Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church Asheville, North Carolina

Transcription

1 Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church Asheville, North Carolina May 24, :30 am The Day of Pentecost Sacrament of the Lord s Supper All that is true, by whomsoever it has been said, is by the Holy Spirit. - Thomas Aquinas Prelude Fughetta Alexandre Guilmant Introit In the Midst of New Dimensions Julian B. Rush

2 * Call to Worship Fire heats: the homes of all and melts the frozen; Fire illumines: the path for sojourner and firefighter alike; Wind blows: and walls come down and security is uprooted; Wind propels: and we sail into God s new heaven and new earth. * Hymn 309 Come, Great God of All the Ages ABBOT'S LEIGH * Call to Reconciliation * Litany of Confession The Spirit comes with fire of justice and we offer the extinguisher of complacency. Lord have mercy, The Spirit comes with the rain of love And we offer an umbrella of reserve. Christ have mercy, The Spirit comes bearing fresh winds of change and we close the windows. Lord have mercy, * Assurance of Forgiveness Speak the great good news of our faith: The Spirit is alive! Breathe, children of God, breathe the fresh winds of the Spirit. Taste, children of God, taste the quenching waters of God's love. Touch, children of God, touch the heat of God's passion for justice. * Response

3 * Passing of the Peace Prayer for Illumination The Peace of Christ be with you. And also with you. New Testament Acts 2: 1-13 On Pentecost They Gathered Hymn 289 (paraphrase of Acts, Chapter 2) The congregation is asked to remain seated and sing as follows: Stanza One: Choir and Congregation Stanza Two: Choir only Stanzas Three and Four: Choir and Congregation Old Testament The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God! Exodus 3:1-6 Sermon We Didn t Start the Fire Kristy Farber & Mark Ramsey Silent Meditation * Hymn 352 My Lord! What a Morning MY LORD, WHAT A MORNING Our Life Together (Please sign the Friendship Pad located in your pew) Graduate Recognition Dawson Mims Offering (Please place prayer cards in the offering plate for the Prayers of the People) Prayer of Dedication Offertory Anthem Every Time I Feel the Spirit Moses Hogan * Doxology

4 Sacrament of the Lord's Supper Invitation to The Table Prayer of Thanksgiving The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give God thanks and praise! Lord's Prayer (using debts debtors ) The Bread and The Cup Please come forward by the middle aisle, beginning with the front pews. Take a piece of bread, dip it in the cup. Return to your pew by the outside aisles. You may also be served in your pew. Please note, ALL bread is gluten- free. Prayer * Hymn 1 Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty! NICAEA * Charge and Benediction Postlude Trumpet Jubilation Richard Frey (For some, the Postlude serves as festive music to accompany their going back out into the world. Others prefer to remain seated and listen. Please be mindful of these different needs as you depart. Thank you!) * Please Stand in Body or Spirit. We gather to worship God who is larger than all our imagination! We encourage all persons to sing the gender nouns and pronouns they prefer in referring to God. Our Life Together Thank You! Head Usher: Jim Wallis Liturgist: Mary Lou Nash Thank you to Liz and Bill Rupp and family for the flowers that decorate our sanctuary, given to the glory of God with joy to celebrate Susan Rupp Mims birthday, and also in celebration of Dawson Emory Mims High school Graduation. The rose in the chancel is in honor of the birth of Luke Johnson, born May 17. Congratulations Andrea, Isaac, Mark, and Aaron!

5 Reception to Honor Mark Ramsey NEXT Sunday, May 31 After Worship Please join us on May 31st immediately following the 10:30am worship service for a reception to thank Mark Ramsey for his joyful and meaningful work with Grace Covenant. If you are interested in helping with the reception, please or call Nancy Quick at the church office and someone will be in touch with details. Congregational Meeting June 7 10:00 AM Sanctuary The Session calls a meeting of the congregation for Sunday June 7, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. in the sanctuary for the purposes of: #1 - Hearing and acting on the recommendation of the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee that the congregation vote to call a new associate pastor as of July 1, #2 - Hearing and acting on the recommendation of Session, in their role as designated by the congregation, that the congregation vote to call a part time Designated Associate Pastor for the length of the transition. Regarding Communion. Several months ago, the worship committee made the choice to serve gluten free bread for communion. We know that it is not the tastiest of bread, it probably won't win any culinary awards, however, we have several people in the congregation who have serious medical issues with gluten to the point where, if they eat bread with gluten, eat something that has touched gluten, or dipped gluten free bread into a cup where regular bread has been dipped, they are immediately at risk of serious medical consequences. To be the Body of Christ, and to make sure that what we do includes all people, we have moved to all gluten free bread. We considered having two stations, one with gluten, one gluten free, with different cups for each. Frankly, the complications for the instructions about that, as well as separating out certain members of the congregation, make this approach untenable. We are committed to the wonderful gift of communion that we share with one cup, one loaf, as the Body of Christ. We hope that everyone is able to understand and appreciate this decision - thank you for the great love you show your fellow church members. Serve Joining Hands Guatemala Mission Trip Guatemala mission trip stock and totebags are available before and after worship May 24. Letters, cards, and first aid supplies are being collected through June 21. Franny s Farm Fest June 6 This year, some proceeds from Franny's Farm Fest will be benefiting two great causes: Food Connection and Wild South. Refer to the Weekly News for more information. Solar Saturday May 30 11a - 4p Warren Wilson College (Morris Pavilion) Free Free workshops focusing on energy efficiency and solar technology, led by industry professionals. Vendors, music, and more! RSVP: Katie@cleanenergyfor.us.

