1

Entertaining Angels

As you are well aware, Richmond will be hosting Union Cycliste Internationale’s (UCI) annual Road World Championships event from September 19-27. Many thousands will be arriving in our city, and more than 300 million worldwide will tune in to see the event (for comparison, last year’s Super Bowl was the most watched television event in American TV history – it drew 114.4 million viewers). In other words, it’s a big event! Truth be told, we do not know entirely what to expect. It is difficult to anticipate how the crowds will move, how traffic will flow, change, and back-up, or what the ultimate impact on the city will be. Amid all the uncertainties, it can be easy to grow anxious and even upset. After all, a lot of our habits and routines will be disrupted by visitors! And yet, the most fundamental thing we cannot forget is that people from every tribe, tongue, and nation are coming among us for a few days. It is an incredible opportunity to show forth the love of Christ. I invite you take the time over these next couple weeks and prepare your heart to be Christ’s hands, feet, and voice to those in our midst. Pray that the Holy Spirit would be faithful through you that love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control would be evident to all (Galatians 5:22-23). After all, as the author of Hebrews reminds us:

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels unaware.

Note: even as preparing our hearts is the most fundamental thing we can do, your Session has been considering the practical implications of this race for some time, and they have made a few decisions about which you will want to be aware. In light of the bike race, the Session has made the following decisions:

1. We will have worship services on September 20 and 27, and WNS will happen on September 23. Though there will be road closures surrounding us (Monument Ave. is part of the race course), we should have access to our parking lot. More details will be sent concerning how to enter and exit on those dates.

2. GCPC and the CDC have split the cost to hire two security guards through the VCU Campus Police. They will be present on the campus throughout each race day (excepting the Saturdays when there is no activity at the church) to walk the property and call the towing company if folks without a GCPC sticker are parked there. While we want to be as hospitable as possible, there are good reasons we must be diligent about the parking lot. In part, the lot needs to remain as clear possible to ensure the safety of the CDC children as well as ensure parking for our CDC teachers and the tenants to whom we have committed spaces. Moreover, we have opened a

(Continued on page 4)

Discipleship

Sunday, pg. 2 Fall Sunday

School, pg. 2 French Organ

Music Seminar, pg. 6

Wednesday Night Supper, pg. 8

Adventures in Marriage, pg. 16

APNC Update, pg. 17

Volume 45, Issue 9 September 2015

2

Christian Education and Discipleship

Join us September 13! Start the fall off with the fellowship of our whole family, some great pan-cakes, and the opportunity to see where we as a church will be answering the call of the Holy Spirit this coming year. At 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, September 13, in the Fellowship Hall we will have a pancake breakfast to celebrate Discipleship Sunday. The staff of Grace Covenant is looking forward to cooking and serving pancakes to our church family. We will be gathering in the Fellowship Hall for celebration and reflection on what a new year at Grace Covenant has in store for each of us.

You are cordially invited back to Sunday School for the fall semester!

As our Summer Sunday School ends and we continue to focus on our mission, “to train grateful disci-ples of Christ,” what better training could we find than one of GCPC’s own Sunday School classes? We are blessed with wonderful teachers for all ages. This year our own members will be teaching our chil-dren and building even stronger relationships with our young families. Our adult classes continue to grow and bless all of those who attend. However only about half of us are attending a Sunday School class. Please invite someone you know (members and non-members alike) to come to your Sunday School class. I never would have come to the Forum Class if Pat Ball and Jane Londrey had not person-ally invited me. And what a blessed learning experience that has been for me all these years later. Please invite another member, a friend, old or new, who is not coming to Sunday School, to come. We begin our fall semester on September 13 with a pancake breakfast prepared for all by our own church staff in our newly refurbished Fellowship Hall. Please come out that day and find a class that suits your personal journey for discipleship. If no one else invites you, consider this your personal invitation, from me.

See you all in Sunday School,

Cheryl Jacobs, Chair of Christian Education

Please update us! The church needs to be able to keep in touch with your college students this year. Please provide Christopher Tweel with the mailing address, email address, and phone number for your college stu-dents. Presbyterian Women will continue their special support to our students by lifting them up in prayer and sending them cards and other remembrances.

