Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church - Clover...

GraceCovenantPresbyterianChurchAsheville,NorthCarolina

www.gcpcusa.org

November19,2017–10:30am

Everyonehasbeenmadeforsomeparticularwork,andthedesireforthatworkhasbeenputineveryheart.

~Rumi

Prelude NundanketalleGott G.F.Kaufmann Introit BeJoyfulintheLord HalHopson

* CalltoWorship(adaptedfromPsalm99) TheLordisrulerofall;letthepeoplerejoice.WepraiseYourawesomename.TheLordisaloverofjustice,whohasestablishedequityforall.

WepraiseYouwhoexecutesjusticeandrighteousness.TheLordiswhoweworship;maywegatheratthefootofGod’sholymountain.

LordourGod,Youareholy!PraisebetoGod!

*Hymn37 LetAllThingsNowLiving ASHGROVE

*CalltoReconciliation

*PrayerofConfession LovingCreator, Therearetimeswhenwefailtoseeyouatworkinourdailylives.Sometimesguiltclenchestightlyaroundourhearts,andwehideourtruefeelings.Sometimesfearmakesussmall,andwemissthechancetospeakofyourpowerfulgrace.Sometimesdoubtinvadesourhopefulness,andwedon’ttrustourfaith.Forgiveusandfreeus.Helpustorecognizeyouineverymomentandserveyouandyourchildrenwithjoyfulhearts.Amen.

*AssuranceofForgiveness* Response Oforathousandtonguestosing mydearRedeemer’spraise, thegloriesofmyGodandKing, thetriumphsofGod’sgrace! * PassingofthePeace ThePeaceofChristbewithyou. Andalsowithyou.

FaithSharingwithChildren OurLifeTogether(Pleasesignthepadlocatedinyourpew) PrayerforIllumination HebrewScripture Psalm90:1-12

TheWordoftheLord ThanksbetoGod!

Anthem BeStillandKnowthatIAmGod MichaelBedford GospelReading Matthew25:14-30

TheWordoftheLord ThanksbetoGod!

Sermon “ToilandTrouble” SamanthaGonzalez-Block*Hymn716 God,WhoseGivingKnowsNoEnding BEACHSPRING*AffirmationofFaith(adaptedfromABriefStatementofFaith)

InlifeandindeathwebelongtoGod.ThroughthegraceofourLordJesusChrist,theloveofGod,andthecommunionoftheHolySpirit,wetrustintheonetriuneGod,theHolyOneofIsrael,whomaloneweworshipandserve.

WetrustinGod,whomJesuscalledAbba,Father.InsovereignloveGodcreatedtheworldgoodandmakeseveryoneequallyinGod’simage.Withbelieversineverytimeandplace,werejoicethatnothinginlifeorindeathcanseparateusfromtheloveofGodinChristJesusourLord.

Offering(PleaseplaceprayercardsintheofferingplateforthePrayersofthePeople) OffertoryAnthem SoonIWillBeDone WilliamDawson

* Doxology

* PrayerofDedicationHolyGod,maythesegiftsofferedtoyouhelpmoveourfaithforward,sothatwecancontinuetoshareyourlovewiththiscommunityandworld.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.

*Hymn765 MaytheGodofHopeGowithUs ARGENTINA

*Charge&Benediction

*Postlude PrestofromConcertoNo.1 J.S.Bach-------------------------------------------------

(Forsome,thePostludeservesasfestivemusictoaccompanytheirgoingbackoutintotheworld.Othersprefertoremainseatedandlisten.Pleasebemindfulofthesedifferentneedsasyoudepart.Thankyou!)

*PleaseStandinBodyorSpirit.

WegathertoworshipGodwhoislargerthanallourimaginations!WeencourageallpersonstosingthegendernounsandpronounstheypreferinreferringtoGod.

