August 2015 GraceNotes

8/20/2019 August 2015 GraceNotes

1/20

1

Looking Back (and Forward!)

It has been quite a summer! Alongside our weekly worship, in which we have enjoyed a host of excellent worship leaders toaccompany Chris, many have enjoyed combined Sundayschool class. There we have considered the history of worship

in the church and how previous generations of Christiansencourage, challenge, and inform our worship today.Still others have been regular participants in the six- week “Food and Faith” seriehosted at different homes in the Richmond area. Many thanks to Susan Farrell,Cheryl and Bill Jacobs, Everett Reveley, Brian and Katherine Baird, and Pete andSuzanne Sizemore for hosting those!

A number of congregants took time to nurture children in the knowledge and lovChrist. We had a wonderful VBS with the CDC children involved, and we had anumber of folks who went to Shalom Farms and Maymont Park in order to work with the children from STEP.

Throughout all of this, our Fellowship Hall has been under renovation, and it isnearly finished! I am grateful for the many who have contributed their time andcreativity to seeing this through. In particular, many thanks are due to theFellowship Hall Renovation Committee: RoseMarie Bundy, Cal Gray, Cheryl Jacoand Carson Price. As well, a big thanks is due to the Building Fund and all those who have contributed to it. Their generosity has ensured we can update and refrthat space as we seek to offer the generous hospitality of Christ to all who enter.

Finally, our APNC has continued to work hard, and we are nearing the time when we will formally open our search for an Associate Pastor who will lead us instrengthening and growing our Christian Education that all (those among us andthose God is yet calling) may grow as followers of Jesus. Please be in prayer for tcommittee and their important work.

While the summer has been full of God’s faithfulness, we are excited for what Go will yet do in the coming months. Be sure to check out ourlonger-than-usual Grace Notes because it is filled withnumerous opportunities to grow, serve, and follow Jesus asthe Grace Covenant family.

Volume 45, Issue 8 August 2015

DiscipleshipSunday, pg. 2

People Group,pg. 4

AugustMusicales, pg.8

An Evening with Dr. JoanGray, pg. 17

Fall SermonSeriesOverview , pg.18

NominatingCommitteeNominations,pg. 19


2/20

2

Christian Education and Discipleship

Summer Sunday School

Worship in the Church over Centuries

Join us Sundays this summer at 9:30 a.m. in the Grace Bible Classroom (212).

This summer we will be exploring the history of worship from the early church to the pres-ent. What forms have worship taken and why? What has remained constant? What haschanged? And how does looking to those who have gone before us inform how we worship faith-fully today? We hope you will join in the class! Bobby Hulme-Lippert and Christopher Tweel will be leading the course.

For more information, visit the GCPC website at grace-covenant.org

DATE CLASS TOPIC TEACHER

August 9 Worship in the Church: Challenges and Opportunities Bobby

August 16 Worship in the Church: Weddings and Funerals Christopher

August 23 Worship in the Church: Weddings and Funerals TBD

Date NightGrace Covenant is happy to offer this blessing up to our families again onSaturday, August 22, from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. A charge of $5 per child will helpdefray the costs of child care, though there is a $10 maximum per family withmore than two children. Please RSVP by 3:00 p.m. Thursday, August 20,to the church at [email protected] or 359-2463 with name of child and

Join us September 13!9:30 a.m. on Sunday, September 13 in the Fellowship Hall we will have apancake breakfast to celebrate Discipleship Sunday. The staff of GraceCovenant is looking forward to cooking and serving pancakes to our churchfamily.

We will be gathering in the Fellowship Hall for celebration and reflectionon what a new year at Grace Covenant has in store for each of us.

Start the fall off with the fellowship of our whole family, some great pancakes, and the opportunity to

see where we as a church will be answering the call of the Holy Spirit this coming year.


3/20

3

Christian Education and Discipleship

Presbyterian Women

i

r

c

l

e

M

e

e

t

i

n

g

s

w

i

l

l

r

e

s

u

m

e

i

n

S

e

p

t

e

m

b

e

r

Men’s Group - The next men’s group will meet on August 5 at Postbellum (1323 W.Main St.) at 7:30 p.m. Join us for fellowship and conversation. For more informationcontact, Christopher Tweel at [email protected] or 359-2463.

