Grace Covenant Presbyterian Churchstorage.cloversites.com...to love and serve others, to seek...

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Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church Asheville, North Carolina www.gcpcusa.org November 20, 2016 – 10:30 am Called to Christ – Called to Prepare The future belongs to those who prepare for it today. ~ Malcolm X Prelude Jesus Shall Reign Where’re the Sun arr. Paxton * Call to Worship God has accomplished all things through Christ, so that we might live as God’s own children. Let us give thanks to our mighty God And live for the praise of God’s glory. * Hymn 267 Come Christians, Join to Sing MADRID * Call to Reconciliation * Prayer of Confession God of loving-kindness, we confess that at times we have not loved you with our full hearts, nor have we loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have allowed selfishness and fear to claim us, instead of extending hands of compassion and caring. For our countless shortcomings, have mercy on us. In your infinite grace, cleanse our hearts and renew our spirits. Restore to us the joy of your salvation and sustain us with your bountiful Spirit. Amen.

Transcript of Grace Covenant Presbyterian Churchstorage.cloversites.com...to love and serve others, to seek...

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GraceCovenantPresbyterianChurchAsheville,NorthCarolina

www.gcpcusa.org

November20,2016–10:30amCalledtoChrist–CalledtoPrepare

Thefuturebelongstothosewhoprepareforittoday.

~MalcolmX

Prelude JesusShallReignWhere’retheSun arr.Paxton

* CalltoWorship GodhasaccomplishedallthingsthroughChrist,

sothatwemightliveasGod’sownchildren.LetusgivethankstoourmightyGodAndliveforthepraiseofGod’sglory.

*Hymn267 ComeChristians,JointoSing MADRID

*CalltoReconciliation

*PrayerofConfession Godofloving-kindness,weconfessthatattimeswehavenotlovedyouwithourfullhearts,norhavewelovedourneighborsasourselves.Wehaveallowedselfishnessandfeartoclaimus,insteadofextendinghandsofcompassionandcaring.Forourcountlessshortcomings,havemercyonus.Inyourinfinitegrace,cleanseourheartsandrenewourspirits.RestoretousthejoyofyoursalvationandsustainuswithyourbountifulSpirit.Amen.

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*AssuranceofForgiveness

* Response

* PassingofthePeace ThePeaceofChristbewithyou. Andalsowithyou.

FaithSharingwithChildren OurLifeTogether(Pleasesignthepadlocatedinyourpew)

PrayerforIllumination NewTestament Luke23:33-43

TheWordoftheLord ThanksbetoGod!

Anthem CantanteDomino GiuseppePitoni OldTestament Jeremiah23:1-6

TheWordoftheLord ThanksbetoGod!

Sermon “GoodNeighbors” SamanthaGonzalez-Block

SilentMeditation

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* Hymn187 Savior,LikeaShepherdLeadUs BRADBURY*AffirmationofFaith(fromtheUnitedChurchofCanada)

WebelieveinGod:whohascreatedandiscreating,whohascomeinJesus,theWordmadeflesh,toreconcileandmakenew,whoworksinusandothersbytheSpirit.

WetrustinGod.WearecalledtobetheChurch:tocelebrateGod'spresence,tolivewithrespectinCreation,toloveandserveothers,toseekjusticeandresistevil,toproclaimJesus,crucifiedandrisen,ourjudgeandourhope.

Inlife,indeath,inlifebeyonddeath,Godiswithus.ThanksbetoGod.

CalledtoPrepare AaronSchnurbusch

Offering(PleaseplaceprayercardsintheofferingplateforthePrayersofthePeople) Offertory OLoveThatWiltNotLetMeGo arr.Peace * Doxology

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* PrayerofDedicationGentleandmightyCreator,maythesegenerousgifts,offeredinyourname,beusedforyoursacredpurpose.Equipusthisdaytoinvestinbringinghealing,reconciliation,peaceandcompassiontoourcommunityandworld.InJesus’namewepray,Amen.

PrayersofthePeople Eachsectionoftheprayerwillconclude:“God,inyourgrace” Pleaserespond:“Hearourprayer”TheLord’sPrayer

OurFather,whoartinheaven,Hallowedbethyname,Thykingdomcome, thywillbedone,Onearthas it isinheaven.Giveusthisdayourdailybread;andforgiveus our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead usnotintotemptation,butdeliverusfromevil.Forthineisthekingdom,andthepower,andtheglory,forever.Amen.

