cash/check in the office or Sunday plate. If cash/check, please be sure to include a note in the memo line or on the cash envelope. | | |
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GCPC Sound Booth help needed in July!
As many changes are underway at GCPC, Micah will be needing help with the sound during worship services this Summer and into the Fall. You do not need to have prior knowledge or experience of sound equipment to help out!
If you are interested in assisting with sound needs, please contact Micah at [email protected] or sign up on the Sound Schedule linked here.
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Earth Care Team Summer Projects
The GCPC Earth Team has coordinated 3 earth caring service projects over the summer. Please see details below and sign up as you are able!
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Join GCPC’s Earth Team and Asheville GreenWorks to clean Reed Creek and Glenn's Creek Greenway on
Saturday, July 1st from 10am-12noon.
Meet at Weaver Park. Park in lot across from Beth Israel Synagogue.
Please dress to get wet and dirty. Shorts, bathing suits, and other lightweight clothing, water shoes or old sneakers. No heavy clothing, flip flops, or slides. Bring water and sun protection. All other gear and supplies will be provided.
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Join GCPC’s Earth Team at Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy’s Community Farm located just outside of Asheville on
Saturday, July 8th from 8:30am-12noon.
Arrive: 8:30 a.m.
Volunteer Project: 8:45 - 10:30 a.m.
Optional 2 mile hike: 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Where: SAHC Community Farm:
180 Mag Sluder Road, Alexander NC 28701
Parking: When you pull in, please park in the grass to the right.
The SAHC Community Farm is an educational site and working farm located just outside Asheville and provides a continually evolving home for conservation projects and agricultural production. The 140-acre Community Farm started with the generous donation of just over 100 acres of farmland in 2010. Now, the site hosts an innovative Farm Incubator Program, Education Center, and a new silvopasture project providing a nationally recognized model for environmentally-friendly land management and productive agriculture.
Earlier this year, volunteers planted thousands of trees and shrubs in a new demonstration silvopasture project on 8 acres of pasture at the SAHC Community Farm. Volunteers will help plant new cover crops that will have a multitude of benefits for the fruit and nut trees that were planted this Spring. Volunteers will hear an informative talk about the aim of the new silvopasture project and the many unique benefits this land management strategy offers in sustainable agriculture.
Please dress in layers for heat and sun as well as tick-repellent clothing if possible. Wear sturdy hiking boots or tennis shoes. If you have a pair of work gloves, please bring them or a pair will be provided.
Bring at least two liters of water and snacks. There is water and bathroom facilities available on site.
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Join GCPC’s Earth Team and RiverLink on
Saturday, August 5th from 10am-12noon.
We will be doing a litter cleanup with RiverLink at Azalea Park in Asheville on August 5th. This service project is family friendly for all ages and will only be litter cleanup in a park and will not involve invasive plant removal or getting wet.
We will meet at 10am at Azalea Park. The service project will end at noon. The best place to park is the last parking lot by the soccer fields towards the open field/overflow parking. Then please walk over to the overflow parking lot, and we will meet there.
- RiverLink will provide all necessary tools and equipment (gloves, hi-viz vests, litter grabbers, trash bags, etc.)
- Closed-toed shoes are required and pants are recommended
- We also recommended everyone bring a water bottle
RiverLink staff will have a waiver/sign-in sheet for everyone to sign at the start of the work day.
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Interested in being a part of the Earth Team?
In addition to the worship service, butterfly garden and June activities mentioned, there are numerous additional ways to be involved, including ways you might suggest. We especially encourage youth to consider joining us. Text or email Dana Cozad (803-439-2456; decozad5@aol.com) if you are interested.
Saving the Earth is a BIG PROJECT. Be a part of the GCPC Team!