Grace Bible and Forum Classes!Starting September 20, Grace Bible Class and Forum Class will combine into Forumof Grace for Sunday School in the Grace Bible Classroom (212).

Many things about these two classes will stay the same. Their dependence on deep biblical truths and the weekly wrestling with tough theology that all disciples need as apart of their own daily life. This change comes as a result of many kinds of blessings inour church family; new spaces for a wonderful and successfully expanding CDC pro-gram as well as the Spirit-led continually reforming styles of education we experienceat the church.

Every year our teachers and leaders work hard in prayerful discernment on whereGod's urging lies in our methods and our content -- we are excited for another new

year at Grace Covenant!

Wednesday Night Suppers this fallThis fall to pair with the new look of our Fellowship Hall, the Christian Education Committee is excit-ed to offer some exciting new programs as well as some great meals for the whole family.

Our programs will be led by authors like Charlie Summers and Kris Norris, musicians, local leaders, as well as providing space to look at how we deal with loss, issues in our families as we age, and sometime to just laugh and enjoy the space together as a church family.

The dinners that we share this fall will largely come from Relay Foods, a local provider or organic sus-tainable produce and meats. You can expect the same great home-cooked style, but with greater atten-tion to fresh, organic ingredients. We are excited that our food practices here at the church will reflectsome of the work we have done this summer studying how our food habits and our theology as achurch align.


4/20

4

Cell: 804-356-4624


5/20

5

356-4624

Luning

The third house is the Lunings House. The River will be on your right.

#4

R o m

a P i z z a

R o u

t e 6 1 7


6/20

6

Mission and Justice MinistryGrace Covenant Bearing Witness with Living Watersfor the World! The Missions Committee is excited to share some updates on Grace Covenant's involvement with Living Waters for the World (LWW). As many heard during our VBS last year, LWW is a PC(USA) missionproject rooted in the confession that “Jesus Christ is Living Waters for our Bodies and Souls.” LWW bears witness to Christ by assisting communities and congregations around the world that lack access tclean drinking water, empowering their local leaders to build, operate, and sustain water purificationsystems and health education for their communities.

To date, Katie McCullough, Michelle Hulme-Lippert, and Nelson Reveley have gone through the officiatraining for LWW, and Jessica Reveley and Susan Pillsbury David are excited to join in our LWW crewtoo. Our team is also partnering with a LWW group from Trinity Presbyterian Church, just outside Philadelphia. Grace Covenant has partnered closely with folks from Trinity Presbyterian in the past for ourKHISH medical mission trips to Honduras.

To date, in conjunction with LWW coordinators in Honduras, we have identified and been in communication with a local congregation in southern Honduras – Agalteca Presbyterian Church and its pastor Antonio Zavala – that is in need of clean water. Agalteca lies north of Honduras’ capital Tegucigalpa,and it fits the parameters for a LWW water purification system, namely having access to electricity andflowing water.

Nelson Reveley will be joining with two of our partners from Trinity Presbyterian and the HondurasLWW coordinator to visit Agalteca this coming September 21-24. During this trip, we will not only b building relationships with our brothers and sisters in Agalteca, but also doing further water tests andnegotiating a covenant with Agalteca's leaders regarding the possibility and details of an installationand education trip in early 2016.

If you would like to learn more or join the LWW team, please just reach out to Nelson Reveley([email protected]) or anyone from our LWW crew!

Did you see the drone at GraceCovenant?!The roofing company we have contracted to do some

repairs, brought its drone to take images of the roof anassess what needs to be done. In the photo on the left,the CDC children and teachers are enjoying the uniquesight!


7/20

7

Mission and Justice MinistryShalom FarmsJoin us Saturday, August 15, from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon at Shalom Farms—a lo-cal food access and community development ministry shalomfarms.org— as wehelp ensure that everyone in our city has access to God's bounteous gift of nutri-tious produce. Please RSVP to Nate McKinnon at [email protected]

or 732-618-7077. Carpooling from the church parking lot at 8:00 a.m. (and re-turning by 12:00 noon) is possible if there is interest. Otherwise, you can meet usout on the farm at 9:00 a.m. (1033 Rock Castle Rd., Goochland, VA 23063)!

Food Donations Needed!

There is an additional way to give to the incredible ministry happening at the WilliamByrd House. As we know, this ministry for students also feeds them as part of their planto increase wellness and success at school.