OurLifeTogether…

ThankYou!HeadUsher:BillWolcott|Liturgist:AmyFowler

DeaconoftheWeek:CarolineWyrosdick-Webb,email:wyrosdick@gmail.com

ThankyoutoJeannetteWilliamsfortheflowersthatdecoratethesanctuarythismorninggiventothegloryofGodwithThanksgivingblessingsfortheGCPCfamily.2018FlowerChart(onbulletinboardnexttoelevators)PleaseconsidersigninguptogiveflowersoneSunday.Aftersigningup,emailyourbulletindedicationtoAnnaLouiseatalmurchison@gcpcusa.organdsendinyourchecktoGCPCfor$45.

CreatingSanctuaryTeamMtg.|TODAY!,Nov.19|11:45AM|GardenRoomThiswillbeagoodopportunitytodiscussdevelopmentsinthewakeoftherecentaffirmativevotebytheUnitarianUniversalistCongregationofAshevilletobecomeasanctuarycongregation,andtolearnabouthowwecanrespondtorequests,andtoshareideas.Allarewelcome.(GardenRoom–formerlyknownasMarcia’soffice.)EarthTeamMeeting|Today,Nov.19|11:45AM|IndieRoomJointheEarthTeamtodayafterchurchintheIndieRoom(2ndfloorinEducationWing)aswemeettoplanoutwinterSundaySchoolclasses,"HowtoSavethePlanet,"thatbegininJanuary.Weareeagerforyourinput!

GrowTheRacialJusticeBookClub|Thursday,Dec.14|12:15PM|JerusalemRoomThisyear,GCPCiscommittingtoreadingabookeverymonthbyanauthorofcolorwhoexaminesissuesofraceandjustice.Inthefall,wewillbelookingatracialjusticefromasystemicperspective.ThebookclubwillbemeetingthesecondThursdayofeverymonth.ForDecember,wearereadingEbonyandIvy:SlaveryandtheTroubledHistoryofAmerica’sUniversitiesbyCraigStevenWilder.PleasecontactRichardorMarciawithanyquestions.

OurLifeTogether|Sunday,Nov.19|5:00-6:00PM|FellowshipHall"Theleader'smainjob,throughherorhiswayofbeinginthesystem,istocreateanemotionalatmosphereinwhichgreatercalmnessexists-tobealessanxiouspresence.'Knowingeverything'isnotnecessarytobeahealthy,competentleader.Whenyoucanbealessanxiouspresence,thereisoftenenoughexperienceandwisdominthegroupforthegroupitselftofigureoutitsownsolutionstothechallengesitfaces."-RonaldRichardson,CreatingaHealthierChurch,p.173.Areyouanon-anxiousleaderinyoursystems?Howcanyoubecomeone?Thesearethequestionswewilltackleinourfinalsession.

ServeRoomInTheInnwouldliketothankalltheovernighthosts,drivers,breakfast&dinnerpreparersandactivityleaders,setup&takedownteamsandallwhohelpedRoomInTheInninyourmanygenerousways.GraceCovenantVolunteers,youarethebest!

CareGCPC20s/30sGathering:“LivingLiberation”Discussion|Thursday,Nov.30|7–8:30PM|WhiteDuckTacoonBiltmoreAve.Ifyouareinyourtwentiesorthirties,joinRichardandSamanthadowntownforagooddiscussionoverdinner(appetizersonus!).TogetherwewillbediscussingCarterHeyward’sarticle,“IsaSelf-RespectingChristianWomananOxymoron?”andwhatfeministChristianitymeanstoourlives.Articleisavailableinthenewsletterannouncement.ContactSherriebyWednesday,Nov.22ifyouneedchildcare.

SistersattheSea|February1-4,2018|BodiesAlive!|FollyBeach,SCAreyouawomenage25ish-50ishwhowouldlikeaweekendofconnectingandrejuvenating?Markyourcalendarsforour9thannualSOS(“saveoursanity”/“sistersatthesea”)retreat!Marciawillleadusinspiritualpractices,energyworkandmovementtohelprevitalizeourbodies.EarlyBirdRegistrationbeginsnow!IfyoureserveyourspotbyDec.10witha$40non-refundabledeposit,youwillreceivetheearlybirdrate($160).RegistrationendsonJanuary14th.FormsavailableatInfoStationoronline.Scholarshipsavailableuponrequest.

