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A Journey Through the "Revelation of John" | |
Worship Preview | Sunday, November 20, 2022
Christ the King Sunday
In-person Service and Youtube
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*For the full revised common lectionary, please click here. | |
| Thursday, November 17 | Centering Prayer | 6:00 pm | Sanctuary | | Thursday, November 17 | A Journey Through the "Revelation of John" | 6:30 pm | Fellowship Hall/Atrium | | Friday, November 18 | Winter Shelter Support Team Mtg. | 11:00 am on Zoom | | Sunday, November 20 | Hybrid Worship
(In-person and online) | 9:30 am @ GCPC
(also on Youtube) | | Sunday, November 20 | Fellowship Time | 10:45 am | Narthex | | Sunday, November 20 | Formation for All Ages
Children | Sanctuary
Youth | Youth Room
Adults | Fellowship Hall | 11:00 am
*please see details below | | Sunday, November 20 | ALL Youth Lunch | 12:30 pm | Narthex | | Sunday, November 20 | Memorial Service for Graham McCormick | 2:00 pm | Sanctuary (also on Youtube) | | Sunday, November 20 | Deacons Mtg. | 7:00 pm on Zoom | | Tuesday - Wednesday | Church Office Open | 10 am - 4 pm | | Wed., November 23 | Bible Study | 12:00 pm | Jerusalem Room (also on Zoom) | | Wed., November 23 | Biltmore Christmas Choir Rehearsal | 6:00 pm | Choir Room | | Wed., November 23 | Choir Rehearsal | 7:00 pm | Sanctuary | | Thursday-Friday | Thanksgiving Holiday | Church Office Closed | | |
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Children's Formation (K-5th Grade) | Sundays | 11:00 AM | Sanctuary
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Youth Formation (Middle/High School) | Sundays | 11:00 AM | Youth Room
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Adult Formation: Faith and Boundaries I Sundays | September 18 -November 20 | 11:00 AM I Fellowship Hall and Zoom
This fall, we will be exploring a faith based approach to boundaries, a vital tool for all communities and relationships searching for ways to create space for love, compassion, and and justice.
Facilitators: Margaret Tierney, Paul Rogers, Libby Kyles, Marta Alcalá, Patty Thompson, and Dean Presson
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86748147293
Meeting ID: 867 4814 7293 Passcode: 789
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Bible Study | Wednesdays | 12:00 PM | Jerusalem Room & Zoom
Join the pastoral staff to read and study our sermon texts for Sunday. No preparation needed; just come ready to open scripture and discuss!
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82947867192
Meeting ID: 829 4786 7192 Passcode: 789
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Stewardship & Sustainability | |
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November 13, 2022
Formation Council
Stewardship Video
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"Fundraising is proclaiming what we believe in such a way that we offer other people an opportunity to participate with us in our vision and mission. Fundraising is precisely the opposite of begging. When we seek to raise funds we are not saying, “Please, could you help us out because lately it’s been hard.” Rather, we are declaring, “We have a vision that is amazing and exciting. We are inviting you to invest yourself through the resources that God has given you — your energy, your prayers, and your money— in this work to which God has called us.” - Henri Nouwen
I first saw these words written when I was a master's student completing an internship and my supervisor asked me to read a book called "A Spirituality of Fundraising" offering perspectives on philanthropy that I hadn't considered before. Growing up in the church, I knew the importance of tithing, but beyond the week-to-week implication of another youth group member and me walking up and down the pews for collection every week, it didn't take up too much of my thoughts. This is just something we do, right? The church needs money somehow, so this is how we get it.
Nouwen's writing made me consider several new questions. What does it really mean to joyfully give? How can it actually be empowering to ask for help? Why am I compelled to give in the ways that I have? I thought about the times I was hesitant to give towards something and all the times I didn't even have to think twice about giving towards something else.
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To make a long story short, I now make my living as a fundraiser and I think about these things all the time! Jokes aside, I am confident about the vision of Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, and I am happy to give in support of the ways we seek to invest into our community. I know that when I give to GCPC, I am directly supporting the immediate financial wellbeing of myriad programs within the church that I love. As Matthew 6:21 states, "for where your treasure is, your heart will be also." I am honored to know that part of my treasure, and in turn my heart, is helping build a better world, starting on Merrimon Avenue. I am humbled, but also quite proud, to ask you to do the same.
~ Thanks,
Ben Kees
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GREAT NEWS!
In just the last few hours, we received two additional pledges that have
now pushed us over the $600k mark!
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READY TO SUBMIT YOUR 2023 PLEDGE?
Submitting your pledge is quick and easy! (Watch a tutorial video here.) Simply CLICK HERE or scan the Qr code to the right to submit your pledge online, all in one form.
If you would also like to set up automatic eGiving from your bank account or credit card, be sure to checkmark Add a scheduled gift for this pledge after the pledge confirmation and follow the prompts. These are two separate steps and forms - setting up a pledge does not renew eGiving automatically and eGiving without a pledge doesn't count towards our Stewardship and budget goals.
You will receive an email confirmation of your pledge and a separate confirmation for eGiving, if applicable. Questions or concerns? Please contact Natalie Weaver, Stewardship & Financial Administrator, at giving@gcpcusa.org or leave a message at 828.254.3274.