Pick up a labeled grocery bag and fill it with the listed items! These are items that thisministry has identified as needed and is a great way to remind ourselves to continue ourcontributions. Thank you all for the amazing support you continue to show!

Grace Covenant,

As July comes to a close we begin setting our sights on August’s theme of animal habitats. Children will learn what an“ecosystem” is, and explore different ecosystems all around the world. They will discover habitats in different climates, like thedesert and tundra, and what kinds of plants and animals live inthose climates.

Learning about such drastically different weather andtemperature patterns also gives us the opportunity to start learningabout how animals and plants learn to adapt to their surroundings,like how penguins huddle in a circle and take turns being in the middle so they all stay warm. We’llmarvel at how even animals can use methods like “taking turns,” and how that is so similar to what wedo!

Likewise, we will look at different cultures around the world. From tribes in Africa to theindigenous people of Alaska, we’ll look at things like how they build their houses, what they wear, andhow they cook their food to acclimate to their conditions.

How are we as people the same as animals? How are we different? How are we similar anddifferent to each other? We’ll even explore these questions as we study the world map.

Nicole FlournoyDirector of the Child Development Center

CDC Update


8/20

8

August Musicales

August Musicales 2015Grace Covenant

Presbyterian Church1627 Monument Avenue · Richmond, Virginia ·

359-2463(between the Lee and Stuart Monuments)

Wednesday, August 127:00 p.m.

Christopher Martin, organ Director of Music and Organist

Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church


Members of the Atlantic Chamber EnsembleRichmond, Virginia


Robert Murray, violin Ardyth Lohuis, organ


9/20

9

Summer Snapshot


10/20

10

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wed

29:15 Prayer Team (Social Rm)9:30 Sunday School (see pg. 2)

10:55 Worship12:15 Fellowship Hour

3 4 57:30pm

99:15 Prayer Team (Social Rm)9:30 Sunday School (see pg. 2)10:55 Worship12:15 Fellowship Hour

107pm Worship Comm.

11 122pm Ca 7pm Au

169:15 Prayer Team (Social Rm)9:30 Sunday School (see pg. 2)10:55 WorshipCongregational Meeting12:15 Fellowship Hour

17CDC Closed

7pm Session Meeting

18 192pm Ca 7pm Au

239:15 Prayer Team (Social Rm)9:30 Sunday School (see pg. 2)10:55 GCPC Worship

12:15 Fellowship Hour

24Deadline for Grace NotesSubmissions

25 262pm Ca 7 pm Au

305th Sunday Luncheon12:30 Prayer Group in the Chapel

31

August


11/20

11

hursday riday Saturday

1

up610am CDC Chapel

77am Morning Prayer

(Sanctuary)

8

ales

13 10am CDC Chapel

147am Morning Prayer

(Sanctuary)

158am Shalom Farms

5pm People Group at Jean AppichRiver House

ales

2010am CDC Chapel


(Sanctuary)

225pm Parents Night Out

ales

2710am CDC Chapel


(Sanctuary)

29

** Reminder!August 24 is the deadline for submissions

for our August edition of Grace Notes.


12/20

12

REGISTER NOW!September 26, 2015, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Seminary for a Day

Union Presbyterian Seminary - RichmondCampus

Seminary for a Day began on the Richmond campus in 2012 as a bicentennial celetion event, designed to opening the seminary up to the church. Enjoy a full day of keyaddresses and workshops, connections with old friends and new, and a taste of what snary education is like. The day features the faculty and staff of UPSem in Richmond.There will be workshops in the morning and afternoon; choose one workshop in themorning and one in the afternoon.

Event Location: Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, 3401 Brook Ro Registration: $25 includes refreshments and a box lunch on campus – Regis by September 18 in order to ensure you will receive a lunchCEUs: 0.5

For: Church leaders and members, clergy, and those interested in learning moabout their faithFor more information and to register go to http://www.upsem.edu/sfaday

Schedule of Events

Saturday, September 26, 2015

9:00 a.m. Registration

9:15 a.m. Keynote I Frances Taylor Gench Watts Chapel

“Worshiping Doubters: The Church in Mission” 10:00 a.m. Break

http://www.upsem.edu/sfadayhttp://www.upsem.edu/sfadayhttp://www.upsem.edu/sfaday


13/20

13

From Our PresbyteryNext Presbytery Meetings:

Called Meeting: Tuesday, August 11 at 4:00p.m.Location: Laurel Presbyterian Church,

Glen Allen.