3

Christian Education and Discipleship

Presbyterian Women

Grace Bible and Forum Classes! Starting September 20, Grace Bible Class and Forum Class will combine into Forum of 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 a part of their own daily life. This change comes as a result of many kinds of blessings in our church family: new spaces for a wonderful and successfully expanding CDC program as well as the Spirit-led continually Reforming styles of education we experience at the church.

Every year our teachers and leaders work hard in prayerful discernment on where God's urging lies in our methods and our content; we are excited for another new year at Grace Covenant!

Before Sunday School Gathering Starting Sunday, September 20, we will begin each Sunday in the Fellowship Hall with an informal gathering for all those attending Sunday School classes, adults and children alike. We will gather from 9:20 until 9:40, then begin making our way to our individual classes that begin at 9:45. (The nursery will be open for drop off at 9:15 as usual.) During this informal time together we will share announcements and concerns and prayers and maybe even sing a hymn to begin our day. There will be coffee and tea and light refreshments each week as well—we have missed our coffee and tea this summer! We may have pretty small crowds these first couple of weeks because of the bike races, but for those of us who can gather, let’s give this new fellowship opportunity a try. This will be good time for us to show our children how many of us are still attending Sunday School classes, that this is a lifetime journey of discipleship. I hope you and your children will make this gathering part of your Sunday every week.

September Circle Meetings Combined with Salad Supper Time to kick off the new year of the Presbyterian Women Circles! We will combine the PW September Salad Supper with the September meet-ing of the three Circles on Tuesday, September 15, in the renovated Fel-lowship Hall. We will begin eating at 6:00 p.m. Please bring a salad to share, and arrive early so we can set up the salad buffet. Beginning at 6:30 p.m., Bobby Hulme-Lippert will lead us in Bible study, using Lesson One in the 2015-2016 Horizon’s Bible Study, Come to the Waters. The Bible Study book will be available at the supper, so don’t forget to pick up a copy ($8). We hope you will join a PW Circle for a year of Bible study, fellowship, and service. The Circles meet once a month on the second Tuesday of the month; two Circles meet during the day, and one Circle meets in the evening. If you have any questions, please contact Laura Leigh Savage (evenings 359-5737). Hope to see you September 15!

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few spaces to the staff at St. James’s Episcopal on a couple of the race days since they will have no access to their parking. Finally, we have opened the parking lot to Beth Ahabah congregants on the evening of Tuesday, September 22, and the morning of Wednesday, September 23, so that they can park for Yom Kippur services.

3. The CDC will be open Monday–Thursday during the race. It will be closed on Friday of that week.

(Continued from page 1)

Mission and Justice Ministry Living Waters of the World (LWW) By Katie McCullough, Ruling Elder Did you know? 780 million people worldwide do not have access to clean water. Water-related illness is the leading cause of death among

children throughout the world and contaminated water is the number one health crisis in our world.

In June, Michelle Hulme-Lippert and I attended Living Wa-ters of the World’s (LWW) Clean Water University, a five-day intensive, hands-on experience designed to equip mission team members with the skills necessary for a successful clean water project. LWW’s methodology emphasizes a “train the trainer” approach, so that the knowledge we share can be passed from person to person, and in turn, promote self-sufficiency. Their motto is “We don’t work for people, we work with people.” This is what makes this mission work so powerful. We are truly partnering and working side by side with the individuals in our community of need!

As part of GCPC’s team, I attended the CWU 103 course which taught wa-ter testing, system installation, operation, and maintenance. To that end, I spent the week learning how to build a fairly simple water system (see pho-to) utilizing filtration and disinfection processes that remove bacteria, chlorine-resistant organisms, and other impurities from the water source. The system, which includes an integrated bottling station, can process up to 300 gallons of water per hour. Operational costs are normally only pen-nies per gallon. Parts are available through LWW’s U.S. based fulfillment center and through local suppliers in each of the networks (including Hon-duras) they support around the world. Today, there are over 700 LWW systems installed in 25 countries through-out the world. I look forward to working side by side with our partners to bring “living waters” to the Agalteca community in Honduras! If you have

additional questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at krmcc1994@gmail.com.

