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Worship Preview | Sunday, March 22, 2026

Fifth Sunday in Lent

Communion Sunday

In-person and online service

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 (3/15-3/21) Margie Groves | email: margie.groves@gmail.com

Next week (3/22-3/28) Michelle Chromey | email: monelchromey@gmail.com

Deacon of the Week Prayer

God of all energies both seen and unseen,

Help us, Spirit, in guiding our individual energies of attention to love. We refuse to let hatred rise up and we won’t back down. Help us as we welcome the stranger, show love for our neighbors and pray, as best we can, for our enemies. Hold us closely as we’re in this to the end. In God of many names. Amen.

~ Margie Groves

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
• Email Sue Kersbergen (sue@gcpcusa.org) in the Finance Office at GCPC to help you get set up. 

Youth Group Lock In | Saturday, March 21 @ 12:30 PM - Sunday, March 22 following worship | GCPC

Mark your calendar for our EPIC GCPC Youth Lock In and Confirmation Exploration! Saturday March 21-Sunday March 22. Drop off on Saturday at 12:3o pm and we'll end with worship together on Sunday. Good fun, good food, and some growing together, too!



5th graders are invited to join us from 12:30pm-7:00pm on Saturday

6th-12th graders plan on staying overnight and heading home after worship on Sunday.

Food & Formation on Wednesday Nights During Lent

Join us for our final dinner on Wednesday night during Lent at 5:15 pm. The food will be prepared by someone beloved by many at GCPC, Dani's mom, Derlyn.

Dinner is followed by the Lenten Food & Formation CLASSES at 6:00 pm.

See class descriptions below and get registered!

The Ancient Christian Wisdom Tradition and Celtic Christianity Sanctuary

Facilitated by Carol Hovis and Dave Cozad, this course will explore two early understandings of Christian faith that were suppressed and displaced by “establishment Christianity.” GCPC folk will recognize many of the principles and practices that this congregation is trying to revitalize through its preaching, teaching, and worship. Each session will provide times of teaching, guided meditation and group discussion. 

The material on the ancient Christian Wisdom Tradition will feature the teachings of Cynthia Bourgeault; the Celtic material will draw on the writings of John Philip Newell.

Bible Study 
Meeting Room 202

Join Marcia to read and study our sermon texts for Sunday.



No preparation needed; just come ready to open scripture and discuss!

A Parents' Place: Exploring Household Sabbath

Youth Room

Each session will begin with a brief exploration of a Sabbath practice including Prayer, Storytelling, Hospitality, Service, and Retreat. Once the practice has been introduced the parents will have an opportunity for fellowship and discussion.

All resources will be provided. Our goal with this class is to give parents a space to connect with no expectations beyond building community. Please contact Chelsea with any questions!

Music with Ray (Pre-K - 5th grade) | Wednesdays in Lent (Feb. 25 - March 25) | 6:00 - 6:45 PM | Robing Rm

The class will be held from 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. following the meal. Childcare will continue once class ends for any parents participating in a formation class.

GCPC Choir | Wednesdays | 7:10 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

Grace Abounds Food Pantry | Thursday, March 26 | 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:

• tomato soup
• canned chicken breast
• cups of fruit
• canned pasta (pop tops if possible)

Everyone please bring one (or more) this Sunday!

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!

Parents' Night Out! | Friday, March 27 | 5:30 - 8:30 PM | Fellowship Hall & Atrium

Kids 0-5th grade are invited to spend time with volunteers and staff on a Friday evening while parents connect. This event is free!. ALL KIDS SHOULD PACK A SACK DINNER.  We will provide drinks and dessert.

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

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!

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!

GCPC Nametags

If you are in need of a new nametag,

please email Anna Louise at annalouise@gcpcusa.org.

On Saturday, March 14, thirteen garden volunteers planted carrots and weeded, forked, and fertilized several more of the beds.

Volunteer with GCPC Ministry Partner, Aflorar Herb Collective

Email organizer@aflorarherbcollective.org to get connected!

Bountiful Cities hosts a No-Cost Share Market the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at the Asheville City Schools William Randolph Campus 90 Montford Ave 3-5pm. This is a community-centered effort to share fresh produce and build local food access by increasing urban food production. The Share Market is open to everyone and focuses on equitable, choice-based food distribution that honors the cultural diversity of our community.

This event is free and open to everyone. You can shop for your neighbors or yourself, and please bring your own plastic bags and reusable shopping bags if you have them!

Safe Shelter Needs!



Items can also be dropped off at 27 Balm Grove Ave from: Mon-Fri 12pm-8pm & Sat-Sun 8am-12pm

GCPC member Eleanor Violet Edwards (daughter of Marty Edwards and Jen Lipsey Edwards) has won 8 Regional Scholastic Art Awards this year! (A truly remarkable achievement!) 



Asheville Art Museum is the regional headquarters and is displaying all Silver and Gold Key award pieces live and all Honorable Mentions in a digital slide show. She won 3 gold, 1 silver, and 4 honorable mentions.

The show is up now at AAM and with a closing reception and awards ceremony on Sunday March 22 from 2:00-4:00 PM.

Here’s a link to her winning art if you’re curious!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/JL6WziWJD7HkRery5

Asheville City Schools is in search of additional staff for our 21st CCLC afterschool programs at Claxton Elementary and Hall Fletcher Elementary.

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.

Apply Online Today!