Saturday, October 17, 2015Location: Second Presbyterian Church,

Richmond

Schedule of Events Con’t 10:15 a.m. Morning Workshops (choose one)

How the New Testament Became the New Testament – Brian K. BlountEthical Literacy: Understanding Earthly Stories with Heavenly Meaning – Katie G. CnonRecent Discussions in the Theology of Food – Dawn DeVriesHospitality and Gratitude – Signs of Christian Community: Lessons from the EarlyChurch – Paul Galbreath

When Sundays Come Quicker than Sermons – Cleophus J. LaRue

Biblical Interpretation and Pastoral Responses for Contemporary Social Concerns –John Carroll and Carol Schnabl Schweitzer

12:00 Noon Lunch

1:15 p.m. Afternoon Workshops (choose one)Faithful Discipleship in the Age of Social Media – Samuel L. AdamsTelling Her Story: Women in Christian Tradition – Christine Luckritz Marquis and BeveZink-Sawyer

Why Evangelism? John VestTheologically Educated Pastors: The Rise, Fall, and Resurrection of a Profession? –

Ken McFayden And You Thought the Book of Order Was for Geeks! – H. Carson RhyneHuman Spirituality 101 – Cindy Kissel-Ito

3:00 p.m. Keynote IICleophus J. LaRue Watts Chapel

“The Shape of Christian Preaching in the 21st Century”


14/20

14

Ash Wednesday Service Background and Details

I grew up in a Presbyterian Church that did not have an Ash Wednesday service. The whole idea of “Ash

Wednesday” struck me as something for “other people,” and I really had no appreciation for it one way oranother until I began serving a couple different Presbyterian congregations which had the service.

As many of you know, there is no biblical requirement to hold an Ash Wednesday service or to use ashes –

much as there is no biblical requirement to celebrate Christmas or Easter (though we celebrate the truths be-hind them year -round). Still, Ash Wednesday has been observed by many Christians for at least the past ten

centuries. It is the day that marks the beginning of Lent – a six-week period preceding Easter (‘Lent’, too, isnot in the Bible).

Around the tenth century, Christians began placing ashes on their forehead to signify their need for repent-

ance, presumably emulating the likes of Job who repented “in dust and ashes” (Job 42:6). Notably, the asheswere done in the shape of the cross – a symbol of the Good News. Thus, even as the ashes spoke of a need to

repent (turn to God) they also spoke of resurrection power and hope.

The first time I had ashes placed on my forehead, it didn’t ‘do’ anything (and never does!). However, the

visible ashen mark helped me consider again my need grace even as the cross-shape prompted me to give

thanks for the Life in which I already stand because of what Jesus has done on the cross. The ashes also made

me face anew the fact that I will one day die, which renewed my hope and thanks for the hope I have inChrist Jesus. Paradoxically, then, the ashes-receiving proved uplifting! Of course, this is in keeping with the

Gospel which always ‘cuts to the heart’ (Acts 2:37) and convicts even as it heals and binds up wounds.

After receiving ashes, I went to research the topic in more detail. I realized that while there exists no Bible

verse that says we must observe Ash Wednesday or impose ashes, there is a good theological reasoning un-

derpinning the service. In many ways, the service enacts our call to confess our sins to another, to weep with

one another, and to know anew the Gospel hope (which can only be appreciated by naming, not avoiding, thedarkness).

To be sure, there is nothing magical about the service or the ashes. Indeed, when calling the people of Godto repentance, the prophet Joel says, “rend your hearts not your clothing” (2:13). The prophet Isaiah likewise

tells the people to stop fasting and repenting in dust and ashes and instead get up and do justice (Isaiah 58:5-

8). In other words, the prophets are calling the people out for thinking that they can perform external acts of

worship (like tearing their clothes or wearing ashes in repentance) that will take the place of actually givingtheir hearts and doing the real work of the Lord in the world. We are wise to avoid any imposition of ashes if

we think they gain us favor with God or have some power in and of themselves.