John 7:38 - “He who believes in me….Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.”

Beautiful setting for our morning and

evening devotions at Clean Water Uni-

versity

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Mission and Justice Ministry Shalom Farms Join us Saturday, September 19, from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon at Shalom Farms—a local food access and community development ministry shalomfarms.org—as we help ensure that everyone in our city has access to God's bounteous gift of nutri-tious produce. Please RSVP to Nate McKinnon at nathaniel.mckinnon@gmail.com 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 us out 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 William Byrd House. As we know, this ministry for students also feeds them as part of their plan to increase wellness and success at school. Pick up a labeled grocery bag and fill it with the listed items! These are items that this ministry has identified as needed and is a great way to remind ourselves to continue our contributions. Thank you all for the amazing support you continue to show!

STEP Jobs for Life Childcare This Fall

STEP (Strategies to Elevate People) is having its fall se-mester of its Jobs for Life program, where participants learn key skills for thriving in the workforce. We are hop-ing to be able to help them with childcare during the pro-gram. As those who have or have had little ones so inti-mately know, this is such an essential component for peo-ple to be able to participate! The Jobs for Life program will run every Tuesday night from September 15 to December 1 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., and childcare providers would need to be on site from 5:45 to 8:45 p.m. and would stay with us at Eternity Church (about a six-minute drive from Grace Covenant) in a separate spot especially for the children, whose ages will range from infant to ap-proximately 13 years old. We should have anywhere from 6-10 children. Dinner will be provided for the childcare workers and for the children in their care. Also, we will have multiple people on site to assist if you should have a situation or problem—not expected of course, but offered as a comfort in your planning. Due to the variety of ages, we would prefer to have three volunteers with us each week. If you would be interested in joining in this much needed ministry — even if you could only commit to one Tuesday a month — please contact Nelson Reveley at nmr2uf@virginia.edu or 387-8094. Many thanks for your prayers and consideration!

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French Organ Music Seminar In July 2015 I was granted the unique opportunity to participate in this year’s French Organ Music Seminar (FOMS), a two-week music study leave in Paris and Southern France. Since 1986 the FOMS has featured study seminars throughout Europe where participants hear and play some of the world’s most magnificent and important historical instru-ments. This year over twenty-five organists from across America par-ticipated in the seminar. Many of these musicians were graduate stu-dents and professors of music from some of the country’s leading con-servatories. Being in the presence of some of America’s finest organists, all I can say is, “I am glad I practiced for months before going on this sabbatical!”

The seminar began with a four-day tour through Holland; however, I only participated in the last two weeks of the program. My first respon-sibility on the seminar was to participate in a Master Class at St-Sulpice, the largest church in Paris. A Master Class involves a small group of organists who perform for one another and then are critiqued by an instructor. It is from these sessions that we learn about technique and the historical background of many instruments. My critique was given by Daniel Roth, St-Sulpice’s organist and one of the world’s leading concert organ-ists. The following evening I played again at St-Sulpice, this time being critiqued by Roth’s assistant organist.

While in Paris the group visited and played over ten historic organs, participated in lectures and private lessons, and had the rare opportunity to sit in the organ gallery at the Cathedral of Notre Dame during a Sunday morning Mass. Through-out the two weeks, special emphasis was given to the organ music of César Franck, since 2015 commemorates the 125th anniversary of the death of the Parisian com-poser. There were five lectures devoted to the organ works and life of the celebrat-ed composer. After the first week, the group departed by train to Bordeaux. There, we enjoyed a brief stay and heard two historic instruments in the old town. The highlight of that brief stop was being allowed into the grand St-Michel Church before the building opened to tourists. We were treated to a perfect sunny morning which flooded the church with brilliant light through the modern and colorful stained-glass windows. The tour then headed south over the border to San Sebastian, Spain, where we stayed two nights and visit-ed the Santa Maria del Coro Church which houses one of the true untouched “Franck organs” still in exist-ence. I was fortunate to participate in a members’ recital on this instrument. Finally, the tour returned to France and ended in Toulouse (the headquarters of the Airbus) where we enjoyed multiple playing sessions on the organ at the Basilica of St-Sernin, an instrument considered to be one of the most important, essen-tially unaltered, organs in the world. The experience of playing of historic instruments in inspiring worship spaces is one I will never forget. How enriching it was to play literature on the actual instruments for which the pieces were written. The