Keep in mind, anyone can pledge any amount - every single penny helps support the ministry and mission at GCPC!
WAYS TO PLEDGE:
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Online pledge card HERE
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Email giving@gcpcusa.org
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Call 828.254.3274 and leave a message for Natalie Weaver
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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
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GCPC Elder and Deacon Nominations | |
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The Nominating Committee is seeking recommendations from the congregation for persons to serve as an Elder or Deacon, beginning in January 2023 and serving for a term of three years.
Please fill this form out by November 27th.
The Nominating Committee, relying on the Holy Spirit, will be guided by prayer, their sense of the gifts that are needed to be called into service in this way, and by the guidance of the Book of Order.
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Outgrowing Their Dance Costumes! | |
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Raíces Emma-Erwin is a children´s program focused on dance, art, and cultures of Latin America. You may have seen them perform beautiful traditional dances at local festivals. The children of Raíces (which means "roots") are outgrowing their dance costumes and new ones are needed.
To replenish the costume supply, they ask if anyone at GCPC has any of the following items: girls' folkloric dance dresses, fabric for making such dresses, boys' charro outfits, dance shoes. The photos give an idea of the types of fabrics they use. More photos and information about Raíces can be found here.
Contact Lynne Meacham (larkm99@gmail.com) if you have fabric, costumes, or shoes to pass on to this organization which is part of Covenant Partner, Colaborativa La Milpa.
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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 (11/13-11/19): Paul Tierney | email: paul@tierneyandco.net
Next week (11/20-11/26): Cathy Froehlich | email: oremont2@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)
Trey and Alisha Thompson and 3 kids - Gabi, Arlo, and Eldon (Patty and Brent Thompson's son and daughter-in-law and grandchildren)
Sarah Ralston (Susie Bleckley’s mom)
Rebecca Longenecker-Singer (sister-in-law of Loidaly & Hans Rosario-Singer)
Maryann Jennings and Sasso Family
Eric Mount (Marcia Mount Shoop's father)
Dorothy Zuck (Pat Durham's mom)
Bill Ross (Jonathan Ross' dad)
Erik Jacobs (Kathy Jacobs' son)
Hillary Frye (Steve Riedesel’s friend)
Rebecca Harrison's husband, Nigel
Marianne Nash (Dave Nash’s daughter)
Sharon and Loman Hatfield (Karen Rohl’s friend had her son)
Bob Higgins
Susan Smialowicz
Doris Prak
Michelle Chromey and family
Earl Fowler
Robin Gaiser
Andrea Rosal
Sharon Sasse
Lisette de Groot
Tim Moe
The Hill Family on the loss of Jay Hill’s father, Peter Hill
Beloved GCPC member, Roslyn Carney, passed away on Wednesday, November 16 at the Solace Center. Please pray for Reed and the whole family as they navigate this tragic loss. We will keep you informed as details of the service become available.
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The GCPC Coffee House | Sunday, December 4 | 7:00 PM | Atrium
Imagine yourself in a cozy coffee house enjoying good friends, soulful conversation, comforting coffee (or tea if that's your preference), and some delightful desert. Imagine how good it would feel on a December evening to be in a place that warms your soul, your heart, and your body. That's the vibe we're going for on Sunday night, December 4 at The GCPC Coffee House. This coffee house is a chance to hear a bit more about Marcia's sabbatical through the window of some of the poems that she wrote during her three months away. We'll have live music, too, and time to connect and enjoy each other's company. Mark your calendars and plan on being there either in person or online at 7pm on Sunday, December 4 in the Atrium or on GCPC's YouTube channel.
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Asheville Gay Men's Chorus HOLIDAY CONCERT! | Saturday, December 10 @ 7:30 PM and Sunday, December 11 @ 4:00 PM | Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church Sanctuary
Please join us for the return of the live Holiday Concert! The Asheville Gay Men’s Chorus will once again gather to provide great fun and music.
The Chorus is offering General Admission Tickets for $30 per ticket, and VIP Tickets (first 5 rows) for $40 per ticket.
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SAVE THE DATE! - Thursday, December 15th
Biltmore Choir Performance Open Dress Rehearsal
Thursday, December 15 | 7:00 PM | GCPC Sanctuary
Members from GCPC's own Chancel Choir are combining with members from the First Presbyterian Church Choir to perform at Biltmore Estate's Christmas Festival of Lights on December 16th. Jonathan Ross (GCPC section leader) and Jeremy Roberts (FPC Music Director) are the co-directors.
Please help them prepare, by joining the choirs for an informal Open Dress Rehearsal, featuring 30 minutes of your favorite Christmas tunes, at Grace Covenant on Thursday, December 15 at 7pm.
Free of charge! We invite you to wear your favorite Christmas attire. Bring your family and friends!
*Tickets to Biltmore's Christmas Festival of Lights may be purchased here.
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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: 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.
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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Last Garden Day of the Season!
On Wednesday, November 9, Team 3 had 8 volunteers that cleaned all the garden equipment, sharpened and cleaned tools, and cleaned the sheds.