However, because the ashes can be a particularly poignant way for many Christians to know anew our hope

in Jesus Christ, ashes will be offered at our Ash Wednesday service at 7pm on Wednesday, February 18th

in the chapel. The ashes will be entirely optional – you may choose whether or not you come forward to re-ceive them. If you do come forward, I will put the ashes on your forehead in the shape of a cross with thewords, “Consider yourself dead to sin and alive in Jesus Christ“ (Rom 6:11). My prayer is that through the

service of worship God will meet us in such a way that we are renewed in our hope and assured once again

that we rest in the promise of the One who has come to bring Life and Life Eternal.

AnnouncementsFellowship Hour

August 2 – McCullough

August 9 – Atchison

August 16 – Savage

August 23 – Manning

August 30 – Rosebro

Openers and Closers

August 2 – Lloyd Bostian

August 9 – Rick Nochta

August 16 – Kent Cardwell

August 23 – Hank Downing

August 30 – Brian Baird

in August...2– Zhuping Ling

3– Bob Copeland3– Ron David4– Thatcher Hartman5– Jessica Reveley6– Bill Bridenstine6– Liz Malan7– Eva Chenoweth7– Nina Chenoweth9– Ray Davis9– Dottie-Ray Koch10– Llewellyn Harvie11– Charlie Appich III11– Nell Dickenson12– Rob Turner15– Phil Coltrain15– Garland Price15– Steve Satterfield15– Gary Flake16– Liz Coping17– Everett Reveley18– Fielding Crawford

19– Scott Boze III22– Anna Mustanski23– Chris Martin23– Beth Nochta26– Walter Lumpkin28– Jim McCullough29– Virginia Sommers30– Holland Mesco31– Lauren Corby

Wedding Announcement!Hannah M. Coltrain and James W.Hamrick, Jr., will be married in asmall private ceremony on Friday,September 4, 2015.

Everyone ispart of thefamily when weeat together on

Wednesdaynights!

Volunteers

Needed! When Wednesday NightSuppers start back up we

need volunteers who would be willing to ro-tate weekly to buzz people in the back doorsduring WNS. If you are interested in vol-unteering, please contact Phil Coltrain at305-3489.


15/20

15

Ash Wednesday Service Background and Details

I grew up in a Presbyterian Church that did not have an Ash Wednesday service. The whole idea of “AshWednesday” struck me as something for “other people,” and I really had no appreciation for it one way or

another until I began serving a couple different Presbyterian congregations which had the service.

As many of you know, there is no biblical requirement to hold an Ash Wednesday service or to use ashes –

much as there is no biblical requirement to celebrate Christmas or Easter (though we celebrate the truths be-hind them year -round). Still, Ash Wednesday has been observed by many Christians for at least the past ten

centuries. It is the day that marks the beginning of Lent – a six-week period preceding Easter (‘Lent’, too, isnot in the Bible).

Around the tenth century, Christians began placing ashes on their forehead to signify their need for repent-ance, presumably emulating the likes of Job who repented “in dust and ashes” (Job 42:6). Notably, the ashes

were done in the shape of the cross – a symbol of the Good News. Thus, even as the ashes spoke of a need to

repent (turn to God) they also spoke of resurrection power and hope.

The first time I had ashes placed on my forehead, it didn’t ‘do’ anything (and never does!). However, the

visible ashen mark helped me consider again my need grace even as the cross-shape prompted me to give

thanks for the Life in which I already stand because of what Jesus has done on the cross. The ashes also mademe face anew the fact that I will one day die, which renewed my hope and thanks for the hope I have in

Christ Jesus. Paradoxically, then, the ashes-receiving proved uplifting! Of course, this is in keeping with the

Gospel which always ‘cuts to the heart’ (Acts 2:37) and convicts even as it heals and binds up wounds.

After receiving ashes, I went to research the topic in more detail. I realized that while there exists no Bible

verse that says we must observe Ash Wednesday or impose ashes, there is a good theological reasoning un-

derpinning the service. In many ways, the service enacts our call to confess our sins to another, to weep with

one another, and to know anew the Gospel hope (which can only be appreciated by naming, not avoiding, thedarkness).

