Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church Asheville, North Carolina

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Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church Asheville, North Carolina www.gcpcusa.org November 22, 2015 10:30 am How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.

1 Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church Asheville, North Carolina November 22, :30 am How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives. -Annie Dillard Prelude God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens arr. Cathy Moklebust * Call to Worship God stretches out the heavens and shapes the earth. Come and give thanks. God raises up the mountains and pours water into the seas. Come and give thanks. God calls forth plants from the soil and fruit from the trees. Come and give thanks. God breathes upon us and fills us with life. Come lift your voices in praise. God loves us and overwhelms us with unending generosity. Come and worship.

2 * Hymn 14 For the Beauty of the Earth DIX * Call to Reconciliation * Prayer of Confession God of grace, all around us are wars, and rumors of wars, and we are afraid for ourselves and our world. We follow after false leaders and grasp for whatever security we can find. Forgive us, Lord, for we are quick to forget that all life is in your hands. Renew our hope, increase our courage, and keep us watchful for the signs of your just and peaceful reign that is to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. * Assurance of Forgiveness People of God, beloved of the Lord, the one who created you and maintains your every breath calls you to receive mercy and be forgiven. Thanks be to God. * Response Hymn 48 Rain Down RAIN DOWN (Sing the response twice) * Passing of the Peace The Peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.

3 Faith Sharing with Children Prayer for Illumination Old Testament Psalm 23 The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God! New Testament Matthew 6:25-34 The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God! Sermon Double Vision Rebecca Gurney Silent Meditation

4 * Hymn 822 When We Are Living SOMOS DEL SENOR * Affirmation of Faith (from the United Church of 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. Amen. Our Life Together (Please sign the Friendship Pad located in your pew) Offering (Please place prayer cards in the offering plate for the Prayers of the People) Prayer of Dedication Offertory The Call of Wisdom Will Todd This anthem given by the GCPC Chancel Choir In honor of Marty Dean, In gratitude for her voice, her heart and her service to the GCPC Chancel Choir for 44 years

* Doxology Prayers of the People The Lord s Prayer Each section of the prayer will conclude: God, in your grace Please respond: Hear our prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name,

5 * Doxology Prayers of the People The Lord s Prayer Each section of the prayer will conclude: God, in your grace Please respond: Hear our 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 376 When All Is Ended YOGANANDA * Charge and Benediction Postlude Now Thank We All Our God Sigfrid Karg-Elert (For some, the Voluntary 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.

6 Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying by Ken Medema. (c) 1973 Hope Publishing Company. All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission of Onelicense.net, copyright license No. A 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: Paul Tescione Liturgist: Mark Merritt Thank you to Jeannette Williams for the flowers that decorate our sanctuary, given to the Glory of God and in celebration of family and friends November birthdays, especially grandsons Andrew (Nov. 4) and Ashton (Nov. 21). The rose in the chancel is in honor of the birth of Louis Jackson on November 19. Congratulations to Max McCleary-Small, Llewellyn Childress, and grandmother Sherrie. Prayer Trees If you would like to take a moment and write a prayer of hope for our church, you may come forward during the first or last hymn and attach it to a prayer tree. Grow Advent Event and Potluck December PM Our Advent Event this year is designed for the entire congregation. After dinner, there will be stations inviting us to engage the season in a myriad of ways: making advent candle creations to take home, singing and discussing Advent hymns, decorating cookies, making cards for our at-home members, creating a group art project, or reading quietly in a set apart devotional space. Bring a dish to share (NO desserts please). If you can help set up and/or with clean up, please hgast@gcpcusa.org Winter Women s Memoir Series Mondays 6:15 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 but come either way! Jan. 11 Stories of My Life Katherine Patterson Feb. 15 The New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance Elna Baker Mar. 14 Breathing Space: A Spiritual Journey in the South Bronx Heidi Neumark