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So many thanks to all of our wonderful and dedicated garden volunteers and our amazing Garden Manager, Allison Kiehl, for another abundant season of growing and sharing food with the community. | |
Community Working Together | |
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AVL GreenWorks Hard 2 Recylce - South | Saturday, November 19 | 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM | TC Roberson High School (Long Shoals Rd entrance), 16 Miami Cir, Arden, NC
Our volunteers have made it possible to keep hundreds of thousands of pounds of hard -to-recycle items out of our Buncombe County Landfill in Alexander. Learn more about accepted items here and join us on Saturday!
| You can advocate for racial justice in our community every week. | |
Here’s how:
Subscribe to the Government Accountability Project (GAP) Report today and you’ll receive:
- Weekly reports that keep you informed on what's happening in our city and county governments with racial justice implications.
- Timely actions you can take to advocate for racial justice.
- Email templates that you can personalize and send in just a few minutes.
You can check out the most recent report at gapavl.org.
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Every Black Voice presents....
Walk the Walk Campaign Final Report
Walk the Walk was a campaign to engage community members in a survey envisioning what an anti-racist Asheville City and Buncombe County would be like. This campaign was lead by the Racial Justice Coalition in partnership with other local organizations in 2021.
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Asheville Poverty Initiative | | | |
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Interfaith Initiative -
Social Justice Opportunities
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Buncombe Community Remembrance Project |
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The PC(USA)’s advocacy director contributes to a thoughtful discussion on white churches and the sin of racism -
The Rev. Jimmie Hawkins joins a panel convened by Union Presbyterian Seminary to lay out the problem and outline solutions
~ by Mike Ferguson
The Rev. Jimmie Hawkins, who directs the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Office of Public Witness and the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations and wrote “Unbroken and Unbowed: Black Protest in America,” published in February by Westminster John Knox Press, joined an online panel Tuesday as part of Union Presbyterian Seminary’s Just Talk/Talk Just series. Watch “Forgive Us Our Trespasses: White Churches and the Sin of American Racism” by going here.
Dr. Rodney S. Sadler Jr., Associate Professor of Bible at Union Presbyterian Seminary and director of the Center for Social Justice and Reconciliation there, hosted the panel, which also included the Rev. Greg Jarrell, founder of QC Family Tree in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Dr. Valerie Cooper, Associate Professor of Religion and Society and Black Church Studies at the Duke Divinity School.
“It could be said it was the Black church that introduced liberation theology into theological discourse in this country,” Hawkins said. While the first Africans who were forced to this part of the world rejected Christianity when they heard such biblical admonitions that slaves must be obedient to their masters, “once they learned Scripture, especially Exodus, they said, ‘That’s our story,’” Hawkins said. Centuries later, “It was amazing the insurrectionist spirit that came out of the religious experience.”
“The prophetic voice of the Black church has been instrumental in liberation movements in this country and around the world,” Hawkins said. “God is a god of justice, and God does not ordain discrimination or white supremacy or misogyny.”
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Professor Kristin Henning (Photo courtesy of Georgetown Law) | |
New York Avenue Presbyterian Church hosts Professor Kristin Henning, a lawyer and scholar who wrote about how we are criminalizing Black youth -
‘Every single child in this country deserves at least one irrationally caring adult in their life’ Georgetown Law scholar says
~ by Mike Ferguson
Professor Kristin Henning, who teaches at Georgetown Law, directs its Juvenile Justice Clinic & Initiative and wrote “The Rage of Innocence: How America Criminalizes Black Youth,” was the most recent speaker in New York Avenue Presbyterian Church’s McClendon Scholar Program. More than 500 people from across the country registered to attend the online event, held late last month.
Henning opened with this surprising statistic: In 26 years representing children accused of a crime or crimes in the District of Columbia — many of those years as the lead attorney in the juvenile unit at the public defender’s office — she represented only four white children. “That’s it. Every other child has been an African American child,” she said. “That statistic should cause every single one of us to gasp in horror.”
“I wanted to understand how these disparities are impacting Black youth. I wanted to know whether disparate policing and criminalization was making America any safer, or are we just hurting ourselves and our children? What can we do about it? The book arises from that set of questions,” Henning said.
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Montreat College Annual Christmas Concert | Saturday, December 3 | 7:00 PM | Anderson Auditorium, Montreat
Montreat College will host its annual Christmas Concert in the Anderson Auditorium on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. This event is free of charge as a gift to the community—a highlight of the holiday season.
The concert will feature Montreat College choir students and alumni as well as faculty and staff performers. The concert will also feature a live orchestra made up of Montreat students and community members.
Join us for this special evening as we celebrate our hope in Christ at the beginning of the Advent season.
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NEW DATES!!
Fraught & Flummoxed: Courage and Creativity for the Elevation of the Gospel | January 30–February 2, 2023 | Montreat
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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A Conversation with Jessica Vazquez Torres and Shawna Bowman
Conference leaders, Jessica Vazquez Torres and Shawna Bowman, recently discussed the inspiration behind Fraught & Flummoxed in a conversational, podcast-style video. Watch or listen as they share their thoughts and insights in the video!
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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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