To be sure, there is nothing magical about the service or the ashes. Indeed, when calling the people of Godto repentance, the prophet Joel says, “rend your hearts not your clothing” (2:13). The prophet Isaiah likewise

tells the people to stop fasting and repenting in dust and ashes and instead get up and do justice (Isaiah 58:5-

8). In other words, the prophets are calling the people out for thinking that they can perform external acts ofworship (like tearing their clothes or wearing ashes in repentance) that will take the place of actually giving

their hearts and doing the real work of the Lord in the world. We are wise to avoid any imposition of ashes if

we think they gain us favor with God or have some power in and of themselves.

However, because the ashes can be a particularly poignant way for many Christians to know anew our hope

in Jesus Christ, ashes will be offered at our Ash Wednesday service at 7pm on Wednesday, February 18th

in the chapel. The ashes will be entirely optional – you may choose whether or not you come forward to re-ceive them. If you do come forward, I will put the ashes on your forehead in the shape of a cross with the

words, “Consider yourself dead to sin and alive in Jesus Christ“ (Rom 6:11). My prayer is that through the

service of worship God will meet us in such a way that we are renewed in our hope and assured once again

that we rest in the promise of the One who has come to bring Life and Life Eternal.

Announcement

Social Hour on the Terrace During the months of September and October the post-worship social hour will take place onthe terrace, weather-permitting. We look forward to enjoying the fall weather together! Ofcourse, if the weather does not cooperate, then we will gather in the Social Room. Look in your bulletin for any updates or changes.

Call for Honduras Volunteers!Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church is continuing its partner-ship with KHISH (Kurtz Humanitarian Initiative for SouthernHonduras) to help provide for the physical well-being of thepeople of southern Honduras through basic medical and dentalhealth care clinics at the Hospital San Lorenzo and Honduranarea churches. Our annual Honduras mission trip is less thansix months away! The dates for the eye surgery team are January 1-8, and for the medical/dental team January 2-9. Potential participants may arrive on January 1 or 2, and may departon January 8, 9, or 10. No medical training? No problem! There is a role for every- body! For additional details, see KHISH's website (KHISHProjectVision.com). There, you wilfind a Proposed Itinerary and a description of the team's work. Full funding for the participa-tion fee ($1500) is available for interested GCPC volunteers on a first come, first served basis(each team member is responsible for making his/her own airline reservation, and for coveringthis expense). If you would like to be a part of the 2016 KHISH Mission Team,

please contact [email protected] or any member of the Mission Commit-tee. Questions? Please call Susan Pillsbury David at (804) 387-2302 oremail [email protected].

Dinners for SixBe on the lookout! Dinner for Six sign-ups will begin in September.

5th Sunday LuncheonThe next one is on August 30! You are invited to acongregational luncheon in the Fellowship Hall after worship. The lunch will be box lunches provided by

Cuisine A La Carte. Please RSVP for this luncheon inone of the three following ways: email [email protected], phone 359-2463, or provide your RSVPon the communication card in the weekly bulletin.

As with each 5th Sunday luncheon, the Session will takesome time to give updates on aspects of the ministry and mission of the church. There will also be atime for Q&A.

Fellowship Announcement


16/20

16

Adventures in

MarriageUnlock the Best in Your Relaonship

Learn proven and praccal skills with marriage experts from First Things First.

All skills will be pracced exclusively by couples and they will not need to share with the group.

Date/me: Saturday, September 12, 2015 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Locaon: Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church 1627 Monument Ave. Richmond, VA 23220

Cost: FREE for Presbytery of the James church members & guests. Others: $25 per person or $40 per couple

Registraon:

FREE: For Grace Covenant, Westminster, Tuckahoe & PBYJames members & guests: names/phone/e-mail /

church if any email, [email protected]

Others : Register online at www.rshingsrichmond.org : $25 per person or $40 per couple

Childcare: Available from GCPC $10 per child: names/ages / parent cell: [email protected]

Instructors: Dianne & Bob Ruthazer, CFLE Founders of First Things First and the Marriage & Relaonship

Coaching Center. Richmond area’s “Marriage Experts” Educang and Coaching Couples for over 20 years and

married 36 years themselves (they laugh: 34 years happily married). They bring proven skills and humorouspersonal stories to help you have fun while you make your good marriage beer!