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Chris will lead a presentation on

the French Organ Music Seminar

on Wednesday, September 30, as

part of our WNS series. Slides, vid-

eos, and audio clips from the

French Organ Music Seminar will

be featured in the program.

professional connections I made were invaluable, and I look forward to keeping in close contact with many of these individuals over the years. I am truly grateful to have been given this opportunity by Grace Covenant. It was not a relaxing seminar by any means, but I most certainly returned inspired, enlight-ened, and recommitted to continue my ministry as an organist. Thank you, Grace Covenant! Chris Martin Director of Music

Grace Covenant Choir Rehearsals Resume in September

Chancel Choir

Wednesday,

September 9

7:00 p.m.

Handbell Choir

Sunday, September 13

8:30 a.m.

Carol Choir

(ages 3-K)

Wednesday,

September 16

4:30 p.m.

Junior Choir (grades 1-5)

Wednesday,

September 16 5:00 p.m.

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WNS Update Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church renews com-

mitment to sustainable foods for its Midweek Family Suppers

Richmond, Virginia – This fall Grace Covenant is changing the way it serves meals. The focus isn’t on low fat, or low carb, but instead on using fresh ingredients, no processed foods, and ingredients that reflect a faithful care of the earth and God’s people. After a summer program focusing on where and how faith, theology, and what we eat intersect, the church has become committed to eat in a way that supports the practices that work alongside God’s creation. Sometimes that means organic foods, and sometimes that means local foods. By working with Relay Foods here in Richmond, the church has developed a brand new menu for the fall that pairs with exciting programming which supports the overall atmosphere of family-oriented fellowship. The church is buying most of the food for this program from Relay because of that company’s close work with farmers who are generally not part of the industrial farming groups that can prove harmful to the land as well as the growers and pickers who work on factory farms. This new commitment to how the church provides food is stretching out to other facets including the Sunday School programs, as well as the Child Development Center, which is also passionately pursu-ing action that provides the best foods possible, following these same faith-based ideals, for every child in its program. Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, a Reformed congregation, is a PCUSA church in the heart of the fan and is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

9

WNS Speaker Series

September 16

“ ”

Charlie Summers has served as a Presbyterian pastor in Washington, DC, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Richmond, Virginia. He was chaplain at Davidson College in Da-vidson, North Carolina, and an adjunct professor of Religion at Queens College in Char-lotte.

He has had sermons and stories published in Presbyterian Outlook, Christian Ministry Magazine, Lectionary Homiletics, Journal for Preachers, Charlotte Observer, and Rich-mond Times-Dispatch. Charlie will be speaking on his new book, Underneath are the Words.

September 23

Kris Norris is an ordained Baptist minister and PhD candidate in theology and ethics at the University of Virginia. He is also the author of Pilgrim Practices: Discipleship for a Missional Church, and several articles in the Journal of Religious Ethics. Originally from North Carolina, he holds a Master of Divinity from Duke Divinity School and currently teaches Christian ethics and public theology at Wesley Theological Seminary in DC. Kris will be speaking about his new book, Kingdom Politics.

September 30

Chris Martin has been the Director of Music and Organist at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church since May 2000. As Director of Music he leads the church’s music ministry which includes three singing choirs, a handbell choir, and an an-nual concert series. In July 2015, Chris participated in the two-week French Or-gan Music Seminar 2015 which took place in Paris and Southern France. Chris will share his experiences of the seminar and present slides, audio, and video taken during his two weeks in Europe.

10

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 7pm CE Meeting

2 2pm Care Team

3 10am CDC Chapel

4 5 10am Parents & Playground

6 9:15 Prayer Team (Social Rm) 9:30 Time of fellowship in the Fellowship Hall 10:55 Worship 12:15 Fellowship Hour

7 Church office and CDC Closed

8

9 7pm Start of Chancel Choir

10 10am CDC Chapel

11

12 9:30am First Things First Marriage Enrichment Event 3pm CDC Open House

13 Discipleship Sunday 8:30 Start of Handbell Choir 9:00 Pancake Breakfast 9:15 Prayer Team (Social Rm) 10:55 Worship 12:15 Fellowship Hour

14 6pm Finance Comm. 7pm Worship Comm.

