Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church Asheville, North Carolina

Transcription

1 Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church Asheville, North Carolina May 17, :30 am Seventh Sunday of Easter Sacrament of Baptism "Most of us were taught that God would love us if and when we change. In fact, God loves you so that you can change. What empowers change, what makes you desirous of change, is the experience of love. It is that inherent experience of love that becomes the engine of change." - - Richard Rohr

2 Procession Go Down, Moses traditional spiritual * Call to Worship God of the past who whispered in the prophets' ears; who rescued us from sin's slavery: we are here to thank you. God of the future, who is tearing down the old world, and building your kingdom in our midst: we are here because we trust you. God of the present who, in the giftedness of our diversity, creates us to be one people: we are here to praise you. God of life that surprises us when we find it within us: we celebrate your grace. * Hymn 234 Come Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain ST. KEVIN * Call to Reconciliation * Prayer of Confession God of Love, you see us as we pass by your people every day and take no notice of them. Some are family and friends we take for granted. Others are neighbors who are being crushed by their work, abandoned by loved ones, fallen into the depths of despair. And many are strangers, people we do not know but are quick to judge because they are weak, or poor, or the enemy, or because they remind us of whom we once were or could become. Rescue us from the power of our closed eyes and hands and strengthen us to be people who see, reach out, and extend the grace we ve experienced to all we encounter. Amen. * Assurance of Forgiveness This is the good news we have to declare: God leads us out of the shadows to walk in the light of Christ. This is the word we have heard: our faithful God forgives our sins and raises us to new life. Thanks be to God. Amen.

3 * Response

4 * Passing of the Peace Faith Sharing with Children Church Educator Recognition Prayer for Illumination The Peace of Christ be with you. And also with you. Old Testament The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God! Exodus 14:10-22 Interlude Wade in the Water arr. Chuck Marohnic Old Testament The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God! Exodus 14:23-15:11,20-21 Sermon Two Sides of the Sea Kristy Farber Silent Meditation * Hymn 53 O God, Who Gives Us Life NOEL Sacrament of Baptism For Karen Rohls

5 * Affirmation of Faith (from the United Church in Canada) We are not alone, we live in God's world. We believe in God: who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by the Spirit. We trust in God. We are called to be the Church: to celebrate God's presence, to live with respect in Creation, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope. In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God. Our Life Together (Please sign the Friendship Pad located in your pew) Welcoming New Members Emily Frye Kate & Ray Shem Offering (Please place prayer cards in the offering plate for the Prayers of the People) Prayer of Dedication Offertory Anthem He Never Failed Me Yet Robert Ray I will sing of God's mercy, every day, every hour, He gives me power. I will sing and give thanks to Thee for all the dangers, toils and snares that he has brought me out. He is my God and I'll serve Him, no matter what the test. Trust and never doubt, Jesus will surely bring you out, He never failed me yet. I know God is able to deliver in time of storm. I know that he'll keep you safe from all earthly harm. One day when my weary soul is at rest, I'm going home to be forever blessed. Trust and never doubt Didn't my God deliver Moses from King Pharoah? And didn't He cool the fiery furnace for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? When I think of what my God can do, He delivered Daniel, I know He will deliver you. Trust and never doubt

6 * Doxology Prayers of the People Each section of the prayer will conclude: God, in your grace Please respond: Hear our prayer The Lord s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name, Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, And the glory, forever. Amen * Hymn 684 Faith Begins By Letting Go LUX PRIMA

7 * Charge and Benediction Postlude Wer nur den lieben Gott J. S. Bach (Based on the text and tune of hymn 816) (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.

8 Our Life Together Thank You! Head Usher: Bill Gettys Liturgist: Jordan Stokes Thank you to Jerry & Susie Bleckley for the flowers that decorate our sanctuary, given to the glory of God, and in memory of their fathers, Ron Ralston and Jim Bleckley. News from May 10th's Congregational Meeting 1. Mark Ramsey's call was dissolved with his last Sunday being June 7th so he can move to be the Senior Pastor at Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church in Austin, Texas. 2. The Associate Pastor Nominating Committee reported the joyful news that after 7 months of discernment and prayer, they have a recommendation to bring to the congregation on June 7th. Calls in the Presbyterian Church are subject to approval of the Presbytery and Congregation and the APNC are thrilled that their unanimous choice has agreed to be recommended to become an Associate Pastor. The congregation established this position in the fall to work with youth, young adult ministry, and general pastoral duties. 3. The congregation appointed the Session to come back to the congregation to make a recommendation for Rebecca Gurney to become a part- time, designated Associate Pastor for the length of the transition. That recommendation may also be acted on at the congregational meeting June 7. Reception to Honor Mark Ramsey 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.