*Hymn268 CrownHimWithManyCrowns DIADEMATA

*Charge&Benediction

* Postlude WhenInOurMusicGodisGlorified arr.Broughton -------------------------------------------------(Forsome,theVoluntaryservesasfestivemusictoaccompanytheirgoingbackoutintotheworld.Othersprefertoremainseatedandlisten.Pleasebemindfulofthesedifferentneedsasyoudepart.Thankyou!)

*PleaseStandinBodyorSpirit.

WegathertoworshipGodwhoislargerthanallourimaginations!WeencourageallpersonstosingthegendernounsandpronounstheypreferinreferringtoGod.

AdventWaitingTheseasonofAdventbeginsSunday,November27.Itmarksatimeofwaitingfor the Incarnation—Godwithus in thebirthof Jesus.What canwedo togetready?

OurCelebrationTeamwillprovideGraceCovenantopportunitiesforallagestoexperiencethedeepandwonderfulmeaningofthispartofthechurchyear.

EachSunday inAdventwill highlight awordandanopportunity to reachoutinto our larger community. Blessings to one and all as we help each otherprepareforJesus’birth.

November27—VisionBe open to newdreams. Be open tomessages of hope and how a new visionemerges from there. Youwill notice something different on our chancel thatwill help us prepare for Jesus’ birth. For the next three weeks gifts will becollected from this special place and delivered to various agencies here inAsheville.While we arewaiting for themiracle of Christmaswe can practiceagainandagainmakingroominourheartsforEmmanuel.

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OurLifeTogether…

ThankYou!HeadUsher:BillWolcott|Liturgists:RayShem&IsabelRaustol

WewelcomeguestorganistScottCoatestoGraceCovenantthismorning.Scottisafree-lanceorganistandstudiedorganatAsburyUniversityinWilmore,Kentucky.HeisanativeofAshevilleandworksfortheAdministrativeOfficeoftheCourts.

TheroseinthechancelthismorningisinhonorofthebirthofAramKeaneBakeronFriday,November11th.Congratulationstoparents,JadeandKevinBaker,andsiblings,AvniandRylan.ThankyoutoJeannetteWilliamsfortheflowersthatdecoratethesanctuarythismorning,giventothegloryofGod,withthanksgivingandinlovingmemoryofJeannette’shusband,Al.

DeaconoftheWeek:NanClarke,email:frauclarke41@gmail.comEachweekwefeatureadeaconwhoisavailableforanyneedsyoumayhaveduringtheweek(praying,churchtour,otherassistance.)Thisdeaconwillbewearingapurplesashandwillbestationedinthenarthexbefore10:30worshipandatthefrontofthesanctuaryafterworship.

ElderandDeaconNominationsfor2017TheNominatingCommitteeisseekingrecommendationsfromthecongregationforpersonstoserveasanElderorDeacon.PleasefillouttheenclosedcardandputintheofferingplateorcontactSherrieatsmeehan@gcpcusa.orgbySunday,December4.PleasespecifyifyouarenominatingsomeoneforElderorDeacon.StewardshipUpdateWehavereceived$633,500inpledgessofarforthe2017campaign.Thankyou!TheStewardshipCommittee'sgoalistoraise$760,000inpledges.Weneed$127,000toreachourgoal.Pleasemakeyourpledgefortheupcomingyearbyfillingoutapledgecardoremailinggiving@gcpcusa.orgsothatwecanreachourgoal.

TheStewCrewiseagertotellyoumoreabouthowyourpledgematters.FeelfreetocontactPaulTierneypaul@weavervillereality.net,[email protected],[email protected],[email protected].