15 6pm PW Salad Supper

16 4pm Care Team 4:30pm Start of Carol Choir 5:30pm Start of Junior Choir 6pm WNS—Speaker Charlie Summers 7pm Chancel Choir

17 10am CDC Chapel

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19 8am Shalom Farms UCI Bike Race Starts

20 UCI Bike Race 8:30 Handbell Choir 9:15 Prayer Team (Social Rm) 9:30 Sunday School 10:55 Worship 12:15 Fellowship Hour

21 UCI Bike Race 7pm Session Meeting

22 UCI Bike Race

23 UCI Bike Race 4pm Care Team 4:30pm Start of Carol Choir 5:30pm Start of Junior Choir 6pm WNS—Speaker Kris Norris 7pm Chancel Choir Deadline for Grace Notes

24 UCI Bike Race 10am CDC Chapel

25 UCI Bike Race

26 UCI Bike Race 5pm Parents Night Out

27 UCI Bike Race 8:30 Start of Handbell Choir 9:15 Prayer Team (Social Rm) 9:30 Sunday School (see pg. 2) 10:55 GCPC Worship 12:15 Fellowship Hour POJYO Cookout

28

29 30 4pm Care Team 4:30pm Start of Carol Choir 5:30pm Start of Junior Choir 6pm WNS—Speaker Chris Martin 7pm Chancel Choir

September

11

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 7pm CE Meeting

2 2pm Care Team

3 10am CDC Chapel

4 5 10am Parents & Playground

6 9:15 Prayer Team (Social Rm) 9:30 Time of fellowship in the Fellowship Hall 10:55 Worship 12:15 Fellowship Hour

7 Church office and CDC Closed

8

9 7pm Start of Chancel Choir

10 10am CDC Chapel

11

12 9:30am First Things First Marriage Enrichment Event 3pm CDC Open House

13 Discipleship Sunday 8:30 Start of Handbell Choir 9:00 Pancake Breakfast 9:15 Prayer Team (Social Rm) 10:55 Worship 12:15 Fellowship Hour

14 6pm Finance Comm. 7pm Worship Comm.

15 6pm PW Salad Supper

16 4pm Care Team 4:30pm Start of Carol Choir 5:30pm Start of Junior Choir 6pm WNS—Speaker Charlie Summers 7pm Chancel Choir

17 10am CDC Chapel

18

19 8am Shalom Farms UCI Bike Race Starts

20 UCI Bike Race 8:30 Handbell Choir 9:15 Prayer Team (Social Rm) 9:30 Sunday School 10:55 Worship 12:15 Fellowship Hour

21 UCI Bike Race 7pm Session Meeting

22 UCI Bike Race

23 UCI Bike Race 4pm Care Team 4:30pm Start of Carol Choir 5:30pm Start of Junior Choir 6pm WNS—Speaker Kris Norris 7pm Chancel Choir Deadline for Grace Notes

24 UCI Bike Race 10am CDC Chapel

25 UCI Bike Race

26 UCI Bike Race 5pm Parents Night Out

27 UCI Bike Race 8:30 Start of Handbell Choir 9:15 Prayer Team (Social Rm) 9:30 Sunday School (see pg. 2) 10:55 GCPC Worship 12:15 Fellowship Hour POJYO Cookout

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29 30 4pm Care Team 4:30pm Start of Carol Choir 5:30pm Start of Junior Choir 6pm WNS—Speaker Chris Martin 7pm Chancel Choir

** Reminder! September 23 is the deadline for submissions

for our October edition of Grace Notes.

12

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

Seminary for a Day

Union Presbyterian Seminary - Richmond

Campus Seminary for a Day began on the Richmond campus in 2012 as a bicentennial celebra-tion event, designed to opening the seminary up to the church. Enjoy a full day of keynote addresses and workshops, connections with old friends and new, and a taste of what semi-nary 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 the morning and one in the afternoon.