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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 (6/25-7/1): Justin Kyremes-Parks | email: Justinmkp@gmail.com
Next week (7/2-7/8): Robin Mallernee | email: [email protected]
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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
Cathy Wooten (William High’s mom)
Maria, Esteban, and Erik Goicoechea
Lori Doyle (Shirley Doyle’s daughter)
Richard Pollard (Rick Pollard’s father)
Kathryn Plocica-Cox (Elsa and Josie Plocia’s grandmother)
Andrew Kavalhuna (Serge Kavalhuna's brother)
Jackie McNeff Trezbuniak (Bill McNeff’s cousin)
Melissa “Missie” Sundblade (Mesheala’s sister)
Jeffrey and Michelle Noe (Steve Riedesel’s friends)
Tyqualan Finley (recovering from surgery after a shooting on Saturday)
Matthew Shook (Melissa Shook’s nephew)
Yuji Morisako and Ginny Warner (friends of Eleanor and Bob Lane)
Ruth Fenk (Cathy Froehlich's mother)
Beth Newman
Susan Smialowicz
Doris Prak
Michelle Chromey and family
Andrea Rosal
Sharon Sasse
Margaret Rada
Gloria Moe
Susie Churchfield
Jaan Ferree
Jonathan Ross
Mesheala Sundblade
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Summer Racial Justice Series:
The Work of Mutual Liberation in the Life of Faith
All events are at 7:00pm
in the Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church Sanctuary
789 Merrimon Avenue, Asheville, NC
and livestreamed on the GCPC YouTube Channel
(Click here for pdf with more details.)
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July 9, 2023 | The Legacy of Urban "Renewal"- A Conversation with Priscilla Robinson Urban Renewal promised revitalization in the Asheville area in the middle of the 20th Century, but instead it brought destruction to Black communities in our city.
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July 16, 2023 | The Reparations Process in Asheville: A Panel Discussion with Dewana Little Vice Chair of the Asheville Buncombe County Reparations Commission, Dr. Dwight Mullen, Chair of the Asheville Buncombe County Reparations Commission, Rob Thomas, Executive Director of the Racial Justice Coalition, and Torre Garrison, Reparations Project Director of the Reparations Stakeholder Authority of Asheville. Panel Facilitated by Rev. Tami Forte Logan, Equity Missioner of Faith 4 Justice, Asheville.
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August 13, 2023 | Exploring the 1619 Project: Going Deeper and Getting Clearer with Rev. Tami Forte Logan facilitating our discussion.
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August 27, 2023 | Discussion of Octavia Butler’s award winning book, Kindred, in the latest book for the GCPC Racial Justice Book Series.
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* Childcare is available upon request for any of these opportunities. Please email Amy Kim 1 week in advance or ASAP to reserve a space.
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Serve Volunteer Opportunity -
Fight Food Insecurity!
Monday, July 10 | 1:00 or 3:00 PM | AVL First Church of the Nazarene
Join us on Monday, May 1, at the MANNA FoodBank mobile market organized by our covenant partner Colaborativa La Milpa. Help put food on the tables of families experiencing food insecurity in the Emma community of Asheville.
Come for an hour or the whole afternoon. We need more GCPC helping hands and loving hearts.
DATE: Monday, July 10
LOCATION: Asheville First Church of the Nazarene, 385 Hazel Mill Rd., AVL
SCHEDULE:
- 1-3 PM Set up tables of dry and canned goods; bag produce.
- 3-5 PM Restock items, assist families as they fill their carts.
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PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN
Circle 1: Second Monday of each month, 10:00 a.m. | Fellowship Hall
Circle 2: First Tuesday of each month, 7:30 p.m., Zoom
Circle 3: Second Tuesday of each month (some Zoom and some in-person), 7:00 p.m.
Circle 4: Second Tuesdays of each month, 10:30 a.m., In-person
Circle 5: First Monday of each month, 10:00 a.m., Zoom
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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 June 24, Team 2 had 10 volunteers who harvested 45 lbs. of collards, 36 lbs. of garlic, 59 lbs. of onions, and 3 lbs. of summer squash that was shared with Western Carolina Rescue Ministries.
They also weeded all the beds!