DineWithNineUpdateGraceCovenant’s‘DineWithNine’programprovidesopportunitiesforsmalldinnergatheringsofninepeopletomeetandgettoknoweachotheroveraoneyearperiod.Everyoneisinvitedtoparticipate.Thecurrent2017DineWithNinegroupswillcontinuemeetinguntilFebruary14th.Don'tforgettoschedulefinalgatheringsbeforeyourgroupschange.Welookforwardtofinishingtheyearstrongandformingnewgroupsandrelationships.Newandexistingmembersmaysignupfor2018groupsinJanuary.TheDinewithNineyearbeginsonAshWednesday,whichin2018fallsonValentine’sDay.Ifyouhaveanyquestions,pleaseemailNancyKrameratnancykramer1981@gmail.com.

ChristmasattheBiltmore|GCPCChancelChoir|December22|5:30–9PMTheChancelChoirwillbesinginga30-minuteconcertoftraditionalholidayfavoritesonthehalfhour.Ticketsselloutfastsomakeyourreservationstoday!

YouthNewsTherewillbenoMiddleSchoolyouthgrouptoday.SeniorHigh&YouthGroupAlumni"FootballWatchParty"|TODAY,Sunday,November19|(afterchurch)12-3PM|MollydeMattos'house|Meet/pickupatGCPCparkinglotIfyouareaSeniorHighoraYouthGroupAlum,comeoutforasuperfunafternoonofwatchingthebiggame,playingpinballandPac-man,andspendingtimewithsomeawesomepeople.Wewillmeetafterchurchandtraveltheretogether.Sodas,pizzaandsnackswillbeprovided.Seeyouthere!Lastcalltoregisterfor:CharlestonYouthMissionEducationTrip|January12-15(MLKJr.Weekend)Registerforanadventuretoremember!OnceamainportforslavesbeingbroughttoAmerica,Charlestonisafascinatingplacethatisstillwrestlingwithitspastandwithcurrentenvironmentalandsocialconcerns.Wewillengageinmeaningfulserviceandlearningopportunitiesaroundthecityandbythesea,aswellasworshipat"MotherEmanuel"church(wheretragedystruckjustafewyearsago).Thecostis$150(full&partialscholarshipsareavailable).RegisterTODAYonlineorpickupahardcopyintheInformationStation.

NoEducationHournextweek!GCPC“OfficeBuilding”OpenHouse|Sunday,November26|9:15AMBetweenservicesonSunday,November26,thestaffishostingourOfficeBuildingOpenHouse.Comecheckoutallthenewofficeandmeetingspaces,haveatreat,andgivethankswiththestaffforalltheconstructionprogress.AdultEducation|AdventTerm|December3-17|9:15AM

PressurePoints:TheologythroughtheLensofDisability|ChoirRoomHowdoestheexperienceofdisabilityaffectone’sunderstandingofGod,andwhatcanthechurchlearnfromtheperspectiveofdisabilitytheology?Thisclasswilltouchonthreegroundbreakingworks:TheDisabledGod:TowardLiberatoryTheologyofDisabilitybyNancyEiesland;byKathyBlack;andJuliaWatts-Belser’slectureon“Violence,Disability,andthePoliticsofHealing.”DisabilitytheologywillbeexploredwithinthecontextofTraumaticBraininjury,whichisreceivinggrowingnationalattention.BothTamaraandMichaelsustainedbraininjuriesinacaraccidentseveralyearsago,andTamarahasjustcompletedabookwithJoyceHollydayaboutbraininjury,vulnerability,andfaith.Optionalreadingswillbeofferedelectronicallythroughthechurchnewsletterandbyemail.Facilitators:TamaraPuffer,JoyceHollyday,MichaelGalovic

DiggingIn:TheChristologyofJohn|FellowshipHallTheGospelAccordingtoJohndistinguishesitselffromthethreesynopticgospelsformanyreasons,nottheleastofwhichisthatittellsthestoryofJesuswithauniqueChristologicalslant.ThisgospelhashelpedtoshapeboththedevelopmentofChristiandoctrineandthedynamicthatputsomeontheoutsideofChristianorthodoxybecauseoftheirbeliefsaboutwhoJesuswas.ThehighsandlowsofwhoChristisinJohn’sgospelareworthyofattentionduringourseasonofAdventwaiting.Facilitator:MarciaMountShoop