Event Location: Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, 3401 Brook Road Registration: $25 includes refreshments and a box lunch on campus – Register by Sep-tember 18 in order to ensure you will receive a lunch CEUs: 0.5 For: Church leaders and members, clergy, and those interested in learning more about their faith For 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 “Worshipping Doubters: The Church in Mission” 10:00 a.m. Break

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From Our Presbytery

Next Presbytery Meeting:

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

Richmond

10:15 a.m. Morning Workshops (choose one) How the New Testament Became the New Testament – Brian K. Blount Ethical Literacy: Understanding Earthly Stories with Heavenly Meaning – Katie G. Cannon Recent Discussions in the Theology of Food – Dawn DeVries Hospitality and Gratitude – Signs of Christian Community: Lessons from the Early Church – 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. Adams Telling Her Story: Women in Christian Tradition – Christine Luckritz Marquis and Beverly Zink-Sawyer Why Evangelism? John Vest Theologically Educated Pastors: The Rise, Fall, and Resurrection of a Profession? – Ken McFayden And You Thought the Book of Order Was for Geeks! – H. Carson Rhyne How Love Grows – Christopher Richardson 3:00 p.m. Keynote II Cleophus J. LaRue Watts Chapel “The Shape of Christian Preaching in the 21st Century”

TASTE AND SEE THAT THE LORD IS GOOD—A Conversation between a Farmer, a Chef, and a Theologian. Sat., Oct. 3, 2015, 9:00 a.m.– 3:00 p.m. Adults $15, Children Free. Includes locally-sourced

lunch. Grace and Hope Trinity Episcopal Church, 8 N. Laurel St., Richmond, VA 23220.

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 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, is

not 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 made

me 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, the

darkness).

To be sure, there is nothing magical about the service or the ashes. Indeed, when calling the people of God

to 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 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.

Announcements Fellowship Hour

September 6 – Leys

September 13 – Miller/Farquhar

September 20 – Watkins

September 27 – Bowman

Openers and Closers

September 6 – Jake Savage

September 13 – Cal Gray

September 20 – Pete Sizemore

September 27 – Kent Cardwell

in September... 1–Lisa Gray 1– Dana McKnight 3– Wade Kennedy 4–Madeline Pritchett 7– John Lootens 8–David Williams 10– Nicole Flournoy 12– Matthew Hartman 13–Gloria Gregory 16–Caitlin Corby 17–Arthur Strunk 17–Jody Hazlegrove 17– Campbell Hackett 18– Charles Holmes 19– Frances Mack 19– Henry Hazlegrove 20– Jim Poppell 21– Nancy Plunkett 21– Colleen Gibbons 24– John Martin Roberts 25– Liz Anderson 26– Kendall Appich 26– Jim Appich 27– Alexander Wilson 28–Chris Tetzlaff 29– David Holt

Date Night Grace Covenant is happy to offer this blessing up to our families again on Saturday, September 25, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. A charge of $5 per child will help defray the costs of

child care, though there is a $10 maximum per family with more than two children. Please RSVP by 3:00 p.m. Thursday, September 24, to the church at info@grace-covenant.org or 359-2463 with name of child and age.

Parents and Playground

GCPC Parents! Bring your young children and join us, Saturday, September 5, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on the Grace Covenant Play-ground. This will be a time for GCPC and CDC Parents to gather while their kids get to play.

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 “Ash

Wednesday” 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, is

not 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 made

me 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, the

darkness).

To be sure, there is nothing magical about the service or the ashes. Indeed, when calling the people of God

to 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 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.

Announcements

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

Dinners for Six Be on the lookout! Dinner for Six sign-ups will begin in the Social Room after worship, later this month.