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SERVERoomInTheInn|December11–18Asalwayswewillofferloveandasafe,welcomingplaceforupto12homelesswomeninourfellowshiphall,startingwithSundaydinneron12/11throughbreakfast12/18.Pleasesignuptobeanovernighthost,toprepareameal,tohelpsetup,transport,orcleanup.Signuphere:http://signup.com/go/kU3i87orinthenarthexafterworshiptoday!Wearealsolookingforarelaxingeveningactivityforthewomen:music,nail-painting,make-upenhancing,massage,story-telling.Letusknowifyouhavegiftstoshare.ContactSusanPressonat4pressons@gmail.comorBethPhilipsenatonthecove@charter.net.GreenOpportunitiesThanksgivingDinner|Tuesday,November22|5–7PMGreenOpportunitieswillhostits3rdannualThanksgivingDinner!Wehopeyouwillconsiderjoiningthisyear!Thecommunitymealisfree,butthenonprofitwillbetakingdonationsatthedoor.DinnerwillbeattheArthurR.EdingtonEducation&CareerCenter,133LivingstonStreet.Tocarpool,pleasemeetinthechurchparkinglotat4:30PM.Moreinformationcanbefoundhere:goo.gl/yBNVoY. [email protected]. EblenCharitiesToyStoreVolunteering|WestGateShoppingCenter|Wed.,Dec.14&Thur.,Dec.15|9:45AM–8:15PM|MultipleShiftsAvailableThroughEblenCharities,theSaintNicholasProjectallowsfamiliesto"shop"forChristmasgifts,clothes,food,andotheritemsfortheirchildreninourcommunitytohelpensurethattheirChristmasesareabitbrighterandprovidehopeforthecomingyear.GraceCovenantneedsyourhelptocoverallvolunteershiftsonourdesignateddays(12/14&12/15).Signupinthenarthexafterworshiptoday.SteadfastHouseNeedsVolunteers!SteadfastHouseneedsvolunteerstoreadtochildrenfrom7-8PM,whicheverdaysyoucan.PleasecontactJudithWalterat828-398-6985ifyoucanhelp.ReclaimingChristmas-GiftsThatMakeaDifference|AdventatGCPCNineAlternativeChristmasGiftsthatgivetomorethanjusttherecipient.ThesegiftsareawaytohonortheChristChildbydirectlysupportingthoseforwhomheshowedspecialconcern.Pleaselookforour‘ReclaimingChristmasStation’inthenarthexonSundayNovember27,December4,11,and18th.LocalMinistriesinclude:BeLovedHouse,FoodConnection,HomewardBound,Read2Succeed,VeteransRestorationQuarters,ABCCM,Wheels4Hope.InternationalMinistriesinclude:GuatemalaScholarshipFund,HealingArtsMission–Haiti,MarkHareandJennyBent(PCUSA)-HaitiandtheDominicanRepublic.WinterClothingDriveforAHOPE|4DaysLeft!Pleasedonatethefollowingitemsifyouhavethem:handwarmers,gloves,hats/toboggans,socks(menandwomen)andcoughdrops.PleaseputitemsinbinsnearthefrontofthechurchbeforeThanksgivingDay.

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GrowUpcoming16for16Events: IntentionalConversation#1|Friday,December2|6:30–8PM|Sanctuary WithTonyJohnsonandotherofficersabouthowAshevilleofficersaredealing withrace.

AdventEvent|Sunday,December4|4–5:30PM|FellowshipHallAllagesarewelcometocomeandengagetheseasoninamyriadofways:makingadventcandlecreationstotakehome,designingyourownedibleadventwreath,makingcardsforourat-homemembers,creatingagroupartproject,orreadingquietlyinasetapartdevotionalspace.Questions?Pleaseemailhgast@gcpcusa.org.

LongestNightService|December18|7PM|SanctuaryOnthelongestnightoftheyear,weareparticularlymindfulofallamonguswhoaregrievingorstrugglingthisAdventandChristmas,andwesetasidetimetocometogetherbeforeGodinthemidstofthatpain.AllarewelcometogatherforprayerfulworshipofJesus,thelightoftheworld,whoiswithuseveninthedarkness.Childcareavailableuponrequest;[email protected].

ChristmasEveServices|December245PM|ANightLikeNoOther–ServiceforallagesCallingallangels,shepherds,andwisewomenandmen:Thisserviceistrulyatreatwithcarols,readingsofthefirstChristmas,andallthechildrenofGraceCovenanttakingpart!Kids,arrivealittleearlytopickoutyourcostume.Hopetoseeyouthere!9PM|CandlelightCommunionServiceofLessonsandCarolsThe9:00PMservicewillincludefamiliarcarols,scriptureandHolyCommunionaswegathertocelebratetheNativityofourLord.2017WinterWomen’sMemoirSeries|Mondays|6PM|JerusalemRoomJoinusforaseriesofbooktalksfocusingonmemoirswrittenbypeopleoffaith.HostedbyHeatherGastandSamanthaGonzalez-Blockandopentoallwomenofthechurch.OnecopyofeachbookcanbefoundinthenewlyrevampedlibraryannexupstairsintheMemorialGardenOverlook.Pleasepre-readthebookstoensurelivelydiscussionbutcomeeitherway! January30|LoveWarrior|GlennonDoyleMelton

