October 23, 2026

Sunday's Worship Notes

What is Reformation Sunday?

Reformation Sunday is a time to remember the Protestant Reformation and give thanks for the ongoing work of renewing the church through the grace of God. Rooted in the conviction that we are saved by God’s grace through faith, we celebrate the Reformation’s call to remain faithful to Scripture and continually reform the church according to God’s will. The red paraments symbolize the fire of the Holy Spirit, which inspires, empowers, and renews the church, as well as the courage and sacrifice of those who stood for their faith. On this day, we remember our reformed heritage while embracing our continuing call to be people who are always being made new in Christ.

Musical Guests!

We are thrilled to have a musical double header this Sunday! We will be joined by the amazingly talented Hosanna Brass Ensemble to play the prelude, postlude, and a special musical offering. We will also be blessed by our wonderful children's choir under the direction of Beverly Stabler who will offer a couple of musical selections prior to the Time for Children. We thank both of these groups for sharing their musical gifts and offerings with us!

This Week's Announcements:

Dear Members and Friends of Grace Covenant,

For twelve years, Lisa D’Hoore has faithfully and lovingly served Grace Covenant as our Financial and Administrative Secretary. On behalf of the Session, we write to share the news that Lisa will retire from these responsibilities effective February 28, 2027. Her personal letter to the congregation is attached.

I know you join us in expressing our deep affection, appreciation, and gratitude for Lisa and her years of devoted service among us. Her steady presence, generous spirit, and faithful work have been a gift to this congregation in ways both seen and unseen. We have been richly blessed by her ministry.

On Sunday, February 28, we will include a special liturgy of Thanksgiving for Faithful Service during worship. Together, and in the presence of God, we will honor Lisa’s extraordinary ministry, give thanks for her steadfast and loving service, and bring this chapter of her work among us to a fitting and grace-filled close. Following worship, a reception will be held in the Greeting Room, offering everyone an opportunity to personally express their gratitude, affection, and good wishes.

Early in the new year, we will also invite the congregation to participate in a monetary gift as a tangible expression of our appreciation for Lisa's many years of faithful service.

Until then, I invite you to join me in offering a prayer of thanksgiving and blessing for Lisa as she prepares to enter this new chapter of her life.

Lord of life, we give you thanks for Lisa and offer this blessing

for her life:

May joy, and nothing less, follow you all the days of your life.

May you be richly blessed, even as you have been a blessing to so many.

May you rest well tonight, and every night, secure in the knowledge that the Lord of Light, who has brought you this far, will continue to lead you in all the days to come.

May every new day be brightened by grace, every new season filled with promise, and every step guided by God's abiding love.

May every new day be brightened by grace, every new season filled with promise, and every step guided by God's abiding love.

And may you hear, deep within your heart, the joyful laughter of God over your life.

Amen.

With deep devotion to our Lord Jesus Christ, and profound thanksgiving to God for Lisa's ministry among us, we remain yours in Christ,

Rev. Patricia Gwinn - Pastor

Janice Tucker - Administration Committee Chair

Update on Our Haitian Friends

For almost a year, Grace Covenant has been partnering with the First Haitian Evangelical Wesleyan Church in Fountain Inn to provide food for members of their community who are struggling. Pastor Gue, his wife and a few members of the congregation deliver food to 24 individuals and families each week. Some of you have faithfully supported our every two weeks deliveries of food to Ft. Inn. We are extremely grateful for this generosity. We want to try to help our members understand the situation faced by this community while still maintaining their privacy and security.

While some Haitian communities around the country have had high profile detentions, deportations or placements of ankle monitors, the situation within the upstate Haitian community has been quieter, but still concerning. While Pastor Gue is very careful not to share any identities he has shared some generalities. Some individuals lost work permits over a year ago or had long waits to get permits. We know one man was deported back to Haiti last December. At the end of July 2026, the US government cancelled Temporary Protected Status so those here with that designation have lost work permits and their income and are living with the tension of what will happen next. While they wait, we can pray for their safety and we can share Christ's love through our food deliveries.

If you would like to contribute to the assistance, the list of the most needed items is above. Please leave donations in the bins in the Greeting Room. Thank you for your compassion.

--Missions and Outreach Committee 

October is Water Month

Water is a precious resource that we often take for granted. Join the Water Mission at the Greenville Walk for Water on Saturday, November 7^th. Click here for more information.

This week, please join us in prayer for the Water Mission engineers who travel to parts of the world without access to clean drinking water to educate, design, and install solar powered water pumps. Solar powered water systems offer sustainable safe water solutions and bring hope to remote communities and disaster stricken areas around the world. Water Mission engineers are solar power experts who both install solar pumping solutions and train others to effectively set up, operate, and maintain the solar powered water pumping operations. Through innovation that reuses and stewards our natural resources, Water Mission works to provide long term solutions to those in need.

What's Happening at Grace Covenant?

UPCOMING EVENTS

October 25^th at 11:30 AM - Children’s Choir

October 25^th at 11:30 AM - Children’s Sunday School

October 25^th at 11:30 AM - Soulos Lunch @ Mr. Salsa

October 25^th at 11:45 AM - Visioning Committee

October 26^th at 10:15 AM - Grace Readers

October 28^th - Church Office Closed for Staff Retreat

October 28^th at 5:30 PM - Handbell Choir Rehearsal

October 28^th at 6:30 PM - Choir Rehearsal

October 29^th at 8:00 AM - Men’s Bible Study

November 1^st at 9:15 AM - Adult Sunday School

November 1^st at 10:30 AM - Holy Communion Worship Service

November 1^st at 11:30 AM - Children’s Sunday School

November 1^st at 10:30 AM - Youth Group

The Role of Women in Early Christianity

October 25^th - November 22^nd

Taught by Rev. Barbara Stoop

In the first two centuries, women were essential leaders in the early church. What were their roles, and how did those roles change as the hierarchy of the Christian church developed?

Join Rev. Stoop in the cottage at 9:15 AM before Sunday worship for her session starting this Sunday, October 25^th!

Men's Bible

Study

Every Thursday

at 8:00 AM

in the Cottage

For those interested

in joining, contact

Paul Cossaboon

at (609) 712-0728

Adult Choir

Wednesdays at 6:30 PM

Sundays at 9:45 AM

All experience levels welcome,

no audition required

Contact Music Director

Emery Schramm for more information

Children's Sunday School

The children will meet with Rev. Barbara Stoop in the Education Wing after worship each Sunday.

Contact CE Chair

Stephanie Norton for

more information

Children's Choir

Every other Sunday after worship in the choir room

Contact Bev Stabler for more information

Prayer Ministry

Meeting 11/3, & 11/17

at 9:30 AM

in the Parlor

Contact Roberta Gilles for more information

Handbell Choir

Wednesdays at 5:30 PM

All experience levels welcome,

no audition required

Contact Bev Stabler for more information

Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church records and broadcasts all worship services live. Attendance in the worship space permits your image to be included in that service broadcast and recording. Care will be taken to protect children, youth, vulnerable adults, and individuals during personal moments.

Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church

739 N. Main Street

Mauldin, SC 29662

(864) 288-3951