Fellowship Announcements

Dear Grace Covenant friends, I would like to invite you to my art opening at Ruth & Ollie (Carytown). Please know that I invite you to this event in hope of your "presence"--in terms of support--and not in hope that you would purchase a painting. Please feel free to bring a friend! Sincerely, Carson Price

Welcome New WNS Cook—Kendall Appich My name is Kendall Appich. My husband, Chase Appich, and the entire Appich clan has made this church their home for generations. I am originally from Staf-ford, VA. Chase and I met at Virginia Tech and now have made Richmond our home. Some of my hobbies include cooking/baking and being an overall "foodie," running, skiing, the outdoors in general, music shows/concerts, and being with friends and family as often as I can! Over the last several months, Chase and I have been getting to know the congregation and have enjoyed getting to know folks in a young adult small group. When Bobby reached out to me about the cook position for Wednesday Night Supper, I was absolutely thrilled. I truly believe one of the best ways to reach people is through sharing a meal together. This opportunity is so exciting on so many levels, and God's hand in finding a way my family can be-come more integrated into the church is truly amazing. I hope to see each of you

on Wednesdays for a fresh, wholesome home-cooked supper!

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Adventures in Marriage Unlock the Best in Your Relationship

Learn proven and practical skills with marriage experts from First Things First. All skills will be practiced exclusively by couples and they will not need to share with the group.

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

Location: 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

Registration:

FREE: For Grace Covenant, Westminster, Tuckahoe & PBYJames members & guests: names/phone/e-mail /church if any email, info@grace-covenant.org Others : Register online at www.firstthingsrichmond.org : $25 per person or $40 per couple Childcare: Available from GCPC $10 per child: names/ages / parent cell: info@grace-covenant.org

Instructors: Dianne & Bob Ruthazer, CFLE Founders of First Things First and the Marriage & Relationship Coaching Center. Richmond area’s “Marriage Experts” Educating and Coaching Couples for over 20 years and married 36 years themselves (they laugh: 34 years happily married). They bring proven skills and humorous personal stories to help you have fun while you make your good marriage better!

Church questions: 804-359-2463

First Things First or program questions: bob@firstthingsrichmond.org or 804-402-8004

Adventures in Marriage Unlock the Best in Your Relationship Topic 1

Languages of Love and Killer Marriage Tips Topic 2

Listen to We: Communications for Intimacy Topic 3

Right & Left: Appreciating Personality Differences

Hosted by Grace Covenant Presbyterian, Tuckahoe Presbyterian, Westminster Presbyterian, and the Presbytery of the James

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SAVE THE DATE 6:00 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 Fellowship Hall. We will begin the evening at 6:00 p.m. with a chili cook-off! All are welcome to bring a chili. Sign-ups for the chili cook-off will be available in October. All others are invited to provide a small dessert to share. Following dinner, we will have a special presentation on the mission of the church from Reverend Dr. Joan Gray, the author of Sailboat Church, which is the book that the GCPC officers have been reading, discussing, and praying through during the course of this year. This event will go from 6:00-8:15 p.m. and childcare will be provided throughout that time.

Save the Date

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 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, is

not 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 made

me 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-

Update from your APNC The Associate Pastor Nominating Committee has just completed the first phase of the process to call GCPC’s next Associate Pastor. This first phase, as directed by the Presbytery, was to complete the MIF (Ministry Information Form). This form is available for all to read on our website (grace-covenant.org/associate-pastor-search) and paper copies are in the glass office. Now that “our side” of the information form is completed and approved by the Presbytery and our Session, we wait for the “matches” to come in. We are very excited to see who God is sending our way. Our MIF explains who we are as a church and who we are seeking to call as Associate Pastor. We have named the position, Associate Pastor for Christian Education. This immediately tells all candidates that our primary focus for this position is Christian Education. This does not mean that the AP will not lead worship or visit and/or have other pastoral duties; what it clearly says is that CE will be the main empha-sis of this position at GCPC. The MIF includes our Mission Statement. And we have explained in five narrative questions more about GCPC and our needs for the Associate Pastor. We have met with many of you to get your input for these five questions, thank you all. We have also selected ten leadership compe-tencies (from a list of more than thirty) that further define the particular gifts we are seeking in the AP. First on our list was Teacher, again stressing the importance of Christian Education in this search for our Associate Pastor. Please pray for our committee to listen for God’s guidance as we begin the process of reading PIFs (Personal Information Forms) from the many candidates we expect to hear from in the coming months. APNC Moderator — Dana McKnight APNC Clerk — Sallie Leys PIF Clerk— Itunu Adekoya Computer Clerk — Jessica Reveley Education Clerk — Cheryl Jacobs

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

Monthly Prayer Group A prayer group meets after the worship service on the last Sunday of each month. We will pray in the chapel from 12:30-1:00 p.m. following the 11:00 a.m. church service. For more information please contact Itunu Adekoya at 309-310-1424 or historybegins1727@yahoo.com, Susan Farrell at 359-6222 or omatalsbh@gmail.com, or Carol Wood at 282-2446 or ctwood7@gmail.com Please join us for our next meeting on September 27!