Church quesons: 804-359-2463

First Things First or program quesons: [email protected] or 804-402-8004

Adventures in Marriage Unlock the Best in Your Relaonship Topic 1

Languages of Love and Killer Marriage Tips

Topic 2

Listen to We: Communicaons for Inmacy

Topic 3

Right & Le: Appreciang Personality Dierences

Hosted by Grace Covenant Presbyterian, Tuckahoe Presbyterian, Westminster Presbyterian,

and the Presbytery of the James


17/20

17

SAVE THE DATE6:00 p.m. Friday, October 30, 2015

An Evening with Reverend Dr. Joan Gray, author of

Sailboat Church On Friday, October 30, please join us for a special event in the FellowshipHall. We will begin the evening at 6:00 p.m. with achili cook-off ! All are welcome to bring a chili. Sign-ups for the chili cook-off will be available inOctober. All others are invited to provide a small dessert to share.

Following dinner, we will have a special presentation on the mission of thechurch from Reverend Dr. Joan Gray, the author of Sailboat Church, which isthe book that the GCPC officers have been reading, discussing, and prayingthrough during the course of this year. A biography of Dr. Gray is provided

below.

This event will go from 6:00-8:15 p.m. and childcare will be providedthroughout that time.

Reverend Dr. Joan GrayJoan Gray grew up in South Carolina. She received a Bachelor of Arts summacum laude from Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC, then graduated fromColumbia Theological Seminary with her Masters of Divinity. In 1994 Joanreceived a Masters of Sacred Theology in Spiritual Direction from GeneralTheological Seminary (Episcopal), New York City. She earned her Doctor ofMinistry degree from Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, DC, in 2009The topic of her D.Min. research was helping congregations heal after conflict

In 1978, Joan was the first woman ordained to pastor a church in AtlantaPresbytery, PCUS. Since then she has worked with ten churches in the Atlantaarea. Her ministries have included solo pastor, associate pastor, lead pastor/head of staff, parish associate, and interim pastor. Joan served as Moderator othe 217th General Assembly (2006-2008) of the PCUSA. More recently, Joan

served as Interim Vice President for Student Services and Dean of Students for Columbia TheologicalSeminary. Currently, she is the Interim Associate Pastor at Decatur Presbyterian Church, Decatur, GA

Joan's publications include Presbyterian Polity for Church Officers (fourth edition, 2012), co-authore

with the Rev. Joyce C. Tucker in 1986, and Spiritual Leadership for Church Officers, released 2009. Sailboat Church: Helping Your Church Rethink Its Mission and Purpose, was published in 2013. Joanmarried to Bill Gray, a ruling elder in the PC(USA) and an attorney in the firm of Ogletree, Deakins,Nash, Smoak, and Stewart. The Grays live in Atlanta, GA.

Save the Date


18/20

18

Worship Weekly Sunday Morning PrayerThe best way to start a Sunday morning, or any morning, is with prayer. Each Sunday morning at 9:15– 9:30 in the Social Room we have a time of prayer and all are welcome to participate. It is a prayerfutime when hearts are quieted and focused on God, joys and concerns are shared, and prayers are raisein word and in spirit. It is a special time of caring, friendship, and blessing; please come and pray with

us.

Road Trip Through the Old Testament

Summer is a time for road trips. Along the way, you inevitably meet new folks – locals, fellow vacationers, curious sojourners, and everything inbetween. And they all have a story.

This summer, in worship, we will be taking a road trip through the OldTestament and visiting with a variety of folks. In particular, we will take timeto meet some of the lesser-known characters and consider the ways that theirstories are our stories – and all of them ultimately part of God’s Story. As withany good road trip, we trust we will be challenged, changed, and refreshed forhaving made the journey.

Sunday Sermon Schedule

Monthly Prayer Group A prayer group meets after the worship service on the last Sunday of each month. We will pray in thechapel from 12:30-1:00 p.m. following the 11:00 a.m. church service. For more information pleasecontact Itunu Adekoya at 309-310-1424 or [email protected], Susan Farrell at 359-6222or [email protected], or Carol Wood at 282-2446 or [email protected] Please join us forour next meeting August 30!

Sunday, Aug.9 Cyrus the Great, Ezra 1:1-11

Sunday, Aug. 16 Elijah, 1 Kings 18:20-40

Sunday, Aug. 23 Gideon - Judges 6:11-24

Sunday, Aug. 30 Naaman, 2 Kings 5:1-14

Fall Sermon Series—Freedom: The Story of God’s PeopleIt is a story of deeply good news. It is the central story that God’s people have recounted from genera-

tion to generation because it is the story of a God who continues to move a people from…

oppression to freedominjustice to justice

deprivation to delight. bondage to new birth.