6 Care Prayer List [We are happy to pray for anyone who is in need. Concerns will stay on this list for a month unless we hear otherwise. Please keep us updated.] Jerusalem Church elders deacons congregation; Frank Wilson (Martha Kisiah's nephew); Linda Albin (Les & Susan Stradley's friend); Matt Lyles (Fred & Heather Hudson's friend); JoDell Hawthorne (Donna Robertson's cousin); Frances Buchanan (Brian Buchanan's mother); Michael Siburt (Anna Jarvis' son- in- law); Dorothy LaRue Sloane (Donna Robertson's cousin); Natalie DeVito (Karen Rohls' daughter); Bubby Crawford (Starla Schnurbusch's sister- in- law's father); Natalie Taggert ( Kay Cole's friend); Terry Churchfield (Susie Churchfield's brother); Heath & Peggy Rada (Moderator of the PCUSA General Assembly); Barrett & Ali Payne (Commissioned to Columbia Seminary); Richard Simons (Gerry Simons' son); Pam Morrell (Penny Ponder's daughter); Tricia & Steve Minnick (Mary Lou Nash's friends); Kimo Hyatt (Keaton Hill s father); Al Williams; Sandy Jividen; Janet Bondurant; Jack & Betty Smith; Lorraine Formato; Dana Victor Little; Mimi Aldridge; Bettie Pritchard; Sarah Harwell; Mary Ellen Horne; Susan Stradley; Donna Robertson; Charlie Clogston; Carly Stein; Debbie Lee GCPC Camping Trip June Briarbottom Campground Registration Deadline: June 1 This is a great place for hiking, wading, fishing and fun! Group Campsites have been reserved (tent camping only) and you can secure your spot by registering with Nancy. The cost is $20 per family/tent for the weekend. Grow Mental Health Awareness Month Spring Into Action Social Trinity Episcopal Church Saturday, May PM The non- profit Partnership for Pastoral Counseling has been serving the communities of WNC since 1996, offering affordable counseling to the low income and uninsured. Grace Covenant has been a wonderful friend to the Partnership. The need is great and your support has a very direct impact on the mental health needs of our community. Please join us at our Spring Into Action Social on Saturday, May 30, 2015 at Trinity Episcopal Church 60 Church Street, Asheville NC from 5:00pm - 7:00pm. We will enjoy a reception, Silent Auction, Marvel Mystery Box Raffle and Live Music: Barrett Smith. Tickets and information: Jim Wallis ( ) or Rebecca Wells, Executive Director ( , ravwells@gmail.com) Summer Women s Memoir Series Wednesdays 7:00 PM Library Join us for a series of book talks focusing on memoirs written by people of faith. Hosted by Kristy Farber, Heather Gast, and Rebecca Gurney, and open to all women of the church. One copy of each book can be found in the newly revamped library annex upstairs in the Memorial Garden Overlook. Please pre- read the books to ensure lively discussion. June 17 A Severe Mercy Sheldon Vanauken July 15 Brown Girl Dreaming Jacqueline Woodson August 12 Jesus Land Julia Scheeres

7 Next Sunday, May 31, 2015 Trinity Sunday Sacrament of Baptism Worship Service 10:30 AM Sermon: Into The Wild by Mark Ramsey Scriptures: Exodus 16: 1-12 CALENDAR Sunday 24 The Day of Pentecost 9:50 AM World Garden 10:30 AM Worship 4:00 PM Worship at Westminster Pres. (15 Overbrook Pl.) Monday 25 Office closed Tuesday 26 9:00 AM Prayer Group Wednesday 27 7:00 PM Chancel choir Sunday 31 9:45 AM Session 9:50 AM World Garden 10:30 AM Worship 11:30 AM Reception for Mark Ramsey 4:00 PM Worship at Westminster Pres. (15 Overbrook Pl.)

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