TheImprov:SpiritualPathways|JerusalemRoomTheImprovclassthisAdventSeasonoffersthreeclasssessionsexploringListeningasaspiritualpractice.Wehopetodiscusshowanyspiritualpathwayinherentlyinvolvesattentiontolistening:listeningtooneself,tootherpeopleinourlives,andtoGod.ListeningisaspiritualpathwhensomeonelistensforthesacredSpiritthatbreathesinusandinourlives.Howwelistentoeachotherformsthebondsbetweenus.OurclasswillbeguidedbyReflectionsforCultivatingaSpiritualPractice:TheSacredArtofListening,abookoffortyreflectionsbyKayLindahl.Wewilltakeexamplesofthesereflectionstodeterminehowtheyaddresslisteningtoourselves,toothers,andtoGod;andwewillexplorehowwemightapplythesereflectionsoflisteningtoourownhabitsandspiritualpractice.Notextrequired.Facilitator:DeanPresson

CHILDREN&YOUTHEDUCATION[ContactSamantha]Preschool/Kindergarten(ages3-5)|anytimefrom8:30–11:30AM|PreschoolSundaySchoolRoom(downstairs,Children’sCenter)

Elementary(grades1-5)|9:10–10:10AM|TempleRoom(upstairs,PromiseZone)

MiddleSchool(grades6-8)|9:15-10:10AM|MiddleSchoolClassroom,PZ

SeniorHighs(grades9-12)|9:15-10:10AM|SeniorHighClassroom,PZ

CALENDAR Sunday 19 RITI(12-19)

8:30AM Worship9:15AM EducationHour

10:30AM Worship 11:30AM Deacons 11:45AM CreatingSanctuaryTeamMtg. 11:45AM EarthTeamMtg. 12:00PM YouthGroup(offsite) 12:00PM BiltmoreChoirRehearsal 4:00PM PWCoordinatingTeam 5:00PM Children’sChoirs 5:00PM OurLifeTogetherClass

Tuesday 21 9:00AM PrayerGroup 6:00PM FinanceMtg. 6:00PM ServeMtg.

Wednesday 22 11:00AM BibleStudy11:45AM Sanctuaryopenforprayer 5:30PM StewardshipMtg.

Thurs.–Fri. OFFICECLOSED Sunday 26 8:30AM Worship

9:15AM OfficeBuildingOpenHouse 10:30AM Worship

PrayerList[Concernswillstayonthislistforamonthunlesswehearotherwise.Pleasekeepusupdated.]JerusalemChurchcongregation;LindaParker(AnnaJarvis’sister-in-law);JoAnneHewettandfamily(AllisonMcLamb’sco-worker);BetsyNeedle(RobinGaiser’sfriend);SherryHarcke(LesandSusanStradley’sfriend);NikitaNorris,ReginaHunter&family(HabitatforHumanitypartnerfamily);Denise,BettyandDavidWhitt(MaryEllenHorne’spartner&herfamily);GlenRussell(RobinGaiser’sbrother);RondaLatrella(SusieChurchfield’sfriend);BettyWeller(sisterofLucyReileyandMargaretPeery);RindyMoore(RichardCoble’sfriend);JohnHarvey(PennyHarvey’sson);ArtBrown(BobWalther’sfriend);PatCocke(LesandSusanStradley’sfriend);BenJohnston-Krase(NancyGaskin’sfriendandpastoroftheFarmChurch);VirginiaBradley;HettieLouGarland;DotHolladay;JerryBleckley;TeresaStern;CindyEgerer;FlorenceRiedesel;GerrySimons;PatCheffins;JanaWatts;SergeKavalhuna;BobBusey

NextSunday,November26,2017

Worshipservicesat8:30&10:30AMNOEducationHour|GCPC“OfficeBuilding”OpenHouse@9:15AM

Sermon:“NowWhy?”byMarciaMountShoopScriptures:Ezekiel34:11-16,20-24;Matthew25:31-46