February27|MyBelovedWorld|SoniaSotomayorMarch27|Dimestore|LeeSmith

SistersattheSea|February2–5,2017|FollyBeach,SC|$160Areyouawomenage25-50ishwhowouldlikeaweekendofcontemplationandtogetherness?Markyourcalendarsforour8thannualSOS(“saveoursanity”/“sistersatthesea”/”womenneedingtoreplenishandrejuvenate”)retreat!Thisyear’sleaderwillbeMargaretLaMotteTorrence.ShewillbeguidingusinacloselookatscripturesinvolvingJesus’encounterswithwomenandwhatthatlookslikeforustoday.EarlyBirdRegistrationbeginsnow!!Ifyoureserveyourspotnowwitha$40non-refundabledeposit,YOURECEIVE$10OFFTHEWEEKEND!!!EarlyBirdregistrationsmustbereceivedwithdepositbyDecember11thforthediscount.RegistrationendsonJanuary15th.Scholarshipsavailableuponrequest.

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CareGriefSupportGathering|Thursday,December1|6:30PM|GCPCYouareinvitedtojoinusforaworkshop,“WritingTowardHealing:AGatheringforThoseLivingwithLoss.”Youdon’tneedtoconsideryourselfawritertoattend.(Andyourlossneedn’thavebeenrecent.)Joinusforanopportunitytoexploreourdeepestfeelingsinasupportiveenvironment.Throughwriting,wewillgentlyreflect,remember,andhonorourlovedones.Andwewilldiscoverinnerresourceswehadnoideawerewithinus.Tosignup,[email protected].

Thefacilitator,CarolHenderson,istheauthorofLosingMalcolm:AMother'sJourneyThroughGriefandFartherAlong:TheWritingJourneyofThirteenBereavedMothers.Sheisawriter,teacher,editorandwritingcoach.Carolleadswritingworkshopsaroundthecountryinmanysettings,includinginchurches,withhospicestaffs,andatretreats.Youcanreadmoreaboutherat:www.carolhenderson.comPrayerList[Wearehappytoprayforanyonewhoisinneed.Concernswillstayonthislistforamonthunlesswehearotherwise.Pleasekeepusupdated.]JerusalemChurchcongregation;BobKeever(CynthiaKeever’sdad);KarenArrowood(TeresaStern’scousin);MargoSteyer(Lynne&RickNoble’smother);NatalieDeVito(KarenRohl’sdaughter);KathyDowdle(KarenRohl’sfriend);AnnEverettBelk(MargaretTierney’smother);ChrisDixon(JohnandMarciaMountShoop’sgodson); BetsyNeedle(RobinGaiser’sfriend);GlennRussell(RobinGaiser’sbrother);EvelynMilford(MaryGreen’ssister);MichaelGalovic(TamaraPuffer’shusband);JohnRichardson(JimRichardson’sbrother);FamilyofKathyPowell(PeggyRada’scousin);TalmageFish(PeggyRada’sbrother);BarbaraMcLean(ModeratorofWNCPresbytery);Barrett&AliPayne(InSeminary);Craig,ElsaandJosiePlocica(SherylAikman’sfamily);BettySmith;SusanStradley;VirginiaBradley;HettieLouGarland;PatCallison;GerrySimons;DotHolladay;JerryBleckley;RayKisiah;MauriceStone;JudyBlatchley;BeckyStradley

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YouthNewsRegisterTODAYforAtlantaWinterMissionEducationTrip|January13-16Registerforthisadventuretoremember!Inacitywithadeep-rootedconnectiontotheCivilRightsmovement,wewillexploreracialinequality,povertyandfoodinsecuritytoday.Wewillbehostedby"DOORAtlanta"andengageinmeaningfulservicethroughoutthecity.Thistripwillbeablast!TheAtlantaRegistrationformcanbefoundattheInformationStationorcontactSamantha,[email protected]"FootballWatchParty"|TODAY,Sunday,Nov20|12-4PM|MollydeMattos'house|Meet/pickupatGCPCCourtyardComeforasuperfunafternoonofwatchingthebiggame,playingpinballandPac-man,andspendingtimewithsomeawesomepeople.Sodasandpizzawillbeprovided!Pleasebringextrasnackstoshare.MeetKatieinthecourtyardafterchurchandwewilltraveltheretogether.MiddleSchoolBrunch"MODPizza"|TODAY,Sunday,Nov20|12-1:30PM|MODPizza(873MerrimonAve.)|Meet/pickupGCPCCourtyardMiddleSchoolers,getreadyforayummyafternoon.Thiswillbeatimetohangout,playsomegames,andshareaboutthejoysandstrugglesofschool/family/life.Thisissuretobeagreattime.Bring$10-$15dollarsforlunch(scholarshipsavailable).MeetSamanthainthecourtyardafterchurchandwewillwalktheretogether.REGISTERBYSUNDAY,DECEMBER4th:Confirmation:Classof2017|January-May20178th&9thgraders(&olderyouthwhohaven'tbeenconfirmed),weinviteyoutojointhisyear'sconfirmationclass.Confirmationisasacredprocesswhereyouthdeeplyexploretheirfaithtogetherandconsiderformallyjoiningthechurch.Weencourageyoutotakepartinthisexcitingmilestone.RegistrationformcanbefoundintheInformationStationorcontactSamanthasgblock@gcpcusa.org