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On Wednesday, June 28, Team 3 had 20 volunteers who harvested 8 lbs. of chard, 7 lbs. of collards, 2 lbs. of cucumbers, 88 lbs. of garlic, 10 lbs. of kale, 64 lbs. of onions, 1 lb. of parsley, 27 lbs. of summer squash that was shared with the YWCA. They also did some stringing and weeding. | |
Community Working Together | |
In 2020, both the City of Asheville and Buncombe County apologized to Black community members for hundreds of years of harm they had inflicted or been complicit in, a debt that seems impossible to pay, and nearly impossible to begin to pay down. It has people wondering: Will Reparations really happen here or will it just be an empty gesture? The responsibility of making Reparations real has been laid at the feet of our local Community Reparations Commission (CRC), which is hard at work drafting and refining a slate of recommendations that they will eventually send to the Asheville City Council and the Buncombe County Commission. Right now, they need to hear from us – both to know that they have our support and to know that we’re ready to back them up when their recommendations are finalized. Will you join us in sending that message? | |
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Interfaith Initiative -
Social Justice Opportunities
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Buncombe Community Remembrance Project | | |
The Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, called his final sermon as Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) “Standing Between Prophecy and Deliverance.” (Photo by Randy Hobson) | |
One last time, the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the PC(USA) delivers like the prophets of old -
The Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, preaches for the last time as Stated Clerk
~ by Mike Ferguson
As he does frequently, the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II spoke a prophetic word Wednesday during the Chapel Service at the Presbyterian Center and broadcast via Zoom. Wednesday’s service at the Presbyterian Center in Louisville, Kentucky, marked the final time Nelson will preach as Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Nelson, who’s announced he is retiring June 30 as the PC(USA)’s top ecclesial officer, preached using Jeremiah 1:4-10, the account of the prophet’s call and commission, and Luke 4:21-30, the gospel writer’s account of Jesus speaking in his hometown synagogue. Nelson called his sermon “Standing Between Prophecy and Deliverance.” Watch the service here.
“The words of the prophets continue to remind us over and over again we are living in a world where there’s always motion and movement — sometimes not too good and sometimes to bring us back to who we are to be,” Nelson told members of the national staff gathered in the Chapel for weekly worship. “I am looking at people today who have said, ‘We are going through the vicissitudes of what it means to be the church.’ We struggle. We are flawed in so many ways … but the prophets remind us we belong to a higher power.”
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Dr. Tony McNeill led “Cert’nly Lord” following the sermon Thursday, the fourth full day of the Presbyterian Association of Musicians’ Worship & Music Conference at Montreat Conference Center in Montreat, North Carolina. (Photo by Rich Copley) | |
‘No water necessary. No waiting required’ -
Thursday’s worship at the Presbyterian Association of Musicians’ Worship & Music Conference explores water, faith and healing
~ by Mike Ferguson
Worship during the Presbyterian Association of Musicians’ Worship & Music Conference being held this week at Montreat Conference Center continues with its pattern of seamless and beautiful liturgy and quality musicianship, the latter provided Thursday by Dr. Tony McNeill on piano and Eric Wall on organ.
The Senior High Choir contributed Rollo Dilworth’s “Take Me to the Water.” One poignant moment had the congregation sing slowly, under McNeill’s leadership, “I Love the Lord, Who Heard My Cry,” following a reading of the day’s Scripture passage, John 5:1-15, the story of Jesus healing a man on the Sabbath who’d been ill for 38 years.
The Rev. Larissa Kwong Abazia, the conference preacher, told a story from her days as a hospital chaplain in Philadelphia, where she ministered to a 17-year-old former football player named Jake who’d suffered a severe spinal injury after a high-speed crash sent him through the windshield onto the pavement 25 feet from the crash site.
Any dream of playing football on a college team was gone, Kwong Abazia said. Classmates and teammates visited Jake early on during his months-long hospital stay, but their visits became less and less frequent. “Maybe his friends went back to their lives,” she said.
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Stewardship & Sustainability | |
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IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO SUBMIT YOUR 2023 PLEDGE!
CLICK HERE or scan the QR code to the right to submit your pledge online, all in one form. You will receive an email confirmation of your pledge.
WAYS TO PLEDGE:
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Online pledge card HERE
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Email [email protected]
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Call 828.254.3274 and leave a message for Brett Pinkston
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Fill out a pew pledge card and put in the Sunday offering plate
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Request a mailed pledge card from the office
Questions or concerns? Please contact Brett Pinkston, Stewardship & Financial Administrator, at [email protected] or leave a message at 828.254.3274.
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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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