7 Women s Spiritual Retreat February 4 7, 2016 Folly Beach, SC $140 Get ready!!! Our 7th annual women's retreat registration begins NOW! This getaway is designed as a weekend of contemplation and togetherness for women ages 25-50ish. Our focus this year is Spiritual Practices for Ordinary Life. Please visit church website, GROW, Women s Spiritual Retreat and you will find a link to the registration form. Registration begins NOW and ends on January 10th. Early Bird registration ($10 off) ends on December 6 th. Weekly Wednesday Bible Study Conference Room 11 AM *NO WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK due to Thanksgiving holidays. We will resume the next week on December 2. Youth News Youth Mission Education Trip to Nashville!!! Friday, January 15 Monday, January 18 (MLK Jr. Weekend) Time to sign up! This winter, we are thrilled to be traveling from Asheville to Nashville. We will be hosted by the Center for Student Missions. We will learn about poverty in the city, do service together, and consider how our faith calls us to make a difference. The cost is $195 and scholarships are available as needed. Please contact Nancy, nquick@gcpcusa.org, to register and submit your $50 deposit by Nov. 30th. *Parent and Youth Nashville Trip Information Session TODAY! Sunday, November 22 4:30-5 PM GCPC Fellowship Hall Learn more about our exciting upcoming mission trip before youth group begins this evening. This will be a great time to have all of your questions answered as you prayerfully consider taking part in this meaningful mission adventure. Contact Samantha, sgblock@gcpcusa.org, with any questions. Youth Group: Photo Scavenger Hunt TONIGHT, November PM GCPC Fellowship Hall Get ready to do it our "selfie"! That's right, it's time for our youth photo scavenger hunt that will take us all around Asheville. We will gather in the fellowship hall and then carpool in teams. If parents have not done so already this year, please sign a carpool permission slip when youth arrive. The Mullen and Hamel families will be providing a delicious dinner. See you there! * Note: Only adults will be driving for the scavenger hunt. If any adults would like to stay and participate as drivers, please let Samantha know.

8 Serve Tour of Homeward Bound Saturday, December 5 11 AM - 12 PM Want to know more about the affordable housing crisis and issues affecting the homeless in our city? Please join the Serve Committee on a tour of A-Hope, Asheville's only day shelter and a program of Homeward Bound. Please RSVP to Britt Allen (itsbrittallen@gmail.com or ) by Wednesday, December 2. Backyard BBQ Veterans Restoration Quarters 1st Tuesday of the Month For the past 7 years a team from GCPC has cooked and served a hamburger supper for veterans the first Tuesday of each month. You can join them for one evening or long term. After cooking and serving, join the veterans at the table to share the meal. Reservations are not required. Come around 4:30 and you will have a job. Room in the Inn December Our next RITI is coming up! If you would like to participate next month, please contact Susan Presson ( ) or Nan Clarke ( ). Sign-up is available after church today in the narthex. 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 congregation and Pastor Search Committee; Linda Albin (Les & Susan Stradley's friend); JoDell Hawthorne (Donna Robertson's cousin); Frances Buchanan (Brian Buchanan's mother); Dorothy LaRue Sloane (Donna Robertson's cousin); Natalie DeVito (Karen Rohls' daughter); Tricia & Steve Minnick (Mary Lou Nash's friends); Susie Moore (Ray Kisiah s sister); Lindsae Becker (Tyler Ander s friend); Brenda Taylor (Florence Riedesel s cousin); Bob McMillan (Ashley Park s father); Ian Craig (Mary Craig s son); George Dowdle (Karen Rohls friend); Sophia Anderson (Ginnie Stevens granddaughter); Joyce Fox (Ginnie Stevens sister); Pam Morrell (Penny Ponder s daughter); Pierre Griffin (who was a student of some of our members); Rita DiGiantomasso (Karen Rohls sister); Emmy Lou Legerton (John Legerton s mother); Heath & Peggy Rada (Moderator of the PCUSA General Assembly); Barrett & Ali Payne (Received by Presbytery as a Candidate for Ministry); Mark & Heather Merritt (Commissioned to Columbia Seminary); Richard Simons; Jack & Betty Smith; Mimi Aldridge; Mary Ellen Horne; Susan Stradley; Virginia Bradley; Lois and Donald Dossey; Hettie Lou Garland; Sarah Harwell; Lisette de Groot; Nancy Quick Janet Bondurant died Monday afternoon. A Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held at Grace Covenant on Monday, November 23, at 11 AM, with a reception afterwards. Please keep her daughter, Ellen McElduff, and their extended family in your prayers. A very special thank you to our Elementary School children who decorated miniature trees for Hospice during their Service Sunday Education hour last Sunday. These trees will be on display at the Asheville Outlet Mall at West Elm