Join in worship this fall as we consider the book of Exodus and discover how the story continues to unfold in and through our lives and this world.


19/20

19

The General Fund recorded a sizable deficit in June as a result of the usual low level of summercontributions, the absence of rental income due to timing, and high expenses due to renovationson the Fellowship Hall and property taxes on the Stuart Circle Building.

June’s contributions of $29,100 were down one-third from a strong recordin May, and for the first half of the year their total of $219,200 was downabout 15% from the same period last year, due primarily to the receipt ofsome large mid-year contributions last year. Expenses in June totaled$56,400 and included $13,600 in audio and other improvements in the

Fellowship Hall and $4,500 in taxes on the Stuart Circle Building. Expenses exceeded income in

June by $26,500.

June ‘s Five Cents Per Meal Offering was $35, Loaves and Fishes, $325, and the Mercy offering$45.

During June a bequest was received from the estate of Elisabeth Trollinger.

Nominating Committee Nomination

STEWARDSHIP CORNER

The following people will be nominated by the Nominating Committee at the calledcongregational meeting on August 16, immediately following worship. Nominationsfrom the congregation can also be made at that meeting.

DEACONS

Lisa CardwellMary GrayMargaret HarvieSteve Kemp

ELDERS

Susan BozeRay DavisBill Jacobs

Nominating Committee

Kent CardwellCheryl JacobsDana McKnightCarson Price

TRUSTEE

John Roberts


20/20

Bobby Hulme-Lippert Pastor [email protected]

Christopher Martin Director of Music and [email protected]

Christopher Tweel Director of Christian Formation &

Pastoral [email protected]

Nelson Reveley Parish Associate for Outreach & Adult [email protected]

Amy Kempel Director of [email protected]

Martha RubinOffice Manager/Bookkeeper

[email protected]

Church Office Hours:Mon., Tues., and Thurs., 9:00 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.

Wed., 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.Fri, 9:00 a.m.- 12:00 noon

Phone: (804) 359-2463

Fax: (804) 278-6298grace-covenant.org

Sundays:9:15 a.m.

Prayer Together in the Social Room9:30 a.m.

Sunday School for all agesin the Education Building

10:55 a.m. Worship Servicein the Sanctuary

12:15 p.m.

Congregational Fellowshipin the Social Room

GCPC Child Development CenterNicole Flournoy

Director(804) [email protected]

Our Elders serve the church as leaders.Our Deacons lead the church in service.

Please feel free to approach themwith any questions or feedback about Grace Covenan

ministries.

CLERK OF SESSION: Everett Reveley

ELDERS James Atchison (’16) - Finance (C-M)

Virginia Hudson (’17) - Mission (M), NominatingCheryl Jacobs (’15) - CE (M)Caroline Leith (’15) - Property (Co-M), CEKatie McCullough (’16) - Administration (M)Everett Reveley (’15) – Stewardship (M)Lewis Rosebro (’17) - Property (Co-M)

Pete Sizemore (’16) - Administration (Co-M)Rob Turner (’17) - Worship (M)

MODERATOR OF THE BOARD OF DEACONS: Lisa Cardw

DEACONS Itunu Adekoya (’16) - Prayer (M)Lisa Cardwell (’15) - Flowers (M)Courtney Clements (’15) - Visitation (Co-M),

FellowshipPhil Coltrain (’16) - Glass Office (M),

Deacons’ Fund Mary Gray (’15) - Meals (M),

Visitation (Co-M)Cynthia Holmes (’17) - Fellowship (M)Jan Kessel (’16) - Care Team (M),

Transportation (M)Dottie-Ray Koch (’17) - Fellowship

(Food Committee)Sallie Leys (’17) - Greeters/UshersJessica Reveley (’16) - Justice (M)Jennifer Schooley (’15) - Guests Follow-Up,

New Members (M),Deacons’ Fund

Dawson Watkins (’17) - Deacons’ Fund (M)

Care Team

TRUSTEES:Caroline Leith (’17) John Roberts (’15)

Warren Zirkle (’16)

The Staff Church Officers

August 2015 GraceNotes

Documents

Transcript of August 2015 GraceNotes