New Pew Bibles The new pew Bibles (New Revised Standard Version) have now been placed in the pews. Thank you to all who made donations toward the new Bibles. A special thank you to Cynthia Holmes, Cheryl Jacobs, and Christopher Tweel for their calligraphic skills in preparing the book plates that record the donations made for the Bibles. The previous pew Bibles (Revised Standard Version) will be available in the Archives Room if you would like to keep any of them. Dana McKnight

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Following June’s pattern, July recorded a sizable deficit in the General Fund as a result of moderate income experienced during the summer and relatively high expenses.

July’s contributions of $31,000 were up 6% from June, but the year-to-date total is down 10% from the prior year, about a third of which is accounted for by the difference in pledges paid in ad-vance. July’s expenses of $67,300 were up from June’s and included $6,700 in insurance, $4,800 in air-conditioning repair in the main building and $6,500 in the Stuart Circle Building. The year-to-date expenses are up over the same period last year by 16.7%, with the majority accounted for by higher personnel costs. July’s expenses exceeded income by $24,500. July’s Five Cents Per Meal offering was $67, Loaves and Fishes was $425, and the Mercy offering was $134.

Update from Session

STEWARDSHIP CORNER

Budget Update from Session For the year to date through July, GCPC has run an operating deficit of $105,034. At the end of the

month, GCPC had approximately $10,000 in cash and $113,859 in the reserve fund. GCPC typically

runs a deficit through the first part of the calendar year as donations are frequently back-loaded to-

wards the end of the year. However, donations through July are approximately 11% below where they

were at this time last year.

At this time, the church is likely to run an operating deficit for 2015 that is estimated to

be between $25,000 and $45,000 because of lower than expected rental income associ-

ated with a tenant moving out of the East Building and higher than expected personnel

expenses associated with changes in staffing earlier in the year. The range is dependent

on whether donations are received as budgeted and when a tenant is found for the va-

cant space in the East Building.

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Bobby Hulme-Lippert Pastor bobby@grace-covenant.org Christopher Martin Director of Music and Organist martin@grace-covenant.org Christopher Tweel Director of Christian Formation & Pastoral Assistant christopher@grace-covenant.org Nelson Reveley Parish Associate for Outreach & Adult Discipleship nmr2uf@virginia.edu Amy Kempel Director of Communications amy@grace-covenant.org Martha Rubin Administrative Support/ Bookkeeper bookkeeper@grace-covenant.org

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) 278-6298

grace-covenant.org

Sundays: 9:15 a.m.

Prayer Together in the Social Room 9:30 a.m.

Sunday School for all ages in the Education Building

10:55 a.m. Worship Service in the Sanctuary

12:15 p.m. Congregational Fellowship

in the Social Room

GCPC Child Development Center Nicole Flournoy Director (804) 213-0200 director.gccdc@verizon.net gracecovenantcdc.com

Our Elders serve the church as leaders.

Our Deacons lead the church in service.

Please feel free to approach them

with any questions or feedback about Grace Covenant’s ministries.

CLERK OF SESSION: Everett Reveley

ELDERS James Atchison (’16) - Finance (C-M) Virginia Hudson (’17) - Mission (M), Nominating Cheryl Jacobs (’15) - CE (M) Caroline Leith (’15) - Property (Co-M), CE Katie 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 Cardwell DEACONS Itunu Adekoya (’16) - Prayer (M) Lisa Cardwell (’15) - Flowers (M) Courtney Clements (’15) - Visitation (Co-M), Fellowship Phil 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/Ushers Jessica 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