9 Serve The Guatemalan Mission Team Join Hands After worship today, please sign up as a "prayer partner", purchase shares of "stock", and buy team- made tote bags. The raffle for the fancy tote bag is at noon, but you can purchase raffle tickets till then. Until June 21, you can bring letters/photos/cards and first aid supplies for Jerusalem Church. See the display for details. 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. Summer Help with the World Garden If you are interested in being paired with another family or individual from our church to help tend, water, pick and eat from our World Garden this summer, please plan on attending ONE of the following meetings. We will meet at the tire garden. Sunday, May 24th at 9:50 (before worship) Sunday, May 31st at 9:50 (before worship) Solar Panels for GCPC? Ashley Edwards from Clean Energy for WNC will meet with people interested in putting solar panels on our roof after worship TODAY in the library 11:45-12:45. Please attend if interested. Care Prayer List Jerusalem Church elders deacons congregation; Frank Wilson (Martha Kisiah's nephew); Linda Albin (Les & Susan Stradley's friend); Jeff Riedesel (Steve Riedesel's brother); Ruth Cannon (Steve & Florence Riedesel's son's mother- in- law); Stephen Billings (Anna Thomas' uncle); Ruth Johnston (Ginnie Stevens' friend); Joseph Casey (Gordon & Robin Gaiser's grandson); Dr. Doug Michael (Ginnie Stevens' 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); Edna Centola (Nancy Quick s friend); Natalie Taggert ( Kay Cole s friend); Terry Churchfield (Susie Churchfield s brother); Khalil (Elsa Ploccica s classmate); Heath & Peggy Rada (Moderator of the PCUSA General Assembly); Barrett & Ali Payne (Commissioned to Columbia Seminary); Richard Simons (Gerry Simons' son); 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; Carley Stein Sympathy and support are extended to Chip Brown on the death of his grandfather, Calvin Overstreet. Congratulations to Larry and Teresa Stern upon the birth of their grandson, Corban Clayton Stern, on May 7, 2015, in Chapel Hill, NC.

10 Teacher/Volunteer Recognition Today During Worship THANK YOU! Grace Covenant has an amazing array of volunteers that help our church worship, learn and grow each and every week. Today, we recognize our church educators who volunteer to teach Sunday school for adults and children. 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. Everyone is responsible for their own food. Grow New Member Sunday Today Today we welcome New Members to the congregation. If membership is something you would like to explore or just have some questions about, please contact Mark Ramsey, Kristy Farber or Heather Gast Marketplace, AD (June 22-25) Registration, Volunteers, & Crafts Thank you for all the craft supplies you donated for Marketplace, AD! At this point, we have all we need EXCEPT Altoid tins and other small metal containers. Please drop them in the collection box in the Information Station. Marketplace Registration Registration Deadline: TODAY Pick one up in the information station and return it to Nancy Quick. 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 for the event and additional information: Jim Wallis ( , jimrwallis@aol.com) 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 and Heather Gast, 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

11 Youth THIS Sunday, May PM Join us for our end of the year party! We will be painting handprints and footprints on the youth room walls. Hope to see you all there for our last night together! Marketplace, AD VBS Needs Youth Volunteers June am- Noon We need help in the Marketplace with crafts, Tribal Parent Assistants and Drama Troop (high school). We are happy to sign off on any volunteer hours that you need! Please sign up and direct questions to Heather Gast. Next Sunday, May 24, 2015 The Day of Pentecost Sacrament of Baptism Worship Service 10:30 AM ONLY NO Education Hour Sermon: We Didn t Start the Fire by Kristy Farber and Mark Ramsey Scriptures: Exodus 3 CALENDAR Sunday 17 Teacher/Volunteer Appreciation 8:15 AM Worship 9:15 AM Education hour 10:00 AM New members 10:30 AM Worship 11:30 AM Congregational Retreat meeting 11:30 AM Deacons 4:00 PM PW coordinating team 4:00 PM Worship at Westminster Pres. (15 Overbrook Pl.) 5:00 PM Youth Group Tuesday 19 9:00 AM Prayer Group Wednesday 20 11:00 AM Wed. Bible study 7:00 PM Chancel choir Sunday 24 Pentecost 9:50 AM World Garden 10:30 AM Worship 11:30 AM Congregational meeting 4:00 PM Worship at Westminster Pres. (15 Overbrook Pl.)

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