9 from November 20th through December 14th until they are delivered to patients. Thank you, GCPC children and youth! Updating and Accessing the Online Directory After church deacons will be in the narthex taking photos and updating information for our GCPC directory. If you don t have a photograph in the directory, please stop by their table and have one taken. Or, if you would rather, you can a photo of yourself or your family to Anna Louise (almurchison@gcpcusa.org). On that note, if you don t have access to the directory, or have misplaced your password, you can Anna Louise to gain access. Presbyterian Women s Annual Christmas Candle Light Dinner Monday, December 7 6 PM Fellowship Hall All women of the church are cordially invited for fellowship, dinner and entertainment. Sign up in the narthex after church. Cost is $15, which goes to support Days for Girls International. Childcare is provided. Longest Night Service December 20 7 PM Sanctuary On the longest night of the year, we are particularly mindful of all among us who are grieving or struggling this Advent and Christmas, and we set aside time to come together before God in the midst of that pain. All are welcome to gather for prayerful worship of Jesus, the light of the world, who is with us even in the darkness. Christmas at the Biltmore GCPC Chancel Choir December 23 5:30 8:30 PM Our very own Chancel Choir will be providing entertainment in the Biltmore House during the Candlelight Christmas Eve Tour. The Choir will be singing a 30 minute concert of traditional holiday favorites on the half hour. Tickets sell out fast so make your reservations today! Visit Love & Logic Parenting Class 1/20, 1/27, 2/3, & 2/ PM Holiday Inn (Tunnel Rd) A number of GCPC parents are planning to take a Love and Logic class in early 2016, and Grace Covenant is going to provide childcare at the church for people taking the class. More information about the class (content, price, etc.) can be found at If you want to take the class and would like childcare, please register at the link above and then RSVP to Nancy Quick to reserve a childcare spot by December 31.

10 Next Sunday s Education for All Ages 9:15 AM Pressure Points Library This class explores thorny issues that challenge us in the 21 st century church. Currently, Pressure Points is using a video series from Living the Questions entitled, The Jesus Fatwah: Love Your Muslim Neighbor as Yourself. Bible Study Sunroom Over the course of this year, we will be diving into scripture as we study a book of the Bible together. We read a passage, have a lively discussion about it, and then move on as time allows. No preparation needed, just show up. A different member of the GCPC staff facilitates our study each week. See you there!! This fall we are studying the gospel of Mark. Journeys Jerusalem Room The Journeys class discusses and analyzes everything from scriptural texts, to historical expressions of faith, to current writings, with the goal of better understanding our own contemporary faith and the actions to which it calls us. CHILDREN & YOUTH EDUCATION [Contact Heather or Samantha] Preschool: The Holy Family Elementary: The Holy Family Middle School Get ready for an unforgettable Sunday morning! Legare, Jamie and Leah will lead us in putting together a fun video for Wheels4Hope. We also will share some delicious breakfast treats. See you there! Senior Highs Where in the world is Christ? We are continuing to dive into the Wired Word curriculum with Amy and Sheryl! Enjoy breakfast snacks and great conversation together. Get ready for a great time!

11 Next Sunday, November 29, 2015 Worship Service at 8:30 & 10:30 AM Education Hour at 9:15 AM Sermon: The Lists We Make by Kristy Farber Scripture: Jeremiah 33:14-16, Luke 21:25-36 CALENDAR Sunday 22 8:30 AM Worship 9:15 AM Education hour 10:30 AM Worship 4:30 PM Parent/Youth Info Meeting 5:00 PM Youth Group 5:00 PM Children s choirs Monday 23 11:00 AM Service of Witness to the Resurrection and celebration of the life of Janet Bondurant Tuesday 24 9:00 AM Prayer Group Wednesday 25 11:00 AM Bible study Th. Fri Office closed Sunday 29 8:30 AM Worship 9:15 AM Education hour 10:30 AM Worship

Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church Asheville, North Carolina

Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church Asheville, North Carolina www.gcpcusa.org November 29, 2015 10:30 am A prison cell, in which one waits, hopes - and is completely dependent on the fact that the door