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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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