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NextSunday’sEducationforAllAges|9:15AM

AdultEducationAdventTerm|November27–December18

TheImprov:ResponsiveFaithinanEver-ChangingWorld|JerusalemRoomDuringAdvent,TheImprovClass,hostedbyDeanPresson,willreadAdventandChristmasWisdomfromHenriNouwen.Thisbook,compiledbyJudithA.Bauer,hasdailydevotionalswhichinclude:readingsfromNouwen’sworkandfromscripture,ashortprayer,andthenanAdvent“action.”EachSunday,wewilllookataweek’sworthofshortreadings.Participantscanexpectadiscussion-basedatmospherewhereweprobeNouwen’smeaningandideas,readimportanttextsclosely,andmaybeevenroleplayhereandthere.Someofusmaychoosetocommittosomeofthebook’s“Adventactions.”

AskingtheHardQuestions:PressurePoints|ChoirRoomThisclassexploresthornyissuesandnewideasthatchallengeuswherewelive,attheintersectionofourfaithandtheworld.DuringtheAdventterm,wearereadinganddiscussingBishopSpong’sbookBiblicalLiteralism:AGentileHeresy.

DiggingIn:EncounteringScripture|SunroomDuringAdvent,DiggingInwillstudyWalterBrueggemann’sshortbookNamesfortheMessiah.ChristianshaveclaimedfromthebeginningthatJesuswastheMessiahforetoldintheOldTestament,andinthisbookBrueggemanntacklesthequestions:"WhatweretheMessianicexpectations?"and"DidJesusfulfillthem?”WewillreadashortchaptertogetherduringtheweekandthencomewithourthoughtsandquestionsonSundaymorning.Joinusforatimeofsong,prayer,andlivelydiscussion.

CHILDREN&YOUTHEDUCATION[ContactHeatherorSamantha]

Preschool/Kindergarten:HolyFamily/Advent1Elementary:HolyFamily/Advent1

MiddleSchoolLet'scontinuedivingintoourfaithtogether.NextSunday,wewillexplorethequestion"IsJesustheonlywaytoheaven?"withBonnieandLegare.Enjoyabagelbreakfastandagreattime!

SeniorHighGetreadytolearnandgrowtogether,withteachers,Sheryl,AmyW.andAmyP.Wewilllookatthisweek'sheadlinesthroughthelensoffaith.Comeenjoyadeliciousbagelbreakfastandgreatconversationwithfellowyouth!

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NextSunday,November27,2016FirstSundayofAdvent

Worshipat8:30&10:30AMEducationHourat9:15AM

Sermon:“TheWaitingGame”byRebeccaGurneyScriptures:Isaiah2:1-5;Matthew24:36-44

CALENDAR Sunday 20 8:30 AM Worship 9:15 AM EducationHour 10:30 AM Worship 11:30 AM Deacons 11:45 AM SafetyTraining 12:15 PM SeniorHighFootballWatchParty 12:15 PM MiddleSchoolBrunch 4:00 PM PWCoordinatingTeam 5:00 PM Children’sChoirs Tuesday 22 9:00 AM PrayerGroup 5:15 PM BuildingComm.Mtg. 6:00 PM PropertyComm.Mtg. Wednesday2311:00 AM BibleStudy 11:45 AM Sanctuaryopenforprayer 7:00 PM ChoirPractice Thursday24–Friday25 Officeclosed Sunday 27 8:30 AM Worship 9:15 AM EducationHour 10:30 AM Worship 11:30 AM ReclaimingChristmas

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